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Is Pharmacy For you?
For career information, please check the AACP
website.
Application
Is there a minimum Cumulative GPA requirement for applying
to the Pharm.D. program?
For interview consideration, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 prerequisite course grade point average.
At this time there is no minimum cumulative GPA requirement. However, applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than a 3.0 are generally not considered competitive. The average cumulative GPA for applicants accepted into our program is generally between 3.44 - 3.60.
What is the minimum grade requirement for the Prerequisite GPA?
No, there is no minimum grade required for each prerequisite class. However, a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required for application. Prerequisite GPA is calculated using grades from the following prerequisite courses, including labs: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus, Statistics, Microbiology and English Composition. It should be noted that if the majority of your prerequisite coursework grades are below a 3.0, it is likely that your prerequisite GPA will not meet the minimum requirement.
I cannot afford the application fee. May
I have it waived?
To approve a fee waiver we need documentation from your Financial Aid
Office that the fee would be burdensome.
My recommender wants to send in his own letter
and not use the PharmCAS Recommendation Forms. Is this ok?
No. The PharmCAS Recommendation Form is required. All letters of recommendation
and PharmCAS Recommendation Forms must be sent to PharmCAS. Letters
or recommendations sent directly to our office will not be accepted.
What if I have already submitted the maximum number of three letters of reference to PharmCAS and still need to submit an additional to meet your criteria?
If it is the case that you have already filled the maximum
capacity that PharmCAS allows for letters of reference, please contact
our office well before the deadline to request consideration for submitting
additional letters of reference. Please note that you will need to
submit a request; depending on the situation, some requests may not
be approved.
Do I really need to submit all my transcripts?
Yes. Applicants need to submit all collegiate level transcripts directly
to PharmCAS, including running start, military transcripts, technical
college transcripts or community college coursework taken for personal
enjoyment. Applicants who do
not submit all college level transcripts will be disqualified from
the admissions process. If an offer of admission has already been
extended, it will be rescinded if additional transcripts are discovered.
What if the PharmCAS system does not recognize my school because it is not accredited?
If PharmCAS is not able to process a transcript from a college that you have attended, please contact our office for specific instructions on what to do.
I am worried that if I submit my application too early the admissions committee will overlook my Autumn term grades and/or PCAT scores.
It is highly advisable to submit your application as early as possible. We understand that applicants' information with regard to Autumn term grades and PCAT scores may be updated after an application is submitted. We will wait to review your application until your Autumn grades and PCAT scores have been posted by PharmCAS. We do not make final decisions until all admissions information has been submitted and reviewed.
I am confused about when I should submit my transcripts to PharmCAS.
All transcripts for academic work completed prior to Autumn 2007 must be sent
to PharmCAS by the January 4, 2008, 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time deadline.
Autumn 2007 transcripts must be sent to PharmCAS as soon as available following
the end of Autumn term. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to disqualify
applicants who do not request transcripts prior to the application deadline.
Applicants who have attended or received credit from a college or university which evaluates coursework through narrative transcripts rather than assigning numerical or letter grades must send an official narrative transcript to both PharmCAS and the UW School of Pharmacy. Please send narrative transcripts early—these transcripts require additional processing and review.
How will I know if my Supplemental application has been received or not?
The UW School of Pharmacy Office of Academic and Student Programs will send an email notification for receipt of the Supplemental application. This email only indicates that the application has been received. Supplemental Applications will not be reviewed until the PharmCAS application has also been received. Hand-delivered Supplemental applications will not be reviewed at the time of delivery.
How do I know if my application is complete
or not?
Once we have received your UW School of Pharmacy Supplemental Application
and we have received your PharmCAS application, we send out a "status email" which states which parts of the application we have received
and if the application is considered complete or incomplete. Please be aware that we process a high volume of applications during Admissions and as a result, it may be several weeks before you receive this status email.
I have had some extenuating circumstances
that affected my grades. Should I tell you about this?
Yes. You may disclose such information in the UW School of Pharmacy Application labeled Essay 3: Optional Essay, which
allows you to provide any additional information you would like the
Admissions Committee to consider.
Interviews
When do interviews start?
Interviews typically start in late January/early February and run through
April.
When will I know if I get an interview?
We contact applicants by phone or email and applicants may hear from
us anytime between January and April.
When are final decisions made?
The bulk of decisions are made at the end of the interview process,
usually at the end of April or early May.
Prerequisites
If I am applying for 2009 Admissions, what is the likelihood that changes may be made to the prerequisite credit requirement?
Prerequisite changes effective for application 2009 Humanities electives must include a "Speech Communications" or "Public Speaking" course (3-5 quarter credits or 3-4 semester credits).
Biochemistry is not required but is highly recommended. For example, UW Biochem 405/406 or 440/441.
Am I required to take a lab with my microbiology
course?
Yes. All science courses must have labs.
May I take a prerequisite course as pass/fail?
No. Prerequisites cannot be taken as pass/fail, if there is there is
an option to receive a numerical grade.
I will only have one prerequisite left when
the pharmacy program begins in the fall. May I take this course after
I start the Pharm.D. program?
No. ALL prerequisite coursework must be completed by the end of Spring
term before matriculation into the Pharm.D. program. Please note that we cannot accept any prerequisite courses taken over the Summer quarter before matriculation.
Are the prerequisites accepted if they are
from a combination of two schools?
The Admissions Committee highly recommends
that sequence courses (General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry) be completed at one institution. You may take your prerequisites
at different schools, however, you need to be careful with sequence
courses, e.g., biology, general chemistry,
organic chemistry. If you begin a science series at one school and
finish at another, it is possible that all of the required components
of the course descriptions may not be met with the result of not satisfying
the pre-requisite. If you have questions about course sequence completion,
please contact the School of Pharmacy Office of Academic and Student
Programs.
How do I know that my courses will count
towards your prerequisites?
We can accept courses which cover all topics listed in our course descriptions for the
prerequisites. The Admissions Committee suggests that applicants
check with our admissions staff if there are questions regarding acceptability
of any particular course. See the website for
course descriptions.
May I take a Human Anatomy/Physiology course
for my Biology Prerequisite?
The biology prerequisite coursework must cover Cell Biology, Vertebrate
Zoology, Genetics, Evolution and Plant Biology. Additional biology
coursework,
including Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Anatomy and Physiology
may be considered toward meeting the biology prerequisite if coursework
is at the 300-level or above.
May one course satisfy both my Humanities
and Composition prerequisite?
No. A course may count toward a Humanities OR Social
Science requirement, but not both.
Must I complete all my prerequisites before
I apply?
No. Students who have not completed the prerequisites may apply, provided
they will complete any remaining prerequisites by the end of Spring term prior to their matriculation into the program.
All of the math courses at my school are 3 semester credits, will they still satisfy the Calculus and Statistics prerequisites?
Yes, we will accept 3 credit math classes from semester schools provided they cover all the topics listed in the course descriptions. Additionally, 60 total semester credits must still be completed for application.
What courses may I count to satisfy my humanities
or social sciences electives?
The UW
transfer guide is very helpful in identifying courses taken at
Washington community colleges that meet these requirements. Please
also note that with an Associate's degree
from a Washington Community
College which has a transfer agreement with the UW, the distribution
category used to satisfy the community college's requirement will
be
honored. Please check our website on prerequisite
course descriptions.
How may I confirm that I am taking the right
courses to satisfy your prerequisites?
The School of Pharmacy has a list of the minimum required UW prerequisite
courses. Further we have a website that
identifies the specific courses you can take at many Washington State
four-year and all community colleges. Please feel free to contact
the advisors at the School of Pharmacy if you have any questions.
I took my courses ten years ago. Does this
matter?
The Admissions Committee strongly recommends completion of mathematics
and science courses within the last five years. Upon transcript review,
you may be advised to retake courses completed over five years ago.
If I have a Bachelor's Degree, do I have
special consideration?
No. Increasingly, students have completed a substantial amount of coursework
in excess of the minimum prepharmacy requirements. Applicants who
have completed more than the minimum coursework may be competitive,
however, a prior degree is not the sole determinant of a successful
applicant. Applicants must complete 90 quarter or 60 semester credits
of specific prepharmacy courses before matriculating into the program.
For the class which entered in Autumn 2007, 66% had earned a Bachelor's
Degree before beginning the program.
If I have already taken human anatomy courses,
do I still need to take it in the pharmacy program?
Once you have been accepted into the program, you are free to request
a waiver. The waiver process is done directly with the course instructor.
Typically, a student will be required to discuss and present their course
syllabus, notes, tests, and any other information the instructor may
require. Please be aware that our anatomy/physiology course in the
Pharm.D. Program is an advanced-level, three-quarter series taught
with cadaver labs. It is very rare that students are able to waive
this course.
If I have already taken Biochemistry, do
I need to take the Biochemistry series in the Pharm.D. Program?
The Pharm.D. Core curriculum requires that students take two quarters
of Medical Biochemistry (Medchem 450, Medchem 451) in the program.
In
the past, students who have previously taken two quarters or two semesters
of biochemistry, were able to use the grades they received in their
biochemistry course and waive Medchem 450 and Medchem 451. The School
of Pharmacy recommends that students take the Medchem 450 and 451
series
because the focus is more of a medical biochemistry course rather
than a general biochemistry course. This waiver may change, please
contact
the office if you have questions.
What type of major do you suggest before
entering into the program?
There is no specific major that we suggest. Students should make the
most of their undergraduate education while completing their prerequisites.
PCAT
In regards to the
PCAT, what range of scores do you consider acceptable for admission to the program.
The areas covered on this exam are Biology, Chemistry, Quantitative
Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. For the 2008 Admissions
Process, the Admissions Committee required a minimum of a 60% on the
Chemistry portion and a minimum of a 25% in the other 4 sections. For
the entering class of 2004, the average Chemistry PCAT score was a
92% and for the entering class of 2005 the average Chemistry PCAT score
was an 86%.
Please note that the Admissions Committee reserves the right to change minimum score requirements from year to year.
I have taken the GRE or MCAT, are these scores
acceptable in place of the PCAT?
No. The School of Pharmacy will not accept any substitute admission
test for the PCAT.
Non-Washington Residents
If I completed the prerequisite coursework outside the State of Washington
how can I tell if the courses I have taken or plan to take will satisfy
the UW School of Pharmacy's prerequisites?
You may check the course description website
to compare the courses taken. If you are still unclear as to if your
courses will fulfill our prerequisite requirements, you may request a transcript review from our admissions staff. To request a transcript review please fax your unofficial transcripts to 206 616 2740. Please provide your name and email address on the fax cover sheet. If you have questions about this process, please contact our office staff at 206 685 2715.
How may I gain residency in Washington?
You may review the UW
site regarding residency. If you have any questions you may email
them or call (206) 543-5932.
Where can I find information about housing
at the University of Washington?
You may contact the Housing
& Food Services Office by email
or phone (206) 543-4059.
What is the tuition for Non-residents for
the Pharm.D. Program?
Non-resident tuition for the academic year 2007-2008 is $26,098. For
more information, you may visit the tuition website.
Financial Aid
When should I apply for financial aid?
You should complete the FAFSA
form the January preceding the year you intend to begin a Pharm.D.
program, i.e., January 2008 for Fall Quarter 2008 entry. Learn more
about financial
aid at the UW.
I would like information about what type
of aid is available for pharmacy students.
There are a limited number of scholarships available to our students,
as most students who qualify for financial aid are awarded loans. Typically
awards from the UW or School of Pharmacy are based on need. A student
will not be considered for need-based financial aid until they are admitted
to the UW School of Pharmacy and have applied for financial aid through
the FAFSA. For types of aid available, please contact the UW Office
of Student Finacial Aid at (206) 543-6101 or the School of Pharmacy
at (206) 685-2715.
International Applicants
I am an internationl student, can I apply
to the UW School of Pharmacy?
International applicants who hold permanent resident visa or asylee/refugee status are
eligible to apply to the UW School of Pharmacy. Students holding visas other than these designations are ineligible to apply.
Is there any way to waive the PCAT exam if
the country where I live does not offer it?
No. All students must take the PCAT. If it is not offered in your country
contact PCAT about special arrangements at 1-800-622-3231.
I am a foreign student who wants to apply
for admission to the School of Pharmacy.
International students who hold permanent resident visa or asylee/refugee
status may apply to the UW School of Pharmacy. Any courework taken
in a foreign country
must be evaluated by one of the following evaluation companies: Educational
Credentials Evaluations, the World
Education Services, or Educational-Perspectives.
For an application, please visit their websites. International students
may need to provide course descriptions and syllabi in order to determine
equivalency of prerequisite coursework.
ECE's phone number is (414) 289-3400, WES's
phone number is (212) 966-6311, and Educational-Perspectives
phone number is (312) 421-9300. The application to the Pharm.D. Program
is the same for all applicants. Please note that evaluations
of foreign courses must be sent to PharmCAS and original foreign
transcripts
must be sent to the UW School of Pharmacy. All science, math
and English composition coursework must be completed in a community
college,
college, or university within the United States.
Do International students need to take the
TOEFL?
No. We no longer require the TOEFL.
I am a licensed pharmacist from another country.
Do you know any web sites that might help me.
International students who hold an 5-year undergraduate pharmacy degree may
consider taking the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination
in lieu of pursuing the Pharm.D. degree progam. Information on the FPGEE
can be found at: www.nabp.net
International students should also contact the Washington
State Board of Pharmacy to find out what needs to be done after
taking the FPGEE. Their phone number is (360) 236-4826 or visit their
website.
The Pharm.D. Program
Is the Pharm.D. offered as a part-time program?
No. The program is designed for full-time students with the vast majority
of courses (including all required courses) occuring between
8 am and 6 pm. These courses, with the exception of the fourth-year
practicums, are only offered on the Seattle campus.
Is the Pharm.D. offered as an online or distance program?
No. The Pharm.D. program requires students to be present on campus to attend courses and participate in laboratory.
How long is the entry-level Pharm.D. Program?
The Pharm.D. program is a full-time, four-year program. A minimum of two years
undergraduate prerequisite work is required prior to admission.
I am sitting for the WA Pharmacist Law exam.
Help!
We have a web site that might help you. http://depts.washington.edu/pharm543
You may also want to contact the Washington
State Board of Pharmacy.
I have taken a pharmacy elective course before
being admitted to the School of Pharmacy at the UW. May I receive credit
toward graduation requirements for this course?
No. Students are typically not given credit for courses taken before
entering the UW Pharm.D. program.
The Pharmacy Technician Programs
Does the UW School of Pharmacy offer a Pharm
Tech Program?
No.
Which schools offer a Pharmacy Technician
Program?
Below is a list of colleges around the Washington area. Please check
with each school for information on their pharmacy technician program.
Please be aware there may be other schools that also offer the pharmacy
technician program not on this list.
Apollo
College, Portland OR
Apollo
College, Spokane Bryman
College, Renton
Clark College, Vancouver
Clover Park Technical
College, Tacoma
Columbia Basin & Job Corp, Moses Lake
Edmonds Community College, Edmonds
Eton Technical Institute,
Everett, Federal Way, Port Orchard
Grays Harbor Community College,
Aberdeen
North Seattle
Community College, Seattle
Pima Institute, Seattle
Renton Technical
College, Renton
North Idaho College,
ID
Spokane
Community College
Tacoma Community College, Tacoma
Do the courses in a Pharmacy Technician
Program fulfill the prerequisites in the Pharm.D. Program?
The Pharmacy Technician Program courses do not fulfill prerequisite
courses in the Pharm.D. Program.
Do I need to be a certified pharmacy technician
get into the program? You are not required to be a pharmacy
technician to get into the program. Although experience is not required,
it is helpful for applicants to have some pharmacy experience either
as a technician, volunteer, or other pharmacy work experience.
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