<p>Are 0-6 year programs at lesser known universities worth it? Because those schools seem extremely easy to get in, yet the salaries for pharmacists in some cases match dentists. </p>
<p>If I get a bachelor's degree in biology and then apply at a top ranked university, (like UMich or UMinnesota) would it provide me with a better job outlook? I'm still trying to define my path as either a dentist or a pharmacist. Both have flexible hours, hands on, and good pay.</p>
<p>1) from what I've heard, it's not as easy as you're assuming to get into the 0-6 programs.</p>
<p>2) If you just want to be a retail pharmacist, counting pills/counseling patients at Walgreen's or CVS...there's likely zero issue going to a "lesser known" school.</p>
<p>3) If you want to go through a PharmD residency program - ending up as a hospital pharmacist, it might make a little bit of difference. I honestly do not know how difficult it is in to get into PharmD residencies, and I'd be surprised if going to a 0-6 program would preclude from going into a residency program. That said, a stronger program would likely be of some benefit, but probably not a huge issue.</p>
<p>4) If you are unsure of what you want to do, it is by far in your best interest to go to a regular undergraduate institution, do more exploration of both careers, then make the appropriate efforts to go into the career you prefer. Pick one and give it your best effort rather than straddling the fence and trying to hedge your bets by thinking you'll apply to both.</p>
<p>As far as greater or lesser known, all of them are accredited by the ACPE and all award a PharmD and that, plus the NAPLEX and state exams, are what you need to become a pharmacist in every state. From there it depends on what you want to do - going to a school like USP or Rutgers might help if you want to work for a pharmaceutical company or do research or you could apply for a residency. Otherwise, it probably doesn't matter a great deal - except to you, who have to spend 6 years of your life slaving away at the school(s)! </p>
<p>There are only fifteen 0-6 colleges in the country, maybe less as programs have been changing. Competition can be quite fierce and some have admissions rates in the single digits. Don't confuse "minimums" for actual acceptances! Looking at your previous "chances" post, I think you'd have a fair chance at some, but not a guaranteed match. For one thing, you'd actually have to convey to these schools a valid reason for why you're choosing pharmacy. It takes dedication to go through pharmacy school and the 0-6 programs seem to frequently come under fire for high attrition rates. So, it makes sense that they're looking for high-achieving and committed freshmen. My gut instinct is that you're looking at it from the "benefit" side and they're going to shy away from that. I'm just saying this as someone who has several pharmacists in the family and a daughter applying to pharm school - I just haven't heard any of them mention the job outlook, hours, or pay as a reason to be a pharmacist, although they're certainly all nice things to have! Most pharmacists love the work, the patient interaction, helping people get healthy, and catching the possible interactions from things they forgot to tell their doctor about, but may not actually want to do the "hands on" care to the degree most physicians have!</p>
<p>Listen to Bigred and figure out what you really want. If it's pharmacy or nothing, then take the PCAT and apply to pharmacy schools! But don't dwell on the "benefits" in your admissions interview, okay?</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Are 0-6 year programs at lesser known universities worth it? Because those schools seem extremely easy to get in, yet the salaries for pharmacists in some cases match dentists.</p>
<p>Guideme...I think you are confusing how easy it may be to get into a particular school as opposed to their pharmacy programs. For instance Univ of Rhode Island, an easy school to get in, but only 100 spots for the Pharm D, and Pharm D applicants have an average sat 1350. </p>
<p>When researcing schools you need to look at the stats to get into the Pharm D program, niot the university itself.</p>
<p>OP,</p>
<p>Just like med schools, Pharmacy schools have to adhere to strict standards.
IMO there aren't any 'easier' pharmacy schools per se. There may be some that are slightly easier to get into (if they have higher number of spots and fewer student pool) but once you are in, you still have to go through the same rigor that anyone else in Purdue or Philadelphia or Rutgers SoP go through.</p>
<p>The core courses you take will be the same no matter which school you select.</p>
<p>My name is Abraham and I am a junior in a private, Jewish high school in L.A. I am very interested in the programs, diversity, and beautiful campus that 0-6 pharmacy programs has to offer I am so INTERESTED IN PHARMACY!. I am a 1st generation American/ Persian, so my English is not that great but I am getting better quite rapidly. But, I have recently been stressing over the fact of applying to these programs or not (For Fall of 2013). The reason for that is because my high school does not emphasize on the strength of their academics and clubs etc. I have been in the highest level classes we can be in since the 10th grade.[Our school actually has the UC school requirements, but we have to go to school during the summer too, if we want to get the a-g courses.] In fact, I am taking calculus right now. But, the problem is that our school does not offer any AP classes. And since we start school at 7:30 AM and end on average at 9:30 PM, 6 days a week (excluding Friday’s due to religious observance) it is very hard for me to reach higher levels of secular studies. I am currently self-studying for the AP English Language and psychology exam. And I know I will do well because when I have a goal, I achieve it. But what worries me is: I don’t know if I am heading on the right track. We have no school counselor to help for this stuff! Also, my parents are very busy since we have a family of 8, so they do not really have time for this, so I have to take care of myself and my 4 younger siblings. I have also tried to make school clubs/groups; however, my school does not allow it. I even got a petition from many kids in my school that they wanted one of these groups, but no matter how many times i tried my school turned me down. Still, I have gone out of way to help my community and temple (volunteering), fundraising, setting up, tutoring, recycling, etc. Also, I took a practice ACT test and got something like a 28-29, but I am sure I can bump it up to over 30. Also, I forgot to mention I am planning on also self-studying AP Biology, Chemistry, and probably Calculus in my senior year (We are going to end at average 10:15 a night, so it will be pretty hard, but manageable). And if it helps I understand 3 languages, almost 4.</p>
<p>So I was wondering can you please help me. </p>
<p>What can I do to improve my application?</p>
<p>What should I be doing in my summer/ free time etc. (I mean, when I am not in summer school or studying)?</p>
<p>What should I do about the Clubs, and AP’s?</p>
<p>Please tell me of anything you think that can help me; I am forever grateful!</p>
<p>Thanks, Abraham.</p>