why do you want to become a pharmacist essay

Essay Sample on Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist

It’s no secret that being a pharmacist is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling careers around. From helping people in need to providing valuable advice on medication, pharmacists are able to make a real difference in their communities. In this essay, written for the custom writing service , I will share why I think becoming a pharmacist is the perfect fit for me.

The Benefits to Be a Pharmacist

Being a pharmacist provides many benefits beyond improving patient outcomes and learning new information daily. For instance, being able to work independently or within teams makes this career particularly desirable since it allows you to build relationships with both medical professionals as well as patients who rely on your expertise for their healthcare needs.

By the way, working within this field gives access to competitive salaries and job security — two factors that often make up an attractive job package.

The Impact of Pharmacists on Health Care

Pharmacists are a vital part of any healthcare system. As medication experts, pharmacists ensure that medications prescribed by doctors are safe and effective for each patient’s individual needs. They also educate patients about their medicines, such as how to take them correctly and answer any questions they may have.

In fact, pharmacists provide invaluable services such as monitoring drug interactions and helping to reduce the cost of medications. All of these responsibilities make pharmacists important members of any patient’s healthcare team.

My Desire to Help Others Through Pharmacy

Speaking about me, pharmacy allows me to pursue my passion for helping others in a meaningful way. I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives every single day — a feeling I don’t get from any other profession. As well as the field is constantly evolving with new advances in medicine, technology, and regulations — meaning there is always something new to learn! This is especially exciting for someone like me who loves learning new things and staying current with the latest developments in healthcare.

An Ability to Meet Different People

Being a pharmacist will give me the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life. Pharmacists are responsible for filling prescriptions, counseling patients on medication use and side effects, and providing advice on over-the-counter medications. Working in pharmacy is the chance to help people who are dealing with serious health issues or looking for advice on how to manage their day-to-day minor illnesses. This aspect of this profession really appeals to me because helping others is something that always brings joy into my life.

Opportunities that Give Motivation

Choosing pharmacy as my career path will allow me the chance to explore multiple specialties within the field, such as clinical research or compounding medications tailored specifically for individual patients.

The pharmacy also offers room for advancement into management roles or research positions, which can provide more money or job satisfaction depending on what type of career trajectory a person wishes to pursue within this field. These opportunities will give me great motivation and excitement when thinking about becoming a pharmacist because they provide multiple paths forward depending on where one’s interests lie within this profession.

The Career Path Ahead

When I consider my career options, I realize that I want to make an impact on the lives of people around me. After researching different paths, I’ve decided that becoming a pharmacist will be the best way for me to do just that. Of course, there are some challenges along the way — most notably preparing for the rigorous pharmacy school entrance exams. Nevertheless, I believe it will be all worth it in the end.

When it comes down to it, becoming a pharmacist is more than just pursuing a career; it’s about pursuing my passion – helping others through pharmacy care so that they can lead healthier lives overall.

With all the advantages this profession offers – from competitive salaries to job security – pharmacy is an ideal choice for those looking for an impactful career path that allows them to make meaningful contributions while still enjoying all the perks that come along with it!

By choosing pharmacy over other professions available today, I am confident that I am making the best decision possible for both myself and those whom I will serve through my profession – now and into the future!

Pharmacists play a crucial role in healthcare, working with patients and other healthcare providers to ensure that medications are used safely and effectively. There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a pharmacist, from a desire to help others and make a positive impact on the world, to a passion for science and a love of problem-solving. In the following table, we’ve outlined some of the most common reasons why individuals might want to become a pharmacist, along with a brief description of each reason.

Note: The reasons listed in the table are not exhaustive, and there are certainly other factors that might motivate someone to become a pharmacist. These are simply some of the most common and compelling reasons.

How to Write an Impactful Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist Essay

Writing a “Why I want to be a pharmacist” essay, which is an example of a personal statement format , can be challenging. You need to demonstrate and illustrate your passion for the field of pharmacy. However, by following a few simple tips, you can create your stellar essay.

Start by Brainstorming Ideas

The best way to start any essay is by brainstorming ideas that are relevant to the topic at hand. Get out a pen and paper and jot down some notes about your motivations, experiences, and interests related to pharmacy. Think of any specific skills that you have developed that could contribute to your success as a pharmacist. It will give you clues as to why you want to pursue this particular career path.

Organize Your Ideas into an Outline

It’s important to create an outline that will help guide your thoughts and keep your essay organized. Make sure your outline includes all relevant points you want to make about why you want to pursue pharmacy. This will make it easier for you to stay focused as you write and ensure that all points are adequately addressed in the essay.

Focus on Your Professional Goals

When writing your essay, focus on articulating why pursuing a career in pharmacy is important to you professionally. What do you hope to accomplish in this field? How do you think being a pharmacist will help advance your career goals?

Why Is Being a Pharmacist a Good Job

Opportunity to make a positive impact on patients’ health and well-being.
Job security and career stability due to increasing demand for pharmacists.
High earning potential and opportunities for career advancement.
Ability to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community pharmacies, and more.
Flexibility in terms of work schedule and work/life balance.
Opportunities for entrepreneurship and owning/operating a pharmacy.
Ability to use scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills in a real-world setting.
Opportunity to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team alongside other healthcare providers.
Continuing education opportunities to stay up-to-date with the latest advances in medications and healthcare.
Satisfaction in knowing that your work is directly improving the lives of others and contributing to the overall healthcare system.

The Great Gatsby (Analyze this Essay Online)
Pollution Cause and Effect Essay Sample
Essay Sample on What Does Leadership Mean to You
The Power of Imaging: Why I am Passionate about Becoming a Sonographer

Improve your writing with our guides

Youth Culture Essay Prompt and Discussion

Why Should College Athletes Be Paid, Essay Sample

Reasons Why Minimum Wage Should Be Raised Essay: Benefits for Workers, Society, and The Economy

Get 15% off your first order with edusson.

Connect with a professional writer within minutes by placing your first order. No matter the subject, difficulty, academic level or document type, our writers have the skills to complete it.

100% privacy. No spam ever.

why do you want to become a pharmacist essay

Why I Want to be a Pharmacist Essay: How to Write [2024]

Why do you want to be a pharmacist? An essay on this topic can be challenging, even when you know the answer. The most popular reasons to pursue this profession are the following:

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

helping and saving people;
career opportunities in an evolving field;
stable job;
financial benefits.

Still unsure about your reasons?

Here, at Custom-writing.org , we suggest some ideas for “Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist” essays. If you provide actual reasons for pursuing this career, you’ll convince your readers. We hope you know why you want to be a pharmacist, and we can help explain and reflect it in an academic paper.

👩‍⚕️ Reasons
⭐ Step-by-Step Guide

👩‍⚕️ Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: Reasons

Applying for a particular pharmacy school or internship, you have to explain why and elaborate on your reasons. Presenting them clearly and convincingly in your short application essay influences whether the readers see your motivation or not. Undoubtedly, such a task may seem overwhelming and obscure.

You know what?

We are here to suggest several reasons why pursuing this profession, in general, is the right choice. You can mention them in your “Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist” essay or use them to develop your ideas.

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

You are a part of the healthcare system and can help people if you want to do this. It’s a well-known fact that helping others always gives you “feel-good” benefits.

Even though some patients can be a bit difficult to work with. Still, you will always have an inimitable feeling when you save someone’s life. This is one of the most significant benefits of being a pharmacist.

The best thing is:

This purpose for pursuing a career is honest and regular for the health sector. You can find it in such essays like “Why I Want to Be a Nurse” or any other medicine-related one.

Pharmacy technicians have plenty of career opportunities because they work not only in drug stores but also in hospitals. They can develop their careers in clinical pharmacy, research, or even in retail. Besides, pharmacists can find themselves becoming science writers or high education lecturers.

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions. Cut 15% off your first order!

All these opportunities for pharmacists mean that people of this profession can stay flexible. Pursuing a career can respond to all the requirements related to people’s interests, schedule, or other lifestyle choices. If you have ambitions, your future roles in the field can change.

You will have a secure job because people will always get sick and need help with their prescriptions and medications. Deciding upon a drug dosage and communicating therapy methods is a no joke. Such specialists will always stay busy.

Pharmaceutical science is an evolving field that expects you to continually educate yourself, follow the latest trends, and be flexible. It also means that more possibilities for career advancement in pharmacy are expected.

In other words:

You may rest assured that you’ll never stay without a job. Similarly to the case of “Why I Want to Become a Teacher” essay writing, you can incorporate this reason.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

You can make quite a lot of money. On average, pharmacists make $116,670 per year or more, with a growth rate of 14% expected by 2022. Therefore, pharmacist benefits and salary are some of those advantages you may probably like.

Pharmacy practice and education can ensure your prosperous and economically secure future. You won’t even need a doctor’s degree to offer professional help and build a profitable career.

Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: Essay Topics

Reasons to choose a career in pharmacy .
Is working in the pharmaceutical industry profitable?
What can a pharmacist do for a community health promotion?
Why I want to be a hospital pharmacist.
The important role of a pharmacist in prescribing medicines.
A pharmacist is a crucial member of a healthcare team.
Career opportunities for pharmacists in science and research.
A good pharmacist can boost the quality of healthcare.
Duties of a retail pharmacy technician.
The role of a pharmacist in preventing the problem of polypharmacy .
What a National Pharmacy Technician Association can do to improve the profession.
Quality pharmacy services are an essential element in a patient’s recovery.
How can an experienced pharmacist improve pharmacy laws?
The procedure of certification and registration of pharmacy technicians.
The importance of meeting the requirements of compliance procedure for a pharmacist.
Will pharmacy automation facilitate the pharmacist job?
Why did I choose pharmacy as my professional field ?
The advantages of working at the National Pharmacy L.L.C.
Can pharmacist forge drug prescriptions?
The role of a pharmacist in saving lives and health of older adults .
The importance of employees’ engagement in pharmacy services .
Pharmacy technician career: programs that help to become a good pharmacy technician.
The career opportunities for pharmacists in retail and supply chain .
How can a pharmacist help to resolve the issue of responsible prescription of opioids?
Role of pharmacist counseling in prevention of medication errors.
What are the career opportunities for a pharmacy technician in pharmaceutical companies?
The pharmacy technician’s role in drug development and study.
The most important skills for a successful career in a pharmaceutical company.
What are the responsibilities of a pharmaceutical industry manufacturer?
The role of community pharmacists in distribution chain of pharmaceutical industry .
How can a pharmacist make difference to a health promotion program?
Pharmacist’s responsibility in medicines control chain.
The significance of ethics in pharmacist’s profession.
The impact of pharmacists on the promotion of new pharmaceuticals .
Pros and cons of working in pharmaceutical industry.
Is a job in the pharmaceutical industry one of the most stable?
Role of a pharmacist in the detection of prescription drug abuse cases.
How can a community pharmacist develop into a researcher?
Pharmacy technician as a key link in good manufacturing practices insurance.
Can a pharmacist help poor citizens to get access to healthcare services?
Examine the program Pharmacists’ Action on Smoking.
Effective communication skills are crucial for a pharmacist.
How can a pharmacist influence the issue with pharmaceuticals in the U.S.?
Benefits of choosing a career in a pharmaceutical company.
Why I choose a pharmaceutical and not a medical career.
How my being a pharmacist will benefit my local community.
Having a qualified pharmacist should be a must in every hospital .
Why do pharmacists need safety and disaster training as well as doctors?
A pharmacist career is a guarantee of a good salary.
A consultant pharmacist’s role in health insurance.

⭐ Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: Essay Writing Guide

Would you like to write an essay about your career goals in the pharmacy? Check out the helpful tips below to craft your breathtaking paper. We’ll illustrate each one with an essay sample to facilitate your journey.

Just follow these four steps!

🧠 Step 1: Brainstorm

You may not have 100% confidence in your future career, as you never know what your future may hold. But you can test yourself by just asking a few crucial questions. They will help you make a final decision about the career of your dreams.

Why exactly do you want to be a pharmacist? Ask yourself these questions to understand:

What exactly attracts you to the pharmacy?
When was the first time you became interested in it?
Is there someone who inspired you or influenced your decision? In what way?
What do you want to achieve throughout your career?
Have you already done something to bring you closer to a career in pharmacy? Have you read a book on pharmacy or visited some medical conference?
What will you learn and do in college that will help you prepare for this career?
Which of these questions was the easiest or most challenging to answer?

📌 Step 2: State Your Point

A strong main point is essential for your “Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist” essay. What you have to do is clearly and concisely communicate to your readers what you’re going to tell them.

Here is an example of a start to a successful “why pharmacy’ essay.

I’ve never asked myself the question, “Is a pharmacist a good career?” I simply knew that I would pursue it someday when I grew up. So, here I am, feeling completely ready to start learning and practicing to become a highly qualified pharmacist.

What will be the main point of the essay you’re going to wow your professor with?

🏗️ Step 3: Build Your Story

Include the details that support your central idea from the heart of your story. Don’t forget to use vivid examples to bring your main ideas to life. To make your essay one of a kind, choose your words and expressions with care.

Make sure you build up your essay correctly, as you see in the following example:

The focus of the essay:

My dream is to become a pharmacist. This job will be a great opportunity for me to combine my love for medicine with my passion for making others healthier and happier.

The details:

Pharmacy is the field I’ve always been most interested in. This year I’m going to take a pharmacy class, and I have prepared myself well for it. I’ve read two amazing books on this topic, from time to time I visit pharmacy conferences in my town, and I’ve also subscribed to the Medicine Channel. All of these activities have already assisted me in acquiring some knowledge in this sphere. With this foundation and background information, I am sure that I want to devote my life to this.

🚧 Step 4: End Your Essay Strong

At this final stage, restate and put a new face on the main point you’ve already covered. Summarize what you’ve elaborate on in your pharmacy essay and give some kind of closure. Also, try to leave your readers with some exciting ideas to think about.

Being a pharmacist, like my mother, and giving a helping hand to people who need it the most, is a very respectful and honorable mission. I know that it requires a lot of responsibility, but it will pay off people’s gratitude. Going to college will make my dream come true and assist me in reaching my lifelong goal.

As soon as you’ve finished your essay, put down your draft for a day or two. Look at it with fresh eyes to see what needs to be changed, added, or deleted. If you follow these recommendations, your “Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist” essay will succeed!

Essays are the most common academic paper that might seem easy to a writer. Our free tips will help you get through any kind of essay. Still, if you are stuck on writing, you can always ask us for professional help !

Thanks for reading! If you’ve enjoyed the article, share it with others and leave a comment below.

✏️ Why Pharmacy Essay: FAQ

A hospital, clinical, retail pharmacist — each of the occupations has its peculiarities. Still, there are standard features of the profession as well. It is a rewarding role as a pharmacist helps people save their health. However, this means a high level of responsibility, too.

If you are the kind of person who enjoys helping people and following precise prescriptions, you might become a great pharmacist. Responsibility and communication skills can give you bonus points.

The main advantage of becoming a pharmacist is an opportunity to help people daily. Other bonuses are a competitive compensation and a typically excellent security package. Relatively high and stable demand for such specialists is also a plus.

First of all, you should focus on studying such subjects as chemistry and biology. They might be your major at university. Additionally, you would need personal qualities like patience, attention to detail, accuracy, persistence, etc.

Ending the Essay—Conclusions: Pat Bellanca, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
Essay writing in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science: Research & Learning Online, Monash University
Essays That Worked: Undergraduate Admissions, Johns Hopkins University
Write Your Essay: UNSW Sydney, Current Students
Why I Want Become A Pharmacist Essay: BartleBy
Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter
Share to LinkedIn
Share to email

How to Critique a Movie: Tips + Film Critique Example

How to write a film critique essay? To answer this question, you should clearly understand what a movie critique is. It can be easily confused with a movie review. Both paper types can become your school or college assignments. However, they are different. A movie review reveals a personal impression...

LPI Essay Samples: An Effective Way to Prepare for the Test

Are you getting ready to write your Language Proficiency Index Exam essay? Well, your mission is rather difficult, and you will have to work hard. One of the main secrets of successful LPI essays is perfect writing skills. So, if you practice writing, you have a chance to get the...

Dengue Fever Essay: How to Write It Guide [2024 Update]

Dengue fever is a quite dangerous febrile disease that can even cause death. Nowadays, this disease can be found in the tropics and Africa. Brazil, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, and India are also vulnerable to this disease.

What Are the 5 Different Types of Essays? A Complete Guide

For high school or college students, essays are unavoidable – worst of all, the essay types and essay writing topics assigned change throughout your academic career. As soon as you’ve mastered one of the many types of academic papers, you’re on to the next one. This article by Custom Writing...

How to Write an Outline: Alphanumeric, Decimal, & Other Formats

An outline is the main form of organization in academic writing. It implies listing all of the research ideas and components before the writing process starts. To many of you, an outline may seem like just another piece of extra work to do, but trust us, it will end up...

How to Write a Personal Essay: Topics, Structure, & Examples

Even though a personal essay seems like something you might need to write only for your college application, people who graduated a while ago are asked to write it. Therefore, if you are a student, you might even want to save this article for later!

How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay: Outline, Examples, & Writing Steps

If you wish a skill that would be helpful not just for middle school or high school, but also for college and university, it would be the skill of a five-paragraph essay. Despite its simple format, many students struggle with such assignments.

Good Book Report: How to Write & What to Include

Reading books is pleasurable and entertaining; writing about those books isn’t. Reading books is pleasurable, easy, and entertaining; writing about those books isn’t. However, learning how to write a book report is something that is commonly required in university. Fortunately, it isn’t as difficult as you might think. You’ll only...

Best Descriptive Essays: Examples & How-to Guide [+ Tips]

A descriptive essay is an academic paper that challenges a school or college student to describe something. It can be a person, a place, an object, a situation—anything an individual can depict in writing. The task is to show your abilities to communicate an experience in an essay format using...

How to Write an Analysis Essay: Examples + Writing Guide

An analysis / analytical essay is a standard assignment in college or university. You might be asked to conduct an in-depth analysis of a research paper, a report, a movie, a company, a book, or an event. In this article, you’ll find out how to write an analysis paper introduction,...

How to Write a Film Analysis Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips

A film analysis essay might be the most exciting assignment you have ever had! After all, who doesn’t love watching movies? You have your favorite movies, maybe something you watched years ago, perhaps a classic, or a documentary. Or your professor might assign a film for you to make a...

How to Write a Critique Paper: Format, Tips, & Critique Essay Examples

A critique paper is an academic writing genre that summarizes and gives a critical evaluation of a concept or work. Or, to put it simply, it is no more than a summary and a critical analysis of a specific issue. This type of writing aims to evaluate the impact of...

Thank you for sharing this essay! It helped me a lot.

It was very useful. Thank you!

I need help on writing an essay of why I want to become a pharmacist.

What a relief for me to find somebody who has excellent ideas for an essay on “Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist”! Thanks for sharing them so much!

Interesting reasons for a “Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist” essay! They are to the point as I’m writing my paper on this topic. Think it will work!

Pharmacy School

Best Pharmacy School Personal Statement Examples

Check out top 4 sample statements.

Pharmacy school personal statement examples demonstrate that pharmacy school applications require many different documents to adequately assess you as a potential candidate. In addition to looking at your CV , transcripts, letters of recommendation , and any other required materials, most pharmacy programs ask you to submit a personal statement. After gathering so many materials together, a one-page essay may seem like a trivial item to check off on your application to-do list, but beware of treating the personal statement too lightly! Gaining admission to a graduate pharmacy program certainly requires top grades, competitive test scores, and glowing letters of recommendation from referees who know you well, but these aren’t the only components that admissions committees take into account when evaluating your profile.

Keep in mind that most pharmacy school applicants already have stellar academic records, impressive test scores, and fantastic recommendations. These sorts of accomplishments are important, but are more or less a given in the application process. Furthermore, grades, test scores, and other people’s perceptions of you and the quality of your work are insufficient to determine if you are up for the challenge of the rigors of pharmacy school and the work that follows graduation. With something as serious as pharmacology, it is crucial to determine whether who you are would make you a good fit for the profession. Your knowledge, experiences, and attitudes all play a key role in deciding if you would thrive as a pharmacy student, and eventually, as a pharmacist serving your community. With so many applicants each cycle, admissions officers need some way to gauge these factors in order to narrow the applicant pool down to those they would like to speak to in person, or these days, over the internet. This is where the personal statement comes in! Keep reading to determine what a pharmacy school personal statement measures and how to create one that will make you stand out from other applicants.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 24 min read

4 pharmacy school personal statement examples.

Three days after my thirteenth birthday, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The next twelve months were the toughest in my life, but this experience also gave me something I am forever grateful for—an unwavering passion for pharmacy. I always accompanied my mother to her chemotherapy sessions, where I performed plays for her and the other patients, trying to make them smile. I took an immediate liking to the pharmacist, who returned repeatedly to ask my mother how she was feeling; he explained in detail how these chemo drugs worked and how they interacted with others she had been taking. I listened raptly, entranced by the seemingly magic properties of this medication. It was difficult to watch my mother lose her hair and become frail, but she ultimately made a full recovery, thanks to the wonderful team of medical professionals and to these life-saving drugs. While I lost the naivety of youth that year, I gained a profound new sense of purpose. I was inspired to become a hospital pharmacist and to help patients in times of extreme uncertainty and pain.

Anyone who has ever faced a challenge has probably heard about the deflating nonexistence of a “magic pill” solution. Want to lose weight? There’s no magic pill for that. Trying to learn a new language? No dice. Hard work is always touted as the solution, and rightly so. As a preteen who struggled with confidence, I desperately yearned for a magic pill solution that would make me the bubbly, carefree girl surrounded by laughter in the cafeteria. Instead, the only bubbly aspect of my lunchtime break was the gurgling, broken faucet inside the girl’s restroom. Though unaware of it at the time, the bathroom was not a refuge from the scary, hormonal social scene of junior high, but from my ever-increasing social anxiety. As for a magic pill to rid me of that affliction? I think you know the answer to that.

Though there may not have been a magic pill to rid me of my mounting social anxiety, hard work seemed like an unlikely solution, too. For months, I put on a happy face, trying to convince myself that there was nothing to fear in locker-side conversations and that my worth was not determined by what a group of gangly middle-schoolers thought of me. Eventually, my parents took me to see a psychiatrist, and after many sweaty-palmed conversations, I was diagnosed with social anxiety and handed a prescription for anti-anxiety medication. Of course, the medication I received was no miracle, but with other coping mechanisms, my world began to seem a little more welcoming. Gradually, I interacted with peers more, who became friends. I still had to work hard in therapy, but the capsules I took in the morning each day removed my constant, debilitating worry.

Without the shadow of anxiety darkening my every social interaction, I felt as though I was beginning to become the version of myself I always wanted to be. Years later, I actually was the girl surrounded by laughter in the high school lunchroom. More importantly, though, I took my first chemistry course and discovered my passion. The ways that elements on the periodic table could combine to create entirely new substances fascinated me. I realized that, just like myself, the world around us is in a constant state of flux, with elements combining, reacting to forces, and continuously changing. As I changed from a high school chemistry novice to a university student, one thing remained constant: my passion for chemistry. Delving into how chemistry can be used as a tool inspired me to pursue it as a major, and I worked in various labs on campus investigating how different combinations could be put to use to solve problems, just like my psychiatrist helped me find ways to deal with my social anxiety.

Through my lab work on campus, I grew close with Dr. Johnson – the principal investigator in a campus lab and a faculty member in the pharmacy program. One evening, as we were locking up the lab, Dr. Johnson asked me if I had ever considered becoming a pharmacist. Initially hesitant, I finally accepted Dr. Johnson’s offer to facilitate a shadowing opportunity with one of his former colleagues. My first day in the pharmacy was overwhelming. The rattling of pills in bottles served as the backdrop to the near-tangible pressure of making sure no life-threatening mistakes occurred. I was intimidated by the responsibility, but excited by the chemical interactions that the pharmacist discussed with me. This was the ultimate problem-solving chemistry I had been seeking!

After months of shadowing a pharmacist, I was convinced that I wanted to pursue a career in pharmacy. My experiences with Dr. Johnson and his colleague piqued my interest in what seemed like a never-ending field of discovery. Elements combining, reacting to forces, and continuously changing, but in the human body! Figuring out the puzzles of chemical reactions had always been intriguing, but knowing that I could combine that with helping people recover from sickness, manage chronic disease, or even find the strength to leave the middle school bathroom and have lunch with other students was empowering. The medication I took as a preteen may not have been a magic pill for my social anxiety, but there was certainly some magic in it. I look forward to putting in the hard work to bring that magic to others as a pharmacist. (724 words)

‘I want to do more than just counsel on the proper use of Levothyroxine’ was what I told my father when he asked me what kind of pharmacist I wanted to be. He died shortly after, and it saddens me to think that I cannot tell him now how my vision has evolved. Now, besides being someone in charge of educating patients about their medications, I see pharmacists as scientists who design and produce medicines, evaluate lab results and drug interactions for the benefit of the patient, act as a trusted link between doctors and their patients and, ultimately, impact patients’ lives and contribute to their wellbeing. Pharmacists need to be team players, good communicators, detail-oriented problem solvers, and culturally sensitive professionals, and these are some of the characteristics that I have developed through different endeavors.

As the captain of my soccer team in high school, I was put in charge of leading the team both in and outside of the game. On the field, I acted as a mediator between the players, coach, and referee. Successfully guiding players on the strategies dictated by the coach required excellent communication skills. In my team, I was not only a player; I was a key decision maker and a motivator. Making tactical decisions while supporting everyone in their position showed me the true meaning of being a team player and taught me how to handle pressure well. When I look back at those times and think about the titles we won for our school, I know that the characteristics I developed while I led my team to victory will be put to use when I have to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals in the future.

In college, while volunteering at a local pharmacy in my hometown, I helped the pharmacist handle prescriptions and dispense a variety of medications. It became clear to me that following a methodical approach and paying great attention to detail were essential in pharmacy. I made it a point to learn from him, and with time, I found myself being thorough, accurate, and organized not only at the pharmacy but at school as well. I also sought to understand both the cause and the effect of a situation, which is an ability that has guided everything I have done since then, including my research work and my academic activities as a Biology major. Seeing the pharmacist interact with patients was truly rewarding. I watched as he explained the treatment, potential side effects, and desired outcomes to them while evaluating the interactions between the drugs they were taking in order to avoid any harm. This showed me that, besides being a problem-solver and having analytical abilities, pharmacists need to be empathetic and care for their patients. Very soon I found myself interacting with people who visited the pharmacy and exercising the same skills the local pharmacist possessed.

This interaction with people helped me refine different characteristics that I bring with me to this new journey. One of the most significant is, perhaps, the cultural awareness that I developed in my shadowing work at the university hospital. Having a patient who does not speak the language, calming them down, and finding a translator, for instance, or understanding how different cultures view certain health practices and looking for ways to respectfully adapt to them has allowed me to learn and practice cultural sensitivity, which is crucial in a multicultural society, such as in Canada, where the population is becoming more diverse. By seeing pharmacists in action in the university hospital setting, I gained insight into the every-day lives of healthcare professionals who work with patients from every background imaginable. Moreover, I also came to realize the pressure to which pharmacists are exposed when the correct medication has to be provided with extreme urgency. Working under pressure is something I do well since my soccer days, so instead of deterring me, this motivates me.

If anyone were to ask me today about the kind of pharmacist I want to be, I would have a much stronger answer than the one I gave to my father many years ago. I want to be the kind of pharmacist that uses their knowledge, skills, and compassion to improve their patients’ health and one that works with other health care professionals to maximize health outcomes. Furthermore, I want to have patients trust me enough to let me become involved in their lives as I guide them on their medications and help them improve their quality of life. Besides all this, and on a much more personal level, I want to be the kind of pharmacist that will make my father proud. (781 words)

“Why would you want to be a pharmacist?” was the question my father asked me when I shared my decision to pursue pharmacy school. This was a question I had asked myself many times as I solidified my decision to pursue this dream. I shared my experience standing in line at a local pharmacy to fill a prescription. This was something I did every month, and not an experience that I had given much thought, however; when I saw the person in line in front of me experience great distress at learned the price of her daughter’s prescription, I realized that not all patrons had the same experience as me. To many, a trip to the pharmacy may be filled with questions over how their medications will affect their body or their ability to afford groceries for the month. The woman in line was worried about the high prescription price in light of other expenses in providing for her family. As I saw the pharmacist assist her in finding a less costly alternative, and the ease come over the woman as she learned that her family would be alright, I had my first glimpse into my future profession as a pharmacist.

This day sparked my interest in attending pharmacy school, but also a desire to further explore what it meant to be a pharmacist. While donating blood to the Red Cross, I learned of the growing need for pharmacist volunteers, with many underserved communities necessitating additional support. As I was giving blood, I talked with a current pharmacist volunteer, ‘Samantha,’ who recounted her responsibilities to me when I expressed an interest in wanting to learn more. ‘Samantha’ explained why she felt pharmacists made wonderful volunteers in the community. She reflected that pharmacists have the knowledge to make an impact and valuable experience conversing daily with people of all backgrounds. As I talked with ‘Samantha,’ I thought about my own capacity to strike up a conversation with people I had not met before. I recalled that my friends often joke about how I could talk to anyone about anything, a trait I admire in myself. Everyone is skilled in different ways, but my ability to talk to anyone I come across will be an asset to my future as a pharmacist. I look forward to new experiences every day and speaking with new patrons to get to know their needs and concerns. In addition, I hope to volunteer in my community as a pharmacist to expand the number of people I can impact with my loquacious disposition as I guide them towards safe medication use.

With the personality to be a efficacious pharmacist, I looked to build my experience in the healthcare profession. I secured a volunteer position aiding a hospital pharmacist in educating health professionals on drug side effects. I was responsible for designing educational posters for use in counseling patients about their medications. I was eager to use my artistic talents to help people seeking to understand their prescriptions, like the woman in line ahead of me at the pharmacy. As I designed posters, I asked my friends and family to look at my drafts and provide feedback. I asked if the information was conveyed in a clear, approachable way and I learned that what is clear to one person – such as myself – can be viewed differently by another person with a different background or set of life experiences. As a pharmacist, I will utilize educational materials that have gone through arduous testing to ensure they can deliver the necessary information, but I will also aim to understand community members’ experiences and how this may impact their understanding and outlook towards their medication.

I explained to my father that, to me, pharmacy is about conversation. As patrons share with you why they have come in to the pharmacy that day, or what is troubling them, it is important to truly listen. This is the starting point for the conversation needed to understand their concerns, provide appropriate medication, and educated them as to how best proceed. Although my friends joke about my ability to talk to anyone, this is a trait that will go far in serving my community as a pharmacist. (702 words)

Here're some more tips for your interview:

Pharmacy school personal statements are a crucial aspect of your application because they help to separate you from the crowd of other accomplished applicants. After all, grades, test scores, and letters of recommendation only go so far in presenting who you are and your talents and strengths. Even a CV does not reveal enough about you and your experiences to adequately reflect your ability to succeed in pharmacy school and beyond. Imagine trying to measure a candidate’s level of motivation or ability to persevere through adversity by looking at his or her GPA! Luckily, you have the power to present the strengths and qualities that would make you an incredible future pharmacist and make your case for admission through your personal statement.

Essentially, this short essay asks you to reflect upon who you are, what led you to want to study pharmacology specifically, and why you would be great at it. Most pharmacy programs in the United States use a central application portal called PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service) to distribute application materials like transcripts, test scores, and personal statements to individual university programs. Personal statements for PharmCAS must be 4500 characters or less, including spaces. It is crucial to draft a personal statement that is within the character limit because the online portal will not allow you to save or submit a personal statement that exceeds 4500 characters. As you prepare to write your personal statement, be sure to verify that your program(s) of choice use PharmCAS for receiving application materials. If you find that your university does not utilize PharmCAS, check the program’s website for specific instructions regarding the character or word limit for personal statements.

Canadian pharmacy program application expectations differ from school to school. The University of Toronto’s PharmD program, for example, does not require a personal statement of any kind.

A common mistake that pharmacy school applicants make is relying upon cliches to discuss their motivations for pursuing a career as a pharmacist. Cliches read as tired and don’t reveal anything meaningful about an applicant. Moreover, many personal statement cliches like expressing a desire to “help people” are so vague that they fail to address an applicant’s desire to study pharmacology precisely. There are a multitude of careers that help people: teachers, doctors, non-profit workers, and more. Similarly, a fascination with science applies to any number of medical professions, researchers, scientists, and so on. In your personal statement, you must clearly express why you want to go to pharmacy school specifically.

Additionally, admissions officers want to ensure they admit only those applicants who demonstrate their capability of handling the demanding course work as well as possess the correct attitude and motivation to pursue a career in pharmacy. You’ve probably heard that past behavior is one of the best predictors of future behavior, and for good reason. For instance, if you have already persevered and exhibited your resilience, work ethic, and determination in past experiences, chances are you will exhibit those same skills in a pharmacy program, no matter the challenges you may face. Showing your skills through relevant anecdotes and relating them to core attributes you possess that will ensure your future success as a pharmacist goes a long way to separate you from an already qualified pool of applicants.

Pharmacy personal statements also assess the value you will add to your matriculating class, the program, and the institution overall. You want to prove you are a mutually beneficial fit for your pharmacy program of choice. As you craft your personal statement, you will likely need to create several versions that cater to each of the institutions to which you plan to apply, highlighting the attractive elements of each program that motivated you to apply and explaining how you would thrive in such an environment and contribute to the program’s culture and mission. Prove that the school would be missing out on an exceptional candidate if you were not offered admission!

How Are Pharmacy Personal Statements Structured?

Although each program has different requirements, pharmacy personal statements are generally around a page long, or 4500 characters for most applications in the United States, and should be structured similar to a traditional, academic paper. Your personal statement should have a clear introduction, a body composed of about 2-3 paragraphs, and a marked conclusion. It is important that you transition well among each of these elements to enhance the flow and overall readability of your statement. The logical progression of your ideas should also be well-defined so that admissions officers can easily follow your train of thought. Keep in mind that each individual reading your personal statement will be looking at many, many personal statements in any given sitting, which can get exhausting. Make their jobs easier by ensuring that your statement is easy to read and makes your points both concisely and clearly. Given the myriad personal statements each admissions officer must review, your statement must be quite unique and engaging in order to stand out and be memorable.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the best choice to start your statement at the beginning by working on the introduction. Part of the reason you should avoid starting with the introduction is because an introduction typically sets the stage for what you discuss in the body of your statement. If you don’t have the content of the body prepared, it is unlikely that you will be able to craft an appropriate introduction. Rather, you want to plan out the body of your statement first by creating a rough outline of the topics you wish to address in your statement to give the reader an overview of what led you to pursue pharmacy school, as well as the experiences and qualities that would make you an excellent addition to the program of your choice, and ultimately, a great pharmacist. Utilizing an outline to plan out your response also takes a bit of the pressure off of you as a writer so that you are not focused on making every single sentence perfect until you have a general idea of where you are going with your statement. After you have the “bones” of your statement planned out via an outline structure, begin to add the “meat” little by little, gradually expanding your outline with more substantial content, including anecdotes that serve as evidence or justification for the claims that you make.

Pharmacy personal statements are an opportunity to show the admissions committee your personality, values, and goals. With this in mind, think carefully about which experiences you want to emphasize and the skills and values you want those experiences to illustrate. “Illustrate” is a key word here; be sure to show your readers what you mean instead of telling them. For example, don’t just say you are a lifelong learner. Show your readers evidence that demonstrates you are a lifelong learner by narrating and reflecting upon experiences in which you were continuously eager to learn new information. One of the most important tips to remember as you plan the outline for and later write your pharmacy personal statement is to be true to yourself. When applicants communicate what they believe admissions committees want to hear, or in this case read, their inauthenticity is blatantly evident. Being genuine not only serves you in the short-term by creating a personal statement that reads as truly authentic, which is always more convincing and impactful, but it is to your benefit in the long run as well. After all, pharmacy school is 4 years long, which isn’t exactly an insignificant time commitment. You should aim to gain admission into a program that wants you for who you truly are and the potential you’ve demonstrated, and the only way of guaranteeing this is to show who you truly are through your personal statement.

Once you have crafted a full outline, begin to write a rough draft of your body paragraphs. At this point, you still do not need to worry about choosing the best words or making sure that the stylistic elements of your body paragraphs are top notch. Focus on getting your thoughts out on paper in a way that makes sense and flows well in terms of a logical progression of ideas. So, how many experiences should you write about in your personal statement? While there is no concrete number you should aim for, do be selective about which experiences you choose to include. Think quality over quantity. Essentially, as you answer the question “Why do you want to be a pharmacist?”, trace the origin of your interest in studying pharmacy through each stage of its development. Given the 4500-character limit, at least for most pharmacy programs in the United States, you will have to limit your discussion to two to three experiences, depending upon the level of depth of your discussion of each experience.

Which kinds of experiences work best? Keeping in mind that the experiences you decide to address and the way in which you write about them should be authentic to you, aim for experiences that involve exposure to the field. Of course, exposure to pharmacy can come in many forms! Perhaps you were exposed to pharmacy and the positive impact it can make in people’s lives through your own use of prescribed pharmaceuticals to treat a chronic illness, which inspired you to learn more about how medications work. Or, maybe you were considering a career in either medicine or pharmacy, decided to shadow physicians and pharmacists alike to accrue more knowledge about the day-to-day responsibilities of each profession, and found yourself enamored with your pharmacy shadowing experience. In any case, make sure that you are specific about which aspects of your experience were particularly influential in your developing desire to study pharmacy and what convinced you that you would make a great pharmacist yourself!

Once you have completed your rough draft, take a day or so away from your statement so that you can achieve mental distance from your writing in order to review it with fresh eyes the next time you read it. With this new perspective, revise your body paragraphs, choosing the strongest vocabulary possible to convey your meaning. Remember, though, that it is important to be authentic, so don’t abuse your thesaurus! Work on strengthening the wording of your statement and try reading it out loud to see how well each sentence fits together. Rinse and repeat.

Tip #1: Be authentic.

The personal statement should explain why you want to study pharmacy, so your discussion of this should be true to your experiences. Instead of writing what you think would be appealing to admissions officers, present a genuine account of why you want to be a pharmacist and the experiences that led you to that conclusion. Inauthenticity is actually quite easy to detect, so it is always preferrable to be authentic.

Tip#2: Start early.

The strength of your personal statement is crucial, and with limited space to show the admissions committee who you are and why you are passionate about becoming a pharmacist, you will likely go through many drafts before you arrive at the final product. In order to accommodate multiple rounds of edits and give yourself time to gain mental distance from each draft before revising again, you must start early.

Tip#3: Get expert feedback.

Notice that we suggest expert feedback, not just feedback in general. Everyone can give you an opinion on the strength of your pharmacy school personal statement, but only a select few can give you constructive criticism that will actually serve to improve your statement. Trusted professors, pharmacist mentors, or admissions experts like the ones at BeMo are all great choices to give you informed and insightful advice.

Tip#4: Be concise.

Since you have limited space to convince your reader that you are passionate about pursuing pharmacy and would make an excellent future pharmacist, every word counts. Recount your experiences in a succinct manner so that you can maximize your character count and include valuable reflections that will demonstrate how strong of an applicant you are!

Tip#5: Avoid cliches.

While it can definitely be tempting to rely upon commonly used motivations for pursuing pharmacy school like “to help others” or “to give back,” leaning upon these cliches will only hurt your application. Even though part of your motivation for becoming a pharmacist may genuinely be to help others, you need your statement to stand out. If hundreds of other applicants express the same sentiment, your sincere altruism may be lost in the crowd of other personal statements communicating the same thing. Further, helping others and giving back can be achieved in various careers. Your job is to convince the reader that you want to make that impact through pharmacy.

If you are applying to pharmacy schools in the United States, check out PharmCAS’ website to see if your program utilizes this application service. If so, your personal statement will be restricted to 4,500 characters, including spaces. If not, check out the program’s website to discover that school’s specific personal statement requirements.

On the other hand, if you are applying to pharmacy schools in Canada, you will need to go directly to that school’s website to see its specific requirements. Some programs don’t require a personal statement at all.

No, some schools like the University of Toronto don’t require a personal statement or essay of any kind. Double check the website(s) of your program(s) of choice to see what the specific requirements are.

Unless directed otherwise by your program of choice, your pharmacy personal statement should be structured like a traditional academic essay. Include an introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Please see above for further details.

Overall, your personal statement should answer the question “Why do you want to be a pharmacist?” or “Why do you want to go to pharmacy school?” Your answer to this question should show your reader why you want to pursue this career instead of telling them. Show your desire to become a pharmacist by discussing key experiences that sparked your interest in pharmacy and developed that interest into a true passion. Include experiences that exposed you to the profession, whether that is as a patient, working as a pharmacy assistant, or shadowing a pharmacist.

Although it may seem illogical, your introduction should be one of the last things that you write. The introduction of your personal statement must introduce the content that appears in your 2-3 body paragraphs, so it makes sense to write your body paragraphs first in order to know which content you are introducing. In order to capture your reader’s attention from the very beginning of your personal statement, the first sentence of your introduction should employ an opening hook that uses some sort of creative element to generate interest in your statement. Opening hooks often use relevant quotes, pieces of dialogue, or vignettes of a particularly impactful experience to “hook” the reader and make them more invested in the document before them. Following your opening hook, you should discuss the significance of it, whether that is how a quote relates to your life or an explanation of the significance of the situation described in your vignette. Finally, your introduction should establish your interest in pharmacy and set the stage for the more substantial content that will follow in subsequent body paragraphs.

The conclusion of your personal statement should not just be a summary of the content covered. Rather, it should be comprised of reflections upon the experiences you’ve described, draw connections among your experiences, and/or discuss future goals in the field of pharmacy. Make sure that the last sentence of your conclusion leaves the reader wanting to know more about you. How memorable your statement is depends heavily on your last sentence, so you should use a creative approach as you did with your opening hook. Some applicants find it useful to refer back to their opening hook in a creative way. Try out different endings and see which works best with the statement you’ve written!

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webclass:

How to make your pharmacy application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Pharmacist — Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: A Personal and Professional Perspective

Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: a Personal and Professional Perspective

Categories: Career Choice Pharmacist

About this sample

Words: 632 |

Published: Sep 12, 2023

Words: 632 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Personal motivations, professional perspectives, challenges and opportunities.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 790 words

2 pages / 1046 words

3 pages / 1579 words

3 pages / 1434 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Pharmacist

When I become pharmacist then I will follow the rules and regulation of Government. Pharmacy is good proffesion in the society. According to the Government rules and regulation medical shop is opend. I will try to make my drug [...]

If I had to choose 3 adjectives to describe USC, it would be innovating, one-of-a-kind, and prestigious. Known for its amazing reputation and extensive alumni network throughout the pharmacy industry, USC School of Pharmacy is [...]

In this paper I will be arguing that a pharmacist should not have the right to refuse to provide a prescription because of religious reasons. The article I read questioned whether or not pharmacists should have the right to [...]

Pharmacy technicians are considered by many as an important part of any successful pharmacy service when it comes to ensuring efficient medication therapy and safety of patients. When it comes the service we provide, it can vary [...]

In the case that the general evaluation, development, as well as, management of a patient’s care requires highly skilled services, then there is the need for the involvement of both technical and on the other hand professional [...]

I strongly agree with the statement above that people work more productively in teamwork than individually. For my part, through cooperation in teamwork, we can not only divide our work and emphasize specialization to achieve [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

How to Write a Compelling Pharmacy School Personal Statement

Written by Kelly Tomory

July 12, 2022

How to Write a Compelling Personal Statement for Pharmacy School

If you’re applying to any higher education program, you’re most likely going to run into something called a “personal statement”. Pharmacy school is no exception, and learning how to write a compelling and unique personal statement is a key part in getting accepted to school. Read on to find out how to write one that stands out!

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement serves as a way to highlight your skills, interests and experiences. Personal statements tend to be somewhat autobiographical, but it is not just a lengthy personal essay of your entire life story.

Personal statements are also not a regurgitation of all the information you’ve already included in your application and cover letter. Think of your personal statement as more of a narrative, but still keep it informative.

In writing a personal statement, you’re aiming to give the school or program you’re applying for a snapshot of who you are and why you want to be considered for whatever position. They are as much about how you write as what you write. Schools will receive hundreds of personal statements– make sure yours stands out!

What is the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Cover Letter?

A cover letter generally serves as a means to sell yourself to a company or school. It introduces your resume and all your relevant school and employment history. A personal statement, however, is meant to be more creative and introduce the school to you as a person in an engaging format.

While an application can come off as just a list of what you’ve done, a personal statement frames all your accomplishments in a way that connects your real-life influences with the dates and degrees on your application.

What is the Best Format for a Personal Statement for Pharmacy School?

Think of your personal statement as a narrative essay outlining how you got to where you are today, as well as where you want to go next. Within this story, relate back to pharmaceuticals and medicine and healthcare fields in an organic way. You’ve chosen this path for a reason, what are the steps that got you here?

What Questions Should I Answer in my Personal Statement?

Some helpful questions to aim to answer throughout your personal statement are:

✅ Why do I want to be a Pharmacist?: Think through the times where you have admired pharmaceuticals or where they have most impacted you. Or, think about when you fell in love with medicine and helped people through pharmaceuticals.

✅ What different pharmaceutical paths would I be interested in pursuing?: Are you interested in nuclear pharmacy? What about private pharmaceutical production? If you have a specific niche in mind for a career path, use this space to talk about your interest.

✅ What makes me an excellent and unique candidate for this program?: Have you taken any specialized courses that make you uniquely qualified for this program? Have you had any outstanding internships or positions within the healthcare world?

✅ What are my strengths?: Where do you excel? What specific strengths could you bring to the program and the team you work with? Use this space to highlight your gifts.

✅ Are there any gaps or inadequacies in my application? How can I explain them here?: If you have anything on your application that may confuse someone not familiar with your life circumstances, try to concisely explain it here. Admissions counselors want to be able to give you the best shot possible at being accepted, and sometimes this requires you being up-front about gaps or missing pieces to your work history.

What Should I Avoid in My Personal Statement?

❌ Don’t just repeat what you’ve said in your application. There’s a place for a more sterile, list-based amalgamation of your achievements, but your personal statement is not this place. Admissions staff will learn a lot more about you if you’re creative with your personal statement.

❌ Don’t steal someone else’s work. Plagiarism will disqualify you from admission to pharmacy programs, and it’s also just bad practice for life in general.

❌ Avoid cliches throughout your writing. It may have been a dark and stormy night when you were born, but that is neither relevant nor original. Find fresh ways to tell your story and engage your readers.

❌ Avoid grammar and spelling mistakes. These can be avoided through several rounds of revision

What Are Admissions Counselors Looking for in a Personal Statement?

What makes a good candidate may vary from program to program, but there are some general things that admissions counselors look for when reviewing personal statements from applicants:

How have you grown over the years?
Is your personal statement well-written? Does it show care, consideration and edits?
Are you up for the challenge of Pharmacy school?
Do you fit our program?

What Are the Steps to Form a Compelling Personal Statement?

The creative process for a piece like this may vary form applicant to applicant, but the general steps are as follows

1. Brainstorm

This step can be messy, and is generally the most customizable of the process. To start your brainstorming process, think about all the reasons you’re considering pharmacy school and why this program should consider you. This is also a good place to start thinking about what makes you stand out from other candidates, as well as beginning to organize your education and work history.

Since personal statements are more narrative than list-based, start to think about how pharmacists have influenced your life and family. Compelling stories from your own experiences will help admissions counselors see you have a full-bodied connection to the program and career field.

As part of your brainstorming, look at successful personal statements. Websites like Studential and ApplyToUni can give you a good idea of what spelled success for past applicants. Or, if you know anyone who went to pharmacy school already, you can ask them for their best tips.

2. Outline and Draft

How do you make sense of all the information you just brainstormed out? One of the best ways to sort through your thoughts is by looking for natural connections between events in your life. Be sure to highlight the aspects of your career and schooling that will make you stand out the most.

Make sure you’re outlining your statement in a way that makes the most sense for both your story and your reader. Linear outlines with clear progressions through your life story usually work best, but that’s not to say you can’t jump around in the story a bit, especially if pharmacology has played a lot of different roles throughout your life and you’re looking to highlight its effect on you over time.

There are different types of personal statements, generally prompted or unprompted, but they all tend to be between 400-1,000 words long.

Check your personal statement for basic grammatical and spelling mistakes, as well as making sure your tone is both professional and friendly. Make sure your organization makes sense. A good way to ensure this is to have someone else read it and suggest edits. The more sets of eyes you can have on your personal statement, the better chance you’ll have of submitting a flawless piece.

Running your personal statement through a program like Grammarly or Hemingway is another good way to weed out mistakes and make sure your statement is clear.

4. Final Revisions and Submission

Do some final checks of your personal statement. Try to read it as if you’re reading it for the first time, with no context as to your own story. An early start in the writing and drafting process is key for this step, so you can take a few days away from your statement before this final revision if necessary.

If your personal statement was one with a prompt, use this check to be sure you have answered all the questions as fully and uniquely as possible. This is another great place to ask for a second set of eyes to review your statement.

Finally, submit your personal statement with your application to pharmacy school. Be sure that you’ve submitted it before the deadline!

How Do I Close a Personal Statement?

In closing your personal statement, include one last push for yourself and why you’re a good fit for the program. Try to naturally conclude and wrap up all that you’ve said about yourself and your story. Be sure to highlight your interest in the program specifically and give a quick “thank you” for their consideration of your application.

What Now?

Now that you know how to write a great personal statement for pharmacy school, you should narrow down the schools you want to apply to. If you haven’t already, consider NEOMED’s College of Pharmacy ! Our program will prepare you to make an impact on those around you for the better, whether locally or globally. Graduates from our programs boast high NAPLEX test scores, excellent network connections and a deeper understanding of the communities they serve. Apply to NEOMED !

Want to learn more about pharmacy school at NEOMED? Our pharmacy program guide will help you determine if pharmacy school is the right path for you, and how NEOMED can help you begin your future.

Access our eBook "Begin Your Future in Pharmacy at NEOMED" to learn more about what it takes to become a pharmacist.

About the author

Kelly tomory.

Assistant Director of Admission

What do you learn in pharmacy school here are 6 surprising things, how hard is it to get into pharmacy school 3 key application tips, 4 tips for your pharmacy school interview.

Excellent essay writing blog for students seeking help with paper writing. We provide exclusive tips and ideas that can help create the best essay possible.

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Great Why I Want to be a Pharmacist Essay

One of the most lucrative careers out there today is being a pharmacist. A pharmacist is a medical professional who specializes on pharmaceutical drugs, and how they improve the health of patients.

In order to become a pharmacist, you must go through a medical school, and the first step to get admitted is writing a “why I want to be a pharmacist essay.” However, according to most students, pharmacy essays are very difficult to write.

Why I Want To Be a Pharmacist Essay

A closer look at some people who had high scores in their Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and met most requirements for admissions reveals they got rejected by different medical schools for writing poor admission essays. This brings us to the big question, “Why are people interested in pharmacy?” and “How do you write a winning why do you want to be a pharmacist essay?” Here is a comprehensive guide to writing the pharmacy application essay.

List Your Main Abilities

To answer “why pharmacy essay” prompt effectively, it is prudent to think about what you want the admission board/ committee to know about you beyond academic and other formal achievements. Note that we are not talking about hobbies, but you can also mention them to point at your lifestyle. Instead, we are referring to personal qualities, such as character, attitudes, and personality traits. Here are some examples:

Extraordinary comparison. Willingness to learn. Awesome listening skills. Kindness. Optimism. Persistence.

After selecting the preferred personal qualities, pick one or two that you want to focus on in the personal statement. Note that by identifying the qualities first, it becomes easy to fit them in the situation you decide to talk about in your “why do you want to be a pharmacist.” You might want to check a few pharmacy essay samples to see how top medical students did their essays.

When and Where You Have Shown These Qualities

Once you have selected the preferred qualities to discuss in your “why I chose pharmacy essay,” you need to select the situation or events where you demonstrated them. Here, we need to point out that the situation does not necessarily have to be a clinical or medical research experience.

Indeed, because most students prefer starting their “why I chose pharmacy essay” by highlighting research or medical experiences, you can make yours stand out by starting with something different. Here are some great examples:

Travel (e.g., a camping experience in Hawaii).
Volunteering (e.g., building homes for homeless in Oklahoma).
Family (e.g., your amazing moment with an elderly grand mom in New York).
Work (e.g., assisting your parents in a home baking shop).

Describe the Event You Select as a Story

The first two steps we have described above can be termed as preparatory, and writing starts at this point. Notably, most admission letters are tossed away because they are full of fluff. So, target to impress with your pharmacy essay from the beginning, and you can achieve this using a story. Here is an example of a compelling example:

New Orleans was very hot in the summer of 2014 – which was not surprising for people used to the climate of the East Coast. However, for a westerner like me from Oregon, high temperatures hitting 90 °F and high humidity was like too much. It was not until when I discovered that my discomfort, which was temporary because I was on a short visit, was nothing compared to the devastation and emotional pounding that people living in New Orleans suffered following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Although I was moved to action by the images and stories that captured the aftermath of the destruction, it was my interaction with locals, like Jeremy Huntington, whose tears rolled down his face, as I handled keys to his rebuilt home, which taught me that caring for others is about lifting their spirits. This experience was a seed that has germinated in me, and I want to take it a step higher to be of greater help to humanity.

Demonstrate Your Qualities

When you look at the best pharmacy essay examples, the focus is showcasing, as opposed to telling, about the personal qualities that demonstrate why you are interested in the career. However, you should carefully interweave these qualities into your story, making them look innate and, therefore, part of you. Here is a great example to consider.

“ Although I was moved to action by the images and stories that captured the aftermath of the destruction, it was my interaction with locals, like Jeremy Huntington, whose tears rolled down his face, as I handled keys to his rebuilt home, which taught me that caring for others is about lifting their spirits.”

In the above caption, note how compassion is carefully brought out without even mentioning the name “compassion.”
The caption also emphasizes the inherent drive to seek more knowledge and become a pillar of hope for others.

Why I Want to be a Pharmacist Essay Sample

Many people pursue a degree in pharmacy because they wish to participate in supporting the health and well-being of patients. Some people may pursue such a degree because they are fascinated by pharmaceuticals and the ways in which they affect human health. My motivation for pursuing community pharmacy is a combination of these two reasons: I am fascinated by pharmaceuticals and the ways in which they affect human health in promoting health, treating illness, and supporting well-being. My first semester in pharmacy school has already provided me with so much insight regarding the field of pharmacy and its impact on healthcare. But more than insight, it has served to motivate me even more.

I also work as an intern with CVS/Pharmacy. This has provided me with hands-on, real-world experience in the field which has deepened my appreciation of how a pharmacist positively contributes to the health and well-being of patients within their community. It has also given me a better understanding of the challenges encountered when counseling patients with regard to medications, such as possible contraindications, as well as the financial obstacles faced by certain segments of the population.

In pursuing community pharmacy I can fulfill my motivations regarding patient care and my fascination with pharmaceuticals as well as providing patients with meaningful education regarding their medications and help identify solutions for the costs of medication. Ultimately, pharmacists are care providers, and I want to provide the very best care I can.

Special Tips to Make Your Pharmacy Essay More Appealing

To make your pharmacy essay more striking, it is very important to follow the admission prompts carefully. Here are other crucial tips to help make the essay more appealing.

Put a lot of focus on showing your capabilities and passion for pharmacy.
Start by writing a draft pharmacy essay before working on the final copy.
Check another successful pharmacy essay example to see how the writer did it.
Proofread your work well to ensure the story is flowing and free from mistakes.
Avoid clichés.
Be truthful.

When you decide to pursue pharmacy, the most important thing is crafting a winning pharmacy essay. In addition to the above guide, make sure also to check another top pharmacy school essay example, and ensure that yours sparkle more. You should also consider seeking expert help .

Take a break from writing.

Top academic experts are here for you.

Pharmacy School Personal Statement Tips

Many programs require a personal statement as part of the pharmacy school application. This is essentially an essay that addresses why you want to be a pharmacist, and how your personal background and achievements support this goal. This writing sample provides the only opportunity to express yourself in writing to differentiate your application from your competitors. A significant effort should be made to have the best possible personal statement that addresses the interests of the admissions committee.

How to write a pharmacy school personal statement

PharmCAS provides general guidance on how to craft a personal statement. Each year, they provide a prompt that directs the topic of the statement. They recommend that applicants do not tailor their writing to one program, because you will only be permitted to submit one personal statement per application cycle. PharmCAS will send this statement to all programs to which you are applying that year.

For many applicants, the personal statement will be the most difficult part of the application preparation. Applicants know this is important, so they may overthink it or suffer from writer’s block. A useful exercise before you begin writing is to think about the answers to the following questions:

Why do you want to be a pharmacist? You should demonstrate a genuine interest in the profession and helping people.
What experiences have prepared you to be successful in this career?
What qualities do you most admire in pharmacists? Can you demonstrate that you have these same qualities through your academic achievements or work experience?
What makes you stand out as a unique candidate? Do you have real-life experience? Have you volunteered in health care settings?
Is there any deficiency in your application that you want to proactively explain? This may be your only opportunity to explain any low grades, gaps in education, or suboptimal PCAT scores. However, do not make excuses; own your mistakes and show how you have learned from them.

The personal statement should address the topics that you think are the most important to paint a picture of you as a successful pharmacy student.

The personal statement should address the topics that you think are the most important to paint a picture of you as a successful pharmacy student. Mission statements of the schools to which you are applying can help direct your writing, but you should keep the statement general enough that it can resonate with the admissions committees of any program.

Ultimately, the personal statement is a story that will show the admissions committee that you are a unique person who is worth more than their GPA and PCAT scores. The statement should be an authentic representation of your story and give the reader a glimpse into what you would be like as a pharmacy student and professional. The text should show, not tell, the reader what you bring to the table. A strong opening is important: Grab their attention with a relatable anecdote or quote.

One approach to writing the statement is to brainstorm all the questions above, taking notes as you think of the answers. Then, sketch an outline of the statement that will help get the juices flowing. Try to write the first rough draft in one setting, not worrying about the exact words. You can go back later to refine wording, add details, and revise. Lastly, you should proofread the statement multiple times. Essays riddled with grammatical errors and typos send a message to the reader that you do not pay attention to detail , which is an important skill for pharmacists. Consider having another person who is unbiased proofread it. Numerous companies offer professional essay proofreading and editing services, such as Scribd .

What does a school look for in a personal statement?

Each program is looking for well-rounded students who are likely to succeed at their institution. They do not expect all students to be the same.

Each program is looking for well-rounded students who are likely to succeed at their institution. They do not expect all students to be the same. Diversity is desirable, so don’t pretend to be something you are not because you think it is what they want to hear. Admissions committees can see right through disingenuous statements. Content that schools may be looking for include the following:

Is this person applying to pharmacy school for the right reasons? You won’t be happy or motivated in a job that you are doing only for money, job security, or to meet someone else’s expectations.
Do they understand the job and its demands? Speak to any relevant experience you have working, volunteering, or shadowing pharmacists.
Has the applicant demonstrated personal growth in the years leading up to their application? If your grades improved in the last year, you can explain that it shows your commitment to education and renewed work ethic. If you took on new extracurricular responsibilities or work assignments, highlight any leadership skills you’ve developed.
Is the essay organized and clearly written? Communication skills are important for pharmacists, because they communicate with customers, physicians, and insurers daily.
Has the applicant explained any weak points in their application? Admissions committees realize that life can be messy. Be honest if personal circumstances affected your grades or PCAT scores. Make it clear that you’ve moved past these circumstances and they won’t impact your ability to be a successful pharmacy student. However, don’t make excuses for shortcomings that don’t have a good explanation.
Do they demonstrate a “fit” for the values of the program? Use anecdotes to demonstrate that you live their values and mission.

Learn More about Pharmacy School Requirements by State

AR Arkansas
CA California
CO Colorado
CT Connecticut
DE Delaware
IL Illinois
KY Kentucky
LA Louisiana
MD Maryland
MA Massachusetts
MI Michigan
MN Minnesota
MS Mississippi
MO Missouri
NE Nebraska
NH New Hampshire
NJ New Jersey
NM New Mexico
NY New York
NC North Carolina
ND North Dakota
OK Oklahoma
PA Pennsylvania
RI Rhode Island
SC South Carolina
SD South Dakota
TN Tennessee
VA Virginia
WA Washington
DC Washington, DC
WV West Virginia
WI Wisconsin

What should you avoid in a pharmacy school personal statement?

Admissions committees have numerous applications to review. You want to make sure every sentence in your personal statement adds value and has no chance of leaving a negative impression. Here are examples of things to avoid:

Don’t repeat your transcript and PCAT scores. They already have these in their file. Essay word counts are limited, so make the most of every word of your essay to provide new information.
Don’t write off topic. Tell your story directly and concisely. Going off on a tangent or adding words just to make it appear longer will distract from the message you are trying to convey.
Don’t include irrelevant academic achievements. No matter how proud you are that you won the geography bee in fifth grade, it isn’t relevant to your aptitude for success in a pharmacy career.
Do not plagiarize. This is a major sin in academia. It will get your application tossed to the “no” pile without a second thought.
Avoid clichés. Cue eye roll from the admissions committee who is forced to read hundreds of statements, many with poor attempts to use clichés or humor.
Do not talk about controversial topics. The essay should be professional. Topics like religion, personal emotions, money, and politics have no place in the workplace.
Don’t have grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. Hire a professional editor to proofread your writing, or use a do-it-yourself tool, such as Grammarly .

Pharmacy school personal statement examples

Personal statements are one of the most important components of your application. They are your only opportunity to show the admissions committee that you are more than your GPA and PCAT score. This is your chance to stand out from the crowd. The quality of your essay will be determined by how much work you put into the writing. Several examples of essays from students who were accepted to pharmacy programs can be found on the internet at sites like Studential and Applytouni . Reading these can give you an idea what a good statement looks like before you begin writing your own.

Additional Resources:
Pharmacy School Directory
Pharmacy School Letter of Recommendation Tips

Request Info

Complete this form to request information directly from PharmD program option, tuition, financial aid and more.

Highest Level of Education High School Some College Associates Bachelors Masters or Higher

Phone Number

"By pressing "Request Info" I hereby consent and agree to receive autodialed calls and texts or pre-recorded messages by or on behalf of and PharmacySchoolFinder at the phone number(s) provided above. I understand that the foregoing consent is not a condition of program application or enrollment and agree that the terms of the privacy policy apply."

All fields required

Newsletter Signup

Enter your e-mail address and your password.

Remember Me Forgot Password?

Register Your Account

Create your account. It will take less then a minute

I agree to the Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

Why I Became a Pharmacist: The Runners-Up

The runners-up in our third annual essay contest tell their stories.

The entries for our third annual essay contest, which asked readers to explain why they became pharmacists, ranged from the humorous to the heartfelt. To read the essay of our contest winner, Sharlene Ghassemi, PharmD, click here .

To read the essays of our 2 runners-up and the best essay by a current pharmacy school student, click on their names or scroll down. Thanks also to everyone who entered the contest.

Alan Atchison, PharmD, MBA, CDE
Robin Craft, RPh
Kristen Masood, PharmD Candidate

Alan Atchison, PharmD, MBA, CDE Hepatitis C Clinical Pharmacist, Diabetes Educator, Walgreens at the St. Cloud Medical Group, St. Cloud, MN

Sometime the best answers are the ones that come years after asking a question.

I was asked the question, “Why did you become a pharmacist?” at a student health careers class I was speaking at 7 years ago. I came up with some typical responses: “I want to care for patients.” “Great work-life balance.” “Professional environment.” These seemed like the right things to say, but I have to admit there wasn’t a lot of heart in those answers. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate all of those things, but I can’t say they were enough to truly inspire me.

A few years after that speaking event, I sat down for a MTM/diabetes education appointment as part of a diabetes specific program my employer, Walgreens, gave me support to build in the clinic pharmacy where I work. The doctor who finally sent me the referral probably did so because he was sick of me bugging him for referrals, and he sent me his “worst” patient to try to get me to stop. I still remember the smell of cigarette smoke in that patient room and the terrible sound of this poor patient gasping for air. She started off by saying she needed help and didn’t know what to do. The gastric bypass surgeon would not operate on her because of her breathing issues, and she was scared about her diabetes since her dad had just passed away at age 62 after years of struggle and amputations. To be honest, I was a little scared too. I knew I was “next up” to find a solution for this poor 380-pound woman, and I didn’t want to let her down. We spent an hour talking about her medication, her diet, and exercise. We were able to set some simple goals for some pretty glaring issues and set a home monitoring plan with her glucose to make sure we kept in touch with her progress.

Every time this patient comes back to the pharmacy in the two years since her first appointment, and insists on giving me a hug, is the reason I became a pharmacist. Fortunately for her, and for close to 200 others that providers have trusted my team to help, the connection and accountability with a local pharmacist was the recipe for success with her health. Those hugs are easier every time, as she is down over 150 pounds (without gastric bypass). We’re still working on the smoking, but she has cut that in half. I lost a script when she was able to stop her metformin, but I’ve gained a customer for life—a hopefully much longer life at that!

This success has much more to do with the potential of our profession, and not about any special talent I bring to the table. I hope we all truly start to see how big this profession really is and can be in helping to meet our patients’ needs.

Robin Craft, RPh Co-owner with her husband, Joe, of Plain City Druggist and Midwestern Compounding Pharmacy, Plain City, OH

My husband, Joe, had just graduated from pharmacy school and received his pharmacist license a few months before our honeymoon. Since we had more than a 5-hour flight to Ireland for our 10-day honeymoon trip, Joe brought along a stack of pharmacy magazines with continuing education (CE) articles and quizzes for the long air travel.

At the airport, I began browsing through the magazines. The articles were interesting. I could easily answer the multiple guess questions at the end of each section. By the time I completed the quiz sheets, Joe wouldn’t have to do any CE for years!

Finishing up one of the quizzes, I innocently asked Joe, “Do you think I could become a pharmacist?”

His answer was a resounding, “Of course, you could!”

While I already had degrees in geology and English and a relatively good job with the government, I wasn’t very happy with the work I was doing. I was bored and didn’t feel challenged mentally, wasting my days away in a small cubicle where time seemed abundantly in excess.

I continued to ponder pharmacy school and, over the next few months, I took courses at a local community college to finish the requirements I needed to apply.

The following autumn, after being accepted into the pharmacy program at the Ohio State University, I started my first day of pharmacy classes. Joe and I were celebrating our 1-year anniversary as I began a staggering curriculum of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, quantitative analysis, and compounding lab.

Joe says (although, I don’t recall any of this—I don’t believe I would ever act so violently!) that after my first week of classes, I came home and punched him in the arm as hard as I could.

“What did I do?” he asked, rubbing his bruised bicep.

“What have you gotten me into?” I supposedly asked him. “This stuff is impossible!”

Nothing at all like those easy CEs I had whipped out in minutes on our honeymoon.

“The worst part is,” I continued, “I can’t quit. I told everyone I was doing this. Why didn’t you tell me it was going to be so hard?”

For Joe, with his photographic memory and his sunshiny attitude, pharmacy school probably wasn’t as difficult as it seemed to me. He also had a very biased belief that I could succeed at anything, so he probably had no clue what his innocent, “Of course, you could,” had done to my life.

I hunkered down and made it through pharmacy school, receiving my degree and my license. I am glad I pursued pharmacy, as Joe and I now own an independent drugstore and get to spend a lot of time together—time we would never have shared if I had not become a pharmacist.

The moral of this story is, be careful asking your new spouse if they think you can do something. When they believe you are the best thing ever, they will always tell you that you are capable of anything!

Kristen Masood, PharmD Candidate Class of 2014, University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy

At a very young age, I decided I wanted to become a pharmacist when I grew up. When assigned a 1-day shadow experience in my middle school careers class, I could have chosen to shadow anyone. Many of my peers took the easy route by spending the day with their mom or dad and came back to class the next day most likely still unsure of their future career aspirations. I decided to shadow my friend’s mom, a pharmacist at Rite Aid. Thus began my path towards pharmacy school.

In high school, I spent a semester interning 10 hours a week after school with the same pharmacist I had shadowed and got to experience how a community pharmacist worked and interacted with the public. One memory of this internship that solidified my decision to pursue a career in pharmacy was a woman who came in with her husband just after finding out she had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She was a regular at the pharmacy, having 4 children who always seemed to have an ear infection or to have caught a cold from somewhere, leading her into the pharmacy for medications. The compassion the pharmacy staff showed for this woman and her husband when they came in was heartwarming. It was like she was a member of the pharmacy family. While everyone was trying to comfort her, she managed to ask how the father of one of the pharmacists was doing after a recent heart attack. This experience stuck with me throughout the rest of high school and into college, where I decided to pursue a degree in biology on my path to pharmacy school.

During college, I worked part time as a pharmacy technician at an independent pharmacy in Niagara Falls, New York. This was another eye opening experience for me. The pharmacist/owner knew each customer by name and usually knew something else about their life. Whenever someone walked in, they were addressed by their name and assisted almost immediately. I really enjoyed my job at that small independent and before IPPE or APPE rotations even began, I had decided I wanted to work in a community pharmacy after I received my PharmD. After completing a majority of my rotations, I still believe my calling is in community pharmacy.

Since pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers, I feel that being a community pharmacist will put me in a position to help the largest number of patients. I enjoy interacting with people and watching their health and wellbeing improve. The joy I have seen in patients after being taught how to properly use their asthma medication or being helped to save money by switching to a generic prescription makes all the stress and hard work that has gone into getting a PharmD worthwhile.

While I have enjoyed and learned a lot during all my rotations at the University of Saint Joseph, I felt the most rewarded when working with patients in the community setting. My 4 weeks at CVS and 6 weeks at the Medicine Shoppe were very different experiences, but they have helped me solidify my decision to work in a community setting. With new initiatives such as Medication Therapy Management and immunizations, pharmacists can play a much more active role in patient care than in the past. I want to make a difference in my patient’s lives, and I know I will be able to do that as a pharmacist!

Pharmacist Shares Screenshot of a Patient’s Prescription, Which Results in Termination

People attending a conference -- Image credit: kasto | stock.adobe.com

OPC Summer 2024: Connecting Oncology Pharmacists With Cutting-Edge Insights and Opportunities to Collaborate

Stem cell transplant procedure -- Image credit: Vadim | stock.adobe.com

Advancement in Stem Cell Transplantation: Improving Outcomes for Patients With Blood Cancer

Serious thoughtful medical colleagues using digital tablet while viewing report together and discussing results standing by oxygen cylinders in laboratory- Image credit: Seventyfour | stock.adobe.com

Advocate for Greater Pharmacy Technician Roles

Question mark made by white pills spilling out of brown glass bottle on pink background. Creative medicine for health/medical problem, drug interaction, medication error and pharmaceutical concept - Image credit: Orawan | stock.adobe.com

Accurate, Complete Data Entry Is Key to Medication Safety

Artificial intelligence -- Image credit: Shuo | stock.adobe.com

Optimizing Oncological Care: The Influence of AI on Insurance Approvals

2 Commerce Drive Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

Top Ten Reasons to Become a Pharmacist

1. I Want to Help People Get Well

Pharmacists play a key role in helping patients feel better and get well as quickly as possible. Patients do best when pharmacists are part of their healthcare teams because pharmacists are the medication specialists. Pharmacists improve medication adherence. They are culturally competent healthcare providers who communicate effectively to evaluate many factors that affect a patient’s ability to take a medication. These include diet, lifestyle, transportation, language barriers and much more.

2. I Like to Work Directly with Patients

Pharmacists are accessible in all healthcare settings: inpatient, ambulatory and community settings. Pharmacists are available to see patients at convenient times every day of the week, during morning, evening and weekend hours, and without an appointment. They are licensed to provide immunizations in all 50 states. Many states also allow student pharmacists to provide pharmacy services under the supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacists may also provide other services such as asthma care, blood pressure monitoring services, cholesterol screening, diabetes disease management, smoking cessation consultation, bone density scans for osteoporosis screening, anticoagulation management clinics and more.

3. I Enjoy a Wide Variety of Career Opportunities

Pharmacy is a diverse and rewarding career, with opportunities for patient care, scientific research and innovation. Pharmacists can work in a myriad of professional settings. The majority of pharmacists (45 percent) work in an independent or retail chain community pharmacy and provide counseling to patients on the use of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Pharmacists work in numerous other healthcare environments as well, including hospitals, nursing homes, managed care organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, colleges and schools and the federal government. Pharmacists play key leadership roles in all aspects of the healthcare system.

4. I Can Benefit from the Demand For Pharmacists

There is an ongoing demand for pharmacy services throughout the U.S. in most sectors of the profession. The demand is fueled by the following factors:

Increased demand for patient services. The transition to the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree for all new pharmacy graduates has increased the type of services pharmacists are able to offer. Pharmacists are able to work in a wider array of practice settings and positions than ever before.
Increase in number of prescriptions filled each year. According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the number of prescriptions filled increased from 1.9 million in 1992 to 3.9 billion prescriptions in 2013, and in 2015, 4.1 billion prescriptions were filled (projected to be 4.7 billion in 2021). Our society will continue to need more pharmacists to manage the growing number of prescriptions as more medicines become available and the population ages.
Increase in the number of medicines available on the market. There is a greater selection of prescription and OTC drugs manufactured today than in the past. Multiple medications are often available to treat a single disease. Pharmacists help prescribers and patients decide which medicine will have the most beneficial results. When pharmacists are involved in patient care, outcomes improve and costs decline.
Increase in the elderly population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1 in 5 Americans will be classified as elderly by 2050. Older patients generally have more chronic illness and more complicated drug regimens than younger individuals. Pharmacists play a key role in helping the elderly patients navigate complicated medication requirements and explore ways to minimize their financial burden. The aging population has also increased the need for long-term care, geriatric and consultant pharmacists.

5. I Want to be an Important Member of the Healthcare Team

Pharmacists work with other health care professionals to maximize health outcomes. Numerous studies have proven that the presence of a pharmacist on hospital rounds as a full member of the patient care team has been shown to prevent medication errors and reduce costs. Pharmacists provide optimal management of medication for chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, etc. The collaboration of healthcare professionals, such as physicians and pharmacists, can help to ensure that patients properly take their medications as prescribed and avoid any harmful effects.

6. I Can Have Job Mobility, Stability, and Flexibility

Pharmacists are employed in every part of the country. Pharmacy licensure is generally reciprocal between U.S. states, however, additional tests or criteria may be required to transfer licensure status. Pharmacists may be able to establish non-traditional or part-time work hours, depending on the practice setting. Most Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, so pharmacists are needed all throughout the U.S.

7. I am Excited to be a Part of Major Innovations in Medication Therapy

One of the many exciting developments in the pharmacy profession is the growth of a discipline, known as pharmacogenomics. Genetic variations in genes can affect a body’s response to a drug. In the future, specialists in this area hope to sequence the entire human gene in each individual. Pharmacists and other healthcare providers will be able to use that information to select the best medicines, treat diseases earlier than now possible, or prevent them entirely with individually-tailored drug therapies.

8. I Want to Work with State-of-the-Art Technology

Digital innovations in pharmacy include electronic prescriptions, robotics for central prescription processing and nationwide prescription monitoring programs, as well as pharmaceutical research. These technological advances enhance efficiency and help to promote patient safety. Pharmacists use these same tools to help prioritize work, manage the dispensing process and spend more time with patients. By law, pharmacists must oversee automated dispensing processes for quality control purposes. Pharmacists can provide innovative approaches to medication management, including recommended therapies, and the identification and resolution of problems with the aid of state-of-the-art technology.

9. I Can Help Defend Against Bioterrorism

Pharmacists are educated to recognize signs and symptoms of diseases that may be used in a biological attack. The accessibility of pharmacies could be one of the keys to a successful mass immunization or drug distribution program in an emergency. In an epidemic or bioterror situation, pharmacists are prepared to play a major role in preventing the spread of disease and overseeing the distribution of appropriate and safe medications. According to the CDC, pharmacists are equipped with the necessary skills to improve our nation’s health and are vital members of the team in public health initiatives.

10. I Would Like to Be a Highly Respected Member of My Community

According to recent Gallup Polls, pharmacists’ honesty and ethics were rated as "high" or "very high" by a large majority of Americans. Pharmacists are visible leaders in our community who are entrusted with the health of our families.

Why Do You Want To Become A Pharmacist? (Essay Sample) 2023

Table of Contents

Why Do You Want To Become A Pharmacist ?

Dreaming to be a pharmacist is a lifelong journey as a person aspiring to be the main person who will be distributing the medication to an intended client. For this reason, the relevance of becoming a pharmacist allow myself to learn more about the influence of medical technologies and researchers to find a solution to certain ailments that are causing the society’s longevity to be affected. In this procedure, becoming a pharmacist is a profession that seeks to provide a conduit for the consumers to improve their health and wellness. Being a pharmacist is an opportunity for myself to become a successful professional for valuing the integrity of the pharmaceutical company by means of helping Pharmaceuticals to distribute their products to the market or public.

A Pharmacist is a profession wherein professionals in the healthcare industry that are focused on rendering an effective and safe medication use. These are professionals involved in the health care team that is focused on maximizing patient care. As a pharmacist, it is important to know and appreciate the values of the human body’s anatomy and physiology because it seeks to understand the functions of systems that play an important role to the medication procedures. Patients are regarded individuals who are suffering from a physiological disability or distress that is unable to continue their routine due to an existing infection or injury. Pharmacists are able to identify a specific medication intended for patients suffering from a specific illness. This is ensure that patient safety is always addressed for patients to recover effectively when they are prescribed by their respective doctors during a routine check-up in their clinics or hospitals.

For pharmacists, it is important the fundamentals of medication administration to the patients. One of which is the right dosage, which is a process wherein the patient should be instructed with the right amount of volume of their medication whenever they continue their treatment. The right route is indicated from the prescription, which is an important consideration for every health care personnel regarding their treatment regimen. Pharmacists should always identify the right patient who is availing the medication so that any ethical consideration can be avoided during the procedure. In the health care setting, pharmacists are able to identify the best medication available in their pharmacy depending on the brand that has been applied to the health care personnel while achieving a reasonable amount of dosage.

As a pharmacist, health education is an important application of advice for patients who are availing medication to continue their treatment. This includes complications or adverse reactions to the drug after giving the medication to the patient. Health awareness is important, especially when dealing with the medication regimen because any distress or disability should be immediately rehabilitated or treated before it becomes credible for the patient to understand the consequences of their condition. Trust and cooperation is important for the patient so that the value of providing advice becomes an important consideration as a way to prevent any relapse of the symptoms that are more difficult to manage or treated by the health care professionals. Pharmacists usually take precautionary measures to the patients who refuse to continue their medication regimen for the reason that there were cases wherein patients suffered from a more severe complication that terminated their life (Santschi, Chiolero, Burnard, Colosimo & Paradis, 2012).

Santschi, V; Chiolero, A; Burnand, B; Colosimo, AL & Paradis, G (2011). “Impact of pharmacist care in the management of cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.”. Archives of Internal Medicine. 171 (16): 1441–53.

Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar

Career Building Jobs

CV, Interview and Job Application Tips

The MOST Common Pharmacist Interview Questions (And Sample Answers)

July 19, 2023 by Mike Jacobsen

Landing that dream pharmacist job is an exciting milestone, right? But before you can start dispensing advice along with prescriptions, there’s a tiny little hurdle to overcome – the job interview. Now, we all know job interviews can be as nerve-racking as figuring out how to pronounce ‘phenytoin’ for the first time, but don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!

In our upcoming article, “The MOST Common Pharmacist Interview Questions (And Sample Answers),” we’ll walk you through the key questions you’re likely to face and how to ace them with confidence. Because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be prepared when going into an interview that could lead to a job with an average salary of around $128,710 in the U.S. or approximately £45,000 in the UK? That’s a pretty sweet deal for a role that lets you make a real difference in people’s health and lives!

So, buckle up as we dive into this comprehensive guide that’s aimed at making your interview process a breeze. Whether you’re a recent pharmacy grad or a seasoned pro, our tips and sample answers will help you present your best self to the interview panel. Remember, it’s not just about knowing your stuff (though that’s super important!), it’s also about communicating it effectively.

1 Looking for More Questions / Answers…?
2 Pharmacist Interview Tips
3 How Best To Structure Pharmacist Interview Questions
4 What You Should Not Do When Answering Questions
5 “Why do you want to become a pharmacist?”
6 “What are your greatest strengths as a pharmacist?”
7 “Describe a time when you faced a challenge in a pharmacy setting and how you overcame it.”
8 “Can you explain how you stay updated on new drugs and healthcare protocols?”
9 “How do you handle stressful situations?”
10 “Describe a time you made a significant contribution to patient care.”
11 “How do you handle disagreements with doctors about prescriptions?”

Looking for More Questions / Answers…?

Then, let me introduce you to a fantastic resource: “Interview Success: How To Answer Pharmacist Questions”. Penned by the experienced career coach, Mike Jacobsen, this guide is packed full of interview tips. This 100+ page guide is packed with over 100 sample answers to the most common and challenging interview questions. It goes beyond simply giving you answers – it guides you on how to structure your responses, what interviewers are seeking, and even things to avoid during interviews. Best of all, it’s available for instant download! Dive in and give yourself the competitive edge you deserve.

Click here to learn more and get your copy today

Pharmacist Interview Tips

🎯 Understand The Role

Make sure you have a clear understanding of what being a pharmacist entails. Research the responsibilities, challenges, and skills required for the role. This will help you provide informed responses to the interview questions and demonstrate that you know what you’re signing up for.

👥 Know Your Interviewer

Take time to research the pharmacy or organization you’re interviewing with. What is their mission? What values do they prioritize? Understanding their goals can help you align your answers with what they’re looking for in an employee.

📚 Prepare For Common Questions

While you can’t predict every question, certain topics are commonly covered in pharmacy interviews. Practice answering questions about your qualifications, experience, and why you chose to be a pharmacist.

🎬 Practice Your Delivery

Practice makes perfect! Rehearse your answers out loud to improve your delivery and make sure your responses sound natural. Try practicing with a friend or mentor who can provide constructive feedback.

🔀 Be Ready For Behavioral Questions

Many interviewers ask behavioral questions to understand how you handle real-life situations. Prepare examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to work in a team.

🕑 Manage Your Time

Your answers should be concise yet comprehensive. Avoid rambling, but make sure you provide enough information to fully answer the question.

💡 Showcase Your Unique Qualities

What makes you different from other candidates? Maybe it’s your volunteer work, your passion for patient education, or your knack for remembering obscure drug facts. Whatever it is, don’t be shy about sharing it!

🗣 Communicate Clearly

Good communication is essential for a pharmacist. Speak clearly, avoid jargon (unless it’s appropriate), and make sure your answers are easy to understand.

🌟 Be Yourself

Lastly, but most importantly, be yourself. Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Show your true personality, share your genuine passions, and let your natural enthusiasm for the role shine through!

How Best To Structure Pharmacist Interview Questions

B – Belief

In the context of a pharmacist interview, your beliefs might pertain to your approach to pharmacy, the importance of patient care, or your perspective on healthcare practices. For instance, when asked about your stance on patient counseling, you might express your belief in the value of educating patients about their medication to enhance adherence and outcomes. Your beliefs can set the foundation for your answers and offer insight into your values and professional philosophy.

S – Situation

The situation is your opportunity to provide context. Describe a scenario from your experience as a pharmacist that illustrates the question being asked. For example, if you’re asked about a time when you handled a medical error, you might describe the setting, like a busy retail pharmacy during peak flu season. This situational context helps the interviewer understand the challenges you faced.

T – Task

Your task is your specific responsibility in the described situation. In the context of a pharmacist interview, this would be your role in the pharmacy during the situation. For example, if you were the lead pharmacist when a prescription error occurred, your task might have been to identify the mistake, correct it, and prevent similar errors in the future.

A – Activity (or action)

The activity or action you took is the core of your answer. This is where you detail the steps you took to fulfill your task. For instance, you might describe how you reviewed the patient’s medication history, consulted with the prescribing doctor, rectified the error, and implemented a new double-checking protocol to prevent such errors in the future. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and proactivity.

R – Results

The result is the outcome of your actions. Try to provide quantifiable results if possible. For example, if you implemented a new double-checking protocol, you might share that medication errors in your pharmacy reduced by 30% over the following year. Even if you can’t provide a specific percentage or figure, aim to share a positive outcome that illustrates the effectiveness of your actions, such as improved patient satisfaction or enhanced team efficiency. The result is your chance to show that your actions have a real, positive impact on your pharmacy practice.

What You Should Not Do When Answering Questions

Do not avoid the question.

Do not describe a failure (unless specifically asked).

Do not downplay the situation.

Do not overhype the situation.

Do not say you have no experience with the subject matter.

Do not reject the premise of the question.

Do not have a passive role in the situation.

Do not give a one-sentence answer.

Do not overly describe the scenario and miss the action.

Pharmacist Interview Question & Answers

“Why do you want to become a pharmacist?” Sample Answer 1 is below. Our new Pharmacy Interview guide has 5 example answers for this question (and many more). Click here to learn more.

For the question “Why do you want to become a pharmacist?” your answer should reflect both your personal motivations and professional aspirations. Explain how your interest in healthcare and the role of a pharmacist have developed over time. Demonstrate your passion and understanding of the profession’s importance in healthcare. Avoid clichéd responses and instead focus on the unique aspects of the profession that genuinely attract you.

I’m drawn to the profession of pharmacy for several reasons, both personal and professional. From a young age, I had a keen interest in the sciences, particularly biology and chemistry. I was fascinated by how substances interacted in the body to cause or cure illnesses. This natural curiosity, combined with a deep desire to help others, made pharmacy an appealing career path.

My interest was further piqued during a high school job shadowing experience at a local pharmacy. Witnessing firsthand the multifaceted role of a pharmacist – as a healthcare provider, counselor , and educator – was eye-opening. I saw how pharmacists not only dispense medications but also play a critical role in patient education, ensuring that patients understand their treatment plans and medication regimens. This close interaction with patients appealed to me, as I enjoy building relationships and making a difference in people’s lives.

In university, my decision to become a pharmacist was solidified during my pharmacy rotations. I particularly enjoyed the problem-solving aspects of the role, where I was able to apply my knowledge to real-world scenarios. I recall a case where a patient experienced side effects from a medication. After researching, I suggested a different medication with a similar therapeutic effect but a different side effect profile. The patient’s side effects subsided, and they were able to continue their treatment successfully. This instance not only reinforced the importance of pharmacists in patient care but also highlighted the potential for creative problem solving in this field.

In addition, I am motivated by the continuous learning that a career in pharmacy necessitates. With advancements in drug discovery and therapeutic techniques, pharmacists need to stay updated with the latest developments. I view this as an exciting challenge rather than a burden – I enjoy expanding my knowledge base and improving my professional skills.

Finally, I see a great deal of value in the advocacy role that pharmacists play. We are often the bridge between doctors and patients, making sure the patient’s needs and concerns are communicated effectively. Having the ability to advocate for patients and improve their healthcare outcomes is a significant reason why I chose this path.

In essence, my decision to become a pharmacist was influenced by my passion for science, my desire to help others, and my interest in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare. I am excited to bring my commitment and dedication to this role and contribute positively to patient care.

“What are your greatest strengths as a pharmacist?” Sample Answer 1 is below. Our new Pharmacy Interview guide has 5 example answers for this question (and many more). Click here to learn more.

When asked, “What are your greatest strengths as a pharmacist?” focus on the qualities that make you a strong candidate for this particular position. Tailor your answer to demonstrate how your strengths align with the responsibilities and requirements of the role. Don’t just list your strengths; provide examples that highlight how you’ve used these strengths effectively in previous roles or situations.

One of my most significant strengths as a pharmacist lies in my meticulous attention to detail . In a field where precision is vital, I have honed this trait over my years of study and practice to ensure that I make accurate medication calculations, double-check prescriptions for possible errors or drug interactions, and provide precise instructions to patients. An example of this was during my time at XYZ Pharmacy where I intercepted a potentially serious medication error by noticing a discrepancy between the drug dosage written on the prescription and the standard dosage guidelines. I immediately contacted the prescribing physician and rectified the error before dispensing.

In addition to attention to detail, I believe my communication skills are a valuable asset. Pharmacists often act as intermediaries between physicians and patients, and being able to convey complex medical and pharmaceutical information in a way that patients can easily understand is crucial. My ability to empathize and communicate effectively has enabled me to build trust with patients, assuring them that they can always come to me with any medication-related concerns. For instance, once a patient was apprehensive about starting a newly prescribed medication due to potential side effects. I took time to explain how the medication worked, the importance of the treatment, and what steps we could take to manage any possible side effects. The patient felt relieved and thanked me for the thorough explanation.

Furthermore, I consider my commitment to continuous learning as another strength. The field of pharmacy is constantly evolving with new medications, therapies, and regulations. I stay updated by participating in continuing education programs, attending seminars, and reading relevant journals. This ongoing learning not only helps me provide the best possible care to my patients but also demonstrates my dedication to my profession. For example, a course I took recently on advances in immunotherapy helped me advise a patient on the potential benefits and side effects of this cutting-edge cancer treatment option.

Lastly, my problem-solving skills have often come into play during my practice. As a pharmacist, I have frequently faced situations where quick and critical thinking was required to address problems like medication shortages or identifying potential adverse drug reactions. My ability to analyze situations, consider multiple solutions, and make the best decision benefits not only the pharmacy operation but also the health and safety of our patients. A notable instance of this was when there was a sudden shortage of a specific hypertension drug. I quickly researched and identified a suitable alternative, discussed the change with the prescribing physician, and informed all affected patients, thus ensuring uninterrupted treatment.

In summary, my attention to detail, communication skills, commitment to continuous learning, and problem-solving abilities are key strengths that I bring to my role as a pharmacist. Each of these strengths has been tested and honed throughout my academic and professional career, and I believe they will enable me to excel in any pharmacy setting.

“Describe a time when you faced a challenge in a pharmacy setting and how you overcame it.” Sample Answer 1 is below. Our new Pharmacy Interview guide has 5 example answers for this question (and many more). Click here to learn more.

In answering the question “Describe a time when you faced a challenge in a pharmacy setting and how you overcame it,” your goal is to illustrate your problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to work under pressure. Choose an instance that clearly showcases these qualities. You should briefly describe the situation, outline the actions you took to address the problem, and explain the positive outcome of your actions.

A particularly challenging situation I faced in the pharmacy was during my tenure at a busy retail pharmacy. We were in the midst of a major flu season, and the demand for flu shots had significantly increased. At the same time, our pharmacy was short-staffed due to unforeseen circumstances, leading to an overwhelming workload for the existing team members and extended waiting times for patients.

The first step I took was to acknowledge the problem and communicate with the team. We discussed the issue openly, exploring potential solutions while considering our main goal: to continue providing excellent service without compromising patient safety. I realized that we had to rethink our strategy and streamline our workflow to address this problem.

The next step was to reorganize the tasks and responsibilities in the pharmacy. I suggested a rotation system where each pharmacist would have dedicated time for administering vaccines, while the others would handle the dispensing and patient consultations. This way, we could ensure that all the essential services were attended to efficiently.

To manage the high demand for flu shots, I reached out to our regular patients and scheduled their visits at specific times of the day. This not only reduced the peak hour rush but also allowed patients to get their shots without extended waiting times.

I also coordinated with the pharmacy management to get temporary staff to handle administrative tasks and non-pharmaceutical services, which freed up more time for the pharmacists to focus on their primary duties.

Through these measures, we were able to handle the workload effectively even with limited staff. We managed to administer the flu shots to the majority of our patients within the flu season, and our patient satisfaction scores remained high, which was an accomplishment under the circumstances.

This experience taught me the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability in a pharmacy setting. It also underscored the importance of being proactive and creative in problem-solving to ensure smooth operations and quality patient care, even in challenging situations.

“Can you explain how you stay updated on new drugs and healthcare protocols?” Sample Answer 1 is below. Our new Pharmacy Interview guide has 5 example answers for this question (and many more). Click here to learn more.

With the question “Can you explain how you stay updated on new drugs and healthcare protocols?” the interviewer wants to understand your commitment to continuous learning. Highlight the specific strategies you use, such as attending seminars, reading professional journals, or participating in online forums and communities. Show that you understand the importance of staying abreast of industry changes and can effectively incorporate new knowledge into your practice.

Staying updated on new drugs and healthcare protocols is an essential aspect of being a successful pharmacist. It requires a proactive approach, a commitment to lifelong learning, and the effective use of several resources. Over the years, I’ve developed a systematic way of keeping myself informed and updated.

Firstly, I have made it a habit to read medical and pharmaceutical journals regularly. Publications like The Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, The New England Journal of Medicine, and others provide invaluable insights into the latest research, breakthroughs, and new drug approvals. I set aside dedicated time each week to catch up on these readings, making sure I understand the new information and consider how it might apply to my practice.

Secondly, I attend industry conferences, workshops, and seminars whenever possible. These events provide opportunities to learn from leading experts and peers in the field. They often cover the most recent advancements in healthcare and pharmacy practice and provide a platform for meaningful discussion and debate. For example, at a recent pharmaceutical conference, I learned about innovative approaches to personalized medicine and how it could shape our work in the near future.

Moreover, I have found online platforms to be a valuable resource. I’m a member of various professional online forums and communities, such as the American Pharmacists Association, where pharmacists from all over the country share their experiences, discuss new healthcare protocols, and explore various aspects of our profession. This not only allows me to stay current with industry trends but also helps in gaining a wider perspective on issues that affect our profession.

Lastly, I have enrolled in continuing education programs that focus on pharmacy practice. This formal education keeps me updated on both the practical and theoretical aspects of pharmacy, ensuring I have the most current knowledge base to better serve my patients.

Overall, my strategy for staying updated is multi-faceted and involves a mix of self-directed learning, networking, and formal education. I believe that as a pharmacist, my learning journey doesn’t end once I leave the classroom or complete a degree; it’s a lifelong commitment that is essential for providing the best possible care to my patients.

“How do you handle stressful situations?” Sample Answer 1 is below. Our new Pharmacy Interview guide has 5 example answers for this question (and many more). Click here to learn more.

For the question “How do you handle stressful situations?” your response should reveal your stress management techniques and your capacity to maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure. Share a real-world example where you have successfully navigated a high-stress situation, clearly outlining your actions and the positive results. This will illustrate your ability to maintain professional standards even in challenging circumstances.

Stress is an unavoidable part of any job, and it’s particularly prevalent in the field of pharmacy, given the high stakes nature of our work. Over the years, I’ve cultivated several strategies to manage stress effectively and maintain a high level of performance even in challenging circumstances.

One of my go-to techniques is maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, no matter the situation. I firmly believe in the saying that “cool heads prevail,” and I’ve found that keeping a level head allows me to think more clearly, make better decisions, and communicate more effectively with my team and patients.

Let me share an example from my previous role. We were working in a high-volume pharmacy, and we had a sudden system outage. Our computers were down, and we had a line of patients waiting for their prescriptions. This was an incredibly stressful situation, but I knew that panicking would not solve the problem and could potentially lead to mistakes.

I first took a moment to center myself and gather my thoughts. Then, I informed the patients about the situation and assured them we were doing our best to rectify it. I communicated with my team and delegated tasks – some of us began to manually fill prescriptions for critical medications, while others worked with our IT department to resolve the issue.

While our work pace was slower than usual due to the manual process, we were able to ensure that all patients received their medications accurately. By remaining calm and focusing on the task at hand, we turned a potentially chaotic situation into a manageable one.

Another key aspect of my approach to managing stress is prioritization. When faced with a high-stress situation, I assess the tasks at hand and prioritize them based on urgency and importance. This approach allows me to ensure that the most critical tasks are attended to first and reduces the overall level of stress by providing a clear path forward.

Finally, I believe in the power of self-care and reflection. After a particularly stressful day or incident, I take some time to relax and unwind. This might involve physical activity like yoga or a quiet activity like reading. I also reflect on what caused the stress and think about what I could do differently in the future.

In sum, handling stress effectively involves a combination of maintaining calm under pressure, prioritizing tasks effectively, and taking care of one’s mental health. I believe these strategies have served me well in my career as a pharmacist, and I will continue to refine and develop them as I face new challenges.

“Describe a time you made a significant contribution to patient care.” Sample Answer 1 is below. Our new Pharmacy Interview guide has 5 example answers for this question (and many more). Click here to learn more.

When you’re asked to “Describe a time you made a significant contribution to patient care,” the interviewer is looking for evidence of your commitment to patient welfare and your ability to go above and beyond your duties. Choose an instance that clearly displays your dedication to patient care, describing the situation, your actions, and the positive impact of those actions.

Throughout my career as a pharmacist, I’ve always held the belief that we play an essential role not just in dispensing medications but also in ensuring comprehensive patient care. One instance that stands out is my encounter with an elderly patient named Mrs. Davis.

Mrs. Davis had recently been discharged from the hospital after undergoing heart surgery and had been prescribed a regimen of multiple medications for her heart condition and other existing health issues. When she came to our pharmacy, she seemed confused and overwhelmed by the complex medication schedule, the dosages, and potential side effects.

As her pharmacist, I understood it was my responsibility to ensure that she could manage her medications correctly. So, I took the time to sit down with her and her caregiver to go through her medication regimen. I created a detailed medication schedule for her, explaining when and how each medication should be taken and clearly illustrating potential interactions and side effects. I also taught them how to monitor for potential adverse effects and what steps to take if they occur.

Additionally, I got in touch with her primary care physician and cardiologist to confirm her medication regimen, which led to the detection of an unintended duplicate therapy. We were able to correct this, avoiding potential harm. I then set up a weekly follow-up with Mrs. Davis and her caregiver to ensure that she was taking her medications correctly and to address any questions or concerns that they might have.

The result of these interventions was that Mrs. Davis and her caregiver were able to manage her medication regimen effectively. They expressed their gratitude, stating that my guidance had significantly reduced their stress and confusion. Additionally, Mrs. Davis experienced a significant improvement in her health, with no adverse effects from her medications.

This experience reaffirmed my belief in the crucial role pharmacists play in patient care. We are the bridge between the doctor’s prescriptions and the patient’s understanding, and it is our duty to ensure that this bridge is as clear and sturdy as possible. I was happy that I could make a significant difference in Mrs. Davis’s life, and I carry the lessons I learned from this experience into every patient interaction.

“How do you handle disagreements with doctors about prescriptions?” Sample Answer 1 is below. Our new Pharmacy Interview guide has 5 example answers for this question (and many more). Click here to learn more.

In response to “How do you handle disagreements with doctors about prescriptions?” show your ability to handle conflicts professionally and ethically. Provide an example where you faced such a situation and how you managed it while ensuring the best outcome for the patient. Highlight your communication and negotiation skills, and demonstrate your understanding of the pharmacist’s role in safeguarding patients from potential medication errors.

Navigating disagreements with physicians over prescriptions requires a balanced approach that ensures patient safety while maintaining professional relationships. In my experience, these disagreements often arise from either potential medication errors or different interpretations of the best course of treatment.

Let me share a specific example. While working at a community pharmacy, I encountered a situation where a doctor had prescribed a high dose of a certain medication that could potentially cause toxicity in the patient. The dosage seemed to be much higher than the recommended range for the patient’s condition.

Recognizing the potential harm to the patient, I felt it was crucial to discuss this with the prescribing physician. I prepared for the discussion by gathering evidence to support my concern, including clinical guidelines and reference literature that indicated the appropriate dosage range for the medication and condition in question. It’s important to remember that doctors are experts in diagnosing and treating illnesses, but pharmacists are the medication specialists. So, I felt it was part of my professional responsibility to bring this to the doctor’s attention.

When I contacted the doctor, I approached the conversation with respect and openness, expressing my concern clearly and presenting the evidence I had gathered. I listened attentively to the doctor’s perspective and made sure to keep the conversation focused on patient safety. It turned out that the doctor was unaware of the potential for toxicity at the prescribed dose, and he was appreciative of my vigilance. He promptly adjusted the dose within the recommended range.

This experience reemphasized to me that as pharmacists, our primary role is to ensure the safe and effective use of medication. It’s our responsibility to question any prescription that may potentially harm a patient, even if it means disagreeing with a physician. But it’s equally important to handle such disagreements tactfully, with evidence-based reasoning, mutual respect, and open communication.

These disagreements are not personal. Instead, they’re part of a system of checks and balances that ultimately safeguards patients. Ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient is a shared goal for both pharmacists and doctors, and working collaboratively towards this goal can help us manage any disagreements effectively.

See more questions and learn from over 100 sample answers…

Home / Essay Samples / Business / Dream Career / My Aim in Life: to Become a Pharmacist

My Aim in Life: to Become a Pharmacist

Category: Life , Business
Topic: Career Goals , Dream Career , Personal Goals

Pages: 1 (664 words)

Downloads: -->

Why I want to be a pharmacist (essay)

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Humanity Essays

Adversity Essays

Empathy Essays

Kindness Essays

Hope Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->

Essay Sample on Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist

The Benefits to Be a Pharmacist

The Impact of Pharmacists on Health Care

My Desire to Help Others Through Pharmacy

An Ability to Meet Different People

Opportunities that Give Motivation

The Career Path Ahead

How to Write an Impactful Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist Essay

Start by Brainstorming Ideas

Organize Your Ideas into an Outline

Focus on Your Professional Goals

Why Is Being a Pharmacist a Good Job

Related posts:

Improve your writing with our guides

Youth Culture Essay Prompt and Discussion

Why Should College Athletes Be Paid, Essay Sample

Reasons Why Minimum Wage Should Be Raised Essay: Benefits for Workers, Society, and The Economy

Why I Want to be a Pharmacist Essay: How to Write [2024]

👩‍⚕️ Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: Reasons

Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: Essay Topics

⭐ Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: Essay Writing Guide

🧠 Step 1: Brainstorm

📌 Step 2: State Your Point

🏗️ Step 3: Build Your Story

🚧 Step 4: End Your Essay Strong

✏️ Why Pharmacy Essay: FAQ

Best Pharmacy School Personal Statement Examples

Article Contents 24 min read

How Are Pharmacy Personal Statements Structured?

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

FREE Training Webclass:

Why I Want to Be a Pharmacist: a Personal and Professional Perspective

Table of contents

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

Still can’t find what you need?

Related Essays on Pharmacist

Related Topics

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

How to Write a Compelling Pharmacy School Personal Statement

What is a Personal Statement?

What is the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Cover Letter?

What is the Best Format for a Personal Statement for Pharmacy School?

What Questions Should I Answer in my Personal Statement?

What Should I Avoid in My Personal Statement?

What Are Admissions Counselors Looking for in a Personal Statement?

What Are the Steps to Form a Compelling Personal Statement?

1. Brainstorm

2. Outline and Draft

4. Final Revisions and Submission

How Do I Close a Personal Statement?

What Now?

Access our eBook "Begin Your Future in Pharmacy at NEOMED" to learn more about what it takes to become a pharmacist.

About the author

More Articles

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Great Why I Want to be a Pharmacist Essay

Why I Want To Be a Pharmacist Essay

List Your Main Abilities

When and Where You Have Shown These Qualities

Describe the Event You Select as a Story

Demonstrate Your Qualities

Why I Want to be a Pharmacist Essay Sample

Special Tips to Make Your Pharmacy Essay More Appealing

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Pharmacy School Personal Statement Tips

Learn More about Pharmacy School Requirements by State

Pharmacy school personal statement examples

Request Info

Newsletter Signup

Register Your Account

Why I Became a Pharmacist: The Runners-Up

Top Ten Reasons to Become a Pharmacist

1. I Want to Help People Get Well

2. I Like to Work Directly with Patients

3. I Enjoy a Wide Variety of Career Opportunities

4. I Can Benefit from the Demand For Pharmacists

5. I Want to be an Important Member of the Healthcare Team

6. I Can Have Job Mobility, Stability, and Flexibility

7. I am Excited to be a Part of Major Innovations in Medication Therapy