Admission Pathways
Your Pathway to Pharmacy Heading link
Everyone’s education journey is unique. That’s why we offer multiple paths into our PharmD program. Explore the options below to determine how to start your career in pharmacy.
Please note that regardless of which pathway you choose, you must also meet the admissions requirements.
Admission Pathways Heading link
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Regular Admission
As the name implies, regular admission is the main pathway into our PharmD program.
To be considered for admission, all regular admissions applicants must meet all PharmD admissions requirements.
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Regular International Applicants
Regular international applicants (not associated with one of our affiliate programs) apply to the PharmD Program through PharmCAS (see Regular Admission tab).
Additional Requirements for international applicants:
- International applicants should provide a copy of a WES (foreign coursework evaluation) course-by-course report to the Office of Student Affairs (submit to PharmD@uic.edu) prior to applying to determine if GPAs and prerequisites have been met. When applying, a WES report will also need to be provided to PharmCAS so that it’s part of the PharmCAS application.
- International students are required to take TOEFL. (See English Proficiency requirements tab on the Requirements page.)
International Affiliate Programs
The UIC College of Pharmacy is held in high regard internationally for professional pharmacy education and has developed strong affiliate partnerships with international institutions.
Prospective PharmD degree students who have successfully graduated from or worked at one of the following international institutions affiliated with the UIC College of Pharmacy’s are eligible to be considered for admission into the UIC PharmD program if they meet the requirements below.
- Attended or worked at an international institution affiliated with the UIC College of Pharmacy
- Bezmialem Vakif University
- China Medical University
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Chinese Pharmaceutical Association
- Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences
- Hong Kong Hospital Authority
- JSS University
- Kaohsiung Medical University
- King Saud University
- Kuwait University
- Macao Polytechnic Institute
- Meiji Pharmaceutical University
- National Taiwan University
- National University of Singapore
- Saudi Arabia National Guard Health Affairs
- Singapore General Hospital
- Southern Medical University
- Taipei Medical University
- University of Hong Kong
- University of Malta
- University of San Carlos
- University of Santos Tomas
- University of Technology Sydney
- US-Thai Pharmacy Consortium
- Yonsei University
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the U.S. grading scale of 3.5 or higher at the time of application and prior to admission. A lower GPA will be considered with pharmacy-related experience (example: 3 years of work experience as a pharmacist).
- Complete a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy or equivalent prior to admission
- Take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) prior to being interviewed.
- Obtain an overall score of 80 or higher on the TOEFL exam prior to being interviewed (and meet minimum subscores: listening-17, writing-21, reading-19, speaking-20)
- Complete an interview with the Admissions Committee
Learn more about International Affiliate Programs
For more information about the UIC College of Pharmacy’s international affiliate partnerships, please contact PharmD@uic.edu.
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Transfer Admission
We will consider transfer admission for students that began their pharmacy education at another ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy. However, students will need to meet certain criteria and make curricular adjustments.
To be considered for transfer admission to the UIC College of Pharmacy, applicants must :
- apply to the UIC College of Pharmacy through PharmCAS as a new P1, meeting the same prerequisites and requirements required of regular applicants. See the Admission Requirements page.
- provide a letter indicating the transfer applicant is in good standing at the ACPE-accredited pharmacy school attended. Applicants who are considered not to be in good standing at other pharmacy schools will not be considered for admission.
Given the competitive nature of pharmacy school admissions, all applicants are reviewed in the same holistic manner regardless of whether or not they are transfer applicants. Therefore, there is no guarantee of admission for transfer applicants.
If admitted, a transfer students may petition to have coursework taken at pharmacy schools reviewed for possible waivers of P1 courses in the UIC College of Pharmacy PharmD curriculum. However, all admitted transfer students will start in the P1 year. No advanced standing will be granted.
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UIC Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA)
The Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions, or GPPA, program is designed to reward UIC undergraduates with a place in a UIC professional program. The program guarantees a number of UIC undergraduate students a seat in the PharmD degree program provided they maintains certain criteria during their undergraduate studies at UIC. The candidates must also successfully fulfill all our admissions and interview criteria.
Undergraduate students admitted to GPPA program must maintain their Conditions of Acceptance requirements that will prepare them for their professional school experience in the College of Pharmacy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GPPA
For additional information, please write to PharmD@uic.edu. Include in subject line: GPPA information request.
Affiliate Programs with Illinois Universities and Colleges
The UIC College of Pharmacy has partnered with Illinois universities and colleges to form the State Affiliate Programs. These programs guarantee admissions to a select number of exceptional students so long as they maintain certain academic criteria and successfully fulfill all admissions criteria and on-site interview. Those institutions are:
- City Colleges of Chicago (CCC)
- Eastern Illinois University (EIU)
- Heartland Community College (HCC)
- Illinois State University (ISU)
- Northern Illinois University (NIU)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
- Western Illinois University (WIU)
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS TO STATE AFFILIATE PROGRAMS
To be eligible for consideration for admission to a State Affiliate Program, prospective undergraduate students must:
- Complete a minimum of three semesters (two at community colleges), full-time (minimum of 12 credits), of college coursework at their respective State Affiliate Program institution
- Have at least 4 full-time semesters (does not apply to community colleges) of coursework remaining in their program.
- Preference will be given to undergraduate students who have completed some pre-pharmacy coursework.
- Have a minimum cumulative (all coursework) GPA of 3.5/4 at their respective schools.
- Successfully complete an on-site College of Pharmacy interview (UIC campus).
- Demonstrate expressed interest in the profession of pharmacy/healthcare through work or volunteer activities.
- Participate in extracurricular activities at the collegiate level.
CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE
If successfully admitted to a State Affiliate Program, a student must meet all Conditions of Acceptance to be eligible to matriculate into the UIC College of Pharmacy.
Conditions of Acceptance for:
Illinois Universities Affiliate Programs
Illinois Community Colleges Affiliate ProgramsStudents who began their academic careers outside of a State Affiliate institution and are transfer students into a State Affiliate institution are not eligible for the State Affiliate Program. Only students who directly matriculate to these institutions from high school are eligible.
Applications to State Affiliate Programs are considered once a year and must be completed and received by January 15.
Contact us at PharmD@uic.edu for more information and application materials.