Selection Criteria

The goal of the admissions process is to select qualified applicants who will complete the BS Pharmacology and Toxicology (PharmTox) program successfully and become productive participants in paths pursued after graduation. All applicants are considered using the same admissions criteria.

Admission/Selection Criteria

• Academic achievement
• Communication skills
• Completion of prerequisites (Courses can be completed during the application process, including the Spring and Summer of the application year)
• Diversity of background and experiences
• Interest and/or experience in research

The BS Pharmacology and Toxicology Admissions Committee considers the criteria listed above when making admissions decisions, with academic achievement as the central criterion. The Pharmacology and Toxicology program is science-rich and research-oriented; applicants are expected to present a record that demonstrates strong success in math and science courses.  In addition, while in-person or phone interviews are not routinely conducted, the Admissions Committee may request an interview for certain applicants to better clarify information on the application.

Statement about research-based learning

The Pharmacology and Toxicology Admissions Committee encourages prospective applicants to get involved in scientific research on their campus (at UW-Madison or elsewhere) as freshmen and sophomores, as their schedules permit.  While such should not be viewed as an official prerequisite, research experience is favorably regarded by the Admissions Committee due to the emphasis of biomedical research in the PharmTox curriculum.  A student role in undergraduate research as a freshman or sophomore could be, for example, as a volunteer, as an hourly lab employee, or via student enrollment in independent study that is laboratory-based.

At UW-Madison, there are a variety of resources and courses that assist first- and second-year undergraduates in launching their research involvement.  While not a comprehensive list, the following options are presented:

UW-Madison Courses

• INTEGSCI 150: Exploring Research in STEM
• INTEGSCI 260: Entering Research; must already have a faculty research mentor/be in a research lab to enroll
• BIOCORE: four-semester honors-level biology course sequence that fulfills introductory and some upper-level biology requirements; students must apply and be accepted to the program
• ZOO 152: Introductory Biology (second semester); offers a mentored research project option
• Undergraduate Research Scholars/INTER-LS 250: program for 1st year, 2nd year, and transfer students that provides research experiences for academic credit; students must apply and be accepted to the program

UW-Madison Resources/Centers

• WISCIENCE Guide to Finding a Mentor and Guide to Undergraduate Research
• WISCIENCE Find a Mentor Workshops
• Research Peer Leader Drop-in Hours: offers guidance and answers questions on finding research opportunities
• Student Job Center