Should I minor?

[kcha95]

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I'm a first year transfer student into a PharmD program. Due to my transfer credits, I have gaps in my schedule for next year. I only need to take one additional class each semester to maintain full time status.

I met with my advisor and he suggested that I consider a minor concentration.

I'm interested in public health, the program would require that I complete 2 additional classes each semester of my second year and 1 class in the first semester of my third year (first professional year).

I'm worried because the courses appear to be a bit more difficult than the normal second year classes and I will also be taking organic chemistry, which I heard is difficult. I would like to take this opportunity to explore an interest and diversify my resume, but I don't want to sacrafice my sanity or GPA in the process. I also work part time and was recently elected as treasure of my class starting in the Fall.

I'm not sure what the future holds but I would at least like to the opportunity to pursue a residency or management position after graduation. I know that a minor my make me a stronger candidate for such positions, but by how much? Would it hurt me more than help me if my GPA were to fall? I've also considered minoring in healthcare business or foreign language, which seem a bit easier, but my interest is in public health.

Advice? Personal experiences?

 

[MindGeek]

considered minoring in healthcare business

I wish that I had minored in Business instead of Philosophy during undergrad. It would have saved me at least $12k and let me graduate with my Pharm.D. and MBA at the same time.

If you minor in Business at an AACSB accredited college and pursue an MBA at an AACSB accredited Business school within the next 10 years you can typically exempt up to 18 of the Foundation credits. This would allow you to do an MBA one-year full-time post-Pharm.D. should you decide to get an alternate degree instead of doing a residency or working right out of school. 18 credits is a lot of money worth of tuition and cuts a 42-48 credit program down to a more palatable size of just the Core and Concentration courses after 4 grueling years of Pharmacy school.

I've never seen a CEPH accredited MPH program that exempts credits from undergrad. I hope you can find some that do. Until then Business minor is the safest bet. Technically you don't even need to minor in Business for credits to count forward (accredited MBA needs accredited undergrad credits though).

Are you a 2+4, 3+4, 4+4, X-then-PharmCAS, or is this first 2 of 0-6? 95% of my peers going into a standalone 4 year Pharmacy school seemed to be Biology Major Chemistry Minors. Minor in something you are passionate about other than Chemistry and that in itself will set you apart.

Good Luck!

 

[Lnsean]

I'm a first year transfer student into a PharmD program. Due to my transfer credits, I have gaps in my schedule for next year. I only need to take one additional class each semester to maintain full time status.

I met with my advisor and he suggested that I consider a minor concentration.

I'm interested in public health, the program would require that I complete 2 additional classes each semester of my second year and 1 class in the first semester of my third year (first professional year).

I'm worried because the courses appear to be a bit more difficult than the normal second year classes and I will also be taking organic chemistry, which I heard is difficult. I would like to take this opportunity to explore an interest and diversify my resume, but I don't want to sacrafice my sanity or GPA in the process. I also work part time and was recently elected as treasure of my class starting in the Fall.

I'm not sure what the future holds but I would at least like to the opportunity to pursue a residency or management position after graduation. I know that a minor my make me a stronger candidate for such positions, but by how much? Would it hurt me more than help me if my GPA were to fall? I've also considered minoring in healthcare business or foreign language, which seem a bit easier, but my interest is in public health.

Advice? Personal experiences?

There's no free lunch brah. Hedging in real life costs money too.