School of Pharmacy - PCOM Georgia
Admission to PCOM School of Pharmacy is competitive and selective. PCOM seeks well-rounded, achievement-oriented individuals whose maturity and dedication will lead them to a successful career as a pharmacist. Acceptance into the PharmD program by the Faculty Committee on Admissions is based on the applicant’s fulfillment of prerequisite coursework, grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, personal essay, experience, service and volunteer activities, and a personal interview. Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) test scores, while not required, are recommended. In addition to PCAT, PCOM also accepts other standardized professional and graduate tests for the Doctor of Pharmacy program, including the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Dental Admission Test (DAT), Optometry Admission Test (OAT), or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).
Requirements for Admission
Satisfactory completion of the required prerequisite coursework from a regionally accredited college or university is necessary. A baccalaureate degree, graduate degree or other professional degree is not required for admission to the School of Pharmacy; however, students possessing a previous degree will be given additional consideration for admission. Prior to matriculation, competitive applicants must have completed the prerequisite coursework. There are no minimum GPA requirements, however, cumulative GPAs of 2.5 and above are considered competitive. All prerequisites must have a letter grade of C- or higher. All applications undergo a holistic review process whereby careful consideration is given to all the credentials presented by applicants.
Prerequisite courses are as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Biology I and II with live lab credits (Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology or Zoology with live lab is also acceptable) 1 | 8 | |
| General Chemistry I and II with live lab | 8 | |
| Organic Chemistry I and II with live lab | 8 | |
| Calculus | 3 | |
| Anatomy & Physiology/Physiology with live lab | 4 | |
| English (6 credits Composition or 3 credits Composition and 3 credits Literature) | 6 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science (e.g. History, Psychology, Sociology, Ethics) | 3 | |
| Humanities (e.g., Art, Foreign Language, Music, Religion) | 3 | |
| Electives (Recommended electives: economics, speech, introductory statistics, physics, microbiology) | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Credits are listed as semester credits. To determine equivalent quarter credits, multiply semester credits by 1.5 (2 semester credits = 3 quarter credits).
Application Steps and Schedule
PCOM School of Pharmacy participates in the centralized Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) for applicants applying to colleges and schools of pharmacy. Applications to PCOM School of Pharmacy consist of a completed PharmCAS Application.
Beginning in July, prospective pharmacy students may submit their application through PharmCAS at www.pharmcas.org. The PharmCAS application will include all undergraduate and graduate coursework, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. PharmCAS applications must be completed and verified by the designated deadline on the PCOM PharmCAS school page; however, applicants are encouraged to apply well ahead of this date.
Early application and fulfillment of all requirements are strongly recommended because a rolling admissions process is followed with a review of completed applications beginning in early Fall.
Interviews
School of Pharmacy is providing campus-based interviews. Interviews begin in September and continue until the class has been selected.
If you are selected for an interview, we will send you an email with the date of your interview. Applicants will receive an email from PharmDinterview@pcom.edu. Please add this address to your directory so it will not be captured in any computer filters. We will use the email address provided on your PharmCAS application. Please check your account on a regular basis. It is your responsibility to notify us, in writing, if your email address changes.
Admissions Decisions
Interviewed candidates are usually notified within five weeks of the interview date. All accepted PharmD program candidates are required to remit a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure a seat in the class. Applicants will be asked to submit a single, non-refundable $500 prepayment. All pre-payments will be credited to the student's tuition account. The candidate is also asked to review and acknowledge the PCOM School of Pharmacy Technical Standards (PDF).
Early Assurance for the PharmD Program at PCOM Georgia
An Early Assurance Program provides eligible current college and high school students with the opportunity to secure a spot in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program before completing their bachelor's degree. As an Early Assurance Program participant, you are assured of the availability of a seat within the PharmD program as long as admissions requirements are met. Additionally, program participants may take part in events and activities prior to matriculation which will help them prepare for pharmacy school and be successful in the program upon matriculation.
The Early Assurance Pharmacy Program is available for undergraduate students and high school applicants.
To apply as an undergraduate, you must:
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Be enrolled full-time at an accredited two-year community college or four-year undergraduate college or university.
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Intend to matriculate to the PharmD program at a date beyond the immediate PharmCAS admissions cycle.
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Meet the admissions requirements for the program.
To apply as a high school student, you must:
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Have completed your junior year of high school or the equivalent.
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Meet the admissions requirements for the program.
Transfer Students and Advanced Standing
PCOM School of Pharmacy does not routinely accept transfer students; however, a transfer application may be considered under extenuating circumstances and depending on seat availability. A minimum of two years of study must be completed at PCOM for a student to receive the PharmD degree. No consideration will be given to students who wish to transfer solely to complete their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) at PCOM.
To be considered for transfer admission to PCOM the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Currently or recently enrolled at an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy
- No temporary or permanent suspensions, or involvement in any adverse action as a result of conduct violations or academic dishonesty
Candidates for transfer who meet these requirements must provide:
- A letter detailing the reason for the transfer request to the PCOM School of Pharmacy
- A letter sent directly from the Dean of the College/School of Pharmacy, or designated individual, that the candidate for transfer is in at the College/School of Pharmacy and that the student has not been temporarily or permanently suspended, dismissed, or involved in any adverse action as a result of conduct violations or academic dishonesty.
- All official college transcripts as well as syllabi of all coursework in the college/school of pharmacy
The Office of the Assistant Dean for Professional and Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Academics will consider transfer feasibility based on such variables as seat availability, student academic strength, and program‐to‐program curricular match. Transfer students will ONLY be considered for fall term admission. All requests and supporting documentation for transfers must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Academics by June 15th. A formal interview with the PCOM SOP Admissions Committee will be required. A final decision on transfer requests will be determined by the Dean or designee. If a student is accepted for transfer, PCOM reserves the right to require a financial deposit to hold the seat.
Georgia Pharmacy Intern License
Students must obtain and maintain a valid, current Pharmacy Intern License issued by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy. This license must be obtained prior to the beginning of the Winter term of the first professional year. Licensing by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy is not guaranteed by PCOM or PCOM School of Pharmacy.