School of Pharmacy/Bachelor of Science Question?

Question

My understanding, after meeting with the Assistant Director at the UIC School of Pharmacy, is that receiving a Bachelor of Science is not a must. I was told that usually when someone is not accepted they will then get their Bachelor of Science to better help them for the next time around. I am very nervous that I will be one stuck in this situation, especially considering the UIC’s acceptance rate is about 12%. I still have a ways to go in my pre-pharmacy curriculum, but I like to get all of my worrying out of the way.

So, here’s my question. In the case that someone never gets accepted, what sorts of careers and pay can someone expect that has a Bachelor of Science? More opportunities in bio or chem? How common is it for someone to never get accepted? I await any information that you think would be helpful.

Answer 1

At UIC, you get extra points if you have a bachelors, and those points are many times enough, for someone to get accepted, if you have good prereq grades.
A degree in chemistry is more valuable than biology. Biology majors are a dime a dozen. The average starting income for chemistry majors is higher than biology. A chemistry major can easily find a job in quality control at a factory.
I know of many people who were not accepted into pharmacy after applying to several schools. Many of them just try again, but if you don't have the grades, nothing will help you.
According to PharmCas, the overall acceptance rate is about 1 in 3 or 4. At UIC, the acceptance rate is about 1 in 9.
If you want to be accepted into UIC, you'll need a GPA of at least 3.5 and a PCAT of 80. Remember this though, UIC is planning to open a satellite campus at Rockford in fall 2009. Don't forget your ECs. Your grades and PCATs will get you the interview, but its everything else which gets you your seat.

Answer 2

Well this is a fun topic! First, The Ship Who Sang (I think that was a suggestion) is by Anne McCaffrey. She is best known for her fantasy, but I really enjoyed her Crystal Singer trilogy (woman with music knowledge but not enough talent "sings" crystal for a living - great pay, but it ends up making you crazy). Piers Anthony was mentioned, and for him, my favorite is the Adept series. It's about a man with two different roles in two different dimensions. As it's been awhile since I read Crystal Singer and Adept, I'm not positive about their mature content. I'm sure there isn't anything extensive, though I think both main characters end up in relationships at some point. Someone also mentioned Uglies. This is part of a series (it was 3 - another coming out soon) by Scott Westerfeld. When you turn 16, you go from being an Ugly to a Pretty, per an operation. They change you on the outside and also, make a few changes that can't be seen. The others are Pretties, Specials and Extras. Same author wrote Peeps and The Last Days. Peeps are parasite positives, or vampires. It's set in New York. Not your typical vampire book, because it's not so much about creatures of the night searching for victims, but about why parasite positives are suddenly being created and what might be going on beneath the ground. These are YA. I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Dune yet. (I looked back and it is mentioned. There are a number of books in the series now, with his son writing it, too.) That's by Frank Herbert. A planet of sand and spice, where tears shed can be the death of you. The book is pretty powerful and the movie, well, not the best, but I still found it fascinating. Have fun!

Answer 3

Pharmacy school is difficult to enter and finish. If you don't make it you will still have a great career in research. Check with industries and job placement agencies in your area. Most pharmaceutical industries in my area are looking for qualified entry level people to train.

Answer 4

I oversee the daily operational and clinical activities of the pharmacy department. Also, I mentor students from schools of pharmacy, and four residents -- three general practice and one critical care....

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