HOW TO GET INTO PHARMACY SCHOOL: Applying to NEOMED

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Calling all future pharmacists—your path to a career in pharmacy starts here at NEOMED! The College of Pharmacy prides itself on educating students to become competent caregivers in their communities. Our world-class faculty and unique student experience will set you on a path to making new discoveries and furthering exceptional patient-centered care. 


In this guide, we will break down the step-by-step process of applying to pharmacy school at NEOMED and tips to craft the best application possible to earn admission.

Requirements for Pharmacy School

Before you begin your application, it is best to acquaint yourself with the requirements needed to apply for pharmacy school. Let’s take a look at some of the basic credentials you must meet in order to apply: 

Prospective students may apply directly from undergraduate with Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) application. NEOMED is among the pharmacy schools that do not require a bachelor’s degree for admission.

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Candidates are encouraged to apply for admission early and interview while prerequisite coursework is in progress. Candidates may also apply from July (prior year) through June 1 (prior to the start term).

Pharmacy School Prerequisites

Students seeking admission to the College of Pharmacy must complete 60 semester hours of prerequisite coursework before matriculating. Candidates are encouraged to apply for admission early and interview while prerequisite coursework is in progress. Students must earn no grade lower than a C- in any course intended to fulfill a prerequisite requirement.

Early Assurance Prerequisites

Candidates accepted into Early Assurance must complete the required 60 semester hours of prerequisite coursework prior to matriculating. College credits taken in high school can be counted. NEOMED looks for these credits on a college transcript. Students meeting the requirements will be invited to complete an in-person or virtual interview with a pharmacy faculty member from NEOMED.

The required prerequisite coursework is as follows:

3 Semester Hours

Anatomy and Physiology Course

Guidance: Students should seek a one semester comprehensive anatomy and physiology (A&P) course of at least three credit hours. If the school only has a two-semester sequence for A&P, we recommend the student takes both to get coverage of all body systems. However, one course would fill the requirement.

Courses with Labs – 8 Semester Hours

Inorganic (General) Chemistry Sequence & Organic Chemistry Sequence

Guidance: The guidance for each of these eight-hour prerequisites is identical. Students should select the two courses that are required in sequence. All courses must include a lab. We expect that students will select from coursework required of science majors or professional clinical school preparation such as pre-medicine study, and we discourage students from selecting courses designed for specialized applied allied health majors, non-science majors, or nursing majors.

Courses with Labs – 8 Semester Hours

Biology & Other Life Sciences Sequence

Guidance: The guidance for each of these eight-hour prerequisites is identical. Students should select the two courses that are required in sequence. All courses must include a lab. We expect that students will select from coursework required of science majors or professional clinical school preparation such as pre-medicine study, and we discourage students from selecting courses designed for specialized applied allied health majors, non-science majors, or nursing majors.

3 Semester Hours

Microbiology Course

Guidance: Students should seek to complete a one semester microbiology course of at least three credit hours. A laboratory component is encouraged, but not required.

3 Semester Hours

General Physics Course

Guidance: Students may select either an algebra-based physics or calculus-based physics course. We expect that students will select from coursework required of science majors or professional clinical school preparation such as pre-medicine study. Non-mathematics-based physics survey courses for non-science majors will not fulfill this competency. 

3 Semester Hours

Biochemistry Course

Guidance: While a one semester Biochemistry course will fulfill the prerequisite requirements, we recommend that students complete a two semester Biochemistry course (three credit hours per semester), and that students will select the Biochemistry course that requires Organic Chemistry I and II as a prerequisite.

3 Semester Hours

Calculus Course

Guidance: There is no specific level of calculus course required. Any course listed in the calculus area of study higher than precalculus will suffice. This may include calculus for mathematics majors, business majors, engineering majors, etc. Calculus placement assumes a high-level mastery of college algebra content, essential to pharmacy success.

3 Semester Hours

Statistics Course

Guidance: Students should complete a statistics course that focuses on the basic understanding of descriptive statistics, statistical methods, and how to perform and interpret basic statistical procedures. We discourage students from choosing a statistics course that is math-based but would encourage a biostatistics course related to the health field.

6 Semester Hours

English Composition

Guidance: To prepare for a career as a professional health practitioner, all candidates must demonstrate excellent proficiency in all forms of English language-based communication, both verbal and written, as evidenced by successful completion of an English Composition I and II sequence. We do not accept literature courses unless they are composition-based, though they can still fulfill the General Education requirement.

12 Semester Hours

General Education and/or Additional Science

Guidance: Any coursework not used to meet another prerequisite may suffice. Students may elect to complete other science coursework in the areas that are helpful for entering the Pharm.D. program such as Biochemistry II, a full-year sequence of Anatomy & Physiology, Immunology, and others.

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Pharmacy School GPA Requirement

Candidates must present a science GPA of at least 2.5 (as determined by PharmCAS calculations) and a minimum 2.5 overall GPA required by NEOMED.

*While the minimum to apply is a 2.5 GPA, the average overall PharmCAS GPA is a 3.2 GPA for NEOMED.

 

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

 The PCAT is no longer required for admission consideration at NEOMED.

A Breakdown of the Application Process

Once you have completed your prerequisites OR are on track to complete them by matriculation, you are ready to begin your application! NEOMED uses the PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service) system to receive College of Pharmacy applications. NEOMED does NOT require a supplemental application.

Traditional Pharmacy Application Process Breakdown

Once you have completed your prerequisites OR are on track to complete them by matriculation, you are ready to begin your application! NEOMED uses the PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service) system to receive College of Pharmacy applications. NEOMED does NOT require a supplemental application.

Explore below step-by-step below the application process for the Traditional Pharmacy Track.

Early Assurance Application Process Breakdown

Early Assurance is for students wanting to reserve a seat in the Pharm.D. program at least one year ahead of time through PharmDirect. Students may choose to attend after just completing the required 60 pre-requisites credits or choose to stay at their undergraduate institution and finish a bachelor’s degree.

Before you begin your Early Assurance application, it is best to acquaint yourself with the requirements needed to apply for pharmacy school. Let’s take a look at some of the basic credentials you must meet in order to apply: 

For High School Students:

  • Overall high school GPA (weighted or unweighted) of 3.2
  • ACT (best score) Composite score of 24 or higher (or SAT equivalent)
  • ACT (best score) STEM sub-score of 24 or higher (or SAT Math equivalent)

For College Students:

  • Minimum 3.2 cumulative college GPA
  • Minimum 3.2 GPA in science courses
  • Have no grade lower than a C in any math, biology or chemistry course completed to date. For repeated courses, the second grade is considered.

Explore below step-by-step below the application process for the Early Assurance Track.

 

SELECT AN APPLICATION PROCESS:
STEP 1

Create your PharmCAS login account

Before anything else, you must create your PharmCAS account on www.pharmcas.org to immediately obtain your PharmCAS ID number. Once you have your PharmCAS ID number, you may begin your application.

https://resources.neomed.edu/hubfs/pharmcasdirect%20sign%20in-1.png
STEP 2

Enter and Submit Official Transcripts

All coursework must be entered into PharmCAS aside from submitting your transcript. This allows PharmCAS to verify your information and calculate your specific GPA based on courses. You must complete the “Colleges Attended” Section first. It is important to note that PharmCAS does its own calculation of GPA’s. For example, if you repeat a course, PharmCAS will count both courses toward the GPA—not solely the highest grade. Additionally, there is no...

Expand to Read More

STEP 3

PharmCAS Evaluators Submit Their Evaluations

Evaluators (letter writers) must submit evaluations to “Letters by Liaison” Evaluator Portal in PharmCAS system. Evaluators upload letters of reference via the Evaluator Portal. NEOMED requires candidates to submit two evaluations with their applications. Applicants cannot submit evaluations themselves and paper or email evaluations are not accepted. It is ultimately up to you, the applicant, to select who the evaluations are from. NEOMED prefers its...

Expand to Read More

STEP 4

Enter Professional Experiences, Achievements, Licenses, or Certifications

It is important to highlight your professional experiences on your pharmacy school application. In this section, you will want to take the time to articulate your interest in the pharmacy profession by displaying your extracurricular activities, employment, or volunteer experience. Some examples to include may consist of pharmacy experience, healthcare experience, employment, or extracurricular activities. Similarly,...

Expand to Read More

STEP 5

Write Your Pharmacy School Personal Statement

The personal statement in your application is essentially a narrative essay about what has brought you to apply to pharmacy school and what your aspirations are next. It is best to relate back to your interest and experience in pharmaceuticals and medicine throughout your essay in a natural way. Essays that are copied and pasted from other websites and sources will be flagged and penalized. Though the nature of the essay is personal, it is...

Expand to Read More

STEP 6

Review Application for Accuracy

Before submitting, be sure to double-check your application in its entirety for accuracy. If you are in the process of completing prerequisites upon applying, be sure to update your coursework in the PharmCAS system upon completion. 

You also need to pay the PharmCAS application fee upon submission. The fee is $175 for one school & $55 for each additional school you apply to. There are no waivers for the fee available through NEOMED. 

After you submit, PharmCAS...

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STEP 1

Create Your PharmDirect Login Account

Create a login to the PharmDirect application and complete no later than June 1st. Candidates need to have the first half of their senior year in high school or first semester in college done before submitting the application.

https://resources.neomed.edu/hubfs/pharmcasdirect%20sign%20in-1.png
STEP 2

ENTER AND SUBMIT OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

College transcripts can be sent electronically and ordered through the PharmDirect application. High school transcripts must be physically mailed to the processing center with a cover page.

PharmDirect Transcript Processing Center:

P.O. Box 9133Watertown, MA 02471

STEP 3

PharmDirect Evaluators Submit their Evaluations

Two evaluators (letter writers) must submit evaluations to “Letters by Liaison” Evaluator Portal in PharmDirect system. Evaluators upload letters of reference via the Evaluator Portal. NEOMED requires candidates to submit two evaluations with their applications. Applicants cannot submit evaluations themselves and paper or email evaluations are not accepted. It is ultimately up to you, the applicant, to select who the evaluations are from. NEOMED...

Expand to Read More

STEP 4

Enter Professional Experiences, Achievements, Licenses, or Certifications

It is important to highlight your experiences on your pharmacy school application. In this section, you will want to take the time to articulate your interest in the pharmacy profession by displaying your extracurricular activities and/or volunteer experience. Some examples to include may consist of pharmacy experience, healthcare experience, or extracurricular activities. Similarly, achievements and accolades are...

Expand to Read More

STEP 5

Write Your Pharmacy School Personal Statement

The personal statement in your application is essentially a narrative essay about what has brought you to apply to pharmacy school and what your aspirations are next. It is best to relate back to your interest and experience in pharmaceuticals and medicine throughout your essay in a natural way. Essays that are copied and pasted from other websites and sources will be flagged and penalized. Though the nature of the essay is personal, it is...

Expand to Read More

STEP 6

Review Application for Accuracy

Before submitting, be sure to double-check your application in its entirety for accuracy. If you are in the process of completing prerequisites upon applying, be sure to update your coursework in the PharmDirect system upon completion. 

You also need to pay the PharmCAS application fee upon submission. PharmDirect charges a processing fee of $50 for each program you apply to. There are no waivers for the fee available through NEOMED. 

After you submit,...

Expand to Read More

STEP 1

Create your PharmCAS login account

Before anything else, you must create your PharmCAS account on www.pharmcas.org to immediately obtain your PharmCAS ID number. Once you have your PharmCAS ID number, you may begin your application.

STEP 2

Enter and Submit Official Transcripts

All coursework must be entered into PharmCAS aside from submitting your transcript. This allows PharmCAS to verify your information and calculate your specific GPA based on courses. You must complete the “Colleges Attended” Section first. It is important to note that PharmCAS does its own calculation of GPA’s. For example, if you repeat a course, PharmCAS will count both courses toward the GPA—not solely the highest grade. Additionally, there is no expiration date on science coursework. Candidates must have official transcripts for every U.S. college and university attended sent to PharmCAS prior to the PharmCAS deadline. NEOMED also accepts the WES evaluation for foreign transcripts.

STEP 3

PharmCAS Evaluators Submit Their Evaluations

Evaluators (letter writers) must submit evaluations to “Letters by Liaison” Evaluator Portal in PharmCAS system. Evaluators upload letters of reference via the Evaluator Portal. NEOMED requires candidates to submit two evaluations with their applications. Applicants cannot submit evaluations themselves and paper or email evaluations are not accepted. It is ultimately up to you, the applicant, to select who the evaluations are from. NEOMED prefers its candidates to have evaluators from (1) a pharmacist and (2) a science faculty member.

STEP 4

Enter Professional Experiences, Achievements, Licenses, or Certifications

It is important to highlight your professional experiences on your pharmacy school application. In this section, you will want to take the time to articulate your interest in the pharmacy profession by displaying your extracurricular activities, employment, or volunteer experience. Some examples to include may consist of pharmacy experience, healthcare experience, employment, or extracurricular activities. Similarly, achievements and accolades are excellent ways to strengthen your candidacy. Certain honors, publications, or scholarships you have received are great to include on your application. Furthermore, demonstrating leadership skills and abilities is an essential soft skill of being a pharmacist.

STEP 5

Write Your Pharmacy School Personal Statement

The personal statement in your application is essentially a narrative essay about what has brought you to apply to pharmacy school and what your aspirations are next. It is best to relate back to your interest and experience in pharmaceuticals and medicine throughout your essay in a natural way. Essays that are copied and pasted from other websites and sources will be flagged and penalized. Though the nature of the essay is personal, it is imperative to write your essay in a professional manner.  Some questions to address in your personal statement are: 

  • Why do I want to be a Pharmacist?
  • What different pharmaceutical paths would I be interested in pursuing? 
  • What makes me an excellent and unique candidate for this program?
  • What are my strengths?

You can learn more about writing a stellar personal statement in our blog post: How to Write a Compelling Personal Statement for Pharmacy School 

Application tip: If you have any discrepancies with your grades, add them to your personal statement. It allows the admissions counselor to gain context on your overall educational experience. 

STEP 6

Review Application for Accuracy

Before submitting, be sure to double-check your application in its entirety for accuracy. If you are in the process of completing prerequisites upon applying, be sure to update your coursework in the PharmCAS system upon completion. 

You also need to pay the PharmCAS application fee upon submission. The fee is $175 for one school & $55 for each additional school you apply to. There are no waivers for the fee available through NEOMED. 

After you submit, PharmCAS will send you emails afterward to verify transcripts and coursework. Please respond promptly so your application can be verified and reviewed.

STEP 1

Create Your PharmDirect Login Account

Create a login to the PharmDirect application and complete no later than June 1st. Candidates need to have the first half of their senior year in high school or first semester in college done before submitting the application.

STEP 2

ENTER AND SUBMIT OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

College transcripts can be sent electronically and ordered through the PharmDirect application. High school transcripts must be physically mailed to the processing center with a cover page.


PharmDirect Transcript Processing Center:

P.O. Box 9133
Watertown, MA 02471

STEP 3

PharmDirect Evaluators Submit their Evaluations

Two evaluators (letter writers) must submit evaluations to “Letters by Liaison” Evaluator Portal in PharmDirect system. Evaluators upload letters of reference via the Evaluator Portal. NEOMED requires candidates to submit two evaluations with their applications. Applicants cannot submit evaluations themselves and paper or email evaluations are not accepted. It is ultimately up to you, the applicant, to select who the evaluations are from. NEOMED prefers its candidates to have evaluators from (1) a pharmacist and (2) a science faculty member.

STEP 4

Enter Professional Experiences, Achievements, Licenses, or Certifications

It is important to highlight your experiences on your pharmacy school application. In this section, you will want to take the time to articulate your interest in the pharmacy profession by displaying your extracurricular activities and/or volunteer experience. Some examples to include may consist of pharmacy experience, healthcare experience, or extracurricular activities. Similarly, achievements and accolades are excellent ways to strengthen your candidacy. Certain honors, publications, or scholarships you have received are great to include on your application. Furthermore, demonstrating leadership skills and abilities is an essential soft skill of being a pharmacist.

STEP 5

Write Your Pharmacy School Personal Statement

The personal statement in your application is essentially a narrative essay about what has brought you to apply to pharmacy school and what your aspirations are next. It is best to relate back to your interest and experience in pharmaceuticals and medicine throughout your essay in a natural way. Essays that are copied and pasted from other websites and sources will be flagged and penalized. Though the nature of the essay is personal, it is imperative to write your essay in a professional manner.  Some questions to address in your personal statement are: 

  • Why do I want to be a Pharmacist?
  • What different pharmaceutical paths would I be interested in pursuing? 
  • What makes me an excellent and unique candidate for this program?
  • What are my strengths?

You can learn more about writing a stellar personal statement in our blog post: How to Write a Compelling Personal Statement for Pharmacy School 

Application tip: If you have any discrepancies with your grades, add them to your personal statement. It allows the admissions counselor to gain context on your overall educational experience. 

STEP 6

Review Application for Accuracy

Before submitting, be sure to double-check your application in its entirety for accuracy. If you are in the process of completing prerequisites upon applying, be sure to update your coursework in the PharmDirect system upon completion. 

You also need to pay the PharmCAS application fee upon submission. PharmDirect charges a processing fee of $50 for each program you apply to. There are no waivers for the fee available through NEOMED. 

After you submit, PharmDirect will send you emails afterward to verify transcripts and coursework. Please respond promptly so your application can be verified and reviewed.

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Pharmacy Application
Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply to the Pharm.D. program while still completing prerequisites?

Yes! Candidates are encouraged to apply for admission early and interview while prerequisite coursework is in progress. You must present evidence of successful completion of all of your remaining prerequisites before beginning orientation. 

Will I be penalized for applying without a bachelor’s degree?

No! Candidates with a bachelor’s will not be given preference over applicants that have completed the 60 semester hours of prerequisite coursework.

Will I be penalized for submitting my application without a PCAT score?

Nope! This will not negatively affect your application.

If I repeat a prerequisite course, will PharmCAS only consider the higher grade I received in its GPA calculations?

PharmCAS will count both courses toward the GPA— not just the highest grade.

If I am not accepted into NEOMED College of Pharmacy, how soon can I apply again?

You can apply for the following year. Students who have a lower GPA can finish a bachelor’s degree or complete a Master’s degree to bring up their overall GPA.

Are there benefits to applying Early Assurance?

  • Accepted candidates already have a reserved seat in the Pharm.D. program if meeting GPA requirements.
  • The acceptance into the Early Assurance program is non-binding. Meaning students can change their minds about attending NEOMED at any time.
  • All accepted candidates into the Early Assurance program will be invited to be a part of activities on NEOMED’s campus and virtual events.
  • A current NEOMED student will be assigned as a Peer Advisor to all accepted Early Assurance candidates to ask questions. NEOMED tries to pair candidates with a current student who went to the same undergraduate school.

Get in Touch with Us Today

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Post-Application Process: What to Do Next

You hit submit on your application and breathe a sigh of relief, but you may be wondering: what is next? There are a few steps you can take while awaiting a decision on your pharmacy school application.

How to Prepare for Pharmacy School Interview

After submitting the PharmCAS application, selected candidates are invited to interview on a rolling basis starting in approximately September. Candidates are contacted via email only using the address on file in PharmCAS. Each applicant receives two interviews in a conversational yet structured format. Candidates may select either a virtual interview or in-person interview upon invitation to interview.

To prepare for your pharmacy school interview, you may want to consider rehearsing answering some commonly asked questions, such as:

→ Why do you want to be a pharmacist?

→ Why do you want to go to this school and not somewhere else?

→ What makes you a good fit for this school? Why should we accept you over someone else?

→ How will you balance the demanding workload of pharmacy school and your personal life? 

You can read more on how to prepare for your pharmacy school interview by visiting our blog post: 4 Tips For Your Pharmacy School Interview.

Schedule a Campus Visit

Settled across a vast 120-acre campus in beautiful Rootstown, Ohio, the NEOMED campus is home to the next generation of great health care professionals. You can get your feet on the ground and experience a day in the life of a NEOMED student by registering for a Pharmacy Discovery Day!

The Pharmacy Discovery Day sessions include: 

  • A presentation introducing attendees to different areas of pharmacy along with a review of our curriculum,
  • Pre-requisite requirements and a student panel,
  • A tour of our campus located in Rootstown, Ohio.

Schedule your Pharmacy Discovery Day here!

Explore Your Financial Aid Options 

After you apply, you can browse NEOMED’s Financial Aid and Scholarship options. You can view our Financial Aid Calculator here and Financial Aid Application checklist here to prepare ahead. 

Take the Next Step in Becoming a Transformational Leader:
Apply to NEOMED College of Pharmacy today!

Becoming an influential health care professional is within reach and it all begins here at NEOMED.

We hope you find this step-by-step guide helpful as you begin your application process. At the College of Pharmacy, we educate and train the next generation of pharmacists to embody courage, compassion and integrity in their practice. Are you ready to join us? Request more information or browse our cutting-edge curriculum. 

If you have questions about the Pharm.D. program or the application process, you can schedule an appointment to speak with an advisor.

Ready to begin your application? Apply today!

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