Pre-Pharmacy

As a pre-pharmacy student you will work to become a pharmacist by exploring the field through employment or observation at a pharmacy in addition to excelling in pre-requisite coursework and investigating admissions expectations of various colleges of pharmacy.

Admission to Pharmacy School

Pre-Pharmacy coursework at UC consists of the prerequisites for admission to UC's James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. If you wish to apply to this program, you must complete the coursework listed under “Pre-Requisite Courses” below.

Generally, these courses satisfy prerequisite requirements for most pharmacy schools, however there may be specific requirements for different programs. You are encouraged to speak with a PPAC advisor and read the admissions literature for the specific requirements at each school in which you are interested.

Furthermore, competitive pre-pharmacy students have outstanding metrics, strong personal attributes, and relevant pre-pharmacy and other professional experiences. 

Everyone's path to pharmacy school is unique. We encourage students to explore the options for achieving their goal of gaining admission to pharmacy school. The programs below are among the most popular selected by pre-pharmacy students at UC:

NOTE: Some Health Professions Schools will not accept pre-requisites taken online. All pre-requisite courses are recommended to be taken in-person.
 
  • Biology I with lab: BIOL 1081 and 1081L
  • Microbiology: BIOL 2031C(S,U) or BIOL 4011 and 4011L(F) or MEDS 3024C(F)
  • General Chemistry I and II with labs: CHEM 1040/1040L and 1041/1041L
  • Organic Chemistry I and II with labs: CHEM 2040/2040L and 2041/2041L
  • Biochemistry: CHEM 3040 or MEDS 3020(F)
  • Physics I: PHYS 1051 or PHYS 2001
  • English: ENGL 1001 and 2089
  • Anatomy and Physiology: BIOL 2001C and 2002C or BIOL 3020C(F,S) and 3021(F)
  • Math: MATH 1044 and 1045 or 1061, and STAT 1034 or 1031 or MEDS 3023C
  • General Education Electives: 15 semester hours including 6 hours in Arts and Humanities (HU & LT, HP, FAcodes) and 6 hours in Social Sciences (SS) with one course from each also carrying a Diversity & Culture (DC) orSocial & Ethical (SE) code. Additional 3 credit hours are free electives any discipline.

None. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is retired from 2024.

Average GPAs of admitted students: 3.57 overall/3.23 science.

Most pharmacy schools require 2-3 letters of recommendation. Professors, supervisors, pharmacists whom students have shadowed or worked with, and other professionals who know students best are suggested letter writers. 

In 2023, 77% of UC applicants were admitted. 75% of those students attended UC James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.

Things to Consider Before Going Pre-Pharmacy

While a career as a pharmacist can be a rewarding choice, there are a few things to keep in mind before you pursue the pre-pharmacy route.

  • The cost of education and amounts and types of financial aid vary from school to school.
  • Since you will likely incur a substantial debt for pharmacy school, you are strongly encouraged to investigate costs and aid early and adjust finances during your undergraduate education.
  • Most applicants are eligible for federal aid.
  • If eligible, apply for FAFSA during January of your application cycle, even if you are still awaiting admission decision.

For many students, the most difficult task is to acquire the study skills and self-discipline necessary to attain academic excellence. The success of your transition to college-level work depends not only on ability, but also upon preparation, motivation, organization and how well you learn how to learn. It is important that you really learn the material, not just memorize it, as it is crucial to develop your critical thinking skills. The rigorous curriculum of a pre-medical student demands tenacity and stamina.

Pharmacy school admission committees look at the "big picture" as they evaluate applicants. They realize that every student does not hit the ground running when they enter college. Admission committees expect an excellent academic record, but may make some allowances for a problem semester, slow start, or rough spot. If academic problems arise, you must bounce back and perform better than ever to show that the problem was an exception, rather than the rule. Use resources such as professor and T.A. office hours, the Learning Commons, and other Academic Excellence & Support Services offices.

Having a parallel plan or alternative option to pharmacy school is highly recommended. That plan could include attending a post-bac or graduate program or pursuing a different kind of healthcare career. ExploreHealthCareers.org is a great resource to finding your alternative career path.

How to Get Started

Preparing for admission to professional schools requires careful long-term planning and accurate information. The PPAC specializes in providing students with necessary information and helping them develop good planning skills. Our staff can provide you with help through each step of the way, including course selection, career exploration, time management tips, information on individual schools, admissions test preparation advice, managing letters of recommendation, and ways to get experience in professional settings.

To get started or learn more, register for a Pre-Health Introduction Workshop.

Pre-Health Introduction Workshop