Application Process
https://pharmacy.uic.edu/programs/pharmd-professional-program/applying-new
The UIC College of Pharmacy PharmD Program uses a rolling admissions process and does participate in the Early Decision Program. Rolling admissions means that applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the admissions cycle, so it's best to apply as early as possible for best consideration. Admission Requirements are the same for both campuses. The PharmD degree is awarded by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). It will not state the campus where a student attended classes. Applications are administered through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).
Application Process
Complete applications are reviewed as they are received throughout the admissions cycle.
Applications are considered to be complete if all the following criteria are met:
- Pre-pharmacy prerequisite coursework requirements are met (or will be met by the end of the spring semester or the first week of June for schools not on a semester system)
- Minimum GPAs requirements are met (cumulative, science/math combined, and pre-pharmacy prerequisite GPAs are a 2.50 or higher)
- The PharmCAS application is complete, has been e-submitted, and verified
- PCAT scores are in place on PharmCAS (the PCAT CID must be entered on the PharmCAS application)
- All letters of recommendation are in place on PharmCAS
- The UIC Supplemental Application is completed
Questions regarding the application or the application process should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs, email – pharmosa@uic.edu or by calling (312) 996-7242
Application Deadlines
- Early Decision Applicants: September 4, 2018 (PharmCAS application must be e-submitted and all transcripts must be at PharmCAS)
- International Applicants: December 31, 2018
- Priority Scholarship Application Deadline: January 7, 2019
- Final Application Deadline: March 1, 2019
- Transfer Applicants: February 15, 2019
Pre-Pharmacy Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants must complete all pre-pharmacy prerequisite coursework by the end of the spring semesterof the admission year (or no later than the first week of June for schools not on the semester system).
Prospective students may submit application materials prior to completing all pre-pharmacy prerequisite courses as long as they can demonstrate on their Supplemental Application (Pre-Pharmacy Coursework Form) that all courses will be completed by the end of the spring semester (or the first week of June for schools not on the semester system) before the fall semester an applicant hopes to matriculate.
GPA Requirements
Applicants must have a grade-point average (GPA) that meets or exceeds the 2.50 (A=4.0) minimum requirement at the time the PharmCAS application is e-submitted and be maintained thereafter.
Three GPAs are considered when the PharmCAS application is reviewed:
- Cumulative: all courses taken at all institutions at all levels
- Pre-pharmacy: only pre-pharmacy prerequisite courses
- Science/Math: all science and math courses (not just pre-pharmacy prerequisite courses)
Repeated Classes
- If courses are repeated, grades from all attempts will be calculated into the science/math and cumulative grade-point averages.
- If pre-pharmacy prerequisite courses are repeated, only grades from the best attempts will be used to calculate the pre-pharmacy grade-point average.
Applicants not meeting minimum GPA requirements at the time of application will be notified of such and will be reconsidered after fall grades have been entered into PharmCAS (fall academic update). If the GPA requirements are met after the fall academic update period, their applications will move forward in the review process.
A holistic review of an application means that GPA is one factor that is considered. Below are the GPA ranges of students that have been accepted in previous cycles.
| Admission Cycle | Prerequisite GPA Range | Average Prerequisite GPA |
| Fall 2017 | 2.79 to 4.00 | 3.48 |
| Fall 2016 | 2.82 to 4.00 | 3.46 |
| Fall 2015 | 2.75 to 4.00 | 3.49 |
PharmCAS Application
Applicants must complete and submit a PharmCAS application (www.PharmCAS.org) and must keep the PharmCAS record up to date at all times. The PharmCAS application includes a section with College of Pharmacy supplemental questions, campus preference, and scholarship questions. Supplemental questions must be completed before submitting the PharmCAS application.
Select “University of Illinois Chicago” in the PharmCAS portal regardless of campus preference (Chicago or Rockford).
The UIC College of Pharmacy reviews all complete applications (all required information received) on an ongoing/rolling basis beginning in September. For best consideration, apply early.
All international applicants must submit application materials no later than December 31, 2018 in order to apply for Fall 2019 admission to the PharmD program. Please see the International Applicantspage
Foreign Coursework
Applicants with any foreign coursework (excluding study abroad programs done through a US institution) must submit a “course-by-course” WES evaluation report to PharmCAS and directly to the UIC College of Pharmacy.
All applicants with foreign coursework must also have their transcript evaluation reports reviewed by the UIC College of Pharmacy Admissions Counselor.
Questions about this should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs, pharmosa@uic.edu or 312-996-7242.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants specify their recommenders in the PharmCAS application. Recommenders will then be notified to submit their evaluations through PharmCAS.
Applicants must have two letters of recommendation submitted through PharmCAS.
- One letter must be from a professor, a TA, or an Academic Adviser.
- One letter must be from a work or volunteer supervisor
Applicants must ensure that the actual letters of recommendation have been successfully submitted into their PharmCAS application by the letter writer.
UIC Supplemental Application (if invited to complete)
Applicants meeting our minimum GPA requirements will be invited to submit the UIC Supplemental Application. This application is required for anyone applying to UIC.
Note: It is highly recommended that the UIC Supplemental Application be completed within two weeks after the email invitation is sent to an applicant.
PCAT
The PCAT is one of many things considered in our holistic application review process. Admitted students’ composite scores over the last few years have ranged from 30 to 99 (percentile).
PCAT scores must be submitted directly to PharmCAS (Code 104), not to UIC. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure PCAT scores are showing on PharmCAS (PCAT CID must be entered into the applicant’s record). If applicants have requested to have their scores sent to PharmCAS and do not see them in PharmCAS 3 to 4 weeks after notification of their PCAT results, please check with PharmCAS and/or PCAT.
Only PCAT scores from the last two years can be included in the PharmCAS application. Older exam scores will not be accepted. If the PCAT has been taken multiple times, the attempt with the best composite percentile at the time the application is considered will be used in the review process. PCAT composite scores are not averaged and they are not “mixed and matched” between attempts.
Early Decision: For those applicants applying via Early Decision, the July or September PCAT scores may be used. If an applicant takes the September PCAT, the applicant will need to email pharmosa@uic.edu their unofficial PCAT results.
English Proficiency (if applicable)
UIC requires submission of valid English proficiency test scores for all non-native English speakers.
The only English proficiency tests accepted by UIC are the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE Academic, and TOEFL PBT.
The English proficiency test requirement may be waived under certain circumstances. Please see the UIC Office of Admissions International Requirements page to determine the requirement for your country/territory.
On-Site Interview (if invited)
If selected, applicants are given the opportunity to participate in an on-site admission interview at our Chicago or Rockford campuses. The Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) style of interviewing is used.
Admission Deposits
If successfully offered admission, admission deposits must be paid by the following deadlines:
Early Decision Admission Offer
Full acceptance deposit ($1000) – due two weeks after offer
Regular Admission Offer – before March 1, 2019
Initial acceptance deposit ($200) – due two weeks after offer
Final acceptance deposit ($800) – due March 1, 2019
Regular Admission Offer – after March 1, 2019
Full acceptance deposit ($1000) – due two weeks after offer
APPLYING TO THE PHARMD/PHD JOINT DEGREE PROGRAM (PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENTIST TRAINING PROGRAM)
In addition to the above criteria, applicants applying to the PSTP program must complete the additional PharmD/PhD Form as part of the supplemental application (PSTP form) to be considered for admission to this Joint PharmD/PhD program. Please follow the instructions listed on the second page of the PDF form.
We encourage PSTP applicants to also contact the Director of Graduate Education, COPDGE@uic.edu, earlier than the January 15 deadline to express interest in the program
University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement
The commitment of the University of Illinois to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms.
The University of Illinois will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities.
University complaint and grievance procedures provide employees and students with the means for the resolution of complaints that allege a violation of this Statement. Members of the public should direct their inquiries or complaints to:
The Office for Access and Equity, 717 Marshfield Building, M/C 602, 809 South Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60612‐ 7297, (312) 996‐8670, cabw@uic.edu.