HIGHLINECOMMUNITY COLLEGE

EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADVISING/TRANSFER CENTER

** Use this information sheet as a guide only. Itis very important for you to contact your school of choice to verify transfer admissions requirements, including admission to the pharmacy program.

Pre-Pharmacy Transfer for 2003-2004

Pharmacy is a health profession concerned specifically with the knowledge of drugs and wisdom in their use.

Pharmacists understand how drugs work in the body and how they might interact with each other.They measure, count,mix, and dispense drugs and medicines prescribed by a variety of health professionals.

To become a pharmacist in the state of Washington, you should plan on studying for a minimum of six years of college: two years of college level prerequisite courses to enter the field of pharmacy plus another four years of full-time pharmacy school. Upon completion of the pharmacy program, students will be awarded the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. You do not need to have a baccalaureate degree for admission to a pharmacy school in the state of Washington. However, you should have an alternate plan in the event that you are not accepted to pharmacy school.

In Washington, there are two universities that offer pharmacy: University of Washington (Seattle) and WashingtonStateUniversity. Admission to both schools is highly competitive. It is very important that you work closely with a Highline faculty advisor in planning your transfer curriculum. There are many science courses you would have to take that are sequential. It is also wise for you to contact the pharmacy schools you are interested in applying to, in order to ensure that you are meeting their admission requirement.

There are a number of science prerequisite courses that you are required to take in order to apply to the pharmacy program. Please refer to the attached sheets for pre-pharmacy course requirements for WashingtonStateUniversity and the University of Washington.

PharmacyCollege Admissions Test (PCAT) & Interview

Besides course prerequisites, many pharmacy programs require that you take the PCAT. The areas covered on this exam are Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. An interview is also required as part of the admissions process. Note: The PCAT is not required for admission to WashingtonStateUniversity’s pharmacy program.

GPA

For interview consideration for the University of Washington pharmacy program, applicants must have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and a 2.8 prerequisite course grade point average. For the entering class of 2002, the average cumulative grade point average for students accepted was 3.56 and the average prerequisites grade point average was 3.48.

WashingtonStateUniversity received a total of 387 applications in 2002. 210 applicants were invited to interviewand 94 of these were admitted. The average GPA of students admitted for fall 2004 is a 3.4. The average GPA of students denied is a 3.0.

Computer Literacy

It is also important for students to be computer literate. They should have a demonstrated knowledge in using wordprocessing and spreadsheet software.WashingtonStateUniversity expects students to provide a one-page sample of a computer-generated spreadsheet to demonstrate computer proficiency as part of the application process.

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Personal Characteristics for Success as a Pharmacist

Successful pharmacists are interested in promoting the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner. They also act with honesty and integrity in professional relationships and be able to gain the confidence of patients and clients. For many years now, pharmacists have ranked at the top of the Gallup Poll of the most trusted professionals. They must have good communication skills and are able to work well with diverse populations groups. They should also be highly organized and accurate. In addition, they must be interested in continually updating their skills and knowledge of the field in order to remain professionally competent.

A demonstrated commitment to leadership and community service is also important. It is also highly important that students become familiar with the pharmacy field by working in an appropriate facility.

Highline Pre-Pharmacy Faculty Advisors

John PfefferBldg 15-105ext.

Marie NguyenBldg 15-101ext.

Resources Available at HighlineCommunity College

The CareerCenter (Bldg 6, upper level) has reference materials on pharmacy

The EducationalPlanning & AdvisingCenter (Bldg 6, upper level) can assign you an advisor in pharmacy

Surf the Net

Career information on pharmacy:

(You will need a password to access this career website. You can obtain your password from our CareerCenter, Bldg 6, upper Level)

American Pharmaceutical Association

WashingtonStateUniversityCollege of Pharmacy

Phone: 509-335-2016

University of WashingtonSchool of Pharmacy

UW School of Pharmacy hosts quarterly information meetings for

prospective students. Please reserve your spot by sending an e-mail message to

or calling (206) 685-2715.

* A portion of the above information was obtained from the University of Washington and WashingtonStateUniversity pharmacy Web sites and from Opportunities in Pharmacy Careers by Fred B. Gable.

August 2003

Educational Planning and Advising/Transfer Center