Shameless plug for USC School of Pharmacy [Q & A]

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Biophiliac1, USC School of Pharmacy used to offer A&P with gross anatomy but when the curriculum was changed this year gross anatomy was not included because school officials did not feel gross anatomy is particularly important in the profession of pharmacy.

Students are generally friendly and tend to study in groups. I figure since we start together, we should finish together as well. However, there is competition, not so much in the classroom, but during the summer when everyone is looking for an internship. Most of my friends are working during the summer but there are a few that are still looking for an internship. [The rest of your questions can be found in the above 2 recently added posts]

FutureRxGal, yes USC does accept A&P for Mammalian Physiology but I am not sure about Cellular Biology. Hopefully, your college is on this list, but if not then please call (323) 442-1369
Pre-pharmacy course requirements and equivalencies at 150 selected colleges and universities

Pre-pharmacy Course Requirements
A minimum of 90 semester or 135 quarter units must be completed prior to entrance, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and 2.75 Math and Science GPA. These requirements may be completed at any accredited two-year and four-year college or university. All courses must be completed with grades of C- or higher. Grades of Pass/No Pass will not be accepted (unless a course is offered only on a Pass/No Pass basis).

Candidates who have received or will receive a Baccalaureate degree or who have completed units in excess of the minimum required will be considered more favorably than applicants who have fulfilled only minimum requirements.

Prerequisites Semesters/Quarters
Calculus (for science majors only) 1/2
Statistics 1/1
General Chemistry with lab (for science majors only) 2/3
Organic Chemistry with lab (for science majors only) variable 2/3
Physics with lab (for science majors only) 2/3
General Biology (for science majors only) 2/3
Microbiology with lab 1/1
Mammalian Physiology with lab 1/1
Molecular Biology 1/1
Biochemistry 1/1
English Composition 2/3
Interpersonal Communication 1/1
Psychology or Sociology 1/1
Economics 1/1
*Social and Behavioral Sciences 2/3
*Humanities 2/3
*Applies only to applicants who will not be earning a Baccalaureate degree.

An entrance examination (PCAT) is not required.

Good questions. I hope this helps. Feel free to ask additional questions.

Asnchic, Southern California is definately different from Texas. The tuition including fee is approximately 31,000$ a year. Although there are some advantages to going to USC including networking and a great football team, the tuition is definately much higher than public universities. However in your case, the benefit of applying to a private school is that no preference will be given California residents. USC uses the same criteria to evaluate out-of-state applicants as it does California residents.

chuckcamp said:

there are a lot of USC posts in this forum... just curious, i was looking at a listing of pharm schools and their breakdowns in regards to basic statistics of their programs.... i know USC is a private school and all, but i never realized how MASSIVE the school (and its entering class)is... is USC the largest pharm school in the nation? if so, is it still pretty competitive to get accepted? i am not from cali, so i am hoping that I can remain competitive

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USC is not the largest pharmacy school in the nation. I know a few pharmacy schools that have more students than USC such as UOP which has an entering class of 200 students. I know last year, USC received over 1,300 applicants for 180 seats. Although at first glance it seems admissions to USC is competitive, but USC offers interviews to many applicants because the school wants to get to know the students beyond their grades. One of my good friends had a 3.1 GPA and was accepted to USC. The interview is weighed as much as the pre pharmacy req. GPA. Candidates are more than just a number at USC.

The school is massive. The pharmacy school building is 7 story high and we also share another building with the physical therapy students. The school uses two 200 seat lecture halls and one 400 seat lecture hall.

I understand your dilemma because I too did poorly my first year in college.

I read in another post that you are planning to take the science courses during winter and spring. I do remember hearing that USC rarely interview anyone with a GPA under 3.0 unless that person is an exceptional applicant in terms of other accomplishments. I remember a few months ago, USC had a special day when they interviewed these exceptional applicants. I would suggest that you email the admissions director directly and ask him (please check your PM). In your personal statement, you should not only explain why you did not do well during your first year, but more importantly what you have learned from it and how you were able to improve.

I know you said you have to work during fall and cannot take it but how about night classes at a JC? I think that is an option you should explore. I hope this helps.

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