Our priority is always the health and safety of every member of our campus community as well as the patients we serve today and in the future. Click here for more information.
Click here for messages from our President
CPDG considers for admission applicants who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as outstanding members of the pharmacy profession. The CPDG admissions environment is selective; approximately 600 applications were received in 2020.
Applications received on or before the application deadline are reviewed to determine applicant eligibility for an on-campus interview. Within its competitive admissions framework, CPDG uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates. Cumulative grade point average (GPA), science GPA, letters of recommendation, written communication skills, verbal communication skills, health care experience, knowledge of the profession, and motivation for choosing pharmacy careers are considered when reviewing an applicant's file.
Students seeking admission to CPDG must submit the following documented evidence:
The Pharm.D. Program at CPDG is rigorous and challenging. The CPDG Admissions Committee will therefore assess the quality and rigor of the pre-pharmacy academic records presented by applicants. When assessing the pre-pharmacy academic records of applicants, the Admissions Committee will:
Course | Sem Hrs | Qtr Hrs |
Biology with labs | 8 | 12 |
Human or Vertebrate Anatomy | 3 | 4 |
General Chemistry with labs | 8 | 12 |
Organic Chemistry with labs | 8 | 12 |
Physics (mechanics, heat, force, and motion must be included in the course) | 3 | 4 |
Calculus (integral and differential) | 3 | 4 |
English Composition | 6 | 9 |
Speech/Public Speaking | 3 | 4 |
Economics | 3 | 4 |
Statistics (general statistics or biostatistics) | 3 | 4 |
Social and Behavioral Science Electives (Any two courses within the areas of psychology, sociology, anthropology, or political science) | 6 | 9 |
General Education Electives (Any three courses not related to science, math, physical education or health care. Recommended courses include arts and humanities, foreign language, and business and computer courses.) |
8 | 12 |
Total | 62 | 90 |
An international student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post-secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, 6 hours in non-remedial English composition, and 3 hours in speech/public speaking.
Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the U.S. or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:
International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.
For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.
The Technical Standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the college.
Candidates must be able to perform the following abilities and skills:
1. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device. Observation necessitates the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses. [The candidate must be able to accurately auscultate lung/breath, heart and bowel sounds to complete the curricular requirement to individually complete physical examination of a patient/client]
2. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
3. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine motor movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. Candidates must be able to lift 20 lbs vertically and horizontally.
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidate must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process. The candidate must agree to participate in touching/palpating on the skin and being touched/palpated on the skin by individuals regardless of gender in all academic settings. These activities will take place in large and small group settings as directed in the College’s curricular requirements.
Candidates are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet these Technical Standards at least 4 weeks prior to matriculation (or if admitted later, within 1 week of deposit). Candidates who may only meet Technical Standards with accommodation, must contact the Disability Services Office to make a formal request for accommodation. The Disability Committee, in consultation with the College Dean/Program Director, will determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided. The College is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum.
Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment at the College. After matriculation, if a student fails to continue to meet the Technical Standards during subsequent enrollment, the student may apply for accommodation by contacting the Disability Services Office. If the accommodation needed to meet the Technical Standards alters the educational standards of the curriculum, the student’s ability to satisfactorily progress in the curriculum will be evaluated by the appropriate College’s Student Graduation and Promotion Committee.
Applicants must submit a completed Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) application.
Applicants are required to submit a completed Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) application and pay application fees to PharmCAS by April 1, 2021. In addition to the online application and application fees, applicants must forward to PharmCAS official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended by the April 1st date. PharmCAS will not consider an application complete and will not begin the verification process until all official transcripts are received. (Students who have taken coursework and/or earned a degree from a foreign institution must also submit an evaluation of their transcripts from an approved foreign transcript evaluation service).
Students must apply for admission via the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) at www.PharmCAS.org. Please refer to the PharmCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the PharmCAS application, required documents, and processing time. PharmCAS applications are typically available beginning in June of the academic year preceding the year in which the applicant plans to matriculate. Students are strongly encouraged to complete their PharmCAS application early in the cycle. CPDG will consider completed applications on a first-come, first-served basis until all seats are filled.
No PCAT score is required for admission, however it is preferred that applicants whose cumulative and science GPAs are below 2.75 arrange for scores from the PCAT to be sent directly to PharmCAS using PCAT code 104. Only test scores received directly from PharmCAS and scores earned from the test offered in 2016 or more recently will be accepted. This exam is offered by Harcourt Assessment, Inc., (also known as Pearson), 800-622-3231; www.pcatweb.info. The exam is typically offered four times per year. It is recommended that 1st time PCAT test takers should take the exam no later than January 2021. Please check with Harcourt Assessment, Inc. for the exam dates.
Applicants currently applying to another college within Midwestern University may have scores from the MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE transferred, which is preferred if their cumulative and science GPAs are below 2.75. Current MWU students wishing to apply to the college of pharmacy may have scores from the MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE transferred, which is preferred if their cumulative and science GPAs are below 2.75.
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from professionals to PharmCAS (www.PharmCAS.org). The Office of Admissions will only accept letters of recommendation received directly from PharmCAS. One letter should be written by a college professor who has actually taught the student or by a prehealth advisory committee. It is preferred that the second letter be written by a pharmacist. However, any one of the following recommenders is also acceptable: prehealth advisory committee, science professor, or another health care professional who knows the applicant well. Please refer to the PharmCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.
All application materials, including the PharmCAS application, official transcripts (as submitted to PharmCAS), PCAT scores (preferred if cumulative and science GPAs are below 2.75) and two letters of recommendation (as submitted to PharmCAS), must be received in the Office of Admissions on or before May 1, 2021. Only completed applications received by the Office of Admissions on or before the deadline date will be reviewed for potential entrance into the program.
Please Note: Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and verifying the status of their applications on the University website. The Office of Admissions will send qualified applicants instructions for checking the status of their application materials online.
Applicants are also responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or e-mail address.
Midwestern University
Office of Admissions
555 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630/515-7200; 800/458-6253
admissil@midwestern.edu
The Chicago College of Pharmacy uses a rolling admissions process in which applications are processed and reviewed during regular intervals in the admissions cycle until the class is filled.
Before invitations are issued to attend an on-campus interview, applicants must meet the admission requirements listed previously. After the Office of Admissions receives required application materials, applicant files are reviewed to determine whether applicants merit invitations to attend an interview. Applicants may also be placed on a waiting list pending possible openings toward the end of the admissions cycle. Visits are typically held between September and April. Invited applicants must attend an interview to achieve further consideration in the admissions process.
Candidates will be required to participate in a interview with other pharmacy applicants. Interviews will be used to evaluate verbal communication skills, understanding of the pharmacy profession, commitment to patient care, and other elements as determined by faculty. Applicants will be required to participate in writing sample exercises during the visit. Visits also provide opportunities for candidates to learn more about the pharmacy program, financial aid, student services, as well as tour the Midwestern University campus and pharmacy school facilities.
Following applicant visits, only completed files are forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. The committee may recommend to accept, deny, or place students on the alternate list. Recommendations are then forwarded to the Dean for final approval. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies applicants of their status shortly after their visit.
All requests for application withdrawals must be made in writing.
The matriculation process begins after applicants receive notification of their acceptance. To complete the matriculation process, applicants must:
Applicants who fail to satisfy these matriculation requirements or who omit or falsify information required on official admission documents automatically forfeit their seat in the program. Any individual accepted for admission to the college/program who does not comply with stated timelines for submission of all required materials receives no further notification from the college regarding the forfeiture of their seat.