PHARMACISTS!!! Pre-pharmacy student seeking advice!!!?
142045
As a 4th year pharmacy student, let me give you a little advice. Pharmacy School is difficult, but it is a very rewarding career. You have the ability to provide care to patients in a way that no other healthcare professional can. If you are dedicated and have the intellegence, i would stick with it! Just remember that you will get no sleep and will be extremely stressed; we all are, but the rewards are great!!
88957
I should think you first apply to the nearest pharmacy school close to your place..But before you apply check on the requirements.
579337
Talk to the pharmacist at your nearest drug store.  There is a book, but I can't remember the name.  It might be in the PDR.\n\nhttp://www.pdr.net/Home/Home.aspx
835432
I can speak for the University of Houston.  My good friend graduated from there less than a year ago and got a starting pharmacy job at Albertson's for 96k with a 20k signing bonus paid over 3 years.  Those numbers sound good enough to me to pick that school.
406179
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!
829557
this is answering a questionaire.....not an interview.\n\n Are you sure that you all will be Pharmacists in 6 years. Had you conducted an interview you would have heard how tough it is to get in to Pharmacy schools. Odds are many of you won't get in.\n\nSo perhaps that is the question to number1.\n\n2) I was originally going to bet my degree in mathematics, but changed majors in a hurry after I spoke with the dean of the College of Math. Pharmacy seemed like a good choice.\n\n3) I've never had regrets, because nothing else I'd like to do pays even a third of what I do now.\n\n4)I never said that to myself......I'd just get drunk and I'd be back to normal in 8 hours.\n\n5) see number 2\n\n6) It was hard picking which one I wanted. Jobs came looking for me. Today, most students have jobs before they graduate. Those that don't are simply angling for more money. Unemployment does not exist with Pharmacists.\n\n7) It's OK. See number 3\n\n8) I interned at a children's hospital. It was and remains perhaps the best place to do a Pharmacy internship. MY EXternships ran the gamut from Poison control, to a rat-hole grocery store.\n\n9) Going abroad isn't going to help you at all in regards to a career in Pharmacy.
1053033
Chemistry is the important one but the others match nicely too. If you go to www.ucas.com and do a course search, the different universities that offer pharmacy will tell you any specific requirements that they have, in terms of subjects at A Level. I do know though that as long as you have chemistry and any other subjects that each specific uni is asking for, it is absolutely fine for you to do another subject that you perhaps really enjoy but isn't related to your other subjects - psychology for example. It might make you a more interesting candidate amongst the tons of students all studying straight sciences. \n\nAlso, don't be afraid to ring some of the universities up (not around the time the results come out though!) and ask for the admissions tutor - or send them an e-mail. Some will be a little offhand but most will be helpful and pleased that you have taken the initiative to find out.\n\nHope this helps and good luck!
184752
just pharm school.  i've heard it's easier to get into pharm school than med school.
1148101
most states you dont have to be trained to be a pharmacy tech, just do onsite training. but you usually get paid more if you are certified. id check out a local community college, thatd be a good place to start looking
790055
It is very difficult and competitive to get into U.S. Pharmacy schools.  California is the most competitive state.  Most of their schools want to see a bachelors.  To be competitive you'll need a GPA of 3.4 and a PCAT score of 75.   www.pharmcas.org  has acceptance statistics for all the pharmcas schools.\nGood luck
754756
That's what I had always wanted to do. With all of the drug stores popping up, there will certainly be alot of employment opportunities in the future. Why not go to your local drug store and ask to speak to the Pharmacist??? People love to talk about themselves. Ask the pros and cons of the job. Find out if that's what you really want to do. Find out if you can get a job, even part time, in the Pharmacy. Talk to your local community college about getting the english, math, history requirements out of the way and then see if they have program for that kind of major or what schools in your area can offer you a degree program. Don't sit back and just think about it... take some form of action!!! Your local library should have books and college information that will help you.
158153
My sister-in-law was going to try to be a pharmacists and it was going to take about 8 years to complete all the classes you have to take to get qualified, but if you're really interested in doing it I know alot of drug stores like Walgreens offer scholarships for it.  You have to sign something saying you'll work for them for a few years after graduation, but it's a pretty good deal.
582608
take a certification program or a masters degree... either that, or go to medical schools... at least that's what i'm planning to do after taking up bs biology... ;p\n\ni'm not sure if you can take a certification program to be a pharmacist, but you can take up a masters degree in pharmacy in the fields of industrial pharmacy, pharmaceutical chemistry and hospital pharmacy among others... although you would have to take the pre-requisite courses offered in the undergraduate program for some of your masters courses.\n\nif you do this, i think your educational background would be bs biology and ms in pharmacy...
58178
Go to your nearest smaller drug store and talk w/ the pharmacist there.  Ask if you could shadow him for a few days.  Tell him about your dream to become one.  I say the smaller ones because you would have a much better chance at getting the answers you are looking for first hand.  You would get to see all the ins and outs and possibly even assist a bit.  If you get to do that for like a week, then you will have all the info you need to see if this is really what you want to do.  If it is, I wish you all the luck in the world because you deserve it!
949406
Go to your local pharmacy and ask to do a job shadow.  That is where you watch what they do for a day.  A lot of places will let you do this.  I am a Certified and licensed Pharmacy Technician.  I went to school for 18 months, and did an internship at a hospital and retail pharmacy setting.  They are so desparate for pharmacists some even help pay for college.  Or 'grow their own' to keep up with the demand for skilled pharmacists.  If you do decide to go into pharmacy, look for a pharmacy that does compounding.  It is very interesting to watch them make ointments, capsules, suppositories ect.  To be honest I dont really like pharmacy that much because it's too chaotic.  I would have liked it better if I could be in the compounding room actually making the drugs.  Remember...COMPOUNDING PHARMACY!  Also, retail pharmacy is more chaoctic than a hospital setting.
303465
Taking pharm classes could help only if it solidifies your ability to do first and second-year undergraduate coursework. None of the material is from upper-division or graduate-level coursework (unless you want to count really difficult essay passages).\n\nThe biology section is comprised of material from general bio and lower-div organic chem. Physical science is comprised of general chem and physics (no calculus needed!). The verbal is 10 brutal passages where speed counts for everything.\n\nI have pharm friends who have taken the MCAT. They did fine -- so should you. But not because of the pharm per se, but rather the pharm pre-reqs you've already taken.\n\ndo you have a PharmD? if so, I'd have to wonder why on earth you'd wanna go to med school? There's a much greater demand for pharmacists in the US right now, and you could be making just as much as a physician if you land the right gig (pharmacist at K-mart ain't it).
533875
pharmacy is a great future, there are so many oppurtunities involved in it.  thats where im headed right now.  the program is tough but it is so worth it.  right now they say that in 10 years there will a shortage of about 50,000 pharmacists nationwide, which is a great number.  there is always a need for pharmacists, as long as there are medications and patients, the world will always need you, there isnt  a way for computers to replace you.  plus the money aspect is also a plus, the average graduate starts off at between 75-90,000 a year, all  depending on where you work, retail is more yet, but probably not worth it.  i work in pharmacy right now and am a student and i totally love it.  if your not sure try and get some experience in one to help you decide, but its definitely a good future.