How Hard is Pharmacy School?
For all the societal hype about medical school, getting into pharmacy school can be just as hard. You might be at the point where you’re ready to apply to pharmacy school or - having already been admitted - having second thoughts. Perhaps you’re considering whether or not to take the pharmacy college admission test (PCAT) or apply for a pharmacy program through an early assurance pathway. You’re at a crossroads because the thought of pharmacy school being too hard has infiltrated your mind.
You’ve heard that medical school is hard, but what about pharmacy school?
So, is there a definitive yes or no answer to the question, “Is pharmacy school hard?” To put it simply, the answer is yes. But there’s more to that. It’s hard, but it doesn’t have to be as hard if you avoid common pitfalls and learn to adjust.
Consider the Stakes
The stakes are high because being a pharmacist is one of the most important jobs across regions, states, and countries. We’re discussing a professional program that can be 3-4 years long, depending on where you are. You’ve been through the high school and college experience, taking approximately 2-4 years to get to pharmacy school, and deep down, you are thinking that this is the same process, and if you could survive the college undergraduate years, pharmacy school will be the same.
For some, that is the reality; they have always excelled at school, and their passion for pharmacy can guide them to their end goal without hiccups. However, for most PharmD candidates, this could be the toughest schooling they will ever have to go through.
We’re not saying you should stop your pursuit of becoming a pharmacist any longer because of the difficulty.
The Curriculum Pushes You
Pharmacy school is hard because the curriculum is designed to help mold you into the best pharmacist. The goal is to challenge you mentally and sometimes physically to bring out your best. If you’re passionate about what you’re doing, the experience of progressing through pharmacy school can be enjoyable and well worth it.
It’s worth repeating: pharmacy school requires an additional four years of coursework after you have completed your prerequisite classes.
Depending on which PharmD program you enroll in, your curriculum can be structured differently. Regardless of where you end up, the course load will be one of the most challenging parts of pharmacy school. Before entering pharmacy school, you most likely took more basic courses, such as entry-level chemistry, biology, biochemistry, math, and physics. Throw in some more general elective courses here and there, which would round out your prerequisite requirements for pharmacy school.
Then, you have your classes that satisfy the requirements needed for your specific major or degree. You may already have a health science, public health, or pharmaceutical science degree. Most prerequisite courses give you a broad understanding of the general life sciences without immersing yourself too deeply.
Pharmacy school (you’ll quickly learn) is entirely different from previous schooling. As a PharmD candidate, you'll take more demanding courses that are comprehensive of all sciences, including chemistry (physical, organic), biochemistry, human physiology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, etc. A pharmacist must know how a specific medication functions in the body and its effects in certain situations. Additionally, you must understand the laws regulating the administration of drugs.
Pharmacy is a Multi-Faceted Discipline
You probably thought that pharmacy school was all about science. However, there are so many legal/regulatory factors in pharmacy that you must also be knowledgeable about. It’s a topic many don’t tend to raise even though it is an important part of your curriculum. While the laws differ between states, it’s essential to know that regardless of where you practice, the distribution of medications is highly regulated (controlled and non-controlled substances). A hospital pharmacist may need to follow different regulations than a community pharmacist and an industry pharmacist. That doesn’t change the fact that the medications need to be verified multiple times before arriving in the hands of the patient.
While you aren’t pursuing a business degree (some programs offer joint PharmD/MBA), as a pharmacist, you could be responsible for the growth of the pharmacy, especially in a community setting. As a pharmacist, you must understand that you will be looked up to as a leader and that the expectations of training pharmacy technicians and medication ordering will fall upon your shoulders. Remember, there are certain boundaries that you may and may not practice outside of your scope. Like any profession, understand these regulations.
What to Expect
You should expect the first year of pharmacy school to be an overview, with a course load that refreshes you on the prerequisite courses, general laboratory work/etiquette, and an introduction to law and pharmacology. This year, you’ll also be introduced to pharmacy through the introductory pharmacy practice experience component of the curriculum.
Your second and third years emphasize drug therapeutics and focus on specific disease states in-depth. As you progress through the first three years, expect the number of assignments/projects to increase and the frequency of knowledge checks (quizzes and exams) to increase as well. This is not the PharmD program just throwing all of this upon you because they want to; this is for your benefit as it culminates in you being best prepared for the 4th year, your advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations.
Overcoming the Challenges of Pharmacy School Courses
So how does one overcome the challenge of a PharmD course curriculum with a high degree of difficulty load?
Adopting new study methods, attending classes, and learning with others far beyond your undergrad experience. Chances are that the study habits you have had during your time as an undergrad won’t help as much during pharmacy school. Like a pharmacist who needs to adapt quickly to a new situation or environment, a pharmacy student must be the same.
Embrace New Study Methods
Actively look for and try new study methods. Remember to go to class regardless of the lecture being recorded for the future. You’re actively learning the material while having the opportunity to interact with the professor and other students during that time. Also, form a study group even if you have been a solo act during your college tenure. Listening to and testing each other on materials is one of the best ways to learn material, and you get to be social as well. Use the first year of pharmacy school to explore apps, study methods, and new spaces that promote your absorption of the material faster.
Time management. It’s something people struggle with and seems to be some art form that needs to be mastered. You’ve already spent a good amount of your day in class, and now you’re on your way to attend the general body meetings for one or more of your student organizations. after that, you are scheduled for a part-time shift at your pharmacy job. When can you study for that exam or work on that paper? It seems odd that on top of such a challenging course load, many students still hold part-time jobs, research, care for a family, and participate in student organizations.
Let’s break this down. Extracurricular activities and student organizations are an investment in your education and yourself. As a first-year pharmacy student, you are encouraged to participate in many different organizations to find your interest in the different areas of pharmacy. There are a plethora of organizations that focus on different practices of pharmacy, so the exposure early on in your pharmacy school career allows you to narrow down which organizations you truly want to be involved in, the elective courses you want to take, and what future job you may want to pursue.
That brings us to a small topic known as networking. This may be new to you, or you may have done some networking prior. Even if you aren’t interested in a particular organization, talk with the members to gain insight. Make lasting impressions with those you speak to and reach out to guest speakers. Schools will have career fairs that allow for the opportunity to speak with recruiters and employers. Even as a younger pharmacy student, you can establish relationships and connections that can help bolster your future in pharmacy. There is a classic saying, “Pharmacy is a small world,” and it truly is. Your connections will start branching out and take you a long way.
Once You are Admitted
Upon admission to pharmacy school, some students may have already held a part-time position within a pharmacy, a research lab, or another healthcare-related site. Others will have to look for new openings as the beginning of the school year is a ripe time for companies to hire. The experience you gain outside the classroom and having the opportunity to apply your knowledge in the real world is invaluable. However, extra time at work means less time spent on school, making pharmacy school much harder. There is that fine line there; maintaining a job requires diligence and the ability to manage and adjust accordingly.
Staying organized and managing your time wisely throughout your pharmacy education ultimately prepares you for once you are out of school. You’ll become a full-time pharmacist, potentially start a family early on, and have social outings with friends. With school, you can become easily overwhelmed. However, some tools can help you manage. Use a calendar, whether it be physical or electronic, to keep track of important meetings and work schedules. Plan for specific events such as exams and projects so that you may reschedule shifts at work. Learning to manage time properly takes time to master; allow yourself early in your pharmacy school career to explore ways to manage your time.
Stay Positive
With any professional education, there come challenges and more demanding courses. For those students seeking to pursue pharmacy, you should not fear failure. While there is no doubt that the factors above can be daunting in your progression through pharmacy school, there are strategies that you can use to help overcome the hardships.
Pharmacy continues to grow and evolve and is an excellent opportunity for those seeking a healthcare career.
