pharmacy pgm v pre-med? which schools to go to?

<p>hey i am a rising senior interested in pharmacy but i am not really 100% sure, however, I am 90% sure that i would like to do something in the medical field in general (ex- doctor, optometrist, etc). </p>

<p>I am looking at schools with pharmacy programs and dont really like them so much (if u can recommend one that u like that's great) and i am afraid to go to a school SOLELY for its pharmacy program because i'm not sure, you know? i am most likely applying to the ivies, some state schools, and a few LACs as well, and these schools do not have pharmacy programs but they are all GREAT schools.</p>

<p>Would pre-med or chemistry or biology or a similar combination be ok so i can keep my options open? all that matters is that i complete the required course work for med school or pharmacy school or optometry school, right?
(btw - how does that work for pharmacy, like do u get a b.s. and then go to get the pharm d or do u have to tranfer?)</p>

<p>thanks for ur help CC.</p>

<p>no help here eh?</p>

<p>brainy....are you an excellent student or somewhere in the middle? Where do you live and are you willing to go out of state? Want a bbig envoronment for school or a smaller more intimate campus? Financial concerns?</p>

<p>i am an excellent student and high achieving. i live in miami, fl and yes i do prefer to go out of state. The size of the school doesnt matter so much as location (urban or suburban rather than rural). I am going to need financial aid. thanks for replying mom.</p>

<p>so.... bump</p>

<p>I believe that St. John's (Queens, NY) and Rutgers Univ (New Brunswick, NJ) have good pharmacy programs. I'm in a similar boat as you, not knowing whether I want to go into pharmacy. Personally, I find pharmacy programs to be the end all. If you go into them, you should be 100% sure. Don't think pharmacy is easy by any stretch; it's a tough course load, I've heard. Very challenging :)</p>

<p>thanks. i knw its tough because math and science are not really my best subjects (i get b's instead of a's )but i really think i can achieve anything if i believe in myself. i hope i dnt get "stuck" anywhere though</p>

<p>btw thanks for putting st. johns, i heart ny</p>

<p>Brainy...if you can afford the UC's....UC San Diego, UCLA, UC San Francisco UC Davis have medical/biology. </p>

<p>I would search for a thread on pre-med programs. I believe Colorado has good programs, most large state schools.</p>

<p>A smaller gem of a school here in California that might give you excellent merit aid would be U of the Pacific (Stockton). They are known for their dental school, and pharmacy and law. They have accelerated programs that you might want to learn more about. </p>

<p>Keep an open mind towards Catholic schools like College of the Holy Cross (Worchester, Mass), Villanova (Philly), Boston College, Marquette (Milwaukee, Wis.)...which would find you desirable as an out of state and with a high acheiver status. Marquette would be a safety if you do indeed have excellent stats.</p>

<p>Hott is right....Also keep in mind with the pharmacy programs...different states require different credentialing/licensing. Don't assume that IF you graduate from a pharm school in Mass, that you can practice pharm in California fro example. Do your research if that is the road you want to go down.</p>

<p>oh yay! i luv the Cali schools! lol thx mom. oh yea good idea, thx a lot</p>

<p>btw its not like that with doctors right? like if ur an MD in michigan or somethin, ur an MD anywhere?</p>

<p>
[quote]
n't assume that IF you graduate from a pharm school in Mass, that you can practice pharm in California fro example. Do your research if that is the road you want to go down.

[/quote]

If you take another state's licensure exam, you are able to practice there. I plan on getting my license in CA, even though I have to learn the Michigan law for our school's curriculum. If I were you, I would spend 4 years of college before making a commitment to pharmacy and or other professional schools; you're too young to know at that age in my opinion, and if you are financially capable of going through the usual college process, by all means, do. College only comes around once.</p>

<p>ok thanks so much pharma! really, thanks a lot</p>