Why UGA?
Elements We Search For In Candidates
The University of Georgia Doctor of Pharmacy program employs a holistic and comprehensive process when reviewing applications to our program. An applicant’s academic experiences, personal strengths, unique talents, and life experiences play a role in determining admission to our program.
In addition to the factors listed above, successful candidates should possess the following attributes:
- A desire to help others and make positive changes
- Act in a professional, ethical, and responsible way
- Display leadership skills and the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others
- Demonstrate a love of learning, attention to detail, academic adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
When reviewing an applicant’s eligibility for an admissions interview, we consider each applicant’s academic achievements, progression of coursework, and PCAT exam performance (if applicable). To determine admission into the program, we evaluate the applicant’s interview, along with an applicant’s letters of recommendation; extracurricular and co-curricular activities, volunteer experience; employment; experiences in pharmacy; and other personal achievements.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Admissions Procedures and Frequently Asked Questions before applying.
Admissions Process & Procedures
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Admissions Procedures and Frequently Asked Questions before applying.
Step One: Complete the pre-pharmacy requirements
To be admitted to the professional program in the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, a student must complete pre-pharmacy requirements. Pre-pharmacy education requires satisfactory completion of not less than 69 semester hours of academic work counting toward the pharmacy degree.
Please refer to the Pre-Pharmacy Checklist for more information.
Optional: Take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
For the 2023-2024 application cycle, the PCAT exam is recommended, but not required. Applicants who may wish to strengthen their application should consider taking the PCAT exam. Summer or fall test dates are recommended when taking the PCAT for the first time. Please note: The PCAT exam will be discontinued following the 2023-2024 application cycle.
Step Two: Apply online to the Pharmacy College Application Service
Applicants to the professional program must submit an application with the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) prior to completing the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy supplemental application. All transcripts, optional PCAT scores, and letters of recommendation must be sent directly to PharmCAS; such materials will not be accepted if sent to the UGA College of Pharmacy. Once applicants have submitted a PharmCAS application, they will receive a PharmCAS identification number that will be needed when completing the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy supplemental application.
Note: Applicants should have optional PCAT scores sent directly to PharmCAS (Code 0104). Each course for which students have earned AP or IB credit must be listed individually in the PharmCAS application as courses completed during their first semester in college. During the PharmCAS Academic Update period, applicants must submit grades for courses taken during the fall and spring semesters.
The PharmCAS and University of Georgia College of Pharmacy applications open on July 14, 2023. Individuals may submit applications anytime thereafter. This year, the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy will employ a rolling admissions process. With rolling admissions, we will review applications, invite candidates to campus to interview, and offer acceptances on a continuous basis throughout our admissions process. This means that interested applicants should submit their applications as early as possible.
The admissions application process has two different deadlines: Priority Deadline and Application Deadline. The Priority Deadline is December 1, 2023. Applicants who submit both their PharmCAS and University of Georgia College of Pharmacy application by December 1, 2023 will be eligible to waive their University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Supplemental application fee ($55), and will be given priority consideration for both scholarship consideration and 2+2 campus preferences.
The final Application Deadline is June 1, 2024. PharmCAS and University of Georgia Pharm.D. Supplemental applications and supplemental application fee must be submitted by this deadline. PharmCAS must receive all materials (e.g., transcripts) by that closing date.
Step Three: Apply online to the College of Pharmacy
Applicants must have started the PharmCAS application before going online to complete the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application (opens July 14, 2023). Submit the supplemental application by the Priority Deadline (December 1, 2023) to waive the supplemental application fee and receive priority consideration for scholarships and 2+2 campus preferences. Applicants must submit the PharmCAS application and supplemental application fee by the final deadline of June 1, 2024.
Students may apply to the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy before they have completed the entire pre-pharmacy curriculum, provided they have finished at least 35 hours of that curriculum and will be able to complete the rest of the hours before matriculation. However, some students have already completed the entire pre-pharmacy core and may be working toward a degree when they apply to the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Others may have already earned a degree or plan to complete one before matriculating. Applicants who are accepted but do not attend for the accepted term may need to repeat the admission process for a future date.
Applicants for admission to the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy who have been officially dismissed from another pharmacy program will not be accepted. A student who gains entrance to the College by misrepresentation of facts may be dismissed immediately.
Interviews
Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview on a rolling basis until the class is filled. Interviews are available in-person and virtually. Candidates invited for interviews will meet with members of the Admissions Committee, faculty, staff and currently enrolled Pharm.D. students. During the interview, students may be asked to discuss their academic background, reasons for selecting pharmacy as a profession, plans upon graduation, work experience, leadership experience, and extracurricular activities. Verbal and written communication skills will also be evaluated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please review the FAQ below carefully.
Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Important Dates & Timeline
July 14, 2023 – PharmCAS (http://www.pharmcas.org) and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Supplemental application open.
Mid-August, 2023 – Admissions interviews begin
October 2023-July 2024 – Advising sessions for incoming students
December 1, 2023 – Priority Deadline for PharmCAS and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Both applications have the same deadline.
June 1, 2024 – Application Deadline for PharmCAS and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Both applications have the same deadline.
June 2024 — Admissions interviews end
August 2024 – New Student Orientation
August 2024 – White Coat Ceremony
August 16, 2024 — Classes Begin
PCAT Testing Dates
Test dates are offered in July, October 2023, and January 2024. Visit the PCAT website at https://www.pcatweb.info/ for details.
Prerequisite Checklist
For information about the required pre-pharmacy coursework, please review the checklist here:
Pre-Pharmacy Course Equivalency
The pre-pharmacy course equivalency guides below are provided to help applicants take the appropriate pre-pharmacy courses at institutions outside of the University of Georgia. There may be other courses that meet the qualifications for the UGA College of Pharmacy prerequisites, but the courses listed here are the most common at the respective institution.
Pre-pharmacy courses can be taken at any accredited institution, not just the ones listed. If the institution you are attending or planning to attend is not listed, please use the UGA Pharm.D. Pre-Pharmacy Checklist and the UGA Undergraduate Admissions Transfer Equivalency Guide to see if your institution offers an equivalent pre-pharmacy course. Course descriptions for the UGA Pharm.D. pre-pharmacy courses can be found on the University of Georgia Bulletin and can also be used as a guide when looking for equivalent pre-pharmacy courses at your institution. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the equivalency of a pre-pharmacy course at your institution, please contact Mr. Erik Dennison at PharmDadmissions@uga.edu.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Georgia College and State University
Middle Georgia State University
PCAT Exam (Optional)
For the 2023-2024 application cycle, the PCAT exam is recommended, but not required. Applicants who may wish to strengthen their application should consider taking the PCAT exam. Summer or fall test dates are recommended when taking the PCAT for the first time. Please note: The PCAT exam will be discontinued following the 2023-2024 application cycle.
Application Information
Interviews
Qualified applicants will be invited to campus for interview on a rolling basis until the class is filled. Candidates invited for interviews will meet with members of the Admissions Committee, faculty, staff and currently enrolled Pharm.D. students. During the interview, students may be asked to discuss their academic background, reasons for selecting pharmacy as a profession, plans upon graduation, work experience, leadership experience, and extracurricular activities. Verbal and written communication skills will also be evaluated.
Paying for Pharmacy School
Frequently Asked Questions
- Check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions. Your question might already be answered here!
- Application tips
- International Application Guidelines
- Pharm.D. Admissions Blog
Affiliation Agreements
Qualified students with a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from UGA may obtain a guaranteed admission interview. Completing the undergraduate Pharmaceutical Sciences degree with a preferred GPA of at least a 2.5 (subject to change depending on admissions cycle) in the 69 hours of included pre-pharmacy coursework makes you a priority applicant for the professional Pharm.D. degree.
We have partnered with various other institutions allowing students guided pathways into UGA’s Pharm.D. program. Students can spend the beginning of their college careers at their initial undergraduate institution followed by the remaining years (depending on the agreement) in our Doctor of Pharmacy program at UGA.
- 3+4 Augusta University Chemistry BS/UGA PharmD Agreement
- 2+4 Dalton State College General Studies AS/UGA PharmD Agreement
- 3+4 Georgia College Chemistry BS/UGA PharmD Agreement
- 3+4 Georgia Gwinnett College Biology (Biochemistry Concentration) BS/UGA PharmD Agreement
- 3+4 Georgia Southern University Biology or Chemistry BS/UGA PharmD Agreement
- 3+4 Valdosta State University Chemistry BS/UGA PharmD Agreement
- Additional partnerships coming soon!
For More Information
Contact Us:
Pharm.D. Admissions
Office of Student Affairs
College of Pharmacy
The University of Georgia
Pharmacy South 115
250 W. Green Street
Athens, GA 30602
Phone: 706-542-5150
Email: PharmDadmissions@uga.edu
Request Program Information:
Click here to request program information or ask questions (online form).
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