Pre-Pharmacy Admission Guidelines for First-year Students

Rather than making decisions on a rolling-admission basis, the Admission Committee in the Office of Admission, in collaboration with the CPHS, will select the best candidates from the applicant pool. The number of students admitted directly to pre-pharmacy will depend in part on the number of applications received. A decision will be made on a student’s complete application file, and each file is reviewed individually. The quality of the senior-year curriculum will play a role in the direct admission decision since it is important that students continue to challenge themselves in preparation for their first year in college. An essay is required. Letters of recommendation are optional.

The number of students admitted directly to pre-pharmacy will depend on the number and quality of the application pool. Approximately 57% of students applying to pre-pharmacy for the 2007-2008 academic year were directly admitted. The average high school cumulative grade point average of the students offered admission was 3.89. The average ACT composite score range was 29, with the mid-50% range of 27-31. The average ACT math score range was 29. These benchmarks represent students who have mastered skills at the level of students who tend to progress into the professional program.

Applicants will be considered for direct admission as pre-pharmacy students, for admission to a second program of choice at Drake, or be denied admission to Drake. A waitlist will also be created.

Students admitted directly to pre-pharmacy may progress to the professional PharmD program if they achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in math and science subjects, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher overall, successfully interview for a place in the program, and satisfy other criteria. The grade point averages must be achieved no later than the end of the spring 2009 semester.

For more information about Drake's pharmacy program, please review the FAQs on the pharmacy Web site.