Overview
The pre-pharmacy requirements are constructed to ensure that applicants have the primary academic background necessary to undertake a rigorous professional curriculum, as well as adequate exposure to a broad range of academic coursework.
- The application period for PharmCAS begins in June and the cycle ends January 5, 2011. No exceptions.
- A conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or equivalent) is required prior to entering the program.
- A supplemental application and supplemental application fee (non-refundable) is required. There are no fee waivers at this time.
- Science and mathematic prerequisite courses must be designed for science majors.
- Applicants must have all required coursework completed prior to orientation.
- Prospective students are strongly encouraged to carry full course loads during undergraduate study.
- Two letters of recommendation are required; (1) from a pharmacist or other health care provider, (2) from a professor or other faculty member. All other letters are optional. Letters should be sent directly to PharmCAS.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
- Science courses more than 9 years old may be required to be re-taken.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8.
- Advanced placement credit is accepted for the Calculus and Physics requirement as long as such credit appears on the undergraduate transcript and indicates either specific subject credit (e.g. Physics - 4 units) or specific course credit (e.g. Physics 101 - 4 units). General advanced placement credit without such specifications is not accepted. The AP credit score must be a 4 or higher.
- The Admissions Committee reserves the right of final decision with regard to acceptable coursework and alternatives.
| Academic Prerequisites | Semesters/Quarters |
| General Chemistry* | 2 / 3 |
| Organic Chemistry* | 2 / 3 |
| Biochemistry, or Cell & Molecular Biology | 1 / 1 |
| General Biology* | 2 / 3 |
| Microbiology | 1 / 1 |
| Physiology | 1 / 1 |
| Physics* | 1 / 1 |
| Calculus (1 year of high school Calculus is acceptable**) | 1 / 1 |
| Statistics | 1 / 1 |
| Economics (Micro or Macro) | 1 / 1 |
| Psychology | 1 / 1 |
| Public Speaking | 1 / 1 |
* Course must have lab component or lab equivalent.
** 1 year of high school calculus must have been completed with a grade of B- or higher. High school transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admissions by June 30, 2011.
Recommended
- Volunteer or work experience in a healthcare setting for a minimum of 40 hours is encouraged. It is strongly recommended that applicants complete this experience in a pharmacy setting.
- One additional Physiology Course
- Leadership experience
- Experience in a community service organization or volunteer experience helping the less fortunate and /or helping to promote the profession of pharmacy.
Foreign Graduates
California Northstate College of Pharmacy accepts applications from graduates of foreign institutions provided they hold either US Citizenship or US Permanent Resident Status at the time of application. We are currently unable to provide any student visa service for applicants who do not hold one of the above.
In addition, the College of Pharmacy will not accept foreign transcripts prior to being accepted. Transcripts and coursework from foreign institutions must be evaluated by either WES, ECE or IERF. Evaluations must be sent directly to PharmCAS and must include semester units and letter grades for each course, as well as a cumulative GPA and, if possible, a science GPA. If accepted, your must provide an official copy of your transcript directly to the Office of Admission. If a copy of your official transcript is not received, prior to the start of school, the offer of admission will be revoked and the seat will be offered to another candidate.
Applicants who receive their degree from a non-English speaking country may be requested to submit scores from the TOEFL Examination or the TSE. This will not apply if an additional degree is obtained at a U.S. institution.
If there is a question about the level of English Proficiency you may be requested to submit scores from the TOEFL Examination or the TSE.
Minimum TOEFL score: Paper – 550, CBT – 213
Minimum TSE: 50
Foreign students who do not have a Bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution must complete a year of English Composition, and the public speaking, economics, and psychology prerequisite courses at a U.S. college or university.
All items listed in the previous "Overview" and "Recommended" sections apply to Foreign graduates.
