Brief summary of pharmacy school preparation

General Information

The Pharm.D. degree program requires at least 2-years of specific pre-professional (undergraduate) coursework followed by 4-academic years (or 3-calendar years) of professional study.
Pharmacy colleges and schools may accept students directly from high school for both the pre-pharmacy and pharmacy curriculum, or after completion of the college course prerequisites.
The majority of students enter a pharmacy program with 3 or more years of college experience.
College graduates who enroll in a pharmacy program must complete the full 4-academic years (or 3-calendar) years of professional study to earn the Pharm.D. degree.

You are not required to major in "pre-pharmacy" to be eligible for admission to pharmacy school.
Chemistry is the most common major for pharmacy applicants because the course prerequisites for pharmacy are incorporated into the standard chemistry curriculum.
Pharmacy students, however; come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds, including those who majored in English, business, communications, biology, etc.
If the pharmacy prerequisite courses are not required as part of your undergraduate major, you will need to complete these courses as electives.
Contact pharmacy programs directly to determine whether classes the admissions office distinguishes between classes taken at a community college versus a four-year university or college.

The classes required for admission into a pharmacy program vary significantly from one institution to the next.
Due to the variations in admission requirements and procedures among the colleges and schools of pharmacy, it is advisable to research different pharmacy programs.
If you are considering a career in pharmacy, you should write to the pharmacy colleges of your choice and ask for details about entrance requirements. These vary from college to college.

Approximately half of all pharmacy programs require applicants to submit scores from a standardized test known as the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).

Approximately half of all pharmacy programs require applicants to submit application through Pharmacy School Admission Requirements (PSAR).

Colleges and schools of pharmacy, in considering applicants for admission, may give attention to the relative position of students within their class-near the top, in the middle group, or near the bottom.
Although colleges of pharmacy are interested in enrolling students who have demonstrated exceptional work in school, they are also interested in students who demonstrate potential for contributing to the profession.

In addition to academic preparation, you should evaluate your personal qualifications to meet pharmacy's demands for judgment, dependability, and conscientious performance.
Pharmacists must be able to pay attention to detail. As with others on the health care team, the pharmacist's decisions and actions effect human life and well being.
Pharmacists, by law, are entrusted with the proper handling and dispensing of potentially dangerous and habit-forming substances.
They must have high ethical standards, communicate well with patients and other health care providers, maintain reliable records, and be knowledgeable about existing and new medications on the market to ensure each patient has optimal drug therapy results.
Talk to your pre-health profession advisor in your local institution or to a pharmacy school representative for more guidance on preparing for an exciting career in pharmacy.

Brief summary of pharmacy school entrance preparation.
(Added: 1-Oct-2005 Rating: 9.67 Votes: 3) Rate It
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