Pre-Pharamcy

Pre-Pharmacy

Meet With Your Counselor

Your counselor is there to guide and advise you on classes and how to best prepare for Grad school applications. Meeting regularly with your counselor will give you a higher chance of achieving your goal.

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Academic Requirements

It is important for you to research the specific requirements for each school you are interested in applying to. It is advised that you avoid online pre-requisites classes.

Most schools will require:

  • English
  • Biology
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Chemistry

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Calculus
  • Statistics
  • Psychology

Letters of Recommendation

 

Excellent letters of recommendation are essential part of your application. The best letters come from people who have spent time with you and have gotten to know you well. The number and type of letters vary from one medical school to the next.

You should ask individuals who can objectively assess things such as: Academic Ability, Maturity, Team Work, Compassion, Leadership, and Communication skills. You should avoid asking family members, clergy/bishops, and lab instructors. If you do not think someone will write you a strong letter of recommendation, do no ask them for one. A bad letter can kill your application even if the rest are stellar.

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Extracurricular

Extracurricular 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. GPA scores are important, but they do not make you unique. Extracurricular activities are a chance for you to set yourself apart and display your motivation for pursuing a pharmacy degree and dedication to serving the community. Preparing to apply for pharmacy school is NOT about checking off boxes. Pharmacy schools are not going to care if you have done the experiences if you have not learned from them. Admissions committees want to know that you are willing and able to learn in any circumstance and/or environment.

Activities may include but are not limited to:

  • Shadowing
  • Pharmacy Related Experience
  • Volunteering
  • Leadership
  • Research

Personal Statement

A personal statement is a written description of one's achievements, interests, etc. included as part of an application. In other words, this is a statement that tells the committee what they don't know from the other information like GPA, Pre-Reqs, Shadow/Volunteer experience, research, etc. Give the committee a glimpse of you that they won't find anywhere else. Once you've completed your personal statement, have someone else read through it with a committee members eyes and honestly ask the question: "Would I want to interview you?

Many students underestimate the power of a personal statement. It should not be written quickly or without planning, you should expect to write multiple drafts. Be sure to regularly meet with your pre-health counselor to help you revise and beautify your statement. Keep in mind that our counselors have read many personal statements and have valuable feedback. Although you are not required to act on their advice it is strongly encouraged that you take it into consideration.

Application

 

The Pharmacy College Application Service (PHARMCAS) is a centralized application service to apply to multiple Pharm.D. programs offered by schools and colleges of pharmacy. pharmCAs opens in July; early decisions are typically August to October and October to December 1st are General applications.

 

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