College major

[matas]

After taking computer science 2 (intro to java) I decided to stay away from engineering and computer majors, because I've heard that engineers have to program.. I am thinking about pharmD major, or some pharmaceutical research major. To become a pharmD, I have to take 2 years worth of pre-pharms courses and another 6 years after it. There is only one college in New Jersey that offers pharmacy degree. It's Rutgers, a state university. There are a lot of pre-pharms school tho. I guess it would be a good idea to go to some other college for pre-pharm and then transfer to Rutgers? I don't really like Rutgers, but it would be cheaper than other out of state schools. How hard is the pharmacy field? Not sure if I am going to get normal replies here at atot.

 

[TheVrolok]

It's a fairly long road.. how do you feel about chem? Money is good, though.

 

[Farang]

Just major in math with a minor in biology, get good grades, and all doors will be opened to you.

 

[matas]

I enjoy math so far. Also, chemistry does not bother me. I am still in high school.

 

[Newbian]

Plus you can share the good stuff with your fellow atoters and make friends.

 

[TheVrolok]

Ah, if you're still a high school fellow then you've got quite a bit of time to really decide. You could simply start in any science based program and decide which direction you want to go following some intro courses. Take a semester or two of bio/chem/physics and see what you like best.

 

[matas]

For pharmacy, I thought I have to have a declared major, because it starts of with chemistry and other classes geared towards it.
The reason I am thinking about this now, because I wanna make sure the college have the classes that I will need.

 

[ed21x]

as much as everyone keeps saying pharmacists are 'in demand,' the reality is that the market is approaching saturation, the same with nursing. if you are looking to become a pharmacists in 8 years, it might not be the wisest of choice considering the numbers being churned out right now. I would recommend straight up medicine. Going into medical school gives you the luxury of gauging your residency interests later on so you can direct your career choice within the number of years before you enter the market.

 

[FleshLight]

Too bad you didn't take computer science 3:

http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Computer_Science_III

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: matas
For pharmacy, I thought I have to have a declared major, because it starts of with chemistry and other classes geared towards it.
The reason I am thinking about this now, because I wanna make sure the college have the classes that I will need.

every non-liberal arts college out there offers the pre-reqs you need... mainly organic chemistry, biology, physics, and calculus. Not hard to fullfill at all.

 

[matas]

Med school I think is too long, what like 14 years of studies until you can become specialized.

 

[RKS]

At your age your main concern should be controlling acne and getting laid. You have plenty of time to select a career or even a college major.

 

[liluqt]

You'll have plenty of time to narrow down your choices when you get into college. If you're certain you want to be in the medical field, but unsure where.. just major in biology. If not, just go undeclared for a little while.. doesn't really matter until about the halfway point in undergrad. Even as an undeclared, you can take as many science courses as your heart desires as an elective if you're gung ho about it I remember seeing people in my o-chem classes who were there just as an elective, when their major was pretty much the opposite of any science. Always blew my socks off and I thought they were nuts

 

[Mo0o]

I have no idea how it works for pharmacy but for medicine theres no such thing as a "pre-med" major for most schools. To apply to medical shcool you just need the prereqs. THe specific major doesnt matter.

I would suggest you major in something non-science. Makes you more interesting than the 9000 bio majors applying at the same time.

 

[matas]

What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: matas
What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

Become a man whore.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: matas
What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

anything. but the harder the better (assuming you dont suck it up in that major)

 

[liluqt]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
I have no idea how it works for pharmacy but for medicine theres no such thing as a "pre-med" major for most schools. To apply to medical shcool you just need the prereqs. THe specific major doesnt matter.

I would suggest you major in something non-science. Makes you more interesting than the 9000 bio majors applying at the same time.

This is so true. I found out later that most of my comp sci/criminology friends started as a bio major, learned that it sucked, and then switched. Bio must be a default major going into college.

 

[liluqt]

Originally posted by: Newbian

Originally posted by: matas
What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

Become a man whore.

That's a pretty open ended question. There's no one way to get into a certain school. They look for diversity so as long as you do well in whatever major it is you choose, and then do well on the entrance exam to pharmacy school/med school/whatever, you'll be fine.

The plus for you is that you've time on your side. If you have doubts about picking a major, sign up for an internship. Hell, do a bunch of internships. You'll be fine, trust me

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: matas
What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

well if you are asian then the only other honorable option is engineering. my kids have the option of being anything they want as long as it is an MD, PhD (engineer) or as a last resort, JD.

 

[Circlenaut]

Originally posted by: matas
After taking computer science 2 (intro to java) I decided to stay away from engineering and computer majors, because I've heard that engineers have to program.. I am thinking about pharmD major, or some pharmaceutical research major. To become a pharmD, I have to take 2 years worth of pre-pharms courses and another 6 years after it. There is only one college in New Jersey that offers pharmacy degree. It's Rutgers, a state university. There are a lot of pre-pharms school tho. I guess it would be a good idea to go to some other college for pre-pharm and then transfer to Rutgers? I don't really like Rutgers, but it would be cheaper than other out of state schools. How hard is the pharmacy field? Not sure if I am going to get normal replies here at atot.

This looks straight out of my book. I came into WPI originally as a computer science major. Took 2 CS courses [intro to programming (scheme) and Java]. I got an A on my first one and dropped Java. I started taking bio classes for the hell of it and liked it. I'm finishing my junior year and my plan is to apply to pharm school. I've finished pretty much all of my pre-requisites, I only have to take a few humanity electives for certain schools that require it. Transferring into a 6-year pharm-d program is very very hard. I have a 3.8 and solid recommendations and didn't get in. Best bet is to finish your undergraduate and apply to a 4-year graduate program (UF, UT Austin, UC (various), UA) Pretty much a bunch of southern state universities. Also A good bit of these schools don't require the PCAT. They tend to be the higher tier schools. My plan is to apply to the non PCAT schools, if I don't get into any I'll work for a year and study for the PCAT and then apply to the remaining schools.

To the guy that said major in math and minor in biology, he is very correct. Biostaticians and Bioinformatics get paid A LOT. A bachelors and a few year's experience nets you 80K+. I can't imagine what PhD's make. So if you have that skill set, I'd choose that over pharmacy. I happen to suck at math and CS, so...

If you're worried about in-state tuition. Apply to the schools, defer for a year, work, then attend.

 

[invidia]

Originally posted by: RKS

Originally posted by: matas
What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

well if you are asian then the only other honorable option is engineering. my kids have the option of being anything they want as long as it is an MD, PhD (engineer) or as a last resort, J

PhD in physics gives way more diversity than in engineering. Every science research group has a physicist.

Why JD for last resort?

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: invidia

Originally posted by: RKS

Originally posted by: matas
What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

well if you are asian then the only other honorable option is engineering. my kids have the option of being anything they want as long as it is an MD, PhD (engineer) or as a last resort, J

PhD in physics gives way more diversity than in engineering. Every science research group has a physicist.

Why JD for last resort?

Looks like someone forgot to minor in Sarcasm in college

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: RKS

Originally posted by: matas
What are my other options besides a major in a medical field?

well if you are asian then the only other honorable option is engineering. my kids have the option of being anything they want as long as it is an MD, PhD (engineer) or as a last resort, JD.

i'm in the process of getting a PhD, which in reality means I'm just going to settle for a masters because going the extra distance just isn't worth it in terms of time, money, and career potential. JD is more up in the air, as it really depends on if you are good at what you do to make decent money. Most JD's are making less than 50k coming straight out of law school.

 

[interchange]

studentdoctor.net has some pharm stuff (check out the forums). Best place for aspiring health professionals bar none.