Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy

Requirements

 

2020-21 Admissions Information Guide (PDF)

I. Citizenship:  Applicants may be a U.S. citizen; possess a U.S. Permanent Resident Visa (Green Card); have been granted political asylum or refugee status; or be eligible for an International Student Visa.

II. PharmCAS Application:  Application is made using the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) via their website, www.PharmCAS.org.

III. Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT):  The PCAT is not required.

IV. English Language Proficiency: International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following to certify English language proficiency:

  • Proof of degree from an accredited U.S. institution; OR
  • TOEFL score of at least 79 on the internet-based examination or 550 on the paper-based examination; OR
  • IELTS score of at least 6.5; OR
  • PTE Academic score of 53 or higher; OR
  • Successful completion of the ELS Language Centers level 112 course or an equivalent ELS program.

TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid within two years of the testing date and must be submitted directly to PharmCAS (code 8246). Documentation of the ELS program should be submitted to the Admissions Office.

V. Supplemental Application:  A supplemental application is not required.

VI. Letters of Reference:  Two letters of reference are required and must be submitted through PharmCAS.

  • One letter must be from a faculty member (science recommended) who has taught the applicant or from the pre-health advising office at the applicant's academic institution. This letter should address the applicant's academic performance and academic potential as a future Student Pharmacist.

  • The second letter may be from a source of the applicant's choosing; however, a letter from a pharmacist or other source who can attest to the applicant's potential as a future health care professional is highly recommended. Letters from the following evaluators will not be counted toward the two letters of reference:  family members, clergy, co-worker, friend, and politician. 

VII. Interview:  An in-person interview with members of the Admissions Committee is required. International applicants may be given the option of an in-person or an online interview. Only selected applicants will be invited to interview (all related expenses are the sole responsibility of the applicant). An invitation to interview does not guarantee admission or imply any specific action on the part of the Admissions Committee. Interview dates are scheduled directly with the applicant by the Admissions Office. When the interview date is confirmed, information will be sent to the applicant regarding local overnight housing options. All accommodation arrangements are the responsibility of the applicant.

VIII. Background Check: Prior to being allowed to enroll, all accepted applicants will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. All offers of acceptance are contingent upon satisfying this requirement.

IX. Pre-Pharmacy Course Prerequisites: The completion of at least 61 semester hours of specified undergraduate coursework is required for admission. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or higher and prior to enrollment.

Applicants who have or will earn a baccalaureate degree by the end of the spring 2021 term are considered to have met the general education requirements and only the math and science prerequisites are required.

Applicants are expected to have completed all math and science prerequisites by the end of the spring 2021 term. With permission, summer coursework may be allowed; however, all courses must be completed prior to August 2021.

Be sure to include all courses—completed, in progress, and planned—on your PharmCAS application.  During the PharmCAS “Academic Update” window, be sure to update your coursework on your PharmCAS application.

Prerequisite coursework must be completed at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the equivalent authority in a foreign country. A foreign transcript evaluation report must be received by PharmCAS by June 11, 2021.

Required Math and Science courses for all applicants:

 

  • General Biology and Lab

    *Course must count towards any science degree or be a course for a Biology Major

     (4 Credit Hours)

  • Microbiology and Lab 

    *Course must count towards any science degree or be a course for a Biology Major

    (4 Credit Hours)  

    General Microbiology, Introduction to Microbiology, etc. Courses such as Genetics, Immunology, etc. are not acceptable.

  • Biology Elective

     *Course must count toward any science degree or be a course for a Biology major.

    (3 Credit Hours)  

    Biology II, Biochemistry, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, etc.

  • General Chemistry and Lab

    *Courses must count toward any science degree or be courses for a Chemistry major.

    (8 Credit Hours)  

  • Organic Chemistry and Lab 

     *Courses must count toward any science degree or be courses for a Chemistry major.

     (8 Credit Hours)

  • General Physics and Lab

    *Course must count toward any science degree or be a course for a Physics major.

     (4 Credit Hours)  

    Either a calculus based course or a non-calculus based course is acceptable. 

  • Calculus

    (3 Credit Hours)  

    Analytical Geometry and Differential Calculus, Calculus I, Basic Calculus, etc.

  •  Statistics

     (3 Credit Hours)  

    Probability and Statistics, Introduction to Statistics, etc. 

If no baccalaureate degree has been earned by the end of the spring term  prior to starting pharmacy school, then additional required courses:

 

  • Economics

    (3 Credit Hours) 

  • Composition

     *Any writing-intensive course in the English area is acceptable.

    (3 Credit Hours)  

    English Composition or any writing-intensive course in the English area

  • Oral Communication

     (3 Credit Hours)  Speech, Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communications, etc.

  • Additional Writing-Intensive Course or Oral Communication Course

    (3 Credit Hours)

  • Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, and/or Humanities Electives

    (9 Credit Hours)  

    Social Sciences: Sociology, Political Science, etc.;

    Behavioral Sciences: Psychology, Organization Theory, etc.;

    Humanities: Language, Philosophy, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, etc.

  • General Elective

    *Science Course Recommended

    (3 Credit Hours)

 

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