So I got into the pharmd program with 12k. I want to go but I am afraid of the debt. Is it worth it? Also does anyone know if we are guaranteed a job after we graduate from this program?
Anyone bump please
I personally feel like it is worth it but it is certainly up to you. check out the campus of you want and make sure if you are definite that you want to be a pharmacist. Have you been accepted to the other pharmacy programs?
DS and friends are recent (2012, 2013, 2014) pharmD graduates from Northeastern, Rutgers, URI, UConn, USP, etc and although there are never “guarantees”, they all have found employment in clinical, industry or retail pharmacy careers.
Ask about the $12K scholarship and what the requirements are to renew it for the entire 6 years. Since the tuition for the PharmD program at St. John’s is $43,370 per year for the last 4 years not including room and board ($37,870 for the first two years without the cost of room and board), the $12K will be helpful, but is unlikely to make a dent in the debt you will incur if you are not sure you will finish the program.
Find out if they offer a bachelor’s degree as part of the 6-year pharmD program since not all 0-6 programs. Getting a bachelor’s degree along with the pharmD in the program may be important later if you decide to get an MBA or other non-pharmacy graduate degree.
You might also want to check out getting licensed as a pharmacy technician and getting a part time job in a pharmacy rather than just shadowing in a pharmacy. The licensing qualifications are pretty basic and get part time work that fit around your school schedule. It will give you a good idea about whether or not you would enjoy retail pharmacy before you decide on your major. ()Note that retail is only one career path you might choose after you receive your pharmD. DS works on a medical information in the pharmaceutical industry.)
Pharmacy has lots of opportunities, but if you decide for some reason not to finish, you’ll be in pretty deep debt with possibly non-transferrable credits (to other majors) after your first two undergraduate years.
Hope this gives you some things to think about! Good luck with your decision!
To keep the 12K he needs to maintain a 3.0 & no grade lower than a C. They’ve changed some requirements, interview before P1 year.
Too late to edit:
Just wanted to add, my S is also deciding between SJU, Duquesne, Buffalo, UConn, URI & Northeastern.
I’m pushing for SJU because its almost a full ride & he would be at home. I will be paying so as unpopular the sentiment here on CC is, it will be a decision based on whats best for OUR family. We are also partial to the 0-6 programs.
As crease monkey has said, please make sure that this is a path you are willing to commit too. The is no BS earned if you drop/fail out of SJU. Although many do change their minds early on & move over to Toxicoligy or something similar just for example.
Thanks everyone I am considering nyu for premed hopefully sju isn’t the best esp from financial view