The USA is one of the most prominent places to pursue a career in pharmacy. This is because of the high rise of positions for pharmacists as well as their earning potential. Additionally, studying pharmacy in the USA will enable you to gain the required knowledge to work in any part of the world as a professional. The universities in the USA are equipped with the right facilities as well as resources to educate aspiring pharmacists to be professionals.
Studying pharmacy in the USA can be quite competitive. This field is among the fastest-growing in the United States. As a result, it has become so attractive for potential students and professionals. Therefore, you need to have all the requirements that are needed to study pharmacy in the USA.
In this piece, I will walk you through the basic requirements that are needed for studying pharmacy in the USA.
Requirements for Studying Pharmacy in the USA
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Have a High School Certificate
You must have completed your higher secondary education before you can study pharmacy in the USA. Therefore, you must have completed your 12th. Additionally, you must have subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, and English in your certificate. Generally, you should have at least a 70% score on your certificate to study for a Bachelor in Pharmacy in the USA.
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Obtain Academic Transcripts
You need to obtain the official transcripts and documents of your secondary education. Additionally, you should have your transcripts if you have a bachelor’s degree. This transcript should contain all the courses and grades you studied. Additionally, you need to submit your transcript in English.
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English Language Proficiency
You must write English Language proficiency if English is not your first language. It can be tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or DET. This test can vary based on the university you apply to. Additionally, each school will have the minimum score you should have in the English test. The minimum score for IELTS is 6.0– 7.0. The TOEFL is 90– 100.
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Write the Standardized Tests
You need to write standardized tests such as SAT/ACT. These tests evaluate your mathematics and science abilities. However, competitive universities can test for Biology and Chemistry as well. The minimum scores needed are 1300 on the SAT or 20.0 on the ACT. These scores are not compulsory for application. However, some universities use them for evaluation.
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Obtain a Passport and Visa
Applicants who are not US citizens will need a US student visa to study pharmacy in the USA. Additionally, you must apply for your student visa at least three months before you travel.
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Letters of Recommendation
You must submit at least 2 or 3 recommendation letters during your application. This letter must be from past teachers or lecturers as well as employers. Therefore, a recommendation letter from a family or a friend will be rejected.
Requirements for Obtaining a Master’s in Pharmacy
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Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
You must have a bachelor’s degree in a related degree. They can be disciplines such as pharmaceutical science, molecular biology, chemistry, etc. Additionally, this degree must be from a recognized or accredited university.
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Obtain Academic Transcripts
You need to obtain the official transcripts of your previous education. This transcript should contain all the courses and grades you studied. Additionally, your transcript should be issued in English.
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Have the required GPA
You should have at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 3.5 on a 5.0 scale.
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Obtain Recommendation Letters
You must submit at least 3 recommendation letters during your application. Additionally, these recommendation letters should come from academic and professional individuals. Therefore, recommendation letters from friends or family will be rejected.
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Write a Statement of Purpose
A statement of purpose is a written essay or letter that describes why you want to study pharmacy. This can be a letter of motivation as well as a personal essay. This document is a major requirement for your application.
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Submit your GRE or GMAT Scores
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT is required for postgraduate study-level programs. Additionally, these test scores add value to a candidate’s application. The minimum score for the GMAT is 625 – 700 while the GRE is 180 – 230.
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Work Experience
The work experience is essential for candidates applying for master’s and PhD courses in pharmacy. You need to have a minimum of 2 or 3 years of experience. Therefore, you need to show this by submitting your resume while making your application.
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English Proficiency Test
You will be required to write an English Language proficiency test if English is not your first language. It can be tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or DET. This test can vary based on the university you apply to. Additionally, each school will have the minimum score that you should have in the English test. The minimum score for IELTS is 6.5 – 7.0. At the same time, TOEFL is 79 – 100.
How to Apply
You can apply to study pharmacy in the USA through the University’s website. Additionally, you need to visit the university’s website to verify the application deadlines before you make an application.
Duration
Studying pharmacy in the USA takes a duration of three to four years. At the same time, a master’s degree takes about two years to complete.
Tuition fee
The tuition fee for studying pharmacy in the USA ranges from USD 11,000 per year to USD 50,000 per year in most universities. However, this can vary for some universities. Additionally, international students pay higher tuition fees.
Universities to Study Pharmacy in the USA
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
- University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
- University of California, Davis, California
- Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
- University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
- University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Asbury University, Wilmore, Kentucky
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas
- Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri
- Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
- Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri
- Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kentucky
- Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York
- Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
- Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
- University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut
- East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
- The University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
In Conclusion, you must make your application as soon as possible once the application window opens. Most Universities in the USA maintain rigorous deadlines and may not grant applicants an extension. Therefore, you need to check the school’s website frequently to stay up to date on information. You can also contact us if you have any more questions or need assistance.
Good luck!