Pre-Pharmacy Frequently Asked Questions

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Who is a "pre-pharmacy" student?

Any student who has expressed an interest in being on a path to be eligible to apply to one of our School of Pharmacy programs. Completion of pre-pharmacy coursework does not guarantee admission into a program. Admission into both of our programs is competitive. The required pre-pharmacy coursework has been carefully selected to give you the foundation needed for success in the School of Pharmacy. Pre-pharmacy courses may be completed at any accredited colleges and universities.

What major should I choose?

ANY college major will work as long as the prerequisite courses are completed. At UW–Madison, pre-pharmacy is an intention/path, not a major. The PharmD and BS PharmTox programs are a limited enrollment programs so students should consider “parallel plans” which might include applying to PharmD programs at several schools of pharmacy and/or considering alternate undergraduate majors. Pre-pharmacy coursework fits well with many majors in the biological sciences but students are encouraged to explore and choose majors that best reflect their interests and help them meet their academic goals. Your pre-pharmacy advisors can offer resources and referrals to other programs and services to help you investigate the different options available.

Do I have to apply to the Pre-Pharmacy Program?

Students are not directly admitted to our programs from high school. Most UW–Madison students who are pursuing pre-pharmacy plans are admitted to the College of Letters & Science. At UW–Madison, no specific requirements or applications are needed to pursue a pre-pharmacy path. Pre-pharmacy students can receive academic advising through our structured pre-pharmacy advising program. Pre-pharmacy advisors meet with prospective high school and transfer students at the student orientation, advising and registration (SOAR) program. We also are available to meet with students who become interested in pharmacy at later points in their academic careers.

Do you offer an early assurance pathway into the PharmD program?

Yes – more information can be found at https://pharmacy.wisc.edu/academics/pharmd/early-assurance/.

Where do I begin?

You will need to complete the courses that are required for admission to the School of Pharmacy at an accredited college. Students complete the pre-pharmacy course requirements in two to four years, depending on their math placement in college and their personal academic choices. In order to strengthen your application for admission to the School of Pharmacy and demonstrate your preparedness for the rigorous demands of School of Pharmacy academic loads, you are encouraged to enroll in 14-16 credits each semester. During your first semester in college, however, a credit load of 12-14 credits is acceptable. Our main focus is to help you plan a balanced credit load during your first semester to help you to make a positive transition from high school to college or from another university to UW–Madison. Students should also familiarize themselves with important information, tips, suggestions, guidelines and application deadlines on our School of Pharmacy website: https://pharmacy.wisc.edu/admissions

How do I receive advising services in the future?

Academic and admissions advising is offered throughout the year via individual appointments and group sessions. We recommend that students maintain a connection with their advisor at least once per semester. You will be added to a pre-pharmacy email list and will receive periodic messages from our office regarding admissions updates, advising information, and recruitment events!

How long will I be in school to become a pharmacist?

Typically a student will be in school for 6-8 years after high school to earn a PharmD degree. The UW–Madison School of Pharmacy is a four-year professional program leading to licensure as a pharmacist. To be eligible for admission consideration, applicants must complete specific prerequisite courses which typically take 2-3 years to complete. A bachelor’s degree is not required.

How do I decide on the length of my pre-pharmacy plan?

The majority of students enter the PharmD program after completing 3-4 years of undergraduate work. In recent years, approximately 55% of admitted students have earned a bachelor’s degree. The successful two-year plan student has typically earned some AP/college credit in high school and is often exempt from some of our prerequisite coursework. Most students who are admitted to the PharmTox major do so after 2 years of undergraduate work.

Does the School of Pharmacy accept AP, IB, or CLEP scores?

Yes. Credit will be granted according to UW–Madison credit by exam policies.

Are prerequisites accepted if they are from a combination of two or more colleges?

Yes. We do, however, recommend that sequence courses (general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry) be completed at one institution. You may take your prerequisites at different schools, however, you need to be careful and plan accordingly. If you begin a science series at one school and finish at another, it is possible that all of the required components of the course descriptions may not be met adequately. If you have questions about course sequence completion, please contact a UW–Madison pre-pharmacy advisor.

Do all pre-pharmacy requirements need to be completed at the time of application?

No. Pre-pharmacy requirements can be “in progress” at the time of application but would need to be completed by the time of entrance into the School of Pharmacy. Students may use the summer prior to enrollment to complete required work.

Is preference for admission given to students who complete pre-pharmacy coursework at UW–Madison?

No. All applicants are reviewed based upon program specific selection criteria.

What classes should I have completed prior to taking the PCAT?

Students are best prepared to take the PCAT for the first time after completion of math (calculus and statistics), general chemistry, general biology, and at least one semester of organic chemistry. Please note that the PCAT is currently optional. Please talk with your advisor if you have questions regarding whether you should take the test or not.

If I am not admitted to the program of my choice, may I reapply the following year?

Yes. Students are welcome to reapply to either of our programs. Advisors are available to discuss each student’s unique situation including factors that may have led to the student not being admitted and suggestions for how to strengthen a future application.

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Questions About Our Programs?

Pre-Pharmacy Advising:
Amy Zwaska
2220L Rennebohm Hall
(608) 262-5703
amy.zwaska@wisc.edu

PharmTox Program Advising:
Kendra Gurnee
2220F Rennebohm Hall
(608) 262-4487
kgurnee@wisc.edu