Application and Admission Process Overview
Applying to the Pharmaceutics graduate program involves these key steps:
- Application Submission: Submit all your required materials through the online application system.
- Faculty Review: Your completed application will be carefully reviewed by the Pharmaceutics faculty, typically from January through March, and sometimes into late spring. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.
- Decision Notification: Decisions are made as soon as possible. You may be admitted, placed on a waiting list, or denied. You'll receive communications from both the Pharmaceutics graduate program and the Graduate School.
- Check Status: Visit the Graduate School website for help with checking your application status.
Plan Ahead
You will need to plan ahead, beginning about 12 months before your desired start date.
- 12+ Months Before: If you are an international student, schedule your English language proficiency exam if you have not completed secondary or post-secondary school in the U.S. or in a country on the English proficiency exemption list.
- August-September: Ask for letters of recommendation and begin entering your application credentials online.
- September-December: Submit your complete application by the December 31st deadline. Early applications are encouraged. Late applications will only be considered on a space and funds available basis.
- January-April: The Pharmaceutics faculty will review complete applications and schedule interviews with top candidates.
Application Deadline
Fall 2027 is the next opportunity to be considered for admission with an application deadline of December 31, 2026. Applications will not be reviewed by the faculty until all of the required materials have been received. Fully completed applications received by December 31st will be given priority consideration for admission.
Early applications are highly encouraged; late applications will only be considered on a space and funds available basis.
Due to the cohort nature of our program, we only admit new graduate students to start in the fall semester.
Application Requirements
Online Application System
You can narrow your program options by selecting the following in the Program Selection section:
- Campus: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- College/School: Pharmacy
Make sure all requirements and supplements are attached before submitting your online application.
Unofficial Transcripts
A Bachelor's degree showing exceptional scholastic performance from a recognized institution is required to apply. A U.S. grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent from foreign institutions, and having completed coursework in integral and differential calculus is considered to be competitive.
Attach a legible scan or download from each college or university you have attended, including current institution if applicable. Each must include your name, the institution's name, and the courses for which you have enrolled. Do not send official (paper) transcripts at this time. These will be required only if you receive and accept admission.
Visit the Graduate School website for transcript help.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
GRE scores are not required and will not be reviewed.
English Language Proficiency
English language proficiency exam scores are required for all applicants who have not completed secondary or post-secondary school in the U.S. or in a country on the English proficiency exemption list.
Note that not all countries where English is an official language or is widely spoken are included on the exemption list. The English Language Requirement is set by a University-wide English as a Second Language (ESL) Policy committee which includes representatives from the Undergraduate Admissions Office, Graduate Admissions Office, Minnesota English Language Program, International Student and Scholar Services, and University of Minnesota Duluth Graduate School.
For more information, please visit the University of Minnesota Graduate School's English proficiency requirements page.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Your TOEFL exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.
Minimum TOEFL score requirements for exams taken before January 21, 2026:
- Reading: 19
- Writing: 21
- Listening: no minimum
- Speaking: 23
- Total: 100
Minimum TOEFL score requirements for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026:
- Reading: 4.5
- Writing: 4.5
- Listening: no minimum
- Speaking: 4.5
- Total: 5
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities does not consider MyBest Scores: Sum of Highest Section Scores of the TOEFL iBT Score Report to meet the minimum total score requirement for admission. Applicants should self-report their highest Total Score from the one test date in the Application for Admission. Applicants should also submit the official TOEFL iBT scores via ETS.
Official TOEFL scores must be sent electronically from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). When sending TOEFL scores via ETS, use Institution Code 6874 - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul).
It is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification to your application.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be sent and matched to your application. After you have submitted an application, you can check your application status to find out if we have received your official TOEFL scores.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Your IELTS exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.
Minimum IELTS score requirements:
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6.5
- Listening: no minimum
- Speaking: 7
- Overall: 7
Official IELTS scores can be sent electronically from the IELTS Test Taker Portal. When prompted, select the following as the score recipient:
- Institution/Organization: University of Minnesota Graduate Admissions
- Department/Person: All Campuses
It is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification to your application.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be sent and matched to your application. After you have submitted an application, you can check your application status to find out if we have received your official IELTS scores.
Duolingo English Test (DET)
Your Duolingo exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.
Minimum Duolingo score requirements:
- Reading: 115
- Writing: 115
- Listening: no minimum
- Speaking: 130
- Overall: 130
Refer to the Duolingo instructions for submitting your scores to the University of Minnesota.
It is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification to your application.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be sent and matched to your application. After you have submitted an application, you can check your application status to find out if we have received your official Duolingo scores.
Pearson Test of English (PET)
Your PTE Academic exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.
Minimum PTE Academic score requirements:
- Reading: 59
- Writing: 59
- Listening: no minimum
- Speaking: 64
- Overall: 68
Request official score reports from the appropriate testing center using the following mailing address:
Graduate School Admissions Office
University of Minnesota
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
It is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification to your application.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be sent and matched to your application. After you have submitted an application, you can check your application status to find out if we have received your official PTE Academic scores.
Materials
Required for all applicants
- Personal Statement: Describe your research interests in Pharmaceutics and outline your immediate and long-term career goals. While there's no word or page limit, most statements are around 2-3 pages.
Optional
- Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Statement: Describe the distinctive perspectives or life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that you would bring to the Pharmaceutics graduate program. Describe how these perspectives or life experiences could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota.
- Extenuating Circumstances Statement: If you would like to provide an explanation of circumstances that contributed to your test scores or GPA.
- Resume/CV
- Writing Sample: Abstracts, papers, articles, etc.
- Description of Research
- Graduate Program Additional Material: Calculus course description or syllabus, description of teaching or research experiences, courses you have taught, honors earned, etc.
Letters of Recommendation
A minimum of three recommendations from individuals with direct knowledge of your capabilities and experience, such as a professor or direct supervisor, is required.
Visit the Graduate School website for recommendation letters help.
Application Fee
Visit the Graduate School website for more information on the application fee.
The Pharmaceutics graduate program is not able to waive application fees.
Additional Resources for International Students
International applicants can find additional resources on the International Student Resources page.