Pre-Pharmacy
The WSU pharmacy preparation track opens to all students in any major interested in appying to any of the more than 100 professional pharmacy schools in the U.S., including WSU’s own College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on the WSU Spokane campus.
Through the pharmacy preparation program, professional and highly experienced advisors are on hand to help you …
- become a competitive applicant for the professional pharmacy school of your choice, including coursework and non-academic preparations. There are over 114 professional schools of pharmacy in the U.S. with varying prerequisites.
- create a plan to apply to professional school at your own desired pace and create a “back-up” plan for alternatives to pharmacy school.
- integrate pharmacy school prerequisite courses into your four-year academic plan while pursuing your major of choice.
Many professional pharmacy schools do not require you to obtain an undergraduate degree before gaining admission. Instead, they pay very close attention to their list of prerequisite courses, making sure each applicant has completed them all with a stated GPA. It usually takes 2-3 years to complete the courses found on the Prerequisites for Pharmacy School page below. Students interested in saving themselves a full year of work and tuition money may opt for the “3-and-In” pace of completing the prerequisite courses (meaning they complete those courses in 3 years and apply to a pharmacy program without completing a bachelor’s degree). Other students may feel that they are so close to earning a bachelor’s degree that they will take a fourth year to graduate. It’s up to each student to decide; pharmacy schools do not consider one choice better than the other. If you prefer to get a bachelor’s degree in 4 years, it’s important to note that there is no one best major for those intending to become pharmacists. Spanish, psychology, biology, and biochemistry are just a few of the majors’ students in WSU’s pre-pharmacy program have pursued in past years.
Completion of prerequisite courses (check with each pharmacy school to which you plan to apply)
GPA: 3.00 + higher (again, check – this may be different at each pharmacy school)
Letters of Evaluation: Students are required to submit at least two letters of recommendation but may submit up to four. The criteria for these letters change depending on the school, but students should consider a letter from a science professor, pharmacist, and/or supervisor.
Experience: Significant time spent volunteering, evidence of leadership experience, research and shadowing pharmacists.
PharmCAS Essay: Your opportunity to make a case as to why you are an outstanding candidate. Most schools also require a supplemental application, and some of those ask additional questions that you would answer in paragraph form.
Supplemental Professional Goals Statements: Some schools may include a supplemental application within the PharmCAS app. Answer each question fully and completely.
The personal interview: Evaluation of students may include one or more 20-30 minute personal interviews used to assess the applicant’s maturity, compassion, motivation, communication skills, knowledge of the profession, and desire to contribute to society during their pharmacy career. MMI’s are occasional.
Visit WSU Pharmacy
Pre-Pharmacy Advisor/Specialist
Pre-Pharmacy Club
The Pre-Pharmacy Club helps WSU Pullman students become competitive applicants for professional schools of pharmacy. Any dedicated pre-pharmacy student, and anyone considering a career in pharmacy, is welcome to join the club. We want to help you become a successful future pharmacist!
Club Advisor
Haoyu (Jane ) Zeng
haoyujane.zeng@wsu.edu
What We Do
- Participate in community service projects.
- Provide a greater understanding of the field of pharmacy.
- Host social events for all students who are interested in pharmacy and connect them with their fellow pre-pharmacy peers.
- Host presentations from current pharmacy students, professors, admission advisors, and pharmacy professionals.
