When scheduling courses, keep timelines in mind. For instance, the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is generally offered only eight times per year, generally in January, July and September. Test registration opens on April 1, 2011. You will need to take the PCAT during the summer between your junior and senior year or the fall of your senior year in order to enroll in a pharmacy program the following fall. As such, you need to complete the overwhelming majority of your pre-Pharmacy course requirements by the end of your junior year in order to do score well on the PCAT and to meet application requirements of Pharmacy schools.
Suggested course timeline, regardless of major:
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Freshmen Year
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Take two introductory Biology courses (BIO 141, Foundations: Cellular Biology and BIO 142, Foundations: Organismal Biology)
Take two introductory Chemistry courses (Chem 121: Chemical Principles I and Chem 122: Chemical Principles II)
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Sophomore Year
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Take math (2) and organic chemistry lecture courses (Chem 225, Organic Chemistry Lecture I, Chem 326, Organic Chemistry Lecture II).
Determine major(s). Job shadowing and summer research.
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Junior Year
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Take physics (PHY 101, Introductory Physics I and PHY 102 Introductory Physics II OR PHY 111, General Physics I and PHY 112 General PHysics II--the latter option is a calculus-based sequence) 2), organic laboratory (Chem 327, Organic Chemistry Laboratory) and statistics.
Complete a summer internship or research placement. Get a PCAT review book and start studying.
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Senior Year
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Finish physics lab (PHY 114) and upper level biology and chemistry courses to complete your major requirements.
Apply to Pharmacy graduate programs during the summer and fall of senior year. Take PCAT in late summer or early fall. Complete applications and interview! Dimensions can assist you with mock interviews and review of your application materials.
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