Undergrad Sophomore Considering Transferring to a 6-Year Program

[Alluria]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am currently a sophomore at SUNY Binghamton, pursuing a BS degree in Management. Unfortunately, after a year of taking business reqs, such as math, law, and economics, I'm finding myself absolutely hating my business major. I am highly considering transferring to a pharmacy program, which was my original dream after high school - something I gave up so I could attend the same college as my (now ex) boyfriend.

I have lots of science and math AP credit from high school (4/5s on biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus BC), but I haven't taken any pre-pharmacy reqs in college so far. I've taken a wide variety of classes, such as psychology, law, english, advanced calculus, computer science, history, economics, earth science, and geography -- but nothing that would count towards a pharmacy curriculum. However, I have a high GPA (3.96), if that would even be a factor.

I'm from Long Island, and would prefer to stay close to home. I'm currently looking into the 6-year programs at Rutgers, St. John's, and LIU. I was wondering if anyone had any experience transferring into 6-year programs. I was also wondering if it would be best to stay at my current college another year (apply to 6-year Program during Spring or Fall 2010) to start my pre-pharmacy reqs and hopefully have those transferred, or if would it be better to try and transfer to the 6-year program as soon as possible.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, as I'm trying to gather as much information about PharmD programs as possible!

 

[inquirer89]

You don't have to transfer to a 0-6 program. Most applicants, including me, do the 2+4 route. You can take the prereq classes anywhere. Even most students at the 0-6 year pathways have to apply to their pharmD programs, just like any other graduate professional school. I'm not sure if your AP credit will satisfy as prereq credits, but if so then you are already ahead.

It seems that you have the right mindset so I expect your transition from liberal arts to science will work out. Just continue to make good grades, take the PCAT if necessary, get some pharmacy experience, and you'll have good chances to your choice pharmD programs by the time you graduate.

 

[speciald]

Alluria: St John's doesn't accept transfers into their PharmD program, told me they're 0-6 only.

 

[Alluria]

According to the St. John's website:

"Each year the Pharm.D. Committee -- part of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health -- determines whether existing classes have space for transfers. If classes are full, it is possible that no transfer applicants will be admitted for a specific year."

It does not look like they accept many transfers, but they did not say it was impossible to transfer, either.

 

[speciald]

The email I got from SJU admissions over the summer said "there is no opportunity to transfer into the PharmD program at a later date". I'm applying to the 0-6, but they made point of telling me I had to start there!
Maybe they'll tell you something different if you ask!

 

[bklyngirl]

According to the St. John's website:

"Each year the Pharm.D. Committee -- part of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health -- determines whether existing classes have space for transfers. If classes are full, it is possible that no transfer applicants will be admitted for a specific year."

It does not look like they accept many transfers, but they did not say it was impossible to transfer, either.

I also called St. Johns recently, and was told by admissions rep. that they do not accept transfers into pharmacy program. I also reminded them of their website statement, also stated above "Each year the Pharm.D Committee determines whether existing classes have space for transfers....", and was then told "there has not been any transfer seats available for the past few years - we receive at least 2 calls per day regarding this and as it stands we are at full capacity, SORRY!"
You can call yourself to see if you get same response, and if so you can then determine if it would be worth taking the time to apply anyway (it's free online), or maybe not bother wasting your time preparing an application that will only be tossed away.
Since your GPA is so high, you'll have much better luck with LIU. Even better, you can apply to Albany College of Pharmacy as a first or second year transfer, but if you decide to do it apply EARLY, like right now. They look very favorably at high GPA's, so you have a really good shot!
Good luck!

 

[bklyngirl]

Also check Albany College of Pharmacy's website. They may take AP credit, and if so you may be eligible to apply for Spring '09 transfer, as they usually have a few spots available during this time, as well as in the fall.

 

[bwsalvas]

I'd look into the four year grad school root.

Univ @ Buffalo and St. John Fisher are both in NY and 4yr programs.

Western NY isn't the island but if you're in Binghamton its only a couple more hours.