We have three paths into the professional years (years 3-6) of the Pharm.D. program: entry directly from high school (0-6), internal transfer within URI and external applications.
Most of our students come to us directly from high school, through application to the 0-6 program. Successful candidates typically have high grades in science and mathematics, do well in SATs, and often have earned advanced placement or college credit while in high school. Internal transfers and external applicants join our program in the first professional year and have met all admission requirements.
For more information, students interested in transferring within URI should reach out to Denise Gorenski. External candidates can email transferadmission@uri.edu
All of the information below is applicable to students entering the program through all three paths.
Each admission candidate is given individual consideration. However, a minimum of 18 units of college (secondary school) preparatory work are expected:
- 4 in English
- 3 in algebra and plane geometry
- 2 in a physical or natural science
- 2 in history or social science
- 2 in the same foreign language
- 5 Additional units, to total 18
Selection Factors
The Admission Office carefully evaluates each candidate’s strength in the following areas:
- High School Transcript including the rigor of the high school curriculum and academic performance
- Standardized Test Scores (only SAT or ACT results are reviewed)
- Personal Essay (including an additional paragraph required of all Pharmacy applicants – details are available on the application)
- Letters of Recommendation (two letters are required: one from a science or math teacher and one from a guidance counselor or a teacher from another subject area). These letters of recommendation should comment on your personal motivation, initiative, and interpersonal skills.
- Extracurricular Activities (including employment experiences) and unique talents
Pharmacy applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all of their application materials by the Early Action deadline. The Admission Committee makes every effort to notify pharmacy applicants of their admission status by January 31.
Requirements For Progression to the Professional Program
Students who are admitted to the zero-6 Pharm.D. program spend the first two years enrolled in University College. During this time, they are required to take all the pharmacy pre-requisite courses and the majority of the courses needed to meet the University’s general education requirement. Students may then progress to the College of Pharmacy providing they meet all the progression requirements. The progression process is initiated after the third semester in University College. Progression to the College of Pharmacy is dependent upon students meeting the following requirements.
Academic Standards
- Students must have completed 45 credits and have an overall grade point average >3.0
- After three semesters, students must have completed 13 of the following 17 required science and math courses with a grade point average of at least 2.7 and no grade lower than C-:
- BIO 101, 103, 220, 221, 222, 223
- CHM 101, 102, 112, 114, 226, 227, 228
- MTH 131
- STA 307
- CMB 201, 311
- Students must have completed ECN 201, WRT 106, COM 100 and PHL 212
In their fourth semester successful candidates must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.70 in the remaining required science prerequisite courses. Unsuccessful students, identified at the end of the third and fourth semesters, will lose their place in the professional program. Students who lose their place in this manner may re-take courses to try to meet the academic requirements and reapply as internal transfer students to the first professional year of the Pharm.D. program. These students must meet all the requirements for transfer students as outlined below and will compete with internal and external transfer students for a place in the professional program.
In addition to the academic requirements, you must be able to meet the requirements for a pharmacy intern license and certain introductory and advance practice sites also require you to undergo a criminal background check and submit to drug testing. You will also be expected to meet the technical standards and to adhere to the professional standards of behavior.
Interview
During your sophomore year, you will be required to have a formal interview. Your progression to the professional program will be contingent upon a successful interview. The interview is designed to assess your commitment to the profession of pharmacy, knowledge of the profession and ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Zero-6 Program Eligibility
Our Pharm.D. is a zero-6 program. As an entering freshman, you maintain eligibility for entry into the four professional years provided you have a 2.7 GPA in required science and math courses after three semesters, with no grade below C-, and successfully pass an interview during the fourth semester. You must continue to have a minimum 2.7 GPA in required science courses with no grade less than a C- at the end of your fourth semester.