Getting into Pharmacy School

The number of students admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program depends upon the availability of resources such as faculty, clinical facilities and space for implementation of a quality educational program. Consideration for admission will be based upon the applicant's previous academic record; potential for academic achievement; standardized admission test scores; and an assessment of the applicant's communicative skills, integrity, commitment, dedication, motivation, character, maturity and emotional stability. Each applicant must have the physical, mental and emotional ability to learn and accomplish those competencies required of a pharmacy practitioner, and the character and thought processes necessary to make professional judgments that benefit the patient.

Profile of Incoming Students, Fall 2007

Interviewed: 210
Accepted: 132
Average PCAT: 86%
Average GPA: 3.6
(expected GPA of admitted students: 3.2-4.0)
In-State: 90%
Out-of-State: 10%
Females: 60%
Males: 40%

Applicant Pool
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.

GPA & Admissions Testing
The minimum GPA considered is a 2.5, however, admission to the college is competitive and accepted student GPAs typically range from approximately 3.1-4.0. Applicants must take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) and submit the scores to the national, online application service, PharmCAS, www.pharmcas.org, using code 104. The highest PCAT score that is reported to PharmCAS will be considered for the admission process. In order to receive serious consideration, an applicant must score at least a total percentile composite of 50 percent on the PCAT. Our average composite PCAT score over the past four years has been in the 86th percentile.You may take the PCAT as many times as you like but we will not consider scores over 5 years old.

General Application Information
Any student may be denied admission or permission to continue enrollment in the College of Pharmacy if, in the opinion of the faculty, the moral or ethical character of the student casts grave doubts upon his or her potential capabilities as a pharmacist. Any type of involvement in the illegal use of drugs or other illegal or unethical acts relating to the practice of pharmacy are examples of incidents which would provide cause for considering denying admission or for dismissal of a student from the college.

Students are admitted only for the fall semester. Since applications are screened, interviews are scheduled, and admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, it is important that you complete your application as early in the admissions cycle as possible. The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy website and the PharmCAS website, www.pharmcas.org, will be updated by mid-June of each year with the new admissions cycle information and application review will begin September 1. Early applications will receive stronger consideration.

The applicant should research opportunities available to pharmacy graduates, services provided by pharmacists, and obligations of pharmacy practitioners to the people they serve. In addition, the applicant is expected to communicate knowledge of these areas effectively in the interview. The Admissions Committee believes the applicant should base a decision to enter the pharmacy profession on more solid reasoning than merely an interest in science courses. Students holding degrees -- or near completing degrees -- in biology, chemistry and pre-professional health care majors are particularly encouraged to apply for admission.

Questions? Contact the pre-pharmacy advisor at 859-323-2755 or via email at pharmacyinfo@lsv.uky.edu.