Pharmacy schools require students to have taken basic and advanced science classes. These include biology, chemistry, biochemistry and organic chemistry. Schools often offer lighter courses in these subject matters, but these are not the courses pharmacy schools want to see on your transcript. Take only the more difficult science courses that have a laboratory component. Schools will sometimes require that the laboratory involves a physical presence in a lab, so make sure these components are not online or video-based.
Pharmacists working in the United States are expected to have a firm grasp of the English language, and be able to express themselves clearly in writing. As such, pharmacy schools require you to have coursework in English composition on your transcript. To make yourself eligible to the greatest number of schools, do not try to use creative writing, English as a second language, or scientific or technical writing courses as pharmacy school prerequisites. The number of courses pharmacy schools require also vary, so taking a full year of these courses is a good idea.
Because pharmacists are professionally responsible for communicating information about medication to patients, they are expected to be able to speak articulately and coherently. As such, many pharmacy schools include a public-speaking course on the list of classes undergraduates must take to be considered for admission. Make sure that you take a class in formal public speaking, as some schools do not accept "interpersonal communications" courses to satisfy this requirement.
Because of the varied roles that professional pharmacists will fulfill, pharmacy schools require applicants to take courses in the behavioral sciences, including psychology, sociology and economics. Pharmacy courses also require students to take a course in statistics. To maximize the number of schools you can apply to, take the introductory classes in psychology and sociology, as some schools will not accept advanced courses in these areas. However, taking advanced statistical courses will maximize the number of schools to which you can apply.