Undergraduate Programs Frequently Asked Questions

Programs and Degree Offerings

Q1: What degrees are offered?

Q2: Which is the degree that will allow me to work as a pharmacist?

Q3: What coursework is required in the pre-pharmacy curriculum?

Q4: How long does it take to complete pre-pharmacy requirements?

Q5: What happens in the last year of the Pharm D program?

Admissions and Application

Q6: What are the high school course requirements?

Q7: Is a foreign language required?

Q8: I go to high school in Indiana. Will my Core 40 requirements be acceptable?

Q9: How do I apply to the pre-pharmacy program?

Q10: When should I apply to Purdue University?

Q11: Is the PCAT test required?

Q12: May I fulfill my pre-pharmacy coursework at another accredited institution?

Q13: If I am already a student at Purdue University, do I still need to apply to the School of Pharmacy?

Q14: What applications are needed for the PharmD. program?

Q15: How can I obtain an application to the professional program?

Q16: What are the admissions criteria to the professional program?

Q17: What is the application process for the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) program?

Q18: How many students are accepted each year?

Q19: Are applications accepted each semester?

Q20: What is the required grade point average (GPA) for admission into the professional program?

Q21: Is preference given to in-state versus out-of-state applicants?

Costs and Financial Aid

Q22: Are scholarships available?

Q23: Are there any additional costs that I will incur?

The Student Body:

Q24: What percentage of pharmacy students are from Indiana?

Q25: What is the ratio of the male to female students in the School of Pharmacy?

Additional Information

Q26: What if I have more questions about the undergraduate and professional programs at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy?

Programs and Degree Offerings

Q1: What degrees are offered?

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS)

This degree prepares students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry or for post-baccalaureate education in graduate or professional schools. This program has a four-year curriculum.

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D)

Students desiring to become licensed as pharmacists must graduate from the Doctor of Pharmacy program. This four year professional program requires a minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy study.

Q2: Which is the degree that will allow me to work as a pharmacist?

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) is the only licensure degree available nationwide which will allow graduates to dispense prescription drugs.

Q3: What coursework is required in the pre-pharmacy curriculum?

More information about the pre-pharmacy curriculum is avaliable.

Q4: How long does it take to complete pre-pharmacy requirements?

For most students, pre-pharmacy coursework can be completed in two years and summer school is not necessary.

Q5: What happens in the last year of the Pharm. D. program?

All students go on a 44-week clinical rotation schedule called clerkships. Students gain experience through working in different pharmaceutical care environments including community and institutional settings. 12 weeks of elective rotations allow the students to tailor their clerkship and gain additional experience in the areas pertinent to their own career path and development.

Admissions and Application

Q6: What are the high school course requirements?

For all degree offerings, the School of Pharmacy prefers:

*Two semesters of biology and chemistry, and two semesters of physics are recommended. It is preferred that separate chemistry and physics courses are taken, but an integrated chemistry/physics course is acceptable.

Q7: Is a foreign language required?

For students entering Fall 2004 and after, pre-pharmacy will require four semesters of a foreign language in high school for admission consideration. No students will be required to take additional foreign language classes once accepted to the program.

Q8: I go to high school in Indiana. Will my Core 40 requirements be acceptable?

Yes. Purdue University applauds the state's efforts to strengthen Indiana's high school students' academic preparation and encourages all students graduating from high school to complete the Core 40 requirements.

Q9: How do I apply to the pre-pharmacy program?

Students must first apply to Purdue University and enroll in the School of Pharmacy for the pre-pharmacy program (designated as "PP"). They then apply for admission to the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Doctor of Pharmacy professional program after completing the pre-pharmacy requirements.

Q10: When should I apply to Purdue University?

You should apply for admission to Purdue after completing your junior year of high school. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply early. For additional information or an application, contact the Office of Admissions:

Mailing address:

Purdue University
Office of Admissions
Schleman Hall
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2050

Due to limitations of staff and facilities, the University reserves the right to close admissions to any academic program once it is filled.

Q11: Is the PCAT test required?

No. The PCAT is not required by Purdue University to enter the pre-pharmacy program or the professional program.

Q12: May I fulfill my pre-pharmacy coursework at another accredited institution?

Yes. The School of Pharmacy has plan of study curriculum guides for many of the schools in Indiana. However, coursework does not need to be fulfilled in Indiana. Several guides for plans of study at regional and nearby college and university campuses are available. For more information contact Mr. Pat George at george@pharmacy.purdue.edu.

Q13: If I am already a student at Purdue University, do I still need to apply to the School of Pharmacy?

Yes. Admission to the School of Pharmacy Pre-Pharmacy program does not guarantee admission to the professional program. Students meeting the requirements while enrolled in other schools at Purdue may also apply. The most qualified students will be selected.

Q14: What applications are needed for the PharmD. program?

Students must complete an application through the national Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) and a Purdue supplemental application. The Purdue PharmCAS deadline is December 1 each year and the supplemental application deadline is also December 1. Both applications must be completed by the established deadlines.

Q15: How can I obtain an application to the professional program?

The PharmCAS web-based application is found at www.pharmcas.org and the Purdue supplemental application can be obtained in one of three ways:

1. The easiest way is to download the application materials from the web and print them (they are in printable PDF format). They are available on the Pharm.D. admissions page.
2. e-mail your request to OSS: oss@pharmacy.purdue.edu.

3. You may request an application by mail to this address:

   School of Pharmacy
   Office of Student Services
   575 Stadium Mall Drive
   West Lafayette, IN 47907-2091
   Attn: Application request

Q16: What are the admissions criteria to the professional program?

The Admissions Committee has established the following attributes for assessment and selection of applicants for admission into the school's professional program:

• Evidence of academic readiness for, and commitment to, growth in the learning goals of the professional curricula.
• Evidence of human service orientation and leadership experience.
• Evidence of quality verbal and written communication ability as well as interpersonal capabilities.
• Evidence of knowledge about pharmacy and initiative to learn more about pharmacy and career path options.

Sources of information used in assessing applicants regarding these attributes include:

• Academic performance in all coursework taken after high school, utilizing transcripts, with particular attention given to grades received in chemistry, biology, physics, and math, patterns of course withdrawals and course repeats, and the nature of general education course selections.
• Applicant-supplied information and statements on the application form.
• Two letters of recommendation.

A personal interview is required.

Q17: What is the application process for the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) program?

Students desiring admission into the pre-BSPS program may apply for admission to Purdue after completing their junior year of high school. Official high school transcripts and results from the SAT or ACT are required. Transfer students also are welcome to apply and are required to submit official transcripts from each college or university attended. Assessment of high school and/or college subjects and quality of academic record are important factors for admission. After completing one year of the BSPS curriculum and earning a GPA of at least 3.0, students may apply for admission to the BSPS program. Admission to the program is on a space available basis.

Q18: How many students are accepted each year?

Approximately 325 students are accepted each year into the pre-pharmacy program. Approximately 900 applications are received from eligible candidates each year for the professional program. 160 are accepted into the professional (Pharm D) program and 25 into the BSPS program.

Q19: Are applications accepted each semester?

Students are only admitted for the fall semester of the Pharm.D. program. Applications are accepted for the BSPS program with a deadline of May 1 each year.

Q20: What is the required grade point average (GPA) for admission into the professional program?

There is no specific GPA requirement because admission is based on several factors in addition to grade point. However, a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and higher is generally the minimum considered. The average GPA of students admitted in 2005 was about 3.60.

Q21: Is preference given to in-state versus out-of-state applicants?

Because this is a land grant university, Purdue is first committed to its qualified Indiana residents. Therefore, Indiana residents, students enrolled in pre-pharmacy on the West Lafayette campus (in or out-of-state), and students transferring from the satellite campuses may be given preference.

Costs and Financial Aid

Q22: Are scholarships available?

Yes. Scholarships are available to students throughout their academic careers. Merit-based pre-pharmacy scholarships are awarded each year. BSPS and professional program scholarships reward approximately 120 students each year in the spring. Some scholarship information is available on line. Additional information about scholarships is periodically available in the Office of Student Services.

Q23: Are there any additional costs that I will incur?

Yes. Students in the Professional program must pay a special professional tuition rate. For the 2007-2008 school year the fee is set at $ 7002.00 ($ 3501.00/semester) in addition to regular in-state or out-of-state tuition. This rate applies only during study in the Professional program (typically four years), and does not apply while in the Pre-pharmacy program. The University Undergraduate Admissions office maintains an estimate of costs of attendance. However, the Univeristy's fee structure is complex, and depends in part on which semester you first enrolled at Purdue. Please see the Bursar's list of tuition and fee rates for Pharm.D. students for more information.

The Student Body

Q24: What percentage of pharmacy students are from Indiana?

Approximately 70% of the students are from Indiana.

Q25: What is the ratio of the male to female students in the School of Pharmacy?

The Male:Female ratio is about 35% to 65%.

Addition Information

Q26: What if I have more questions about the undergraduate and professional programs at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy?

If you are a new applicant (high school student), you may contact the Assistant Director of Recruitment, Holly W. Keckler via phone at (765) 496-7381 or e-mail at keckler@pharmacy.purdue.edu.

If you are a transfer student or have previous college credits or degrees, please contact the Director of Recruitment and Admissions Assessment, Mr. Pat George via phone at (765) 49-45812 or e-mail at george@pharmacy.purdue.edu.