Hi Students!

So, you’re thinking about going to pharmacy school after Wofford.  Well, we have some planning to do.  First, you should contact me, your pre-pharmacy advisor, via email (splawnbg@wofford.edu) to demonstrate your interest in pre-pharmacy.  This is extremely important in terms of me being able to contact you about pharmacy school fairs, newsletters, internships, and part-time job opportunities.  Furthermore, we need to schedule a meeting, so I can advise you in taking courses and applying to pharmacy school.  For now, I have compiled some information that could be very useful in terms of required coursework, GPA, PCAT score, internships, recommendation letters, leadership, community service, pharmacy schools, interviews, an acceptance ranking list, and important websites for pharmacists.

Pre-Pharmacy 4 Year Plan

1. •Chemistry Major Track
   

2. •Biology Major Track
   

Grade Point Average (GPA)

1. •Minimum GPA for acceptance: 2.5-3.6 (depends on school)
   

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

1. •Official PCAT website
   

2. •Test and registration dates
   

3. •Cost = $150
   

4. •Minimum score for acceptance: 50-70 percentile (depends on school)
   

Internships

We have relationships with SC College of Pharmacy in Charleston, S. Church St. Pharmacy in Spartanburg, and Bi-Lo Pharmacy in Greenville for you receive professional experience with a certified pharmacist, which will significantly enhance your application.  If you are interest in these opportunities during the school year, interim, or summer, please contact me.

Recommendation Letters

Typically, you will need three letters of recommendation.  One letter should be from a pharmacist, and the other two should be from your professors.  I strongly encourage you to develop good relationships with these people, and definitely keep them informed about your academic progress and extra-curricular activities on and off campus.  Also, providing them with a resume when you request a letter is a good idea as well.  Overall, if they really don’t know you, then they really can’t write you a good letter.  I can’t stress enough the importance of getting to know a pharmacist and your professors, or them really getting to know you.

Leadership and Community Service

Displaying leadership in a club, organization, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority is a plus in the application process, so don’t forget to mention it in your application.  Volunteer work in the community does enhance your application as well.  So, I suggest you visit the Bonner Scholars office in Old Main for opportunities to do community service. 

Pharmacy Schools

South Carolina College of Pharmacy (both USC and MUSC)

Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy

South University School of Pharmacy

Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Pharmacy School Interview

If you receive an invitation for an interview, you can expect a campus tour and a question and answer session, which is the official interview.  Normally, current students and faculty from the pharmacy school will interview you.  Obviously, your dress should be a men’s or women’s business suit, and you definitely should be prepared to answer the following question: Why do you want to be a pharmacist?  Answering that you want to make a lot of money is not a good or intellectual answer.  So, prepare for another answer.

Acceptance Ranking List

After you have completed your application and interviewed with some perspective pharmacy schools, a selection committee will determine your acceptance into their program.  Below is a ranking (1-4) of the requirements for acceptance.  A score of 4 is ranked as highest importance.

GPA = 4

PCAT and Interview = 3

Recommendation Letters and Internships = 2

Leadership and Community Service = 1

Important Websites for Pharmacist

Occupational Outlook by the U.S. Department of Labor (provides info about salary, nature of work, etc.)