Pharmacists?

Question

I am a highschool senior considering pharmacy. I am smart and a lot of people think I would be good at it. I took 4 years of Latin in high school, and I like Chemistry.

I know they make on average like $91,998 a year, which will definitely pay back my college loans, and it sounds really good considering my family only makes like 1/5 of that.

I am just concerned about the hours (they're long right?). If I have a family in the future I wouldn't want crazy hours, so would I be able to work part time? (assuming I marry a smart guy that makes a good amount). I wouldn't want to work all of the time if I have kids (but I'd probably want to work more when they go to school).

LOL I know I sound crazy bcuz it sounds like I am planning too far ahead. Also, what will I need to do in college for my first year, and the years that follow. Should I say on collgeapps that I'm interested in Pre-Pharm major even though it is not definite? What is required of a pharmacy student (tests, etc.) THNX

When you want to do Pharmacy, are you automatically under a pharmacy program for the first year of college or does it start like the second year? My sister said you don't really have to choose a major until the second year. Do you apply to be in the Pharmacy program or do the classes you take determine that? Please explain. Or do you apply for the program after 4 years.

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Answer 1

First, pharmacy would be a good career choice if you enjoy science. Not all pharmacists work long hours, and part-time jobs are available.

You need to contact some pharmacy-related organizations to ask about the specifics of your education. Most pharmacists I know went from a B.S. degree directly to a Ph.D. or Pharm.D. program.

Your question whether there is a program that could get you more directly into a pharmacy program is a good one. You can start by writing somebody at http://www.pharmacy.org and asking. If a 4-year undergrad degree is necessary, any pre-med or pre-nursing program would probably work, as would any other science degree (chemistry, biology, maybe even physics).

When you start an undergrad college program, your first year or two are mostly spent in prerequisite and general education courses. These are determined both by the college and by the applicable local laws, and the college will inform you what they are. Your last 2 to 2 1/2 years will be spent studying sciences.

The best things you can do in the meantime (and no, it's not too early) are to continue taking science courses in school, talk to several pharmacists about their schools and career choices (call them at the pharmacies, and ask them to talk to you when you're free--do this with your parents' permission), ask your state board of pharmacy some questions, and prepare for your college boards (SAT, ACT).

The exam for pharmacy school admission is called the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Their website is here: http://harcourtassessment.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/Harcourt/Community/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm

Answer 2

If you act fast, you can apply to a 6 year program.
Knowing Latin is not going to help you.
Hours are normally 40 hours a week, but you may work some weird shifts. You will work on evenings and weekends. Many pharmacists work part-time, and depending on company can get benefits.
I was a 2 year prePharm student. Many now get the bachelors, and I believe overall, it's half and half. At the harder schools though, the balance has shifted to B.S. majority.
Your prePharm courses are extremely similar to preMed coursework. Each school is a little different. When you decide to apply, you'll have to take the PCAT.
Pharmacy school is very competitive.
My first year I took General Chemistry 1/2, MacroEconomics, Freshman English Comp 2, Social Science elective, humanities elective, Physics 1, Calculus 1
My second year I took, Organic Chemistry 1/2, Organic Chemistry Lab 1, Physics 2, Human Physiological Anatomy 1/2, Cultural Diversity credit, Public Speaking,
I AP out of General Biology, Psychology, and U.S. History.
I, by exam, skipped Freshman English Comp 1.

Answer 3

I was a pre-pharm major for a bit and worked a good while as a pharmacy tech. My roommate (she was pre-pharm, too) was accepted into pharmacy school after her sophomore year, which is when you typically apply. If you don't get in, you finish your junior year and apply again. You can major as pre-pharm, but you can also major in chemistry as a fall-back. You have to take the PCAT at some point. You can work at a hospital, a retail pharmacy, for a research company or as a drug rep. Pharmacists have different hours; you can definitely be part-time if you choose to do so. Hours vary according to the pharmacy where you work, so you may do some 12 hour days and you may do some 8 hour days, but you'll get time off. Some people are "floaters" which means they don't work at one store, they work for a chain like CVS or Eckerd and fill in when someone is out. It really doesn't matter what major you put on your college apps-I was pre-pharm and switched to English. When you go to orientation at your school, they'll have a list of courses to take, like chemistry, biology, statistics, and the humanities.

It's not crazy, it's good to plan ahead.

Answer 4

most people get a Bachelors anymore before even getting into Pharmacy school. But without a B.S. you would need to complete the pre-Pharmacy requirements at the very least. Contact the nearest College of Pharmacy for an idea of what you need to do.

Pharmacy is one of the few jobs that you can do part-time and still make good money. You can also leave for a few years and get right back into it. For a young woman starting a family this is a huge consideration.

Answer 5

Generally speaking, students in college who wish to become pharmacists will enroll in a "core science" degree program (meaning biology, chemistry, etc.) You will have to take math courses, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry as well as physical chemistry. Usually, pharmacy schools like for their applicants to have a bachelor's degree in science, but I have seen people who get into pharmacy school without a bachelor's degree after completing approx 90+ credits and the science pre-reqs at an accredited university.
In addition, you need to take the PCAT (pharmacy college admissions test) probably between your 3rd and 4th years in college. This test is pretty heavy in chemistry, physics and math...so I would suggest gearing your studies towards that.

Pharmacists have a broad range of work demands on their schedules....for instance, if after becoming a pharmacist you choose to work at a retail pharmacy (i.e. walgreens, osco, cvs, etc.) then your work hours will be very steady and there is very little, if any, amount of "on-call" work.
However, if you decide to become a pharmacist at a hospital or care facility, your hours will tend to be more demanding. Just a few things to consider...
Bottomline...you are at an early stage in your studies and it's a good thing to be planning and asking questions about this stuff, but go into it with a very open mind and a focus for doing well at all your classes. Because even if later on you decide to not become a pharmacist, you will have many doors and opportunities open to you as long as your grades are good. Especially for the healthcare field.
Food for thought...try to get maybe get a job as a pharmacy tech or something like that in order to get a better feel for what a pharmacist's life is really like. It's an excellent profession, but not for everyone of course.
Good Luck!

P.S. Diff schools hafve diff requirements for when and how to apply. Check on those individually. Generally you will apply to graduate schools between your 3rd and 4th year of college.

Answer 6

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