Are you thinking of applying to pharmacy school? Before you start your application, here are some helpful tips to consider as you put together your application and navigate the admissions process.

Do your homework and research the program.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I prefer a small, large, new, or established program?
• Do I have state or regional preferences because of proximity to my family and support network?
• What are the graduation and attrition (dropout) rates of the program?
• What are the first-time NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) pass rates of the program?
• What is the accreditation status of the program?
• Is the tuition reasonable when compared to other programs in the area?

Make contact.

Reach out to the admissions staff at your school of interest before applying! They are happy to provide you with guidance and information. Better yet, attend a recruitment event, information session, or open house at the pharmacy school. Stay plugged in to pharmacy schools that interest you by following them on social media—it’s a great way to get to know their communities.

Be professional.

Your first contact when applying to pharmacy school marks the start of your professional career—all of your interactions from your initial contact through graduation should be professional.  Respond to email and phone call inquiries you receive and write professionally, not with text-like shorthand or emojis

Get to know the profession.

Pharmacy is a wonderful profession, but take the time to investigate it. By having real experiences to draw from, your application and interview will come across as authentic—because they will be.

WANT MORE? CHECK OUT THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• 7 Steps for Filling out Your Pharmacy School Application
• Nailing the Pharmacy School Interview & Getting Accepted

Dr. Kyle Sousa is the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at West Coast University’s School of Pharmacy in Los Angeles. You can follow him on Twitter @drbiochemistry.