Application and Admission

Library

The application process can be confusing. We’re here to help.

Here are some things to consider as you apply:

  • Do you meet minimum grade requirements?
    • A  grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 for overall GPA, science/math coursework GPA, and prerequisite GPA.
    • Minimum GPAs need to be met by the PharmCAS Spring Academic Update to be considered.
    • Cumulative and science/math GPAs include all course attempts regardless of schools’ grade forgiveness policies.  The prerequisite GPA includes only the highest grade if a course was taken more than once.
    • A minimum grade of C- is needed for all prerequisite courses.
  • Have you received CR (credit) or P (pass) grades?
    • Pass or Credit grades in prerequisite courses are currently accepted only for courses taken in Spring or Summer 2020 semesters.
  • Do you have AP and test-out credits?
    • AP and test-out credits will be accepted to meet pre-pharmacy prerequisite coursework if these are noted on the transcript.
  • Do you have foreign coursework?
    • Any applicant with foreign coursework must provide a WES foreign coursework report. (Foreign coursework does not include study-abroad courses taught by US colleges.)
  • Do prerequisites need to be completed before I can apply?
    • No, they do not. The prerequisites that remain when you apply need to be included in the coursework section of the PharmCAS application. All coursework needs to be finished by the end of the second week in August for admission that fall.

Pre-Pharmacy Coursework Overview Heading link

Communications Coursework Semester Courses Quarter Courses
Written Communication 1 1
Verbal Communication 1 1
Additional (written or verbal) 1 1
Life Sciences Coursework Semester Courses Quarter Courses
General Biology and labs 2 3
Anatomy and Physiology*** 2 3
Microbiology and lab 1 1
Physical Sciences Semester Courses Quarter Courses
General (inorganic) Chemistry and labs 2 3
Organic Chemistry and lab(s) 2 3
Physics 1 1
Biochemistry 1 1
Mathematics/Statistics Semester Courses Quarter Courses
Calculus (integrals and derivatives) 1 1
Statistics 1 1

Social/Behavioral Sciences

Social/Behavioral Sciences Semester Courses Quarter Courses
1 1
Humanities Quarter Courses Semester Courses
1 1
Total Required Courses Semester Courses Quarter Courses
18 22

*Each course must be a minimum of 3 semesters or 4 quarter credits.

**Courses must be a minimum of 3 semester credits/hours each (or 4 quarter credits/hours each).  If labs are are required for a particular prerequisites, it may necessitate credits beyond these minimums.  The numbers above reflect an additional credit for each required lab.  Exact credits will depend on the way a school offers its science courses/labs.

***Schools not offering an A & P sequence – one course in human anatomy and one course in human physiology (semester or quarter) will fulfill the requirement.

Note: If science coursework was taken more than five years prior to admission application, applicants should have a discussion with the Office of Student Affairs regarding their coursework.

If you’d like to see what specific courses you need to take at your college, please refer to the coursework guide below. It has regularly updated coursework guides for our most popular feeder schools.

Prerequisite Coursework Guides

Non-native English speakers need to submit English proficiency test scores.

The English proficiency test requirement may be waived under certain circumstances.  Please see the UIC Office of Admissions International Admissions page to see if proof of English proficiency is required for your country/territory.

Test Scores

TOEFL iBT IELTS PTE Academic TOEFL PBT
Total Score 80 6.5 54 550
Listening 17 6 47
Writing 21 6 56
Reading 19 6 51
Speaking 20 6 53

What Happens Next? Heading link

If you still need information about the college, you can attend an information session. These are a good way to get a personalized overview of the College. You can find a list of information sessions here.

If you have a specific question or want to request more information you can do that here.

If you’re ready to apply, you can follow the instructions outlined below.

Complete your PharmCAS application and submit it to us through the PharmCAS portal. That includes:

  • Provide all information and complete all questions required by PharmCAS, and the college-specific questions.
  • Choose the campus you want to attend, Chicago or Rockford.
  • Submit official transcripts from all the schools you attended.
  • Submit a WES evaluation for any foreign coursework.
  • Match your coursework to the College’s prerequisite requirements. (Courses may not be listed in multiple prerequisite areas.)
  • List the two recommenders, one academic and one supervisor.
  • You can choose to report your PCAT information, dates, and scores. This is not a requirement, but it does help in the decision-making process.
  • Submit the PharmCAS application and pay the associated fees.  (If fees are not paid, PharmCAS will not verify your application.)

PCAT scores and letters of recommendation are not required for PharmCAS to verify your application or for submission of your application.  If that information is not available when your PharmCAS application is submitted, we will review your application when the information becomes available.

Once your PharmCAS application is received the College will:

  • Verify your prerequisite coursework.
  • Verify your GPAs (2.5 or higher is necessary to be invited to the next step.)

If the prerequisite coursework cannot be verified or the GPA requirement isn’t met, you will get a follow-up email telling you how to proceed.

The next stop of the process is the Supplemental Application. If you meet the qualifications outlined above, you will be invited to complete the supplemental application.

There is no additional UIC PharmD Supplemental Application Fee (the application fee is waived for PharmD Applicants).

The UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy Admissions Committee uses what’s called a “holistic review” process. This means we take into consideration more than just pure academics. We consider things such as experiences, attributes, as well as “the value an applicant would contribute to learning, practice, and teaching.” The AAMC, an association dedicated to transforming health through medical education, health care, medical research, and community collaborations, notes that “Holistic Review allows admissions committees to consider the “whole” applicant, rather than disproportionately focusing on any one factor.”

You will receive an update on suggested next steps when the committee review is completed.

 

The next step is an admission interview. The interview will consist of:

  • information sessions with student panels
  • information sessions with faculty
  • interviews in the multiple mini-interview format
  • a writing assessment

For the time being admission interviews will take place in a virtual online format, led by students, staff, and faculty from the preferred campus.

Applicants receive a status update after the campus admissions visit.  Applicants offered admission must pay the required admission deposit(s) by the specified Admission Deposit Deadlines (see below) if they wish to accept the offer.  If the acceptance deposit is not received by the specified deadline, the admission offer is withdrawn.

Because the UIC College of Pharmacy participates in the Cooperative Admissions Guidelines (CAG), we require students to follow the Applicant Acceptance Protocols outlined below.

Prior to March 1

  • If you decide before March 1 not to attend a pharmacy school or college that has offered you admission, withdraw your application from that program or programs.
  • You can hold multiple acceptances until March 1.
  • When a school or college extends an offer of admission prior to March 1, a maximum $200 holding deposit may be required.
  • Schools may not require a second deposit prior to March 1. After March 1 they will set the dollar value for the second deposit, if applicable.

After March 1

  • After March 1, you can hold only a single acceptance.
  • If you have an admissions offer from more than one school, you must choose which to enroll in by March 1.
  • By March 1, you will need to withdraw your application from all other schools.
  • Additional admission offers may continue as needed after March 1.
  • If you accept an offer after March 1, you must rescind your acceptance at the school where you had previously accepted an offer prior to accepting the offer at the new school.

If an applicant accepts an admission offer, the admission deposit(s) must be paid by the following deadlines:

Regular Admission Offer – before March 1
Initial acceptance deposit ($100) – due two weeks after offer
Final acceptance deposit ($200) – due March 1

Regular Admission Offer – after March 1
Full acceptance deposit ($300) – due two weeks after offer

Admission deposits are not refundable for any reason.

2025 Deadlines Heading link

International Applicants Deadline March 1, 2025
Priority Deadline January 3, 2025
Final Deadline March 3, 2025

Fall 2024 admission – prerequisites must be completed by August 9, 2024.

Fall 2025 admission – prerequisites must be completed by August 8, 2025.

Admission Offer - before March 1 Initial deposit ($100) - due two weeks after offer
Final deposit ($200) - due March 1
Admission Offer - after March 1 Full deposit ($300) - due two weeks after offer.

Ready to apply? Heading link

Visit the PharmCAS website to get started. The 2025 application is now open.

PharmCAS Application