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PharmCAS Admissions
Admissions RequirementsWe accept transfer students enrolled in two- or four-year institutions, graduates with bachelor's or post-baccalaureate degrees, former and current UB students, US and non-US citizens, and permanent residents. UB does not have a policy that limits or favors current UB students, transfer or out-of-state applicants. All applicants are considered equally. UB SoPPS is committed to a nondiscriminatory admission policy and philosophy. In accordance with federal and state laws, no person, in whatever relationship with the University at Buffalo, shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of age, religion or creed, color, disability, national origin, race, ethnicity, sex, marital or veteran status. The University at Buffalo’s Non-Discrimination Statement can be found here.
Prerequisite CoursesApplicants may complete their Prerequisite Courses at UB and then apply to the PharmD program, or they may complete them at another accredited institution. Please note revised requirements for Fall 2012 admission and beyond. All PharmCAS applicants must successfully complete the prerequisite courses with a grade equal to or greater than C- by the spring semester prior to fall admission. All applicants must complete their prerequisite courses within 5 years preceding admission. See 5-Year Policy for exceptions.
Grade Point AverageWe consider a minimum GPA of a 3.0 in pre-pharmacy science and math courses. It should be noted that most students accepted to the program have performed at a much higher level (see the Student Body Profile on the PharmD Admissions page).
Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)
The PCAT is required for all PharmCAS applicants. UB SoPPS does not have a minimum PCAT score requirement, however competitive applicants typically present a percentage of at least 300. It should be noted that most students accepted to the program have performed at a much higher level (see the Student Body Profile on the PharmD Admissions page). UB SoPPS considers the Percentile Rank (not Scaled Scores). The sum of each item under the Percentile Rank (Verbal Ability, Biology, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, and Chemistry) determines the score (not the Composite score). If taken twice, UB SoPPS considers the higher of the two. If taken three or more times, the average of all the scores is considered. UB SoPPS will not accept any PCAT test over three years old. We do accept the January PCAT even though PharmCAS will receive the scores after the February 1 deadline.
It is recommended that you begin reviewing and practicing the PCAT early. Know what you will be tested on and study hard. Review your class notes, take practice exams, purchase a PCAT study guide book, and consider using test preparation services. For more information: download the PCAT Candidate Information Booklet and Register for the PCAT and review the AACP and PharmCAS websites.
Letters of ReferenceA minimum of three (3) professional and/or academic Letters of Reference must be received by PharmCAS by March 1. UB will not accept any letter submitted directly to the Admissions Office. Each letter must include a standardized cover sheet including character ratings, which is provided by PharmCAS to your evaluators. Incomplete letters will not be considered. We do not accept letters from the following: Teaching Assistants, Pre-Health Advisors/Committee Letters, Politicians, Friends, Family Members, Co-Workers, or Clergy. See the Letters of Reference for a list of possible evaluators.
It is important to develop relationships to obtain academic and professional references by visiting your professors during office hours, impressing your supervisors, meeting with your advisor regularly, and shadowing or volunteering in a health-care setting. Share your personal essay with your evaluator so they understand your motivation towards pharmacy. You may ask your evaluator(s) to write a letter of recommendation, save it electronically, and later submit it during the application cycle in which you are applying. Please have your evaluators refer to the List of PharmCAS Questions for Evaluators so they can prepare a complete evaluation in advance. UB students may take advantage of Career Services personal statements and letters of recommendation resources.
ExperienceExperience is not required however, it is highly recommended to be a competitive applicant. Consider volunteering or shadowing at a pharmacy, hospital, nursing home, or other related facility or organization. See up-close how professionals interact with patients and their colleagues. Most importantly, assess your dedication to their field and gain valuable interpersonal and leadership skills. You should also consider becoming a member or leader of a club or organization. UB students can engage in research through CURCA (the Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities) or through Undergraduate Academies and learn more about maximizing your undergraduate education at UB.
Personal EssayA personal essay is included in the PharmCAS application and is looked at closely by the Admissions Committee. Convince the reader that you really want to pursue pharmacy. Potential components include an event that strongly influenced or matured you, special attributes that make you an asset to the field, a unique reason to pursue pharmacy, or areas of interest within the profession. Ask your evaluators, peers, advisors, counselors, friends, and family to read your essay to critique the content, grammar, and spelling. UB students may take advantage of Career Services personal statements and letters of recommendation resources.
International ApplicantsPlease review Important Notes for International Applicants.
Apply!Begin the process early. The application process can be time consuming, and getting an early start allows you to prepare a more professional application. Be sure to review the application requirements, note deadlines, and check off items as you complete them. Reach out to those whose assistance you'll need in the application process such as counselors or advisors, teachers or professors, and work supervisors. Be sure to get any recommendation forms, transcript requests, or other deadlines to them as early as possible. Carefully review the PharmD Admissions website. Also, be sure to join the Pre-Pharmacy Club and other clubs and organizations of interest.
Step 1: Apply through PharmCASIf you plan to have all prerequisites completed, submit an online application to PharmCAS, a centralized application service that offers the convenience of one general application for multiple doctor of pharmacy degree programs. The PharmCAS application includes many components. Please read PharmCAS Instructions carefully, use the Step-by-Step Checklist and refer to our PharmCAS School Page to be sure you complete each step correctly. When entering coursework, it is your responsibility to select the subject that best describes the content of the course curriculum (see the PharmCAS Course Subject list for guidance). Once your application is completed and verified, it will be forwarded to UB SoPPS and you will be notified via email at the address you provide to PharmCAS. If you have questions about PharmCAS, the application, or the process in general, please contact PharmCAS Customer Service at 617-612-2050 or i...@pharmcas.org
Please note that all official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, letters of reference, and PCAT scores must be submitted directly to PharmCAS (not to UB SoPPS) for verification. This is also applicable to current UB students. PharmCAS does not process winter, spring, and summer term transcripts - please arrange for these to be sent to UB SoPPS after your grades are posted. AP Scores must be sent directly to UB SoPPS. Credit will be granted according to UB's Alternative/Exam Credit policies (note: AP courses are not acceptable for Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or Microbiology). Domestic students with international coursework should send a foreign transcript evaluation report (WES, ECE or Josey Silny & Associates) to PharmCAS AND send an official transcript directly to UB SoPPS, Office of Admissions and Advisement, 129 Cooke Hall, Buffalo, New York 14260.
Step 2: Submit your Supplemental Admission Application MaterialsOnce you are notified that UB has obtained your application from PharmCAS, please submit the UB SoPPS Supplemental Admission Application and fee (payment site included in application). The $50 supplemental fee can be paid online or money orders may be mailed directly to UB SoPPS. To pay online using the online supplemental fee payment system, you must have a PharmCAS ID or UB Person Number readily available. The Supplemental Application materials must be submitted to UB SoPPS by March 1.
Step 3: Check Your Application StatusPharmCAS processing may take up to five weeks once all required materials are received. You may log in to your PharmCAS application and check the status menu option. Neither PharmCAS nor UB will process or consider incomplete applications. We are not responsible if we don't receive your application materials. Be sure to review the Supplemental Status Tool to verify that all materials have been received by PharmCAS.
Step 4: Prepare for an InterviewAfter you complete the previous steps and your application is reviewed by the Admissions Committee, selected applicants will be contacted by e-mail for an invitation to interview anytime from October through April. We ask that if you must cancel or reschedule your interview, that you call at least 5 days before your scheduled interview date. Practice your interview skills and prepare professional clothing. UB students may take advantage of UB's Career Services Interviewing resources.
During the interview session, candidates will check-in with a driver’s license, passport, or official picture identification. A short presentation will start the session, followed by a writing sample on an assigned topic provided that day. Each candidate will have one 45-minute interview with faculty, alumni, or preceptors. Candidates will have an opportunity to meet current students and faculty members and tour the School. The purpose of the Admissions Interview is to assess the candidate's motivation for pharmacy, understanding of the pharmacist's role in the health care system, potential to be a caring health care professional, ability to work effectively with other individuals and patients, communication skills, writing skills, leadership ability and critical thinking/problem solving skills. The admissions interview is a required component of the application process, helping us assess your interpersonal and written communication skills. It is also a great opportunity for you to highlight your problem-solving skills and outline your professional and educational experience.
To prepare for the interview, practice in a “mock interview” setting with friends or family, answering questions about your goals, your background, and the reasons you are interested in UB SoPPS. Use note cards to write down and remember specific stories that illustrate your organizational, leadership, and academic achievements. Familiarize yourself with the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences mission and goals, curriculum, current school news and events, and important trends in the pharmaceutical industry. Be prepared to explain why you think UB is the right school for you, what excites you about UB, and how you plan to contribute to the field. Create a list of questions you have about the school, program, and application process. Asking questions demonstrates you are involved and passionate about your education. Re-read your personal essay, biography, resume, and any other application narrative you may have submitted. To practice for the Written Portion of the Interview, follow the same steps as for the In-Person Interview, taking notes or creating an outline. Try writing some practice essays to hone your written skills. Play close attention to detail, such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Important Dates for PharmCAS ApplicantsNote: PharmD program is for fall admission only.
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