Going to be ready for pharmacy school soon

[dark12]

Hey all.
SWIM is currently 2-3 semesters away from finishing his prerequisites for pharmacy school. SWIM has been stressing majorly lately from hearing how competitive these schools are. SWIM is just curious if anyone is or knows someone in SWIM's situation or any suggestions on how to increase chances of getting accepted. SWIM is finding some courses difficult and is struggling to maintain a 3.2.
If SWIM doesn't get accepted he is pretty much screwed because SWIM is quite sure this is what he wants to do with his life. SWIM is applying for a position as a pharmacy technician with some local pharmacies to show dedication to the career.

[sterling77]

Nail your PCAT and get a decent score..then become a technician, ace the school
's interview, and you're set. If you don't get accepted, it's not the end of the world. Just work as a technician for awhile until you raise your PCAT, then apply again. Goodluck.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Thanks for the pharm school suggestion -dark12

[dark12]

Awesome.
I was hoping someone would mention the pcat. I am using their practice tests. SWIM doesn't do too bad, but SWIM knows organic chem will clear up alot of the confusion.
Thanks for the post.

[52SDL]

I hope this is on topic, but how does one go about studying pharmacology? Is the only jobs available those people passing out drugs? How much do they make? Sorry, I have just been very intrigued about this job lately and would like to know.

[dark12]

Well there obviously must be jobs available to create the drugs.
I would assume pharmacology coursework is a heavy load of biochemistry.

[sterling77]

There's retail pharmacy, where you work at a pharmacy dispensing drugs and giving advice on them. You can also be a hospital pharmacist which is a little different, but the same for the most part.

There are specialized areas of pharmacy such as pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutics, and even nuclear pharmacy. The branch of pharmaceutics deals with the task of taking a new drug and delivering it in the proper dosage and form (pill, capsule, solution).

Then there's pharmacology research, where you can work for companies like Merck and Pfizer. It's not limited to just that though. Other examples include universities, the USDA, et cetera.

Biology, chemistry, chemical science and biochemistry are some of the usual undergraduate majors that are chosen for pharmacy school. Although, in the US most pharmacy schools don't even require a BS degree but only an AA degree, as long as you have done the courses that they require.

[Paracelsus]

Work experience (as a pharmacy tech) and good grades in your lab courses are considered very important. Some leadership experience in a student organization helps. All this besides a high GPA and PCAT score, of course.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Thanks for the pharmacy advice -dark12