Two years after my B.Pharm I decided to apply for an MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences in the US. What follows is a list of things I wish I had started earlier.
Start GRE and TOEFL prep at least nine months before your earliest application deadline. Both tests are bookable but slots in metro centres go fast in peak months.
Write your statement of purpose at least three drafts in. The first draft is usually a list of accomplishments; the second draft is when it starts being about you.
Financial aid is the single longest hunt. Begin emailing potential faculty advisors at your target programs four to six months before you apply, with a specific question about their work — not a generic introduction.
Plan for the year between submission and matriculation. Use that year well — a six-month research assistantship at home looks better on a CV than another B.Pharm.