When people think of pharmacists, they think of the individuals that dispense drugs to patients from behind a drug store counter.
While this is a critical part of what a pharmacist does, there are many interesting aspects of being a pharmacist. Pharmacists act
as advisers to not only patients, but also doctors and other health care professionals about selection, dosages, interactions and side
effects of medications.
The Application Process
Timeline
Most Pharmacy schools and colleges accept students right out of high school into a six-year program that leads to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. However, as space is available, most schools will accept transfers into their programs, typically in the third year, from accredited colleges and universities.
Undergraduate Requirements
Students who enter pharmacy programs after attending college are not required to have completed a bachelor’s degree program, but some pharmacy programs give preference to students who earned a bachelor’s. No specific major is required, as long as prerequisite courses are all taken. Contact your designated pharmacy programs directly to determine whether the admissions office distinguishes between classes taken at a community college versus a four-year institution. The Pharm.D. degree requires at least two years of undergraduate study and most student pharmacists complete three or more years of college before starting a pharmacy program. The following is a list of classes typically required of transfer students:
• Two semesters of English
• Two semesters of General Chemistry with lab
• Two semester of General Biology with lab
• General Sociology
• General Psychology
• Calculus
• Anatomy I and II with Labs
• Physiology I and II with Labs
• Physics I and II with labs
• World/Western Civilization or World History I and II
Contact your designated pharmacy programs directly to determine whether the admissions office distinguishes between classes taken at a community college versus a four-year institution. Some school specific information is also available on the PharmCAS site. Some pharmacy schools do give preference to students who have earned a bachelor’s degree. Individuals who hold a bachelor’s or other advanced degree must still complete all four academic years (or three calendar years) of professional pharmacy study.
GPA
Most pharmacy schools have a minimum grade point average (GPA) and test score requirements. Visit the school information pages on the PharmCAS Web site for the expected GPA of accepted students and minimum overall GPA considered at each PharmCAS school.
The Pharmacy College Admission Test
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), is a specialized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges. It measures general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education. The PCAT is constructed specifically for colleges of pharmacy. The PCAT consists of approximately 240 multiple-choice items and two writing topics. Candidates are given approximately four hours to complete the test (plus administrative time for instructions and time for a short rest break about halfway through the test). The six content areas measured by the PCAT include: verbal ability, biology, reading comprehension, quantitative ability, chemistry and a written essay. The test is divided into six subtests, including an experimental element. More than 75 percent of all pharmacy programs require applicants to submit scores the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). To determine which colleges and schools require the PCAT, review Table 9 of the Pharmacy School Admission Requirements (PSAR) handbook. Minimum PCAT scores may be required for admission consideration.
The Application
Approximately two-thirds of all pharmacy degree programs in the U.S. participate in the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) for admission. You should visit thePharmCAS Web site to learn more about the admissions process and requirements.
Letters of Reference
Many pharmacy degree programs require 1-4 letters of recommendation as part of the pharmacy admissions process. Schools may require you to submit letters from particular individuals, such as a pharmacist, professor or academic advisor. Review the admission requirements of each pharmacy school for instructions.
Interviews
Pharmacy schools will require competitive applicants to visit the campus for an interview. The interview format varies by institution. Pharmacy admission officers may require you to speak with a single faculty member, a student, a pharmacist, or a panel of interviewers. If invited, you should be prepared to discuss why you have chosen to pursue a career in the pharmacy profession and how you perceive the role of the pharmacist in healthcare. Those who have researched and gained direct exposure to the profession will be better prepared to respond t the interview questions. During these interviews, you may be rated on your oral communication skills, how you present yourself and interact in a group, your knowledge of the profession of pharmacy, your ability to solve problems, and your motivation to pursue a career in pharmacy. Your written communication skills may be measured with an on-campus essay exercise.