The School of Pharmacy
Advising
On admission to the school, students are assigned faculty members as advisors. The advisor serves continuously during the student’s tenure in the school. Students are expected to meet with their advisors at least once each semester and are encouraged to meet more often to discuss academic issues and career and professional development.
Pre-pharmacy students are advised by the Undergraduate Advising Center, and/or by faculty members from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, while they complete pre-pharmacy coursework. All pre-pharmacy students are strongly encouraged to make appointments in the Deans office of the School of Pharmacy, 2010 Becker Drive, Room 2050, for co-advising services and when they have questions concerning pharmacy course requirements or appropriate electives or
any other concerns about their preparation for pharmacy admission.
Pre-pharmacy students are also encouraged to participate in the pre-pharmacy club. Email pharmacy@ku.edu to request to be added to the club's e-mail distribution list.
Undergraduate Admission to KU
Prospective students must be eligible for admission to the University of Kansas as an undergraduate student. See the Office of Admissions, KU Visitor Center, 1502 Iowa St., Lawrence, KS 66044-7576, 785-864-3911, adm@ku.edu for information regarding requirements. Prospective pharmacy students should declare prepharmacy as the major field of study. Visit the Office of International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Undergraduate Admission to the School of Pharmacy
Students should apply via PharmCAS to the School of Pharmacy during the application period (late July through February 1). When they apply, they should have completed or be on pace to complete the 68 credit hours of required pre-pharmacy courses by August of the following fall. The required pre-pharmacy curriculum may be completed at accredited schools other than KU. Students not yet at KU should submit an undergraduate application for transfer admission. International students should apply for undergraduate admission via International Admissions.
Requirements
Applying students should meet the following requirements:
- Complete the required pre-pharmacy courses and document the credit with official transcript(s) sent to KU Admissions.
- Maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher, overall and in the sciences. This is the minimum GPA acceptable for admission; the average GPA is generally much higher: approximately 3.50.
- Complete the PharmCAS application at www.PharmCAS.org. To complete the PharmCAS application, one will need:
- Official transcripts sent directly to PharmCAS from each postsecondary institution attended.
- Contact information for individuals who will provide letters of recommendation (evaluations) directly to PharmCAS.
- Submit application payment directly to PharmCAS.
- PCAT scores are not required; only considered supplemental.
- Supplemental application: transfer students and international students not already attending KU must also submit the corresponding KU undergraduate admission application.
- An interview is scheduled with select applicants.
Procedures
The School of Pharmacy admissions committee, consisting of at least 2 faculty members from each department and representation from the Deans office, determines admissions. A record documenting the required materials is created by each applicant through PharmCAS. Consideration is given to a student’s overall GPA, science GPA, and GPA within the pre-pharmacy curriculum. The average GPA of past admits is approximately 3.50. Good scholarship is considered a predictor of success in the pharmacy curriculum. However, good communication skills, emotional maturity, leadership ability, professional attitude, an understanding of the pharmacy profession, work experience in a pharmacy, and interest in service to the community are also important. These additional skills may outweigh very high grades or choice of pre-pharmacy courses. Admission is competitive and depends on the number of applications received and the qualifications of the applicants.
Applications are considered and admissions are determined on a rolling basis during the PharmCAS application period. Our preferred application deadline is February 1, however the school may consider later applications. Most admission decisions are made by March. As a condition of matriculation into the KU School of Pharmacy, all admitted students must successfully clear an investigative criminal background check and successfully obtain pharmacy intern status with the Kansas Board of Pharmacy. Successful clearance of the background check and attainment of pharmacy intern status with the Board of Pharmacy is required to enroll in the School of Pharmacy and to participate in curricular and extracurricular curricular activities including interacting with patients. Instructions for completing the background check are provided with the letter of acceptance.