St. Louis College of Pharmacy - Overview
High School Graduates Pursue a PharmD Through Integrated Professional and Liberal Arts and Sciences Curricula
Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP) is one of the oldest colleges of pharmacy in the nation and consistently graduates one of the largest classes of new pharmacists in the U.S. The College admits students directly from high school, and the six-year curriculum integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a professional program leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
The college is a private, nonsectarian school with more than 1,200 students from 25 states. While St. Louis College of Pharmacy's 6,300 alumni live in all 50 states and 13 different countries, approximately 72 percent of St. Louis-area pharmacists are graduates of the college.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy Enjoys an Outstanding Location Surrounded by a Nationally Recognized Medical Community
The St. Louis College of Pharmacy campus, located in the Central West End of St. Louis, Missouri, is surrounded by the nationally recognized medical community of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, and St. Louis Children's Hospital. The campus is only one block from Forest Park, with its 1,300 acres of green space, tennis courts, ice-skating rink, golf course, world-class museums, zoo, outdoor opera theater, and science center. Students at the College are near the cultural and entertainment scene of St. Louis on a safe, 5-acre campus within walking distance of public transportation.
Low Student-Faculty Ratio is Enriched by a Highly Trained Faculty
Of the 73 full-time faculty members at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, 92 percent hold a PhD or the highest degree in their field. They share their knowledge and experience with their students in classes that feature an 18:1 overall student-faculty ratio. In addition, more than 200 pharmacists serve as adjunct instructors in the advanced-practice experiences program, and the student-faculty ratio becomes only 14:1.
Experiential Learning in Advanced-Practice Settings Is Part of the Sixth Year
During their sixth-year of study, students choose from more than 400 advanced-practice experiences in community, government, and hospital settings in 14 states. Advanced-practice settings have included the US Food and Drug Administration, Pfizer, Walgreens, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Alaska Native Medical Center, North Texas Medical Center, and Tampa General Hospital.
First-year Admission Requirements at St. Louis College of Pharmacy Are Selective and Competitive
Admission to St. Louis College of Pharmacy is selective and competitive. Each year, the college receives 600 applications for 250 spaces in the first-year class. First-year students must have 4 years of English; 4 years of math, including algebra 1 and 2 and geometry; and at least 3 years of science, including biology/lab and chemistry lab. The 2010¿11 class had an average ACT score of 28, the 2nd highest in the state. The average first-year student had a high school GPA of 3.80 and ranked in the top 15 percent of his or her class.
STLCOP's Single Major Bonds Students Together for a Fun, Enriching Campus Life
The college offers a full student-life experience, with 300 students living on campus during the school year. The main difference between St. Louis College of Pharmacy and other schools is that all students at STLCOP are studying one major -- pharmacy. This common bond creates a strong support structure among fellow students, faculty members, and staff.
With more than 50 clubs and organizations on campus, St. Louis College of Pharmacy has something for everyone, including professional and social fraternities, NAIA athletics, intramural and club sports, pharmacy organizations, and special interest groups. The college's small size allows its residents and commuters alike the opportunity to become an integral part of the campus experience. Many students participate in social activities that include homecoming, sporting events, and community service projects.
The Compact Campus Offers a Unique Blend of Community and Academic Life
Many students report that their decision to attend St. Louis College of Pharmacy was settled after touring its small campus. With a residence hall in the center of its compact five-acre campus, students are only a few steps away from class and can easily get around in a matter of minutes.
First-year students live in STLCOP's eight-story residence hall. Every residence hall room features air conditioning, phones with voice mail, cable hook-ups, Internet connections, and carpeting. Residential amenities also include laundry facilities, a lounge area with a fireplace and television, study rooms, and kitchenette and microwave access. Students enjoy a lively community of friends, and life is enriched by resident assistants who organize student activities that include movie nights, ice creams socials, and trips to the City Museum.
STLCOP Students Benefit from Connections to Nearby Community Service, Research, Internship, and Work-Study Opportunities
With so many residential communities surrounding campus, community service offers endless opportunities to make connections. For example, students perform glucose screenings and bone density testing and provide heartburn education at community-based health organizations, local pharmacies, and senior centers. And the college has strong partnerships with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University, giving STLCOP students access to nearby research, work-study, and volunteer opportunities.
Merit-based Scholarships and Other Forms of Financial Aid Are Available to St. Louis College of Pharmacy Students
St. Louis College of Pharmacy awards scholarships based on academic merit to first-year students. Supplemental loans, part-time employment, and community scholarships provide additional financial support. More than 95 percent of STLCOP students receive some form of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and loans.
Almost All Students Have a Job Offer Before Graduation
Nearly 100 percent of students receive one or more job offers by the time they graduate, and starting salaries for St. Louis College of Pharmacy graduates are as high as $90,000 or more. The college prepares its students to practice in all fields of pharmacy: community or hospital pharmacy, managed care, consultant pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, military, academia, or pharmacy associations.