Pre-Pharmacy
The need for pharmacists is expanding greatly because of an increased average life span and incidence of chronic disease. Pharmacists 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, develop and market new products and maintain quality control.
Why study pre-pharmacy at Goshen College?
Goshen College can give you the academic foundation to prepare you for pharmacy school. Goshen College students find many opportunities for academic studies and research; pre-pharmacy students can also conveniently gain experience with local health-care providers.
Academic excellence
Goshen College has an excellent record in preparing students to succeed in the sciences.
- Goshen students who apply to post-graduate programs have a historically high rate of success. In the past 5 years, 92% of GC students who have applied to medical school have been accepted.
- In a recent 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 a 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 was recently renovated. Its comfortable and safe research labs are well-ventilated and well-equipped for basic research in the biochemical, genetic, cellular, molecular, vertebrate, aquatic and marine areas.
Opportunities to work closely with faculty
Students can interact personally with the science faculty in classes, labs and research activities.
- The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, giving students the opportunity to work one-on-one with their professors.
- Students 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
Students 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. - Students might also find it helpful to shadow a physician or volunteer in the emergency room at Goshen General Hospital (across the street from GC). Students 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
Most pharmacy programs are four-year programs, leading to a doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D). Pharmacy schools no longer offer bachelor’s of pharmacy degrees. All clinical courses must be taken at a school that offers a professional pharmacy program. Most 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.