Pharmacy Schools

Those considering a career in pharmacy may wonder how to go about getting into a a school of their dreams. These questions include topics like general requirements, getting noticed, testing, etc. Let's take a general look at preparing for and getting into pharmacy schools:

Prepharmacy

Since prepharmacy courses like biology, chemistry and physics are required before entering a professional pharmacy school, students have to decide where they are going to take their prepharmacy courses. Two years of prepharmacy are required before entering undergraduate programs. Some chose to go to medical schools to fulfill this requirement, while others chose to obtain a bachelor's degree from a general college or university before moving on.

Getting Accepted

Here are some tips to help you get into the pharmacy school of your choice: If you want to go into retail pharmacy, consider volunteering or working at a local pharmacy as an aide. Apply to your prospective school early to get your foot in the door as early as possible. This could also get you into the first round of interviews. Apply before you've taken the Pharmacy College Admission Test. Schools will asks you for your test results if they take an interest in your application. After applying, make it a point to establish a relationship with the school to express your strong interest in them. Visit the school, and ask if you can sit in on classes. While attending an open-house, use the opportunity to make connections with students who can give you tips unique to your chosen school that can increase your chances of getting accepted.

The Pharmacy College Admission Test

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) measures your aptitude in chemistry, biology, as well as your verbal and quantitative skills. The PCAT is about three hours long. Prepare early for this test. Even those with better than average grades should brush up before this test. PCAT study guides can help, as they will give you a means to gauge your current proficiency level.