Story by Katherine Hunt
Photo courtesy of Yvette Mitchell
Most students at Drake University fill out an application, and submit a writing sample and transcripts to be accepted into the university. Then, they were done with the college application process for at least four years once they selected a school to attend. However, the same is not true for pharmacy majors.
When first-year pre-pharmacy students start at Drake, they are only in a pre-pharmacy program and are given two years to complete several requirements before having to apply yet again to Drake University’s PharmD program.
In addition to all of the necessary requirements to enter the pharmacy program, it is also a very stressful and difficult process. Other requirements of the pharmacy program include direct admission out of high school into Drake’s pre-pharmacy program, minimum of a 3.0 overall and math/science GPA, complete 63 total credits, and successfully complete BIO 012, 13, 95; CHEM 001-4, 107-110; MATH 050; STAT 060 AND PHAR 011, 031, 051 and 071.
What’s more is these requirements are just in order to be considered. Once the above prerequisites are met, hopeful PharmD students must submit a PharmCAS application with a Drake supplemental form, and complete an interview as well as a writing assessment.
Alex Hendzel, P2, shared her most stressful part of the application process.
“I was nervous about the timed essay, mostly because we didn’t have any idea what topic it would even be focused on,” Hendzel said.
As difficult as acceptance is into the PharmD program, there are also some major rewards that come with the hard work. If a student is in the guaranteed consideration program (admitted during senior year in high school), then a pharmacy student can complete his or her PharmD program in just six years, which normally takes eight years of undergraduate studies plus more courses at the graduate program. Drake University also offers these high scholastic achievers a dual-degree program, allowing PharmD candidates to pursue a master of business administration, master of public administration, or a juris doctorate at the same time as completing their PharmD program.
While the road to getting into pharmacy school may be tough, it is well worth the reward. Hendzel also offered this advice to prospective pharmacy students and to those going through the difficult application process.
“Relax,” Hendzel said. “As long as you have maintained your grades and are a well-rounded student, you’ll have no problem getting in.”
