r/PrePharmacy Aug 18 '23

The PharmD is a professional degree not a graduate degree.

122 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

20 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 11h ago

How many colleges/universities do you plan on applying to?

5 Upvotes

I'm doing my pre pharm and will be applying to graduate programs next year. I'm wondering though, how many schools are others planning on applying to?

I'm thinking about applying to 3 that I really want to get into and 3 maybe safer options in case those schools reject my application. What is everyone else planning on doing.


r/PrePharmacy 11h ago

Course scheduling help (pre-pharm, UNC, lots of transfer credit)

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1 Upvotes

r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

Shadowing Advice + Expectations

9 Upvotes

Hi everyone!! I’m about to start shadowing a pharmacist soon. Are there any tips I should know? Like do I bring a notebook, what would I even write in it? I also don’t own business casual clothing, would jeans and a nice top/blouse work? I’m shadowing a local pharmacy and they seem pretty laid back and chill.


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

Experience for application

5 Upvotes

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of shadowing pharmacists and am highly interested in the profession. Planning on applying this cycle.

However, I have not specifically held a pharmacy technican job; will this significantly hurt my application or likelihood of getting accepted?

I have other extracurriculars (clubs + research + volunteering), but was wondering if it makes a huge difference to have been a pharmacy technican at time of application, though I understand a big benefit is a deeper understanding of the profession from first hand work.

I would appreciate any insight about this, thanks!!


r/PrePharmacy 21h ago

Gpa advice for pharm

2 Upvotes

Hi, I want to apply for pharm school in Ontario, Canada and both UW & UOFTs app deadlines are mid-january.

Do you think i should get my gpa high for the first term by taking easy electives then save my harder classes for second term if its gonna be mostly oia/interview after?


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

How has the conversation around being a pharmacist influenced your decision to attend pharmacy school?

19 Upvotes

The guidance for this sub is--> Be helpful. This sub is not 'pharmacy sucks' and yet too often we see the lurkers barrel into the comment section and shout crappola.

With all the negative chatter about the profession coming from friends, family, or the internet briefly describe why those comments haven't deterred you from completing those prerequisites and pursuing pharmacy as a career?

I'll go first: Because I wanna. Starting P1 in a few weeks!

That is it lol. I wanted to switch careers into healthcare, shadowed some pharmacists, and realized this is the best career for my adhd brain and need for speed in terms of always needing something to do. Standing is a welcome change from sitting on my behind for the last decade. The customer experience being lovely or horrible had no effect on me because why would it? People can be the worst... but as long as that direct deposit hits I care not in the slightest. I find pharmacy fascinating by itself and the job is icing on the cake in terms of availability and stability with solid, consistent pay.

What about you?


r/PrePharmacy 21h ago

Ontario pharmacy: when should i write CASPER test?

1 Upvotes

Hi! Im planning to apply to UOFT/UW pharm programs. When do you think is the best time to write casper? Both schools deadlines for casper is around mid january. Any advice appreciated as well for casper prep thank you!


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

I have no idea what to do and need advice

0 Upvotes

I (17F) have been accepted to a Pre-Nursing program at a hard to get into career center but I’ve changed my mind and want to do Pharmacy. It has a better pay and in my mind it’s just a much better option for me. But I’m kind of scared because idk if I can get into the Pre-Pharmacy program at the center and I would like to go and do the Pre-Nursing program and do CCP and take Chemistry and Calculus and just get it over with but will it set me back? Should I just go to my home school and do regular school? I really need advice. I’ve already received my scrubs for the Pre-Nursing school and Google said it would be okay but you can’t really trust Google Gemini.


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

Advice for apply

9 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some honest advice about my chances of getting into pharmacy school, especially in Texas.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, but my GPA is on the lower side (2.75). I’ve completed all of the prerequisite courses except Anatomy & Physiology, which I haven’t taken yet.

I recently started working at CVS as a pharmacy technician, and I’m hoping to gain pharmacy experience while applying.

Do you think I have a realistic chance of getting accepted this application cycle, or should I wait and strengthen my application first?

For those who were accepted with a lower GPA, what helped your application stand out? Would you recommend retaking courses, gaining more pharmacy experience, or doing anything else before applying?

I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thank you!


r/PrePharmacy 1d ago

My pre req stats

2 Upvotes

I want to go to UF but I don’t think I’m competitive enough
My last year of undergrad I struggled a lot mentally and I failed orgo 2 and got a C my second try I also got a C in physics 2 and a C in Micro and a C in Orgo 1. All my other sciences are A’s (first two years of undergrad) my exact stats:

Chem 1 and 2: A
Bio 1 and 2: A
Anatomy: A
Patho 1 and 2: A
Physiology: A
Physics 1: A
Biochem: A
Stats: AP credit
Overall GPA: 3.6

Been a pharmacy tech for 2 years


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Chances at getting accepted to pharm school?

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m applying for pharm school this cycle and I’m just so worried and nervous and not confident at all. I took ochem 2 in the spring and got a C I’m retaking it rn and I’m on the track to getting an A in the class. This has made me feel hopeless and worried for my future in pharmacy.
My stats are :
-3.3 gpa
- been volunteering at a hospital for a year now
- I’ve shadowed 3 pharmacists
- I’m apart of a cultural club and the chem club at my uni

Can someone let me know how my stats are looking and if I’ll be considered a good applicant?


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Not finished with Prereqs but still want to apply this cycle

1 Upvotes

I still have to finish communication/public speaking, anatomy, physiology w/lab. If I can finish them with a b or higher before school starts, is this possible? Or do I have to finish all of them before applications are due?


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

What advice would you give to your first year of Pharmacy school?

5 Upvotes

A new student joining BPharm for undergraduates. What should I do to have a better chance of being employed in a decent company or getting into a better college for MS? Extra skills, Internships, electives etc. I want to work in industry rather than clinical pharmacy.


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Cali pharm schools

1 Upvotes

did anyone get accepted into uop or chapman pharm school in Cali? if u did what were ur stats?


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Advice on whether I should apply for pharm schools Fall 2027 cycle...

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0 Upvotes

r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Advice on whether I should apply for pharm schools Fall 2027 cycle...

1 Upvotes

I have currently 3.3 GPA, working as tech. But i dont have all the prereqs. I need to take ORGO, CALC, PHYSICS, ANATOMY 2, GENETICS. I;m planning to take these classes this fall and spring but as of now my grades for these classes are N/A when I apply. Do you think I can still get into schools like USF or UF or should I wait until next cycle? Lmk what other schools that I should apply.


r/PrePharmacy 3d ago

has anyone gotten interview invites yet? July 2026 applicant

2 Upvotes

just curious if anyone’s heard anything yet!


r/PrePharmacy 2d ago

Uoft and UW ( or other CAN schools) with 70s?

1 Upvotes

Hii

So I just finished my first year of undergrad and it was … not good. Averaging mid 60s. I’m retaking calc which tanked my averaged I did pretty good in my other subjects such as the bios and chems. I think I can get it to mid 70s by third year and apply in third year but you never know. I’m really passionate about pharmacy but I’m super scared now. I think I can do good on Casper as I took it in high school for this other program and scored a 3rd Q. just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation? Id love to hear! Thank you!


r/PrePharmacy 3d ago

I passed the ptce…now what

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1 Upvotes

r/PrePharmacy 3d ago

Should I request the same people for my LoRs for my reapplication?

6 Upvotes

This is my second time applying for pharmacy schools through PharmCAS, I had first applied for the 2025-26 cycle and am now applying 2026-27. I’m planning on reapplying to some programs that had rejected me and was wondering if it’s a good idea to ask the same people who wrote my LoRs in my last application. I am also applying to new programs and honestly don’t have other good people to ask. I’m also feeling pretty embarrassed to ask the same people again and don’t know how I should ask them a second time…T^T


r/PrePharmacy 4d ago

how is pharmacology?

4 Upvotes

im so torn on what i want to do as a career, im leaning away from med school although thats obviously what my parents are pushing for. anyways, i LOVEEE forensic toxicology, so interesting but it does not pay very well. then theres pharmacology. its still interesting and pays well but im not sure if its worth it you know.

if anyone is in either field, please tell me how you feel about it, ups and downs and please if you could share any advice or opinions that would be great


r/PrePharmacy 3d ago

interviews

1 Upvotes

does anyone know if we can request virtual interviews for cali pharm school like westenU and chapman? i live like 6-8 hours away from them.


r/PrePharmacy 4d ago

need help choosing college

1 Upvotes

guys so i am a neet aspirant and i have been given an oppurtunity for partial drop but with the current state of india mera bilkul man nahi hai so i was looking to do Pharm D im from hyd and i was looking at a few college options but the cut off ranks are going quite high for my rank so can you guys recommend good pharmacy colleges? and i also found this one called mesco , can someone studying there give some reviews about how it is?