Preparing for Pharmacy School

Admission to pharmacy schools is highly competitive; one should have at least a 3.3 grade point average, have spent considerable time shadowing a pharmacist, have significant volunteer hours, positive letters of reference, and satisfactory to excellent scores on the PCAT admission test. The average profile for students matriculating to pharmacy schools in 2005 is as follows:

GPA:
Science courses: 3.37
Non-science courses: 3.61
Math: 3.31
Cumulative: 3.47

PCAT:
78 % composite

Undergraduate Preparation: Undergraduate students can major in any academic discipline, but most pharmacy school suggest that the following courses be completed for admission:

• 2 semesters of general biology (with lab)
• 2 semesters of general chemistry (with lab)
• 2 semesters of organic chemistry (with lab)
• 2 semesters of physics (with lab)
• 2 semesters of English
• 3 semesters of mathematics
• 1 semester of public speaking

Additional recommended coursework:

• Microbiology
• Development biology
• Physiology
• Histology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Behavioral Sciences
• Cell biology

As early as possible, students should contact schools that interest them or AACP to request information about each specific program and admission requirements. Most schools recommend that students apply as early as possible for placement the pharmacy school class following graduation from an undergraduate program. Additionally, most schools require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).

Many Pharm.D. programs do not require students to have earned a Bachelor’s degree before enrolling in Pharmacy school. However, HPAG recommends that students complete a BS or BA program as a fallback, should pharmacy school not work out. Most schools recommend that students apply as early as possible for placement in the pharmacy school class following graduation from an undergraduate program. The PharmCas web site has a calendar for applicants to use as they prepare their dossiers for pharmacy school admissions.