What is PharmCAS?

by Teresa and Eman, 5.29.13

So what is it?It is the Pharmacy College Application ServiceAn online service that almost all pharmacy schools require for applicants to use, for submitting pharmacy school applicationsVery similar to the “common app” you used to apply to UCI and other UC schools.

“almost all” Pharmacy Schools require PharmCAS?

Yes. There are about 129 pharmacy school in the US, only 19 don’t use PharmCAS:CALIFORNIA Schools: ALL 8 OF THEMParticipating Schools: http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/schoolpagesPARTinstitution.htm

General Process for applying to Pharm School

1. Complete all required pre-requisites, and meet a school’s GPA requirements.2. COMPLETE and submit PHARMCAS.3. Complete the supplemental application, once your pharmacy school invites you to complete it.

Why is PharmCAS kind of nice?

Applying to pharmacy school in the ancient times required MAILING:

Each individual transcript from previous schoolsLetters of RecPCAT scoresPersonal Statement, and other applicant info

TO EACH PHARMACY SCHOOL YOU APPLIED TO!Can you say, “hassle…”

Why is PharmCAS kind of nice?

NOW you can combine all your info into ONE APP and simply choose all the Pharmacy Schools you would like apply to straight from the PharmCAS website.NO MAILING required.Kind of nice.

AWESOME PharmCAS feature:

http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/schoolpages.htmALL GENERAL INFO YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT EVERY PHARMACY SCHOOL!

DisclaimerPharmCAS changes every year!So, let’s get to it.

PharmCAS General Anatomy

Applicant InformationAcademic HistoryTranscriptsAdditional Information (all experience)Personal EssayReferences and Letters of RecommendationPharmacy Designations

Applicant InformationShort Bio, Background, Address, Phone Number, Parent or guardian info…Self-explanatory…

Academic HistorySecondary (High) SchoolPCAT, AP, and IB scoresColleges previously and currently attendedCoursework (Completed, In Progress, and Planned) from U.S. colleges including Study AbroadAcademic update

TranscriptsSubmit 1 transcript from each college attendedU.S. TranscriptsForeign Transcripts

Additional InformationExtracurricularWork ExperienceProfessional Licenses and CertificationsHonors and ScholarshipsPublications

Personal EssayPROMPT: Your Personal Essay should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals. The personal essay is an important part of your application for admission and provides you with an opportunity for you to clearly and effectively express your ideas.1 page limit (4500 characters including spaces)

Letters of RecommendationEnter up to 4 evaluatorsEvaluators can submit electronic letters of rec or paper references to PharmCASPharmCAS will forward your references to all of your designated pharmacy schools, regardless of the school’s preference**CAUTION: Some pharmacy schools require references to be sent directly to them.

Pharmacy DesignationsSelect which pharmacy schools you are applying toOption to be an Early Decision applicant

ED deadline: September 4, 2012May select additional pharmacy schools after you submit your PharmCAS application

Pay appropriate fee for each additional school selectedCan’t apply to a particular school after deadline date has passed

E-Submission & Payment

PharmCAS application fees are non-refundable

Processing Your Application

PharmCAS verifies all of your courses after they receive ALL of your transcripts, completed application, and feeCalculates your GPA in semester-based 4.0 grading scaleGPA calculations for: Science, Non-Science, Math, Undergraduate CumulativePharmCAS GPA available within 4 weeks from the date you e-submit your app, transcripts have been received, and payment received

Re-Applicant OptionIf you’d applied before, you can reuse your old application, BUT you:CANNOT change your past volunteer, work, and courseworkCAN only submit new personal statement and letters of Rec

Common MistakesSpelling errorsEntering incorrect gradesNOT LISTING ALL COURSEWORKSubmitting PharmCAS too early or too lateNot remembering what was inputted, then going to an Interview

Common ProblemsDelays in references, transcripts, and PCATDifferent school requirements and deadlinesSubmitting too close to the deadline, and then rushing the supplemental appPharmCAS has a 2-6 week processing time

Important DATES from 2012-2013

June, 2012: PharmCAS opensJuly, 2012: PCAT ExaminationsJuly 20, 2012: Regular Registration Deadline for September PCAT ExamsSeptember, 2012: PCAT ExaminationsNovember 1, 2012: 1st Regular institutional application deadline (ALL CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS). Fees, Letters of Rec, Transcripts are due in the PharmCAS office. Supplemental Application deadlines will vary, so please check with the school.

Important DATES from 2012-2013

Also check:http://www.pharmcas.org/advisors/calendar.htm

PharmCAS will open sometime Early June.

Check the PharmCAS website from time to time next month to see if its openDo what you can alreadyStart that Personal Statement!Don’t forget about ROLLING ADMISSIONS, which means that the earlier you apply, the better chances you have for getting an interview. NOT ALL pharmacy schools have rolling admissions, but most do.So just because the deadline is Nov. 1st for CA schools, don’t wait that late!

Just…Start Early and GOOD LUCK!=D