Admissions Requirements
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All prospective Pharm.D. program applicants are encouraged to review our requirements.
High School Student Information
For thorough information about our admission requirements, go to our PharmCAS schoolpage. The PharmCAS schoolpages are helpful to easily compare our admission requirements against those of other Pharm.D. programs.
Download/View PharmD Prerequisites Checklist PDF
There are three basic admission requirements for the Pharm.D. program:
1. Complete the required Pharm.D. prerequisite courses
All Pharm.D. prerequisite courses are necessary for admission to the College of Pharmacy. The UHCOP Admissions Committee will look at an applicant's all prerequisite GPA, which includes all required courses. Applicants must receive no less than a "C" (2.0 GPA) in all prerequisite courses in order to be considered for admittance.
In addition, math and science prerequisite courses are averaged, which becomes the applicant's math/science prerequisite GPA. Both the all prerequisite GPA and math/science prerequisite GPA are extremely important for the student's application. Students should plan their course schedule so that they complete the math and science prerequisites no later than the spring semester prior to entry into the program. No math and science courses may be taken the summer prior to beginning the Pharm.D. curriculum. However, non-math/science courses may be taken that summer.
The Fall 2024 entering pharmacy class all prerequisite GPA range is 2.68-4.0 GPA. Their math/science prerequisite GPA range was 2.42-4.0 GPA.
Other information concerning prerequisites:
• Grades of repeated courses are averaged; not replaced.
• Although there is no minimum prerequisite GPA, it is preferred that applicants have a 2.50 or higher in their all prerequisite and math/science prerequisite GPAs.
• The Biology I & II lecture/lab series may be met by taking BOTH Botany lecture/lab, AND Zoology lecture/lab courses designed for science majors. If Biology I lecture/lab is taken, Biology II lecture/lab should be completed at that same institution to complete the Biology I & II lecture/lab series. It is NOT permissible to take either Botany lecture/lab or Zoology lecture/lab at one institution, then take Biology I lecture/lab or Biology II lecture/lab at another institution.
• In order to use credit earned by examination (i.e. AP, IB, CLEP, etc.) for meeting prerequisite coursework, official college/university transcript(s) sent into PharmCAS must have specific course names and course numbers of credit awarded clearly indicated to be recognized.
• Applicants may submit their application prior to having all coursework completed, so long as all courses are successfully completed or met prior to entry into the program.
The Admissions Committee will review completed applications received by May 1, 2025. All incomplete applications will not be reviewed, therefore we strongly encourage all items to be submitted by the deadline.
2. Obtain three letters of reference
The college requires that students submit 3 letters of reference with their application to PharmCAS. All letters of reference must be from individuals residing in the U.S.
Letters may come from any of the following approved sources:
- licensed pharmacist practicing or having practiced in the U.S.
- college professor
- employer
- supervisor
- teaching assistant
- pre-health academic advisor
- faculty advisor
Letters of reference from family or friends are NOT accepted.
We require that the reference fill out the letter of reference forms through PharmCAS. The person may submit an attached letter if he/she chooses. In addition, we recommend that students obtain "strong" letters of reference. Please refer to the following hints and online webinar for obtaining such good letters:
1. Most people are uncomfortable giving reference for someone whom they do not know well. Get to know the person and let them get to know you so that you will obtain a good letter.
2. Ask early for your letter of reference. Do not ask the reference too close to the application deadline for a letter.
3. Ask for a "strong letter." Some references may have a hard time saying "no," and will write a letter that is superficial. It is important that the applicant ask for a "strong letter" and give the person a way of saying no if she/he is not enthusiastic about writing for you.
4. Begin working on this no later than your second semester in college.
5. Search for a reference with whom you believe you have something in common or with whom you have similar research or employment interests.
6. Respect the reference's time.
7. Be a positive addition to their time and life.
8. It is suggested that students obtain a letter of reference from a pharmacist with whom they have established a professional or working relationship.
The Admissions Committee will review completed applications received by May 1, 2025. All incomplete applications will not be reviewed, therefore we strongly encourage all items to be submitted by the deadline.
3. Community Service (25 hours minimum)
Volunteer/community service is required for all applicants to the program.
A minimum of twenty-five (25) volunteer/community service hours are required for admission consideration. Students should have a consistent amount of volunteer/community service hours accumulated throughout their college career to be a competitive applicant.
Volunteer activities do not have to be in the health-care area, and can be whatever type they choose, so long as it is non-paid and clearly benefits the community at-large. This volunteer/community service must begin at the onset of the applicant's college-career.
The Admissions Committee will review completed applications received by May 1, 2025. All incomplete applications will not be reviewed, therefore we strongly encourage all items to be submitted by the deadline.