UF pharmacy major

[ACP22]

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I'm going to be attending the University of Florida in the fall and I recently noticed that they have a pharmacy major. Apparently it's 2 years and it completes all of the pre reqs for pharmacy school. The problem is that most students accepted into pharmacy school have a bachelors degree and you don't get that with the pharmacy major. Has anyone chosen the pharmacy major and then changed majors after completing the pre reqs so they could get a bachelors? Or would it be better to just choose a different major? Any help is appreciated.

-Amanda

 

[Skrumpy]

I'm going to be attending the University of Florida in the fall and I recently noticed that they have a pharmacy major. Apparently it's 2 years and it completes all of the pre reqs for pharmacy school. The problem is that most students accepted into pharmacy school have a bachelors degree and you don't get that with the pharmacy major. Has anyone chosen the pharmacy major and then changed majors after completing the pre reqs so they could get a bachelors? Or would it be better to just choose a different major? Any help is appreciated.

-Amanda

IMO I would choose a different major and go for one that maybe is a bit different and something that could make you stand out. Many schools these days are looking for "diversity factors" and while there is certainly nothing wrong with choosing a pharmacy major it doesn't make you memorable in any way. You also can't really use it as a conversation piece in your interviews. I did one of the most common majors (biochem) but didn't mention it at all in my interviews. Instead I spoke about my minor (anthropology) and how what I learned from those courses would make me a better pharmacist. I think the root of it comes down to this: they want you to have the basic technical knowledge, but everyone WILL have this as it is a requirement for pharmacy school, everything outside of that (your extracurriculars, your major/minor, etc) should speak to how you have developed as an individual capable of leadership and compassion. Essentially, what you choose to major/minor in isn't a big deal (as long as you get the prereqs done) but you could use it to your advantage.

 

[GatorPharm]

I'm going to be attending the University of Florida in the fall and I recently noticed that they have a pharmacy major. Apparently it's 2 years and it completes all of the pre reqs for pharmacy school. The problem is that most students accepted into pharmacy school have a bachelors degree and you don't get that with the pharmacy major. Has anyone chosen the pharmacy major and then changed majors after completing the pre reqs so they could get a bachelors? Or would it be better to just choose a different major? Any help is appreciated.

-Amanda

Do the pre-pharm major, and apply to pharm school after two years. If you get in, great, if not then you can choose which bachelor's degree to pursue. Just be aware of the critical tracking courses and pre-reqs for UF majors. The pre-pharm major is unlikely to include the types of CT courses/pre-reqs needed for a vastly different bachelor's degree like criminology or something. If you know pharmacy is what you want to do and you think you can establish yourself as a good applicant in 2 years, then why wait? Save time and money.