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What college path did you choose first (ex. biology, biomedical or chemistry) when wanting to become a pharmacist ?

What college path did you choose first (ex. biology, biomedical or chemistry) when wanting to become a pharmacist?

Why did you choose this path?

How challenging was this path?

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Yolanda’s Answer

I majored in chemistry in undergrad and then worked for 4 years and then went to pharmacy school. The field of pharmacy has changed dramatically over the years. I have been a pharmacist for over 20 years, and even though I love what I do, I would not advise the future generation to go into pharmacy. I say that because now you have to do at least 2 residencies to be competitive. Plus there are so many pharmacy schools now, that the market is overly saturated. To get a job you may have to move to the out skirts where no one wants to be. I would seriously reconsider your path. But don't take my word for it. Research the profession. Speak to other pharmacists. I would look into becoming a PA or nurse practitioner. Less time in school, better pay, and they are in demand. If you really want job security, look into the mental health profession. Hope this helps. Wish you the best.
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Karin’s Answer

Hi JaKyla,

It's great that you want to go into pharmacy and you got some good advice on different paths to get there.

I would like to point out two more things:

If you only do pre-requisites for pharmacy school instead of getting a full bachelors or if you do an early entry pharmacy program where pre-pharmacy and pharmacyare all rolled into one degree you do save some time and money but you are betting that it all works out and you become a pharmacist. If, on the other hand, you do a full bachelors, you have a "fallback" degree, a Plan B in case you don't end up going to pharmacy school (because life happens and people also change their minds about degrees and career choices).

If you see yourself going into pharmaceutical research (vs being a retail pharmacist), you could also major in e.g. chemistry or biochemistry and specialize in pharmaceutical chemistry. Research is inter- and multidisciplinary and there are different paths to end up working in the same team.

I hope this helps! All the best to you!

KP
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Aleese’s Answer

I would choose the degree that interests you the most out of the sciences. Many people choose chem or bio and both have very similar classes overall. I chose biochem for my degree and I loved it. I felt like a lot of the classes required for the degree helped with pharmacy school, especially the biology and biochem classes specifically. I would definitely look at the pharmacy schools that you are interested in to see if they are requiring a full degree. I feel like more and more schools recently only require pre-recs and not a full degree. I was close to finishing my degree but was about a year shy of credits but since the pharmacy school I went to only required pre-recs I didn't finish my degree. I do not feel like it hurt me in any way, and I still was able to excel in all my classes. There were students in my class that did finish their bachelor's degree, but I personally did not feel as if they had a leg up on me. But overall, I think looking into the programs you may want to apply to and seeing their requirements would be the most beneficial for you.

I wouls also like to say this: People often say this to me being a new grad that pharmacy was a bad choice to go into, but I want to offer a more balanced perspective. While yes the field of pharmacy has changed significantly over the years it has changed in great ways and we are still growing. The job market has become more competitive, residency expectations have increased, and the number of pharmacy schools has grown, contributing to saturation in certain regions.

That said, I recently graduated in 2025, and not all pharmacists need a residency to succeed. While residencies can absolutely strengthen your clinical skills—and I’m currently completing mine—you can still secure a hospital position without one. Jobs are available, though it may take a few months for a full‑time role to open, and they are not limited to rural areas.

Our profession is evolving, and in many ways, for the better. Pharmacists are expanding their scope of practice, and providers increasingly recognize the value we bring to patient care. Before making a decision, I encourage you speak with pharmacists in different practice settings and who are at different points in their career. I hope this perspective helps, and I wish you the very best as you consider your future.
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Heather’s Answer

I chose to get a biology major as I enjoyed biology and it satisfied the prerequisites.
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Mary’s Answer

I was accepted into an early entry pharmacy program which started with pre pharmacy classes in freshman year and continued straight through to graduation. Maintaining a certain grade point average was mandatory. I was able to complete the program a year earlier than those who started after earning an undergrad degree. I was able save 1 year’s tuition and earn income 1 year earlier. This worked well for me, however I would advise this path if you are very motivated.
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