Getting Into Pharmacy School: What You Need to Know

Pharmacy programs have certain prerequisites that must be met prior to admittance. Most will require a student to have at least a 3.0 GPA, a score of at least 50% on the Pharmacy College Admittance Test (PCAT), fulfill the prerequisite courses required by the program you are applying to (e.g. Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Psychology, Writing, Statistics…), along with essays and interviews required by the school. Some “0-6 programs” may require American College Testing Assessment (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores in lieu of the PCAT. Prerequisite courses will also vary by school. Students should research potential schools and set about fulfilling these requirements prior to applying.“0-6 programs”. “0-6 programs are designed for recently graduated high school students to complete all necessary courses and training in order to become a pharmacist within six years. Post-bachelors students applying to a program will find that a degree in the sciences is often valued more than one in the humanities when comparing potential applicants. Majors such as physiology, chemistry, and biology offer a better background for potential pharmacists, and thus more highly valued.

Most programs will also value experience when considering candidates. A potential student who has experience working in a pharmacy or having been part of a research team will demonstrate motivation and work ethic, which can be further supported through letter of recommendations. Interested students should at least familiarize themselves with the pharmacy environment, possibly interviewing local pharmacists to have a better understanding of the education and work required from a firsthand source.

Due to an increase in geriatric population there has been a substantial increase in the use of prescription medications. This has led to a shortage of pharmacists and an increase in applicants to pharmacy schools. The length of these programs and their limited available space has resulted in more schools preparing pharmacy programs for the future. Additionally, companies that offer pharmacy services have begun to provide substantial financial incentives to students pursuing a degree in pharmacy (some offering up to two years tuition in return for a work contract). As the population ages, and demand for pharmacists grow faster than the supply, the financial rewards will only continue to increase.

Students looking to continue into a pharmacy degree should begin by finding pharmacy schools in their state. Once a school (or schools) is found, the student should formulate a plan to determine how to proceed. School counselors can be useful in providing guidance and material to assist the decision. With hard work, dedication, tenacity, and determination a successful career is sure to follow.