How do I improve my English and the verbal and reading scores within the PCAT score?

The profession of pharmacy is one that demands excellence in communication. Verbal communication is a daily activity that occurs with doctors, patients, family members, customers, nurses and many other health professionals and community individuals. The written use of English is vital in avoiding medication errors, establishing clear directions for patients and their caregivers and maintaining a well organized workplace.

The College is very fortunate to have a diverse population of students who speak many languages. This allows our college the ability to provide medication counseling to Houston area residents in many of their native tongues. Because of this, we embrace the diversity of languages we encounter.

In order to do well on the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) and become more comfortable with your English skills…here are some helpful tips:

1. Speak English as much as possible.
2. Avoid the comfortable approach of studying only with those who speak your native tongue.
3. Study and read your college notes and materials in English.
4. Practice English with your friends, co-workers and customers when you are at work or doing recreation.
5. Watch cartoons (Sesame Street, Cartoon Network).
6. Study the vocabulary section of the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) study book.
7. Read the newspaper and magazines.
8. Other resources that you may find helpful:
   http://www.lextutor.ca/ -This site was developed by a professor at the University of Montreal, and it contains a vast range of resources for learning vocabulary and grammar. Specifically, it puts the words and phrases in context, which really helps students understand the words more completely. This is a tool he can use on his own for self-study, as long as he has access to a computer; also, it is free.
   
   Grammar Troublespots: An Editing Guide for Students by Ann Raimes.
   

I have an International transcript. It has been evaluated by a company and I have the original evaluation. What do I do next?

SPECIAL NOTE: HAVING AN EVALUATION DONE BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY DOES NOT SATISFY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON REQUIREMENTS. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PROCESS.

In order to process and ensure that the proper credit is given, your international transcript must be processed by the UH International Office of Admissions for the undergraduate evaluation for courses completed outside the United States. You will find the guidelines for this on the UH College of Pharmacy Web page relating to the International Transcript Evaluation Process.

Am I exempt from the TOEFL?

If you are an international student, you will find more information at : http://www.uh.edu/admissions/pages/iApProcess.htm#requirements

You are exempt from the TOEFL requirement if you:

• Have earned a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. high school, college or university.
• Speak English as your native language. This exemption refers to students from Australia, the Bahamas, and Belize, the British Isles, and English-speaking Canadian provinces, the Fiji Islands. Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Trinidad, The United States, the Virgin Islands, the West Indies and Zimbabwe.