Pre-Pharmacy at UW–Madison

• The prerequisite coursework consists of 72 credits of college prerequisite courses:
  • 2 to 3+ years pre-pharmacy timeline (although not required, some students choose to complete an undergraduate major prior to entry into the PharmD program).
• The PharmD curriculum is 4 years in length
  • 3 years classroom and introductory pharmacy practice experiences (300 hours)
  • 1 year full-time advanced pharmacy practice experiences
• Minimum of 6 years (2 years pre-pharmacy; 4 years PharmD)

It’s important to note that we do not have a preferred pre-pharmacy timeline and there are many acceptable paths to gain admission into the PharmD program.

• We admit students into the PharmD program for fall entrance only.
• The application process can begin while prerequisite courses are in progress but they will need to be completed prior to fall program entrance.
• The PharmD application and admissions process uses a rolling structure with the common application called PharmCAS opening in mid-July and a deadline of early February. The majority of admission decisions are made between October and April.
• Approximately 50% of applicants are on a “fast-track” for admission into the PharmD program.
  • A 2-year plan fast track involves a student applying to being admitted to the PharmD program at would have been the beginning of their junior year as an undergraduate student. In this example, a student could begin working on the pharmacy application during the summer after the freshman year.
  • A 3-year plan fast track is a very common choice as it allows more time and flexibility to schedule and complete the prerequisites. In this case, a student could begin working on the application during the summer after their sophomore year.
  • If a student fast tracks into the PharmD program prior to earning an undergraduate major, that student will be eligible to earn a BS in Pharmaceutical Science (BSPS) along the way to earning their PharmD degree. Currently the BSPS degree is awarded after the student successfully completes the first or second year of pharmacy school (date determined when student will have completed a minimum of 120 total credits).
  • Students who are part of the early assurance program, have up to four years to complete their PharmD prerequisites and other eligibility requirements.
• Approximately 50% of applicants choose to complete an undergraduate degree prior to starting the PharmD program.
• There is no preference given to students based upon the length of their pre-pharmacy path.

View detailed Admissions Timeline information »

• It is important to note that GPA is not the sole criterion we use for admission decisions.
• All grades earned are included in your pharmacy school application GPA (including repeated courses AND courses taken at other universities/colleges).
•  All pre-pharmacy courses need to be taken for a letter grade (no pass/fail).
• The admission committee carefully considers five selection criteria in the evaluation of all applicants.
• These criteria allow the committee to use a holistic approach in reviewing applicants which provides more depth and breadth to the review process.
• Applicants are encouraged to address and reflect upon the criteria as they build their application, develop their essays, solicit letters of recommendation, and prepare for the admissions interview.

• The structure of the Pharmacy and You FIG option 1 and option 2 both include a package of three courses:
  • Chemistry 103 “General Chemistry I” (4 cr) or Chemistry 109 “Advanced General Chemistry” (5 cr) – prerequisite for PharmD program
  • Pharmacy 125 “Exploring Pharmacy I” (2 cr) – the pharmacy career exploration seminar
  • And either Anthropology 104  “Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity” (3 cr) – general education requirement and prerequisite for combined PharmD/BSPS degrees OR Pharmacy Practice 305 “Consumer Self-Care and Over the Counter Drugs” (2 cr)
• We offer two options in the fall semester and one in the spring for students who might not take general chemistry in the fall.
• Each section is capped at 20 students who will be in all three courses together which provides great opportunities to get to know your classmates!
• The course sections are offered at specific times and interested students will be authorized to enroll for the “package” of all three courses.
• The FIG will equal a total of 8-9 credits. Students will then choose two additional courses from our list of prerequisites or other courses of interest to round out their schedules for a total of 14-17 credits for the fall semester.
  • Please note that the FIG is a “package deal” and the Pharmacy 125 course can only be taken within the FIG and not on its own.
• If you are interested, your advisor will provide you with instructions for how to get authorized to add the pharmacy fig courses to your fall schedule.

Why Join the Pharmacy FIG?

• Pharmacy 125 – Exploring Pharmacy I is the career exploration seminar and core component of this FIG.
• We piloted this FIG in the fall of 2015 and have had hundreds of students participate and be successfully admitted to pharmacy school.
• Pharmacy is one of the smaller health professions and there are limited opportunities for students to learn about and gain exposure to the field. We designed the FIG for both students fairly interested in pharmacy AND for those who are exploring it as a career path.
• 4 great reasons to take the FIG (PDF)

Students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison can join the Pre-Pharmacy Club that brings together students interested in exploring pharmacy. The club provides a great avenue to meet friends, build community, and form study groups all while learning about the exciting field of pharmacy. The club hosts study jams and is involved in fun events such as the Polar Plunge or Relay for Life. You can hear from pharmacist guest speakers, network with current pharmacy students, learn about pharmacy technician jobs, or participate in volunteer opportunities and social events with other pre-pharmacy students. Pre-Pharmacy Club meetings also include helpful tips and advice for how to strengthen your application to pharmacy school.

There are several other health-oriented professional student organizations available on campus:

• Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
• Health Professions Society
• African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American Pre-Health Society (AHANA)
• Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP)

UW‒Madison students can choose from 750+ student organizations on the Wisconsin Involvement Network website that cover interests in many areas, including:

• Academic and professional
• Cultural and ethnic
• International
• Political, environmental, and advocacy
• Religious
• Living community
• Service, social, and fraternity/sorority
• Sports and recreation
• University student governance

In addition, hundreds of volunteer opportunities in Madison and the greater Dane County community are available through the Badger Volunteers program or can be found by searching for volunteer opportunities.

As a UW–Madison undergraduate student, you can take these elective courses to learn more about pharmacy and health care:

• Pharmacy 225:  Pharmacy Exploration Seminar (Spring Semester, 2 cr) – Seminar format with guest speakers, readings, videos, discussions, participation and reflective assignments related to the following topics – pharmacy education process from admission to advanced training; contemporary pharmacy practice, career pathways, and postgraduate opportunities; medical terminology, common drugs, and diseases; public health, health literacy, and communication; interprofessional health provider practice; pharmacist impact on patient care.  No exams or papers.
• Pharmacy Practice 305: Consumer Self-Care & Over-the-Counter Drugs (Fall Semester, 2 credits) Provides students with information regarding self-care of common, minor health conditions. Emphasis on illness prevention, health condition symptoms, guidelines for over-the-counter produce use, adverse effects and alcohol/drug interactions of over-the-counter products, when to request professional care.