Pre-Pharmacy Guide for Undergraduate Students
at
Written by
Michael H. Brown
Information current as of Spring 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface .. 3
Introduction ..4
Pharmacy Experience ...6
University of Colorado
Nova Southeastern University ... 13
Interviewing Tips .. . 15
Sources for Further Information ... .16
PREFACE
The purpose of this guide is to help you, the pre-pharmacy student, better prepare yourself to gain acceptance into a pharmacy program of your choice. To help you achieve this goal, topics of Pharmacy College Admission Test preparation, interviewing, and various pharmacy college prerequisites will be discussed.
Many sources are available to you through Web sites and other publications where you can access information and find answers to your questions. However, this guide has been prepared by a pre-pharmacy student of Weber State University (WSU) to help answer your questions and concerns as they pertain to you directly as a student of WSU. Specifically, you may find useful the list of equivalent WSU pre-requisite classes required by various pharmacy colleges from around the nation.
Keep in mind, however, pre-requisite classes can change from year to year. You should consider meeting with the current pre-pharmacy advisor at WSU to review your course plan. Also, contact the pharmacy programs of your choice to verify what WSU classes will meet their requirements.
The information contained in this guide will give you a detailed overview of various colleges of pharmacy and help you consider more possibilities in order for you to make the most of your undergraduate studies.
INTRODUCTION
As you may know, pharmacy is a very rewarding yet demanding profession that requires much discipline and dedication. Like most technology-related fields, pharmacy is advancing rapidly and changing daily as drug advancements are made to better serve the patient. Ultimately, it will be your responsibility to understand the use of each drug and the effects they may have on the patient.
In order to be effective, you must develop certain characteristics to enable yourself to give quality patient care. As stated in Qualifications for Candidates in the Professional Pharmacy Program set forth by the University of Utah, the fundamental nature of the study and practice of pharmacy requires observational skills and critical assessment of oral, visual and written data in order to make independent judgments concerning the health and well-being of patients. For example, you must be able to solve critical thinking problems as related to medicine, assess conditions in a reasonable amount of time to form conclusions, show effective communication skills in order to serve patients, and work cooperatively with prescribing doctors. You also must master pharmaceutical practices and knowledge, show ability to perform in a clinical setting, and meet attendance requirements in the classroom in order to successfully complete the program.
As you prepare yourself to meet the demands of pharmacy you will be in a position to render life-aiding service. By earning a degree and becoming a pharmacist, your knowledge will be the key to improving the life of each individual patient.
This guide is meant to serve you, as a pre-pharmacy
undergraduate student at Weber State University (WSU). It sets forth guidelines of Pharmacy College
Admission Test (PCAT) preparation, suggestions on volunteer experience,
pre-requisites of various pharmacy programs in the
It is your responsibility to contact the admissions secretary of a pharmacy school to verify school requirements. For example, since course names and numbers are not universal, it may be difficult to determine which classes at WSU will satisfy the necessary prerequisite classes for Oregon State University (OSU). For this reason, it is recommended that you submit a course outline, with WSU course descriptions, to the admissions committee of OSU. This will help guarantee the WSU courses will satisfy the requirements of OSUs pharmacy program.
With preparation and planning, you will find richer success and will experience fewer problems in achieving your goal.
PHARMACY
COLLEGE
As you are taking your pre-pharmacy classes, remember the purpose is to provide you with a foundation upon which you will build your knowledge. The PCAT is an assessment of how well you understood the material covered in the pre-pharmacy courses. The exam allows admission committees to compare you with students from across the nation.
The PCAT is divided into five subject areas:
- Verbal Ability Word knowledge tested using analogies and antonyms
- Quantitative Ability Arithmetic skills tested in algebra, fractions, percentages, and reasoning ability
- Biology
Basic knowledge of biology, anatomy and physiology is tested
- Chemistry
Principles of inorganic and organic chemistry is tested
- Reading
Comprehension Ability to analyze and interpret passages on
scientific topics is tested
The approximate number of questions asked in each section are as follows: verbal ability, 50; quantitative ability, 65; biology, 50; chemistry, 60; and reading comprehension, 45.
Remember, there is no penalty for guessing; your score is only based on the number of questions you answered correctly. Also, remember that the exam is timed and you must pace yourself in each section. You will receive two scores in each section of the PCAT. The first score, or scaled score, indicates the number of questions that were answered correctly. The second score, or percentile score, indicates your placement among a pool of students who took the exam. For example, if you scored in the 80th percentile you did better than 80 percent of the students on that section.
Upon completing the exam, your results are mailed to you and to the schools that you requested in approximately four weeks time. Take the exam two to three months before the application deadline. Without your PCAT score your application is incomplete and you could possibly be rejected.
When you take the actual exam, remember the following:
- Bring extra pencils and a watch
- Get adequate rest and arrive at the testing center early
- Bring proper identification
- Eliminate as many wrong answers as possible
- Follow directions
Currently the best sources for PCAT preparation are study
guides made by Barrons or Kaplan. These
guides typically contain one to two full-length exams with explanations,
strategies and detailed lists of how to prepare for each section. Unfortunately there is no live instruction
course offered from Kaplan for the PCAT in
PHARMACY EXPERIENCE
It is generally required by all pharmacy programs that you complete about 40 hours of experience in a pharmacy setting. It does not matter if that time is volunteer or paid. The focus is to actually see what a pharmacist does and be familiar with his or her role in the medical field. Quite often when you apply to a pharmacy school, the application committee will request that you write an essay or personal statement in which you describe your pharmacy experience. Dont panic if you have not yet completed your hours in a pharmacy setting. There are many resources available to help you find a pharmacy at which you can volunteer.
First, if you choose to join, you should speak with the other members of the Pharmacy Club during one of your meetings. Inquire if any of them are currently volunteering or if they might know any pharmacies where you might volunteer. A few students in the club will be close to applying to a college of pharmacy and know what it is like to be starting your pre-pharmacy work. They may be able to help you.
Secondly, speak with the pre-pharmacy advisors at
If, however, the Pharmacy Club has not set up rotations through a pharmacy, this would be a good opportunity for you to get involved. You should approach your advisor and the pharmacy club presidency to offer your assistance in initiating volunteer rotations. Offering your services in this way will help you get to know your advisor and provide an experience your advisor could include in a letter of recommendation.
If the first two suggestions fail, you can always approach in person a local pharmacy to request permission to volunteer.
You may realize that through your volunteering you may meet professors, advisors, or pharmacists who may serve as a source of a letter or recommendation. Keep in mind that your words, deeds, and overall attitude will determine the content of the recommendations these people may write for you. In all of your classes, give your best effort. Stay positive and attentive. During your undergraduate work never do anything that would give a pharmacy college reason to reject your application. It may be your personality, not your GPA or PCAT score that lands a spot in a pharmacy program.
COLLEGES OF PHARMACY
Possibly the most difficult process of pre-pharmacy is
selecting the right school and determining the required prerequisites. To help you in selecting a school that is
right for you, the following pages include a brief summary of various schools
located in the
Also, as you are planning, consider your course plan. Verify with the college of pharmacy you wish
to attend that the prerequisite classes have not changed from the classes
listed in this guide. Every college of
pharmacy will have an acceptance committee with whom you can consult. Obviously, the classes offered here at
The following colleges of pharmacy have been included in this guide:
·
University of Colorado
- Nova Southeastern University
These schools have been researched based on the applications
of undergraduate students from
Note: the Pharmacy College Admission Test will be referred to hereafter as PCAT.
Information is subject to change
The
Prerequisite classes
The following classes are the required prerequisite classes
offered at
· CHEM (labs required) 1210, 1220
· CHEM (labs required) 2310, 2320
· ENGL 3100
· MICR (lab required) 2054
· MATH 1210, 1220
· PHYX (labs required) 2210, 2220 (or 2010, 2020)
· ZOOL (labs required) 2100, 2200
Admission Criteria
You may request an application online or by phone at (801) 581-7503. You must submit your applications by the first Monday in February for the year in which you wish to attend. Admission is open for the fall semester only. Forty-five students are accepted from approximately 200 applicants. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite classes is required for admission; however, the average GPA of those accepted is approximately 3.5. You must also take the PCAT and score a minimum composite score of 50%. Historically, the average of those accepted is 90-94%.
If your first language is not English, you must complete the TSE-A test and receive a minimum of 55 to be considered for admission.
Contact Information
If you have further questions, contact Marion Lennberg at (801)581-7503.
Information is subject to change
The
Prerequisite classes
The following classes are the required prerequisite classes
offered at
· CHEM (labs required) 1210, 1220
· CHEM (labs required) 2310, 2320
· COMM 1020
· ENGL 3100
· ECON 2010
· MATH 1210
· MICR (lab required) 2054
· PHYX (labs required) 2210, 2220 (or 2010, 2020)
· ZOOL (labs required) 1110, 1120
· ZOOL (labs required) 2100, 2200
Admission Criteria
You may request an application online at www.PharmCAS.org. You must submit your application by December 1st of the year prior to which you wish to attend. Admission is open for the fall semester only. One hundred and thirty students are accepted from approximately 900 applicants. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the prerequisite classes is required for admission. You are not required to take the PCAT. Three letters of recommendation are required. If you are considered for acceptance, you must attend an interview at the university to gain admission.
Contact Information
If you have further questions, phone (303)315-6100 or email Diane.Padilla@uchsc.edu.
Information is subject to change
The
Prerequisite classes
The following classes are the required prerequisite classes
offered at
· CHEM (labs required) 1210, 1220
· CHEM (labs required) 2310, 2320
· ECON 2010 or 2020
· MATH 1210
· MICR (lab required) 2054
· PHYX (labs required) 2210, 2220 (or 2010, 2020)
· ZOOL (labs required) 1110, 1120
· ZOOL (labs required) 2100, 2200
· One semester of a fine arts course
· One semester of an upper division science course (lab required)
· One year of a social sciences/humanities courses
Admission Criteria
You may request applications online from the university web site. Applications must submitted by December 1st of the year prior to which you wish to attend; however the college prefers applications are submitted by November 15th. Admission is open for the fall semester only. Seventy-five students are accepted from approximately 375 applicants, of which 15 students are accepted from out of state. You must complete all of your courses with a grade of C or better. The average cumulative GPA of those accepted is 3.54. You must take the PCAT. Those who gained acceptance in the recent year scored an average composite score of 86 on the PCAT. Also, three letters of recommendation are required.
Contact Information
If you have further questions, contact Marty Dalton at (520)626-4311, or at dalton@pharmacy.arizona.edu. You may also visit http://pharmacy.arizona.edu.
Information is subject to change
The
Prerequisite classes
The following classes are the required prerequisite classes
offered at
· CHEM (labs required) 1210, 1220
· CHEM (labs required) 2310, 2320
· CHEM 3070 Biochemistry
· COMM 1020
· ECON 2010 or 2020
· ENGL 3100
· MATH 1040
· MATH 1210
· MICR (lab required) 2054
· PHYX (labs required) 2210, 2220 (or 2010, 2020)
· PSYCH 1010
· ZOOL (labs required) 1110, 1120
· ZOOL (labs required) 2100, 2200
· ZOOL (lab required) 3200 Cell Biology
Admission Criteria
You may request an application online at www.PharmCAS.org. You must submit your application by January 3rd of the year prior to the fall semester you wish to attend. Admission is open for the fall semester only. Eighty students are accepted from approximately 900 applicants. To gain admission, you are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 in the prerequisite classes. The average GPA of those accepted in 2004 was 3.54. You are not required to take the PCAT. Two to four letters of recommendation are required. Each person who writes a recommendation letter for you must download a questionnaire from the colleges Web site to accompany their letter.
Contact Information
If you have further questions, contact Angela Haney at (541)737-5784 or Nicole Kent at (541)737-9677. The universitys Web site is http://pharmacy.oregonstate.edu.
Information is subject to change
The
Prerequisite classes
The following classes are the required prerequisite classes
offered at
· CHEM (labs required) 1210, 1220
· CHEM (labs required) 2310, 2320
· COMM 1020
· ECON 2010 (micro)
· MATH 1040
· MATH 1210
· MICRO (lab required) 2054
· PHYX (lab required) 2210 (or 2010)
· ZOOL (lab required) 1110
· ZOOL (labs required) 2100, 2200
· One semester of English
· One elective course (MATH 1220, PHYX 2220 or 2020, or see web site for other optional elective courses)
· One year of a social sciences/humanities courses
Admission Criteria
You may request an application online from www.PharmCAS.org. You must submit your application by February 1st of the year in which you wish to attend; however, the college prefers to receive your application a month prior to this deadline. Admission is open for the fall semester only. Eighty students are accepted from approximately 1300 applicants, of which 10 students are accepted from out of state. You must complete your courses with an overall GPA of 2.2. Those accepted have had an average GPA of 3.3. You are not required to take the PCAT. Also, three letters of recommendation are required. You should download a form from the colleges Web site for the letter of recommendation.
Contact Information
If you have further questions, contact Vanessa Harris at (505)272-0912 or at vgharris@salud.unm.edu.
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Information is subject to change
The
Prerequisite classes
The following classes are the required prerequisite classes
offered at
· CHEM (labs required) 1210, 1220
· CHEM (labs required) 2310, 2320
· COMM 1020
· ECON 2010, 2020 (micro and macro)
· MATH 1040
· MATH 1210
· ZOOL (lab required) 1110
· ZOOL (labs required) 2100, 2200
· Two semesters of English
· One year of a social sciences/humanities courses
Admission Criteria
You may request an application online from www.PharmCAS. You must submit your application by February 1st of the year in which you wish to attend; however the college prefers your application be submitted a month or two in advance. Admission is open for the fall semester only. Two hundred and seventy students are accepted from approximately 1000 applicants. You must complete your pre-requisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0 per class. You are required to take the PCAT, and must take it no later than October (approximately 3-4 months prior to applying). Also, three letters of recommendation are required, two of which should be written by your science teachers and the third by a liberal arts teacher or pharmacist of your choice. After completing the PharmCAS application, you must submit a second application by April 1st at which time the letters of recommendation should be sent.
Contact Information
If you have further questions, contact Ms. Tracy Templin at dpetracy@nsu.nova.edu.
Information is subject to change
The
Prerequisite classes
The following classes are the required prerequisite classes
offered at
· CHEM (labs required) 1210, 1220
· CHEM (labs required) 2310, 2320
· COMM 1020
· ECON 2010 (micro)
· MATH 1210
· PSYC 1010
· ZOOL (labs required) 1110, 1120
· One year of English (including composition)
· Three classes are required in social sciences or humanities
Admission Criteria
You may request an application online from www.PharmCAS.org. Your application must be submitted by March 1st of the year in which you wish to attend; however the college prefers your application be submitted by January. You must then submit a supplemental application to the Admissions Office. Admission is open for the fall semester only. One hundred and ten students are accepted from approximately 800 applicants. Your pre-requisite courses must be completed with an overall GPA of 2.8. Those accepted have had an average GPA of 3.3. If you apply, you are required to take the PCAT. Family or friends should not write your letters of recommendation. It is preferred that a professor or health care professional of your choice make a recommendation in your behalf.
Contact Information
If you have further questions, call (800) 324-2830 or contact phaadmis@creighton.edu.
INTERVIEWING TIPS
After completing the prerequisites for pharmacy school, you should prepare yourself to be interviewed by an admissions committee. The interview process will separate students who gain acceptance from those who dont. You should prepare yourself well in advance for the entire application process, especially for the interview. For example, learn your strengths and weaknesses or anticipate the questions that might be asked during the interview. What specific questions will you ask the admissions committee? Understand that your preparation will directly reflect in your countenance as an interviewee.
There are certain qualities you should possess or seek to become more attractive to an admissions committee. These qualities include effective communication skills, motivation/initiative, teamwork skills, leadership skills, academic achievement, honesty/integrity, and problem solving skills. As an undergraduate student, you must take advantage of every opportunity to improve your resume in these areas in order to be competitive. Take part in volunteer service at a local pharmacy in your community, join the scouting program in your neighborhood, volunteer at a local food bank or homeless shelter, ask your professors what research work can be done, or become a lab instructor or S.I. leader. Whatever you decide to do, do it now. Dont let the opportunities pass by. Any service you render will build your character and your resume.
To prepare for the actual interview consider the following suggestions:
· Plan what you are going to wear. Be as professional as possible in your appearance.
· Evaluate your strengths beforehand and plan ways to make them known during the interview whether through body language or verbally.
· Hold a mock interview with a friend, family member or a professor. Practice answering interview questions you might expect to be asked.
· Research the background of the school to which you are applying. Why have you chosen to apply?
· Prepare your own questions. Remember, as the interview concludes you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
· Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
· Upon arriving, remember to make eye contact and offer a firm handshake.
· Do not slouch, cross your legs, fidget, or tap your fingers. These actions may annoy the interviewer.
There are a lot of things you should and shouldnt do in the interview process, but dont be overwhelmed. By preparing yourself for the interview, you will be calm, confident, and in control.
SOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Barrons How to Prepare for the PCAT 2nd
Edition.
You can purchase this book at a
bookstore such as Media Play, or Barnes and Noble. It contains two full-length PCAT practice
exams, practice questions with full-length explanations, suggestions to study
for the PCAT, and addresses of accredited pharmacy schools in the
Jones, D., Lane,
K., (2002). Technical
communication strategies for college and the workplace.
This book is currently available in
the
This website is provided by the
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
It will provide you with a list of accredited colleges of pharmacy in
the