Frequently Asked Questions
Cost and Financial Aid
Residency Information
Program Information
1. What type of degree does this program offer?
The Pacific University School of Pharmacy program leads to a Pharm.D.
2. Is the program accredited?
Yes, the program is fully accredited by ACPE.
3. How long will it take me to complete the program?
The program is three continuous years.
4. Can I attend the program part-time or online?
No, the program is full-time and on-site only
Admissions Process
1. How do I apply?
The application is a two step process. We require that applicants complete the PharmCAS
application and the Pacific Supplemental Application online.
2. When do I apply?
PharmCAS: June -November
Pacific Supplemental Application: July-December
3. How many letters of reference do I need and how do I submit them?
All letters of reference need to be submitted through PharmCAS. We require two letters of
reference, but you can submit up to four through PharmCAS.
4. Is pharmacy experience required?
We do not mandate a specific amount of pharmacy experience hours; however, the
strongest applicants do have pharmacy experience.
5. Is the PCAT required?
No, we do not take the PCAT into consideration.
6. Is there a minimum GPA requirement for applying to the Pharm.D. program?
Yes, an applicant's science, cumulative, and last 45 semester credit GPA's must each be a
minimum of a 2.7 to qualify to apply to the program.
7. Is an interview required?
Yes, we will invite those who qualify to a mandatory interview.
Applicant Profile
1. What is the average GPA of students applying?
The average GPA for the accepted students of the Class of 2015 was a 3.4.
2. Is a Bachelor's degree required?
No, we do not require a Bachelor's degree. The School of Pharmacy requires students to
complete 62 semester credit hours of prerequisites which can be found here
http://www.pacificu.edu/pharmd/admissions/prerequisites/index.cfm. Completing a
Bachelor's degree can help an applicant become a more competitive candidate.
3. Is there a specific major the School of Pharmacy wants to see applicants
pursuing?
No, we do not require/prefer students major in a specific Bachelor degree program. The
important factor is completing the correct prerequisites with a strong GPA. You can have the
admissions office evaluate your transcript by completing the prerequisite worksheet.
4. What is the number of applicants, how many are interviewed, and how many
seats are available?
For Fall 2012, the admissions office received approximately 901 completed applications, interviewed 285, and the approximate available seats in the class for each year is 100.
International Applicants
1. Can international students apply to Pacific University's School of Pharmacy?
Yes, we accept international students to the program. International students must complete
the same application requirements mandatory for all applicants.
2. Is the TOEFL exam required?
Yes, the TOEFL exam is required if the student's first language is not English. Check our
English Language Proficiency Requirement for details.
3. Can I use my coursework outside of the United States towards the prerequisites?
Applicants must have all coursework completed at a foreign university evaluated by a third
party organization; such as, WES or ECE. You will then need to have your coursework
evaluated by the graduate admissions office to determine if any of the international
coursework can fulfill the prerequisites.
Cost and Financial Aid?
1. What is the cost of the program?
Tuition and fees: $42,750 for 2012-2013
2. Is financial aid available?
Need-based aid in the form of grants, loans, work-study, and other funding is available to
those who demonstrate financial need. Visit the financial aid website for more details.
1. How many of your students apply for residencies?
We have averaged more than 24% of the graduating class applying for residencies. Of those students that submitted a rank list, 44-62% have matched, which has been similar to the national average for all schools of pharmacy.
2. How do residency applicants address the GPA question when your grading system is 90% Pass/No Pass?
Our students have attached an explanation of our program, our evaluation system and our grading structure when completing their residency applications. This has answered the majority of questions residency selection committees have requested.
3. Are there many residencies available in the region?
There are about 40 residency (PGY1, PGY2) and fellowship positions in the region. Residency Directors coordinate a Citywide group to share ideas and training for residents from Medford, OR to Vancouver, WA. Additionally, a Teaching Certificate Program is available to regional residents through a collaborate effort between Pacific University and Oregon State University.