Admissions

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Prerequisite course requirements and qualification to apply for 2013 admission and beyond have changed!  Prerequisite update

There are now three ways to become an eligible applicant to the Pharm.D. Program. Applicants only need to fulfill one of these three minimum requirements:

• 3.0 overall PharmCAS GPA
  or
• 3.2 GPA in most recent 60 credits
  or
• 70% composite PCAT - NEW!

The basic steps in our application process are listed below.  Be sure to check out this handy application checklist to help you in this process.

1. Take the PCAT exam, submit scores to PharmCAS.
2. Submit an application to PharmCAS, the national application service.
3. Submit three letters of reference to PharmCAS.
4. Submit all college transcripts to PharmCAS (minimum GPA* of 3.00 required or 3.2 over the most recent 60 semester credits or 70% composite PCAT).
5. Submit the College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application.
6. If invited, interview with a faculty member of the College of Pharmacy.

Below is more detailed information regarding our application process.

Application Process for 2013 Admission
About the Admissions Process
Application Materials
Supplemental Application
Required Documents
GPA Requirements
Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)
Prerequisites
Interviews
Transfer applications
Requirements for Admitted Students

 
Application Process for 2013 Admission

• The college operates a rolling admissions process.  Please note that "rolling admissions" means that we accept and review applications on a continual basis beginning when the supplemental application becomes available in August of each year. 
• Applicants who submit their application earlier will have priority in selection.  Positions in the college and interview spaces will become limited or completely full closer to the deadline. 
• Applicants who have a PharmCAS GPA* of 3.00 or 3.2 over the most recent 60 semester credits or 70% composite PCAT to qualify to apply.
• The College of Pharmacy’s supplemental application must be submitted by March 1, 2013 (see more information under Supplemental Application below). To allow for PharmCAS processing time, applicants must submit their PharmCAS application in the fall, or at least six weeks in advance of the deadline. The college may stop accepting applications before the deadline if all interview spaces are filled.

 
About the Admissions Process

The admissions process is the same for both the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses.  Applicants submit one application for the University of Minnesota Pharm.D. Program and if invited to interview, applicants make their campus selection at Interview Day.  Please research each campus before attending Interview Day.  Information on each campus can be found on the Choose Your Campus and subsequent links. 

The Admissions Committee consists of eight faculty members and five students from both campuses.  The committee reviews all applications of applicants who are selected to interview with the college and makes all decisions regarding admissions according to the college's selection criteria.

 
Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following applications. 

1. PharmCAS Application: Application materials are available from PharmCAS: www.pharmcas.org.  All college transcripts, letters of reference, and PCAT scores are sent to PharmCAS. Applicants who are re-applying can use their application in PharmCAS from the previous year or begin a new application and resubmit all application materials.   
   

2. Supplemental Application:  

   Applicants who have submitted their PharmCAS application will be able to access the University of Minnesota Supplemental Application once their grades have been verified by PharmCAS and their PharmCAS application has been mailed and received by the college.  Applicants can see the status of their PharmCAS application by logging in to their PharmCAS account.

   The supplemental application questions for 2012 admission are listed below.  Applicants can prepare their essays ahead of time.  In order to access and submit the supplemental application, applicants must FIRST submit a PharmCAS application, have transcripts verified by PharmCAS, and have their application sent to our college's admissions office by PharmCAS.  The supplemental application cannot be made available to applicants until the college receives their application from PharmCAS.  Applicants must allow at least six (6) weeks for PharmCAS to process an application and deliver it to us.  The supplemental application deadline is March 1, 2013.     
    

2012 Supplemental Application Questions:
(Questions for 2013 admission will be posted by June 2012)  

1. You have already listed your leadership, volunteer, and extra curricular experiences on your PharmCAS application. Describe the contribution you made that was most meaningful to you. (1000 characters, including spaces)
    
2. The profession of pharmacy is undergoing significant changes. What will be your unique role in the profession 10 years from now? (1700 characters, including spaces)
    
3. Our admissions committee will consider diversity factors including but not limited to academic background, professional background, race/ethnicity, geographic diversity, first generation college student, challenging or disadvantaged background, and ability in multiple languages when making admissions decisions. Discuss how you will contribute uniquely to the diversity in the Pharm.D. program and pharmacy profession. (1700 characters, including spaces)
    
4. Optional: Please provide any additional comments or information you would like the Admissions Committee to consider during the review of your application (e.g., causes of any academic difficulties or additional qualifications not already noted). (1700 characters, including spaces)
    
5. For applicants reapplying to the U of MN Pharm.D. Program ONLY: Please describe how you have changed and strengthened your application to our Pharm.D. program. Include all relevant academic, work, volunteer, personal and pharmacy experience. (1700 characters, including spaces)
    
6. Optional: Peters' Scholarship for Future Practitioners in Underserved Communities. This scholarship is awarded by the Admissions Committee to incoming students with the best and most feasible plans for practicing with medically underserved populations in Minnesota upon graduation. Examples of underserved populations in Minnesota include but are not limited to: rural and other geographical areas, ethnic or racial populations, specific age groups, etc. This scholarship awards $2,500 - $5,000 for four years, $10,000 - $20,000 total.  Please describe the population in Minnesota you intend to serve upon graduation. Include the population's unique healthcare needs and include specific plans or strategies to meet their needs. (2000 characters, including spaces)
   

Required Documents

• Application submitted to PharmCAS - the national application service (available at www.pharmcas.org).
   
• Official transcripts from each college attended (submitted to PharmCAS) - an overall PharmCAS GPA of at least 3.00 or 3.2 in most recent 60 credits or 70% composite PCAT.
   
• Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) score with writing subtest.  When you register for the PCAT, be sure to have a score report sent to PharmCAS (code 104).
   
• TOEFL score (international applicants only, if required) submitted to PharmCAS.
   
• Three recommendation forms, available from and submitted to PharmCAS.  The college seeks recommendations from people who know you well in a professional or academic capacity, such as college instructors and work or volunteer supervisors.  The college DOES NOT accept letters of recommendation from friends, family, and members of the clergy.  Please note that the college will accept four recommendations from applicants who choose to submit four.
   
• College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application and $75 non-refundable application processing free.
   
• University of Minnesota Financial Certification Statement (required only of international applicants).

GPA Requirements

Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 or 3.20 over the most recent 60 semester credits or 70% composite PCAT to qualify to apply. PharmCAS calculates the overall GPA for each candidate. This GPA may not exactly match the GPA(s) reported by your college or university. For more information on how PharmCAS calculates your GPA, please review the PharmCAS instruction manual.

 
Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

• Pearson Education, Inc. administers this exam. You can find more information on the PCAT from this website: www.pcatweb.info
   
• The final PCAT exam date to apply for the 2013 admissions cycle is on January 9, 2013 (registration deadline is November 8, 2012)
   
• Applicants must send PCAT results to PharmCAS (code 104).

 
Interviews

Once your application is complete, your file will be evaluated by the admissions committee.  The highest-ranking applicants according to our selection criteria will be notified of a scheduled interview date and time. Please clear your calendar to accommodate our interviews.  Interviews will be held on the following Fridays:  2012-2013 Interview Dates TBA.

The interview is a 40-minute one-on-one conversation with a College of Pharmacy faculty member.  Interviewers have access to a limited view of the interviewee's application.  Interviewers can view schools attended, degrees obtained, work experience, extracurriculars and all essays.  They cannot view PCAT scores, GPA, individual grades, courses taken or letters of recommendation.

 
Transfer Applications

Applicants wishing to transfer to the University of Minnesota Pharm.D. program from another college of pharmacy must either apply as an entry-level applicant through PharmCAS or present a complete application (PharmCAS, supplemental and interview) no more than two years old. Transfer students must complete all prerequisites and meet the minimum admissions criteria in order to qualify for consideration.  Transfer applications are accepted at any point in the year, and accepted on a space-if-available basis unless they apply as an entry-level student. 

The Sr. Associate Dean of Professional Education, in consultation with the Director of Student Services, will evaluate transcripts and syllabi of courses completed at an accredited College of Pharmacy.  If it has been deemed that the applicant has completed the equivalent of Minnesota’s required courses at another college of pharmacy, those courses will be waived. Transfer students can request to waive further courses in accordance with the college’s Course Waiver policy.