Program Details
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Although they can choose any major, pre-pharmacy students must complete certain required courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.
Some pharmacy schools also require anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology and statistics for admission. In addition, pre-pharmacy students need to develop strong reasoning, analytical, and communication skills. A pharmacist needs to have a strong foundation in the sciences, as well as good communication and interpersonal skills. Coursework in the humanities and social sciences can help you build skills in these latter areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Biology/Pre-Pharmacy major at Grand View if I want to go to pharmacy school?
No. You can declare any major as long as you take the prerequisite courses for the pharmacy schools in which you are interested. The biology BA and BS majors includes the most common of these courses.
How high should my GPA be in order to go to pharmacy school?
Admission to pharmacy school is relatively competitive. The average pre-pharmacy GPA of admitted applicants in recent years has been 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0).
What should I be doing now to prepare for pharmacy school?
Completing the prerequisite courses and obtaining high grades (A’s and B’s) should be your first priority throughout your undergraduate career. Get to know your professors by visiting office hours since you will need some of them to write you letters of recommendation for pharmacy school. Gaining experience in pharmacy is also a good idea in order to confirm that this is the right career path for you. It’s also never too early to start researching pharmacy programs and narrowing down where you want to apply. As you near the end of your prerequisite courses, start planning your application process (ie, when you will take the PCAT, finalizing your list of schools, obtaining letters of recommendation, etc.).
How do I gain experience in pharmacy as an undergraduate?
Job shadowing, informational interviewing, volunteering, and work experience are all great ways for undergraduates to gain pharmacy experience. When looking for places to volunteer or pharmacists to shadow or interview, use your connections first. Do you know anyone who is a pharmacist? What about the pharmacy where you and/or your family fill prescriptions? Do you know other health care providers who might be able to connect you with a pharmacist? Consider gaining experience in retail pharmacy as well as another setting such as a hospital. Some pre-pharmacy students choose to obtain their pharmacy technician’s license in order to work part-time or volunteer at a pharmacy. Gaining experience working with diverse populations in a variety of health care settings can also enhance your application to pharmacy school.
Do I need to complete my bachelor’s degree before entering pharmacy school?
Most pharmacy schools only require that you complete the prerequisite courses before entering the pharmacy program. This can usually be done in three years of undergraduate study. However, finishing your bachelor’s degree will likely make you a more competitive candidate for admission to pharmacy school. Some pharmacy schools may require or prefer applicants to have bachelor’s degrees.
Should I take the PCAT?
When deciding whether or not to take the PCAT, consider the schools to which you will be applying. If you are unsure, you may want to take the test in order to keep your options open.
The PCAT is usually offered in July, September, October/November and January of each application cycle. Check the PCAT website for specific dates. The July and September administrations of the test are easily accommodated by most pharmacy schools. The January administration may fall after the application deadlines of some schools.
If you’re planning on taking the PCAT, you should definitely study. The PCAT covers content from courses such as General Chemistry, Biology, and Organic Chemistry that you will likely need to review. It is recommended that you begin to study 2-3 months prior to your exam date. Options for test preparation include study guide books, official practice tests, and test prep courses. Only use study resources written for your test year (not old editions) as the PCAT content changes slightly from year to year.
Alumni Success Story
Shena Geisinger, a Grand View University '18 alum, has prepared herself for a bright future by choosing to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago starting back in the fall of 2018. When looking at graduate schools, Shena was fortunate enough to have a choice between the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis or UIC. Shena chose to attend pharmacy school at UIC because of the location as well as the option to do the joint degree program: Pharm.D/Ph.D.
As if a dual major in both Biology and Biochemistry wasn't enough while here at Grand View, Shena also minored in Chemistry as a pre-pharmacy student. Between Catalyst Club, being a resident assistant for two years and her experience on Viking Council, Shena's experiences at Grand View prepared her for the next adventure.
Shena highly recommends Grand View's pre-pharmacy program to students, "...especially if they want an emphasis in research." Shena was able to take at least three credits of research, which was the reason why she decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry. She was also able to meet with her professors outside of class or lab if she needed extra help or clarification. In fact, she says "...the one-on-one help I received at a smaller school allowed me to learn at my own pace as well as really understand the material."
Shena believes that Grand View has prepared her for graduate school as well as a career in science. Her advisor, Dr. Hall, had been a great mentor throughout Shena's four years at Grand View. Plus, the lab courses allowed her to become familiar with lab equipment and procedures used in her field.
Shena's advice to students: "Take it all on; the leadership roles, the hard classes, work through it. Once you've succeeded, you'll look back on what you've accomplished and see it all pay off. Next you'll look ahead to the numerous opportunities awaiting and thank yourself for the future in store."