I want to major in Pharmacy but it says I have to take two years of college (Pre-Pharm) and then 4 years of Pharmacy.  I don't understand?  What do I take the first two years?  I don't see a "Pre-Pharm" degree...?  Please help, thank you!
218369
There's a specific list of classes you need to enter pharmacy school.  Varies from school to school - need to check with the pharmacy schools you're considering attending.  Usually includes Biology (2 semesters), Inorganic Chemistry (2 semesters), Organic Chemistry (2 semesters), and the usual English, Math, etc.  You will also likely need to take the PCAT exam (depending on school).  If you need more info, email me at lothar6680@yahoo - I teach part time for a local pharmacy school.
152242
I totally understand what you are going through because I just went through this myself. I started with pre-med but it proved to be too hard for me, as soon as I saw the classes I was going to have to take I knew I needed another major. My aunt and her friends tried to get me into Pharmacy but I just felt like it wasn't for me. So I started to look at nursing and I can tell you that I love it, right now I'm finishing up my last pre-req. classes before starting the nursing program. I recommend that you take a few classes in the pharmacy program and a few in the nursing and then make your choice, you can go in as undecided ( or just put either one) and then change your major so dont worry about that part. Just make sure what ever you choose is because you really enjoy it, like you actually find the classes interesting and can see yourself doing this for the rest of your life, dont get it because of the money, because after a few years that gets  old and you'll eventually hate your job. \nFor me I found microbiology to be great and i knew I was on the right track, but if you hate the classes you just need to move on to another major because it wont work. \nthere is a great need for nurses so you know you will always have a job, plus if you specialize the money is pretty good. Put thought into it, do your research because that's your future.\n wish you the best of luck :)
293102
im a pharmacist ..i can tell u that pharmacy studies are not only boring but very hard as well!\nif u dont "love" this field ..u will have hard times ...however , the rewards are great after graduation ..good luck !
339704
My husband just graduated from pharmacy school in May.  School was pretty hard, he had to study A LOT.  I think in the long run its really worth it though.  The pay is pretty nice once you're finished with it all.  Just remember, being a pharmacist isn't always about working retail (Walgreens).  There are plenty of hospital jobs out there where you deal with patients on a daily basis.  My husband meets one on one with patients daily and loves everything about it.  He would never say that his job is boring.  I do have friends that work retail though and they also really like that.  They do complain though that sometimes they feel like they're not using their education fully.
179834
Depends on where you work, hospital pharmacy or a retail setting.  Hospitals have staff pharmacists on 24 hours a day, but that doesn't mean you will get stuck with third shift if you don't want it....but you will get weekends, holidays, etc.  Generally, you either work 7am-3pm, or 3pm-11pm. (unless you get third shift)  Retail pharmacists have to work weekends too, but not usually the major holidays. Retail pharmacists get paid more, but I think hospital pharmacy would be more rewarding---you use way more of what you learn in school.  The school is long...two years of pre-pharmacy, then 4 years of pharmacy school.  You need a pharm-D nowadays to graduate.  You can make good money, and don't need to be on call (most times).  It would be a better career choice if you plan on having a family, its a more predictable schedule.  Good luck with organic chemistry, I think you'll have to take that either way!
355104
I would say, if you went to a four year school, you would have a pretty good chance, but since you went to a community college, it's hard to say.  For people who went to four year schools, a 3.5 is good, but for community college, you need to be close to a 3.9.  Many of the pharmacy programs are prejudicial against community college only students.  My school, which has a 162 students per year, only accepts about 3 community college only students per year.  Of the 3, most are non-traditional students.  Most colleges are leaning towards requiring a bachelors in the coming years.\nYou also have to take the PCAT.\nPharmacy school is difficult but doable.\nIf you do apply, make sure you have a back-up plan, just in case.
254961
Well, obviously, you need a good background in science, especially chemistry and biology.  But go online to a pharmacy school (or two or three) that you might be interested in attending, and there will be information there.  What we tell you here doesn't matter nearly as much as what the particular school requires of you.\n\nAs an example, here is the information from the USC Pharmacy school.  But check out some others as well. Good luck.\n\nPre-pharmacy Course Requirements\nA minimum of 90 semester or 135 quarter units must be completed prior to entrance, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. These requirements may be completed at any accredited two-year and four-year college or university. All courses must be completed with grades of C or higher. Grades of Pass/No Pass will not be accepted (unless a course is offered only on a Pass/No Pass basis).\n\nPre-pharmacy requirements in the following areas must be repeated if they are 9 years or older at the time the application is submitted: mammalian physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry and organic chemistry (full year). These courses must be repeated at a four year college/university.\n\nA Bachelor's degree is not required, but highly recommended. Candidates who have received or will receive a Baccalaureate degree or who have completed units in excess of the minimum required will be considered more favorably than applicants who have fulfilled only minimum requirements.\n\nMathematics and Physical Sciences\nBiological Sciences\nEnglish Composition\nInterpersonal Communication\nPsychology or Sociology\nEconomics\nSocial and Behavioral Sciences\nHumanities\nInternational Course Work\nRequired Pre-pharmacy Course List\n\nMathematics and Physical Sciences\nOnly courses for science majors are accepted. It is highly recommended that math and science courses be completed during the regular academic year and not during a summer term.\n\nCalculus: one semester or two quarters are required. The course should include differential and integral calculus for science majors.\n\nStatistics: one course is required.\n\nGeneral Chemistry: a one-year course including laboratory, for science majors, is required. The course should include inorganic chemistry and qualitative analysis.\n\nOrganic Chemistry: a one-year course for science majors, including laboratory, is required. If the school offers less than a one-year course, the student must complete the second semester at another institution.\n\nPhysics: a one-year course for science majors, including laboratory, is required. If the school offers less than a one-year course, the student must complete the second semester at another institution.\n\nBiological Sciences\nBiology: a one-year course for science majors is required in general biology with laboratory (excluding courses in human anatomy, human physiology, botany and microbiology). If the school offers less than a one-year course, the student must complete the second semester at another institution.\n\nMicrobiology: one course with laboratory for science majors is required\n\nPlease note: Microbiology is offered only in the fall at some institutions\n\nMammalian Physiology: one course with laboratory for science majors is required\n\nMolecular Biology: one course for science majors is required.\n\nBiochemistry: one course for science majors is required.\n\nEnglish Composition\nTwo semesters or three quarters of expository writing (or two quarters of composition and one quarter of approved literature) are required. Remedial English and English as a Second Language (ESL) are not acceptable.\n\nInterpersonal Communication\nCourse should include practice in relationship development; conflict management and resolution. One course is required. A speech course will be accepted as the interpersonal communication requirement if taken in or after 1999 and prior to September 2002.\n\nPsychology or Sociology\nOne course in general psychology or general sociology is required.\n\nEconomics
369083
In the U.S., the degree to become a pharmacist is a graduate level degree called the PharmD. degree. While there are some accelerated programs here in the U.S., most of the pharmacy schools require applicants to have completed their bachelor's degree. As far as I know, there is no PharmD program that is online. There may, however, be online programs for pharmacy technicians or pharmacy assistants, but they are not the same as a pharmacist. If you are looking at such programs, I would be very careful to check out that they are accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board http://www.ptcb.org/\n\nIf you'd like more information about the differences between these titles/jobs, and their training, I'd suggest you read through the resources at The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. They are the main accrediting agency for pharmacist training programs, and frankly, a program that claims to make you a "pharmacist" that isn't accredited by them will be a waste of time because you won't be able to become a licensed pharmacist.  \n\nLook under the link labeled "for students and applicants" in the left hand column and you will find details about what exactly is needed for the PharmD degree - You will also find links to all accredited PharmD programs on the same page. There is also some excellent information about careers in pharmacy. \nLINK: http://www.aacp.org/\n\nAnother resource is the  American Pharmacists Association: http://www.aphanet.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home\n\nCarolyn Lawrence, www.AdmissionsAdvice.com
565197
Demand for pharmacists is high, and programs are competitive. Why? Pharmacy is a great career for someone who excels in chemistry and science. The pharmacists I know enjoy flexible hours, high pay, great benefits, and some satisfaction from helping people. They have worked for pharmaceutical companies from sales to management, for private pharmacies and government, and have as little or as much work as they prefer. A family member is a retired pharmacist and has opportunities to travel and relieve another pharmacist to vacation. He stays and works for a few weeks in a small towns with only one pharmacist; the locations can be in all types of climates, from plains to tropics. I'm sure these are only a few of the many career opportunities for pharmacists, like in research, drug development, and even teaching other pharmacists.\n\nThe female pharmacists I know feel it is the absolute best career for a woman--they have high pay, flexibility of hours, and good working conditions. Each has her own family, has time with her kids, works only as much as she wants, and still brings in a sizable pay check. \n\nDrawbacks are few. They do have to work some weekend and night hours, and especially when just starting their career they have had long shifts. The required education will have you in school for 5-6 years, and that means tuition expenses. However, none of the pharmacists I know regret for one second their decision, nor the expense and work to get licensure. \n\nStudy your sciences, work hard to make excellent grades, and talk to some pharmacists where you live. They may have tips that could help you reach your goal.
520289
not the best person to ask, but you can apply for a job at a retail pharmacy or any pharmacy.   there is a certification test that will probably help you get a job at the pharmacy.  there are sample tests and training books available.  depending on your background the test may be easy or hard.  6 month course to me sounds too long.  i believe there are classes at community college for test, but i also know people who got job with no certification and people who passed test without class or lengthy study.  remembering from long ago i believe test is math related, simple chemistry, a few drug name questions, aghhh ask someone else or see if you can get a sample test.  i knew someone recently who studied for test using book, she memorized many, many drug names and the drug name portion of test was fairly small. the book writer didn't do a very good job.\n\na requirement at pharmacy school for pharmacists is to be a tech so many of those people work there as well i believe.
488350
From previous research into med schools, I would recommend getting a pre-med BS because of the sciences.  You'll probably want to take microbiology, histology, general and organic chemistry to give you a better background for the first 2 years of med school.  It can be done with a psychology degree but it may be more difficult.
24265
Well there really isn't such a thing as a pre-med major. In most schools that say they have a pre-med program really have a student major in one of the sciences and take the requisite courses toward medical school (and there really are very few required courses--gen chem, organic chem, majors biology, physics, and sometimes genetics). Pre-health has arisen to include those students who want to go to vet school, dental school, optometry school, etc. But, the requirements are not all that much different for all the health professions, so I don't think it really matters what you call it.\n\nI would want to make a decision based not on what they call it, but what results they have. Ask each of the schools you are considering to tell you their acceptance rate to medical school. How many of their students go on to medical school? If they tell you they don't know or that very few students go to medical school then you probably want to consider why that is.\n\nThe other thing you want to find out is what support they offer you. What kind of premedical/prehealth advising do they offer? What kind of preparation programs (MCAT prep, interview prep, etc) do they offer?\n\nRemember, also, that you don't have to be a science major to get into medical school. You just need your basic science courses. Consider that if a social science or humanities major might work for you then you can pursue that. Remember that they will teach you all the science you need in medical school. Use undergraduate school to help you learn to think about complex problems, communicate well orally and in writing, understand the world and people in it, appreciate diversity and the differing views of others. Since you want to be a pediatrician take some elective courses in child psychology, family studies, things like that. Pediatricians have to work with a much broader segment of persons and are much more relationship oriented than are many of the other specialties.\n\nGood luck to you!
644794
You are going to want to focus on biology, chemistry, psychology, and child development.  You are going to do 4 years of undergrads, maybe with a pre-med major, psych or child development minor, followed by medical school, internship, and residency.
658746
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!! You don't need a school for pharmacy tech Just go buy a study guide for the test study it and you will pass It's not hard at all and you are just throwing away 100's of dollars to pay someone to go over the test with you such as those school...the next testing date is in Sept.
463324
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs work like drug interactions within the body and such. A pharmacist will learn pharmacology but also learns how to correctly dispense medicines and such.\n\nPharmacology in a degree is not limited to pharmacy it can be found in the general science degree where you can major in pharmacology\n\nJobs for a pharmacologist includes working for a pharmaceutical company to help develop a drug. Combined with other majors such as public relations can also lead you to be a drug representative for a pharmaceutical company
398792
My sister is training to be a pharmacist, and here is what she did:\n\nfirst, she got a bachelor's degree (probably most pharmacists get bachelor's degrees in either biology or chemistry, but she got hers in animal science / management). She did have to take a few more anatomy and biology courses to get accepted into pharmacy school.\n\nThen she got into pharmacy school (hers is University of the Pacific, in Stockton, CA). The program there is 3 years long: i think 2 years of classes, and 1 year of internship doing hospital pharmacy, and learning more about treating patients, and dealing with hospitals, doctors, and staff. She is currently doing her rotations in the hospital. at the end, when she graduates, she will get a PharmD degree, and have to get licensed in the state she wants to work in.\n\nBeing a pharmacist does pay quite well, and so it should help to pay off any student loans. \n\nThere might be some programs at colleges that have a pharmacy school where you can earn both your bachelor's degree and your PharmD degree in a shorter period of time, like 5 years. these schools might have a pre-Pharmacy program to get you geared into being accepted easily into their Pharmacy School.\n\nPharmacies also typically hire Pharmacy Technicians, who are not pharmacists, but have some training in preparing medicines and working in pharmacies. Some vocational schools might have programs in being trained and certified as a Pharm Tech. of course, Techs don't make the same salaries as licensed Pharmacists.
677151
"Pre-med" is not usually a major in itself at any college or university. One majors in anything one wants, usually in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.), but some people choose to major in the social sciences (anthropology, political science, economics, etc.) or humanities (philosophy, religious studies, French, etc.).  Whatever one's major, it is essential to meet medical school admission requirements by taking the necessary courses as an undergraduate.\n\nIt is generally expected that med school applicants will earn a B or better in the following courses:\n\nAt least one year of BIOLOGY \nOne year of PHYSICS \nOne year of ENGLISH \nTwo years of CHEMISTRY (through Organic Chemistry) \n\nMany med schools also require the following:\n\n1 semester CALCULUS\n1 year BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (e.g., anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics or political science)