Pre-Pharmacy

The need for pharmacists is expanding greatly because of an increased average life span and incidence of chronic disease. A pharmacist can practice in a variety of settings. Opportunities exist in locally-owned or chain pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and neighborhood clinics. Pharmacists may also work within a government agency or in an industrial setting to conduct research in pharmaceutical sciences and health sciences to develop and market new products and maintain quality control.

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Why Study in Goshen College’s Pre-Pharmacy Program?

Goshen College can give you the academic foundation to prepare you for pharmacy school. Goshen College students find many opportunities for academic studies, pre-pharmacy coursework, and research, while also conveniently gaining experience with local public health and healthcare providers.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Goshen College has an excellent record in preparing pre-pharmacy students to succeed in the pharmaceutical sciences, health sciences, and other disciplines.

Goshen students who apply to post-graduate programs have a historically high rate of success. In recent years, more than 90% of GC students who have applied to medical school have been accepted.
In a study by Franklin and Marshall College of over 500 undergraduate institutions, Goshen College ranked in the top 5% for its percentage of graduates who earned Ph.D.s in life sciences.
In comparison to 70 undergraduate institutions in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Goshen was #1 in the percentage of graduates who received Ph.D.s in the life sciences

EXCELLENT FACILITIES

The modern science building provides comfortable and safe labs that are well-ventilated and well-equipped for study in the biochemical, genetic, cellular, molecular, vertebrate, aquatic, and marine areas. These facilities aid in preparing you with relevant, detailed undergraduate coursework and a pre-pharmacy curriculum.

OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH FACULTY

Students can interact personally with science faculty in pre-pharmacy courses, labs, and research activities.

The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, giving you the opportunity to work one-on-one with your professors.
You’ll have the opportunity to participate in various undergraduate research projects directed by faculty members.
Many students work with professors as lab assistants.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN EXPERIENCE

In addition to the required courses, you will find many opportunities to gain valuable experience (paid or volunteer) in and around GC.

Most Goshen College students spend a semester abroad in GC’s unique Study-Service Term (SST). Students who are interested in a health-related career are encouraged to spend their six-week period of service working in a health-related assignment, such as a hospital or clinic.
Several pharmacies are located in Goshen; interested students may be able to make arrangements to observe or obtain employment within these pharmacies.
You might also find it helpful to shadow a physician or volunteer in the emergency room at Goshen Health Hospital (across the street from GC). You may also seek employment at Greencroft, a large nursing home/assisted living center (within walking distance of GC), or Oaklawn, a psychiatric hospital (a 10-minute drive from GC).

SUGGESTED PLAN OF STUDY TO PREPARE FOR PHARMACY SCHOOL

Most pharmacy programs are four-year programs, leading to a doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD degree). Pharmacy schools no longer offer a bachelor’s of pharmacy degree. All clinical courses must be taken at a school that offers a professional pharmacy program. Most qualified students entering pharmacy programs have completed at least three years of college study. Therefore, students planning to enter a pharmacy program usually spend three (sometimes two) years at Goshen before transferring to a pharmacy program. Choosing to finish a bachelor’s degree at Goshen will extend your time of study.

The required prerequisites vary from program to program, but most schools require a good background in science, as well as some English and economics. The example schedule includes many of the classes required by nearly all programs.

First Year

Fall	Spring	May Term
General Chemistry I	General Chemistry II	CORE: Engaging the Bible
Ecology & Evolution (NW Perspective)	Organismal Biology
CORE: Identity, Culture, & Community & Learning Comm.	Cell Biology & Genetics
CORE: Academic Voice	CORE: Seminar & Learning Comm

Second Year

Fall	Spring	May Term
Organic Chemistry I	Organic Chemistry II	Study-Service Term
Calculus I	CORE: Perspective
Foreign Language 101	Foreign Language 102

Many schools also require/recommend:

Anatomy and Physiology
Microbiology
Developmental Vertebrate Biology
Psychology
General Physics
Sociology
Humanities
Statistics
Introduction to Computers
Vertebrate Physiology

If you decide to finish your bachelor’s degree at Goshen College, it is recommended that you take other advanced science courses, such as Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Cell Biology. Also, plan to go on SST the May term/summer after your second or third year, so as to avoid interference with two-semester science classes.

Most pharmacy programs require a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0 for incoming students. However, to remain competitive, it is recommended that you maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher. The mean GPA of accepted students in most pharmacy programs is 3.3. Most, though not all, schools also require you to submit scores from the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).

Students who meet requirements for academic curriculum, GPA, and PCAT scores will usually be invited to the school for an interview before a final admissions decision is made. Keep in mind that some schools have stricter requirements for out-of-state applicants than for in-state applicants.