Pre-Pharmacy
Requirements for admission to pharmacy school vary among the different programs. It is critical for the prospective applicant to check the specific requirements for each program he/she intends to apply to. The pre-requisite coursework will take three years to complete.
Pre-requisites for applying to a typical pharmacy program:
- BIOL 211/211L & BIOL 213/213L (non-BIOL majors will need special permission to enroll in these courses
- CHEM 121/121L - 122/122/L (this course should be completed as soon as possible)
- CHEM 321/321L - 322/322L
- PHYS 151/151L - 152/152L
- BIOL 314/314/L - 315/315/L
- BIOL 301/301L
- BCHM 410
- MATH 125
- MATH 140
- COMM 201
The following courses are recommended, but not required:
- BIOL 307
- BIOL 313 or BIOL 412
- BIOL 411
Applicants are expected to have had some experience in pharmacy settings, and should be able to provide strong letters of recommendation from teachers, pharmacist(s) and others who can attest to the applicant’s character and attributes.
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a great way to gain valuable hands on experience. You can become a pharmacy technician by either completing a state approved training program or by earning a certification from the PTCB. Afterwards, you must pass the Virginia pharmacy technician exam.
You will have to take the PCAT - Pharmacy College Admissions Test*. The PCAT is scored on a scale from 200-600 with the median being a 400. The 90th percentile is typically a 430. Many pharmacy schools require that you score above a particular level on your exam in order to be considered as a candidate for admissions.
*It is recommend that applicants take the PCAT by October (or earlier) of the year preceding intended enrollment.
Applications are generally submitted in early Fall (early decision) or early Spring preceding intended matriculation.
Most Pharmacy Schools use the centralized application service (CAS) - PharmCAS.
- Use the “step-by-step” checklist
- Carefully read all the PharmCAS instructions
- Review the pharmacy school admission requirements (some schools may require additional materials, including supplemental applications and letters of recommendation, before your application is considered)
- Allow up to four weeks for PharmCAS to process and verify your application once your application and transcripts are received
*PharmCAS applications are deleted at the end of every application cycle. Don't create an account unless you intend to apply within that cycle.