Your FREE 65-page Pharmacy School Admissions Guide Is Ready for You
With 15+ years of admissions expertise, our team understands what it takes to craft the ultimate pharmacy school application. However, starting on the right foot begins with arming yourself with the knowledge and expert insights needed to succeed!
In keeping with our mission of making your pharmacy school dreams come true, we’ve created a free comprehensive resource for pharmacy applicants to learn more about the process and how to stand out.
Download our free 65-page Pharmacy School Admissions guide today to get an insider perspective and knowledge on the process, including:
- The pharmacy school application timeline and when to apply
- How to navigate and complete your PharmCAS application
- What you need to know about building the ultimate pharmacy school CV
- Common pharmacy school questions and sample answers to form your own responses
- Top pharmacy school scholarships, schools, and high-paying employment opportunities
- And much more!
Are you ready to make the most of your pharmacy school application? Download our guide today to get started!
Frequently Asked Questions about Pharmacy:
How Much Does Pharmacy School Cost?
- Total cost: Often tens of thousands to ~$250,000+ (especially with living expenses).
- Typical annual tuition + fees (varies by residency/type): Public in-state ~$5k–$30k, Public out-of-state ~$18k–$50k, Private ~$20k–$95k.
- Extra costs: housing/living expenses, books/supplies, tech, transportation, plus licensure exams (NAPLEX $575 + $100 fee; MPJE $250 + $100 fee).
- How students pay/save: scholarships + grants first, loans if needed; out-of-state savings via reciprocity/residency/waivers; internships/part-time work can help.
What Are the Requirements for Pharmacy School?
- Academics: Bachelor’s degree (major often flexible) + required prereqs (gen chem, orgo, bio, A&P, micro, physics, calc, stats, English/comm, psych/soc).
- GPA: Minimums vary, but competitive applicants usually exceed the stated minimum—aim as high as possible.
- PCAT: Often optional/not required, but a strong score can strengthen your app (especially with a lower GPA).
- Experience + fit: Pharmacy-related work/volunteering + shadowing (commonly ~50–100 hours) + 1–4 letters of recommendation + possible supplemental essays.
- Process: Research schools → prep materials → apply via PharmCAS → secondaries (if needed) → interview.
What Are the Best Pharmacy Schools in the US in 2024?
- The guide lists a Top 25 and highlights standout strengths like research, clinical training, and career outcomes.
- #1 in the guide: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (noted for long-running pharmacy legacy, outcomes focus, and strong NAPLEX pass rate).
- Other featured “top” programs include University of California, San Francisco (research-heavy; 3-year PharmD option) and University of Michigan (value + small cohort feel).
- Ranking factors emphasized: program quality/curriculum, research funding/opportunities, NAPLEX pass rates, residency match, graduation/employment rates, cost/aid, location/networking, student support, reputation/peer assessments.
- How to get in: build pharmacy/healthcare experience, keep a high GPA, secure strong LORs, take the PCAT if it helps, and prepare to interview well.
When Should You Apply to Pharmacy School?
- Apply as early as possible—many schools use rolling admissions, so seats can fill months before final deadlines.
- Start preparing early in undergrad so prereqs, experience, and materials are ready when applications open.
- Suggested timeline:
- Freshman: join pre-pharmacy club + explore extracurriculars
- Sophomore: complete prereqs, build experiences, start PCAT prep
- Junior: take/retake PCAT, request LORs, draft personal statement, build resume
- Early senior year: finalize/edit + submit early (often Oct–Nov), then complete secondaries quickly
- PharmCAS typically opens mid-July; priority deadlines improve odds vs. waiting for final deadlines.
How Do You Become a Pharmacist?
- What pharmacists do: medication experts who help ensure drugs are safe, appropriate, and used correctly (prevent harmful interactions/misuse).
- How long it takes: typically 6–8 years total (pre-pharmacy/bachelor’s coursework + a 4-year PharmD), depending on pathway/school.
- Core steps: prereqs or bachelor’s/pre-pharmacy → (optional at many schools) PCAT → earn a PharmD → pass NAPLEX → get state licensure → optional residency for advanced training.
- Salary + outlook (as stated): average pharmacist pay ~$136,798/year; recent averages listed as $137,243 (2024), $132,750 (2023), $129,410 (2022); job growth cited at ~3% via Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- “Top” programs listed (U.S. News-based): University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (#1), University of California, San Francisco (#2), University of Michigan (#2), University of Florida (#4), University of Minnesota (#6).
What Are the Easiest Pharmacy Schools to Get Into?
- The guide defines “easiest” mainly as higher acceptance rates + lower minimum GPA (often ~2.5), with PCAT sometimes not required.
- Examples from the list (with acceptance rates + minimum GPA called out):
- University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy: 78% acceptance; 2.75 min GPA
- University of Kansas School of Pharmacy: 74% acceptance; 2.50 min GPA (named “easiest” in the guide)
- University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy: 62% acceptance; 2.50 min GPA
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy: 60% acceptance; 2.50 min GPA
- Other schools included as relatively more accessible (acceptance rates in the guide range roughly ~23%–49% for some): University of Kentucky School of Pharmacy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy, Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, South College School of Pharmacy.
- Key takeaway: you usually won’t get in with a 2.0 GPA (the lowest minimum cited is 2.5), and a 3.0+ is more realistic even at less selective programs.
What Are the Best Pharmacy School Scholarships to Apply For?
- Top high-$ options from this list: Air Force HPSP (full tuition + monthly stipend), Walgreens PEAP (up to $30k–$40k), CVS/AACP award ($20k)
- Other strong picks: Tylenol Future Care ($5k–$10k), AFPE awards ($5k–$10k), NCPA scholarships ($2k–$5k)
Tip: Prioritize scholarships that match your profile (service commitment, financial need, research/PhD, leadership, community pharmacy).
What Do You Need to Know About the PharmCAS Application?
- PharmCAS is the centralized application used to apply to multiple PharmD programs with one main application.
- You’ll complete: account setup → program selection → personal info → academic history (transcripts) → evaluations (letters) → experiences → achievements → personal statement.
- Deadlines: PharmCAS typically opens mid-July and many schools use priority deadlines in fall/winter, with final deadlines often running into spring.
- Cost: typically $175 for the first program + $55 for each additional program (optional transcript-entry help costs extra; fee waivers may be available).
What Should You Include in a Pharmacy School CV?
- Header: Name + phone + email + city/state + LinkedIn (optional)
- Education: School, degree/major, graduation date, GPA (optional), relevant coursework (optional)
- Pharmacy/Clinical Experience: Pharmacy tech/intern/shadowing; focus on patient-facing + medication-related tasks
- Research (if applicable): Lab/project, your role, methods/tools, outcomes (poster/publication helps)
- Work Experience: Jobs that prove responsibility, communication, teamwork, leadership
- Volunteer & Community Service: Impact + consistency (especially service-oriented roles)
- Leadership & Extracurriculars: Officer roles, initiatives you led, measurable outcomes
- Awards, Scholarships, Honors
- Certifications: CPR/BLS, immunization training (if applicable), relevant licenses
- Skills (optional): Languages, software, lab techniques—keep it specific
- Interests (optional): 2–5 human details (quick, non-medical)
What Are the Best Extracurricular Activities for Pharmacy School Applications?
- Pharmacy/Clinical Experience: Pharmacy tech/intern/assistant; prioritize patient-facing + medication-related responsibilities
- Shadowing: Shadow pharmacists in 1–2 settings (community + hospital/clinical) to show informed commitment
- Research (optional but strong): Join a lab or faculty project; aim for a poster, abstract, or presentation
- Volunteering & Community Service: Service with consistency (health outreach, clinics, public health events)
- Student Orgs & Professional Associations: Pre-pharmacy club, APhA/ASHP student groups; attend events and network
- Leadership: Officer roles, committee lead, or initiative owner; show outcomes (events run, funds raised, people served)
- Teaching/Mentoring (optional): Tutoring STEM courses, peer mentoring, TA roles—proves communication
How to choose: Pick 2–3 core activities you can commit to long-term, then add 1–2 supporting roles. Prioritize depth, progression, and measurable impact over quantity.
What Is the PCAT?
- Definition: The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) was a standardized admissions exam used by some pharmacy schools to assess general academic ability and science knowledge relevant to pharmacy education.
- Current status: The PCAT was retired on January 10, 2024, and no PCAT testing dates are offered for the 2024–2025 admissions cycle or beyond.
- What it covered (legacy format): Five timed subtests — Writing, Biological Processes, Chemical Processes, Critical Reading, and Quantitative Reasoning.
- Score access (for past test-takers): Official transcripts / personal score reports remained requestable through Pearson’s site until December 2024 (per the retirement announcement).
- What applicants should do now: Since the PCAT is retired, applicants should focus on school-specific requirements (many programs rely on GPA/prereqs, experiences, and holistic review). If applying via PharmCAS, check each school’s “Required Tests” expectations there.
How Do You Study for the PCAT and Improve Your Score Efficiently?
- Start with a diagnostic test so you know exactly where you’re strong vs. weak (and how big the gap is to your target score).
- Build a realistic schedule around your life (classes/work), and study when you’re naturally most focused.
- Use 2–3 high-quality resources (not 10 overlapping ones) so your prep stays consistent and efficient.
- Study with zero distractions: phone away, timed blocks, short breaks—focus beats long hours.
- Make practice the core: do timed + untimed sets and review why you missed questions (pattern > volume).
- Spend more time on weaknesses, but keep quick touchpoints on strengths so they don’t slip under test-day pressure.
- Plan for enough runway: most students prep 2–6 months depending on baseline score, time available, and commitments.
- Push hard, but avoid burnout: 8 hours/day max (and only if you’re treating it like a full-time job).
- Expect variance: even if practice scores are steady, test day can dip—build in time to retake if needed.
What Is a Good PCAT Score?
- First, a quick reality check: The Pharmacy College Admission Test was retired on January 10, 2024, and no testing dates are offered for the 2024–2025 admissions cycle or beyond.
- Average score (baseline): A 400 composite score is about the 50th percentile (i.e., “average”).
- Below average: < 400 (usually less competitive unless the rest of the application is very strong).
- Competitive: 400–415 (around average to slightly above average).
- Good / strong: 416–430 (solidly above average; competitive for many programs that still accept legacy scores).
- Top-tier: 430+ (high score range; stands out where scores are considered).
- How scoring works (in one line): Each multiple-choice section is scored 200–600, and the composite is essentially the average of the section scores.
- Writing score (if included on reports): 1–6; a 4.0+ is a solid target.