Deciding if Pharmacy is the Career Path for You
What does it take to become a pharmacist? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700920&postcount=2)
What practice areas will I be able to choose from if I decide to become a pharmacist? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700928&postcount=4)
How can I get work experience in a pharmacy? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700926&postcount=3)
What should I do if I am interested in job shadowing? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1703697&postcount=32)
Are there jobs in pharmacy? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700934&postcount=5)
How much money do pharmacists make? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700936&postcount=6)
How does pharmacy compare to other medical professions? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700937&postcount=7)

Choosing Which Pharm.D. Schools to Apply To
Which schools offer the Pharm.D.? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700939&postcount=8)
Which schools offer 3-year Pharm.D. programs? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700941&postcount=9)
Which schools offer 5-year or 6-year Pharm.D. programs? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700947&postcount=10)
Are there any new schools that plan to open for fall 2005 or later? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=2585670&postcount=39)
What is the "best" pharmacy school? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700950&postcount=11)
Are there any online Pharm.D. programs? What about satellite programs? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=2520476&postcount=38)
How much do different schools cost to attend? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700952&postcount=12)
Where can I find statistics on the acceptance pool at various schools? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1853597&postcount=35)

Question & Answer Threads for Specific Schools
Shameless plug for USC School of Pharmacy [Q & A] (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=130942) - by BMBiology
Another shameless plug for USC (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=180723) - by BMBiology
UCSF Pharmacy Questions (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=161467) -by Oneday_9

Preparing to Apply
What factors do pharmacy schools consider in the admissions process? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700959&postcount=13)
What kinds of extracurricular activities will help me become a competitive applicant? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700965&postcount=14)
Do I need pharmacy work experience before I apply? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700967&postcount=15)
What GPA do I need to be a competitive applicant? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700971&postcount=16)
What schools require the PCAT? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1761388&postcount=33)
How can I best prepare myself for the PCAT? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700973&postcount=17)
Is it better to apply after my prerequisite coursework is finished? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700975&postcount=18)

The Application Process
What is PharmCAS and how does it affect the application process? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700977&postcount=19)
What do I need to know about asking for letters of reference? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700979&postcount=20)
What advice do you have about my personal statement? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700980&postcount=21)
What can I expect during the interview process? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700982&postcount=22)
How can I prepare for interview essay questions? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=2477369&postcount=37)
If I have to reapply, what can I do to improve my chances of being accepted? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=2425613&postcount=36)

Issues After Admission
What immunizations do I need before starting school? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=1776952#post1776952)
Why do I need more immunizations before starting school? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700986&postcount=23)
What do internships usually pay? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700988&postcount=24)
What is a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and why do I need one? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700990&postcount=25)
How am I going to finance my Pharm.D.? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700991&postcount=26)
Where can I find information on residencies? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700995&postcount=27)

********************************************

Useful Pharmacy Links
Blogs (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1701008&postcount=30)
Drug and medical references (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1701013&postcount=31)
Pharmacy magazines (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1701006&postcount=29)
Pharmacy organizations (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1700999&postcount=28)

SDN Pharmacy Classes - Add Yourself to the Roll Call
Class of 2006/2007 (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=71265) (professional coursework began in 2003)
Class of 2007/2008 (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=96288) (professional coursework began in 2004)
Class of 2008/2009 (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=159423) (professional coursework to begin in 2005)

"Get to Know You" Threads
Lets see who we're dealing with! (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=70381)
Tell me about yourself.... (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=64793)

Other classics
Laws of learning (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=92567)
Post your pharmacy jokes! (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=70159)
The Official "Blame it on Bananaface & FutureRxGal" thread (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=130676)
(note: formerly known as The "Blame it on JDPharmd? and South 2006" thread)
Things I Learn from My Patients. (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=117497)
What is your favorite looking pill? (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=139148)

*********************************************
The purpose of this FAQ/Links sticky is to allow forum users to find answers to common questions without sorting through clutter. It is a work in progress and your input is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in contributing information to the FAQ, critiquing FAQ sections, or contributing on some other way, please PM me or post in the FAQ input thread (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=137849).

The following articles may be helpful in deciding if you want to pursue pharmacy:

Pharmacy: Prescription for a Rewarding Career (http://www.aacp.org/Docs/MainNavigation/ForStudentsApplicants/1) (requires Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html))

Shall I Study Pharmacy? (http://www.pharmacyandyou.org/education/study.html)

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Degree (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=686&DID=5748)

Role of a Pharmacist (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=686&DID=4748)

Pharmacist Education (http://www.pharmacyandyou.org/education/pharmed.html)

You are most likely to find entry level work experience in a retail or hospital setting. In some states you may be able to find employment as a pharmacy technician without prior experience or schooling. In other areas, schooling or on the job experience may be required. In those areas you are most likely to begin as a cashier or pharmacy assistant. Matching up with an employer is often a matter of luck.

When looking for a hospital pharmacy position you will often deal directly with a personnel department and all open positions will be made public. Calling the hospital personnel department or the pharmacy department secretary is often the best way to find out if a position is open or anticipated. Volunteering is in a hospital pharmacy sometimes a good way to move into paid position.

To find out who is hiring for retail positions in your area you can call or drop by stores that you are interested in. Calling is often the most efficient way to sort through potential employment sites. Be sure to ask for the pharmacy manager, as they do the hiring and may be open to a new employee but not actively looking. To create a positive first impression, avoid calling during busy times such as just after opening or the midafternoon to early evening. If you drop by to pick up an application, be sure to dress as you would for a job interview and to be prepared with a resume. It is a good idea to go out in the late morning to early afternoon to increase the chances that you will meet the pharmacy manager and to avoid stressing the staff by coming during a busy time.

When you speak to a potential employer, mentioning that you are interested in eventually attending pharmacy school can give you an advantage over other candidates. Many employers are interested in developing positive relationships with potential pharmacy students, in the hopes that they will eventually become pharmacists with their company. Other times, employers may prefer someone who does not anticipate leaving for school. It is best to be up front about your ambitions, especially if you plan on asking your employer for a letter of reference during the application process.

Thank you to FutureRXGal for critiquing this section.

Graduates of today's Pharm.D. programs have numerous practice areas to choose from. Below are some career guides and descriptions of practice areas to help you explore your options within the field. Some specialties may require additional training.

Career guides:
Pfizer Career Pharmacy Career Guide (http://www.pfizercareerguides.com/pharmacy.html) (requires Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html))
Becoming a Pharmacist: Career Opportunities for Pharmacists (http://www.pharmacy.purdue.edu/students/prospective/CareerOpts.php)
(presented by Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences)
Pharmacy Choices: Retail to Research (http://www.berlex.com/html/career/pharma/pdfs/CareersinPharmRtlToResearch.pdf) (presented by Berlex Pharmaceuticals; requires Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html))


Specific practice sites and specialties:
Academia (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=5728)
Army (http://medicalservicecorps.amedd.army.mil/67E/AO.htm)
Clinical Pharmacy (http://www.accp.com/report/rpt0204/art01.php)
Clinical Research (http://www.careerpharm.com/careerprofile/Rockwell.cfm) ... more (http://www.cvahec.org/spotlights/pharmacistresrch.htm)
Community Pharmacy (Chain) (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=3676)
Community Pharmacy (Independent) (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=5766)
Compounding (http://www.fda.gov/cder/pharmcomp/)
Critical Care (http://www.careerpharm.com/careerprofile/Pass.cfm)
Consultant (http://www.ascp.com/public/pr/start/)
Distribution (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=3744)
Drug Information (http://medind.nic.in/ibi/t04/i2/ibit04i2p96.pdf) ... more (http://www.hosp.uky.edu/pharmacy/departpolicy/PH14-05.pdf
)
Geriatrics (http://www.ccgp.org/index.htm)
Home Care (http://www.ashp.org/bestpractices/practicesettings/Practice%20Settings%20Guideline%20Pharmacists%20Ro le%20in%20Home%20Care.pdf)
Hospice (http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.asp?url=newlook/files/Feat/ACF2FD9.cfm&pub_id=8&article_id=117)
Hospital (Overview) (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=3678)
Hospital (Staff) (http://www.hosp.uky.edu/pharmacy/departpolicy/PH14-09.pdf)
Industry (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=5513)
Infectious Disease (http://www.sidp.org/)
Informatics (http://www.uspharmd.com/rxpharmacyinformacist.htm)
Intensive Care (http://www.hosp.uky.edu/pharmacy/departpolicy/PH14-34.pdf)
Long Term Care (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=5512)
Managed Care (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=3679)
Nuclear Pharmacy (http://nuclearpharmacy.uams.edu/) ... more (http://www.bpsweb.org/Recognized.Specialties/Recognized.Specialties.Nuclear.shtml)
Nutrition Support (http://www.bpsweb.org/Recognized.Specialties/Recognized.Specialties.Nutrition.shtml)
Oncology (http://www.careerpharm.com/careerprofile/Brandt.cfm)... more (http://www.bpsweb.org/Recognized.Specialties/Recognized.Specialties.Oncology.shtml)
Operating Room (http://www.hosp.uky.edu/pharmacy/departpolicy/PH14-27.pdf)
Pediatric Oncology (http://www.hosp.uky.edu/pharmacy/departpolicy/PH14-39.pdf)
Pediatrics (http://www.hosp.uky.edu/pharmacy/departpolicy/PH14-06.pdf)
Pharmacology (http://www.uspharmd.com/rxpharmacologist.htm)
Pharmacotherapy (http://www.bpsweb.org/Recognized.Specialties/Recognized.Specialties.Pharmacotherapy.shtml)
Pharmacy Benefit Management (http://pharmweb.usc.edu/amcp/education.htm)
Poison Control (http://www.careerpharm.com/careerprofile/Cobaugh.cfm)
Primary Care (http://pharmacy.uihc.uiowa.edu/PrimaryCareResidency.html)
Psychiatric Pharmacy (http://www.bpsweb.org/Recognized.Specialties/Recognized.Specialties.Psychiatric.shtml)
Senior Care (http://www.ascp.com/SeniorCarePharmacy)
Public Health Service (http://www.hhs.gov/pharmacy/main.html) ... more (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=www.google.com/sea&VID=2&CID=920&DID=3743)
Public Health Services Commissioned Corps (http://www.usphs.gov/html/pharmacist.html)
Regulatory (http://pubs.acs.org/cen/employment/8048/8048regulatoryaffairs.html)
Vetrinary (http://www.svhp.org/)
Transplantation (Organ) (http://www.hosp.uky.edu/pharmacy/departpolicy/PH14-35.pdf)

Thank you to JD_USD for providing links

The aggregate demand index (http://www.pharmacymanpower.com/index.html) presented by the Pharmacy Manpower Project (http://www.pharmacymanpower.com/about.html) shows that overall pharmacists are currently in demand in the United States. The demand by state (http://www.pharmacymanpower.com/state.html) presents geographical trends that indicate the overall job outlook is better in some states than others. Even states with a balanced outlook or slight surplus will have pockets of demand. A 2003 survey (http://www.nacdsfoundation.org/NACDSfoundation/2003/survey_results.pdf) by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) (http://www.nacds.org/) indicates regions within each state that chain drug stores identified as having a shortage of pharmacists. (survey link requires Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html))

The following excerpt from the Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm) presented by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/home.htm) explains that pharmacists will continue to have a positive job outlook in coming years. The bureau limits itself to a 10 year outlook. But, the factors they cite as influencing the pharmacist shortage will continue beyond this timeframe.

"Very good employment opportunities are expected for pharmacists over the 2002-12 period because the number of degrees granted in pharmacy is expected to be less than the number of job openings created by employment growth and the need to replace pharmacists who retire or otherwise leave the occupation. Recently, enrollments in pharmacy programs are rising as more students are attracted by high salaries and good job prospects. Despite this increase in enrollments, pharmacist jobs should still be more numerous than those seeking employment.

Employment of pharmacists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012, due to the increased pharmaceutical needs of a growing elderly population and increased use of medications. The growing numbers of middle-aged and elderly people?who, on average, use more prescription drugs than do younger people?will continue to spur demand for pharmacists in all employment settings. Other factors likely to increase the demand for pharmacists include scientific advances that will make more drug products available, new developments in genome research and medication distribution systems, increasingly sophisticated consumers seeking more information about drugs, and coverage of prescription drugs by a greater number of health insurance plans and by Medicare."

An overview of pharmacists' earnings in the United States (http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_compresult.asp?zipcode=&metrocode=&statecode=&state=&metro=&city=&geo=U.S.+National+Averages&jobtitle=Pharmacist&search=&narrowdesc=Healthcare+--+Practitioners&narrowcode=HC03&r=salswz_swzttsbtn_psr&p=&s=salary&geocode=&jobcode=HC07000011) can be found on Salary.com (http://swz.salary.com). The site can also be used to generate an overview of earnings specific to your metropolitan area (http://www.salary.com/salary/layoutscripts/sall_display.asp).

The Pharmacy Job Outlook (http://www.berlex.com/html/career/pharma/pdfs/CareersinPharmEmpOutlook.pdf) presented by Berlex gives an idea of how earnings may vary by area of practice.

Discussion of pay rates (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=163232) has also taken place in the Pharmacy Students forum.

Most people considering entry to Pharmacy School are also considering other medical professions such as dentistry, nursing, and medicine. Detailed descriptions of what these careers encompass can be found on the website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov).

Dentists (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm)
Pharmacists (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm)
Physician Assistants (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos081.htm)
Physicians and Surgeons (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos074.htm)
Registered Nurses (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm)

The American Association of Schools of Pharmacy (AACP) Website (http://www.aacp.org/) contains contact information and links (http://www.aacp.org/issi/membership/schools.asp?TrackID=&VID=6&CID=593&DID=4224) to websites for all eighty-nine accredited schools of pharmacy and seven new schools whose applications for accreditation have been reviewed by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) (http://www.acpe-accredit.org/). Many of these new schools plan on accepting applications for the fall of 2005.

Another new school, Hawaii College of Pharmacy (HICP) (http://www.hicp.org/) is not listed on the AACP (http://www.aacp.org/issi/membership/schools.asp?TrackID=&VID=6&CID=593&DID=4224) site. ACPE (http://www.acpe-accredit.org/) is expected to review the school's accreditation application in January of 2005 and may grant accreditation candidate status at that time. The school will become operational in fall of 2004, when its first professional class begins attendance.

Thank you to Brill and FutureRXGal for critiquing this section

The following schools offer 3 year Pharm.D. programs. Completion of college level prerequisites is required.

Albany College of Pharmacy (www.acp.edu )
Ferris State University (http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/pharmacy) (a 3.5 year option is available to 4 year students)
Hawaii College of Pharmacy (http://www.islandpharmacy.org/academics/curriculum.asp) (non-accredited)
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (www.lecom.edu/pharmacy )
Massachusetts - Worcester (www.mcp.edu/ )
Midwestern - Glendale (www.midwestern.edu/cpg )
South University (http://www.southuniversity.edu/campus/pharmacy.asp?id=4)
University of Appalachia (http://www.uacp.org/) (non-accredited)
University of the Pacific (http://www1.uop.edu/pharmacy/index.html)
University of Southern Nevada (www.usn.edu ) (formerly Nevada College of Pharmacy)

Thank you to FutureRXGal and JD_USD for providing links
Thank you to jdpharmd? and LVPharm for the suggested revisions
Thank you to BMBiology, dgroulx, FutureRXGal, jdpharmd?, JD_USD, LVPharm, and Roxicet for reviewing this section

The following schools offer 6 year Pharm.D. programs. No prior college coursework is required. To determine if a school accepts transfer students, please visit the school's website.

Albany College of Pharmacy (www.acp.edu )
Duquesne University (www.pharmacy.duq.edu/ )
Florida A & M University (168.223.36.3/acad/colleges/copps/ )
Hampton University (www.hamptonu.edu/pharm/index.htm )
Massachusetts - Boston (www.mcp.edu )
Northeastern University (www.neu.edu/bouve/pharma.html )
Ohio Northern University (www.onu.edu/pharmacy )
Philadelphia (www.usip.edu/academics/pharmacy.html )
Rutgers University (pharmacy.rutgers.edu/ )
St. John's University (www.stjohns.edu )
St. Louis College of Pharmacy (www.stlcop.edu )
University of Connecticut (http://pharmacy.uconn.edu/)
University of Missouri at Kansas City (http://www.umkc.edu/pharmacy/)
University of Rhode Island (www.uri.edu/pharmacy/ )
University of Texas at Austin (www.utexas.edu/pharmacy ) (see additional details (http://www.utexas.edu/pharmacy/edutrain/coop/overview.html))

University of the Pacific (http://www.uop.edu/admission/academics/accel_programs/pharmacy/index.asp) offers a 5-year, or "2+3," Pharm.D. program to qualified first-time freshmen. They also offer a 6-year, or "3+3," Pharm.D. program to freshmen who do not meet the requirements for the "2+3" program.

Thank you to FutureRXGal for providing links
Thank you to Roxicet for providing additional details
Thank you to BMBiology, dgroulx, FutureRXGal, jdpharmd?, LVPharm, and Roxicet for reviewing this section

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=279&DID=3599#13) does not endorse any pharmacy school rankings, as a matter of policy. School rankings based on the opinions of academic professionals can be found on USPHARMD (http://www.uspharmd.com/rxschoolranking2002.html).

It is important to keep in mind that is no single school that will be "best" for everyone. All accredited pharmacy schools will enable you to pursue a variety of pharmacy career paths. You must decide which school is the best fit for you.

Factors that may influence your choice of school include:
*Class size
*Cost of attendance
*Curriculum (certification programs, dual degree programs, available electives)
*Location (residency, desirability)
*Networking potential
*Personal impression of the school
*Prerequisites required
*Program length
*Reputation
*Transfer student acceptance
*Where recent graduates of the school are being hired
*Your likelihood of receiving an offer of admission

AACP (http://www.aacp.org) and allows you to search and compare pharmacy programs (http://www.aacp.org/issi/membership/survey_psar.asp?CID=104&TrackID=&TrackID&TrackID=).

Thank you to BMBiology and FutureRXGal for the suggested additions
Thank you to BMBiology, dgroulx, FutureRXGal, jdpharmd?, LVPharm, and Roxicet for reviewing this section

Tuition rates and required fees (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=693&DID=6319) for each school can be found on the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) (http://www.aacp.org) Website.

Other costs to consider include books and supplies, transportation, room and board, and personal expenses. Some areas like California and Hawaii have a high cost of living.

Schools may consider the following factors during the application process:

*Academic rigor
*Extra curricular activities
*Enthusiasm
*GPA (overall, prerequisite, or both)
*Interview quality
*PCAT score
*Personal motivation for pursuing pharmacy
*Pharmacy experience
*Prerequisites complete or planned for completion
*Recommendations
*Research opportunities
*Residency
*Special achievements
*Volunteer work

Extenuating circumstances may also be considered by some institutions.

Thank you to BMBiology for the suggested additions
Thank you to BMBiology, dgroulx, FutureRXGal, jdpharmd?, LVPharm, and Roxicet for reviewing this section

Extracurricular activities that can help you to become a competitive applicant include:

*Club/organization membership or leadership (academic, community service, social, etc)
*Community education programs
*Cultural activities
*Forum membership (Go SDN!)
*Leadership
*Musical performance
*Political activism
*Professional organizations
*Sports
*Tutoring
*Unique experiences or attributes
*Volunteer work (especially in a pharmacy or medical setting)

Thank you to BMBiology and LVPharm for the suggested additions
Thank you to BMBiology, dgroulx, FutureRXGal, jdpharmd?, LVPharm, and Roxicet for reviewing this section

Currently, no schools require pharmacy work experience as a condition of acceptance. However, work experience can give you unique insights into the field and increase the competitiveness of your pharmacy school application. If you choose to apply to a pharmacy school without pharmacy experience you simply need to be prepared to explain why you have chosen and committed to pursuing pharmacy as a profession.

The mean GPA for students entering each school can be found in the Characteristics of Fall 2003 First Year Class for Pharm.D. Degree Programs (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=377&DID=6192) compiled by AACP (http://www.aacp.org). Less comprehensive data on the Fall of 2004 admissions (http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/directoryalphastate.htm) can be found on the PharmCAS (http://www.pharmcas.org) website. Students with a GPA above the mean for the school(s) they are applying to can be considered to have a competitive GPA.

Those with a GPA below the mean do not have a competitive GPA, but may still be a competitive applicant if they excel in other factors considered by the admissions committee.

A note on the anticipated increase in entering GPA:
The mean GPA of entering students is increasing in response to the growing popularity of the field of pharmacy. The advent of PharmCAS has concurrently precipitated an enormous increase in the number of applicants per seat, by encouraging many applicants to apply to more schools than they would have in years past. Any given school's top candidates are now more likely to have been accepted to several other schools, increasing the number of students which must be admitted to fill the entering class. As a result, most schools are conducting more interviews than in past years. Given the complexity of the situation, the average entering GPA cannot be expected to simply increase in response to the increasing number of applicants per seat.

Be sure to register on time. Test dates, locations and deadlines can be found on PCATWeb.info (http://harcourtassessment.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/dotCom/PCATWEB.INFO.htm).

To get a feel for the PCAT, you can take the PCAT practice test (http://tpc-etesting.com/pcat/). The test is online, half the length of the PCAT, and requires a fee.

Many people do not finish the math portion of the exam. Practice until you are able to do simple math problems (decimals, fractions, ratios, etc.) very quickly.

To increase your vocabulary score, you might try memorizing the GRE top 200 words list, or studying Latin and Greek word roots.

Helpful study guides include:
Kaplan PCAT (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743247558/102-0849387-8588907?v=glance) - very highly recommended
Barron's PCAT (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0812098080/qid=1092811333/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-0849387-8588907?v=glance&s=books)
Peterson's PCAT Success (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0768914892/qid=1092811397/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-0849387-8588907?v=glance&s=books)
http://www.pcatprofessor.com/

Thank you to FutureRxGal for providing links

Many students are offered admission to a Pharm.D. program before completing their prerequisite coursework. Acceptance is conditional, meaning that all required coursework must be completed with satisfactory grades according to school policy, generally prior to your first professional year. Your school will tell you what grades you must achieve in each remaining course to retain your offer of admission.

Whether or not you choose to apply before completing your prerequisites depends on whether you feel that the grades you will receive in the remaining coursework are necessary to make you a competitive applicant. If you are relying on your remaining prerequisites to raise your GPA to a competitive level, you are not likely to be admitted before you have proven yourself academically. If you feel that you have a competitive application despite the remaining prerequisites, there is no advantage in waiting to apply.

PharmCAS (http://www.pharmcas.org/) is a centralized application service which allows applicants to submit the same basic information, transcripts, and test scores to multiple schools. The service charges a fee (http://www.pharmcas.org/applicants/fees.htm) based on the number of schools being applied to through PharmCAS. Participating schools (http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/directoryalphastate.htm) may also require a supplemental application and separate application fee.

Statistics for the 2004 entering class acceptees, application criteria, program prerequisites, supplemental application information, deadlines, and other information can found on the PharmCAS school information page (http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/directoryalpha.htm) for each institution. Statistics on the application cycle for fall of 2004 (http://www.aacp.org/Docs/MainNavigation/ForDeans/6264_training.ppt?DocTypeID=12&TrackID=www.aacp.org) are also available.

Schools not utilizing PharmCAS must be contacted individually (http://www.aacp.org/issi/membership/schools.asp?TrackID=&VID=6&CID=593&DID=4224) for application information.

Thank you to Roxicet for providing links

Selecting good references is a critical part of the application process. Generally, your references will be academic (professors) or professional (pharmacists). When your recommendation is considered by a school, more than the strength of the recommendation is considered.

Your relationship to the recommender is key. An impersonal recommendation from a prestigious professor you had for a single course is not likely to go as far as a well thought out, sincere letter from a professor who worked with you closely for an entire year at a community college. Be sure to pick the people who you feel are most strongly connected to you.

Even a well qualified candidate needs to take steps to ensure that his or her references have the material necessary to author strong a letter of recommendation. At the bare minimum, you should provide a resume/CV and a copy of a letter of intent or admissions essay to each reference. Ideally, you will sit down for ten to fifteen minutes and discuss your motivations, areas of interest, activities, achievements, personal values, and other qualifications. A letter from a well informed reference will strengthen your application by supporting the assertations in your personal statement.

It is best to choose references and request letters early in the application process. Etiquette dictates that you give each reference at least one month to write your letter. You should provide the recommender with a stamped pre-addressed envelope in which to mail your recommendation. You can also provide each reference with a stamped post card addressed to yourself to be mailed with the recommendation. Asking for the letter to be completed by a specific date earlier than the due date is also advisable.

Potential components:
*Attributes that will help you succeed in pharmacy
*Areas of interest within the profession
*Discussion of prior extenuating circumstances (this can be deferred to the interview)
*Unique or special attributes that make you an asset to the field
*What motivates you to pursue pharmacy

Things to do:
*Answer the prompt completely
*Be enthusiastic
*Be memorable
*Be positive
*Exercise good communication skills
*Explain why you are an excellent candidate
*Have at least two people read your essay and give you feedback
*Make a formal statement of your goal to pursue pharmacy as a career
*Show your personality
*Write formally

Things to avoid:
*Assuming that the reader is familiar with the rest of your application
*Beginning multiple sentences with "I"
*Clich?s
*Content out of the scope of the prompt
*Contractions
*Fractions
*Grammatical errors
*Modesty
*More than one topic per paragraph
*Negativity of any sort
*Obvious exaggeration
*Parentheses, except when defining an acronym that will be commonly used
*Repeating the same phrase
*Slang
*Spelling errors
*Unconventional punctuation
*Undefined acronyms
*Wishy-washiness (i.e.: saying "I believe/think/feel that I am an excellent candidate because... " when you should say " I am an excellent candidate because...")

Your personal statement should be proofread and critiqued before submission. You should check and correct the spelling and grammar in your statement before asking others to read it. Aside from being courteous, this preparation allows those critiquing your essay to focus on content and style rather than basic writing skills.

Here is a link to a thread in which you can find readers for your personal statement.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=206001

The Pharmacy School Interview Feedback Page (http://www.studentdoctor.net/interviewpharm/index.asp) contains information on the interview experiences of other SDN members. You can find out students' impressions of the school, the style, length, and stress level of interview, the number of interviewers, memorable interview questions, and more.

In general, you can expect to sit down with one or more interviewers and be asked a series of pre-determined questions designed to assess your value as a candidate for admission. Questions generally focus on your goals and interests, experiences, and opinions. Scenario questions are also used to assess your problem solving skills and values. A list of typical interview questions (http://www.pharmacist.com/articles/c_t_0002.cfm) can be found on pharmacist.com and also in this thread (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=94738&highlight=issues). A business suit is the recommended attire for both women and men, although a dress shirt and slacks can be worn instead. Some schools may also ask you to write a brief essay during the interview.

You may find the interview tips (http://www.pharmacytimes.com/article.cfm?ID=328) on the Pharmacy Times (http://www.pharmacytimes.com) website to be helpful, although they are aimed at Pharm.D. graduates.

Thank you to FutureRxGal for providing links

Your pharmacy school will require you to provide documentation showing that you are adequately immunized and to complete any missing vaccinations as a condition of entry to your professional program. As a healthcare professional, you will be exposed to individuals suffering from infectious diseases. It is important that you be adequately immunized, not only for your own safety, but to preserve the health of your patients and co-workers. Because immunization requirements have changed over the years, and because immunity can wane, the childhood vaccinations which you received may not be adequate.

Intern pay rates vary widely by region. Typical beginning wages are between $13 and $15 per hour. In some areas wages can start as low as $9 per hour for a first year intern. In others they have been reported as high as $23 to $27 per hour for graduate level interns. To find out what is typical for your area, talk to other students from your school.

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) (http://depts.washington.edu/pharmopp/pdf/CVinfo.pdf) is similar to a resume, but more comprehensive. A CV essentially catalogs every aspect of your entire professional experience, with no time constraints. You will most likely be expected to provide a CV when applying for a position as a pharmacist. Although many pharmacy internships may not require a CV, submitting one may enhance your chances of being selected for the position.

Because a CV is such a comprehensive document, it is important to establish a CV now and add your experiences as they occur. Keep your CV current by updating it every few months. After a 25 year career, it is not uncommon for the document to span many pages. Your lifetime professional experience is not abridged in a CV.

Basic sections include:
*Name and contact information
*Goals statement/Career objectives
*Education
*Professional certifications and licensure
*Professional work history
*Professional organization membership
*References (optional)

Sections to be included if applicable include:
*Leadership roles
*Committee membership
*Publications authored or edited
*Presentations given at professional meetings or other gatherings
*University affiliation (ie: adjunct faculty status)

Sections specific to current pharmacy students include:
*Conference attendance
*Extracurricular activities not covered above

Recent experiences should generally be catalogued in a linear fashion with the most recent experience at the top of the document. Work history can alternatively be sorted by skill type. However, unless your employment history has large gaps, this approach is not recommended.

Important information should be located earliest in the document. Basic sections, with the exception of references, are generally included before the work history, while other sections typically follow the work history. References are always the final portion of the document. While you may choose to include full contact information for your references, it may be adviseable to simply note that "references are available upon request". This strategy allows you to know who will be contacting your references, so that you can advise them ahead of time. Some prefer not to include references on their CV.

Care should be taken to make your CV clear and concise. Formatting should be performed in a manner so that section headers can be located easily and pertinent information can be read with minimal effort. Short sentences, indentation, and bulleted items can increase reading ease. Use of bullets should be sparse.

Typeface differences, case, and text layout are used to distinguish sections. Underlining section headers is not necessary. Sans-serif fonts (non-footed) such as Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana are ideal for section headers. Bold font can be used in headers, if desired. Serif fonts (footed) font such as Times New Roman or Garamond are ideal for section content. It is best to avoid monospace, script, or decorative fonts, as they distract from the content of your CV.

The document should be printed in black and white on a quality grade of plain white or off-white paper. To remove the underline and color from a web address, place the cursor after the last character of the address and hit the backspace key one time to deactivate the hyperlink. Only if you are submitting an electronic CV should you leave the hyperlinks active.

Be sure to check for spelling errors both electronically and manually.

A cover letter (http://depts.washington.edu/pharmopp/pdf/coverinfo.pdf) should nearly always be submitted along with your CV. The exception would be when you distribute your CV to many different potential employers at a job fair and have no opportunity to prepare a cover letter. If you are invited for an interview after a job fair, bring another copy of your CV to the interview, along with a position specific cover letter.

Current pharmacy student CV example (http://depts.washington.edu/pharmopp/pdf/CVinfo.pdf) (scroll down; requires Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html))
Recent pharmacy school graduate CV example (http://www.aphanet.org/students/Mentoring.new/CVguides.html#sample)


Thank you to GravyRPH for critiquing this section

Students generally finance their Pharm.D. through federal (http://www.fafsa.gov) and private loans. Scholarships can be earned, but are very competitive.

Unconditional grants are generally not available. However, some employers will pay a portion of a student's tuition while they remain working for the company. Others may offer tuition help in exchange for a promise to remain with the employer for a specified amount of time after graduation.

You can discuss this topic with other students in the Financial Aid (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=30) forum.

Residency information websites:

American College of Clinical Pharmacy (http://www.accp.com/)
ASHP Residency and Accreditation Program (http://www.ashp.org/rtp/index.cfm?c...FToken=88730137)
ASHP Residency Matching Program (http://www.natmatch.com/ashprmp/index.htm)
APhA Community Pharmacy Residency Program (http://www.aphanet.org/development/compharm.html)

National and international associations for pharmacy professionals and students:
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (http://www.amcp.org/)
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (http://www.aaps.org/)
American College of Clinical Pharmacology (http://www.accp1.org/)
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (http://www.accp.com/)
American Pharmacists Association (http://www.aphanet.org/)
American Pharmacists Association - Academy of Students of Pharmacy (http://www.aphanet.org/students/index.htm)
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (http://www.ascp.com/)
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (http://www.ashp.org/)
Association of Clinical Research Professionals (http://www.acrpnet.org/)
Drug Information Association (http://diahome.org/docs/index.cfm)
International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (http://www.iacprx.org/)
International Pharmaceutical Federation (http://www.fip.org/)
International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (http://www.ipsf.org/)
International Society for Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research (http://www.ispor.org/)
National Community Pharmacists Association (http://www.ncpanet.org/)
National Pharmacy Technician Association (http://www.pharmacytechnician.org/)

Pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy related corporate interest groups:
International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (http://www.ifpw.com/)
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (http://www.nacds.org/)
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (http://www.phrma.org/)

Thank you to LVPharm for contributing these links

Drug Store News (http://www.drugstorenews.com/)
Drug Topics (http://www.drugtopics.com/)
Formulary (http://www.formularyjournal.com/formulary/)
Pharmacy Practice News (http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/indexpub.cfm?pubid=9)
Pharmacy Times (http://www.pharmacytimes.com/)
PharmacyWeek (http://www.pharmacyweek.com/)
U.S. Pharmacist (http://www.uspharmacist.com/)

Thank you to LVPharm for contributing these links

RainDrop's Blog (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=raindrop)
The real life experiences of a retail pharmacist.

Katie's Blog (http://pharmblog.blogspot.com/)
Tales of woe and bliss from a current pharmacy student.

Pharmacy Diary (http://www.studentdoctor.net/diary/) will be available through SDN once authors volunteer for the project.

Thank you to AubieRX, LVPharm, Modnar, and RainDrop for contributing these links

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (http://www.ashp.org/public/pubs/ajhp/) (ASHP membership required for full text)
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (http://www.fda.gov/cder/)
ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui)
Drugfacts.com (http://www.factsandcomparisons.com/) (subscription required)
HerbMed (http://www.herbmed.org/)
HIV Drugs (http://www.hivmedicine.com/textbook/drugs.htm)
Hospital Pharmacy Journal (http://www.hospitalpharmacyjournal.com/)
MD Consult (http://www.mdconsult.com/) (subscription required)
Medscape (http://www.medscape.com/px/urlinfo) (free subscription required)
The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy 17th Edition (http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/home.jsp)
The Merck Manual Second Home Edition (http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/home.jsp)
New England Journal of Medicine (http://content.nejm.org/)
Orange Book (http://www.fda.gov/cder/ob/default.htm)
Pharmacotherapy (Journal) (http://www.accp.com/pharm.php)
Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Journal (http://www.ptcommunity.com/ptJournal/journalView.cfm)
The Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/)
PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi)
StatREF! (http://online.statref.com) (subscription required)
UptoDate Online (http://www.utdol.com) (subscription required)

Top 200 Lists
Mosby's Drug Consult (http://www.mosbysdrugconsult.com/DrugConsult/Top_200/)
RXList.com (http://www.rxlist.com/top200.htm)

Thank you to AmandaRxs, LVPharm, and PharmDMD for contributing links

Job shadowing is one option to help you decide whether or not pharmacy is the right career path for you. Shadowing pharmacists in more than one setting is advisable.

If you are interested in job shadowing, you can contact pharmacists in your area, explain that you are thinking of applying to pharmacy school, and ask if they would be open to having you shadow them for a few hours or longer. Know your schedule before you call and be prepared to set up a date over the phone if you are asked to. Also be ready to answer questions about your goals and interests. Keep in mind that you are unlikely to be invited to shadow every pharmacist you contact. Some pharmacists may not be comfortable having a shadow, some may be too busy, and others may be prohibited by company policy. Even if a pharmacist does not invite you to shadow them, be sure to keep a positive attitude and thank them for their time.

Here is a page on job shadowing etiquette (http://www.salemhospital.org/jobs/cxpETIQUETTE.htm) which you may find helpful.

A list of PharmCAS participating schools requiring the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) (http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/AAGRequiredTestsT.htm) can be found on the PharmCAS website. For information on non-PharmCAS participating schools, you will need to contact the individual school (http://www.aacp.org/issi/membership/schools.asp?TrackID=&VID=6&CID=593&DID=4224) for admission requirements.

Immunizations required for healthcare professionals generally* include:

Diphtheria
Requirement:
a) a single dose within the past 10 years if childhood series of 3 shots is complete or b) a series of three shots if the childhood series is not complete - the second dose is to be given at least 4 weeks after the first and the third dose is to be given at least 6 months after the second dose
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/diptheria_t.htm)
Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccine information sheet (toxoid) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-td.pdf)
Diphtheria entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/dip.pdf)

Hepatitis A
Requirement:
a) two doses separated by at least six months for the standard Hepatitis A vaccine or b) three doses with the second dose given 1 month after the first dose and the third dose given five months after the second dose when the Hepatitis A/Hepatitis B combination vaccine is used.
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/a/index.htm)
Hepatitis A vaccine information sheet (inactivated) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hep-a.pdf)
Hepatitis A entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/hepa.pdf)

Hepatitis B
Requirement:
three doses according to the following schedule: the second dose is to be given at least four weeks after the first dose and the third dose is to be given at least 8 weeks after the second dose and at least 16 weeks after the first dose when the standard vaccine is used or b) three doses with the second dose given 1 month after the first dose and the third dose given five months after the second dose when the Hepatitis A/Hepatitis B combination vaccine is used.
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/index.htm)
Hepatitis B vaccine information sheet (recombinant) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hep-b.pdf)
Hepatitis B entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/hepb.pdf)

Influenza Virus
Requirement:
a single dose within the past year
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/)
Live intranasal influenza vaccine information sheet (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flulive.pdf) - most effective
Inactivated influenza information sheet (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flu.pdf)
Influenza virus entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/flu.pdf)

Measles (Ruebeola)
Requirement:
a) two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine given at least four weeks apart for those born in 1957 or later or 2) birth prior to 1957 leads to an assumption of immunity - no vaccination is required (If you have not had Measles, recieving immunization is still adviseable.)
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/measles/default.htm)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine information sheet (live, attenuated) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mmr.pdf)
Measles entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/meas.pdf)

Meningococcal Disease (Meiningitis)
Requirement:
a single dose
Meningococcal Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_t.htm)
Meningococcal vaccine information sheet (inactivated) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.pdf)
Meningococcal Disease entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/mening.pdf)

Mumps
Requirement:
a) two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine given at least four weeks apart for those born in 1957 or later or 2) birth prior to 1957 leads to an assumption of immunity - no vaccination is required (If you have not had Mumps, recieving immunization is still adviseable.)
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/mumps/default.htm)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine information sheet (live, attenuated) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mmr.pdf)
Measles entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/mumps.pdf)

Rubella (German Measles)
Requirement:
a) two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine given at least four weeks apart for those born in 1957 or later or 2) birth prior to 1957 leads to an assumption of immunity - no vaccination is required (If you have not had Rubella, recieving immunization is still adviseable.)
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/menus/diseases.htm#rubella)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine information sheet (live, attenuated) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mmr.pdf)
Rubella entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/rubella.pdf)

Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Requirement:
a) a single dose within the past 10 years if childhood series of 3 shots is complete or b) a series of three shots if the childhood series is not complete - the second dose is to be given at least 4 weeks after the first and the third dose is to be given at least 6 months after the second dose
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/tetanus/default.htm)
Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccine information sheet (toxoid) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-td.pdf)
Tetanus entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/tetanus.pdf)

Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Requirement:
a) two doses given at least four weeks apart or b) previous infection as documented with a titer (oral history of Varicella is acceptable at some institutions)
Disease information (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/varicella/)
Varicella vaccine information sheet (live, attenuated) (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-varicella.pdf)
Varicella entry from the Pink Book (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/varicella.pdf)

Tuberculosis Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) skin test
Although no immunization is not administered for tuberculosis, skin testing is performed during the Pharm.D. entry immunizations. The PPD consists of an injection of non-infectious tuberculosis antigen injected just under the skin of the forearm. The test is read strictly 48-72 hours after administration. If an elevation of 10mm or greater develops at the test site, the test result is positive and the individual has been exposed to tuberculosis. Students who grew up outside of the United States may have received a childhood immunization to polio, such as the BPG, which leads to a positive skin test.
Tuberculosis elimination information (http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/default.htm)

A general note:
If you have received an immunization but cannot document it, you may be required to have a blood test for antibodies performed. This test is called a titer. Some institutions will accept a titer in place of vaccination history, while others will not.

*Please check with your school for any variations in requirements

Thank you to dgroulx for critiquing this section

Hi Anna,

Everything appears to be very well written, but I have a few remarks/questions. For tetanus, I have to have a single shot every ten years. My childhood immunizations are not documented. I wasn't required to have a series of 3 shots. I suppose that most people in this forum, if you go back 10 years, will still be in childhood.

I was born in 1956 and the following vaccines were optional: Measles, mumps, rubella, menomune, hepatitis B. I don't know if it is the same for all schools, though. BTW, I had a titer done for MMR and I did not have immunity. I chose to have the vaccines, except for meningitis.

I suppose you better add the info for menomune (meningococcal meningitis) to your list. We have outbreaks of it every year in dormitories in Florida. So, now Florida schools require the vaccine.

Dana

Various statistics on the entering class for each school can be found in the Characteristics of Fall 2003 First Year Class for Pharm.D. Degree Programs (http://www.aacp.org/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=377&DID=6192) These statistics include total enrollment, gender ratio, enrollment by residency status, mean GPA, age range, and application to enrollment ratio.

Statistics for the 2004 entering class acceptees, application criteria, program prerequisites, supplemental application information, deadlines, and other information can found on the PharmCAS school information page (http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/directoryalpha.htm) for each institution.

Statistics on the overall PharmCAS application cycle for fall of 2004 (http://www.aacp.org/Docs/MainNavigation/ForDeans/6264_training.ppt?DocTypeID=12&TrackID=www.aacp.org) are also available.

Thank you to Roxicet for providing links

PCAT

In the event that you are not accepted to a school of pharmacy the first time you apply, there are many things you can do to improve your chances when reapplying for the following cycle. Below is a list of suggestions that you could use in order to improve your competitiveness.

- Reapply early! This is one of the most important things you can do when reapplying. Many schools have rolling admissions, so the earlier your application and supplemental materials are in, the sooner your application is reviewed and the less competition you have.

- Contact the school(s) to which you applied. Ask questions as to why you weren't accepted and how you can improve your application.

- Take more classes. If you only have the bare minimum prerequisites completed, continue to work on a bachelor's degree. Take upper-level science and math courses to show that you are capable of successfully completing more challenging coursework.

- If you have any C's, D's, or F's on your record, retake those classes. Depending on the school(s) to which you apply, one of two things could occur by doing this: 1) the school will average the lower grade with the retake, or 2) the school will replace the lower grade with the higher one. Either way, your GPA will improve.

- Try to gain pharmacy experience if you are lacking it. You can either apply for a job as a technician, volunteer at a pharmacy, or shadow a pharmacist. Any way you go about it, you can't be wrong in having pharmacy experience.

- Apply to more schools. This, theoretically, increases your chances of being interviewed and subsequently being accepted. Be prepared, however, that applying to more schools does increase the potential to receive more interview invitations, so it's best to only apply to places to which you are willing and financially able to travel. Also, If you previously applied to school(s) that do not require the PCAT, plan on taking the PCAT in order to apply to more schools.

- If your PCAT score is not where you would like for it to be, retake the test. It is offered several times a year, and most schools take the better score for their evaluation.

- Increase your volunteering activities. Your volunteer experiences do not have to be pharmacy related. Many applicants have volunteering experiences from all across the board, from pharmacy to animal shelters to soup kitchens to tutoring. The important thing is to do something that you enjoy and fits into your schedule.

- In the case of being rejected after having an interview, or if you are just nervous about interviewing in general, practice! If you currently have a job, speak with your boss about interviewing tips. A pre-pharmacy advisor is another person that is helpful. Gather one or more of your friends and/or family members to engage in a mock interview. Some people benefit by taping a mock session and then critiquing it (either themselves or a third party) while watching it. Many applicants prepare by reading typical interview questions and formulating their own answers. And finally, some undergraduate schools offer a course on interviewing that can include tips on interviewing and even a mock interview.

- Practice writing essays. Most applications require some sort of essay, as do many interviews. The interview essays are generally timed, so practice writing under a time constraint. If it's been a while since you've written an essay, review the proper formats and techniques. Improvement in spelling or grammar skills, if needed, are always a plus.

Thank you to bananaface for critiquing this section. :)

Many schools have written essay questions at their interviews. Oneday_9 post some example questions in this thread (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=172619&highlight=issues) that can help with practicing essay questions.

Currently there is only one college of pharmacy that offers an online Pharm.D. program, and that is Creighton University (http://pharmacy.creighton.edu/newpharmacyVer2/pharmacy/pharmacyindex.asp). The program is year-round, and labs are completed in the summers in Omaha.

There are also some colleges of pharmacy that have extended their programs into satellite programs. The University of Florida (http://www.cop.ufl.edu/) and Nova Southeastern University (http://pharmacy.nova.edu/home.html) have two such programs.

These schools will admit their first class in the fall of 2005:

Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (http://www.siue.edu/PHARMACY/)
Touro University (http://www.tumi.edu/cop.html) - Vallejo, CA
University of Appalachia (http://www.uacp.org/) - Grundy, VA
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I thought I'd also post a list of the new schools for the next application cycle for those of you applying for Fall 2006 (or after) matriculation.

These schools have plans of opening in 2006:

University of Charleston (http://www.ucwv.edu/academics/pharmacy/) - Charleston, WV
University of the Incarnate Word (http://www.uiw.edu/pharmacy/) - San Antonio, TX
Texas A&M University (http://www.tamuk.edu/pharmacy/) - Kingsville, TX
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The University of Hawaii (http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/pharmacy/) - Hilo, HI (plans to open Fall 2007)
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These schools are listed on AACP's website but I can't find the timeframe of when they will open:

University of North Texas (http://www.hsc.unt.edu/) - Ft. Worth, TX
The University of Findlay (http://www.findlay.edu/) - Findlay, OH
Pacific University (http://www.pacificu.edu/) - Forest Grove, OR