For accepted PharmD students entering the first professional year of the four year program.
Congratulations to all incoming students! Welcome to the University at Buffalo and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UB SPPS)!
We are excited to welcome you into our 135-year tradition of distinguished education in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences. We are the No. 1 ranked school of pharmacy in New York State and No. 14 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
Please review this important information and follow the steps to confirm your acceptance and enroll.
Confirm Acceptance Within 10 Days
Log in to the Application Status Portal and submit the PHAR Reply to Offer of Admission form. Students will receive instructions in an email titled Confirm Your Acceptance and Join Our UB Community!
Join Discord
Discord is a space to ask questions, find housing/roommates, get to know your peers and build community across UB SPPS. Join our server to connect with your peers!
Visit Us!
Schedule a visit at the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS) to see our building and get to know us. We can't wait to meet you!
We participate in the Cooperative Admissions Guidelines. If accepted to multiple schools, students may choose to hold multiple acceptances until March 1. After March 1, students may hold only a single acceptance.
UB requires all students, excluding current and re-entering UB students, to submit a $150 tuition deposit via your portal by March 1. A UB Person Number is required to pay this deposit, which will be emailed and also visible on your portal within a couple of days.
If offered admission after March 1, submit the PHAR Reply to Offer of Admission form and tuition deposit within 10 days from the date of the offer of admission.
UBmail is the official method of email communication between students and the university. Students should check it regularly (ideally once a day) to receive important messages and updates.
Note for International Students: Visit Activate your UBIT Name
International students (including Canadians) must provide the following materials as electronic uploads.
Immunizations
New/Incoming Students: In accordance with New York State Public Health Law, UB requires that all students submit a University’s Health Background Form - submit as soon as possible, due June 30. Students cannot register for classes until proof of immunizations are submitted. Please check the HUB system for the current status of your service indicators. See Immunization and Meningitis Requirements.
Continuing UB Students: UB students must complete the Annual Immunization Review Form due November 1. Review SPPS Immunization Policies.
Meningitis Information
All students must receive information about meningococcal disease and make an informed decision about whether to receive immunization against the disease. Review Immunization and Meningitis Requirements.
Flu Immunizations
UB SPPS requires all PharmD students to receive an annual flu immunization by November 1 of each year. Students must send all health requirements to Health Services.
Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage is required for all international students and optional for domestic students. See Health insurance.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
UB requires all continuing and new students in health related programs to demonstrate proof of receiving primary series COVID-19 vaccine. See COVID-19 Immunization Requirements
We look forward to welcoming students to SPPS at our annual Orientation and White Coat Ceremony which is held during the week before the start of classes and is required for all new students.
Food/dietary preferences? Submit this form no later than August 1.
Cost of Attendance/Tuition
Financial Aid
Financial aid information is available post-acceptance. Financial aid advisors are available for students to discuss their financial aid award summary and/or for questions about loan options. Call 716-645-8232 or submit the contact Financial Aid form. We also offer walk-in appointments at 1Capen on North Campus. Financial Aid begins sending out award notices in February/March.
Canadian students applying for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP): UB has been approved for OSAP purposes. Search “Buffalo” and you will see "Capen" and school code MUWO. Students may email pharm-admit@buffalo.edu the Program Information Form and other forms.
Loans
Graduate students will qualify for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Students may also apply for a Graduate PLUS loan. Additionally, students can apply for a private loan (see Alternative/Private Loans).
FAFSA
The FAFSA is an application for student aid that collects the basic information needed to determine your eligibility for all of the financial aid programs sponsored by the federal government. As a PharmD student, you are regarded as a graduate, independent student for federal financial aid purposes for all four professional years (P1, P2, P3 and P4). If you need additional help financing your education, U.S. citizens should apply for financial aid by filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online (school code 002837).
Students can begin the FAFSA application process in December and we encourage prior to March 1 (late submissions may still qualify).
FASFA Answers
Here are questions that will appear on the FAFSA along with how they should be answered:
Important Notes:
For additional information about the criminal background check, visit the PharmCAS Applicant Help Center.
Certiphi will email Canadian students to complete a form and provide two valid IDs. Section D of the form (Identification Verification) must be completed by a representative of our school or Certiphi.
Complete Prerequisite Courses Before Fall
Our prerequisites include: Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Calculus, Statistics, Social Behavioral Science, and English Composition. We do not waive courses (English Composition is waived if entering with bachelor's degree).
P1 Fall Course Registration Requirements
Registering for Classes:
First semester registration will be completed by the UB SPPS Registrar.
Service Indicators/Holds:
Students will not be able to register if there is a hold on their account (view holds). Holds include immunization records - see Step 5 above. International students will submit their U.S Visa Stamp via the New International Student Check-In to resolve the international student hold.
On-Campus Housing
On-campus housing applications open late January and are due early May. See: Application Information for New Students. A UBITName and Password is needed to submit an application. Students can apply for housing through the waitlist application after the deadline.
Housing is assigned on a first come, first served basis. Campus Living provides application deadlines, deposits, live chat support and apartment locations.
Graduate/Professional apartments are located on UB’s North Campus – a short drive or bus ride away from our Pharmacy Building on South Campus.
Students are eligible for an early arrival waiver one day before Orientation. Please submit the early arrival application, which will be found on your housing portal, when it is available (early August). Our department has already provided a list of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical students to Campus Living, so no approval letter from our department is required. Early arrival charges will be reversed after check-in. Students may move in earlier, but fees apply.
Off-Campus Housing and Roommate Search
Our P1-P4 students are invited to join our UB SPPS Discord server to find roommates.
Students may rent off-campus with roommates, reside in villages such as Collegiate Village or Axis 360, Auden Buffalo, and in other houses/apartments in the surrounding areas. Also, try searching Roomsurf College Roommate Finder and Apartment Finder.
See Living Off-Campus for helpful tips.
Obtain Your UB Card
Students use the UB Card across campus. Students should obtain their UB Card before orientation. The UB Card office is located in 1Diefendorf (Room 114) on South Campus (limited hours) and 1Capen on North Campus.
Obtain Your Parking Permit
Students should obtain their parking permit before orientation. Parking permits are included in the transportation fee. There is no additional cost to students.
Laptop Requirement
UB CIT Software
Find UB-licensed and UB-recommended software to download and install for free: UB CIT Software for Personally Owned Devices.
Requirements for ExamSoft/Examplify
Students enrolled in the PharmD program at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are required to use electronic testing software (currently ExamSoft/Examplify) for exams and assessments. Students are required to have a PC or Mac laptop (not an iPad) to bring and use in the examination room, for the purposes of assessment. Students are responsible for the maintenance of their personal computing devices; the school is unable to provide computing support. See Minimum System Requirements. Examsoft may update requirements periodically.
Meet our students and learn why UB SPPS is a premier choice in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences education!