<p>Hi, I'm a little bit confused about Buffalo's pharmacy program since it's not a 0-6 program. From what I've read it seems to me like you take pre-pharm the first two years and then need to take the PCAT exam, apply and then get accepted into the program for the remaining four years? What if I don't get accepted into that second program? Also do I need to apply to something specific when I'm applying to do pre-pharm freshman year?</p>
<p>Also one other quick question that can be applied to really any college, If I decide that pharmacy is not for me freshman year, is it easy to switch to a different major? Sorry I'm a rookie at this and I feel like pharmacy interests me.
Thanks</p>
<p>UB is not a 0-6 program but has early assurance. If you keep a 3.5 minimum gpa in the pre-requisite courses you are not required to take the PCAT but must apply and interview for a seat in the PharmD program. You have to specify pre-pharmacy as your major on your initial UB app and complete all the pre-reqs within 2 or 3 years (they differ slightly depending on how many years you’re taking to complete them) in order to keep your early assurance. </p>
<p>If you decide at any point that pharmacy is not your calling, it’s pretty easy to change majors but you do need to take whatever pre-req courses and have the required gpa (which varies by program). Typically, you apply to a major in your sophomore year. All of the requirements for majors can be found on the UB website.</p>
<p>Btw, it is not easy to keep that 3.5 as many of those intro classes are notorious for weeding people out, so plan on studying a lot. I think UB starts a few hundred kids in pre-pharmacy each year and generally takes around 40 of them into the PharmD program (but others do get accepted by other pharmacy schools). They have a very good reputation and program and the tuition is easy on the budget, but it is not the easiest or most assured way to get a PharmD!</p>
<p>thank you! thats a load of help. But yeah that’s what I’m worried about. For the people who don’t get accepted into the PharmD program do they transfer out to a pharmacy school? is that what happens?</p>
<p>I’m sure many just change their majors and continue in a BS program. Some take the PCAT and apply to other schools with PharmD programs. Students can apply to UB SOPPS in subsequent years, they just aren’t under the early assurance program.</p>
<p>As other posters have mentioned, it is easy to change majors. Especially if you stay within a medical-related major. For all of the medical majors (well, all that I am aware of) you need your basic chemistry and biology courses (which you would want to focus on your freshman year anyway). I did my college search with intentions of going to pharm school, but realized how hard the weed-out courses were. Not wanting to completely sacrifice my life during some of the best years of my life, I decided to switch into the medical technology program (similar pre-reqs) and now I am far happier than I probably would have been. Long story short, switching majors within your first year is a good way to test the waters and really decide if pharmacy school is the direction in which you want to go.</p>