Why pharmacy school over medical school. PharmD versus MD. Why medical school versus pharmacy school.

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Today we are talking about why I chose pharmacy over medicine. Here the breakdown, the questions to consider and how to make an informed decision that aligns with your life. Stay until the end where I share the best step to take.  

Hi, I’m Dr. Jessica Louie and I’m an Associate Professor, Board-Certified Critical Care Pharmacist and entrepreneur. I help people find meaning beyond a job title and let go of burnout. We talk passive income and simplifying on this channel to combat stress and burnout. If you haven’t seen my burnout story or our debt-free journey while in residency/fellowship, please click those video links below.

Background of my journey into pharmacy:

  • Started looking for career options in 9th grade
  • Shadowed pharmacists in community and hospital settings
  • Watched a LOT of medical shows from age 5 on – think ER, Chicago Hope from the 1990’s
  • Considered pharmacy and medicine (MD option)
  • Twin sister went the medicine route and I went the pharmacy route – decisions we made before 11th grade and applied into universities/colleges

Why pharmacy:

  • Procedures/surgery – from tv shows, experience observing OR and the smell
  • Work life balance – shift work vs. unclear duration of hours each day, recruiting your own patients
  • Years of schooling
    • Same amount for doctorate usually 7-8 years for bachelor degree and doctorate degree
    • 1-2 years of residency/fellowship
    • Vs. medicine is typically minimum of 3 years residency and upwards of 8 years of residency/fellowship
    • I completed mine in 9 years total
    • Family who went into medicine completed schooling/training in 12-16 years
  • Residency optional vs. required
  • Hop between disease states vs. physician’s usually do not because residency/board certified in endocrine vs. cardiology vs. internal medicine
  • Accessible – spend more time with patients in clinic or community pharmacy

Steps to take to make your decision:

  • Write down your value statements – the first step in my burnout doctor method
  • Write down what you enjoy most about each field
  • Eliminate what don’t like
  • Shadow or volunteer
  • Watch day in life videos

You may also Enjoy Reading:

Pharmacy student curriculum vitae and pharmacy student letter of intent for residency applications templates with video walk throughs. Pharmacy CV help. Pharmacy LOI help. Associate Professor Dr. Jessica Louie. The Burnout Doctor Podcast. Pharmacy school study cheat sheets and study guides for NAPLEX and CPJE.


Jessica Louie, PharmD, APh, BCCCP is the CEO of Clarify, Simplify, Align and Host of The Burnout Doctor Podcast. Dr. Louie uses her signature Burnout Doctor Method to coach burned out pharmacists & professionals to simplify because work-life balance is a LIE. Align work into your life & break free from people pleasing, perfectionism and thrive in life on YOUR TERMS.