There is no major called “pre-pharmacy”, nor is there any particular major which is required for admission to pharmacy schools. Bradley University offers a wide range of excellent majors, courses and opportunities which prepare students well for admission to pharmacy schools. Students should choose a major based on their personal interests and abilities, and then meet with both their Academic (within their major) and Pre-Health Advisor regularly to ensure that they are taking the necessary courses (and at the right time) to meet their major and graduation requirements, as well as required and recommended courses for admission to pharmacy schools. These pre-requisites can be taken as part of the major, Bradley Core, or free electives toward graduation, thus allowing students flexibility with their choice of major, and the ability to customize their pre-pharmacy plan.
The following majors and minors are most popular among pre-pharmacy students, because they incorporate many of the pre-requisite courses into the major requirements:
Majors
Minors
Below are listed the most common pre-requisites for pharmacy schools and the Bradley courses which will satisfy them. (A bachelor’s degree is highly recommended, but not required by all programs.) Be aware that each pharmacy school may establish their own specific pre-requisites which may vary from this list, so it is your responsibility to carefully research the admission requirements for schools to which you plan to apply. Pre-requisite courses may be taken as part of a Bradley major, minor, Bradley Core or free electives. Work with your academic and pre-health advisors to plan the best timing and sequence for completing pre-requisites for pharmacy schools. All science courses should be taken with labs unless otherwise noted.
See PSAR (Pharmacy School Admissions Requirements) or PharmCAS Directory for program-specific requirements.
University of Illinois College of Pharmacy also requires
Competitive applicants to pharmacy schools are well rounded and have pursued a wide range of experiences to develop not only their scientific, thinking, and reasoning skills, but also interpersonal skills. Most pharmacy schools like to see some job shadowing or experience working in a pharmacy setting. There is no set number of hours required – it’s more about quality than quantity of experience. But many students will become certified or licensed Pharmacy Technicians* and gain valuable experience through paid employment. For more information about becoming a pharmacy technician:
Volunteering and community service, whether or not it is in a healthcare setting, demonstrates your commitment to serving others, as you will as a future physician.
Research
Research experience is recommended, especially if you are interested in the drug discovery and development aspects of the pharmaceutical field. It helps you to learn the problem-solving skills needed to think like a pharmacist, and develop an understanding and appreciation for the scientific and clinical research that will be the basis for staying current in this rapidly evolving field throughout your career.
Get Involved
Becoming a leader in a student organization, job, etc. gives you experience working with teams, communicating, and working together to share responsibility for accomplishing shared goals. Consider joining organizations such as Alpha Epsilon Delta honor society, Student Health Advisory Committee or GMT, and working your way toward an executive board or other leadership role.
The PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) is required by many (but not all) PharmD programs. Competitive scores are usually at least 50th percentile or higher (~400 composite score), but vary by program.
The PCAT is being phased out in 2023 and will no longer be required. However, some schools may still require a writing sample during the application or interview process.
PCAT Prep
Although we do not offer a formal PCAT prep course at Bradley, the Health Professions student clubs often hold a PCAT Workshop and offer an on-campus practice test day to help students develop a personalized strategy, timeline, and study plan to meet their individual needs. There are many commercially available PCAT prep materials and services. We do not endorse any one over the others, but can assist students in choosing products and services that fit their learning style, timeline, and budget.
PCAT Testing Locations
The PCAT is administered on select test dates at Pearson VUE Testing Centers. The closest testing centers to Bradley University are:
Pearson Professional Centers
4507 N. Sterling Ave, Suite 302
Northwoods Professional Bldg.
Peoria, Illinois 61615
309-682-8638
Pearson Professional Centers
3000 Professional Drive
Lower Level, Suite C
Springfield, Illinois 62703
Pearson Professional Centers
100 East Kimberly Road, Suite 401
Northwest Bank & Trust Company
Davenport, Iowa 52806
Pharmacy School Information and Resources:
Entrance Exam:
Application Service:
Since 2013, Bradley graduates have been accepted to and continued their education and training at many pharmacy schools. We are proud of the success and accomplishments of our alumni.
Pharmacy Schools
Offers also received from: Drake University, Regis University, Roosevelt University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
