1. All applications must be submitted through PharmCAS.
To apply to the South College Doctor of Pharmacy program, you’ll first need to create an account at pharmcas.org. PharmCAS is a centralized application service for applying to PharmD programs. Once you have a PharmCAS account, you can select South College as a school of interest and access the admissions application. PharmCAS also provides a PharmD school directory where you can find information about South College and other pharmacy schools.
2. Get organized in advance.
Our Pharmacy school requires 2 letters of reference (and strongly prefers 3), so request those letters as soon as possible. You’ll also need to have an official transcript sent to PharmCAS. Likewise, having your own copy of your transcript will be useful for entering your coursework into the application. Finally, when completing your application, keep your resume on hand or make a list of your work experience, extracurricular activities, honors, and awards in advance, so that you don’t accidentally forget something that you’d like to include!
3. You can apply while your prerequisites are still in progress.
This varies by school, but, for South College, you can apply while you are in the process of completing your prerequisites. If you are accepted, a final completed transcript will be required before you can start. For students in the Health Science Pre-Pharmacy program at South College, our Pharmacy Admissions team typically suggests submitting the application after grades are published following the fall quarter of your second year.
4. Write your essay outside of the application.
Writing and editing your essay in Microsoft Word or a similar program will be easier than doing so in the application. Before copying and pasting the final version of your essay into PharmCAS, carefully review, proofread, and spellcheck what you’ve written. PharmCAS will run all essays through a plagiarism checker, so answer the prompt for yourself and avoid looking up inspiration or ideas of what to write online.
5. Give yourself enough time to complete your application.
Expect that finishing your application will take multiple sittings and between one month to six weeks. The application is divided into four quadrants, so focus on one quadrant at a time, saving your information as you go. When setting your timeline, know that PharmCAS reviews every application submitted for accuracy and completeness. This process can take up to 2 weeks after all materials are received, and South College will only receive the application after the PharmCAS review is complete.
6. Demonstrating certain qualities can help you stand out.
Our Pharmacy team looks for candidates who have strong recommendation letters, have work or volunteer pharmacy experience, and show close attention to detail throughout the application. The more detail you provide, the better our team gets to know you and your story. Because we offer a 3-year accelerated PharmD program, we also look for people who have developed time management skills perhaps through previously balancing school with work and/or family responsibilities. Finally, academics do matter but are not the only piece of the puzzle. If you are worried about your academics, talk with our Admissions team before applying to explain your situation and seek advice on how to address those concerns within your application.
7. Aim to submit your application no later than March.
The PharmCAS application usually opens in mid-July and closes June 1. South College accepts applications through that period on a rolling basis, with candidates advised to apply earlier in the cycle rather than later. The later you apply, the more likely it is for the upcoming class to be full. Applying early also gives you more time to address any issues with your application, schedule an interview, and make your final decision. If you are unsure when to apply, contact our Pharmacy Admissions team to talk through your individual situation.
8. Our Pre-Pharmacy students who meet requirements will receive interviews.
If you apply as a student in our Pre-Pharmacy program and meet the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement, you will be offered an interview. However, a guaranteed interview does not guarantee acceptance. Your academics, letters of reference, work experience, interview performance, and more will still be carefully evaluated and will be critical to gaining acceptance.
9. Our Pharmacy team delivers a quick turnaround on feedback and acceptance.
Once the South College Pharmacy team receives your application, our goal is to provide initial feedback or any follow-up questions within 5 business days. For those who get an interview, our committee meets at the start of each week to review all interviews that occurred in the prior week. Acceptance decisions and phone calls are generally made on Monday or Tuesday of the week following your interview. We are also happy to provide status updates at any time.
10. Our Admissions team wants to help.
Applying to Pharmacy school is a big moment in your life and we know it can feel intimidating. Our goal is to make this process as smooth as it can be. Our Admissions team is here to support you and answer all of your questions along the way, so please don’t hesitate to use our contact information below to request more information or ask for help.
Jill Brehmer
Director of Operations School of Pharmacy
(865) 288-5779, [email protected]
Brittany Galyon
Admissions and Student Outreach Coordinator, School of Pharmacy
(865) 288-5871, [email protected]
We wish you the best of luck on applying to Pharmacy school!