Admissions Requirements (Pharmacy)

3+4 Accelerated Program in Pharmacy

Please note that because of circumstances prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State has adopted a test-optional admission policy for the 2023 application cycle. While test scores will not be required for general admission, they will be a required application component for phase I of the 3+4 Accelerated Programs (Optometry and Pharmacy) and Penn State College of Medicine Early Assurance Program.

Phase I - Penn State Behrend

Students will be admitted, on a competitive basis, to the Penn State Behrend phase of the program based upon the following minimum criteria:

  • SAT combined math and verbal score of 1200
  • High school GPA of 3.5 and high school rank in top 25% of class;
  • Additional evidence of scholarly and professional potential and desire to become a doctor of pharmacy.
  • Preference given to Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and southwestern New York residents from rural areas, but highly qualified applicants from other geographic locations will also be considered.

Application Process

  1. To begin the application process, apply to Penn State University. Please indicate Penn State Behrend as your first choice for Campus Location and Biology as your choice of major.
    • Applying for the Accelerated Program is a separate application, as this Accelerated program is only offered at the Erie campus.

    • Accelerated Program applications are due no later than January 15, 2023, for the Fall 2023 academic year.

  2. Next, apply for Phase I of the 3+4 Accelerated Program in Pharmacy by completing this Application Form.
  3. Admission into Phase I of the accelerated program is granted on a competitive basis. Following the January deadline for application submission, the Pre-Health Committee will meet to determine which applicants will be offered admission into Phase I of the program. All applicants will be contacted to inform them of the committee’s decision regarding their application.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Pre-Health Committee at [email protected].

Please note, admission into Phase I of the program grants the successful applicant conditional acceptance into Phase II. However, acceptance into Phase II is based on the conditions outlined herein and is administered by the University of Buffalo.

Phase II - University at Buffalo

Penn State Behrend students can receive conditional acceptance based upon the anticipated completion of the Phase I program requirements before June 30 of the admission year. University at Buffalo also may require a formal interview with a designated interviewer as part of the Pharm.D. admission process. The Pharm.D. Admissions Committee is seeking the following minimum requirements:

  • Earn a prerequisite science and mathematics course GPA of 3.5 or better and overall GPA of 3.5 or better (on the 4.0 grading system);
  • Take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) no later than October of the junior year and earned minimum scores of 400 (computed by combining the percentile scores in Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Biology, Chemistry, and Quantitative Ability). A maximum of two test administrations will be allowed.
  • Submit an application through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) during the fall of their junior year, no later than December 1 (or a mutually agreed upon date).
  • Receive a favorable letter of recommendation from the Penn State Behrend Pre-Health Committee.
  • Meet the Pharm.D. Supplemental Application deadline of the first day of February.

See the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Admissions page for more details.