Estrella Mountain students Maranda Lofton of Avondale, and Brittany Standerfer of Surprise, both plan to transfer to pharmacy school after completing their last semester at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC). Lofton was accepted to the University of Southern Nevada in Henderson, Nevada, where she will be able to earn her Doctorate in Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration concurrently in three years. Standerfer was accepted to Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, a local healthcare university.While the nation has seen a shortage in pharmacists, there are limited seats available in pharmacy programs, and the requirements to be accepted are steep. Dr. Rachel Smith, biology faculty at the college outlined some of those requirements, "This is a major achievement for these students. Entry into a pharmacy program is very competitive and the prerequisite classes they have had to pass are tough," she said. "There are additional requirements such as the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), community service, voluntary work in pharmacies, and more."
Pharmacists play an important role in our communities. The job not only entails filling prescriptions, but having a vast amount of knowledge behind the medications they are working with. Often, they are expected to counsel patients on their prescriptions, seek possible interactions, and offer alternative services.These are the precise reasons Lofton and Standerfer decided to go into pharmacy. "A career in pharmacy is not only satisfying, but also rewarding, credible, flexible, and versatile. A pharmacist is a well-respected leader in the community who is looked upon to provide guidance and support," said Lofton about her choosing to go into the field. Standerfer enjoys another aspect of the job, "I chose pharmacy school because I enjoy the patient relationships," she said.
Both students agree that the requirements to get into pharmacy school were not an easy pill to swallow. "A person must be dedicated and want to take on a challenge to be successful in this discipline," said Lofton. Standerfer reflected on the last year of preparations as challenging. "Filling out applications, taking the PCAT, keeping track of my classes, and working a full-time job did become quite hectic," she said. "The instructors at EMCC really played a key role in my success in getting into pharmacy school. The flexibility of EMCC's instructors and advisors made it so much easier for me because of my full schedule." The college's caring faculty and staff are dedicated to helping students achieve their career goals. Both Lofton and Standerfer credit Estrella Mountain in helping them take the next step in their pursuit for higher education, and ultimately the careers of their dreams.