Donald Said:

Path to a Pharm.D Degree?

We Answered:

To go to pharmacy school you have a couple options. One option is to do a two year pre-pharmacy program that basically focuses on fulfilling all of the pre-requisite courses that pharmacy schools require. These classes are similar to pre-med courses and would likely consist of general and organic chemistry, biology, physics and several liberal arts courses. You would then begin to apply to schools and need to take the PCAT exam.

Another is to do the traditional four year bachelor's degree and then apply for pharmacy school. Many applicants will major in a science field such as biology or chemistry and take all of the pre-pharm courses as part of the requirements for their degree. During the end of your third year, you would begin applying and take the PCAT. This is becoming much more common and is recommended by most PharmD programs as there is a higher chance of acceptance and a higher success rate in pharmacy school compared to someone who only did two years of undergrad.

The third option is to apply for a six year program that encompasses both the pre-pharm courses and pharmacy school into a six year "accelerated program". These programs can often be very competitive since they basically ensure that you will be accepted to that school's PharmD program as long as you do well in the first two years.

No matter what path you choose, you will need to take all of the required courses. These courses vary depending on what schools you apply to so it is best to go to specific school's websites and see what courses are required. You will also need to take the PCAT exam as this is required for every PharmD program in the US. Finally, you will likely need some experience such as being a pharmacy tech or shadowing a pharmacist as schools will need to see that you are know what you are getting into and that you have a sense of the duties and lifestyles of a pharmacist. The best thing for you to do now is to start coming up with some schools you would be interested in going to and researching what their requirements are, what the application process is, what types of applicants the school is looking for and general information about the school and its PharmD program.

Hope this helps.

Zachary Said:

Will I not get hired because of my criminal record?

We Answered:

They usually ask that you don't list misdemeanors.

As long as you don't have any engaging conversations about your past with your soon-to-be employer, I am pretty sure you will be in the clear.

Andrew Said:

Finishing my Pharmacy Tech course... what to do now?

We Answered:

Try Walgreen and CVS they're always looking for Pharmacy Technicians I'd try there for sure...Good luck with your search

Darren Said:

Is Pharmacy Technician a good idea (NEED ADVICE!!!)?

We Answered:

' I am in a very common dilemma.'
Yes. By your description, you are of military descent, have dedicated diligent parentage who believe in their country. I myself, would be proud of that fact, appreciate their efforts, and make the most of my present resources. You are not alone on the base. Go to the clergy, base commander, and ask for help with your future.

'my goal is to become a pharmacist. '
The goal is an admirable one. As a pharmacist, you are a dedicated scientist, assist doctors, an educated devoted servant of medicine. Pharmacy School is years of classes ( that you need to pass ), dedicated, devoted study. Depending on the school you choose, it can be 4 - 6 years. Also, it depends on the undergraduate courses you have taken. This is for a DOCTORATE of Pharmacology. It is a path worth pursuing if you have that passion, brainpower, assistance, persistence.

'my parents are not able to pay for me '
For 4-6 years of Pharmacy School, I am positive you will exceed $100K of expense. You need to first complete an adequate undergraduate curriculum of Pre-Pharmacy courses. So, you may indeed reach $ 150-200K in costs for education. You can not do this alone. You will need loans, mentors, counselors, planners, and other students. Go talk to 10 pharmacists, ask them some simple questions. Go to a pharmacy college/university. Talk to counselors.

'so i know you need pharm tech experience '
No. Pharmacy Technician experience will get you close to a pharmacist on a daily basis. It will help you become aware of customer needs. It will allow you to become more fluent in the vernacular. But as a pharmacist, you do not need tech experience. In fact in some ways, it may give you misinformation. A pharmacy tech job is not that hard to get. And once you get there, you may be stuck there a lot longer than you want.

' save up money for school but i'm not sure how realistic this is. '
If you consider the cost of living in PA, ( in some larger cities ), the rate of pay for a tech, and SAVING money, it is not going to happen as fast as you think. You will never save enough for school while working as a tech. You will spend time and more money. Right now, those are your resources, and you are not managing your resources to the best of your ability. If you want to go for DR of PHARMACY, go for the gold. Anything else, and you are half-stepping. In the words of Yoda " don't try, DO...".

When I started taking classes, I could not see the end. It was an elaborate, elongated, contorted transformation from the beginning to the end. I had no idea at the end of what I started out on, and no true vision at the beginning of what it was going to require. You will want to quit every semester, every day, and some days, every hour. You will give up everything, get stepped on, miss every event you wanted to attend. You will have no money, no time, no immediate safety net, and no real personal life. You will question your existence, your sanity, your abilities, and total self worth. You will need to live 15-16 weeks at a time. Books will cost more than your rent. So, why ? look at the alternative. You are not a pharmacist now. If you continue on your same track, you will continue to be ' not a pharmacist '.

I tend to be hardcore, direct, blunt, and cold in some respects. If you find tons of money, the warm fuzzies, deep emotional support, and a support net that will always catch you, then you have found more than many. Equate this to going to Medical school. In a way, this is medical school. The courses you need to take are hard core math, physical science, human biology, anatomy, organic chemistry, and so on. You are studying the human body and what reaction is going to take place when someone ingests medicine. So, you also have to study the medicine. That is a lot. You want an idea ? Google a pharmacy exam questions. Try a few. What ever your decision, however your path turns, at least you have reached out, and asked for help.

In addition, to see how credible this advice is, print it out, and take it with you when you go talk with pharmacists, clergy, counselors, base personnel.

Michelle Said:

can i be a pharmacist with a lip piercing?

We Answered:

I honestly think it's unprofessional to have any facial piercings in the professional field.
People will look at you different because of it yes they can be cute but i recommend you get one but not where it when going for a job interview.

Bill Said:

HELP! How do I talk to my mom?

We Answered:

well you might have a hard time with that, especially if your mom is the main source of income. id imagine that its cheaper to live in PA than it is in NY. but what do i know, im from Tennessee, lol. you said that IF you had enough money then you could move. your mom is probably thinking about bills, college loans and stuff that they are going to have to pay back. my dad is an ER doctor who makes more than enough money to pay back his medical school loans, but i still hear him complaining about that. and my mom is also a nurse so she is still paying back nursing school loans. if you mom is getting her masters in nursing, thats a lot of money. plus your parents probably have to put both you and your brother through college. it might sound awesome to move, sure, but you gotta look at things from your moms point of view too.