Pharmacy is a fantastic option for students who enjoy chemistry and making a direct impact on patient health. Focus on building a strong academic foundation in science courses and seeking out shadowing or pharmacy-related experiences. It’s a field that combines expertise, compassion, and problem-solving to improve lives.
The steps below will make preparing for pharmacy school less daunting. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to reach out to the Pre-Health Advisors.
Additionally, if you are a current student, consider joining the Pacer Pre-Health Organization on campus. This organization provides assistance throughout your time at USCA, offering resources such as meetings, volunteer opportunities, campus visits, professional panels, mock exams, and more to help you succeed in reaching your professional goals. To join the organization, reach out to your Pre-Health advisors.
Pre-Health Advisors:
- Mary Katherine (MK) Mills, Ph.D. – [email protected]
- Susan Glenn, Ph.D. – [email protected]
Step 1: Choose Your Program(s)
Choose 3-4 programs that you are interested in applying to. These programs will be your basis for determining courses.
Step 2: Identify Prerequisite Courses
Please note that prerequisite courses are dependent on the associated program. Make sure to review the prerequisite courses of your chosen programs of interest.
Here are courses commonly required across pharmacy schools:
- Introductory Biology (BIOL A121 and BIOL A122)
- Physical Chemistry (CHEM A111 and CHEM A112)
- Organic Chemistry (CHEM A331 and CHEM A331L; CHEM A332/332L may also be
required)- Prerequisite: CHEM A111/112
- Usually 2 semesters (CHEM A332/332L)
- Biochemistry (BIOL A241)
- Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry (CHEM A331/331L)
- Microbiology (BIOL A330)
- Prerequisite: CHEM A111
- Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL A243 and BIOL A244)
- BIOL A244 (A&P II) requires a corequisite of CHEM A101 or CHEM A111
- A corequisite course must be completed before or during the associated course (BIOL A244)
- Physics (PHYS A201)
Step 3: Identify Hour Requirements (if necessary)
Most programs require volunteer, shadowing, or patient care hours. Identifying this early will give you a better idea of how to plan your spare time and summers.
- Shadowing – Observing a physician assistant in their practice.
- General guideline: 60 hours
- Note: Requirements vary by program.
- Patient Care – Direct interaction with patients.
- General guideline: 300-1500 hours
- Note: Requirements vary by program.
Step 4: Navigate your courses and get your hours
- Focus on maintaining a strong GPA while steadily gaining shadowing and patient care experience.
- As of January 2024, the PCAT is no longer required for pharmacy school.
Step 5: Start Your Application
- You can begin your application as early as the spring of your junior year. Application requirements include:
- Writing a personal statement
- Securing letters of recommendation
- Navigating the PHARMCAS system
Step 6: Submit Your Application
- Once everything is complete, click submit!
Step 7: Prepare for Interviews
- After submitting your application, be prepared to wait for responses
- Some programs may require follow-up essays or conduct interviews before making final decisions
Step 8: The Fork in the Road
- Option 1: Acceptance – Congratulations! Relax until you are officially matriculated into your program.
- Option 2: Non-Acceptance – Don’t be discouraged. Many students do not get into their program of choice during the first round of applications. Identify how you can improve your application and attack the next round with confidence.