University of Nevada, Reno
Professional School Advising
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
411 Davidson Math & Science Center
775.784.4591
www.unr.edu/science
PHARMACY SCHOOL PREPARATION
Pharmacists are health professionals who are concerned with the pharmaceutical needs of
patients. The responsibilities of pharmacists have broadened from dispensing medicines to
consultations with physicians, direct patient care, and patient education. Pharmacists can work
in a variety of settings: community pharmacies, hospitals, home health care, nursing homes,
health maintenance organizations, research, teaching, quality control, and product development.
For more information, read the US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook’s
website: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm , or the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy:
www.aacp.org/pharmacycareers
MAJOR: There is not one prescribed academic program for acceptance to pharmacy school.
Students must prepare themselves with a basic background in chemistry, physics, mathematics,
and biology, as well as the social and behavioral sciences and the humanities. Beyond this basic
preparation, the major you choose can be in any subject, and should be based on your interests,
abilities, and needs, as long as pharmacy school entrance requirements are completed.
Professional School Advising offers personal assistance with the professional school application
process, including academic guidance, seminars, the personal statement, mock interviews,
getting letters of recommendation, admissions testing, program selection, and application
timeline and strategies for students in the College of Science.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Each school’s requirements are detailed in the Pharmacy
School Admissions Requirements (PSAR), an annual publication of the American Association of
Colleges of Pharmacy. The PSAR is available at www.aacp.org It is the applicant’s
responsibility to determine the specific requirements of each program to which they are
applying. All required courses should be taken for a letter grade. The general requirements
include:
Chemistry:
Biology:
Physics:
Calculus:
English:
General 121, 122
Organic 341, 342, 345
General 190, 191, & 192
Human Anatomy & Phys. 223-224
Microbiology 251
General 151-152
Math 181
Composition 101, 102
Additional Suggested Courses:
PSY 101: General Psychology
COM 113: Fundamentals of Speech Com.
ECON:
Principles of Microeconomics 102 or
Principles of Macroeconomics 103
STAT 152: Introduction to Statistics
BCH 400: Introductory Biochemistry
MATH 182: Calculus II
PHARMACY EDUCATION: The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) degree program requires
at least 2 years of specific undergraduate course work followed by 3-4 years of professional
study. Some programs accept applicants who have completed a minimum of 3 years of
undergraduate study; however most programs prefer or require completion of an undergraduate
degree prior to matriculation.
STANDARDIZED TESTS: Approximately 75% of pharmacy schools require the Pharmacy
College Admissions Test (PCAT). The test is now computer based and is offered 9 times a year
Check with the individual colleges for their particular requirement regarding the test. The
PCAT consists of six content areas: Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, Biology, Chemistry,
Reading Comprehension, and a written essay. It is recommended that you take the PCAT during
the winter or spring of the year you are applying. Information on the PCAT is available at
www.pearsonassessments.com/haiweb/Cultures/enUS/site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Clinical experience is required for admission to most
pharmacy schools. It does not matter if you are paid or a volunteer; admission committees want
to know that an applicant has knowledge of the profession. It is also important for a competitive
applicant to have participated in extracurricular activities, such as community and campus
service, organized sports, research, pursue personal interests – all can be important in the
admission process.
APPLICATION PROCESS: The application process for pharmacy schools starts
approximately 18 months prior to your matriculation date, and applications should be submitted
12-15 months before entering pharmacy school. Applicants need to prepare early by identifying
schools to which they may apply, and the requirements, guidelines and deadlines for each
program. Most pharmacy schools belong to the Pharmacy College Application Service
(PharmCAS); more information is available at www.pharmcas.org/
Secondary/Supplemental Applications: After receiving your initial application (the PharmCAS
application), a pharmacy school will send you their own application, known as a secondary or
supplemental application.
Interviews are the final state of the application process. If a school offers you an interview it
means they are seriously considering you. All schools interview potential matriculants.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Most pharmacy schools require that the applicant
send 2 or 3 letters of recommendation. It is advisable that one letter be from a pharmacist,
preferably one with whom you have worked; plus letters from science professors and/or former
employer may be required. PharmCAS provides a Letter of Recommendation Service; for more
information go to www.pharmcas.org/applicants/eval.htm
You may also consider storing your letters with a document collection and delivery service such
as Interfolio; your letters can be kept on file for up to 5 years and delivered to the programs you
are applying to at your convenience. For more information go to www.Interfolio.com
Selection for admission is based on many factors including undergraduate GPA, test scores,
letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, an interview, personal statement, research
experience, and awareness of and experience in health related fields.
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