r/PrePharmacy • • Aug 18 '23

The PharmD is a professional degree not a graduate degree.

126 Upvotes

When I was interviewing students for pharmacy school, there were far too many students who wanted to pursue research, but were applying for a PharmD. This is the most common misconception that I heard from a lot of candidates over the years. When I asked them about it, their goals didn't really align with the pharmacy school's clinical curriculum.

If you want to be a Pharmacist and do patient care (this includes retail), then you'll need a PharmD here in the US these days.

If you want do research or work in the pharmaceutical industry, you probably don't need a PharmD for many of the jobs in the pharmaceutical industry.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking you should be a pharmacist because you like chemistry. There is very little actual chemistry things in the pharmacy school curriculum.

From: https://guides.lib.uw.edu/bothell/gradschool/gradprof

Graduate School? Professional School? What's the difference?

The distinction between graduate school and professional school can often be blurred, with professional school being brought into the graduate school fold, but there is a difference between the two. 

Graduate school programs are academic courses of study that offer more advanced programs of study (beyond a bachelor's degree) in certain disciplines. This can mean earning a master's degree on its own or as a step toward a PhD program.

Professional school programs help prepare students for careers in specific fields. Examples include medical, law, pharmacy, business, library, and social work schools. The length of these programs vary. Professional degrees are often required by law before an individual can begin a certain working in a particular occupation.  

What's a terminal degree?

This is a term used mostly in the United States to denote the highest academic degree in a field of study. For many fields, this is the PhD, or doctor of philosophy degree. But other fields may have a master's degree as the terminal degree, such as master of fine arts (MFA) or master of landscape architecture.


r/PrePharmacy • • 1h ago

ucsf interview invites

• Upvotes

hi, has anyone heard back from ucsf? i applied mid september and haven’t heard anything back since then. when do they usually send out interview invites? since it’s been so long is it safe to assume i likely didn’t get an invite? they’re the last school i’m waiting to hear back from.


r/PrePharmacy • • 7h ago

Has anybody heard back from UMSOP (Maryland) after their interview?

1 Upvotes

I had my interview an over a week ago and still waiting. They said less than 7-10 days so I’m getting a little nervous that I haven’t heard back


r/PrePharmacy • • 20h ago

I’m really into chem and bio and I want to look into being a pharmacist but every pharmacist online seems to hate their job

10 Upvotes

I’m in highschool and love health sciences. I have strong grades (95+) in all subjects, but chem and bio are my particular interests, along with math of course. I like the idea of being a pharmacist because nursing hours are too long, being a doctor is way too stressful, and I’m not sure what other paths to take. I see a lot of pharmacists on social media begging people to just seek another profession because apparently it is so awful. Any opinions?


r/PrePharmacy • • 8h ago

Tips for shadowing

1 Upvotes

Im working on studying for my PTCE, but I have heard a few people say that they shadow pharmacists? How do people go about that? I would like to shadow in a hospital pharmacy but idk how realistic that is and who to reach out to.


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

Help with personal statement

11 Upvotes

Hello, I’m applying for fall 2027 and haven’t submitted my apps yet 😓, which is mainly because I’m worried about my personal statement, especially because of my low gpa. I talked about my research projects, working as a medical assistant, and I mentioned my dad’s disability, and wanting to help provide better access to medication to people with similar problems as him. Would anyone be willing to look over it and give me feedback? I would really appreciate it.

Also is it worth it to apply to multiple programs, like at least 5?


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

texas tech

2 Upvotes

i submitted my supplemental application for TTU about two weeks ago and still have not heard back? how long did it take to hear back for those who have already interviewed?


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

How should someone determine which PharmD program they attend

10 Upvotes

Hello!! Although this may seem like a rhetorical question, i really want to see what people have to say about this. I want to know what you’re looking for when determining which school you attend. I have a couple schools i am looking at but unsure which to pursue.
Currently stuck between
USC
Chapman
UCI
UCSF
WesternU
MBKU
all california based !
#megaththread!


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

can i get admitted in PhD after my pharmD in india?

1 Upvotes

I am looking for studying or pursuing fellowship in foreign countries.. i dont know the exact lead for going to abroad for PhD... also i wish to attend this on scholarship...so if anyone have any suggestion for this beginner please let me know..


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

Advice for future Pharmacy students coming from an undergrad

0 Upvotes

Hi! Im a first year life sci student looking to go into pharmacy and was seeking some advice from current students.

  1. Should I apply in my second year right when I finish my prereqs or should I wait until my third year or longer. Is it better to get my bachelor's first, or should I go into it right away?
  2. How did you know pharmacy was for you? Do u regret pharm? What is some advice you would have given yourself before pharm?
  3. How is the workload in pharm compared to undergrad?
  4. What was your GPA getting into the program?

r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

When does UMSOP typically reach out with interviews?

1 Upvotes

applied october 6th, my other schools have reached out except UMSOP, was wondering when people heard back from them. Thanks!


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

UF Scholarships

3 Upvotes

Has anyone heard from UF about scholarships? Especially if you’re oos and not going to be a double gator


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

Is Iowa pharmacy good?

2 Upvotes

Iowa pharmacy programs looks like very easy to get into. most students come in with no bachelors or background working in pharmacy.


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

Upitts and UNC chapel hill

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I’m a bit worried because I haven’t heard anything from Upitt (Open pool) and UNC. I applied to them on October 1st, and my application was verified on October 5th. I received an email stating that it’s under review, but since then, I’ve heard nothing. I’m starting to get anxious. Does this mean I won’t be getting interviews from them? These are my top schools. I was wondering if others have experienced the same situation I’m going through right now.


r/PrePharmacy • • 1d ago

Auburn pharm vs UAMS pharm

1 Upvotes

which one is better I got accepted to both. Auburn looks like it’s focused on community pharm


r/PrePharmacy • • 2d ago

A&M vs UHCOP

3 Upvotes

So I got accepted into A&M Kingsville and University of Houston for their pharmacy programs. I just want to know people’s opinions on which school I should pick. I’m being really indecisive and I need to decide by Wednesday so I can let the schools know and put a deposit. Any advice?


r/PrePharmacy • • 3d ago

Is having pharmacy shadowing experience a must when applying for the MPharm degree in UK?

1 Upvotes

I'm applying to UCL, KCL, Nottingham, Manchester and Belfast for pharmacy. Problem is, I don't have pharmacy shadowing experience. Additionally, I live in a city in Europe where English isn't a common language so barely any of the pharmacies here operate in English nor speak English (I don't speak the language here...)

But I do have two internship experiences: shadowing internship at a pharmaceutical company in rural China and a UCSD lab internship about material science.

In my personal statement, I have connected those two experiences to clinical/pharmacy skillset as much as possible but I'm afraid this will compare with applicants whom have pharmacy shadowing experiences which I feel like may be more competitive. What do we think?


r/PrePharmacy • • 5d ago

PA or Pharmacy?

23 Upvotes

I’m know these are vastly different careers! But I have a personal situation at hand.

To preface: I am NOT in healthcare for the money, I love people, science and research to a fault. But it is still an important factor to consider when it comes to debt/income ratio.

Becoming a PA has been my dream for a while now. But I can’t seem to get into my local program. I’m on my second cycle after they rejected me the first time, and have heard nothing from them since I submitted in May. My application isn’t the strongest either with only pharmacy tech experience (this program has no minimum direct pt care requirement).

I’ve been a pharmacy tech for the last 4 years and have the dream retail job at Costco. If I choose pharmacy school, not only will I be their intern making decent money, but I’ll have a foot into one of the best chains you could possibly work for. I’m not SUPER passionate about pharmacy but I think I could tolerate it.

Financially, here’s the breakdown:

PA: local program, living expenses taken care of by parents. Under the new BBB and elimination of grad plus loans, ~60k federal and ~56k private loans needed. Cannot work throughout the program, so 2.5 years of unemployment. Done a bunch of shadowing; I know I’d be happy with the career choice.

Pharmacy: also local, living expenses taken care of. Would not need private loans since it falls under the 50k federal cap. Cost is ~24k per year. Plan on using almost all of my intern money to throw at the loans while I’m in school. I love the company I work for currently and would love to stay with them, but it wouldn’t be a passionate project, more a job is a job and better financial stability.

The pay for new grads in either field is pretty comparable in my state, with PA being slightly lower.

I know no one can make this decision for me but really looking for some insight. Thank you :)


r/PrePharmacy • • 5d ago

UMN pharmD interview

2 Upvotes

Hi, I am currently a junior majoring in biology. I have my UMN (university of Minnesota) pharmacy interview tomorrow morning and I am super nervous because this is my first interview. I am so scared that I would freeze and will not be able to answer. Do you guys have any tips or past experiences with UMN interview?


r/PrePharmacy • • 5d ago

How do I do an MMI for MPharm (not exactly med but its adjacent!)? Where do I even begin?

1 Upvotes

Hey! I just got an email from Nottingham and they invited me to an MMI scheduled about 40 days in advance. I want to prepare for it, but I have no idea what the best way is. I really need some guidance!


r/PrePharmacy • • 6d ago

For those considering pharmacy school pt.2

95 Upvotes

I had to add onto someone’s post but I come from a low income immigrant background, and pharmacy has always been something I’ve been interested in pursuing. Now that I’m actually working toward it, all I seem to hear is people telling me not to do it, and honestly, it pisses me off. I grew up watching my parents struggle financially, working some of the most miserable, physically and mentally exhausting jobs just to make a couple of dollars an hour. From what I’ve witnessed, I can assure you that there are far worse things than working a retail pharmacy job, and even if I do end up in retail having to deal with getting yelled at 24/7, at least I’ll be making a decent living doing it!

I genuinely believe that some of the pharmacists discouraging people from entering the field come from more financially comfortable backgrounds than they realize. Maybe they grew up watching their parents, aunts, uncles, etc. enjoy a certain standard of living and expected their own careers to provide the same, but are now disappointed that their work lives in fact do not look the same. I’m not saying their complaints aren’t valid, and I understand that pharmacy has its problems, but I think perspective matters. When you grow up watching those around you work such draining jobs for barely enough money to survive, the prospect of earning a stable, respectable education can look very different to you.


r/PrePharmacy • • 5d ago

Pharmd

3 Upvotes

Looking for input on Wayne State”s PharmD program. Wondering what the culture is like. Is the faculty supportive? Looking for all the input and useful details! Thank you!!


r/PrePharmacy • • 5d ago

OSU scholarships

1 Upvotes

If you received a merit scholarship from Ohio state, when did they notify you? In your official acceptance letter?


r/PrePharmacy • • 5d ago

Will a W on my transcript affect my application?

3 Upvotes

I’ve never done this badly in a class before, but because I got sick for a month at the start of the semester I was completely behind. Usually I would be able to catch up and I would end up with at least a B, however the course is PChem, making it extremely challenging. It will be my first W on my transcript. I am going to retake it next semester but I didn’t know how that would affect my applications.

For context: I applied to UH, TT, UNT, and UT. I have either interview dates for all of them or already did the interviews. What I am most worried about is UT. I did their interview already and it seemed to go well (thank goodness cause it’s my top choice) so by the time they see the W on the transcript (next year) I would be either accepted or being waitlisted for fall grades… which is what im scared about. I dunno what their policy is on that but if they were weighing my application the W tipped it over I would be devastated.

So I could either stick it out risking a D (very likely) or I can withdraw and just take it next semester (my final semester so it’s gonna be 20 hours 😭). I just wanna know how bad a W seems for UT.


r/PrePharmacy • • 5d ago

IBCC ATTESTATION

0 Upvotes

is it required for inrolling in pharm d program???