Offers of Admission

Interviewed candidates are ranked comparatively on the criteria established by the PharmD Admissions Committee.

In addition to academic preparedness, as demonstrated by prerequisite and cumulative GPA and PCAT scores, and other qualities, as demonstrated through application materials and the interview, considerable attention is given to the on-site pre-interview writing assessment. Applicants who receive an “Unacceptable” assessment of their on-site pre-interview writing will not be extended an offer of admission.

Generally 86 applicants are offered admission each year. A ranked wait list of 25 – 30 students is established. Applicants placed on the wait list will be notified of an offer of admission as space becomes available. The wait list will remain active until the class is filled.

Applicants who were placed on the wait list but did not receive an offer of admission must reapply and complete the entire application process
again for consideration of admission in subsequent years.

Due to limits on enrollment, the School of Pharmacy cannot admit all qualified applicants. Offers of admission are contingent upon the successful completion of any remaining prerequisites, eligibility to become licensed as a Washington State pharmacy intern, and satisfactory review of the Conviction/Criminal History Information Form and results from the Criminal Background Check.

Completion of Prerequisites and Submission of Transcripts

All prerequisites must be completed by the end of Spring term of the year of admission. The Doctor of Pharmacy Admissions Committee expects that academic performance in completion of remaining prerequisites will be consistent with an applicant’s earlier record and will meet the standards established by the Admissions Committee.

Failure to maintain these standards may result in withdrawal of an offer of admission. In order to complete the admissions process, students who are offered admission must submit directly to the School of Pharmacy, Office of Academic and Student Programs, official, sealed transcripts for ALL academic work completed.

Criminal History Information Form and Background Check

In accordance with the School of Pharmacy Admission, Retention and Graduation Standards:

“Admission to the School as well as retention in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program requires that students undergo criminal background checks. The criminal background check is in accordance with Washington State Law (RCW 43.43.830 through 43.43.842) which requires that all individuals who have access to children under 16 years of age, those with developmental disabilities, or vulnerable adults, must disclose background information concerning crimes and offenses against these populations. Doctor of Pharmacy students must also complete a Conviction/Criminal History Information Form to disclose criminal history involving drug-related crimes, proceedings related to vulnerable populations, Medicare-Medicaid/Healthcare-related crimes and any other general conviction information (excluding parking tickets and traffic citations). Commission of such crimes may prevent placement in certain pharmacy practice experiences, thus potentially preventing a student from completing the requirements for graduation. In addition, students must report any actions taken by a licensing authority (e.g. Board of Pharmacy or other agency) against a professional license (pharmacy intern or technician license or other health-related license). Actions taken prior to admission to the School must be disclosed at the time of offer of admission. Actions taken following offer of admission and prior to matriculation into the PharmD program must be immediately disclosed. Actions taken while a current student in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program must be immediately disclosed. University and School policies as well as Washington state laws and regulations prohibit the synthesis, manufacture, sale, illegal possession, or diversion to one’s own use of controlled substances or other illicit drugs. Pharmacy students will be held to the Washington State Law regarding Health Professions as defined in the Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130).”

The School of Pharmacy has engaged Verified Credentials, Inc. to provide the required criminal background checks on students admitted to our program prior to matriculation and to our Doctor of Pharmacy students at two-year intervals. Completion of the background check is a two-step process, requiring submission of a completed Conviction/Criminal History Information Form directly to the School of Pharmacy and an on-line secure application to Verified Credentials for completion of the criminal background check. The School of Pharmacy will provide all applicants offered admission with the necessary information to complete this process.

Applicants are advised to fully disclose all prior conviction information, including expunged records, on the Conviction/Criminal History Information Form. Failure to do so may result in a withdrawal of an offer of admission. Individuals who disclose a conviction/criminal history will be reviewed on an individual basis and may be asked to provide additional information for the Admissions Committee to review for consideration prior to formalizing an offer of admission. Any applicant who does not consent to this self-disclosure or background check or does not make full disclosure cannot be extended a formal offer of admission.

Notification of the Washington State Board of Pharmacy of Admission to the PharmD Program

Upon satisfactory completion of remaining prerequisites and satisfactory review of the Conviction, Criminal History Information Form and Criminal Background Check, admission to the PharmD Program is finalized. The School of Pharmacy Office of Academic and Student Programs will notify the Washington State Board of Pharmacy with the names of individuals admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. This notification allows the student to apply for a Washington State pharmacy intern license, which is required for program completion.

Pharmacy Intern License

Upon satisfactory completion of remaining prerequisites and satisfactory review of the Conviction, Criminal History Information Form and Criminal Background Check, admission to the PharmD Program is finalized. The School of Pharmacy Office of Academic and Student Programs will notify the Washington State Board of Pharmacy with the names of individuals admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. This notification allows the student to apply for a Washington State pharmacy intern license, which is required for program completion.

Admitted students may begin working as a pharmacy intern following issuance of the license by the Washington Board of Pharmacy, however, hours accrued will not be applied to the total internship hours required for examination and licensing as a pharmacist until the student has completed the first quarter of the academic PharmD Program.

Immunization Policy

Students accepted to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program are required to meet the University and Health Sciences immunization requirements. The University of Washington Health Sciences Center requires that its students, staff and faculty show documentation of protection against a number of vaccine-preventable diseases. All students entering the Doctor of Pharmacy Program must provide proof of immunity to measles (rubeola), mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis and varicella (chicken pox). In addition, annual tuberculosis screening (PPD) is required. Please contact the School of Pharmacy for more information.

The UW Health Sciences Center and the School of Pharmacy Immunization Policy requires payment of a one-time Health Fee. For entering Pharmacy students, this fee is $475 and is attached to the first-year course, Pharmacy 500. This fee is required of all entering students regardless of immunity status at the time of entry into the School of Pharmacy. The fee provides for a number of services including immunizations and record-keeping and communication to the student’s school/program regarding compliance status prior to and during placement at clinical
sites. This fee also provides for post-exposure assessment, diagnostic lab testing and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medications according to CDC guidelines for students who sustain a schoolwork-related (i.e., clinical site experience) exposure to blood-borne pathogens).

Additional information can be found about the University of Washington Health Sciences Immunization Policy on their website.

Orientation

Students accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program will be required to attend a week-long orientation which will be held during the week prior to the start of classes in Autumn Quarter.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition rates and fees for the 2009–2010 academic year (Autumn, Winter, Spring Quarter) are:

• Resident: $16,187 per year
• Non-resident: $31,487 per year
• Additional fees include the one-time Health Sciences fee of $475 (noted above), lab fees of $40-$60 per lab, and practicum fees of $10 per practicum.

For current tuition information, please contact UW Student Accounts at 206–543–4695. For the most current pharmacy tuition rates, please visit the tuition website.

Financial Aid Information

Federal Financial Aid
To be eligible for federal financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), an individual must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen and be admitted to the University in a degree or certificate program. Priority consideration is given to students who submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Federal Processor’s Office by the February deadline. For more information on loans, forms, procedures and deadlines, please contact the OSFA at 206–543–6101 or email at osfa@u.washington.edu.
Website: www.washington.edu/students/osfa

School of Pharmacy Financial Aid
The School of Pharmacy also offers a limited number of scholarships and grants. These funds are awarded each year on the basis of demonstrated need, scholastic achievement, professional motivation and leadership potential. Prospective applicants should contact the Office of Academic & Student Programs for additional information.