PharmD FAQs
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Program Questions
What course will I take in the PharmD program?
The current courses are listed on our Current Student website.
Are the lectures live or recorded?
There are different methods to fit different styles of learners.
The classes are taught live from one of the two campuses, in this example we’ll say it is the Rockford campus. Students in Chicago would attend the lecture in a broadcast learning classroom where they can see hear and interact with the lecturer. Once connected, the lecture takes place as any normal class.
The class recordings are then stored for students to review later.
Will I have access to faculty if I have a question?
Definitely. The college has the smallest student-to-faculty ratio of any Big 10 pharmacy school.
Are there opportunities to get involved?
Both campuses boast multiple student organizations:
- American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
- Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
- Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP)
- Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity
- Phi Delta Chi
- National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
- Pharmacy Leadership Society (Phi Lambda Sigma, PLS)
- Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA)
- Pharmacy Student Council (PSC)
A full list is available on the Current Student website.
With representatives on both campuses, students may meet between campuses, or via videoconference. There are also many meetings and events held locally on each campus.
Many of these organizations are involved with community health events.
Are research opportunities available?
Yes. The College is home to one of the top-rated research programs in the country.
Many of our faculty are experts in their field and are happy to offer research opportunities (both clinical and pharmaceutical science) in their labs.
What lifestyle can I expect while attending pharmacy school?
Everyone’s pharmacy school experience will be different, but here are some things you can expect.
Your schedule will be demanding. You’ll be in class Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You will also have two to three days in class, lab or recitation in the afternoons.
You should plan on spending a few hours a night reviewing material. This will put you in a good place when it comes to tests. The curriculum is intense, and you’ll need to keep pace.
All of that being said, many students still find time to work part-time, participate in research, or be involved in a professional student organization.
Campus Questions
What are the campus communities like?
We are truly one college, two campuses, with the same education. Students in Chicago and Rockford share faculty and the same classroom experience. However, there are major differences in the surrounding community, class size, and the cost of living. Below is a quick overview of each to help you choose the campus community that best suits your needs.
Chicago
The College of Pharmacy building in Chicago is just west of downtown Chicago. It is a proud part of the Illinois Medical District, a collection of urban healthcare, educational, research, and technology centers. The Illinois Medical District is one of the largest of its type in the nation. The College is also part of the UI Hospital & Health Sciences System. Chicago is known for its world-class entertainment and access to various cultural opportunities. There are museums like the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museum 0f Science and Industry just to name a few. You can see a game at Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, Soldier Field, or even the United Center which is located just a few blocks from Campus. Catch a concert at venues from small bars to full stadiums and everything in between, or catch a play in Chicago’s thriving theater community. If nature is more your speed, you can enjoy the many beaches and biking trails along Lake Michigan. Whatever you’re looking for you can find in this city of 2.7 million people!
Rockford
The College of Pharmacy in Rockford, along with the College of Medicine and College of Nursing, is part of the UIC Health Sciences Campus – Rockford. Located in a 20-acre tree-lined site, the College of Pharmacy’s state-of-the-art facilities were constructed in 2010. The city of Rockford is home to 150,000 residents, and when coupled with the surrounding towns, boasts an overall size of almost 350,000. Rockford is a stop for many traveling performers and is home to many culturally enriching opportunities. It is also attractive to nature buffs with its many trails, parks, water sports, and bike paths. Rockford residents also enjoy a 13% lower cost of living in comparison to the Illinois average. Curious about life in Rockford? Visit gorockford.com for more information.
What is the availability of housing on each campus?
Admitted PharmD students are assigned peer advisors to ease them into University life. These advisors are great resources for housing recommendations and will be able to answer questions regarding housing better than a FAQ will. However, we will give it a shot.
Chicago
The Chicago community takes advantage of many different transportation options. About 1/3 of the students live on campus or within walking distance of the campus, 1/3 live in one of the many other neighborhoods that are easily accessible by CTA trains or busses, and the final 1/3 commute from neighboring suburbs. You can find rental suggestions at any number of rental portals. (A few are listed below.) There is also student housing available in Chicago. You can find more information on the UIC Housing website.
Rockford
University housing is not available in Rockford, but students enjoy a very cost-efficient lifestyle. It is very easy to rent an apartment or house within 5 miles of campus or closer. We have developed a great relationship with our neighbors, and many prefer to rent to University of Illinois Rockford students. A 3-4 bedroom house may cost roughly $900 to $1400 a month for rent. Many of them offer garages and backyards. With the cost split between 3-4 roommates, this lifestyle is more affordable and spacious than other cities of Rockford’s size.
Are the RPHARM and UPHARM programs available on both campuses?
No. Those concentrations are tied to the campus.
Chicago is home to the concentration in Urban Pharmacy Services (UPHARM)
Rockford is home to the concentration in Rural Pharmacy Services (RPHARM)
If you’d like to pursue one of those concentrations, you will need to choose your campus accordingly.
Will I ever have to travel to the other campus?
Generally, no. But that partially depends on which campus you’re attending.
Chicago
You will not have to travel to the Rockford campus. However, you may request an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation outside of the Chicago area.
Rockford
You will not have to travel to the Chicago campus. However, you may request an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation outside of the Rockford area. Additionally, the College commencement ceremonies are held in Chicago, so If you want to participate in graduation you will need to travel to the ceremony.
Will I need to provide my own transportation to rotation sites?
Yes. You will complete rotations periodically during their first three years, and in the fourth year, you will complete the Advance Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPEs). These rotations take place in a variety of different settings and locales. For all of those reasons, access to a car is highly recommended.