Pharmacy Summer Institute for High School and College Students

Pharmacy Summer Institute.

Get a head start on your health care career!

The University at Buffalo Pharmacy Summer Institute is an extraordinary opportunity for high school and college students to explore career options in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences. Join the #1 pharmacy school in New York State and #14 in the country* for three days of interactive learning and discovery.

*2021 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate School Rankings

New Program Highlights:
  • 'Friday Night at the ER' interprofessional activity
  • Pharmacy practice compounding session
  • Community clinical site visit

On This Page:

About our Pharmacy Summer Institute

Created in 2016, the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS) Pharmacy Summer Institute (PSI) 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. 

Our unique program incorporates active participation in a wide range of learning experiences including:

  • Admissions Planning and Academic Advising: Get tips and guidance on how to prepare for your education and career in pharmacy practice and/or research.
  • Career Discovery: Learn about the diverse job opportunities for pharmacists.
  • Research Opportunities: Visit our research labs and meet with faculty in clinical and basic sciences.
  • Building Tours: Explore our internationally recognized community of healing, learning and discovery.
  • Meet Us: Network with real-world practitioners, researchers and current UB PharmD students.
  • Activities and Live Demos: Observe pharmacy skills and techniques, such as patient counseling and compounding.
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.

Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at UB SPPS.

2024 Program Dates and Cost

Dates: Monday, July 15, Tuesday, July 16, and Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m EST
Location: Pharmacy Building, University at Buffalo South Campus (in-person program)
Cost: $150

Accommodations

Eligibility and Application

Eligibility

Admission is competitive and is based upon the following criteria:

  • Open to high school and college students with a strong interest in math and science, the health sciences, and/or pharmacy
  • Transcript reflecting cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on 4.0 scale, B- letter grade, 83-86 percentile
  • List of any extra-curricular activities, honors and awards
  • Essay titled "Discuss Your Interest in Pharmacy"
    No pharmacy experience or background is needed to attend PSI
  • One letter of recommendation

Application

  • Applications open on March 1, 2024 and must be submitted by May 1, 2024. You will be notified around May 15, 2024. The cost of PSI will be due 14 days after acceptance to hold your seat.
  • 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.

Meet Our 2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Student Leadership Team

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.

  • Chidima Adams.
    2/6/24

    Chidima Adams, PharmD '25
    2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair, Advisory Committee Member
    2022 Pharmacy Summer Institute Curriculum Chair
    2018 Pharmacy Summer Institute Graduate

  • Shiqi Zhang.
    2/2/24

    Shiqi Zhang, PharmD '25
    2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair, Advisory Committee Member
    2023 Pharmacy Summer Institute Communications Chair
    2022 Pharmacy Summer Institute Curriculum Chair
    2018 Pharmacy Summer Institute Graduate

  • Rachel Romanowski.
    2/20/24

    Rachel Romanowski, PharmD/MBA '26
    2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair, Advisory Committee Member
    2023 Pharmacy Summer Institute Student Affairs Chair
    2022 Pharmacy Summer Institute Curriculum Chair
    2017 Pharmacy Summer Institute Graduate

  • Caroline Mak.
    2/2/24

    Caroline Mak, PharmD '25
    2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair, Advisory Committee Member
    2023 Pharmacy Summer Institute Communications Chair
    2022 Pharmacy Summer Institute Student Affairs Chair
    2018 Pharmacy Summer Institute Graduate

  • Leanna Hodge.
    2/2/24

    Leanna Hodge, PharmD/MBA '25
    2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair, Advisory Committee Member
    2023 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair
    2022 Pharmacy Summer Institute Communications Chair
    2019 Pharmacy Summer Institute Graduate

  • Desiree Herman.
    2/2/24

    Desiree Herman, PharmD '26
    2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair, Advisory Committee Member
    2023 Pharmacy Summer Institute Curriculum Chair
    2023 Dean's Student Ambassador Liaison
    2019 Pharmacy Summer Institute Graduate

  • Desiree Herman.
    2/6/24

    Priya Duraisamy, PharmD '26
    2024 Pharmacy Summer Institute Co-Chair, Advisory Committee Member
    2019 Pharmacy Summer Institute Graduate

Questions?