Admissions Criteria

Admissions Requirements:

• Complete 90 semester hours of required course work at an accredited institution. Courses in the pre-pharmacy curriculum are not offered at the UT Health Science Center. If you have not completed all pre-requisite coursework you will submit a proposed plan for completion as part of the application process.
• Achieve a grade of "C" or higher for each required pre-pharmacy course. The overall academic average for all courses completed must not be less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Complete the national Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) with a minimum composite score of 40th percentile and individual subject area score of not less than 25th percentile. Applicants with below minimum PCAT scores will not be interviewed. The minimum composite percentile is not a competitive score. The national average composite score is 50th percentile and the average accepted student is 80th percentile. The Admissions Committee strongly advises applicants to take the PCAT in the Summer or Fall prior to the year of admission. This gives you time to take the test again in January if you believe that a re-take will significantly improve your score. To apply for PCAT testing, write, call or visit the PCAT website (you can register for the PCAT online):

  Pearson
  19500 Bulverde Rd.
  San Antonio, TX 78259
  1-800-622-3231 (toll free) or 210-339-8710 (local)
  Website: http://www.pcatweb.info

• Complete the PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service) application online and designate that the application be sent to the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. Please note that all transcripts, PCAT scores, and letters of reference must be sent to PharmCAS; do not send these items to the UT College of Pharmacy.
• Complete a personal admission interview with a College of Pharmacy representative (by invitation only).
• Only admitted students will be required to complete the UT College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application online and submit the $75 fee.

NOTE: These are minimum acceptable requirements. Admission to the College is very highly competitive, and successful candidates for admission will generally present credentials significantly higher than the minimum requirements.

Admissions Criteria:

I. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

A. Overall/cumulative Grade Point Average
B. Grade Point Average in required courses
C. Science courses (especially Organic Chemistry) are best predictors of academic success in pharmacy school
D. Completeness of transcript (percentage of required courses completed at time of application)
E. Trends in Grade Point Average (most recent grades are most indicative of performance)
F. Additional coursework taken and amount of time in school
G. Although not required, completion of BS degree is very valuable
H. Completion of graduate work will receive preference

II. STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

A.  PCAT (minimum of 40th percentile on the composite score with no less than 25th percentile in any individual section).
B. Chemistry and Biology scores on the PCAT are the best predictors of academic success in Pharmacy school.
 

III. INTERVIEW

A. Communication (oral and written)
B. Motivation for pharmacy (worked in a pharmacy, visited with a pharmacist, etc.)
C. Commitment to care for patients and willingness to take responsibility for patients
D. Personality, character, and personal assessment
E. Interpersonal relationships (people skills)
F. Support mechanisms and coping skills

IV. REFERENCES

A. Letters of Reference (three letters are reference are part of the PharmCAS application)
B. Personal conversations (e.g., with employers)

V. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

A. Participation in community service activities
B. Participation in organizations and activities (clubs, sports, band, cheerleading, etc.)
C. Holding a leadership office is very important.
D. "Active" participation vs. "member" of organizations and community agencies
E. Hobbies, leisure activities, personal interests (well-rounded and balanced)

VI. WORK EXPERIENCE

A. Pharmacy work experience (with whom, how long, etc.)
B. Other non-pharmacy work experience (supervisory, number of hours per week)

VII. OTHER

A. Non-resident (Out-of-state, minimum 10% per class)
B. Re-applicant, if improved and competitive
C. Alumni children (College of Pharmacy; UT Health Science Center; UT system)
D. Minority (goal = minimum 10%)
E. Veterans

2007 Averages for Accepted Students: