Timetable for Applying to Pharmacy School

Most students interested in pharmacy plan out their schedules for the long-run to get an idea of what they should do to prepare for pharmacy school. Here is a typical guideline of what you should be doing while earning your undergraduate degree:

Sophomore Year -

• After researching the fields within pharmacy, try to contact one in your community. Go to a local drug store and interview a pharmacist
• Go to graduate school fairs on campus where you pharmacy school of interest might be. Obtain an application and check what needs to be done before your apply.
• Attend information days and campus tours for pharmacy schools -- road trip!
• Like all professional school application processes, start thinking about who you would want to write a letter of recommendation for you.
• Start scheduling courses for the rest of your undergraduate career i.e., know which courses you need to complete for your pharmacy school and decide which semesters you want to take them.

Junior Year -

• Determine which pharmacy schools you will be applying to; Unless the prerequisites for your target pharmacy school remain the same, you may want to contact their admissions office to be certain. Note that most schools grant admission although you may not have finished all the prerequisite courses. However, they will expect you to finish them by the time you enter (most schools begin in September).
• Volunteer at a local pharmacy or work as a pharmacy clerk at a retail chain to get a more personal feel for the field.
• If you feel competent enough, begin writing your Statement of Purpose. Submit it to the Career Center for a review, or have your professor read it over.
• Sign up for the Career Center's workshops on applying to professional schools and their interview workshops

Senior Year -

• Finish and submit pharmacy applications (deadlines range from early October to late December)
• If you are accepted, prepare for your interview!
• Finish your prepharmacy requirements. Send official transcripts to all pharmacy schools you applied to after completing your semester. Also contact your pharmacy schools to notify them of any changes you have made to your class schedule.

Some Words of Advice While on the Road to Pharmacy School -

- Pharmacy school is a big commitment. You will be spending 4 or more years of scholastic bliss (or strife) and not to mention the huge debt you will have once you have matriculated. It is very important that you explore the field to its entirety before you decide on becoming a pharmacist. Interviewing and conversing with pharmacists in the field is helpful, but you really need to explore the field personally wether throuugh volunteering at a hospital pharmacy or working at a lcommunity pharmacy or a biotech company. It will allow you to get a sense of what you consider to be the pro's and cons of pharmacy, and if after weighing them out, to determine if you are still interested in the field.

- Always keep your grades up. It shows that you can handle academic material at a collegiate level.

- Develop your interpersonal and leadership skills. As a pharmacist, you will be expected to collaborate in groups and deal with patients.

- Participate in extracurricular activities that interest you.

- Join your campus pre-pharmacy club, like PILLS!

- Always make sure you are updated with the latest requirements for pharmacy schools. Some have a habit of changing frequently.

- Above all, have fun, establish new friendships, and make the most out of your undergraduate years before heading off to pharmacy school!

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