Preparing for Pharmacy School

Generally, a pharmacy degree requires four academic years of study. The first two years usually cover the basic sciences and the last two years, pharmacy theory and practice. At the completion of the curriculum, students are awarded a Pharm.D. degree (Doctor of Pharmacy).

Some pharmacy programs offer joint degrees: PharmD/PhD, PharmD/MBA, and PharmD/MS.

Pharmacy programs generally require the following undergraduate coursework. It is most important that you contact your school of interest for their prepharmacy requirements:

• General chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• English
• Speech/Public Speaking
• Calculus
• Biology
• Economics
• Electives in Humanities, Social & Behavioral Science

It is important to start your preparation as early as possible. The following timetable should help you in preparing to apply to pharmacy school:

Freshman Year

• Concentrate on doing well in your classes. Acquaint yourself with the Student Learning Center to make sure you are taking advantage of your academic resources.
• Begin taking your prerequisite courses for Pharmacy. Some requirements vary depending on which Pharmacy school you are planning on attending so be sure to do your research. Table of Colleges of Schools of Pharmacy
• Learn more about organizations in your student community from the Office of Student Life. This will not only help to improve your experiences here at Berkeley, but it will show the admissions committee that you are a well-rounded individual.
• Sign up for the Health Career category of CareerMail to receive updates on Pharmacy related events including information on internships, workshops, and professional events. You may also want to sign up for other categories that interest you.

Sophomore Year

• Talk to practicing pharmacists.
• Research the field of pharmacy.
• Start thinking about who you want to select to write your letters of recommendation.
• Look at the pharmacy application to determine what you will need.
• Visit pharmacy schools' websites and speak with an admissions officers regarding questions about prepharmacy requirements.
• Participate in open houses, information days or campus tours at pharmacy schools.

Junior Year

• Set up a volunteer or shadow experience in a pharmacy related setting (Hospital Pharmacy, Community Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, etc.).
• Request Letters of Recommendation from professors, supervisors from work and volunteer experience, and counselors who know your work and interest level.
• Request the pharmacy application, if applicable, and research deadlines.
• Determine whether you will be finishing the prepharmacy requirements by September of the year that you wish to enter
• Participate in Career Center workshops related to applying to professional school.
• In the fall of your Junior year, begin writing your Statement of Purpose.
• Submit your Statement of Purpose to the Career Center for review.

Senior Year

• Submit your pharmacy application.
• Start preparing for your pharmacy interview.
• Finish up your prepharmacy requirements and keep each pharmacy admissions office up to date with completion of requirements and any changes in course plans.

1. Major in a field that interests you the most, while showing good academic ability in science.
2. Talk to as many as people as possible about the pharmacy profession (pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy school representatives).
3. Explore the field of pharmacy; be sure you know the positive and negative aspects of being a pharmacist and know what the pharmacy profession is all about.
4. Pursue extra-curricular activities that interest you. Begin to develop a unique self that will make you attractive to the pharmacy admissions committee. Leadership and communication skills are most important, particularly the ability to work with others of diverse backgrounds.
5. Keep your grades as high as possible. An upward trend in grade performance will be noted, especially when you are trying to overcome a less than spectacular year.
6. Look for people who can write you "good" letters of recommendation. Be sure to choose those individuals who know you and your work well and with whom you have close relationships, e.g. shared interest in academic and /or professional matters.
7. Develop your ability to read, write, think and communicate. Only part of pharmacy is science.
8. Pursue an academic interest in depth.
9. Make the most of your experience at Berkeley. Make friends, do things and keep alert to opportunities.

There are many paths to pharmacy school. People of different backgrounds, experiences and ages, etc. all get there.