Admissions

NEW: Visit our student-run online forum to learn more about our program, application procedure and interview process.

Before you apply to the WSU PharmD Program, we suggest that you attend a General Information Meeting. Held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Building, these sessions are designed to answer questions about the program.

Admission checklist

The following admission requirements are effective for students applying to the PharmD program for Fall 2017 and later.

  • 2.75 minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA as calculated by PharmCAS.
  • 3.00 minimum prerequisite GPA as calculated by the Wayne State University Admissions Committee. Use our prerequisite worksheet to calculate your GPA; remember to select Pharmacy in the upper left of the page.
  • Students must have earned a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher in all prerequisite coursework.
  • Course-by-course transcript evaluation (if coursework was completed at a non-U.S. institution).
  • The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) with a minimum composite score of 50th percentile or higher, as well as 50th percentile or higher in chemistry, quantitative and biology sections, and 25th percentile or higher in the reading section. (Please note that the most recent PCAT score taken between 2011-2016 will be considered in this year’s admissions process. Scores from the January 2017 testing dates will not be accepted for 2017 admission.)
  • Satisfactory completion of the Wayne State University English language proficiency requirements.
  • Participation in an on-site, face-to-face interview
  • Students who are offered admission to the PharmD program will have a Criminal Background Check performed by Certiphi, Inc. through PharmCAS. Matriculation into the program will depend on the results of that check.

A degree is not required for admission into the PharmD program.

Applicants must abide by all deadlines noted on this website in order to be considered for admission to the WSU PharmD program. Because of the highly competitive nature of admission to this program, successful completion of all admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

Admission requirements

Cumulative undergraduate grade point average

  • Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 as calculated by PharmCAS.
  • Applicants who completed coursework at a non-U.S. institution must also submit a transcript evaluation, which must be conducted by a WSU-approved evaluation service (e.g., World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, etc.). The official course-by-course evaluation must be sent to PharmCAS and to Wayne State University.

Prerequisite coursework

Minimum GPA

  • The minimum prerequisite coursework GPA acceptable for admissions consideration is 3.0, as calculated by the Wayne State University Admissions Committee. Use our prerequisite worksheet to calculate your GPA; remember to select Pharmacy in the upper left of the page.
  • Students must have earned a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher in all prerequisite coursework.

Science and math prerequisites

All science and math prerequisites must be completed within the six years prior to admission. For example, if the application deadline is November 7, 2017, science courses must have been completed no earlier than 2011. In addition, the following prerequisite courses — or their equivalent — must be completed by May 31 of the year for which you are applying. (For instance, to begin the program in Fall 2017, you must complete these courses by May 31, 2017.)

  • BIO 1510 - Basic Life Mechanisms
  • BIO 2200 - Introductory Microbiology & Lab
  • BIO 2870 + BIO 3200 - Anatomy & Physiology (6 credits with at least 3 at the 300/3000 level or above)*
  • CHM 1220/1230 - General Chemistry I & Lab
  • CHM 1240/1250 - Organic Chemistry I & Lab
  • CHM 2220/2230 - Organic Chemistry II & Lab
  • CHM 5600 - Biochemistry
  • MAT 2010 - Calculus I
  • PHY 2130/2131 - General Physics I & Lab

Waiver requests

If any of the science courses were completed more than six years before the time of application submission, you may request a a waiver from the WSU PharmD program — as long as you earned a grade of 2.0 or higher in the science course .

Waiver requests must include: (a) the name, course number, and institution name of the course(s) to be waived and (b) a detailed explanation that describes how your employment experience or recent academic coursework demonstrates mastery of the prerequisite course content. Include a detailed account of the principles and objectives and the prerequisite course content along with specific employment duties or academic achievements. Attach your transcripts showing the grade for the course to the e-mail message. Unofficial transcripts are fine for waiver reviews. Do not send transcripts by mail for waiver reviews. Send the request and all supporting documentation to Tamra Watt, the pharmacy academic services officer, at tamra.watt@wayne.edu.

Example of a six-year waiver request:

Basic Statistics, STA 2020, University of Indiana, Fall 1998
In my work as a research assistant, I develop statistical analysis models for studies involving genomics. I am working on four different projects that require me to collect and analyze data. I prepare monthly statistical reports and identify all statistically significant findings for review by my team. Additionally, I have authored the statistical explanation portions of two published articles since 2001. I also worked as a Teaching Assistant for STA 2040 for three semesters while I was finishing my prerequisites at Hillsboro Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska.


Six-year prerequisite waivers are valid for one application cycle. Applicants reapplying to the PharmD program must submit a new waiver request because they do not roll over from one application cycle to the next.

Non-science prerequisites

The following prerequisite courses — or their equivalent — must be completed by August 31 of the year for which you are applying. (To begin the program in Fall 2017, these courses must be completed by August 31, 2017.)

  • ENG 1020 - Introductory College Writing (BC)
  • STA 1020 - Elementary Statistics
  • COM 1010 - Oral Communication (OC)

University General Education requirements

Students with a bachelor’s degree are exempt from completing the requirements below. Those who qualify under the MACRAO or Michigan Transfer Agreement policy — visit the WSU Transfer Credit website for details — are exempt from all except Intermediate Composition. Students who do not meet any of these criteria must complete the University General Education requirements as listed below:

  • ENG 3010 - Intermediate Composition (IC)
  • Critical Thinking (CT)
  • Social Science (SS) - ECO 1000 or 2010 recommended
  • Historical Studies (HS)
  • Philosophy & Letters (PL)
  • Foreign Culture (FC)
  • Visual & Performing Arts (VP)
  • American Society & Institutions (AI)

For students entering the program in Fall 2017, the general education requirements must be completed before students enter into the second year of the pharmacy curriculum. Students who enter the program in Fall 2018 or later must complete general education requirements prior to starting the PharmD program.

Questions about course equivalencies

Consult the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS) Office of Student Affairs website to find equivalency guides for college and university coursework that are commonly transferred to our College. If you have questions about whether your prerequisite coursework meets the WSU PharmD requirements, review the equivalency guides. You can also conduct a self-service transcript evaluation and/or complete a self-service prerequisite worksheet.

Email any questions regarding prerequisite coursework to the college’s academic service officers at at cphsinfo@wayne.edu.

International Students

Applicants with international transcripts must send a course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation report to PharmCAS from either World Education Services, Inc. or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.

To ensure their applications are reviewed in a timely manner, Canadian applicants must complete the foreign transcript evaluation as indicated above and send student copies of their transcripts (from their college or university) to Wayne State University at:

Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Office of Student Affairs
259 Mack Avenue, Suite 1600
Detroit, MI 48201

Applicants whose native language is not English (regardless of immigration status or citizenship) must meet the University English proficiency requirements.

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

All applicants must complete the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) within five years of the time of application submission. Exams taken prior to this date will not be considered. For example, if the application deadline is November 2, 2016, then the PCAT must have been taken no earlier than 2011.

Applicants must have a PCAT testing date no later than the year prior to admission. For example, if applying for the Fall 2017 entering class, an applicant must have a PCAT score no later than the final test date in 2016. This year, the final test date accepted is November 4, 2016.

A minimum composite score of 50th percentile or higher is required. A 50th percentile or higher in chemistry, quantitative and biology as well as a 25th percentile or higher in the reading section is preferred.

Please note that if you take the PCAT exam more than once, testing scores from the most recent examination date — not necessarily the test with the highest scores — will be considered for admission. Also, only scores from one testing date will be considered. For example, we will not consider a verbal score from one exam, a quantitative score from another exam, and a chemistry score from yet another. All scores must be from the same exam.

Visit the PCAT website to obtain more information and to register for the exam.

PharmCAS Application

All applicants must apply through the Pharmacy College Application Service. The deadline for submission each year is the first Monday of November; for the 2016-2017 cycle, the deadline is November 1, 2016. Applications must be submitted to PharmCAS on or before the first Monday of November in order to be considered for admission for the following fall semester. Access the application at http://www.PharmCAS.org/.

Letters of Reference

Applicants must submit two electronic letters of reference. One letter must be from a college or university instructor; the second can be from any professional reference such as another instructor or a supervisor at a work or volunteer site. Personal references are not accepted. Please note that while PharmCAS will allow applicants to submit up to four letters of references, the WSU PharmD program will only consider two letters for each candidate.

Personal Statement

Applicants must also submit a personal statement with their PharmCAS application. It should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational and professional background will help you achieve your goals.

Early Decision Program (EDP)

In the 2016-2017 application cycle, the Wayne State University PharmD program will participate in the PharmCAS Early Decision Program (EDP), a binding option available to applicants who see Wayne State's PharmD program as their first choice and will enroll if accepted. EDP applicants may only apply to one participating school during the early decision time period. If you wish to participate in the EDP, PharmCAS must receive your completed application, transcripts and submission fee by the deadline date of September 6, 2016.

Select interviews for the EDP will be conducted during September and early October, 2016. EDP offers will be made by October 21, 2016. If offered conditional admission, you are obligated to accept the offer; you will not be permitted to apply to other PharmCAS institutions for the Fall 2017 admission cycle. If offered conditional admission, all rules regarding conditional admission remain (e.g. successful completion of pre-pharmacy courses, etc.). If interested in the EDP, review the information and rules on the PharmCAS website.

Frequently asked questions about the Early Decision Program

Personal Interview

A personal interview will be granted to select individuals who meet all admission requirements by established deadlines. Applicants should obtain as much information as possible about the role of pharmacists and be able to articulate it during the interview process. Interviewers are interested in how well applicants communicate, their drive to be a pharmacist and their understanding of the  pharmacy profession.

Applicants should be able to answer these four questions:

  1. What made you decide to pursue a career in pharmacy?
  2. What preparation have you had to become a pharmacist?
  3. What made you choose Wayne State University's Pharmacy Program?
  4. Assuming you complete the Pharmacy program at Wayne State University, what professional goals do you hope to achieve?

Completion of the personal interview does not guarantee admission to the WSU PharmD Program.

After the interview

The WSU PharmD program has rolling admissions, which means candidates can be accepted before all potential candidates have been interviewed. The Pharmacy Admissions Committee (PAC) will examine candidate data and make one of three recommendations: admit, deny or defer. The first two outcomes are self explanatory; a deferred status means that the PAC has opted to defer a decision on admission into the program until all interviews are complete. Deferred applicants should not infer that they will not be admitted into the program.  Once interviews are complete, the committee will make final decisions regarding deferred candidates.

All candidates will receive notification of their application status via email. Applicants whose admission is deferred will receive a second letter indicating whether they have been accepted into the program by the end of the application cycle.

Non-academic Factors

Non-academic factors, including volunteer experience, experience in a health care setting, and leadership roles in student organizations, are evaluated by the committee. While these factors are not required, they may have a positive impact on your application and affect your ranking against other applicants. However, such experience does not replace or excuse lower academic performance.

Enrollment Deposit

If you are admitted to the WSU PharmD program, you will be asked to submit a nonrefundable $1,000 deposit within two weeks of your admission. The enrollment deposit will be credited to the cost of your tuition.

Contact information

If you have additional questions, please contact:

Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Office of Student Affairs
259 Mack Avenue, Suite 1600
Detroit, MI 48201
313-577-1716
313-577-5589 Fax
cphsinfo@wayne.edu

If you would like to schedule an advising appointment, please contact:

Tamra Watt
Academic Services Officer II
Division of Pharmacy
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
259 Mack Avenue, Suite 2610
Detroit, MI 48201
313-577-4928
tamra.watt@wayne.edu