Early Assurance for High School Students

Pharmacy students outside Pharmacy Building holding "Here is Where Great Health Care Leaders are Created" post cards.

Our Early Assurance Program offers high school students the heightened advantage of securing a seat in our four-year PharmD degree after completing two years of prescribed undergraduate course work at UB and an interview.

Admission Requirements

Early Assurance offers a simplified application process—PCAT, recommendation letters, personal statement and experiences are NOT required.

Admission to the EA program is based on the University at Buffalo's First Year/Freshman Admission Criteria. There are no additional high school GPA or SAT/ACT requirements.

All accepted University at Buffalo first-year/freshman pharmacy students for fall, entering directly from high school, are automatically enrolled directly into our SPPS PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree through our prestigious EA program. This admission assures progression into the PharmD professional sequence as long as students maintain our prerequisite course GPA requirement, successfully complete an interview, and adhere to all program requirements.

Benefits of our Early Assurance Program

Find out if pharmacy is right for you!

Early Assurance Application Steps

Prepare Apply to UB Interview Submit PharmCAS International Students

Once you’ve decided to pursue a career in pharmacy, begin making connections and gain experience in the field. Experience is not required; however, it is expected. You can begin following these tips even before coming to UB!

Find a mentor
Connect with a person that can give you advice and answer your questions about the field. This could be a professor, school counselor, family member, local pharmacist or health professional.

Talk to current students
Current pharmacy students are available to speak with you about preparing for pharmacy school, research, getting involved, special programs, course selection, and other advice and tips.  View a list of PharmD students ready to chat with you!

High school coursework 
To best prepare for our pre-pharmacy curriculum, high school students should take math courses and science courses including calculus, biology, chemistry and physics.

Gain pharmacy experience
Most successful applicants to pharmacy school have demonstrated their commitment to a career in health care by obtaining experience. Shadow or volunteer at a pharmacy, hospital, nursing home, medical office, or other related health care facility or organization. Seek research opportunities with professors once enrolled at UB. Come prepared with questions to do informational interviews.

Work in a pharmacy
Students can find part-time or summer jobs in a pharmacy such as cashiers, clerks or assistants. Keep in mind, however, that pharmacy is a diverse field and community/retail pharmacy is only one option.