PRE-PHARMACY
Quick Links:
PHARMCAS
Pre-Pharmacy Club
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
| How Can I be Competitive for Pharmacy School? |
Admission to Pharmacy school is a highly competitive process. It is vitally important that Pre-Pharmacy students prepare themselves to be competitive applicants during their undergraduate years.
Applicants are evaluated on a holistic level, with consideration on GPA, PCAT scores, Pharmacy shadowing/experience, patient contact, and volunteer and leadership experiences.
Work closely with your Pre-Health counselor who can assist you with:
- Pre-requisite academic planning
- Extra-curricular considerations (i.e. shadowing, pharmacy experience, volunteering, etc.)
- PHARMCAS and the application process
- PCAT planning
- Writing personal statements
- Letters of Recommendation
- Mock interviews
Check out what pharmacy schools say about how you can be a competitive applicant to their school:
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University of Utah
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| GPA and PCAT |
NOTE : All grades received for college credit will likely be calculated into your GPA, even if you have retaken courses. If you have taken any courses at a different school or if you have retaken courses, your UVU GPA will not likely reflect the accurate GPA calculation for Pharmacy schools. Check with each individual school regarding their policy on retakes.
GPA is a vital part of your application to Pharmacy school. Pharmacy will consider your science GPA, non-science GPA and cumulative GPA.
Minimum GPA considered: 3.2
The PCAT is a standardized examination required by many Pharmacy programs as part of your application.
Average accepted PCAT Composite Score: 66%
| PHARMACY SCHOOLS |
Pharmacy programs vary in their admissions requirements, program delivery, missions, and quality. It is important to research Pharmacy schools to determine which schools fit your interests and needs most. Most students apply to an average of 5 Pharmacy programs.
| PRE-REQUISITE COURSES |
Note: Pharmacy programs determine their own individual requirements. It is important for you to research the specific requirements for each school you are interested in applying to.
Your Pre-Health counselor will help you plan your pre-requisite courses, ensuring a doable sequence and proper timeline. It is recommended you prioritize the registration of pre-requisite courses over major and general education requirements as you may often finish some requirements during the application process.
| EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES |
Extra-curricular activities help Pharmacy programs evaluate your potential as a clinician and professional. They can help you stand out as an applicant and demonstrate your motivation for pursuing a career in healthcare.
What's Your Brand?
| THE PHARMACY APPLICATION |
Approximately 75%+ of all Pharmacy programs use the Pharmacy centralized application service (PHARMCAS). PHARMCAS allows you to apply to several schools without filling out multiple applications. PHARMCAS usually opens early June and runs for nearly one year per admissions cycle.
Plan to apply to Pharmacy school as soon as pre-requisites are completed (or almost completed), starting in June. Generally students will have one year to complete additional requirements after they have started the application.
| FAQ's |
- What if I my grades are poor from some of my earlier semesters? Can I still go to Pharmacy school?
- I have done a lot of volunteer and leadership with my church, but that doesn’t count, does it?
- What should I major in?
- How do I apply to schools that do not use PHARMCAS?
- How much money will I make as a Pharmacist?
- What is the job market like for Pharmacists?