Registration Open now: ◦July 21-22, 2016 ◦September 7-9, 2016 ◦January 4-5, 2017 Registration opens September 9, 2016 ◦October 24-31, 2016 ◦November 1-4, 2016

What to do? Visit First come, first serve for scheduling time and location Deadlines: ◦Meeting the “Register” and “Schedule By” deadline means that you will likely receive your preferred testing date, time, and location ◦The Late Registration and Schedule By deadline will result in a $49 fee and no assurances that you will receive your preferred testing date, time, and location

Things to know Identify which recipients you want your PCAT scores sent to before registering for PharmCAS code is parts to registration Initial registration Confirm date Schedule by date Confirm location and time Registration fee: $210

Where? Pearson VUE Test Center

What’s on the test? 1. Writing - 30 mins ◦Conventions of Language ◦Problem Solving 2. Verbal Ability – 25 mins ◦40 items ◦Analogies 62% ◦Sentence Completion 38% 3. Biology – 35 mins ◦48 items ◦General Biology 50% ◦Microbiology 20% ◦Human Anatomy & Physiology 30% 4. Chemistry – 35 mins 48 Items General Chemistry 50% Organic Chemistry 30% Basic Biochemistry Processes 20% 5. Reading Comprehension – 50 mins 6 Passages and 48 Items Comprehension 30% Analysis 40% Evaluation 30% 15 MINUTE BREAK! 6. Quantitative Ability – 45 mins 48 Items Basic Math 15% Algebra 20% Probability and Statistics 20% Precalculus 22% Calculus 22%

Scoring Raw score: Percentile score Calculated from the population taking the test Section & Composite Official score v. Preliminary score

Studying for the PCAT  Practice Tests  1 test for $45  2 tests for $65  3 tests for $85  Any prep book and notes from previous classes  NO calculator  NO penalty for guessing

What is a good score? For any ONE section score: < 60% - Consider retaking the test 60-70% - Depends on how many others, call school for opinion 70-80% - Average to good scores, retake if weak in other areas of application 80-90% - Competitive scores > 90% - Strongly competitive > 95% - Stop asking people about your scores

Questions?

What is PharmCAS Pharmacy College Application Service Common application used by almost all pharmacy programs

Applying to Pharmacy School Complete pre-requisites, take PCAT ◦Use PharmCAS code on PCAT application (104) Submit PharmCAS Complete Supplemental application, specific to each individual college

PharmCAS Applicant Information Academic History Additional Information Personal Essay Privacy Statement References Program Designations

Applicant Information Biographic Background Personal Data Parent of Guardian Info

Academic History High School Tests (PCAT) Colleges Attended ◦6 week average for transcript verification Coursework Future Enrollment Plans

Additional Information Extracurricular Work Experience Professional Licenses and Certifications ◦Certified Pharmacy Technician Honors and Scholarship Publications

Personal Essay Maximum 4500 characters (including spaces) CANNOT be personalized to a specific program “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.”

References Most schools view only 3 letters Pharmacist recommended Science professor recommended ◦Family/clergy members are considered inappropriate recommendation sources Waiving Rights

Program Designations/Payment ◦ ◦Payment based on number of programs selected

Application window, July 2015 – April ◦All information will be DELETED before July 2016 ( or the start of the next cycle)