EDUCATING LEADERS IN PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SINCE 1886
For the past ten years, our Pharmacy Summer Institute (PSI) has helped hundreds of high school students explore the fields of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, sparking new career paths and opening doors to future opportunities. PSI alumni are accepted to competitive schools of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences where they have become highly regarded healthcare and research leaders. Here at the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS), we are proud to celebrate a decade of making a difference. Join us as we mark this milestone and become part of our next chapter!
The University at Buffalo (UB) Pharmacy Summer Institute (PSI) is an extraordinary opportunity for high school and college students to explore career options in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences. Join the No. 1 ranked pharmacy school in New York State and No. 19 in the nation* for three days of interactive learning and discovery.
*2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate School Rankings
Ready to dive into the world of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences? At UB's Pharmacy Summer Institute, you won’t just learn in a classroom—you’ll gain hands-on experience in labs, participate in interactive sessions, and work with UB faculty and researchers who are leaders in the field. This immersive experience gives you a head start on your future, helping you stand out in college applications and beyond!
Why UB's Pharmacy Summer Institute Program?
UB's Pharmacy Summer Institute is an enrichment program for interested and motivated high school and college students that expands knowledge of the many exciting career pathways in the professions of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences.
- Explore Career Paths: Discover how pharmacists, researchers, and pharmaceutical scientists make a difference in people’s lives. You’ll learn about careers in medicine, clinical pharmacy, drug development and more.
- Hands-On Learning: Our labs let you work with the same tools and techniques used by professionals in the field. This isn’t just a taste of college—it’s your first real experience as a future scientist. You'll observe pharmacy skills and techniques, such as patient counseling and compounding.
- Learn from Experts: The UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is ranked among the top in the nation. You’ll learn from passionate faculty and current students who are as excited about science and health as you are.
- Make Connections: Meet peers who share your interests, and start building a network including real-world practitioners, researchers and current UB PharmD students.
- Admissions Planning and Academic Advising: Get tips and guidance on how to prepare for your education and career in pharmacy practice and/or research.
Diversity and Inclusion
Through outreach and mentorship, we are committed to expanding opportunities for those from first-generation, low-income, rural and/or historically underrepresented in the pharmacy profession backgrounds.
Your Journey Starts Here
Whether you’re thinking about becoming a pharmacist, exploring biomedical science, or just want to know what college science is like, UB’s Pharmacy Summer Institute is the perfect place to start. Join us and experience the field of pharmacy in a way that’s inspiring, challenging and designed to show you what’s possible.
Applications for Pharmacy Summer Institute 2025 will open on March 1, 2025
Dates: Monday, July 14, Tuesday, July 15, and Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m EST
Location: Pharmacy Building, University at Buffalo South Campus (in-person program)
Cost: $150
Accommodations
- Hyatt Place Buffalo/Amherst offers Pharmacy Summer Institute attendees a UB discounted rate of $139. Book online and under “Corporate or Group Rate” type in code “34112”.
- Buffalo Airport Hotel offers Pharmacy Summer Institute attendees a UB discounted rate of $99 plus tax. To book reservations, email: swalker@buffaloairporthotel.net
Applications open on March 1, 2025 and must be submitted by May 1, 2025. You will be notified around May 15, 2025. The cost of PSI will be due 14 days after acceptance to hold your seat.
Application Requirements
Our program is open to high school and college students with a strong interest in math and science, the health sciences, and/or pharmacy. Admission is competitive and is based upon the following criteria:
- Complete the Online Application
Fill out our application form to share your interests and goals. You should also list any extra-curricular activities, honors and awards. - Submit Your School Transcript
We want to see how your academic strengths align with your interest in science and health. Make sure to include your latest transcript. Your transcript should reflect a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on 4.0 scale, B- letter grade, 83-86 percentile. - Tell Us About You
In a short essay titled "Discuss Your Interest in Pharmacy", tell us why you’re interested in pharmacy and what you hope to learn this summer. This is your chance to stand out! Remember: No pharmacy experience or background is needed to attend PSI. - Request a Letter of Recommendation
- High School Students: In the application, enter a valid email address for a school counselor or teacher who will receive a link for an electronic letter of recommendation. If able, your recommender should upload your high school transcript. If unable, you can upload an unofficial transcript in your application form or your school counselor can email us.
- College Students: In the application, enter a valid email address for an individual (preferably a faculty member or a supervisor) who will receive a link for an electronic letter of recommendation. Non-UB students must upload a student copy of your college transcript in the application or email us. UB students must list Sara Robinson, Pre-Pharmacy Academic Advisor (smeskill@buffalo.edu), and do not need to attach an unofficial UB transcript.
Get ready for a summer of discovery! At UB, our Pharmacy Summer Institute is packed with exciting, hands-on activities that go beyond what you learn in school. Each day, you’ll dive into new experiences that bring pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences to life, helping you understand what it’s like to work in this important field. Here’s a peek at what you’ll be doing:
Explore Real-Life Pharmacy Labs
Step into our high-tech labs, where you’ll use professional tools and equipment to conduct experiments and explore how medicines are developed, guided by UB SPPS faculty and students through processes used in real-world settings.
Hands-on Activities to Explore How Drugs Work
Ever wonder how a medicine goes from an idea to a pharmacy shelf? You’ll gain insights into how new medications are created, tested and delivered. With our hands-on activities, you’ll get a feel for the science behind it all.
Patient Care Simulations
Pharmacy isn’t just about science—it’s about caring for people. In our patient simulation sessions, you’ll get a firsthand look at how pharmacists work with patients to ensure they get the best care. Through these role-playing scenarios, you’ll learn how pharmacists communicate, make treatment decisions and provide expert guidance.
Meet UB SPPS Students and Professionals
Connect with current UB SPPS students, faculty and professionals working in the pharmacy field. They’ll share their experiences, advice and answer your questions about college, career options, and what it takes to succeed in the health sciences.
Explore College Life at UB
As you explore pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, you’ll also get a taste of college life at UB! From attending information sessions and workshops to exploring our state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll discover what it’s like to be a student in one of the top-ranked pharmacy schools in the country.
Build Skills for Your Future
From critical thinking to communication, you’ll gain valuable skills that will give you a head start on college and your career. Whether you decide on pharmacy or another field, PSI prepares you to succeed in any path you choose.
Schedule Overview
Over three immersive days, you’ll dive into pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences through hands-on lab work, interactive workshops and real-world simulations. Each day brings new experiences that blend science, healthcare and innovation, giving you an exciting, in-depth look into the world of pharmacy.
- Group Activities
- "What do Pharmacists Do?"
- DNA Extraction
- Medical Marijuana & Psychedelics
- Model Pharmacy, Mock Counseling, Patient Assessment & Dispensing
- Tour of Pharmacy Building
- Photos
- Group Activities
- PharmD Admissions Mock Review
- Vaccination and Compounding sessions
- Tours: Buffalo General Medical Center and UB's South Campus
- Student Panel
- Admissions information session
- Tour of UB's North Campus
- Honors College presentation
- Career Readiness Competencies & Resume Workshop
- Opiods & NARCAN training
Certification of Completion
Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Pharmacy Summer Institute Certificate of Completion.
Our Pharmacy Summer Institute (PSI) Student Team Leaders are a group of former PSI attendees who help create a fun and engaging program for our students.
Email Us: pharm-admit@buffalo.edu