International Student Forum/ Message Board

Hi,

I am looking for opportunities to do B.Pharmacy in US. I am an Indian citizen and will be finishing my high school in 2012. What exams should I write to do my Undergrad in B. Pharm and how many years is the test score valid. Please advise.

Thank you,
Pri

For everyone who's interested in studying in the USA, you obviously need to write the SAT's, write the TOEFL. I'll suggest you write your tests in 2011 or beginning of 2012.

I'm happy that you're already thinking of college when you have 2 years left in high school. Start preparing yourself to get into a very good college. Be a very active student, and make awesome grades - that way you can get into a very good college, and if you do well in college; you can get into a good pharmacy school. Take Advance Placement classes if possible.

To become a pharmacist in the US, you could go to college and take pre-pharmacy classes for about 2 years. After that, you could transfer to a pharmacy school which would prob be 4 years. You would become a pharmacist in 6 years.

Do not be in a hurry. Right now, focus on being the "perfect" student.
http://wannabehomesick.blogspot.com/201 ... tep-1.html

Hi Pri,

Femiluv gives good advise related to the importance of your academic preparation and grades received. I do differ on her comment that you should take the SAT. Most schools, other than the most elite and competitive, do not usually require the SAT from international students for admission. HOWEVER, some them do require it for scholarship consideration. So...it is good to take it, especially if you are a very strong student. There is no harm in doing so, and if your grades and the test score is high enough, it might actually help.

The information previously given is also correct in regard to Pharmacy. We do not have a Bachelors in Pharmacy. You will end up having to get a Pharm. D. which is a doctorate of pharmacy and as mentioned is at least six years of study. you can start at most any school for the first two years in a pre-pharmacy program and if your grades are good enough, you can transfer to a school of pharmacy starting with your third year.

The SAT should be taken about a year ahead of time...maybe the summer of 2011, and then the TOEFL in th Fall of 2011. That way you can get the applications submitted in November or December of 2011 to be considered for admission for the Fall of 2012. Each school has its own deadlines for admission and sometimes for scholarship so you should research this for your choice universities.

Good luck!

Jim

I beg to differ, most schools do need the SAT's, transfer students are usually exempted. The difference is that the most elite and competitive schools require the SAT subject test(s) not the general SAT. The TOEFL might be optional if you've been taught in English and many schools require it. USA students need to write the SAT's to get in college, it only makes sense that intl students will too.

@ pri94: You don't have to take our word for it. Do your research and see what you come up with!!

With all due respect...I have been in international admission for 21 years, and I have been on recruitment tours with literally hundreds of US representatives. The majority of US colleges (with the exception of the top few hundred colleges/universities..out of 4,300) DO NOT require the SAT/ACT of international students. Example: Out of the 55 colleges/universities in Michigan, only one requires it for international students, while numerous others recommend it.

There are always going to be exceptions, but most have found that 1) the test is biased toward stduents educated int he US or in a US or internationally styled education, and 2) it is not available everywhere in the world. Just becasue something is required for a US student does not mean it will be required of an international.

Some universities will say that regardless of your citizenship, if you went to an American or International (English speaking) secondary school overseas, you may need to take the TOEFL, even if others in their native school would not have to...again this is a reflection of the preparation for the exam.

Also, even when it is not required, a strong score can have adefinite positive effect on your application file.

I do agree with Femiluv to the point that not only do the competitive schools require the SAT, but they also require some of the subject tests. This gives them further information to try to make the best decision on who will get in to the class.

The TOEFL, will generally be required of international students, although there may again be exceptions if one will graduate from an IB school for example.

The key to making the decision as to what is required is to refer to the schools that you are interested in. Taking the SAT and TOEFL are definitely the safe way to go, and assuming you get good scores, they will be helpful. Depending on where you require, the SAT may or may not be required.

Makes sense!!

Thing is, I don't know one international student (freshman) who got into college in the USA (straight from their home country) without taking the SAT's... just saying.

I respect that, but I can tell you that hundreds do every year. Again, though, it does depend on what universities they are applying for. As i may have mentioned...if you are talking about the most competitive then yes, it will be required as they need one one more factor to use in their decision-making process.

Thanks for your comments. It is good to get the current student perspective!

Sure, and thanks for your expertise!!!