Pharmacy Grad Programs - Admissions

Students interested in applying for admission into one of these specific programs are directed to read and follow the application procedure for that specific program. However, for your convenience, much of the information about the admissions process has been collected here. Generally the best person to contact about a program is the head or other designated individual for that program. If there are any questions or problems with communicating with one of these programs, contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator at gradprog@pharmacy.purdue.edu.

Graduate Admissions Eligibility

There are some common eligibility criteria among the three programs:

• Completion of (as a minimum) a 4-year bachelors or professional degree.
• High quality performance as an undergraduate - typically indicated by standardized test scores, strong grades, and courses taken above the minimum needed for admission.
• Clear evidence of a serious commitment towards graduate study in the chosen discipline, evidence that typically comes from a Personal Statement included with the application as well as from a list of activities that the applicant has done to prepare for advanced study, such as participate in research programs or other relevant experience (whether as employment, for independent study credit, or as a volunteer).
• Evidence that the applicant frequently displays initiative to learn.
• Candid letters of reference from three individuals that evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate.
• The Graduate School requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test for admission. Individual departments may establish higher minimum TOEFL scores, and most of our successful applicants have TOEFL scores in excess of 600. For specific minimum TOEFL scores, contact the department to which you are applying.

Application for Admission to Graduate Study

Those students interested in applying for admission into one of these graduate programs are directed to read and follow the application procedure for that specific program. In addition, common steps in this process are described below, and answers to frequently asked questions about application and admissions are available. Generally, the best person to contact about a specific graduate program is the head of that program or another designated individual in that program. Also, be sure to read the graduate admissions FAQ.

Some common elements to the application process are:

1. Submission of an application to the Purdue University Graduate School, which must be done on-line. There is a mandatory application fee.
2. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE), general version
3. An official transcript from each college that has awarded the applicant credit. (use this form) An additional message for international applicants: An official copy of your diploma (both original language and official English translation) will be required if your transcript does not show that the degree was awarded by your university.
4. A Statement of Purpose indicating the applicant's reasons and objectives for graduate study as well as containing a description of relevant activities that distinguish the applicant's preparation, commitment, initiative, and overall academic strengths.
5. Three letters of recommendation from qualified individuals that know the applicant well enough provide a candid and evaluation of the applicant's likelihood of success in graduate school. (use this form)
6. For international applicants, TOEFL scores or the academic version of the IELTS.

The application and application fee are submitted electronically to the Graduate School. The official test scores (GRE and TOEFL) are also submitted electronically to Purdue. Recommendations and the statement of purpose may be uploaded into the application system OR they may be sent as hard copies to the following address:

Graduate Admissions Committee
Purdue University School of Pharmacy
Heine Pharmacy Building, Room 104
575 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2091

If you have any questions about your application that are not answered in the graduate admissions FAQ you should contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator at gradprog@pharmacy.purdue.edu in the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs for the Pharmacy School.