Where did(or are doing) your undergrad/pre-req?

[DesiThumbi]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello all this is my first post, and first off just want to say how helpful and informative this board is! So, my story goes as is: honor student at high school, went to a community college so I could work and help my parents with the bills(also didn't quite know what I wanted to do in life). In my 2nd year of junior college I decided to major in business, even though I didn't really like it, all my friends were doing it and talked me into it, which was really stupid of me.So, I transferred over to CSU Stanislaus last semester, I could have gone to a UC with my grades(3.5+ gpa), but once again I wanted to stay at home and help out the parents and save them some money. And now at Stan I am realizing business is not for me and don't really want to work in the field for my life. I've always loved helping people and never noticed my strong math/science skills. I spent a day at my local pharmacy talking to and shadowing a pharmacist and fell in love wth it.So now finally for my question, do pharmacy schools look at which college one does pre-reqs or receives BS/BA from. My plans is to double major in business/bio, since I'm almost done with the business major anyway, might as well complete it. I'm just nervous that since I read most people go to pharmacy schools after doing an undergrad at a UC or other more science related schools. I just don't want to take this plunge and not get into a good school, really hoping for UCSF even though I know it's one of the hardest.I can go back to junior college again and then transfer to a UC, but that will make my schooling ridiculously longer.But if that's what I have to do, I will, I'm a really determined/dedicated person. As far as extra curricular stuff, I am a cancer survivor and will be doing volunteer work with the American Cancer Society and the Make-A-Wish foundation. Also, trying to land a job in a local pharmacy. My GPA is currenlty 3.6, and I'm pretty sure I can maintain this. Any input is much appreciated, man this got long!!!

 

[Medicaljunkie]

If you get all your prereqs done for pharmacy school, recieve good grades, do well on the PCAT, and have good extracurriculars (pharmacy experience) you should have a good shot at getting in. A business major, I think, would not be a problem since they are looking for well rounded individuals. It may even be a plus (if you are interested in getting a PharmD/MBA degree especially). I couldn't tell from your post if you are good at science/math. If you can achieve a high science GPA along with your already fairly high overall GPA, you will be fine.

Best of luck!

 

[DesiThumbi]

yeah math and science are actually my strong points. I just want to see where everyone else is also doing their undergrad studies. I'll sleep a lot easier if theres others that are also at CSUs doing pre-pharmacy and not only UC students.

 

[CaliRx]

yeah math and science are actually my strong points. I just want to see where everyone else is also doing their undergrad studies. I'll sleep a lot easier if theres others that are also at CSUs doing pre-pharmacy and not only UC students.

Don't worry, as long as you have a good GPA and extracurricular activities you will be competitive for CA schools. I went to UC Davis for my first year and I decided to come back to community college for many reasons. Basically, this blew my application away, going from a 4-yr to a 2-yr especially because I had a low GPA. From there I built my application, spent two years at a CC and then transfered to San Jose State. I'm lucky enough to be accepted to Wingate Univ without a BA/BS degree. I wish you all the best. Just because you go to a CSU and NOT a UC doesn't make you any better or worst. Trust me, I've been to both and I don't see much of a difference in the quality of education and the students.

 

[Happy Hounds]

On a side note, I got accepted this year after returning to school--my first degree was in Business. It can be a good thing to have a non-science degree here.

 

[UES Girl]

Hello all this is my first post, and first off just want to say how helpful and informative this board is! So, my story goes as is: honor student at high school, went to a community college so I could work and help my parents with the bills(also didn't quite know what I wanted to do in life). In my 2nd year of junior college I decided to major in business, even though I didn't really like it, all my friends were doing it and talked me into it, which was really stupid of me.So, I transferred over to CSU Stanislaus last semester, I could have gone to a UC with my grades(3.5+ gpa), but once again I wanted to stay at home and help out the parents and save them some money. And now at Stan I am realizing business is not for me and don't really want to work in the field for my life. I've always loved helping people and never noticed my strong math/science skills. I spent a day at my local pharmacy talking to and shadowing a pharmacist and fell in love wth it.So now finally for my question, do pharmacy schools look at which college one does pre-reqs or receives BS/BA from. My plans is to double major in business/bio, since I'm almost done with the business major anyway, might as well complete it. I'm just nervous that since I read most people go to pharmacy schools after doing an undergrad at a UC or other more science related schools. I just don't want to take this plunge and not get into a good school, really hoping for UCSF even though I know it's one of the hardest.I can go back to junior college again and then transfer to a UC, but that will make my schooling ridiculously longer.But if that's what I have to do, I will, I'm a really determined/dedicated person. As far as extra curricular stuff, I am a cancer survivor and will be doing volunteer work with the American Cancer Society and the Make-A-Wish foundation. Also, trying to land a job in a local pharmacy. My GPA is currenlty 3.6, and I'm pretty sure I can maintain this. Any input is much appreciated, man this got long!!!

I go to SF State and I personally have met not only a ton of students who have gotten accepted all over California but also two of our State students that have gotten into UCSF. One just got into UCSF medical school this year ( which is supposed to be waaaay tougher to get in than pharm) - but hei is TRULY EXTRAORDINARY, I mean the things he's done - he probably would be accepted everywhere he applied to. Another one is a P1 at UCSF pharmacy. So I think going to CSU is not in any way going to hurt our chances vs. going to UC.


When people look down on me going to CSU - I tell them every single professor I had in the past two years was either a transfer from Berkeley or teaching at both schools simultaneously. I am getting the best of both worlds - UC education for the price of CSU.

 

[cinnamoroll12]

I am in the process of completing my BS at UCSD and have taken numerous prereq courses at various community colleges in the Orange County area. So far, I've received one interview invitation plus being on the alternate list at another school. I have friends who got accepted to pharmacy schools without a BS and completed all of their prereqs at their community colleges. Therefore, it is possible to get accepted to pharmacy school without having to complete all prereqs at a UC or well-known schools as long as you have other extracurricular activities and leadership experience under your belt.

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

i also graduated from UCSD with a degree in biochemistry, if I had been smart, I'd go to a CSU school, i would major in psychology and get my 4.0 and end up at UCSF or UCSD pharmacy school. Instead, i took the much more difficult route... ahhhhh ignorance of youth!



to make a long story short, it doesn't matter where you do undergrad, unless you did your undergrad at Harvard. What matters is/are: GPA and PCAT(if applicable).

 

[UES Girl]

i also graduated from UCSD with a degree in biochemistry, if I had been smart, I'd go to a CSU school, i would major in psychology and get my 4.0 and end up at UCSF or UCSD pharmacy school. Instead, i took the much more difficult route... ahhhhh ignorance of youth!



to make a long story short, it doesn't matter where you do undergrad, unless you did your undergrad at Harvard. What matters is/are: GPA and PCAT(if applicable).

I agree, had I been smarter I would have majored in psychology and that's what you(the author) should do if you want to get into a good school.

If you major in biochemistry or other hard core science - you will forever will be deemed as not "'worldly" or "wholesome" enough.

You can travel to Africa and feed starving babies or establish a fund for cancer awereness, as long as you are a science major you will forever be considered an "unwholesome" pre-health oriented nerd and be reminded of it on every supplemental application you feel out.

 

[shehsheh]

yeah math and science are actually my strong points. I just want to see where everyone else is also doing their undergrad studies. I'll sleep a lot easier if theres others that are also at CSUs doing pre-pharmacy and not only UC students.

Hey I'm currently on my last semester at a CSU. I'm graduating this May with a BS in biochem and BA in bio ... and i've been accepted to 2 out of 3 california schools (LLU and Western), and am on the waiting list for USC. Like mentioned above... as long as you have a strong GPA, and good extracurricular activities you'll be fine. I actually know of people that went to UCLA and graduated with a BA in bio (with similar stats as mine) and were in the same boat last year this time as i am now (which schools they were accepted to). I personally know of 3 people just from my CSU that have gotten into USC this year, one into UCSD (which is VERY competitive), and a good handful into Western and LLU. Just proves that if you work hard, it doesn't really matter.

By the way, all of my professor have a Ph.D and 80% of them have taught at a UC system in the past (... CSU students don't necessarily have it easier when it comes to education).

Anyway, best of luck wherever you decide to go, but as long as you are working hard... you'll get there.

 

[DesiThumbi]

man your guys' replies make me feel so much better. I've shared so much info with people I dont even know and you all made me feel like I've known you forever. I just want to do pharmacy so badly that I'll do anything to get in. I've gone through so much in life, and I just can't wait for that acceptance letter!!!!!