Pre-Health Career Pathways

Pre-Pharmacy Pathway

Pre-health advising

prehealth-pathway-pharm-web

You are encouraged to meet with a pre-health advisor at least once a semester to discuss options for careers in medicine, opportunities to gain relevant experience, discussing the best time to apply, the PharmCAS application, and much more. For more information, schedule an appointment with your advisor.

Overview

Four-year plan

Goals

  • Maintain a strong GPA and focus on coursework.
  • Make an appointment with a pre-health advisor and attend the Pre-Health Expo.
  • Begin to get involved with clubs and student organizations.
  • Also, begin volunteering and gaining clinical experience.

Involvement (Clubs and student organizations)

Clubs and Organizations

Volunteer

Goals

  • While maintaining a high GPA, look into opportunities for research and relevant experience.  
  • Build relationships with professors as they may become letter writers.
  • Attend pre-health meetings and events.
  • Continue to meet with your pre-health advisor at least once a semester. 

Clinical experience

Leadership and community service 

Grade point average

Goals

  • Maintain a high GPA and stay involved with campus clubs/ organizations, volunteer opportunities, and experience.
  • Begin an internship.
  • Apply through PharmCas one year prior to when you plan to matriculate.

Timeline

January-FebruaryCalculate your science and overall GPA to determine your competitiveness.
March-AprilBegin collecting letters of recommendation.
JulyPharmCAS opens.  Submit as soon as possible.
August-OctoberYou may start receiving supplemental applications or be invited to interview during this time.
November-MarchDeadlines to submit.
JunePharmCAS closes.

PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test)   

Register for test date

Prep courses and practice exam

PharmCAS

Personal statement

  • PharmCAS Guidelines  
    • 4,500 characters long. 
    • Do not personalize your personal statement for particulate pharmacy programs, as PharmCas will submit the same essay to each program you apply to.

Letters of recommendation (LOR)  

  • Identify people who know you well and can firmly comment on your ability as a medical student and future physician. 
  • Ask in advance and give your letter writers sufficient time to complete and submit. 
  • Also, remember to stay in touch with letter writers who you may also ask in the future!
  • PharmCAS Guidelines
    • PharmCAS requires references to be submitted using the electronic reference system.  PharmCAS does not accept paper letters of reference.

Mock interviews

Goals

  • When you receive an interview invitation, schedule a mock interview with Pre-Health Office.
  • If waitlisted or rejected, explore post-bac options or consider taking a gap year.

International students

Non-traditional students

Pharmacy residency and internship options