Pre-Pharmacy

Preparation for Pharmacy School

What is the suggested academic major to follow to become a pharmacist? A better question to ask is “what are you most interested in studying”? With your advisor’s assistance you can design a program that meets the requirements to enter pharmacy school. Students that have developed excellent writing and speaking skills, possess analytic and synthetic thinking ability, understand the interpersonal aspects of medicine, and are enthusiastic life-long learners are desired by most pharmacy schools. The choice of academic major does not necessarily determine
 your success in being accepted to pharmacy school.

Undergraduate Preparation

The “pre-pharmacy” checklists and a discussion with your advisor will help you to plan the path that best meets your academic goals. Certain criteria must be fulfilled for admittance to pharmacy school. To insure that you follow the best academic plan, you will want to discuss with your advisor your specific goals and the criteria required by your school of choice.

Some basic factors common to all pharmacy schools include:

• Good undergraduate grades (overall GPA of 3.2 minimum)
• Test scores (PCAT - Pharmacy College Admissions Test)
• True interest in profession as demonstrated by shadowing or volunteering in the field
• Service-related experiences in people-oriented environments – long term service preferred to short bursts of unrelated service activities
• Exceptional communication skills
• Strong reference letters from professionals who know your character, as well as, your work ethic. Most schools want to see a recommendation from a pharmacist.

Tennessee Pharmacy Schools

• Belmont University (Nashville)
• East Tennessee State University (Johnson City)
• Lipscomb University (Nashville)
• Union University (Jackson)
• University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis)

Files:

Map of TN Pharmacy Schools

Map of SE USA Pharmacy Schools