Apply | Doctor of Pharmacy in Downers Grove

CPDG Admission

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.

Admission Requirements for the Pharm.D. Program

Students seeking admission to CPDG must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Completion of 62 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of non-remedial, prerequisite coursework from regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities, or recognized postsecondary Canadian institutions that use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation
   • Preferred minimum cumulative GPA and science GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale
   • Grades of "C" or better for prerequisite courses (grades of C- are not acceptable)
2. No Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) score is required for admission, however if an applicant's cumulative and science GPAs are below 2.75, then the submission of PCAT scores is preferred to enhance the application.
   
   • Scores may be submitted to the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCas) using PCAT code 104
   • PCAT exams are offered multiple times per year by Harcourt Assessment, Inc., (also known as Pearson), 800/622-3231 or www.pcatweb.info
   • Applicants currently applying to another college within Midwestern University may have scores from the MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE transferred, 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, if their cumulative and science GPAs are below 2.75
   • Only scores earned from the test offered in 2016 or more recently are acceptable
3. Demonstration of a people or service orientation as evidenced by community service or extracurricular activities
4. Motivation for and commitment to the pharmacy profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
5. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
6. Completion of the CPDG on-campus interview process (by invitation only)
7. Satisfactory Midwestern University criminal background check
8. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy

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:

1. View applicants with cumulative GPAs below 2.75 on a 4.00 scale with particular concern. Although 2.50 on a 4.00 scale is the preferred minimum cumulative GPA for admission consideration, higher cumulative GPAs are more competitive and recommended.
   • The average cumulative GPA of applicants admitted for Fall 2019 was 3.18 on a 4.00 scale
2. When submitted, view component and composite PCAT scores below average with particular concern, although there are no minimum PCAT scores and a PCAT score is not required for admission.
3. View with concern applicants whose prepharmacy math and science coursework was completed longer than 10 years ago.
   • More recent (within four years) prepharmacy math and science coursework is preferred
4. Consider the reputation for quality and rigor of the institutions where applicants have taken previous coursework, the extent of completion of science prerequisites, the credit load carried per term, the difficulty level of previous coursework, and trends in applicant grades.

Prerequisite Courses

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

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:

• Education Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 (www.ece.org, e-mail: eval@ece.org)
• World Education Service (WES): 212/219-7330 (www.wes.org)
• Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338 (www.jsilny.com, e-mail: info@jsilny.com)

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.

Technical Standards for Admission

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.