Extra things to do to get into pharmacy school?
I’m about to finish taking all the required classes to the pharmacy program in University of Oklahoma. And in the fall of 2013 I might be taking human anatomy, physiology & biochemistry. Are there any other classes that anyone would recommend for me to take so that my chances of getting into OU will be much higher? Or any other activities that I could do outside of school, for example becoming a pharmacy technician to gain some experience.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
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First off, I’m from Canada so the information I am giving you may differ SLIGHTLY but i think the majority of it will be similar. I am getting this information from a career website only accessible by Canadian students, but if you want to learn more about careers in pharmacy, just email me at we_r_femily@yahoo.com and i’ll happily help 🙂
So i’m guessing that you want to become a pharmacist (if becoming a pharmacist isn’t what you want to do, then just email me and i’ll give you the correct information)? Well here’s some information for that:
—-Education & Training—-
To become a pharmacist, you must complete a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. Although entrance requirements vary, most universities require applicants to have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate university studies before applying. During this year you must complete courses in several required subjects, including chemistry, biology, math, and English.
Some universities also require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), a standardized aptitude test. Contact the school you’re interested in for specific requirements.
Once you are accepted into a program, you must complete a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy. Pharmacy programs take about 4 years to complete and provide instruction in subjects such as drug therapy, communicating with patients, professional ethics, and developing and managing medication distribution systems. They may also provide supervised practical experience in pharmacy settings.
Pharmacists who want further education can go on to earn a master’s degree or PhD. These programs allow students to focus on a specific area of study, such as pharmaceutical chemistry or pharmacy administration.
Pharmacists must complete an internship before they can be licensed. The internship allows them to gain on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. It is also necessary to pass the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada exam.
—-Other Suggested Qualifications—-
Pharmacists should have strong communication skills since they spend a lot of their time talking to customers and patients. They should also be patient and understanding of customers’ concerns. Pharmacists who want to own or manage a pharmacy must learn to manage a business and supervise staff. Some of these pharmacists obtain a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or a related field. If you are interested in any career in the health care field, it’s a good idea to take as many math and science courses in high school as possible.
—-Sample Career Path—-
People take different pathways through their careers, but no one starts at the top. This is an example of how the earnings, education and experience requirements, and responsibilities might progress for someone in this occupation.
Level 1
Sample Title Intern
Earnings Unpaid to $22 an hour
Requirements• Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy
ResponsibilitiesPreparing prescriptions; having some interaction with patients; possibly being involved in clinical research projects.
Level 2
Sample Title Part-Time / Relief Pharmacist
Earnings $40,000 to $45,000 a year
Requirements• Completion of internship
• Successful completion of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada exam
ResponsibilitiesPreparing prescriptions; counselling patients; filling in for regular or full-time pharmacists during nights, weekends, holidays, and other irregular times.
Level 3
Sample Title Staff Pharmacist
Earnings $60,000 to $90,000 a year
Requirements• Experience as a part-time/relief pharmacist
ResponsibilitiesCounselling patients; consulting with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals; preparing prescriptions; performing some administrative duties.
Level 4
Sample Title Pharmacy Manager
Earnings $80,000 to $150,000 a year
Requirements• Several years of experience as a pharmacist
• Possibly business or management training
• Possibly a master’s degree or PhD
ResponsibilitiesCounselling patients; consulting with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals; supervising staff; handling heavy administrative duties.
So yes, i definitely suggest you do some sort of cooperative education (like apprenticing or job shadowing or volunteer work) to get some sort of experience before you apply because experience is soooo priceless and important if you want to be a top priority when colleges choose students. High grades are one thing, but if you already know how to do the job correctly , then that’s a bonus and will be so good on your resume. Just imagine writing on your application "job shadowed local pharmacist for 6months. know the jobs and tasks of a professional pharmacist" that will look really good.