Pre-pharmacy course requirements typically include, but are not limited to:
Calculus 1 to 2 quarters
General chemistry 1 year with up to two labs
Organic chemistry 2 to 3 quarters with up to two labs
Physics 0 to 2 quarters
Biology 3 quarters plus a lab
Economics 1 quarter (macro or microeconomics)
Psychology 1 quarter general psychology
Speech/Public Speaking 1 quarter
Writing/Composition 2 to 3 quarters
Some schools also require a course in:
*Microbiology
*Human Anatomy
*Mammalian Physiology
*Statistics
*Biochemistry
Check with pharmacy schools, or Pharmacy School Admission Requirements, for exact number of labs required (e.g., USC
requires two organic chemistry laboratory courses).
Applicants must take additional electives in the humanities and social sciences to satisfy general admission
requirements for schools of pharmacy.
Standardized Tests
Some pharmacy programs require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). (None of the pharmacy
schools in California require it.) The five content sections of the PCAT are designed to measure verbal ability, quantitative ability,
reading comprehension, knowledge of basic principles and concepts of biology, and general and elementary organic chemistry.
The PCAT is typically offered once each fall, winter and spring. PCAT registration/information booklets are available in Career
Services, or by calling The Psychological Corporation (800-622-3231) or at
www.psychcorp.com A few schools require scores
from either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) Program.
Non-Academic Requirements
Admissions committees are interested in each applicant?s personal characteristics such as their demonstrated ability to
communicate effectively both orally and in writing, motivation to be a pharmacist, maturity, and interest in serving others. These
qualities are assessed through the information the applicant provides in the application essay, letters of reference and the
personal interview. Pharmacy schools encourage applicants to seek out experiences (paid or unpaid) that will help them confirm
pharmacy as their career choice. Although not required, most successful applicants do have some record of service, experience
that might also have helped them develop skills like interviewing, listening, advising or teaching.
A personal statement or some other form of written narrative is part of each application. This essay provides the candidate an
opportunity to describe the process and experience by which he/she decided to become a pharmacist, and other academic and
life experiences which helped them develop as a person. Career Services offers a handout, ?Professional School Application
Personal Statement?. Advisors critique essays on request.
Letters of reference (two or three) from some combination of professors, employers, supervisors, extracurricular advisors or
pharmacy professionals are typically required to provide more information on each candidate. ?A Student Guide to Obtaining
Letters of Reference? is available in Career Services, which also offers a reference letter file service as a convenient mechanism
for the collection and distribution of reference letters.
Interviews are required of applicants by most pharmacy colleges when the admissions committee determines that the applicant is
competitive for admission. The interview facilitates assessment of the applicant and affords the applicant a chance to tour the
campus, meet with faculty and currently enrolled students, and learn about financial aid and housing.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
There is currently no centralized application service for pharmacy; students must solicit applications from and apply to schools
directly. (The Pharmacy Centralized Application Service (PharmCAS) is scheduled for launch in July 2003 for students
applying for Fall 2004 enrollment in pharmacy school.) Application deadlines typically range from November 1 to March 1 for
entry in the following fall. Applicants are advised to apply early, particularly if the school uses a rolling admissions process.
Consult Pharmacy School Admissions Requirements for information on curriculum, GPA, test scores, admission requirements, tuition, location, housing and other factors as you choose schools to which you will apply.
THE PHARMACY PROFESSION
Although pharmacists are known as professionals whose primary function is to compound and dispense medicines prescribed by
physicians, dentists, or other authorized health care providers, the responsibilities of pharmacists are substantially broader,
primarily in the areas of direct patient care and patient education. Pharmacists must have strong communication skills and the
ability to relate well to patients and other health care providers. As pharmacists have become more involved in educating patients
about the medications they are taking, including drug interactions and side effects, communication skills have become
increasingly important. Pharmacists who work in community pharmacies must also develop effective management and
interpersonal skills.
The majority of pharmacists work in community pharmacies, from independent prescription only, such as those found in medical
offices, to retail chain pharmacies which also sell other items. Other pharmacists work in hospitals and other health care facilities, are employed in research and development efforts in research or manufacturing companies, or are engaged in teaching or research in universities. Opportunities are also becoming available for pharmacists with advanced training (Pharm.D + fellowship or residency) to work as clinical pharmacists in practitioner specialties such as ambulatory care, clinical pharmacokinetics, geriatrics, oncology, psychopharmacy, drug information and nutrition support. Pharmacists have also been instrumental in establishing many of the poison information and control centers across the country. There is currently a nationwide shortage of pharmacists, and the job outlook for the profession is excellent.
For additional career information, literature like The Pfizer Guide: Pharmacy Career Opportunities is available. The Virtual Library on Pharmacy can be visited on the Web at
http://www.pharmacy.org
