Pharmacy career?

Question

I am a junior in highschool, but I am looking into the pharmacy field. I'm unsure where to start!

1. Attend a college or university
-- Major in what? pre-med? but if the college doesn't offer pre-med, do I take chemistry?
-- Go to a college for 4 years?

2. After meeting the pharmacy school requirements in college, apply to pharmacy school.
-- Is it hard to get into pharmacy school?
-- How long would I be in pharmacy school?
-- Where are they pharmacy schools besides Boston?

If anyone could help me with these questions, that'd be great. Thanks!

Answer 1

Some pharmacy schools require or prefer a Bachelor's degree first, others require only 2 years of undergraduate work and the PCAT. A few schools will accept you for the college of pharmacy and then you attend two years at the undergraduate college and are guaranteed a seat if you dont mess up your grades. Most prepharmacy kids major in chemistry or biochem or bio.

In the USA pharmacy programs take 4 years after you enter the College of Pharmacy. You must take some tough prerequisites before you get there - chem, organic chem, calculus, stats, bio, biochem. And the courses in the Pharmacy College are tough, too. When you get out you have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D) and are finished with your education.

You can get information about Colleges of Pharmacy from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy website ... easy to google AACP. In New England, the pharm schools are Connecticut, RI, Northeastern U. and Mass Coll of Pharm. It doesnt make much difference which school you go to because they all teach pretty much the same thing. When you get out you have to take a very tough licensing exam, so all the schools teach the stuff that is on the exam. That's pretty much the curriculum.

Answer 2

Ok as a first year pharmacy student I would suggest attending a university or college it doesn't really matter, but you are better off if it is in the same state or the same school as where the pharmacy scool you are planning on going to is. Also if you are sure pharmacy is what you want to do, then my suggestion would be to get your first 2 years prereqs out of the way and apply and see what happens, if you don't get in take another years worth of classes and apply again, it looks better to the commitee if you are a repeat applicant (I guess because it shows you are really interested) Pharmacy school is hard to get into just like any other professional program, but some say it is easier than other professional programs to get into. Pharmacy school in most places is 4 years, although some states have colleges(or universities) with fast track 3 year programs. There are pharmacy schools all over, I am from Oklahoma and there are 2 here so I am sure you can find one where you want to go or close by.

Answer 3

Ok like a first 12 months pharmacy student I recommend attending a university it does not really issue, but you're better off if it's in exactly the same state or exactly the same school as in which the pharmacy scool you plan on likely to is. Also if you're sure pharmacy is actually what for you to do, then my personal suggestion is always to get your own first 24 months prereqs taken care of and apply and find out what occurs, if you do not get within take an additional years really worth of courses and utilize again, it looks easier to the commitee if you're a replicate applicant (I suppose because it teaches you are truly interested) Pharmacy college is hard to get involved with just like every other professional plan, but a few say it's easier compared to other expert programs to get involved with. Pharmacy school in many places is actually 4 many years, although a few states possess colleges(or even universities) along with fast monitor 3 12 months programs. You will find pharmacy schools throughout, I 'm from Okla and you will find 2 right here so I am certain you will find one where you need to go or near by.
Source:http://rxmaps.com

Answer 4

I did not get a degree in pharmacy, but if I had, the path I would have taken was finding a program that you can enroll in right out of high school. The school I graduated from, Ohio Northern University, has a highly regarded competative pharmacy program. It is only 6 years long, from start (freshman year of college) to finish (pharmD). Some schools require you to go to 4 years of undergraduate then enroll in pharmacy school and you are not even promised admission untill you complete 2-4 years of college. Look for a school, like Ohio Northern, that allows you to start right away. It seems cheaper and easier to me.

I know this program is highly competative though. There have been cases of 4.0 students not being admitted. However, if you get your application in on time and have extracurriculars and express interest in the program (visit) your chances are much higher.

Answer 5

Where do you live near?

There is a school called the University of the Pacific located in Stockton, California. This school is known for their very intense and strong dentistry and pharmacy programs. They offer 5 to 7 year pharmacy programs. Once you're out from there, you're pretty much good to go. No more schooling needed. If you go to a 4-year college, you will have to probably spend another 3 years in grad school to get your pharmacy degree. UOP is a quicker way out. However, this private school is not cheap at all. Also, their 5 and 6 year pharmacy programs are incredibly competitive.

I was accepted into their 6-year program. But since I changed my mind, I am not going to attend there.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

They have just opened up two new pharmacy school in my area due to the expected demand for pharmacists on the near future. So competition will be heavy. I have read news articles that state some companies court pharmacy students while they are still in school. So if an extra course in biochemistry can give you a leg up above the others, that maybe a good ideal. It would not hurt to contact a company and asked that what they look for in candidates.

Answer 7

Purdue is one of the schools with an undergraduate pharmacy science degree. You will still need an advanced degree to be a pharmacist. Their website has a long of info on it.
http://www.pharmacy.purdue.edu/