<p>Hey everyone! This is my first post here so I'm still learning about all the different features here. To get an answer to my question I read other college confidential posts but none really answered my questions fully.</p>
<p>I'm a junior in high school and I've been looking at different pharmacy programs, since I want to be a pharmacist. I'm bad at math and science but I'm still pursuing this career for certain reasons. Can someone tell me how hard it will considering I'm stronger at English and writing?</p>
<p>Also I'd really appreciate it if someone could explain the different pharmacy programs. There's 0+6 and 2+3 and 2+4 right? Are those the major ones or are there more? Could someone explain the difference between all these? I know 0+6 accepts you directly from college, and so you don't have to take the PCAT, but what is the PCAT anyway? Is the 0+6 program 100% pharmacy related stuff for 6 years or is there also a college type environment, because I want that college experience before I move on to specialize in pharmacy. 2+4 is where you study for 2 years at college to get the prereqs down and then go to a specialized pharm school for 4 years right? Or do i have that wrong?</p>
<p>Anyway the main reasons I want the college experience is so I can have some extra social activities. I'm looking to be a writer and an actress on the side, and I want to join plays and stuff in college so I can get experience. I would do that now in high school but my parents won't let me.</p>
<p>Anyway I really need help understanding all the different programs. Please and thanks!</p>
<p>Although this is six years old, it is a good resource for general questions: [Pharmacy</a> FAQ (last revised 2/11/07) | Pharmacy | Student Doctor Network](<a href=“Pharmacy FAQ | Student Doctor Network”>Pharmacy FAQ | Student Doctor Network)</p>
<p>AACP student resource: [AACP</a> - Student Center](<a href=“http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/Pages/default.aspx]AACP”>http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/Pages/default.aspx)</p>
<p>0+6 programs accept you straight out of high school, and you just have to be successful in their “pre-pharmacy” portion in order to be admitted to the pharmD program. I can’t tell you any more details regarding this as I’m not familiar with these programs (and there aren’t that many of them). I’ve heard some people say that you get less of a college experience with these programs since everyone is admitted right out of high school and you’re with those people for all six years. Also, with these programs if you decide you no longer want to do pharmacy you are SOL as everything is strictly pharmacy. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong on this. I would only recommend these programs if you’re 100% sure you want to go into pharmacy.</p>
<p>The “2” in “2+3” and “2+4” stands for two years of college pre-requisites, but in reality more and more schools are selectively admitting people with BA and BS degrees (or higher). This will vary on a school to school basis. For example, when I matriculated a few years ago 96% of our class had a BA/BS or high degree.</p>
<p>The PCAT is the Pharmacy College Admissions Test, which most (but not all) pharmacy schools require for admission. Most people take it the year that they apply for pharmD programs.</p>
<p>While you don’t have to be a science buff to go into pharmacy, there are a lot of science pre-requisites and much of the pharmD coursework is science-heavy. It’s nothing that can’t be done without hard work though. Some people breeze through pharmacy school and some struggle quite a bit.</p>
<p>Whatever your “certain reasons” are for pharmacy, make sure it’s what you really want to do and that you understand what the field entails before going into it. I’d suggest doing some shadowing before committing to pharmacy if you haven’t already done so.</p>
<p>I would disagree with Ranza003 about getting less of a college experience in a 6-year pharmD program. It depends on the university and the student. As the parent of a graduating pharmD student at Northeastern University (Boston), our DS found that if you go to a major university (one that is not a specific pharmacy or health science university) and you wish to participate in extra-curricular clubs and sports, you can get the full college experience. PharmD students at NU are involved in fine arts, music, clubs, Greek organizations, club & intramural sports, etc. In addition, many pharmD students like DS are able to complete a minor in business, psychology, computer science, etc. since the university offers many options.</p>
<p>At Northeastern, if you are admitted as a pharmacy major and meet all of the coursework and academic standards, you will matriculate through the 6 years without having to take the PCAT or compete for a place in the final 3-4 years of actual pharmacy school. The Northeastern pharmacy class of 2012 passed the NAPLEX at a 99.11% rate, so obviously the program prepares its students to be successful. Over the past 6 years that DS has been at Northeastern, it appears that about 90% of the students who start the 6-year NU pharmacy program graduate, with 10% changing majors or not able to meet the academic standards. </p>
<p>As Ranza003 stated, the pharmD program is rigorous and involves a lot of science and math. (DS chose this field after working in high school as a tech in a pharmacy and showing an aptitude for science (particularly chemistry) and math, but not wanting to take on a math-heavy major like engineering.) Shadowing or working as a pharmacy tech might give you a better understanding of the profession before you make your decision.</p>
<p>Good luck in choosing your college path!</p>
<p>You say you are ‘bad at math and science’ - can you handle several semesters of general chemistry (with lab), organic chemistry (with lab), physics (with lab) along with calculus, microbiology and biology? That’s just for starters - ! Then, you’ll start off with pharmaceutical biochemistry in a Pharm.D. program and progress from there.</p>