Prospective Pharm.D. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What undergraduate major should I choose?

ANY major will work as long as you complete the pre-pharmacy classes- choose a major that you would be happy earning a degree in! Majors to consider are Undergraduate Studies, for students who are still exploring majors, or majors with pre-major coursework that closely mirrors our requirements such as: Biology, Human Nutrition, and Agricultural Biotechnology. Others to consider include Chemistry, Dietetics, and Food Science.

2. How do I apply?

Pre-Pharmacy: To pursue pre-pharmacy at the University of Kentucky, you will apply to UK as a freshman or transfer student and choose a major. You will indicate your future interest in applying to the Doctor of Pharmacy program by choosing Pharmacy in Box. 17: Pre-Professional Plan on the UK application. Go to www.uky.edu for more information on undergraduate admissions.

Pharm.D. Program: Students who have completed the required coursework or are in their last year of completing the pre-pharmacy required courses, will apply through a national, centralized application service called PharmCAS, www.pharmcas.org and will also submit a UK supplemental application. Check our web site for complete details. http://www.mc.uky.edu/pharmacy/prospective/pharmd/howtoapply.html

3. What type of student are you looking for?

We are looking for students with a demonstrated ability to succeed academically in the program. Our average accepted science GPA is 3.5, our average accepted overall GPA is 3.6, and our average accepted PCAT composite score is 86%. Accepted students also have good communication skills, both oral and written, a desire for a career in health care and excellent people skills. We are looking for students who have a desire for a career in pharmacy and have knowledge of the profession.

4. Do I need experience working in a pharmacy?

Experience working in a pharmacy practice environment is not required; however it can be a valuable asset in determining the appropriateness of the career path. Prospective Pharm.D. students are encouraged to learn more about the profession by talking with pharmacists and finding varied shadowing or volunteer experiences that will provide insight into what pharmacists do, the various settings in which pharmacists work, and how pharmacists interact with patients and health care professionals.

5. How many students apply to the Pharm.D. Program each year?

While the number of applicants changes from year to year, we typically receive at least 800 applications per year. Of those, approximately 300 are Kentucky residents. We do give preference to Kentucky residents, accepting approximately 90% of each class from Kentucky. Currently we admit a class of 132 students each fall. That number will increase when we open our new building, estimated in fall of 2010.

6. Do I gain an advantage by attending the University of Kentucky?

There are many advantages to doing your pre-pharmacy courses at the University of Kentucky; however, we do not give preference to UK students in the admissions process. Each year, the largest number of applicants tend to be students who have done all or part of their required coursework at UK. In a typical year, at least 40% of the admitted class have been University of Kentucky students.