5 replies to this topic

[ionosphere]

Hey guys. Is the SUNY Buffalo pharmacy program a 0-6 program where you can get a PharmD degree after 6 years or do you have to take the PCAT and get into pharmacy school?

[NickC]

Since you're looking at Pharmacy programs, I'm sure you've heard of St. John's and LIU (which is directly located near Tech like 3 blocks away).

The University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) has a 2 year undergraduate pre-req period where you take all the required courses then you take the PCAT and then enter into the Pharmacy school in years 3-6 (FYI - Tuition is lower the 1st 2 years lol). I believe LIU follows the same model. I did some research and among Pharmacy schools UB ranks 21 nationally and St. John's around 60s. I didn't think UB had such a tremendous pharmacy program.

St. John's on the other hand is different. Once you're in for admissions, you need not take a PCAT and its a 0-6 year program.

Just a personal story: I chose UB because of the flexibility in majors. I know I'm bound for the science/math track and I'm currently taking the pre-reqs for Biomedical Sciences but if in the middle I feel that I want to ditch Med school and just be a pharmacist, I can just switch over to pharmacy because the pre-req courses for that is the same. I picked that over St. John's. A very important thing about all this is keeping your options opened for yourself and choosing a place that will allow you to do so.

[ionosphere]

Thanks Nick! I'm also leaning toward SUNY Buffalo's Pharmacy program over that of St. John's because the tuition is significantly lower since it is a state university and because I do not feel the need to take certain classes like Theology in order to be successful as a pharmacist and would rather attend a school where the pre-pharmacy program is more science driven.

[NickC]

Yes. Theology was one of the biggest turn offs for me and the 2nd was the fact that I would need to travel from Brooklyn South all the way up to Queens.

[R. Asher]

I am in preliminary discussions to set up a pipeline partnership with UB for students who want to pursue the pharmacy program. We are also in discussions for the engineering majors. I was on campus for the first time in a decade this summer and I am impressed by the changes and the vision of the university leadership team. It is a shame that President Simpson is leaving but I have confidence that UB will continue to move the 20/20 strategic plan forward. As an alum of both UB and St. John's - UB was a better experience for me as well as most of the alum I know.

[NickC]

R. Asher, on 06 September 2010 - 12:27 PM, said:

It is a shame that President Simpson is leaving but I have confidence that UB will continue to move the 20/20 strategic plan forward.

Simpson has been shattered by the way Albany conducted business. It's no surprise that he might choose to leave a bit early. Poor guy =(