How to Get Accepted at Pharmacy Schools
As a recently accepted pharmacy school student, I will go over what it will take for you to be admitted into a Pharm.D. program.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- completion of pre-requisites
- PCAT exam (if required by the school)
- completion of PharmCAS application as well as supplemental applications (most schools require them)
- interview session
Instructions
-
-
1
Research which prerequisite courses are required at each pharmacy school. Since prerequisites vary greatly from school to school, you will need to do some planning to finish most of your requirements before you start applying (you can begin applying even if you have a few courses left to take). If do poorly in a class, it is beneficial to retake the course and do well in it.
-
2
Although not required, working as a pharmacy technician or pharmacy clerk will allow you to experience working in the pharmacy and probably provide you with strong letter of recommendations.
-
-
3
Most pharmacy schools require that you take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test). This standardized exam test you in 7 subjects, which include Verbal Ability, Biology, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Chemistry, Problem Solving (Writing), and Conventions of Language (Writing).
As of 2009, the following schools do not require the PCAT: California Northstate, University of California - San Diego, University of California - San Francisco, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Boston MA, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Manchester NH, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Worcester MA, Oregon State University, University of the Pacific, Pacific University Oregon, University of Southern California, Purdue University, Touro University - California, Washington State University, Western University
-
4
Pharmacy schools do not judge on numbers alone. It is vital for you to beef up your application with other extracurricular activities, volunteer positions, and leadership positions.
-
5
PharmCAS is the centralized application system that processes your transcripts, LORs, colleges attended, etc. and forwards them to the pharmacy schools of your choice. Sometimes, a pharmacy school will require that you submit your Letter of Recommendations to PharmCAS and directly to the school.
In addition to your PharmCAS application, almost every pharmacy school has a supplemental application with additional essays and other information to input.
Research which schools are on a rolling admission basis. It is very important that you turn in your applications to these schools well before the deadline to secure earlier interview dates and increase your chances of admission.
-
6
Every school of pharmacy will require that you attend the interview, if you are invited. To prepare for these interviews, you should look over what your wrote on your essays, practice with common interview questions in front of a friend, and be prepared to explain weak points in your application.
-
7
If you are rejected from all pharmacy schools, don't get discouraged. Instead, prepare yourself as a re-applicant by improving yourself as much as you can in all areas (retake courses, get more experience, retake the PCAT, volunteer, etc.). I had to apply twice before being accepted to my top choice pharmacy school. The second time around, the admission committee really focuses on how I had improved since being rejected the previous year.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Join Studentdoctor.net's expansive message board to discuss topics with other pre-pharmacy students
Check out the GPA, PCAT, ECs of other accepted students on PharmApplicants.com
Do not lie on your application. If you are caught lying, you will be automatically rejected.
Having good grades and good PCAT does not guarantee your admission. Other factors such as interview performance, LORs, ECs, etc. also weigh in on whether or not you will receive an acceptance.
Resources
- Photo Credit every stock photo
More Like This
Comments
-
Hello. If I got a B in chem, bio and physic in HS is there a chance Ill make it into Pharm school?
