Admission Requirements
Prerequisite Courses
Technical Standards for Admission
Application Process and Deadlines
Rolling Admissions
Mandatory Candidate Visit
Matriculation Process
Dual Acceptance Programs
Reapplication Process
Transfer Admission
Readmission

CCP considers for admission applicants who possess the academic and professional promise necessary to become outstanding members of the pharmacy profession. The CCP admissions environment is highly selective; approximately 2,300 applications were received in 2008.

Completed applications received on or before the application deadline are reviewed to determine the applicant’s eligibility to be invited for an on-campus Mandatory Candidate Visit. Within its competitive admissions framework, CCP uses multiple criteria to select the most qualified candidates. Cumulative grade point average, science grade point average, PCAT scores, letters of recommendation, written communication skills, health care experience, knowledge of the profession, and motivation for wanting to become a pharmacist will all be considered when reviewing an applicant’s file.

Admission Requirements for the Entry-Level Professional Degree Program
To be considered for admission to CCP, a prospective student must do the following:

1. Complete 62 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of nonremedial, prerequisite coursework from a regionallyaccredited U.S. college or university, or recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. The student must earn a grade of C or better in each prerequisite course.
2. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average and science grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
3. Arrange for scores from the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) to be sent directly to PharmCAS using PCAT code 104. This exam is offered by Harcourt Assessment, Inc., (also known as Pearson), 800-622-3231; www.pcatweb.info. The exam is offered multiple times throughout the year. Only scores earned from the test offered in June 2005 or more recently will be accepted.
4. Reflect a people/service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
5. Reflect proper motivation for and commitment to the pharmacy profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences.
6. Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
7. Complete the CCP on-campus interview process (by invitation only).
8. Pass the Midwestern University criminal background check.
9. Abide by Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.

The Pharm.D. program at CCP is rigorous and challenging. In light of this, the CCP Admissions Committee will assess the quality and rigor of the pre-pharmacy academic records presented by each applicant. When assessing an applicant’s pre-pharmacy academic record, the Admissions Committee will:

1. View applicants with cumulative grade point averages below 2.75 on a 4.00 scale with particular concern. While 2.50 on a 4.00 scale is the minimum cumulative grade point average for consideration, to be competitive for admission a higher cumulative grade point average is recommended. The average cumulative grade point average of applicants admitted for fall 2007 was 3.34 on a 4.00 scale.
2. View component and composite PCAT scores below the 50th percentile with particular concern. While there are no minimum PCAT scores, the average composite PCAT score of applicants admitted for fall 2007 was in the 81st percentile.
3. Pay special attention to applicants that include prepharmacy math and science coursework that was completed more than 10 years ago. It is preferred that applicants have recent (within four years) pre-pharmacy math and science coursework.
4. Consider the institution where coursework was taken, the extent to which science prerequisites have been completed, the credit load per term, the difficulty of coursework taken, and trends in grades as factors when evaluating the quality and rigor of an applicant’s prepharmacy academic record.

Prerequisite Courses

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: 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, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.

NOTE: CCP 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 or FAX 414-289-3411
• World Education Service (WES): 212-966-6311 or FAX 212-739-6100
• Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305-273-1616 or FAX 305-273-1338

International students who do not provide documentation of acceptable U.S. 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 a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

Rolling Admissions
The Chicago College of Pharmacy uses a rolling admissions process where applications are processed and reviewed during regular intervals in the admissions cycle until the class is filled.

Interview Process
To be considered for an invitation to attend an on-campus Mandatory Candidate Visit, applicants must meet the admission requirements listed previously. After the Office of Admissions receives all required application materials, the applicant's file is reviewed to determine if the applicant merits an invitation to attend a Mandatory Candidate Visit. The applicant's file may also be placed on a waiting list
pending possible openings toward the end of the admissions cycle. Visits are typically held between November and April. Invited applicants must attend a Mandatory Candidate Visit in order to be considered further in the admissions process. As part of the visit, candidates will be required to participate in a group interview with other pharmacy applicants. The group interview will be used to evaluate the applicant's verbal communication skills, understanding of the pharmacy profession, commitment to patient care, and other elements as determined by faculty. Applicants will also be required to participate in a writing sample exercise during the visit. In
addition, candidates will have the opportunity to learn more about the pharmacy program, financial aid, student services, and tour the Midwestern University campus. Following the applicant’s visit, their file is forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. The committee may recommend to accept, deny, or to place the student on the alternate list. This recommendation is then forwarded to the
Dean for final approval. The Dean—via the Office of Admissions—notifies the applicant of his/her status within two to four weeks of the visit. A student who has been accepted for a given year must matriculate during that year. No admission deferments will be allowed. If a student fails to matriculate, the student must reapply the following year if he/she wishes to be admitted to the College.

All requests for withdrawing an application must be done in writing.

Technical Standards for Admission
The educational mission of CCP is to educate and graduate competent and motivated pharmacists who will provide pharmaceutical care in a wide range of community and institutional settings. The technical standards for admission set forth by CCP outline the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty and by the ACPE, the
pharmacy-accrediting agency, to obtain the Pharm.D. degree. A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: I) observation; II) communication; III) motor; IV) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and V) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

I. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand.
Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the
functional use of all of the other senses.

II. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.

III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular 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.

IV. 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.

V. 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 and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidates 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.
Candidates for admission to CCP are required to certify that they understand and meet these technical standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the technical standards are encouraged to contact the Director of Admissions to discuss and identify what accommodations, if any, CCP would need to make in order that the candidate
might be able to meet the standards.

Matriculation Process for the Entry-Level Pharm.D. Degree Program
Matriculation Process for the Entry-Level Pharm.D. Degree Program
The matriculation process begins after a student receives notification of his/her acceptance. The student must submit
both their signed matriculation agreement and deposit by the deadline date. The student must also do the following:

1. Submit specified deposit monies by the dates designated in his/her matriculation documents. The entire deposit is applied toward the student’s first quarter’s tuition.
2. Submit official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school by the deadline of two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes. For students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes, they will have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be made by the Office of the Dean of the college. If students
   fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline, then their acceptance or continued enrollment in the College may be jeopardized.
3. Submit a completed medical file as instructed in the information sent by the Office of Student Services.
4. Submit proof of medical insurance coverage.
5. Submit additional documents as requested by the Office of Admissions.
6. Submit proof of Illinois residency. This applies only to those students claiming Illinois residency. The student must submit a copy of his/her up-to-date Illinois driver’s license and his/her Illinois income tax returns for the previous year. Parental tax returns
   may also be requested.
7. Provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending CCP (for non-U.S. citizens/temporary residents who hold a student visa only).
8. Submit a copy of his/her pharmacy technician license.
9. Sign authorization form allowing for a criminal background check.
10. Sign Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy Statement.
11. Satisfy Technical Standards for the program.
12. Sign Credit Policy Statement

If a student either fails to satisfy these matriculation requirements or omits/falsifies information required on official admissions documents, the student automatically forfeits his/her seat at CCP. The student receives no further notification from CCP relative to this forfeiture.

Dual Acceptance Programs
Loyola University Chicago College of Arts and Sciences, Benedictine University, Dominican University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Milliken University, Lewis University, and the University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne, IN) offer a Dual Acceptance Program with CCP for selected students who successfully complete the specified coursework; such students will be granted an early acceptance to CCP. To receive consideration for the Dual Acceptance Program, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a senior high school student at the time of application;
• Be admitted to an affiliated college or university, which offers a dual acceptance program;
• Apply to the dual acceptance program by February 15 immediately prior to the beginning of the student’s first year at the affiliated college or university;
• Score in the top 20% on a college entrance exam (ACT 25 or higher; SAT of 1700 or higher). To be considered, applicants must submit national test scores for ACT or SAT that include a writing component score.
• Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale;
• Reflect a people/service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities;
• Reflect proper motivation for and commitment to the pharmacy profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences; and
• Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.

An eligible student should obtain the application from the affiliated college or university that offers the Dual Acceptance Program. The deadline for submitting a completed application is February 15.

• All prerequisite pre-pharmacy courses must be completed at the affiliated college or university that offers a dual acceptance program within a two-year period;
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.20 must be achieved at the end of the spring semester/quarter of the first and second pre-pharmacy years and at the end of all pre-pharmacy coursework at the affiliated college or university;
• Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses. A grade of C- or less is not acceptable;
• Students cannot repeat any prerequisite course for a higher grade;
• Students must submit all required deposit fees according to the schedule in the letter of understanding, which is provided to the student at the time of acceptance to the Dual Acceptance Program; and
• Students must comply with the requirements outlined in the matriculation agreement and technical standards certification form, which are provided to the students in the spring of their second pre-pharmacy year.
  

The PCAT and PharmCAS application are waived for students who successfully complete the Dual Acceptance Program at Loyola University, Benedictine University, Dominican University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Milliken University, Lewis University, or the University of Saint Francis.

Any student who fails to complete the program can apply to CCP via the usual route.

Reapplication Process for the Entry-Level Professional Degree Program
After receiving either a denial or end-of-cycle letter, an applicant may reapply for the next enrollment cycle. Before reapplying, however, the applicant should seek the advice of an admissions counselor. To initiate the reapplication process, the student must submit an application to PharmCAS. The application is then processed in the same manner as any other application.

Transfer Admission from Another Pharmacy School
CCP may accept transfer students from other ACPE accredited pharmacy schools as long as these students are
currently enrolled, in good academic standing and have legitimate reasons for seeking a transfer. Transfer applicants should not apply via PharmCAS. All requests for transfer information should be referred to the CCP Dean’s Office, so that the potential transfer applicant can be counseled prior to submitting an application and can receive an application.

To be considered for transfer, a student must meet the College’s general requirements for admission. He/she must
also submit the following documents by March 1:

1. A letter to the Dean or Director of Admissions indicating why he/she wishes to transfer and explaining any difficulties encountered at his/her current institution;
2. A completed CCP transfer application;
3. Official transcripts from all schools attended— undergraduate, graduate, and professional;
4. A catalog and a detailed pharmacy syllabus for any courses for which advanced standing consideration is requested;
5. A letter from the dean of the pharmacy college in which the student is enrolled. The letter must indicate the student’s current academic status;
6. One letter of recommendation from a faculty member at the current college of pharmacy; and
7. Additional documents or letters of recommendation as determined by the Director of Admissions or Dean.

The Office of Admissions will collect and forward the student’s portfolio to the CCP Dean’s Office for review. If the review is positive, the candidate will be invited in for a mandatory candidate visit. As part of the visit, candidates will be required to participate in a group interview with other pharmacy applicants. The group interview will be used to evaluate the applicant's verbal communication skills, understanding of the pharmacy profession, commitment to patient care, and other elements as determined by faculty.
Applicants will also be required to participate in a writing sample exercise during the visit. In addition, candidates will have the opportunity to learn more about the pharmacy program, financial aid, student services, and tour the Midwestern University campus.
Following the applicant's visit, their file is forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. The committee may recommend to accept, deny, or to place the student on the alternate list. This recommendation is then forwarded to the Dean for final approval. The Dean - via the Office of Admissions - notifies the applicant of his/her status within two to four weeks of the visit. If the transferring student is admitted and requests advanced standing, the CCP Dean’s Office will forward the student’s request to the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee. (See relevant section below.) No advanced standing credit will be awarded for
professional pharmacy coursework completed at a foreign college of pharmacy. PCAT scores are optional for the transfer student applicant to provide. Reapplication

Readmission After Dismissal for Poor Academic Performance
Readmission After Dismissal for Poor Academic Performance Students dismissed for poor academic performance may
reapply for admission to CCP if they:

1. Complete at least 2 semesters or 3 quarters of full-time study (i.e., at least 15 credit hours per semester or quarter) of a curriculum at the advanced pre-pharmacy level or higher at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. In addition, prior to enrolling in this advanced pre-pharmacy curriculum students must seek academic counseling from the CCP Dean’s Office, which will inform the student of the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee’s recommendations;
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater for the 2 semesters or 3 quarters of full-time study at the advanced pre-pharmacy level or higher; and
3. Earn at least C (not C–) grades in all courses taken.
   
   Students fulfilling these requirements will be permitted to reapply to the University and to the College. The student should obtain the application from the CCP Dean’s Office, and not through PharmCAS. The application deadline is April 1st. The completed application of a reapplying PS-I student will be forwarded by the CCP Dean’s Office to the Admissions Committee for review and recommendation. The completed application of a reapplying PS-II, PS-III, or PS-IV student will be forwarded by the CCP Dean’s Office to the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee for review and recommendation. Each committee’s recommendations are forwarded to the Dean for action. No guarantee of readmission is implied, and questions related to advanced standing and similar issues will be addressed as they are for any new applicant. Reapplication is allowed only within the first two years following dismissal.
   

   Pharm.D. Completion Program