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Surefire Ways to Get Into a PharmD Program

If you are considering applying to a Doctor in Pharmacy (PharmD) program, then you are probably concerned about making your application stand out. There are several ways to make your pharmacy application appear as distinct as possible. Read on to learn more.

Study Early, Study Hard

Two of the most important aspects of your application is your overall GPA, combined with how well you performed in classes that are prerequisites for a PharmD. So start paying attention to your grades from the get-go as an undergraduate, especially in the classes that most pharmacy programs require, such as:

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Calculus
  • English composition
  • Economics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Organic chemistry
  • Physics

If you do well in these classes, the PharmD program admissions teams will be more likely to believe that you are well prepared for advanced, specialized pharmacy classes.

Of course, your grades are not the only things an admissions committee will consider. Other important factors include your work experience, leadership experience, volunteer service, strong letters of recommendation from teachers in math or the natural sciences, how well you communicate both verbally and in writing, and how motivated you are for a career in pharmacy.

Ace the PCAT

More and more pharmacy schools in the U.S are requiring that applicants take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). The PCAT tests a student for general academic ability and the scientific knowledge that is needed to enter a PharmD program.

The four-hour PCAT, offered by Pearson Education, consists of 240 multiple-choice questions and two writing topics. Earning a good score on the PCAT can boost your chances of getting into the top pharmacy colleges and schools. Even if the pharmacy school you're applying to does not require the PCAT, you can still submit your score in order to demonstrate that you possess a solid understanding of some of the sciences that are prerequisites for the PharmD program.

Practice tests for the PCAT are available online, including a full-length practice test offered by Pearson Education.

Join a Student Pharmacy Organization

Many national and state pharmaceutical associations offer programs and help for students who are studying to be pharmacists. These organizations can provide a way to gain internships and create contacts that will help you get into the pharmacy school of your choice. Boost your application by listing your membership in a student organization at one of these large pharmacy associations:

Utilize PharmCAS

The Pharmacy College Application Service (also known as PharmCAS) is a resource provided by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. It is a centralized application service for schools and colleges of pharmacy. PharmCAS is very useful because it allows students to apply to many different institutions with a single application. This allows for a streamlined application process that eliminates the need to send duplicate application data, such as letters of recommendation, test scores, and transcripts. Also, you can rest assured that every reputable school or college of pharmacy uses the PharmCAS common application. It is a convenient way to save time and money when you are applying to pharmacy programs.

Article Resources:

PharmCAS
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Washington School of Pharmacy
Pharmacy College Admission Test

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