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Admissions Requirements

All prospective Pharm.D. program applicants are encouraged to review the Pharm.D. Prerequisites (.pdf).

High School Student

For thorough information about our admission requirements, go to our PharmCAS schoolpage. The PharmCAS schoolpages are helpful to easily compare our admission requirements against those of other Pharm.D. programs.

Download/View PharmD Prerequisites Checklist PDF

There are three basic admission requirements for the Pharm.D. program:

1. Complete the required Pharm.D. prerequisite courses

All Pharm.D. prerequisite courses are necessary for admission to the College of Pharmacy. The UHCOP Admissions Committee will look at an applicant's all prerequisite GPA, which includes all required courses. Applicants must receive no less than a "C" (2.0 GPA) in all prerequisite courses in order to be considered for admittance.

In addition, math and science prerequisite courses are averaged, which becomes the applicant's math/science prerequisite GPA. Both the all prerequisite GPA and math/science prerequisite GPA are extremely important for the student's application. Students should plan their course schedule so that they complete the math and science prerequisites no later than the spring semester prior to entry into the program. No math and science courses may be taken the summer prior to beginning the Pharm.D. curriculum. However, non-math/science courses may be taken that summer.

The Fall 2023 entering pharmacy class all prerequisite GPA range was 2.56-4.0 GPA. Their math/science prerequisite GPA range was 2.33-4.0 GPA.

Other information concerning prerequisites:

• Grades of repeated courses are averaged; not replaced.
• Although there is no minimum prerequisite GPA, it is preferred that applicants have a 2.50 or higher in their all prerequisite and math/science prerequisite GPAs.   
• The Biology I & II lecture/lab series may be met by taking BOTH Botany lecture/lab, AND Zoology lecture/lab courses designed for science majors. If Biology I lecture/lab is taken, Biology II lecture/lab should be completed at that same institution to complete the Biology I & II lecture/lab series. It is NOT permissible to take either Botany lecture/lab or Zoology lecture/lab at one institution, then take Biology I lecture/lab or Biology II lecture/lab at another institution.
• In order to use credit earned by examination (i.e. AP, IB, CLEP, etc.) for meeting prerequisite coursework, official college/university transcript(s) sent into PharmCAS must have specific course names and course numbers of credit awarded clearly indicated to be recognized. 

The Admissions Committee will review completed applications received by May 1, 2024.  All incomplete applications will not be reviewed, therefore we strongly encourage all items to be submitted by the deadline. 

2. Take the PCAT Exam (Optional for 2024 Cycle)

The PCAT test will be optional for applications submitted for the upcoming 2024 cycle. 

Fall 2024 applicants who opt to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) should send their scores directly to PharmCAS.

For the 2024 application cycle, the January 2024 PCAT will be the most recent PCAT scores that will be accepted by the UH College of Pharmacy. Click here for PCAT Test Dates.

There is no minimum PCAT score, although it is recommended that students score in the 40% or above range in each of these areas of the PCAT: Biological Processes, Chemical Processes, Critical Reading, and Quantitative Reasoning. 

Students may take the exam several times; each score will be looked at separately. If students do retake the exam, it is advised that students increase their score for each retake. The college does not drop the lowest score or average PCAT scores. PCAT scores more than three years old (older than 1/07/2021) will not be considered when making admissions decisions.

The Admissions Committee will review completed applications received by May 1, 2024.  All incomplete applications will not be reviewed, therefore we strongly encourage all items to be submitted by the deadline. 

3. Obtain three letters of reference

The college requires that students submit 3 letters of reference with their application to PharmCAS. All letters of reference must be from individuals residing in the U.S.

Letters may come from the following approved sources:

  • licensed pharmacist practicing or having practiced in the U.S.
  • college professor
  • employer
  • supervisor
  • teaching assistant
  • pre-health advisor
  • faculty advisor

Letters of reference from family or friends are NOT accepted.

We require that the reference fill out the letter of reference forms through PharmCAS. The person may submit an attached letter if he/she chooses. In addition, we recommend that students obtain "strong" letters of reference. Please refer to the following hints and online webinar for obtaining such good letters:

1. Most people are uncomfortable giving reference for someone whom they do not know well. Get to know the person and let them get to know you so that you will obtain a good letter.

2. Ask early for your letter of reference. Do not ask the reference too close to the application deadline for a letter.

3. Ask for a "strong letter." Some references may have a hard time saying "no," and will write a letter that is superficial. It is important that the applicant ask for a "strong letter" and give the person a way of saying no if she/he is not enthusiastic about writing for you.

4. Begin working on this no later than your second semester in college.

5. Search for a reference with whom you believe you have something in common or with whom you have similar research or employment interests.

6. Respect the reference's time.

7. Be a positive addition to their time and life.

8. It is suggested that students obtain a letter of reference from a pharmacist with whom they have established a professional or working relationship.

The Admissions Committee will review completed applications received by May 1, 2024.  All incomplete applications will not be reviewed, therefore we strongly encourage all items to be submitted by the deadline. 

4. Community Service (25 hours minimum)

Volunteer/community service is required for all applicants to the program.

A minimum of twenty-five (25) volunteer/community service hours are required for admission consideration. Students should have a consistent amount of volunteer/community service hours to be a competitive applicant.

Volunteer activities do not have to be in the health-care area, and can be whatever type they choose, so long as it is non-paid and clearly benefits the community at-large. This volunteer/community service must begin at the onset of the applicant's college-career.

If you are looking for opportunities to volunteer in the midst of Covid, check out our FAQs page.

The Admissions Committee will review completed applications received by May 1, 2024.  All incomplete applications will not be reviewed, therefore we strongly encourage all items to be submitted by the deadline. 

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