Pharmacy path

<p>I've been accepted into a UC for Engineering, but I've recently decided to go for pharmacy. What should I change my major into? I was thinking biochemistry..</p>

<p>Also, I've heard stuff about only taking 2 years of undergrad and then applying into pharmacy school. How would that work for me if I went to UC Davis? Would I just take my 2 years of biochem and then try for a pharmacy school such as UCSF or UOP? Or do I have to take 4 years of my undergrad major and then apply for pharmacy school?</p>

<p>If you want, you can do 2, 3 or even 5 years of undergrad and earn your bachelor's, then apply for pharm school. One of my fraternity brothers and former roommate took the 4 year undergrad path because he didn't see a need to rush, and he knew he wanted to have his bachelors, but I met plenty of his classmates who applied and were accepted during their sophomore years of undergrad.</p>

<p>If you do the 2 year path, you'll likely have to be very specific about which courses you take to make sure you get all the pre-pharm requirements in. You'll take the PCAT, and can apply to any pharm school in the country (or at least those which take students after 2 years).</p>

<p>I can't imagine a 2-year candidate would be on a level playing field relative to a 4-year. I lack any empirical evidence, however.</p>

<p>You'd be surprised. Not that I have any empirical data either, just anecdotal.</p>

<p>Overall, the division between bachelors and non-bachelors in Pharmacy is close to 50:50.
However, you're in California. It is near impossible to get into a pharmacy school in California without a bachelors. All the public schools do not accept PCAT, and so, you have to have a sky high GPA.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Overall, the division between bachelors and non-bachelors in Pharmacy is close to 50:50.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, but what are the admissions rates among 2/4-year candidates, certeris paribus?</p>

<p>The information we read from most of the UC pharm school websites is that 98% enter with a 4-year degree. </p>

<p>Nova10 - do the statistics you quote include those (like our s) who enter a 6-year pharmD program? That would make sense for the non-bachelor candidates. The 50:50 doesn't seem accurate if you're talking about for the transferring to graduate pharmacy school programs.</p>

<p>for the people who enter pharmacy school after they get a bs, does the bs have to be in pharmacy or can it be in any field. and if one went to pharmacy after obtaining a bs, how long would it take to get a pharm.D?</p>

<p>You meant, "Ceteris paribus"
<a href="http://www.iscid.org/encyclopedia/Ceteris_Paribus%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.iscid.org/encyclopedia/Ceteris_Paribus&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Hm. Indeed I did -- and I suspect this term will be quite important to me in the future. Thanks for the catch.</p>

<p>can anybody answer my question?</p>

<p>
[quote]
for the people who enter pharmacy school after they get a bs, does the bs have to be in pharmacy or can it be in any field. and if one went to pharmacy after obtaining a bs, how long would it take to get a pharm.D?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You can get whatever degree you want, since pharmacy is a graduate program. Is there even a bachelors in pharmacy? I think most schools will accept you if you complete the prereqs in two years. </p>

<p>A Pharm.D is 4yrs.</p>

<p>..so its can range from 6-8yrs.</p>

<p>I think the 4 year path would be good. I mean afterall you will lack some experience and maturity for the 2 year undergrad.</p>

<p>Pharmacy schools could care less what your major was prior to admission. Several English majors have been accepted just fine. </p>

<p>They look at your Science GPA, your PCAT, the interview, and intangibles. Not necessarily in that order. </p>

<p>Another interesting note - at my school of those admitted into Rho Chi (those with highest GPAs earned while in pharmacy school), the majority did not have a BS prior to acceptance. I honestly don't think have a degree gives you any real advantage, though some schools do look highly upon a graduate - specifically the California school. I have a feeling that in another decade it will be the standard to accept mostly BS wielding applicant, however. :(</p>

<p>Eh, whatever, it doesn't affect me anymore. :)</p>