graduate applying for pharmacy

[firestar101]

Hi,

I was just hoping that someone could help me with a few questions that I have. I have just recently graduated with a honours degree in medicinal chemistry with a 2.1 classification, and I am looking to go on to study pharmacy. I just wanted to ask, with my degree, would I stand a good chance of getting into pharmacy.

Also, I have to ask the head of my department for a ucas reference. Can you tell me what I should ask to be included in the reference, as I am not sure exactly what would be vital.

And, do you think that it is generally quite easy to get a job on completion of a masters in pharmacy?

I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you.

[pharm112]

I think you have quite a fair chance of getting in. Choose ur universities carefully as there r some that r extremely competitive. As for ref, I think it should be in the lines of how committed u r n u know things like good team player, meticulous etc. I personally think pharmacy is a great career. I was doing my training 1 week after graduating n i started to locum 2 days after i was registered, others started work on day they were registered. how many graduates r so lucky? especially during this recession period? so def go for it. wish you all the best.

[crit care]

i always thought that a reference was down to the individual writing it. its based on your character and attitude. getting him to write down things you want him to say surely won't make it a reference. when i went through UCAS i never got to see any of my references.

as for your other questions, you stand a good a chance as anyone else applying. as for jobs, depends which sector you want to apply. some are harder than others, but who's to say in 4/5years time when you come to apply for jobs that it wouldn't ahve all changed

[johnep]

So, why did you take medicinal chemistry? What glittering career was held in front of you as a medicinal chemist?
As I understand it, a MC is one who synthesises new chemical entities or derives the structure of natural active molecules.
Unfortunately, you would probably need a PhD just to get started as so little research now in UK. Consider the USA.
johnep