NATCHEZ — Ever since she took her first chemistry class as a sophomore at Cathedral High School, 18-year-old Emily Hall has known two things. She wants to go to the University of Mississippi, and she wants to be a pharmacist.

Earlier this summer, Hall saw both these dreams come true when she was accepted into the early entry program for the school of pharmacy at Ole Miss.

“It is pretty surreal,” Hall said. “I am excited finally get to a new part of my life, and learn about what I am going to be doing for the rest of my life.”

Hall said she is entering the five-year program on a full scholarship, a feat that took her quite a bit of work.

“You have to have a high ACT, be involved in extracurricular activities and be really good at science,” she said. “They are also looking for good leadership, because pharmacists interact with people all day long at their job, and they need to be on top of it.”

Hall said while she loves the science involved in pharmacy, it’s the joy of helping others out that really makes her want the job.

“I just like the idea that with pharmacy, I am using the science I have learned to help people,” she said. “I just think it is so crazy that there are people out there making and testing medicine for people. I just think that is incredible.”

While she is excited to begin her college career, Hall said she is going to miss her hometown.

“It is going to be sad leaving the place that I have called home for the past 18 years,” she said. “But this is the next part of life, and I just can’t wait to start it.”

Hall said classes start Aug. 22, and she is saying goodbye to her friends and family Aug. 17 when she makes her way to Oxford.

“The time is getting closer and closer,” she said. “I just can’t believe in a few weeks I will finally be in college.

Hall said she is going to stay focused on her schoolwork while she settles into college life.

“I think I am going to join a sorority,” she said. “Other than that, I am just going to try and adjust to everything new going on.”

Hall is the daughter of Christina Hall and the late Dr. David Hall.