Admissions Information
Apply early to have the greatest opportunity to earn scholarships
The sooner you start the application process, the better. Take these steps:
- Create a PharmCAS account.
- Designate the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy on your application.
- Applications, evaluations, transcripts, and application fees must be received by the deadline.
- PharmCAS application instructions: https://www.pharmcas.org/application-instructions
We do not require a bachelor's degree to apply. You can enter without a bachelor's degree and be eligible to earn a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science after completing your second year (credit hour completion pending).
Our team is here to support you throughout this process!
To see PharmCAS Application and Conduct information, please visit the PharmCAS website.The application to the Doctor of Pharmacy program is available through the Pharmacy College Application Service or PharmCAS, a centralized application service to apply to multiple degree programs offered by schools and college of pharmacy. PharmCAS is designed for first-year professional PharmD degree programs.
We do not require a bachelor's degree to apply. Students entering without a bachelor's degree will earn a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science after successfully completing their second year.
The application to the Doctor of Pharmacy program is available through Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). PharmCAS is a centralized application service to apply to multiple degree programs offered by schools and colleges of pharmacy. PharmCAS is designed for first-year professional PharmD degree programs.
Pharmacy School Transfer Policy: We do not accept transfer credits from other Schools/Colleges of Pharmacy. Applicants to the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy must complete all prerequisites with a grade of C or higher (C- or below is not acceptable) at a college or university that is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges or one of its regional affiliates.
- Prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to starting the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Courses may be listed as “in-progress” at the time of application.
- Applicants may complete no more than 3 courses in the summer prior to matriculation. A Summer Extension Waiver must be submitted and approved by the Admissions Team to utilize this option.
- Science and Calculus prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the last 10 years of the semester in which the applicant intends to enroll.
- In many cases, applicants may be admitted while they are completing their coursework but the number of courses in progress may affect the decision of the admissions committee should there not be sufficient coursework to evaluate.
Transcripts
All transcripts must be submitted to PharmCAS regardless of the age or transferability of courses. The admissions committee considers all coursework completed and derives a cumulative GPA from all colleges and universities attended. Failure to reveal all transcripts will result in disqualification.
Once admitted, official transcripts from all previous colleges and university (including other University of Colorado campuses) attended must be updated in the candidates PharmCAS application using the Academic Update. Updated official transcripts must be provided as soon as each subsequent term is completed. (Summer transcripts are due directly to the Admissions Team).
Two Evaluations (letters of recommendation) are required as part of the PharmCAS application. Letters submitted in lieu of completing the form will not be accepted. The applicant should seek recommendations attesting to their academic performance (academic recommendation) or on the applicant’s professional skills and potential for success in a rigorous professional degree program (professional recommendation).
Evaluations from friends/family/coworkers are not accepted. Please see full list of acceptable evaluator categories on the University of Colorado’s School Directory Page.
Interview Options
- Qualified applicants will have the option to complete an on-site or virtual interview, and if eligible, receive an offer of admission. A partial travel reimbursement is available for eligible candidates.
- Interviews will begin in September with multiple dates offered throughout the remainder of the academic year.
When a candidate meets the threshold to be invited for an interview, the school’s Admissions Team will contact the candidate directly with a summary of available interview dates (via email).
Please see more information regarding interviews on our interviews section.
GPA
The average GPA of our admitted students is typically around 3.4. Competition is commonly the strongest among out-of-state applicants.
PCAT Requirement
The PCAT is not required. If the PCAT (or MCAT) is submitted, it will be considered supplementary information only.
Confirmation Deposit
- Within two weeks after receiving a letter of acceptance, applicants must submit a $200 initial confirmation deposit to hold their position in the entering class. By March 1, an additional $200 confirmation deposit will be required (totaling $400). If the applicant submitted their application by November 1, no deposit is required.
- Applicants that receive a letter of acceptance after March 1 will be required to submit the total admission deposit of $400.
- Deposits will be credited after the first semester of matriculation.
Criminal Background Check
- Each admitted student must submit to a national background check upon initial, conditional acceptance to pharmacy school. The rationale for performing criminal background checks on accepted pharmacy school applicants is based on a number of issues, including 1) the need to enhance the safety and well-being of patients and, in so doing, to bolster the public’s continuing trust in the pharmacy profession, 2) to ascertain the ability of accepted applicants to complete their pharmacy education (students are required to maintain a State of Colorado pharmacy intern license while participating in the pharmacy curriculum which includes direct patient care activities) and to eventually become licensed pharmacists.
- In support of this recommendation, AACP has initiated a PharmCAS-facilitated national background check service through which Certiphi Screening, Inc. (a Vertical Screen ® Company) will procure a national background report on applicants at the point of acceptance. AACP has initiated this service in order to recognize the desire of pharmacy schools to procure appropriate national criminal history reports and to prevent applicants from paying additional fees at each pharmacy school at which they are accepted.
Drug Testing
- All matriculated students are required to undergo drug testing and will receive further information regarding this requirement after they are enrolled in the program.
Technical Standards for Admission, Advancement and Graduation
- The School of Pharmacy reserves the right to choose to correspond with applicants via e-mail, phone, or by U.S. Postal Services. It is incumbent upon the applicant to ensure a current email, phone, and postal address are currently on file. The School of Pharmacy cannot be held accountable if the candidate does not receive or respond to application or admission related correspondence.
- E-mail messages generated by the School of Pharmacy and related services may be sent simultaneously to multiple applicants. To avoid missing important e-mails, turn the “spam” or “junk” email filters off during the application cycle or periodically check your spam/junk e-mail file for the School of Pharmacy-related messages.
Pharmacy School Transfer Policy: We do not accept transfer credits from other Schools/Colleges of Pharmacy.
Other Programs: Non-Degree Seeking Students
Interview basics:
On-campus interview day information:
Admitted students will be sent an electronic acceptance package with several forms, all of which must be completed and returned to the school along with any corresponding documentation, fees, or certificates.
We must receive, in our office:A completed admission response form with a nonrefundable deposit (prior to March 1st, a $200 Tuition Deposit is due two weeks within accepting an offer to CU Pharmacy. A second $200 Confirmation Deposit is due two weeks after the March 1st Cooperative Admission Guidelines deadline – for a total of $400.)
- Submission of the electronic Residency Verification Form
- Official transcripts from the summer semester (if applicable), as they are not collected by PharmCAS. Please note, if you are enrolled in classes during the summer to complete prerequisites, prior approval is required.
- Basic cardiac life support (CPR) certification (adult, infant and child with AED). This must be maintained for the entire four years of the program.
- Please visit the Class Page for additional information.
- Immunization Documentation - Submit the Proof of Current Immunization Form to the Office of Experiential Programs by July 1.
- You’ll access the Complio system after receiving your school email to upload your records. Contact [email protected] with questions.
Failure to attend on the first day of orientation and participation in the orientation week without prior notice will result in your offer of admission being rescinded and your application being withdrawn.
All prerequisite courses must be completed and official transcripts or grade reports must be submitted before students may register for or attend this course.
a. Any applicant that is admitted into the program can choose to defer their enrollment prior to August 1. Deferring your enrollment is not an extenstion to complete prerequisite requirements.
b. Candidates who chose the deferral option must meet the following criteria:
- During the following cycle, all deferred applicants must complete a new background check.
- Candidates may only defer for one year. If a candidate decides to not enter the program after the year deferral, they must complete a new application to be reconsidered for the program.
- All candidates must have paid the $400 deposit at the time they decide to defer. This deposit is non-refundable.
- Candidates must meet all current requirements and any new requirements required to enter into the program.
- The candidate must finish all prerequisite courses no later than December 31st of the term that they originally applied to. All transcripts must be received upon completion of missing coursework. If transcripts are not available until a later date, the candidate must notify the Admissions Team.
c. All deferred candidates from the year prior must notify the school by March 1st with their intention to enroll. If the school does not receive notification from the applicant, the school will not guarantee a spot will be held for the candidate in the fall.