1. Presented by the Miami University Pharmacy Club A Career in Pharmacy

2. The Job: Different Areas of Pharmacy Clinical Pharmacist Works in hospitals alongside doctors Works more personally with patient Participants in rounds with doctors Retail Pharmacist Relationship with patient is more informal Patient consultations about possible side effects of drugs Research Pharmacist Development and understanding of drugs on the population Testing new drugs Long-Term Care Pharmacist Works with nursing staff and doctors for nursing home facilities, adult group homes, etc. Performs cart checks in facilities and interacts with the patients and staff

3. Requirements for Pharmacy School Every school is different Generally speaking most schools require the following: 1 Year of BiologyBIO 115, 116, & Labs 1 Year of Gen. ChemistryCHM 141, 142, & Labs 1 Year of Organic ChemistryCHM 241, 242, & Labs 1 Year of PhysicsPHY 171, 172, & Labs* Gen. MicrobiologyMBI 201 CommunicationsCOM 135 Calculus I/Some Calc IIMTH 151/251 StatisticsSTA 261 AnatomyBIO 201, or 171/172 PhysiologyBIO305, or 161 Economics*ECO 201 or 202 Analytical Chemistry*CHM 363 & Lab

4. The PCAT The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) PCAT is an exam developed by PsychCorp, a brand of Harcourt Assessment, Inc. is a specialized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges. It measures general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education. The PCAT is constructed specifically for colleges of pharmacy.

5. The PCAT Sign Up: Online! www.pcatweb.infowww.pcatweb.info Offered: January, July, and September Setup: Verbal (30 min.) Reading (50 min.) Biology (30 min.) Quantitative Analysis/Math (40 min.) Chemistry (30 min.) Writing (2 essays-30 min. each) Candidates are given 4 hours to complete the test. (plus administrative time for instructions and time for a short rest break about halfway through the test)

6. The PCAT Preparation: Kaplan Course or Book; Dr. Collins; etc. Average Scores for Schools: Overall 75 th Percentile Minimum of 50 th Percentile University of Cincinnati: no minimum PCAT; average GPA 3.62 Ohio State University: minimum PCAT 50; average GPA 3.55 Northeast Ohio Medical University: minimum PCAT 50, average GPA 3.4 University Chicago Illinois: no minimum PCAT; average GPA 3.53 Purdue University: NO PCAT required; average GPA 3.65; minimum GPA out of state 3.3 (instate 3.2) Make sure you double check, these may changed recently!

7. PharmCAS / Applications General Application to Many Pharmacy Schools Online Application Gives Deadlines and Information for each School General Applicant Information, Transcripts, Essay, and References (4). Most schools will also require a supplemental application to be filled out after the PharmCAS application has been sent

8. Schools In Our Area University of Cincinnati Ohio State University University of Findlay Northeast Ohio Medical University University of Kentucky University of Illinois- Chicago University of Michigan Purdue University Cedarville University

9. Academic Timeline Freshman/ Sophomore Year: Take as many prerequisite classes as possible. Find out the EXACT prerequisites needed for the schools you will be applying to. Try to get to know professors that will be able to write recommendations. **Note that certain classes are only offered in the fall so plan accordingly.

10. Academic Timeline Junior year: Start taking visits to Pharmacy schools to determine if you can really see yourself at each school. Learn what each school has to offer. Summer after Junior year start taking the PCAT. Take an early test date, and you will have time to retest if necessary. **Test dates are in July, September, and January (January is usually too late for most schools) **You may want to ask for recommendation letters spring semester to give professors the heads up that you will need them early in the fall of your senior year. PharmCAS now opens applications June 1. If you know the schools you want to apply to have rolling admission, complete your application ASAP.

11. Academic Timeline Senior year: Work on applications. PharmCAS will be up between June- December. **Obtain letters of Recommendation, Transcripts, Write Essays, submit primary application. Later submit secondary application if required. Interview in the fall and winter. Decide which school you will go to in the Spring!