Admission Requirements & Procedures

Admission Requirements

E-mail: pharmd@unthsc.edu

Phone: 817-735-0589

Website: https://www.unthsc.edu/college-of-pharmacy/

Physical Location:

Student Services Center
1051 Haskell Street, Room 170
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Admission into the UNT System College of Pharmacy (SCP) is selective.  Student enrollment is set at 100.
 

To be admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, an applicant must have participated in the competitive admissions process and must have completed the required coursework outlined below. The minimum overall grade point average (GPA) required for consideration for admission is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is a requirement for admissions. All applicants are encouraged to have a PCAT composite score of 40 or greater when applying. All enrolled students must meet the program’s minimum Health and Technical Standards to participate in the program.

The minimum Math and Science prerequisite coursework requirements cannot be waived and must be completed or be in progress by the posted admissions deadline(s) from regionally-accredited U.S. colleges or universities. Prerequisite coursework must be satisfied with a grade of “C” or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale). A single course cannot be used simultaneously to meet more than one course prerequisite. All coursework completed by the applicant will be considered in the admissions process.

Qualified applicants will be provisionally admitted to SCP pending submission of a satisfactory criminal background check, which is administered by a private company and is coordinated by Student Services.  Any provisionally admitted applicant who has been convicted of, or pled guilty to, a felony offense will not be admitted to SCP, since he/she would not be eligible to rotate in community and hospital pharmacies as a pharmacy student. In addition to the criminal background check, students will also have a urine drug screen and an employment verification done prior to matriculation and on a yearly basis thereafter. 

Course Prerequisites

Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) Examination

All applicants are required to haven take the PCAT within the past three years. The PCAT is administered several times per month in January, February, July, September, October, and November each year. The PCAT consists of five subtests that contain multiple choice questions (Verbal Ability, Biology, Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Ability), plus one writing sample subtest. Information about the PCAT may be accessed online at www.pcatweb.info/ or at health career advisors’ offices on most academic campuses.

Admissions Procedures

Application

Regular Admission Application

Applicants are required to submit their applications for admission to the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) online at www.pharmcas.org. Applications must be submitted by the posted date. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent U.S. resident status. Official transcripts from all U.S. colleges and universities attended, as well as an official PCAT score, must be submitted to PharmCAS. Three letters of recommendation are required and should be written by individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s suitability for pharmacy school, such as a faculty member or advisor or a pharmacist supervisor.  Letters from family members or friends will not be accepted. All letters of recommendation must be submitted to PharmCAS using the PharmCAS-required format.

Early Decision Application

The UNT System College of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program participates in the “Early Decision” (EDP) offered by PharmCAS.

The EDP is a binding option for applicants who have decided that the UNT System College of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program is most definitely their first choice and that they will enroll if accepted. An Early Decision applicant can apply to only one Pharm.D. program. To be admitted to the UNT System College of Pharmacy (SCP) program, an applicant must meet the same requirements listed under the Admissions Requirements for Regular Applicants on the SCP website listed above. The Early Decision application must be completed by the deadlines posted on the UNT SCP Admission website and provided by PharmCAS. The application process is listed on our website at https://www.unthsc.edu/college-of-pharmacy/about-us/pharmd-admissions/admissions-early-decision/. If the application, transcripts, or fees arrive after the posted deadline, https://www.unthsc.edu/college-of-pharmacy/about-us/pharmd-admissions/admissions-early-decision/ will automatically change the file from early decision status to regular applicant status.

You may be offered admission or denied admission. If you are offered admission as an Early Decision applicant, you are obligated to accept the offer and you will not be permitted to apply to other PharmCAS Pharm.D. programs during the current admission cycle. If you are denied admission as an Early Decision applicant, you may apply to other PharmCAS Pharm.D. programs for an additional fee. Refer to the PharmCAS application fee schedule to determine the cost to apply to each additional program.

UNTSCP Early Assurance PharmDirect Program - Inaugural Application Cycle fall 2019

The UNT System College of Pharmacy (UNTSCP) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program will participate in the UNTSCP Early Assurance PharmDirect Program (EAP) with select education partners in its inaugural academic year (2019-2020).

Admission Pathways

There are two separate pathways for entry into the UNTSCP EAP program: Undergraduate College Pathway and High School Pathway. Acceptance into either pathway will be determined by the UNTSCP Admissions Committee per its established procedures.

Application to the UNTSCP EAP and Letter of Intent (LOI)

Students seeking entrance into the UNTSCP EAP, via either the Undergraduate College Pathway or the High School Pathway, will apply via PharmDirect (https://pharmdirect.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login/) by the December 1st deadline and pay the application fee. A LOI will also be submitted to the UNTSCP Admissions Office. Applicants accepted into the UNTSCP EAP program shall be notified by the Admissions Office.

Guarantee and Benefits to Students

Students who meet the requirements will be provisionally admitted to the PharmD program. Remaining in the UNTSCP EAP and promoting to the PharmD program will be dependent on fulfilling the requirements outlined herein. Students who fulfill the requirements for promotion to the PharmD program will not compete against the traditional admissions pathway pool of applicants and will not be required to take the PCAT.

Undergraduate College Pathway

College applicants must meet the following requirements for acceptance:

• Intend to matriculate to the UNTSCP PharmD program at a date beyond that for the immediately upcoming class
• Complete a minimum of 30 hours of college credit including Biology I and Biology II,
  Chemistry I and Chemistry II, and Calculus with a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 and a minimum 3.5 GPA in all completed prerequisite courses
  (see https://www.unthsc.edu/college-of-pharmacy/prerequisite-coursework/)
• Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing
• Submit an essay describing their motivation for pursuing a career in pharmacy, preferably including a significant healthcare experience
• Provide a positive letter of recommendation

High School Pathway

High school applicants must meet the following requirements for acceptance:

• Complete junior year of high school (11th grade) or equivalent
• Students must have completed the following courses to be considered:
  Geometry, Algebra II, Biology I, Chemistry I and three (3) credits of English
• Minimum non-weighted math & science GPA of 3.2 or weighted math & science GPA of 3.5
• Minimum non-weighted overall GPA of 3.5 or weighted overall GPA of 3.8
• Minimum combined verbal and math SAT score of 1100 or a minimum composite ACT score of 24
• Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing
• Provide updated official transcripts at the end of each semester no later than 30 days following posting of transcripts
• Submit an essay describing their motivation for pursuing a career in pharmacy, including any healthcare experiences
• Provide a positive letter of recommendation

Requirements for Remaining in the UNTSCP EAP and Gaining Promotion to the PharmD Program

To remain in the UNTSCP EAP and gain promotion to the PharmD program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Students entering via the high school pathway must enroll in an accredited community college, 4-year college, or university within 18 months of graduation, unless all prerequisites have been completed
• Maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA at an accredited community college, 4-year college, or university
• Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in prerequisite courses
• Complete all prerequisite courses
• Not have a grade below “C” or equivalent in any of the prerequisite courses
• Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Dual Credit Program credits for appropriate courses will be accepted if they appear on an official transcript
• Remain in good academic and disciplinary standing
• Remain enrolled in an accredited community college, 4-year college, or university continuously until prerequisite courses for admission have been completed
• Provide a positive letter of recommendation
• Provide updated official transcripts at the end of each semester no later than 30 days following posting of transcripts
• Students must apply for PharmCAS Early Decision and successfully complete the Early Decision Admission interview process, which will occur during the fall semester of the year prior to matriculation to the UNTSCP PharmD program

Failure to maintain these minimum standards will lead to removal from the UNTSCP EAP. However, students are still encouraged to apply to UNTSCP through the Early Decision or Regular Admissions process.

Supplemental Application

The SCP requires completion of its Supplemental Application and nominal processing fee. This form is completed and submitted electronically through a link on the website at https://www.unths.edu/PharmApp. It must be submitted by the posted deadline.

Interviews

Selected applicants will be invited for interview at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) campus, located in Fort Worth. In addition to interviewing, applicants will have an opportunity to meet with a member of the SCP leadership team, student ambassadors, and tour the campus.

Selection Factors

The PharmD Admissions Committee seeks applicants who are academically qualified to progress through the curriculum and who show promise of becoming skilled pharmacy professionals. Although an applicant’s entire academic record is considered, this alone does not ensure acceptance. Evidence of personal integrity, maturity, creativity, motivation, dedication, and the ability to work with others are additional factors that will be considered. These qualities and attitudes are evaluated by several means, including letters of reference, the scope and nature of extracurricular activities (including work and volunteer experience), the scope and breadth of prior education and through the interview process. Ability to communicate effectively both in verbal and written format will be considered from the PCAT writing sample score, interview and onsite handwritten writing sample, respectively. Empathy assessment and calculations skills may also be measured. Motivation to become a pharmacist and prior pharmacy experience will also be considered. 

Committee Evaluation of Applicants

After the interview, applicants are assigned to a Faculty Review Team. After the Faculty Review Team meets and makes recommendations, the Director of Admissions will meet with the Faculty Admissions Committee to review their recommendations. The Admissions Committee votes to accept, reject or place applicants on the HOLD list. Admissions Committee members makes the final decision on who will receive admissions offers or denials.

The following variables are assessed when an applicant is scored:

*Contribution to the diversity of the class includes race, ethnicity, or any other unique personal life experience(s), including but not limited to experience abroad, foreign language skills, overcoming adversities and hardships, community service, or previous career experience that will enhance the educational environment of SCP.

Admissions Notification Process

Students will be notified of an acceptance on a rolling basis of the matriculating year. Additional students will be accepted according to rank order by SCP Admissions Committee. If necessary, students will be accepted through orientation week, approximately the second week of August.

Admission in Advanced Standing (Transfer)

Students enrolled in Colleges or Schools of Pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy education may apply for advanced standing in SCP. Candidates must have valid reasons for transfer, have good academic standing in their home institution, meet all requirements of admission into SCP, and be eligible for continuation. Admission is competitive and depends upon availability of space in the professional year of placement.

Requirements

• A transfer request form that is available on the SCP website must be completed and submitted to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs by Oct. 1.
• A letter of academic standing from the Dean or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the candidate’s home institution must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
• Official transcripts from all U.S. colleges and universities and all colleges or schools of pharmacy.
• Complete application for admission via PharmCAS and SCP Supplemental Application by the posted deadline.
• Interview

Selection for Admission as a Transfer Student

Candidates will be interviewed at the UNT Health Science Center campus in Fort Worth. The Admissions Committee will consider an applicant for admission if he/she has completed all requirements, has been interviewed and reviewed by Review Team and Admissions Committee.

Upon a transfer applicant’s acceptance of an offer, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will review the students’ transcripts and available curricular materials to determine equivalence and will then determine the professional year in the PharmD program in which the candidates will be placed.