Pharmacists are essential medical professionals aiming to improve patient care and wellness.
Working alongside a healthcare team, pharmacists offer the best quality of care by preparing necessary medications. Along with professional practice, pharmacists can also conduct research or manage clinical trials for specific patient populations.
Patients with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or other diseases can benefit from the research performed by pharmacists.
One of the highest paying professions, the pharmacy industry has workers earning a median annual wage of nearly $130,000.
In their day-to-day, pharmacists prepare and dispense medications, ensure accurate dosages, prevent negative interactions, and advise patients on appropriate prescription usage.
Pharmacists can accomplish these advanced tasks using expertise in medicines’ chemical, biological, and physical properties. By becoming board certified, pharmacists can demonstrate their expertise in a specific area such as cardiology, oncology, or pediatrics.
To practice pharmacy in the United States, practitioners need to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited program and take the state licensure exam.
Related degrees, such as pharmaceutical science, are not enough to practice pharmacy for patients. Pharmacy school provides the abilities and traits necessary for medical practice, including attention to detail, commitment to care, and critical thinking. Some universities offer accelerated or early assurance programs for students to begin practicing as soon as possible.
After undergraduate study, PharmD programs involve four years of professional pharmacy study. These offer many core science classes, including physiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology.
In the classroom, students are taught to recognize risk factors for disease, interpret clinical data, and assess drug interactions. Pharmacy education also increases practice experiences, allowing students to hone clinical skills in a structured environment.
Conducted under professional supervision, pharmacy students can practice hands-on techniques to complement the knowledge gained in classes.
Across the United States, there are 143 accredited pharmacy programs for students to choose from.
Once students determine which is right for them, it is important to understand the requirements to improve their chances of admission.
Specific course prerequisites, PCAT scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, essays, and interviews are essential for pharmacy school applications.
Course Prerequisites for Pharmacy School
No matter their college major, all students are invited to apply to pharmacy school as long as they complete the prerequisite courses.
Whether an undergraduate chooses to major in biology, chemistry, psychology, English, business, or pharmaceutical science, pharmacy school is a viable option.
Most pharmacy schools require a minimum of 60 – 90 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework in basic and advanced sciences. These courses must be completed before entering the pharmacy program, although they can be in progress during the application process.
Common pharmacy school prerequisites include general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, physics, calculus, English composition, communication, psychology, sociology, and statistics.
Students need to complete these college-level courses before applying to pharmacy school to prepare them for the program’s academic rigor. These courses vary by institution, so it is essential to check the specific requirements for your school.
In each of the prerequisites, these courses must be approved by the pharmacy school and have a passing grade. These classes must be graded using a letter or numerical system, not on a pass/fail basis. Most schools strongly recommend that mathematics and science courses are completed within the last five years.
The admissions committee will perform a transcript review, after which the applicant may be advised to retake courses if not recent enough.
Alongside scientific courses, laboratories are strongly recommended or required. Through biology and chemistry labs, students gain hands-on knowledge of practical skills required for graduate study.
Although students may apply to pharmacy school with a two-year degree, four-year programs tend to enhance admissions chances.
Many schools give preference to applicants who have earned a BA, BS, or other degree. By exceeding the minimum requirements, students complete a substantial amount of coursework that furthers their knowledge in the field.
However, holding an undergraduate degree is not the only determinant of a successful student. Many institutions have a combined pre-pharmacy undergraduate program that puts together the undergraduate and PharmD education.
The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) Requirements
Most AACP-certified colleges require the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) for admissions to the pharmacy program. This standardized exam measures the academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the PharmD curriculum.
Biological processes, chemical processes, critical reading, and quantitative reasoning are the main subjects assessed through the PCAT. Administered by Pearson, the exam consists of 192 multiple-choice questions and one writing topic. Students will need approximately four hours to complete the PCAT.
For each section of the test, students receive a raw score based on the number of questions they answered correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. The essay component is evaluated by two graders who assign a cumulative writing score based on their grammar and style conventions.
Afterward, the raw score is converted to a scaled result on a scale of 200 – 600. All section scores factor into a cumulative PCAT score, so maximizing performance on each question is crucial.
Different pharmacy schools will have different minimum PCAT scores for admissions. What is considered a good score varies based on the applicant’s situation, such as the rest of your application and where you go to school.
The PCAT scores that will put students in the top 10% of all test takers include 440 for biology, 438 for quantitative, 432 for reading, and 443 for chemistry. Most schools prefer evenly distributed scores across sections to very high performance in one section and very low in another.
In general, scores above 420 are considered highly competitive in the admissions process. Scoring above 400 will put you above average, but not as advantageous in highly competitive programs.
Pharmacy School Interviews
Competitive applicants are invited to participate in an interview as part of the admissions process.
Typically required by all colleges of pharmacy, the interview format varies by institution. Students may speak to a faculty member, student, pharmacist, or a panel of interviewers to assess their potential.
Preparing for a pharmacy school interview is just as important as preparing for the PCAT or improving your GPA. By researching the school and mentally preparing, you will be confident and ready for the interview.
The interview for pharmacy school is a way for the admissions team to analyze your oral communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you interact in a group. These skills are essential for a career in pharmacy.
Instead of memorizing answers, students should honestly reflect on their own experiences, values, and priorities. This is another opportunity to go beyond your test scores and show how you are uniquely qualified for admission.
Along with being interviewed, this is your chance to ask questions about the school to show your genuine interest. It is critical to determine if this is a school you can see yourself at and whether the classes, professors, research, and campus culture are a good fit.
Failing to prepare can be shown through discomfort and lack of preparation during the interview. While you will not know the exact questions you will be asked, there are some general categories of questions that you can brainstorm answers for.
It is essential to be prepared to discuss why you have chosen to pursue a career in pharmacy. Admissions teams are looking for applicants who are genuinely motivated by patient care rather than money, power, or reputation.
In addition, you most likely be asked about your perceptions about the role of a pharmacist and why you are a good fit for the field. Creating stories that show desirable qualities such as empathy, compassion, or leadership will help you relate to the interviewers.
During the interview, applicants should professionally present themselves. This involves wearing professional business attire, arriving early, and making an excellent first impression.
An interview is also a great way to show off your communication skills. The interview team wants to see that you can clearly communicate for the ultimate benefit of patients. Good eye contact, listening, and clear and concise answers will highlight your verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Finally, be sure to highlight any direct exposure you have to the pharmacy profession during the interview. Any work or volunteer experience working with patients in a healthcare setting is something that many pharmacy schools are looking for.
Essays & Personal Statements
Another way the admissions team assesses your communication skills is through essays and personal statements. As each statement is reviewed for a short amount of time, it is vital to impact the reader from the beginning.
Personal statements show another side to the applicant beyond their personal achievements and grades. Pharmacy admissions committees want to fill the limited spots with those who will excel in the profession and reflect well on the school.
The personal statement is an excellent way to narrow down the applicant pool by assessing their knowledge, experience, and attitude. In a personal statement, students can show why they are choosing to pursue pharmacy and reasons why they would be a good fit for the program.
It is also essential for students to show that they are dedicated to pharmacy school and are committed to success. This unique profession is reserved for students who are committed to excellence.
Essay questions give the admissions team a chance to understand each applicant better.
One common essay prompt from pharmacy programs is to describe a difficult or challenging situation, how you responded, and why you responded the way you did.
Other questions include describing a situation where someone else was being treated unfairly or how you have impacted your community.
Instead of listing facts, these questions are posed to assess each student’s mindset and growth.
When writing your essays and personal statements, it is imperative to start early. You should aim to give yourself a couple of weeks not to rush the process.
While it may seem like common sense advice, proper grammar, punctuation, and structure show that you care about the application and are genuinely interested in the program. In addition, students should aim to relate to their readers by describing their unique story instead of summarizing a list of achievements.
Relating personal experience to how you hope to progress in pharmacy will show your dedication to the field.
GPA Requirements
While it varies by pharmacy school, the minimum cumulative collegiate GPA requirements range from 2.5 – 3. Some schools do not have a grade requirement for applicants.
A handy resource is the PharmCAS School Directory, which can be used to view the minimum overall GPA considered at each pharmacy program.
In addition to overall GPA, pharmacy schools tend to look at various calculations, including science, non-science, and grades for specific subjects.
The trend of your grades over time, including inconsistencies, are also noted to assess your growth as a student. The admissions team is interested in enrolling students who have demonstrated substantial academic work and contribute to the profession.
The national GPA averages for pharmacy school applicants fluctuate from year to year. Recently, the reported average cumulative GPA for accepted students is 3.4, meaning that students are mainly earning As with a few Bs.
Along with the numerical GPA, pharmacy schools may give attention to class rank or the difficulty of specific courses. While a strong GPA is important, it is just one part of the application. Students with below-average grades can still be admitted if they are well-rounded in other areas of the application.
Pharmacy school is difficult, and admissions teams want to admit students who can handle challenging courses without falling behind.
Those who are able to keep their grades up during their undergraduate degree are well-suited to succeed in pharmacy school.
In addition, schools aim to find students who will dive into any subject with a passion and try to get the most out of their education. Students who do well in pharmacy school will choose where they practice, whether it is a specific specialty or residency.
Letters of Recommendation
The majority of pharmacy programs require 1 – 4 letters of reference. A pharmacist, health care provider, science professor, or academic advisor can all provide another perspective for the admissions team to consider.
These letters of recommendation, typically one page long, describe a student’s potential and interpersonal skills. As someone close to the applicant, they are well-suited to assess their communication, compassion, leadership, and dedication to pharmacy.
When choosing your evaluators, it is important to select individuals who know your true character and are able to describe your hands-on experience in the classroom or laboratory. They should be able to speak to your personal and professional growth, as well as your interest in and knowledge of pharmacy.
While completing your undergraduate degree, think about who would make a good letter writer and develop a good relationship with them early on. If they know you for an extended period of time, it will be easier for them to write about your personal growth. A meaningful relationship also makes it easier for them to share detailed and positive reviews of your potential.
After you have decided who you want to write your letters of recommendation, be sure to stay involved. Whether it is visiting office hours, participating in class, or finding opportunities to discuss career goals, they should understand your passion for pharmacy.
Be sure to follow up with a thank-you note to show your appreciation for their time.
