Pre-Pharmacy Workshop
Fall 2012
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Dr.
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Dr.
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Shirley Kovacs, Biology
Prudence Lowe, Computer Science
Joy Goto, Chemistry
Santanu Maitra, Chemistry
Paul Crosbie, Biology
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Hospital Pharmacy
Academic Pharmacy
Consulting Pharmacy
Community Pharmacy
Public Health Pharmacy
Managed Care Pharmacy
Ambulatory Care Pharmacy
Regulatory Agency Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Sciences/Industry
To make a good pharmacist requires:
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A strong understanding of science
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Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Anatomy, Microbiology and Physiology
Calculus and Statistics
Biochemistry and Pharmacology
Communication skills
◦ Explain indications, side-effects and contraindications to
individuals who are perhaps not at their coherent best
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People skills
Counseling skills
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Specific Academic Coursework and Strong
Academic Performance
Community Service and Volunteer Work
Knowledge of Pharmacy and the Health Care
Industry
Evidence of Leadership
Maturity
Participation in Extracurricular Activities and
Student Organizations
Pharmacy Experience
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Construct an academic program that helps
you succeed
Join the Pre-Pharmacy Club
◦ Community Service Activities and Volunteer work
with Club members
◦ Club Speakers offer insight on Pharmacy Careers
and Health Care Issues
◦ Field Trips to California Pharmacy Schools
◦ Opportunities for Leadership Roles
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Consider becoming a Pharmacy Technician to
obtain pharmacy experience
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California Board of Pharmacy requires that an
applicant for a pharmacy technician permit
must meet one of two following criteria:
◦ Complete certified training in one of four ways:
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Associate Arts degree in pharmacy technology
Course meeting training specified by the Board
Graduate from an approved School of Pharmacy
Train through the Federal Armed Services
◦ Be certified by the Pharmacy Technician
Certification Board by passing their exam
To practice pharmacy in California, individuals must meet
State Licensing requirements, which includes passing the
Licensure Exams (NAPLEX and California Jurisprudence
Exam)
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Eligibility: To be eligible for examination, the applicant must be
Complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of practical pharmacy experience
prior to the application deadline
◦ Intern Experience conducting the duties of a pharmacist
◦ Hours count during and after Pharmacy School
◦ Pharmacy Technician experience does not apply
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Experience for Licensure: Must have completed 1,500 hours (500
additional hours over and above the examination requirement)
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Sensory:
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Mobility:
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Coordinate gross and fine motor movements, equilibrium, and functional use of touch and
vision
Physical maneuvering, including balance, orientation and stamina for assisting a person in
need of support or using a mobility device
Cognitive:
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Observe, Speak, Write, Comprehend and Listen to achieve communication goals with patients
and health care professionals
Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize information
Understand and apply scientific methods and principles
Concentrate in distracting conditions and for prolonged periods of time
Behavioral:
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Understand and comply with ethical and legal standards of the pharmacy profession
Tolerate stress and exercise judgment in emergencies
Maintain a professional demeanor and manners to patients and health care professionals
Accept feedback and respond with appropriate behavior or modification of behavior
Competencies in each of the four categories are expected to be demonstrated throughout the program. These technical standards are consistent with the
expectations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They will be reviewed and updated to reflect
the competencies necessary to safely and adequately perform in both an academic and clinical setting.
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Pharmacy College Application Service
(PharmCAS)—Required by California Schools
◦ Electronic Application
 Application Cycle from Early June to Early January
 NOVEMBER 1 Deadline is common in CA—start process early
◦ Electronic Submission of Letters of Recommendation
◦ Other information and distribution tools
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Supplemental Application
◦ School-specific questions with School-specific distributions and
deadlines!
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Transcripts
◦ Multiple Updates required throughout the year
◦ Final Transcript with Degree Conferral before matriculation
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Your PharmCAS ID Number.
Written essay information (may be copied and pasted
from Word or other word processing software). This
essay is in addition to the essay on the PharmCAS
application. The topic is: Describe how you have
explored the profession of Pharmacy, and UCSD in
particular, to determine this is the career path and the
school for you.
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List of schools, organizations, community services,
leadership positions and outside interests
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Letters of Evaluation must be submitted through
PharmCAS directly
School
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Northstate
UOP
Loma Linda
Touro
UCSD
UCSF
USC
Western
Avg GPA
M/F Ratio
CA Acceptance
3.21
3.5
3.3
3.43
3.7
3.6
3.61
3.41
38/62
36/64
33/67
27/73
27/73
25/75
25/75
20/80
87% of 105
94% of 200
72% of 85
90% of 104
?? % of 60
85% of 122
?? % of 190
?? % of 120
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Not Required for California Pharmacy Schools
◦ UOP and Loma Linda will NOT review; Touro will
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Required by most Out-of-State Pharmacy
Schools
Computerized, timed exam (4 hours) with
seven sections:
◦ 240 multiple-choice questions for five sections:
Verbal Ability, Biology, Reading Comprehension,
Quantitative Ability, and Chemistry
◦ Two Writing sections, each allowing 30 minutes to
construct a problem-solving essay
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Interview Periods vary by School
◦ UOP has a three tier admissions review and
interview process
◦ UCSF has about a 3-4 week window from late
January to mid-February
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Prepare
◦ Know about School and be prepared to elaborate on
what you wrote in your personal statement
◦ Familiarize yourself with current issues in Pharmacy
and Health Care
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Be yourself
Be calm and relaxed
Demonstrate self-confidence and discipline
Demonstrate your intellectual capability, but
avoid arrogance and egotism
Exude maturity and emotional stability
Be disciplined and on-time
Be professional and friendly
Try to enjoy the experience and learn whether
this is the right school for you