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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.

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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!

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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.

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Writing the Personal Statement for Pharmacy School: A Checklist

You’ve likely written a personal statement at some point in your life. Perhaps while applying to your undergraduate program, some of your schools required you to include an essay describing your achievements, yourself, and what you hope to accomplish in your time at their university. Similarly, many pharmacy programs will require you to write a personal statement for their application. 

This, however, is different. You will be able to highlight your relevant accomplishments and address why you want to become a pharmacist to stand out truly . With so many applicants during each cycle, admissions officers use this personal statement to gauge whom they wish to speak with for an in-person interview.

At this phase of the application journey, you've narrowed down the pharmacy schools you’re applying to. Your transcripts are in, letters of recommendation are ready, and it’s time for your pharmacy personal statement. The good news is that, unlike undergraduate applications that sometimes have different prompts, you must answer for various schools; your one pharmacy school personal statement will be sent to every program through your PharmCAS application . That also leaves an exciting challenge: Even if you have a favorite, you must consider how you want to write this personal statement, as it shouldn’t be tailored toward one specific school. 

Determining the Narrative

When it comes to writing a pharmacy school personal statement, the most common pitfall students experience is the need for more effort placed into their writing. While your grades may be exceptional, and your letters of recommendation prove that your student-teacher relationships are healthy and you are a pleasure to have in class, having a generic pharmacy personal statement doesn’t differentiate you from other qualified applicants. If all applicants have already covered the first two things, the personal statement may be the shining piece of the application. For most students, writing this statement will be the most challenging part of the application process. 

Begin to formulate your narrative. Lay out the structure and the different sections. There’s no specific format that pharmacy schools are looking for, so make this personal statement unique to yourself. As mentioned, the “cookie cutter” approach to this part of the application is where most students stumble. Use your time wisely and start early . Additionally, you can easily find a sample personal statement on various websites to help structure your thoughts. However, remember that these should be used only as samples and that you shouldn’t rely on them to format your own statement.

Crafting a Unique Story

Each pharmacy school program wants students who demonstrate tenacity, which will help them succeed in their respective programs. One way to approach writing your pharmacy school personal statement is from the point of view of the admissions committee. Anyone charged with reading thousands of applications will focus on specific questions that signal a level of quality about the rest of the personal statement.

First, what's the reason that this student is choosing pharmacy as their career? Are they doing this for income or genuine interest in providing the best care for patients? Does the applicant demonstrate thoughtful understanding of their strengths and weaknesses? Do their ideals align with the mission statement of the school of pharmacy? Each reviewer may concentrate on different questions, but they want to see you feel a personal drive for a career as a pharmacist. Place yourself into the seat of an application reviewer and formulate different questions that you could potentially ask students. Try answering these questions and see how genuine your answers are. How you answer may decide if you want to continue to pursue this pharmacy school path.

Focus on Your Opening

One universal method many writing courses teach you is always to have a solid opening statement. Use this as an opportunity to begin with a personal story about why you decided that pharmacy is the right career for you or maybe an inspiring quote that has always resonated with you. The reviewer may have already gone through several applications, so your first few sentences should stand out. You want to be able to make an impression from the beginning while showing an earnest drive to spend a career as a pharmacist.

Once you’ve effectively engaged the reviewer, it’s time for the “meat” of the personal statement. What do pharmacy application committees truly want to hear? 

Getting to Know You

They want to learn more about you before meeting in a live interview. Tell your own story succinctly but without cutting corners. Briefly describe how you learned to overcome obstacles like that to better yourself and those around you. Sure, you can write about your most relevant academic accomplishments. But go beyond that.

Discuss how certain clubs and organizations have helped you progress through your undergraduate experience and how those organizations may have led you to pursue the path of pharmacy school. Highlight the different leadership positions you may have held in college that have helped mold you into the leader you see yourself as today. After setting those up, discuss the skills you’ve acquired to help you in pharmacy school and how they’d make you a better pharmacist.

When you mention your relevant academic studies, please don't forget to keep repeating the pharmacy college admission test (PCAT) scores or the 4.0 GPA that you achieved. The committee has this information before them as they read; they don’t need to be reminded.

Talk in detail about your relevant work experiences, such as research or a part-time job in a pharmacy. Discuss how these different work experiences furthered your commitment to the profession. Identify what aspects of the pharmacy setting may have attracted you and what you ultimately have learned from these experiences. Some students come into this part of the application process without work experience. That’s okay. You can highlight any volunteer work related to healthcare or pharmacy. 

Close with Confidence

Finally—and we can’t stress this enough—keep your writing professional. You’re making an impression on a professional committee, and as much as you want to make your statement sound lighthearted, keep in mind that the reviewers’ time is at a premium for reviewing the essays and interviews in the next round.

Be succinct, direct, and human.

Remember to keep our advice top of mind:

The goal of your personal statement is to showcase why you would be the ideal pharmacy student and why your traits/qualities reflect those of a pharmacist.

Be as authentic as possible when detailing why you want to be part of the PharmD program. 

GPA and PCAT scores can only get you so far. Your personal statement is a chance for you to stand out in front of the other applicants who apply to the same pharmacy program as you. 

Remember, perfecting the personal statement takes time and your admission may depend on how much effort you ultimately put into your writing.

Hong Chen, PharmD

My name is Hong Kui Chen and I am a graduate of The Ohio State University Pharmacy Class of 2022. I am currently working as a clinical research associate at Medpace, Inc, a contract research organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio. My work mainly consists of traveling to various sites around the country and providing protocol training on new clinical trials or monitoring data. While I enjoyed the traditional pharmacy role of working in retail or hospital, I wanted to expand and pursue this non-traditional role to see how clinical trials operate. I have a passion for being able to impact patients in a grand scale and even though I don’t have the 1-on-1 patient interaction, the work that I do can have long lasting contributions to overall patient health. 

Opinions and information published by the author here on PharmDDegree.com are of my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of my employer.

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How to Write a Compelling Pharmacy School Personal Statement

Written by Kelly Tomory

July 12, 2022

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

More Articles

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Personal Essay

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In this section, write a personal essay that addresses why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals.

Do not personalize your essay for a particular pharmacy degree institution. You cannot edit your personal essay after you submit your completed application.

Requirements

• Keep your essay topic general : Follow the prompt to write your statement. Keep the statement general as this essay is sent to all the programs you apply to. If you plan to only apply to one program, we still strongly recommend keeping your statement general in case you later apply to additional programs. Once you submit your application, the statement cannot be edited or changed.
• Do not exceed the maximum length : You can see both the word and character count below the field in the application. The right-hand number shows the maximum number of characters that you can use in your essay. As you type, you can see how many characters are still available and the associated word count. Characters include spaces, carriage returns, and punctuation. You cannot save your essay if it exceeds the 4,500 character limit.
• Use your own words : Plagiarizing any part of your essay is a violation of the Applicant Code of Conduct and may subject you to sanctions. See the Plagiarism section below for more information.
• Use simple formatting : Formatting such as tabs, italics, multiple spaces, etc., will not be saved. To delineate paragraphs, type a double return between each paragraph.
• Copy and paste from Notepad : Some formatting characters used in Microsoft Word (i.e., angled quotes, accents, special characters, bold, underline, or italic text) do not display properly in PharmCAS. We recommend copying and pasting your statement from Notepad, or a similar plain text editor.

Proofreading

Be sure to read over your essay several times to catch any spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc., errors before submitting. Once you submit your application, you cannot edit your essay. If you find an error after submission that you believe could have major effects on your application, we recommend sending a corrected copy directly to the programs you applied to.

Your personal statement is subject to a similarity review via iThenticate/Turnitin (an online plagiarism checker used by PharmCAS) for detection of plagiarism and other potential violations of the Applicant Code of Conduct. Submitted personal statements and other materials may be used as source documents in the iThenticate/Turnitin for Admissions reference database solely for purposes of detecting plagiarism of such documents.

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Pharmacy Personal Statement Examples

In this article, we discuss pharmacy personal statement examples and how to write a strong statement for pharmacy school.

Find out how a chemistry set and a mom who was a nurse put one candidate on the path to becoming a pharmacist, and how another candidate learned about patient advocacy in rural Cameroon. We’ll also find out how a potential international student plans to contribute to the community in the USA.

The pharmacy personal statement is one of the most important parts of your application. It’s your chance to show who you are as a person and why you want to study pharmacy.

Your personal statement should be well-written, honest, and specific to you as an individual. To help you get started, we’ve put together some pharmacy personal statement examples below.

Table of Contents

What is a pharmacy personal statement, how to write a strong personal statement for pharmacy school, pharmacy personal statement example 1, pharmacy personal statement example 2, pharmacy personal statement example 3, faq (frequently asked questions), more personal statement tutorials.

It’s a short personal essay written about yourself that is used to help graduate schools decide if you would make a good candidate for their programme.

It explains why you want to pursue pharmacology, any awards or achievements you have received, any relevant work or internship experience, and attributes that make you a good candidate, such as excellent people skills, strong attention to detail, and strong organisational skills.

It can also provide an opportunity to showcase qualities that can’t be easily articulated in words, such as empathy, leadership, and motivation. Ultimately, it can be the deciding factor in your acceptance into a pharmacy programme.

Step 1: Explain your USP (unique selling point)

When writing a personal statement for pharmacy school, it is important to determine your approach – what do you need them to know? What is your USP?

You should consider your motivation for pursuing pharmacy as a career, the experiences that have prepared you for pharmacy school, your personal qualities that make you a strong candidate, and how you fit with the pharmacy school you are applying to.

By reflecting on these factors, you can develop a clear and compelling personal statement that highlights your strengths, experiences, and passion for pharmacy.

As an international student, I am committed to bringing a unique perspective to the classroom and contributing to the cultural diversity of the pharmacy program. I believe that my background and experiences will enable me to connect with patients and colleagues from different cultures and build strong relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. I particularly look forward to volunteering with Spanish speakers in the local community during my time at pharmacy school.

Step 2: Read and reread the institution’s instructions

When writing a pharmacy personal statement, it is important to carefully read and reread the instructions provided by the institution to ensure that you meet all the requirements and guidelines.

Start by reading the instructions thoroughly, taking notes on key points, highlighting important details and asking for clarification if needed.

Make sure to pay attention to what is to be included in your personal statement (for example a key question) and if there is a word limit.

Step 3: Consider getting help from an expert

• Identify potential experts. You can do this by reaching out to your academic advisor, contacting your local pharmacy association, or searching online.
• Reach out to them respectfully
• Provide them with the necessary information such as your academic history, work experience, and goals for pursuing pharmacy.
• Listen to their feedback carefully
• Express your gratitude for their time and expertise.

Remember to be respectful of their time and follow up in a timely manner.

Step 4: Write your personal statement

• Begin by summarising your suitability for the role. Make sure to write from the first-person viewpoint.
• Outline your qualifications and experience, followed by your relevant skills. Be sure to emphasize your enthusiasm for the field of pharmacy and the role you are applying for.
• Keep your personal statement brief and include details relevant to the role.
• Be open and honest in your writing. Being honest in your personal statement will help to prevent any exaggeration or incorrect information.
• Talk about how you solved a problem, really connected with a patient or learned something important relating to pharmacy studies.
• During a placement in Cameroon, I learned to ask the obvious and not so obvious questions. Why were several HIV patients from one village suddenly presenting with stomach ulcers? It turned out that some villagers only ate once a day and without support, could not follow the instructions to take medications twice a day with food. A local NGO helped with training on nutritious plants that were safe to eat, in order to take the second dose of medication. I realised that I want to be the type of pharmacist that goes the extra mile to understand the everyday healthcare challenges in the lives of her patients, and support them where needed.

Step 5: Determine your target audience and message

To determine your target audience and message for your pharmacy personal statement:

• Research the pharmacy program: Learn as much as you can about the pharmacy program you are applying to, including its mission statement, values, and requirements. This will help you to understand what the program is looking for in its applicants.
• Identify the target audience: Consider who will be reading your personal statement, such as admissions officers or faculty members. Think about what they are looking for in an applicant and what they might be interested in hearing from you.
• Consider your message: Think about what you want to convey in your personal statement, such as your passion for pharmacy, your experiences that have prepared you for pharmacy school, and your goals for your pharmacy career. Make sure that your message aligns with the values and mission of the pharmacy program you are applying to.
• Tailor your message to the audience: what are you most interested in learning about? For this candidate, it’s the way in which pharmacists can use new technology.

In particular, I am interested in exploring the ways in which technology can be leveraged to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery. During the recent pandemic, apps such as HealthPass made it much safer for more vulnerable patients to participate in daily life. As the healthcare landscape continues to shift towards a more patient-centered, value-based model, I believe that pharmacists must be at the forefront of innovation and change.

Step 6: Keep your personal statement concise and clear

Make sure that each point is concise. Paraphrase and condense the content where possible. Make sure that your final statement does not exceed one page.

The order of your paragraphs must make sense. Make sure your points flow logically and that there is a smooth transition from one point to the next.

Step 7: Share your personal statement with a trusted reviewer

Have an expert review your personal statement. Ask someone you trust to read over your statement and provide feedback on the grammar, structure, and content.

Make any necessary changes. Based on the feedback you receive, adjust your statement to make it stronger.

As a dedicated and passionate student of pharmacy, I am committed to making a difference in the lives of others through my work. I believe that pharmacists have a unique opportunity to improve the health and well-being of patients, and I am eager to contribute to this important field.

My interest in pharmacy began at a young age when I saw first-hand the impact that medications can have on a person’s quality of life. I witnessed my grandmother struggle with a chronic illness, and I was inspired by the role that her pharmacist played in helping to manage her condition. This experience motivated me to pursue a career in pharmacy, and I have been working diligently towards this goal ever since.

Throughout my academic career, I have taken a rigorous course load that has prepared me well for the challenges of pharmacy school. I have excelled in courses such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology, and I have gained practical experience through internships and volunteer work. I am confident that my academic background has prepared me well for the challenging curriculum of pharmacy school, and I am excited to continue my education in this field. In addition to my advocacy experience and academic accomplishments, I possess a number of personal qualities that I believe make me a strong candidate for pharmacy school. I am detail-oriented and meticulous in my work, and I am committed to providing the highest level of care to patients. I am also an excellent communicator, and I believe that effective communication is essential to building strong relationships with patients and healthcare providers.

During a placement in Cameroon, I learned to ask the obvious and not so obvious questions. Why were several HIV patients from one village suddenly presenting with stomach ulcers? It turned out that some villagers only ate once a day and without support, could not follow the instructions to take medications twice a day with food. A local NGO helped with training on nutritious plants that were safe to eat, in order to take the second dose of medication. I realised that I want to be the type of pharmacist that goes the extra mile to understand the everyday healthcare challenges in the lives of her patients and support them where needed.

Ultimately, my goal as a pharmacist is to improve the health and well-being of patients through compassionate care and innovative solutions. I am committed to lifelong learning and professional development as a pharmacy professional, and I am excited to contribute to the dynamic and constantly evolving field of pharmacy. Thank you for considering my application.

As a very young child playing with a $10 chemistry set, I was sure that if I tried hard enough I could mix up a medicine that could save all the sick people in the hospital where my mother worked as a nurse! As a dedicated and motivated student of pharmacy, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue an advanced degree in this exciting and constantly evolving field. Throughout my academic career, I have been driven by a passion for helping others and a deep curiosity about the science of medicine.

I believe that pharmacy is uniquely positioned at the intersection of science and patient care, and I am excited to explore the many ways in which pharmacists can make a difference in the lives of patients. From a young age, I was fascinated by the stories of patients my mother would tell, explaining how medicines had helped them to get better. I realised that as researchers work on developing new drugs and therapies to provide education and counselling to patients, pharmacists play a critical role in improving healthcare outcomes and promoting wellness.

In particular, I am interested in exploring the ways in which technology can be leveraged to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery. During the recent pandemic, apps such as HealthPass made it much safer for more vulnerable patients to participate in daily life. As the healthcare landscape continues to shift towards a more patient-centred, value-based model, I believe that pharmacists must be at the forefront of innovation and change.

In pursuing an advanced degree in pharmacy, I am excited to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and experts in the field to explore new solutions and approaches. I am eager to learn from experienced professionals, conduct research, and apply my knowledge and skills to real-world challenges to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of patients and the ongoing evolution and growth of the field. I am so excited to embark on this exciting new chapter in my academic and professional journey.

As an international student, I am excited to have the opportunity to pursue a degree in pharmacy in the USA. I am drawn to the USA’s reputation for excellence in healthcare and its innovative approach to pharmacy education.

My passion for pharmacy began in my home country, where the numbers of hospitals and doctors per capita are very low and most people would go to a pharmacy rather to a private doctor. I can see the critical role that pharmacists play in promoting wellness and managing chronic conditions. In Mexico, the obesity crisis means that around 14 million adults are living with diabetes, a rise of about 10% in the last few years. This number includes eight of my relatives and without supportive, empathetic pharmacists, I believe that some of my family members would not have survived. As a biology major for my undergraduate degree, I am eager to build on the foundation and gain a deeper understanding of the science of medicine, as well as the complex healthcare systems that underpin patient care.

I am confident that studying pharmacy in the USA will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and experience I need to excel in this challenging and rewarding field. I am particularly excited about the opportunities for hands-on learning and practical experience, as well as the chance to collaborate with other students and professionals from diverse backgrounds.

My goal as a pharmacist is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and to contribute to the ongoing advancement of healthcare in my home country and beyond. I am confident that studying pharmacy in the USA will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and networks I need to achieve this goal, and I am excited to embark on this exciting new chapter in my academic and professional journey.

Some of these questions were already covered in this blog post but I will still list them here (because not everyone carefully reads every paragraph) so here’s the TL;DR version.

What are the essential components of a strong pharmacy personal statement?

A strong pharmacy personal statement should include:

• an introduction
• knowledge and interest in pharmacy
• work or voluntary experience, hobbies and interests
• why you want to pursue pharmacy
• what about that particular university’s programme appeals to you
• any achievements or awards you’ve received
• any relevant internships or work experience
• why you’d make a good candidate
• qualities such as excellent people skills, strong attention to detail, honesty and integrity, and good communication skills.

What qualifications do I need to apply to a pharmacy school program?

In order to apply to a pharmacy school program, you need to have a foundational degree in the field of pharmacy.

A pharmacy degree program in the United States usually involves at least 2 years of specific undergraduate coursework followed by 3-4 years of professional study.

Finally, it’s important to note that depending on the particular university you plan on attending, there may be some additional institutional requirements. These will be listed on the university’s website and/or in the admissions packet for the school.

How do I demonstrate my enthusiasm for a career in pharmacy?

Below are a few tips to help you demonstrate enthusiasm for a career in pharmacy including some examples.

Describe any relevant work experience you have gained in local pharmacies.

This work experience has helped me gain a better understanding of how pharmacies work, as well as how to build trust in dealing with customers. I have also demonstrated empathy, active listening, and confidence in customer interactions.

Discuss the knowledge you have gained from working in different pharmacies.

Through my work in different pharmacies, I have developed an understanding of over-the-counter and prescription medications, treatments, relief, and side effects for common conditions including asthma, diabetes, and hypertension.

Showcase your commitment to learning and development.

I have taken part in self-directed learning to stay abreast of the dynamic field of pharmaceuticals. Through workshops, conferences, and courses, I have learned more about natural treatments, the human body, medicine, and recovery.

How can I demonstrate my suitability for a pharmacy degree programme?

• Academic preparation: Show that you have the necessary academic preparation for a pharmacy degree programme by highlighting your performance in relevant courses, such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
• Relevant experiences : Highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate your interest in pharmacy, such as work or volunteer experience in a pharmacy or healthcare setting.
• Personal qualities: Emphasize the personal qualities that make you a good fit for a pharmacy degree programme. This can include qualities such as attention to detail, strong teamwork and communication skills, the ability to work well under pressure, and a commitment to patient care.
• Career goals : Discuss your career goals and how a pharmacy degree will help you achieve them. Show that you have a clear understanding of the profession and how you see yourself contributing to the field in the future
• Community involvement : Discuss any involvement in your community, such as volunteering at a hospital, patient advocacy or participating in community health initiatives. This can help to demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

What information is required in the body paragraphs of a pharmacy personal statement?

The applicant’s knowledge and interest in pharmacy, work or volunteer experience, and hobbies and interests.

The applicant’s values, goals, and motivations for wanting to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Any relevant awards, certifications, or other accomplishments that set them apart from other applicants.

The applicant’s unique qualities, such as enthusiasm and dedication, will benefit the pharmacy program.

How can I demonstrate my knowledge of the healthcare profession and pharmacology?

• Research extensively on pharmacology and the healthcare profession, including current trends and related topics.
• Organise work experience at pharmacies, paying close attention to how pharmacists interact with customers and handle various prescription drugs.
• Take a course related to the healthcare profession and pharmacology.
• Volunteer with charities or organizations that are related to the healthcare profession, such as Oxfam.

What types of work experience placements are appropriate for pharmacy school applications?

These placements can be found in both the public and private sectors.

In the public sector, pharmacy placements may be available in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Placements may involve assisting with the dispensing of medications, managing the inventory of medications, and providing customer service to patients.

In the private sector, placements may be available in retail stores such as supermarkets and drug stores. Placements may involve managing the inventory of medications, providing customer service to customers, and assisting with the dispensing of medications.

Additionally, placements may be available in pharmaceutical companies. Placements may involve assisting with research and development, managing the inventory of medications, and providing customer service to customers.

How do I make sure my pharmacy personal statement is free of spelling and grammar errors?

To make sure your personal statement is free of spelling and grammar errors, it is important to follow these steps:

• Start writing your pharmacy personal statement as early as possible. This gives you the time to brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.
• After writing your first draft, carefully revise and edit it first. Then, ask classmates or an academic advisor for feedback and incorporate their comments and suggestions.
• Hire a professional editor to proofread your writing or use a do-it-yourself tool like Grammarly to check for any grammar and spelling mistakes.
• Finally, make sure that your pharmacy personal statement is just on or below the required word count.
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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:

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• 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

You might also be interested in:

• Scholarship Essay Examples about Yourself
• How to Write a Scholarship Essay about Why You Deserve It
• Financial Assistance Essay: Useful Tips to Make It Rock
• How to Write an Essay Describing Your Financial Need
• Why I Want to be a Teacher Essay Writing Guide
• College Application Essay Writing Mistakes to Avoid
• How to Write a 250 Words College Personal Statement

✏️ 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
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Home — Essay Samples — Economics — Pharmacy — The Importance of a Personal Statement for Pharmacy School

The Importance of a Personal Statement for Pharmacy School

• Categories: Pharmacy

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Words: 461 |

Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 461 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Importance of personal statement, background and motivation for pursuing pharmacy, academic and professional experiences, future goals and aspirations.

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13 SMART Goals Examples for Pharmacists

Pharmacists occupy a unique position in the healthcare industry, providing vital services and often playing an essential role in patient care. It would be best to create goals to further your professional development.

SMART goals provide a valuable framework for reaching desired outcomes. In this article, we will explore some SMART goals examples for pharmacists based on the different areas of their work.

Table of Contents

What Are SMART Goals?

Goals for pharmacists should be set in tandem with the SMART framework. For those unfamiliar, SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Here is a deeper dive into the 5 components:

• Specific: This criterion is essential for motivating pharmacists as it forces them to define what precisely they’re trying to accomplish. For example, improving people skills can be made more specific, like “I will greet each patient with a smile when they enter the pharmacy.”
• Measurable: The measurable aspect allows pharmacists to track their progress in real time while keeping them accountable for their actions.
• Attainable: There is a delicate balance between being realistic and pushing yourself. Having the right balance of achievable but stretching targets is key to success.
• Relevant: Align your goals with your core values to find success. Without this alignment, there can be a disconnect between what you want and what motivates you.
• Time-based: Ensure you set a goal completion date for yourself, as this will keep you inspired and on track throughout your journey.

The 5 SMART criteria presented above will allow you to succeed as a pharmacist. You will take the required steps to develop your career.

Why Every Pharmacist Should Set SMART Goals

Pharmacists ensure excellent patient care by managing medications. They need to set SMART goals to outline their path for development in the healthcare sector. These goals act as guiding principles, helping pharmacists navigate their duties and long-term career objectives.

SMART goals provide pharmacists with a structured way to track progress and achievements in their practice. By establishing benchmarks like the number of medication therapy sessions conducted or patient adherence rates, pharmacists can objectively measure their impact on patient care.

Plus, SMART goals promote creativity and teamwork within the pharmacy field. They encourage pharmacists to come up with strategies for patient care while aligning personal aspirations with organizational targets.

Types of SMART Goals for Pharmacists

Pharmacists must establish SMART goals to excel in their profession and progress in their careers. Let’s delve into different types of SMART goals customized for pharmacists:

Patient Care Goals

Pharmacists can create SMART goals to improve patient care. These might involve boosting medication adherence rates, introducing medication therapy management (MTM) services and conducting medication reviews to detect and address drug-related issues.

Quality Assurance Goals

Ensuring adherence to quality standards is crucial in the field of pharmacy. Goals here may be: overseeing the accuracy of medication dispensing, conducting routine audits and engaging in accreditation initiatives to uphold top-notch standards in pharmacy operations.

Operational Efficiency Goals

Setting SMART goals here could include refining dispensing procedures to minimize patient wait times, integrating technological solutions like automated dispensing systems or electronic health records (EHRs) and reducing instances of stockouts and excessive inventory expenses.

By establishing pertinent targets for operational efficiency, pharmacists can elevate service provision standards while optimizing resource utilization within the pharmacy environment.

Leadership Goals

Showcasing leadership capabilities is a key quality for pharmacists aiming for advancement into managerial or supervisory positions.

Creating these goals could involve guiding pharmacy team members, overseeing projects, advising junior pharmacists to help them progress professionally and engaging proactively in task groups to promote beneficial changes within the organization.

13 SMART Goals for Pharmacists

Below you will discover 13 examples of SMART goals for pharmacists:

1. Increase Your Knowledge of Drugs

SMART Goal: “I will increase my knowledge of drugs and their side effects by attending three continuing education courses in the following 6 months. I want to ensure I have the most up-to-date information to offer my patients.”

Specific: The aim is to attend three continuing education courses.

Measurable: Track the number of courses attended and assess if your knowledge has increased.

Attainable: Gaining more knowledge requires you to free up time.

Relevant: Continuing education courses are essential for pharmacists to stay up to date with the most current drug information.

Time-based: You will set a timeline of 6 months for completing this goal.

2. Enhance Patient Satisfaction

“Within three months, I’ll launch a patient satisfaction survey and analyze the results to create an action plan addressing any improvement areas. I hope our patients get the best care possible and have a positive experience in our pharmacy.”

S: The goal is clearly defined and addresses the need to assess patients’ satisfaction.

M: You can evaluate progress by looking at the survey results and comparing them to previous surveys.

A: This is easily achievable with the use of an online survey or a paper questionnaire.

R: This goal is relevant to the success of your pharmacy and ensuring patients receive quality care.

T: There is a three-month end date for accomplishing this goal.

3. Build Work Relationships

“By the end of this quarter, I will have created strong working relationships with my colleagues. I want to ensure that I have a good understanding of their goals, needs, and opinions.”

S: You want to build relationships with your colleagues.

M: You can count how many connections you made this quarter.

A: Creating relationships with colleagues is mainly within your control and can be accomplished with enough effort.

R: Having solid relationships with colleagues is crucial for a successful career.

T: Goal completion should be reached by the end of the quarter.

4. Utilize Technology

“I’ll strive to investigate and become familiar with two new pharmacy technology advancements by the end of the year. These advancements will help me provide better patient care, streamline my workflow, and stay on top of the latest developments in pharmacy.”

S: Identifying two technological advancements and becoming familiar with them is concrete.

M: The person can assess whether they’ve achieved familiarity with the advancements.

A: This goal is achievable , especially with a proper research plan and timeline.

R: Investigating technology advancements is relevant to the pharmacist’s work.

T: You have until the end of the year for goal achievement.

5. Expand Networking Opportunities

“I will connect with two new industry contacts each month to expand my professional network by the end of 5 months. This way, I can stay up to date on the latest developments in pharmacy and collaborate with colleagues who can help me grow my career.”

S: The SMART goal is clear. You’ll strive to connect with two new industry contacts each month over 5 months.

M: Make sure to track the contacts you’ve made each month.

A: This is realistic and achievable with time, effort, and dedication.

R: The goal is appropriate for the individual’s desire to expand their professional network.

T: You have 5 months to expand your professional network.

6. Increase Prescription Accuracy

“I will work to increase the accuracy of all prescriptions filled by my pharmacy by 10% in 8 months. I plan to review our workflow and look for areas where mistakes can be avoided , such as double-checking medication name and dosage before finalizing the prescription.”

S: You plan to review and improve the workflow, focusing on double-checking prescriptions.

M: A 10% increase in accuracy should be measurable with data.

A: This is absolutely doable if you pay close attention to detail.

R: This directly relates to your primary objective of increasing accuracy.

T: You should expect to achieve this within 8 months.

7. Improve Communication Skills

“I’ll aim to improve my communication skills by attending at least three workshops, seminars, or training related to the best practices in effective communication in 6 months. I want to ensure that my ability to communicate with colleagues and customers is updated.”

S: This goal involves attending at least three workshops, seminars, or training related to communication best practices.

M: One can measure their improvement in communication by following the listed action items.

A: This is possible with research and dedication to completing the workshops, seminars, or training.

R: Excellent communication skills are essential for a pharmacist, so this goal is highly relevant.

T: You should anticipate goal achievement in 6 months.

8. Develop Leadership Skills

“I want to develop my leadership skills by taking on a lead role in two new projects and delegating tasks to other team members in the following 6 months. I’ll also take on a mentorship role to help guide team members in their professional development.”

S: The SMART goal outlines what needs to be done (taking on a lead role and delegating tasks) and the timeline for completion.

M: Measure progress through the completion of projects, the number of tasks delegated, and feedback from team members.

A: This goal is feasible as long as the pharmacist actively seeks new opportunities and puts in the necessary effort.

R: Developing leadership skills is essential for career growth and success.

T: Six months is the required time frame to complete this target.

9. Streamline Practice Processes

“To increase efficiency in the pharmacy and reduce wasted time, I will simplify our existing processes (including ordering, stocking, billing, and dispensing medications) by the end of this quarter.”

S: This statement is focused on streamlining existing processes in the pharmacy.

M: You could measure the amount of time saved when these processes are improved.

A: Simplifying processes should be possible with practice and dedication.

R: Improving processes in the pharmacy can help reduce costs and wasted time.

T: This has a timeline of one quarter to meet the goal.

10. Reduce Prescription Errors and Costs

“I’ll work to reduce prescription errors and costs for pharmacy customers by developing an electronic system that can scan patient information, verify insurance eligibility, and track prescription costs for 7 months. This will ensure that prescriptions are filled correctly and reduce customer wait times.”

S: You’ll develop an electronic system to reduce prescription errors and costs.

M: Make sure you scan patient information, verify insurance eligibility, and track prescription costs for 7 months.

A: This is a reasonable goal that can be achieved over a set amount of time.

R: The statement is applicable because it will help reduce customer wait times and ensure prescriptions are filled correctly.

T: This goal has a specific timeline of 7 months to be completed.

11. Research New Treatments and Medications

“To provide the best possible service and keep up with advancements in the medical industry, I’ll conduct thorough research into new treatments and medications available. I want to be informed and able to discuss the options with patients within 8 months.”

S: The goal outlines the overall objective and the timeline.

M: You can track how many treatments and medications you research over the 8 months.

A: It is realistic to research and understand new treatments and medications.

R: This goal is appropriate as pharmacists must stay up to date with new treatments and medications.

T: There is an 8-month deadline for reaching the statement.

12. Improve Medication Adherence

“I want to improve medication adherence for my customers by giving them personalized education about their medications and available resources. I will create a program with educational materials and resources that my customers can use to better understand their medications by the end of four months.”

S: This goal defines a program and time frame for improving medication adherence.

M: Track the creation of educational materials and resources over four months.

A: Give customers personalized education and create a program of resources for them to use.

R: This is suitable for pharmacists because it will help them improve medication adherence.

T: Success should be achieved over the four months ahead.

13. Attain Clinical Certifications

“I will work hard to acquire two clinical certifications by the end of the year. These certifications will increase my knowledge and skill base in pharmacology and medicine, which will help me provide even better care for my patients.”

S: This is explicit as it states the person wants to obtain two clinical certifications in one year.

M: Monitor your progress as you move closer to obtaining the certifications.

A: Having one year to gain the certifications makes it realistic.

R: These certifications will provide a more in-depth understanding of patient care, which will be beneficial in the long run.

T: You will meet this SMART goal by the end of the year.

FAQs for Pharmacists

How do i prioritize relevant smart goals for my role and career as a pharmacist.

Prioritize relevant SMART goals by evaluating your pharmacy responsibilities, career aspirations, and areas where improvement can have the greatest impact. Consider factors such as patient care, professional opportunities, and organizational priorities that align with your long-term targets.

Are there specific steps or resources recommended for achieving SMART goals?

Achieve SMART goals by breaking them down into specific, actionable steps that you can implement systematically. Use various resources like workshops, online courses, professional networks, and mentorship programs to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to meet your goals.

How can I effectively track progress for each goal?

Track progress by establishing milestones and reviewing your performance against predefined metrics. Utilize tools like progress charts, spreadsheets, or task management apps to monitor your progress and stay on track.

Additionally, seek feedback from supervisors, colleagues, or mentors to assess your performance and identify areas for improvement.

How might I overcome common obstacles while pursuing goals?

Overcome common obstacles by anticipating potential challenges and developing strategies to address them proactively. Seek additional training or support, adjust your approach, and seek advice from experienced colleagues who’ve faced similar challenges.

How do I ensure my SMART goals align with pharmacy values and objectives?

Ensure alignment with pharmacy values and organizational objectives by ensuring that your SMART goals contribute to the overall mission and goals of your pharmacy or organization.

Engage with pharmacy leadership, participate in team discussions, and seek input from colleagues to ensure that your goals are in line with organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.

How can I balance pursuing multiple SMART goals while managing daily responsibilities as a pharmacist?

Balance pursuing multiple SMART goals by prioritizing tasks based on their importance and urgency, and allocating time and resources accordingly. Break down larger goals into smaller tasks, and set a realistic timeline for completion.

Stay organized, focused, and disciplined in your approach, but also be flexible and willing to adjust your plans to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Apply and Pay for Pharmacy School

Applying to pharmacy school occurs in the summer, one year before the program starts. Identify programs that match your skills and interests and complete an application. Some steps take more time to complete than others, so plan ahead!

Schools & Programs

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If required, prepare and take the Pharmacy College Admission Test Testing Calendar 2021-2022 Resources for PCAT

Quick Facts:

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Application

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• Read PharmCAS Application Instructions for 2021-2022
• Submit supplemental applications from individual schools when required
• Follow the Checklist for Applicants
• PharmGrad- application service to apply to multiple M.S. and Ph.D. programs offered by colleges and schools of pharmacy

Personal Essay

• "Your Personal Essay should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals."
• 4500 characters

Additional Application Information

Get more info and resources on your personal essay, interview tips, letters of evaluation and taking a gap year.

My Desire to Pursue a Career in Pharmacy Essay

Since my childhood, I have always had a passion to care for people. Seeing people sad made me sad too. I have always tried to be compassionate to all the people around me. I have always wanted to care for people and solve their problems. Physically caring for people makes me happy and satisfied. I believe that my desire to care for people is one basic factor that has made me so determined to pursue a career in pharmacy.

I have thought about the best way to express my passion as a hobby and at the same time develop it as a career. In my search, I came across pharmaceutical care. According to my search, I know pharmaceutical care as the provision of drug therapy. I discovered that drug therapy is quite significant because of the role it plays in improving the quality of life of the patients. I believe that pursuing a career in pharmacy will be a great achievement in my life and the best thing I have done in my life. Venturing into the pharmaceutical care sector to me will be killing two birds with a stone; I will engage in a bright career with a bright future at the same time doing what I like best. The fact that pursuing a career in pharmacy will be more of a hobby to me will make it possible for me to advance my advanced levels. Pursuing a pharmacy course to advanced levels is actually not just a desire I have but rather a goal I have purposed to achieve.

Recently I was in Haiti after the earthquake. The sight of the aftermath of the earthquake was not good at all. The few medical personnel available could not handle all the people who needed their attention. It was quite pathetic and though I helped my desire was that my help could help the quality of these people’s lives. I believe that I have a big heart and that is why I wish to give assistance to anyone who requires it. Pharmaceutical care will give me a big chance to genuinely take care of people and ensure that their pain is alleviated.

I find pharmaceutical care to be quite intriguing. Apart from just advancing my career in pharmacy, I have purposed to achieve some other goals: I have purposed to establish direct patient advice, decrease medication errors and increase patient compliance to medication. I believe in the practice of good medicine; I also believe that being genuinely concerned about your patients is truly a practice of good medicine as this will make it possible to get information that can be very valuable in the treatment of the patient. Being genuinely concerned about my patients will make it possible for me to offer direct advice to the patients. I intend to keep medication errors at minimal levels as such errors can be costly to the health of a patient. I will also endeavor to ensure that the patients comply with the medications that are given to them. I will also be willing to offer my services overseas when the need arises.

Generally, I am looking forward to building a strong relationship with my patients and offering assistance to them to help improve the quality of their health. I am positive that I make a great change in patients’ lives because offering pharmaceutical care is will be a hobby and career at the same time.

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IvyPanda. (2022, March 23). My Desire to Pursue a Career in Pharmacy. https://ivypanda.com/essays/my-desire-to-pursue-a-career-in-pharmacy/

"My Desire to Pursue a Career in Pharmacy." IvyPanda , 23 Mar. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/my-desire-to-pursue-a-career-in-pharmacy/.

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IvyPanda . 2022. "My Desire to Pursue a Career in Pharmacy." March 23, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/my-desire-to-pursue-a-career-in-pharmacy/.

1. IvyPanda . "My Desire to Pursue a Career in Pharmacy." March 23, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/my-desire-to-pursue-a-career-in-pharmacy/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "My Desire to Pursue a Career in Pharmacy." March 23, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/my-desire-to-pursue-a-career-in-pharmacy/.

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Top Ten Goals for the Profession of Pharmacy

A list of the top 10 things pharmacists should be doing to ensure that the profession remains a strong and vital part of the healthcare system.

Consider this a Top Ten list of the things our profession should be doing to ensure that pharmacy remains a strong and vital part of the healthcare system. We could all use some goals in our day to day professional lives. Here are some of the top things I think our profession should focus on going forward.

(1) Unify! Without question the one shortcoming I see with the profession of pharmacy is the lack of a uniformed voice to represent all of us regardless of practice setting or interests. Whether you are a clinical hospital pharmacist, a consultant, a community pharmacist, or if you work in one of the many other areas of our profession there should be one large and strong pharmacy organization that represents us all.

(2) Educate! Not only do we all as pharmacists need to challenge ourselves to gain more education, but we should also strive to educate the public about what we do and why we are important. Public perception does matter, and if they don’t know why we are a vital part of the healthcare system, we might be considered expendable. That just isn’t true and we should show the world why! We must also educate pharmacy students so that they are well prepared when entering the professional ranks as new pharmacists.

(3) Expand! Yes, things like medication therapy management (MTM) services can be the future of our profession. But only if we lay the foundation for providing those services on a large scale. Bringing additional services to even rural pharmacies all across the country should be a top priority. We’ve succeeded in becoming the go-to profession for vaccinations against illnesses such as the flu, so why not provide other services on a large scale? Health screenings or disease management services would be a natural extension of our responsibilities. And while these sorts of services might already be offered, they could be greatly expanded.

(4) Be Politically Active! It’s no secret that I personally feel like the profession of pharmacy is doing a poor job of making our voice heard in the political arena. Despite my personal distaste for all things political, even I can’t deny that politics matters (and I’ve written about that very subject). As a profession we should be doing more to make sure politicians don’t legislate us out of the healthcare system completely. Phone calls, letters, lobbying, and other methods of involvement can be done to help ensure our best interests are being served. There’s really no excuse for not being politically active as a profession.

(5) Promote Ourselves! No one should be a bigger cheerleader for the profession than ourselves. Promoting our services can be as important as actually doing the services in the first place. We can accomplish great things in the area of patient care. Why not promote those achievements a little more? Pharmacists do many positive things every day. There is no reason why we can’t start taking a little credit for our collective accomplishments. But in the public eye, usually you only hear about a pharmacist’s actions only if something has gone horribly wrong! Let’s work to change that.

(6) Fight negative change! Nothing needs more improvement for the profession of pharmacy than our resistance (or lack thereof) to negative changes. We often sit back and allow the world to change in a negative way and then complain about how things after the fact. We should be fighting negative change before it happen. Being proactive against negative developments can mean preventing them from occurring. But waiting until after the changes happen and becoming outraged after the fact means we’ve become involved too late.

(7) Collaborate! I know it’s difficult for pharmacists from all practice settings to meet and discuss issues that affect our profession. But even if you don’t have time for formal organization meetings, at least become connected to the social media scene. Discussing issues that affect us all can help us better understand the problems we face and come up with unique and viable solutions. Isolating ourselves away from the rest of the profession means we aren’t going to learn those valuable alternate perspectives.

(8) Stay Informed! One of the worst things about major developments affecting pharmacy is simply not knowing about them. Read and stay tuned to the news related to our profession. Visit news sites, publication sites, blogs, or whatever other sources of information you can find. Being in the know means you are more prepared to meet any challenges you will face. It’s easy to get caught up in your own individual career, but it is a big mistake to ignore the big picture. Keep up and know why things are important.

(9) Overcome adversity! No one said advancing a profession would be an easy task. Things will happen to you personally and to the profession as a whole that will negatively impact pharmacy. But it is how we all react to those negative developments that will define us as a profession. Bad things will happen. That is a fact. But they don’t have to define the profession of pharmacy or lead to our collective demise. We can learn from the negatives that come and better ourselves for the future as a result.

(10) Serve Patients. This isn’t listed last because it is the least important. In fact, if I had ranked my list by importance, I’d probably put this as number one. At the end of the day, the profession of pharmacy is a service profession. We have the opportunity to improve outcomes, lower costs, and raise the quality of life for patients with all types of medical problems and conditions. Sometimes we get caught up in all the other things related to the profession of pharmacy and we forget what really is the bottom line: patient care. A renewed focus on helping patients improve their health and well-being will only help us as a profession going forward.

Those would be my top goals for the profession of pharmacy. We will be facing lots of challenges as a profession going forward, but I think if we focus on the above ten things, we will at least have a good chance of coming out ahead as a profession. What do you think? Have I forgotten any important goals we should be pursuing? Do you agree with the 10 focus points I’ve explained above? Let me know what you think!

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Career Goals Essay For Scholarships (With Examples)

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Find a Job You Really Want In

Scholarship programs often want you to write a career goals essay to see that you have a clear plan for how you’ll apply your education to a specific career path. This helps show a scholarship committee why you’re seeking funds for the next step on the path toward your success.

Answering “what are your career goals” effectively can help increase your odds of impressing landing a scholarship opportunity. If you’re a prospective student applying for scholarships, this article will provide tips on how to write a career goals essay, along with essays on career goals examples to help you get an idea of what scholarship committees are looking for.

Key Takeaways:

When you’re writing a career goals essay, make sure to write about the goals that are relevant to the scholarship.

Be honest and use your own voice to stand out in your scholarship essay.

Go into detail about how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

What is a career goals essay?

Why scholarship essays ask about career goals, example career goals essay prompts, career goals essay examples, tips for writing a scholarship essay about career goals, what to write in a career goals essay if your goals have changed, career goals essay for a scholarship faq.

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A career goals essay is a personal written explanation that discusses your background, why you’re interested in participating in the program, and what career you’d like this degree to lead into. A scholarship essay functions to explain why you want to achieve your professional goals and how you intend to get there.

In almost every application process, a portion asks the candidate to answer an essay question. When applying to an educational program, like an MBA, the essay prompt usually relates to your career goals .

Scholarship essays ask about career goals to assess your enthusiasm for the program, learn more about how the scholarship will help you, and ensure that you’ve considered how the program will help you achieve your goals for the future:

Assess your enthusiasm. Passion is important for scholarship administrators, and if you’re able to articulate your enthusiasm for a specific career path , it will show that you’re determined to meet the requirements to reach that goal. The most specific and well-thought-out your essay is, the easier it will be for a reader to understand your devotion and commitment to the program and the field it will allow you to enter.

Learn how the scholarship will help you. Having a firm grasp of your career goals is great, but it’s equally important that you express exactly how the specific program relates to those goals. This shows that you’ve researched the merits of the program and understand exactly how it fits into your professional goals.

Show you’ve considered your future. This goes along with the first two points — show that you know how to set goals and consider the path toward achieving those goals, and you’ll have an easier time convincing the reader that you’ll know how to set goals while participating in the program. They’ll see that you know how to prioritize education because you have a clear vision for navigating your career path.

While some scholarships might come right out and simply ask, “What are your career goals?” most will rework the question into something different that still accomplishes the same goal.

Below are some examples of career goals essay prompts that a scholarship program could pose to its applicants:

Discuss your career goals. Many scholarships prefer the most direct approach when giving an essay prompt to their applicants. This type of question gives the candidate a lot of wiggle room to discuss their passions, motivations, and career goals.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years ? This question is often used as a prompt for a career goals essay because it gives the applicant a timeline to describe their aspirations. It forces them to be realistic about where their career will be and how they will accomplish this within the next ten years.

How will this scholarship contribute to your professional success? A scholarship committee wants to be sure that the money they’re giving will contribute to a student’s overall professional success. This question asks about the applicant’s game plan in the long-term and evaluates how this program is going to assist in their future.

What is your dream job ? Since a dream job is often categorized as a person’s career goals, this is a common question phrasing in scholarship essays. Asking about a candidate’s dream job answers whether this program aligns with the student’s long-term career goals.

What matters most to you and why? Sometimes, a scholarship essay prompt won’t ask about your career or future at all. Instead, they’ll ask a question like this that assesses your motivations , values, and character.

Use these examples of career goals essays for scholarships to help write your own. Pay special attention to how they’re organized, rather than the content, to inspire your own career goals essay:

Career goals essay example 1 – Discuss your career goals

When I was six years old, I was riding bikes with my older sister around our neighborhood. She had just taught me how to ride, and I was excited to have to freedom to explore with her. When she was rounding a particularly difficult bend to see around, a car happened to be coming along at the same time. It struck her. That bike ride changed our lives forever. Over the next year, I went with my sister every Tuesday and Thursday to her physical therapist ’s appointments to help her regain walking strength. Watching her physical therapist patiently assist my sister back to becoming herself awoken something in me. A passion for helping others in the same way eventually turned into a career goal of becoming a physical therapist myself. I decided to get my bachelor’s degree in exercise science. After graduating in 2019, I knew that the next step for me was to attend a graduate program in physical therapy. I was accepted to Lassell University Master of Science in Rehabilitation Services. This presented me with my latest goal along my career path, and I’m eagerly waiting to start. This scholarship would help me afford the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Lassell University class of 2023, allowing me to continue working towards my ultimate career goal of becoming a physical therapist and helping others to become themselves again.

Career goals essay example 2 – Where do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years, I will have been successfully running my own construction business for about five years. I’m currently a second-year student at the University of Texas, pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. I decided to get my MBA because I knew it would be a positive asset toward my long-term career goal of owning a construction business. In my high school years, I worked as a construction apprentice for a local business. I loved many aspects of the business, such as building something from nothing. I knew that I wanted to incorporate this work into my long-term career, but I didn’t want to work as an apprentice . This led me to pursue business. In ten years and with the help of this scholarship, I will have graduated with my MBA almost a decade prior . After graduation, I plan to take a business administration internship with a carpentry business to help myself get a footing in the field. After about two years of this, I will have started my own construction business.

Career goals essay example 3 – What matters most to you and why?

The people I surround myself with matter most to me. Whether it be my relatives, friends, or professional acquaintances, I always care the most about the happiness of the people around me. Making the people around me happy matters the most to me because I truly because we find our happiness through others. I believe that this drive to make a positive impression on the people around me is what drove me towards a career as a nurse . I always thought of hospitals as places where people need someone to support them and make their day a little happier. I wanted to be one of those who spend their careers positively impacting people in need. This scholarship will enable me to finally afford nursing school and go after my dream job full force.

Career goals essay example 4 – What are your short- and long-term career goals, and how will earning this degree contribute to achieving those goals? Please provide a minimum of 200 words.

My short-term career goals involve working directly with underprivileged young people to increase the literacy rate in my community. As a student of an underfunded and understaffed school, I’ve seen firsthand how much of an impact early literacy education makes on long-term achievement. It broke my heart to see my peers embarrassed at their struggle with reading at an advanced age, and this shame added another dimension to their lack of opportunity. Being a literacy educator for young people would allow me to serve this community directly to show them not only the necessity of strong written communication skills, but the joy of reading for pleasure. This program focuses specifically on early literacy, and would provide me a direct route to a career in serving the community I hope to serve. As for long-term career goals, I hope to one day create a program where socioeconomically parents can bring their children for literacy education, not only to increase their ability to navigate the world of language, but also to instill confidence and joy in the written word. What drew me to this program was that it also has administrative, legal, and business dimensions that would set me on the path toward achieving this goal.

Here are some tips to keep in mind for writing a career goals scholarship essay:

Write about goals relevant to the scholarship. Although you may have many different kinds of goals for your personal and professional future, a scholarship essay only discusses objectives that are relevant to the program you’re applying for.

Be honest. Applying for a scholarship is stressful because the applicant’s education is usually reliant on receiving these funds in one way or another. Even though it’s tempting to exaggerate your skills or pretend you’re more passionate about something than you are to make yourself a more competitive applicant, it’s a bad move.

Use your own, unique voice. The essay portion of a scholarship application is your chance to stand out by using your voice. Nobody else, regardless of their academic or professional achievements, is you. Make this clear in your career goals scholarship essay by keeping your unique written voice engrained in the words you produce.

Be specific. A big reason that scholarship committees ask applicants to write a career goals essay is to determine how prepared they are in planning their long-term professional goals. They aren’t interested in providing a scholarship to students who aren’t going to follow through with their career plans.

Explain long and short-term goals . Even if the essay prompt asks you to describe where you see yourself in ten years, you still need to tell them the steps leading towards this picture of success.

Include the short-term goals that add up to your larger career objectives in your essay response. Explain how accomplishing the smaller goals gives you an advantage when tackling long-term ones.

Explain how the program and scholarship will help you. Before writing your career goals essay, consider how this program and scholarship will help you in your career. The answer to this question is essential.

Follow the essay formatting guidelines. This may sound obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget this step when your essay is finally flowing and when you’re scrambling to get it submitted on time.

Check, double-check , and triple-check the essay guidelines for content, word count, and formatting requirements. If you miss any of these steps, your essay may be immediately disqualified no matter how good it or the rest of your application is.

Many times career goals essays are written by students who have already completed at least some college or are applying to a post-graduate program and need more money to continue.

There’s a good chance that your career goals have changed since you started or graduated college. For example, say you wanted to be an engineer , so you got your undergraduate degree in engineering but realized you didn’t like it after working in the industry for a few years.

You decided that nursing would be more up your alley, and now you’re applying for a scholarship for a nursing program. While this isn’t unusual, it can make it more difficult to write a career goals essay since your past work doesn’t necessarily match your future goals.

In this case, you’ll simply need to explain why you changed your career path and why this next one is the best choice for you. Share your decision-making process to show that you haven’t taken the switch lightly, and talk about what you’ve already done to try to pursue this path.

How do you write a career goal for a scholarship essay?

You write a career goal for a scholarship essay by sharing your passion, explaining both your long- and short-term goals, and relating your goals to the scholarship.

Explain why you want to pursue the career you’re pursuing, where you hope to be in the future and how you plan to get there, and how the scholarship will help you do this.

How do you describe your career goals in an essay?

You describe your career goals in an essay by explaining what you want to do in your career, why you decided on this career path, and what you’ve done so far to make that a reality.

You can usually work these factors into any prompt you receive, so think through them before you start writing so that you can use them as an outline of sorts.

What are career goals examples?

Examples of career goals include:

Working as a grant writer for a nonprofit organization.

Becoming a department manager and eventually an executive in your field.

Owning your own plumbing company.

Caring for underserved communities as a nurse practitioner .

What are some goals for success?

Some goals for success include growing in your role, building your network, and finding joy in the job. Most careers don’t just happen overnight and require you to set the right milestones that work best for you. Not everyone will have the same goals for success.

How do you start a career goals essay for a scholarship?

You can start a career goals essay for a scholarship by directly answering the prompt. Most scholarship prompts include a word count of between 200 and 500 words, so it’s essential that you immediately respond to the prompt. Attention-grabbing sentences and narratives can be helpful for setting the scene, but an efficient and direct answer will show a clarity of mind that helps enhance the quality of your answer.

BLS – Career planning for high schoolers

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

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Guest Essay

How Iran and Israel Are Unnatural Adversaries

By Karim Sadjadpour

Mr. Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“History is littered,” the British writer and politician Enoch Powell said, “with the wars which everybody knew would never happen.”

A full-blown conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel once seemed implausible. But last month, the long-running shadow war between the two nations burst into the open in a series of unprecedented drone and missile strikes, raising the specter of a fight that would contain enough advanced technology, paramilitary forces and mutual acrimony to incinerate large parts of the Middle East, collapse the global economy and entangle the United States and other major powers.

Now the two sides appear to have hit pause, but for how long? As long as Iran is ruled by an Islamist government that puts its revolutionary ideology before the national interest, the two countries will never know peace, and the Middle East will never know meaningful stability.

Iran and Israel are not natural adversaries. In contrast to other modern conflicts — between Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan — Iran and Israel have no bilateral land or resource disputes. Their national strengths — Iran is an energy titan and Israel is a tech innovator — are more complementary than competitive. The nations also have a historical affinity dating back over 2,500 years, when the Persian King Cyrus the Great freed the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. Iran was the second Muslim nation, after Turkey, to recognize Israel after its founding in 1948.

Their modern animosity is best understood through the lens of ideology, not geopolitics. It began with the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the dogmatic Shiite cleric who led the 1979 revolution that transformed Iran from a U.S.-allied monarchy into an anti-American theocracy. Khomeini’s 1970 treatise “ Islamic Government ,” which became the basis of the constitution that governs the Islamic Republic, is laced with tirades and threats against “wretched” and “satanic” Jews. Then, as now, antisemitism often lurked below the surface of anti-imperialism.

“We must protest and make the people aware that the Jews and their foreign backers are opposed to the very foundations of Islam and wish to establish Jewish domination throughout the world,” Khomeini wrote. “Since they are a cunning and resourceful group of people, I fear that — God forbid — they may one day achieve their goal and that the apathy shown by some of us may allow a Jew to rule over us one day.”

In the same manifesto, Khomeini casually advocates what in modern parlance is best understood as ethnic cleansing. “Islam,” he wrote, “has rooted out numerous groups that were a source of corruption and harm to human society.” He went on to cite the case of a “troublesome” Jewish tribe in Medina that he said was “eliminated” by the Prophet Muhammad.

Very few of the Iranian revolutionaries and Western progressives who backed Khomeini in 1979 — some of whom compared him with Mohandas K. Gandhi — had bothered to scrutinize his vision for Iran. Once in power, he built his newfound theocracy on three ideological pillars: death to America, death to Israel and the subjugation of women.

Over four decades later, the worldview of Iran’s current rulers has evolved little. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khomeini’s 85-year-old successor and now one of the world’s longest-serving dictators, denounces Zionism in virtually every speech and was one of the few world leaders to publicly praise Hamas’s “epic” Oct. 7 attack on Israel. “We will support and assist any nation or any group anywhere,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in 2020, “who opposes and fights the Zionist regime.”

As Ayatollah Khamenei’s words make plain, the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the few governments in the world more dedicated to abolishing another nation than advancing its own. “Death to Israel” is the regime’s rallying cry — not “Long live Iran.”

Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime has backed this language with action. Iran has spent tens of billions of dollars arming, training and financing proxy militias in five failing nations: Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Iraq and Yemen. Together these groups constitute its so-called Axis of Resistance against America and Israel. These groups are elbow-deep in corruption and repression in their own societies, including illicit drug dealing and piracy , while pledging that they seek justice for Palestinians.

Hostility toward Israel is a useful tool for predominantly Shiite, Persian Iran to vie for leadership in the predominantly Sunni, Arab Middle East. But it should not be confused with concern for the well-being of Palestinians. In contrast to American, European and Arab governments that fund Palestinian human welfare initiatives, Iran has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into arming and financing Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Iran’s goal is not to build a Palestine but to demolish Israel.

And yet as much as the Islamic Republic is committed to its ideology, it is even more committed to staying in power. As the German American philosopher Hannah Arendt once put it, “The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative on the day after the revolution.” As its careful response to Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran showed, when faced with the possibility of full-blown war or existential economic pressure, Tehran tactically retreats.

After decades of living under an economically failing, socially repressive police state, Iran’s people long ago recognized that the greatest obstacle between themselves and a normal life is their own leadership, not America or Israel. In a 2021 public opinion poll conducted from Europe, only around one-fifth of Iranians approved of their government’s support of Hamas and “Death to Israel” slogan. Few nations have Iran’s combination of natural resource wealth, human capital, geographic size and ancient history. This enormous gap between Iran’s potential and its citizens’ reality is one reason the country has experienced numerous mass uprisings over the past two decades.

Iran’s Axis of Resistance has empowered right-wing Israeli politicians far more than Palestinians over the past two decades. The threat of a Holocaust-denying Iranian regime with regional and nuclear ambitions has stoked Israeli anxieties, diverted attention from Palestinian suffering and facilitated normalization agreements between Israel and Arab governments equally fearful of Iran. Indeed, Iran and its proxies were such a useful adversary that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu helped prop up Hamas’s rule in Gaza until the deadly attacks of Oct. 7.

“The dream of Israeli leaders,” a retired Israeli general, Amos Yadlin, told me recently, “is to one day restore normal relations with an Iranian government.”

The dream of Iran’s Islamist leaders, on the other hand, is to end Israel’s existence. Israel’s conflict with Iran has been a war of necessity, but Iran’s conflict with Israel has been a war of choice. It won’t be over until Iran has leaders who put Iranians’ interests over Israel’s destruction.

Karim Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

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