r/PrePharmacy Aug 18 '23

The PharmD is a professional degree not a graduate degree.

125 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 Sep 27 '23

"What are my chances?" MEGATHREAD

19 Upvotes

Due to the relatively large influx of "what are my chances?" posts this mega thread has been created.

Starting 9/27/23, please post here if you are wondering what your chances are for getting into which ever program you are applying to.

Thank you


r/PrePharmacy 1h ago

Graduated with BS in Marketing but recently fell in love with pharmacy?

Upvotes

Hello , I recently picked up a new job as a pharmacy technician. I am also a new grad with my bachelor’s in marketing. I want to learn more about the pharmacy realm and potentially become a pharmacist/ own my own clinic. I am not sure how to go about it school wise or what’s the process to get into that.


r/PrePharmacy 3h ago

Odds of getting into UT

1 Upvotes

I submitted my application today and I’d really like to know my odds of getting into UT’s pharmacy program.

Age: 20
Major: Biomedical Sciences
GPA: 3.92
Licensed and Certified Pharmacy Technician
6 months of experience in an Independent Pharmacy (technician in training)
9 months of a Current Experience In Retail Pharmacy (not a tech position)
240+ Volunteer Hours
Currently doing research in a lab as an Undergraduate Research Assistant with no publications yet
Active member of 2 pre-pharmacy clubs
Historian of a nursing home volunteering Club
3x LOR from pharmacists
x1 LOR from Science professor with a degree and research in pharmacy


r/PrePharmacy 11h ago

anyone been accepted into PharmD (UofT) program coming from a non-science undergrad ?

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1 Upvotes

Hello! I was wondering if anyone has actually been accepted U of T’s PharmD program recently without having a degree/working towards a degree in science fields like lifesci, biochem, etc.?

I would appreciate any insight shared!


r/PrePharmacy 17h ago

South College PharmD

2 Upvotes

I just wanted to share my interview experience with south college since i recently had an interview with them! I personally did not like the interview process I felt like the questions that were presented didn’t reflect their “holistic” approach that they claim. The person interviewing me also told me that they did not like when students had a job or other priorities such as children or taking care of relatives. She also asked if I would either go part time or quit my job if accepted to the program which is not feasible in my situation. I do understand this is an accelerated program but if you have other priorities such as needing to work or care for another person I would skip out on applying to south. this is just my opinion based on my experience!


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

What does the PharmD allow you to do?

9 Upvotes

I was reading the pinned post about how a student being interviewed was interested in research and explains why PharmD isn’t connected to that. I was wondering besides retail and working at a hospital what does pharmacology allow you to do. There are job listing at Pfizer and other companies and I thought a pharmacist helped do trials to see if drugs can have FDA approval am I wrong for thinking that? Also, people who have got a PharmD can you share some of your experiences overall?


r/PrePharmacy 22h ago

How far an msc research in pharmacology reach me in pharma industry?

1 Upvotes

r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

Thinking about pharmacy school but not sure??

8 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I’m thinking of applying to pharmacy school. I’m taking my pre-requisites and by the time I’ll be applying I will have 2 years of experience. Additionally, I’m going to do my nationals and become an immunizer too for the sake of applications and i genuinely enjoy pharmacy work even at a busy busy CVS location. I’m just insecure to the point where I keep thinking if I’m good enough? The whole self-doubt thing. I’d appreciate any advice! Thank you.


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

letters of reccomendation

1 Upvotes

hi everyone, i am currently a senior double majoring in chemistry & environmental science. i am applying using pharmcas to start pharmacy school next fall (2027). i currently have requested two letter of recommendations (one from my organic chemistry professor and one from my professor i had when i studied abroad). is it weird to ask the pharmacist i shadowed for a letter of recommendation? i only shadowed twice, each time only for a couple of hours. i dont think he would know me well enough to write a letter, but i dont know if *not* having a letter from a pharmacist is a bad look on my part. My gpa is high (about 3.92 i think) but i dont really have any pharmacy experience besides shadowing twice at a hospital. thank you! :)


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

Odds of getting in to top 20-30 schools

10 Upvotes

3.1 GPA cumulative
B.S. in Biology
6 months pharmacy technician (im liscenced)
2 Science prof letters of Rec

I know cause of trumps big beautiful bill alot of smart but not well off students are not applying this cycle because they have take out a significant private student loan, would I be able to get into a reach/high reach school given my stats?


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

Getting into PharmD progam

2 Upvotes

Hey! im a recent PharmD grad and passed my naplex but its been 4 years since i had applied haha (time passes by quick). I was just wondering how the application process is now. are the schools making it more difficult to get into?


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

B.Pharma Australia Reading Materials/Textbooks

1 Upvotes

I am going to start pharmacy in feb 2027 (5 months from now) and im super bored so i thought i could get a head start, look around the subjects what is being taught, what the books are so i can buy them in india for cheaper prices. I am most likely going to join University of Sydney if not then queensland.

Id be rly grateful if u guys could tell me resources, textbooks, youtube channels, anything helps!


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Low cGPA, no degree

2 Upvotes

I’m applying to Chapman University and Western University straight from community college. My cumulative gpa is 3.01 and I still have classes in progress.
I’ve worked at CVS as pharmacy clerk for 1 year and am set to take my ptcb exam and get tech-licensed in December.
Slightly worried about chances for this 2026-2027 app. cycle


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

What are my chances?

2 Upvotes

Hello, I was wondering what were my chances of an acceptance into pharmacy school.
I’m in FL and plan to apply to various schools in Florida.

I am graduating with my BS in December
GPA is 3.7
Science GPA is a 3.4

I have volunteered in the community with 2 different clubs. But I’m scared about not having pharmacy experience in specific.

Is it possible to get accepted?


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

got into uoft and uw pharmd last cycle, AMA!

8 Upvotes

I know when I was applying last cycle I was looking for so many answers to questions that I couldn’t find, so for future applicants: ask what you need!


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Will i get into pharm school with a B.A?

2 Upvotes

I am getting my B.A in biology in the fall of 2027, and I will have completed all the pre-reqs for pharmacy school (current gpa is a 3.1) Just wondering if having a B.A looks worse than a B.S ?


r/PrePharmacy 3d ago

Any advice for a new b pharm student?

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1 Upvotes

r/PrePharmacy 3d ago

Letter of recs question

4 Upvotes

I’ve been out of school for three years now.
I’ve tried to reach out to professors and to no avail, I’ve been ghosted by all. I don’t know how to deal with this form of “soft rejection” other than just swallowing my ego and following up.

I use a standard letter of recommendation email template to ask and include my CV and class project I did…and am willing to meet with the profs.

What do I do? I’m quite lost and would like to get at least one letter of recommendation from a prof.

I’m also trying to get recs by the priority deadline of 10/01 for schools, but the nonstop ghosting by profs is quite tough to swallow. What am I doing wrong? Am I blacklisted?


r/PrePharmacy 3d ago

For those applying for MPharm 2027 entry - can we chat?

1 Upvotes

Hey I am a yr 13 student from the midlands who is applying for Mpharm 2027 entry. I wanna chat with ppl who is doing the same thing as me cus I have no support or advice from people I know. none of the ppl at my school are applying for pharmacy

So for those interested to chat, can you dm me pls


r/PrePharmacy 4d ago

transfer student

2 Upvotes

hii is it possible to apply to Pharmacy/Health Sciences in QU as a transfer student from UDST taking health sciences? if anyone has experienced a similar situation or knows someone who does please reply!! thank youu


r/PrePharmacy 4d ago

applying to uoft pharm this upcoming cycle, do i have a chance?

6 Upvotes

hey all! for context, i graduated from my undergrad in 2024 and am looking to go back for my pharmd at uoft so hopefully i have a shot!

my gpa is around a 3.4ish and this past year i went back as a non-degree student to complete some of the prerequisites with almost all A's in each of the classes.

do i have a shot at uoft pharm if i do well on the casper and individual assessment or should i not even try?

pls help i'm so stressed and idk if i should even try applying


r/PrePharmacy 4d ago

Pharamcy reqs

1 Upvotes

GUYSSSS is it just me or did Waterloo change the pre reqs for pharmacy school idk if I am tripping but I think there was so many options for courses and also it was normal calc not calc 1 required what is happening????😭😭


r/PrePharmacy 5d ago

Best way to get into the career

5 Upvotes

So I know it’s all state dependent, but I recently moved to Maryland earlier this year and I’d like to get into preferably as a tech to start then go to school for it. Problem is I have face tats, nothing wild but I get call backs and then boom once they take a look at me I get blown off. I’ve tried for like 6 months now but I’m not sure what else I can do without saying fuck it and doing school first. I’d prefer the tech job for obvious reasons and possibly getting reimbursed for school but I can’t figure out a way to get in. I’d appreciate any advice or any recommendations🙏🏽


r/PrePharmacy 5d ago

USC Pharmcas

2 Upvotes

Anyone hear back from usc yet?? early applicants specifically.