Dear Younger (High School) Me:

You may not know it yet but you are going to be a great pharmacist.  I know what you are thinking.  What?!  All those science classes, public speaking classes, and business classes you are taking will add on toward the path of pharmacy.  The core classes you will be taking in college will be majority science classes.  You will also need to take minor classes that will consist of social studies, public speaking, and economic classes.  Oh, I just found this out recently that you can apply to pharmacy school with 2 years of prerequisite coursework and not have to have a 4-year degree.  Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to you, younger me.  But to you readers, note that you can finish all your prerequisites within 2 years, and it may require you to take summer classes.  Make sure to pay more attention to those classes because it will haunt you when you go to college and pharmacy school.  I am not trying to intimidate you, but I am being real. 

Here’s a list of key highlights you should be doing from the time you read this letter to you get to pharmacy school:   

1)  Science  (enough said) 

2)  Shadowing experience - If you have time… I know you have time, but you’re in denial.  Go to your local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist if you can see what he/she does on a daily basis.  You might have to try more than one pharmacy because they might be busy.  The purpose of shadowing is to get that professional experience, and it will help you with getting a reference letter from a pharmacist. Why?  You will need it when you get ready to apply to pharmacy school.  Plus, it will make you look good.  And I’m sure you want to look good.

3)  Community Service - Why? Just cause.  You need it for high school, college, and pharmacy school.  Plus, pharmacy is a profession that's based on serving others.  

4)  Time Management -  There will be a window of time to apply for Pharmacy school.  My best advice for you is to do it earlier and for the better.  You will have to consider all the prerequisite, recommendation letters, writing personal statement, etc.

Keep in mind that pharmacy school is not easy and may be intimidating at first, but it is a rewarding career for the mind, body, and soul.  Trust me, I am a pharmacy student.

Best wishes for your future,

Patrick, P2