Pharmacy
Fast Facts |
|
|
Competitive GPA |
3.3 |
|
Common Majors |
BMB, CHE |
|
Other? |
Job Shadowing and Research experience! |
Is pharmacy for you? There has never been a better time to consider a career in pharmacy. The demand for trained pharmacy professionals has dramatically increased in recent years due to the rapid growth of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The number of pharmacists in healthcare services is also increasing as pharmacists become more actively involved in decision-making for drug therapy and more knowledgeable of various insurance payment plans.
Pharmacists work in a variety of healthcare settings such as: community pharmacies, hospitals, managed care organizations, professional trade organizations, federal and state governments, and the pharmaceutical industry. Cornell provides an excellent background for students interested in pursuing pharmacy training.
Cornell Courses and Other Requirements
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacist, Cornell can provide excellent preparation for pharmacy programs. Pharmacy program prerequisites often include the following:
- Successful undergraduate education as shown by a baccalaureate degree and GPA. Competitive GPA is 3.3 or higher. Many pre-Pharmacy students major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Chemistry.
- Introductory and advanced courses in the sciences including but not limited to: principles of chemistry, organic chemistry, general statistics, biochemistry, biology, human anatomy, exercise physiology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and cell biology.
- Three or more upper level courses are recommended.
- PCAT scores.
- Pharmacy job shadowing and research experience.
|
Biology |
141 and 142 - Foundations |
|
Chemistry |
121 and 122 - Chem Principles |
|
Economics & Business |
102 - Microeconomics |
|
Interdepartmental |
201 - Statistical Methods I |
|
Math |
119-120 - Calculus of a Single Variable Part 1 & 2 |
|
Physics*** |
101, 102, and 114 - Introductory Physics with Lab |
*One semester of both anatomy and physiology are required. As this is a two-block series at Cornell, both courses must be taken. However, some KIN courses in physiology will count as the one semester of physiology.
**Cellular & Molecular Biology is a prerequisite to Microbiology at Cornell, but is not a prerequisite for Pharmacy programs.
***Two semesters of physics with lab are required for Pharmacy programs. At Cornell, this is a three-block series of physics I, physics II, and physics lab.
Timeline
|
Freshmen Year |
Take intro Biology (2) and intro Chemistry (2). |
|
Sophomore Year |
Take math (2) and organic chemistry (2). Determine major(s). Job shadowing and summer research. |
|
Junior Year |
Take physics (2), organic laboratory (1), and statistics (1). Summer internship/research. Get a GRE review book and start studying. |
|
Senior Year |
Finish physics lab (1) and upper level biology and chemistry. Apply summer and fall of senior year. Take PCAT in late summer or early fall. Finish up major requirements. Complete applications and interview! |
To learn more about preparing to become a pharmacist, go to:
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Pharmacy College Admissions Test
Pharmacy College Application Service
