PharmD Early Assurance

An Early Pathway to Your PharmD

The Early Assurance (EA) program provides a structured pathway to the UW–Madison Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program for those students who are:

• Able to demonstrate a clear goal to become a pharmacist in the Early Assurance application essay question.
• A current high school senior (or recent high school graduate) admitted to one of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin with a minimum 3.5 high school GPA at the time of EA application

– OR –

• A full-time, first semester college student attending one of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin with a minimum 3.5 high school GPA at the time of EA application

Benefits of Joining the Early Assurance Program

Early Assurance students are able to focus on pre-pharmacy coursework and additional co-curricular activities knowing that their seat is saved in the UW–Madison PharmD program. Other benefits include:

• Assured PharmD Admission through a simplified PharmCAS application when Early Assurance eligibility requirements are completed
• Additional support and goal-oriented preparation for successful matriculation into the PharmD program
• Access to School of Pharmacy advisors to receive academic, admissions, and career advising
• Access to faculty, alumni, and current pharmacy students

Early Assurance Program Requirements

Working with their campus advisor and an assigned UW–Madison School of Pharmacy EA program advisor, students must complete/satisfy all requirements of the Early Assurance program before entry into the Doctor of Pharmacy program:

1. Meet with an assigned School of Pharmacy EA program advisor once per semester.
2. Submit a simplified PharmCAS application by November 1 (Priority Deadline) of the year before entering the PharmD program that includes an essay question that confirms you addressed the PharmD admissions selection criteria, specifically, Communication Skills and your Commitment to Serving all Patient Populations.
3. Successfully complete the PharmD admissions interview during the priority PharmD admission application cycle for the term in which you will begin the PharmD program. A successful interview confirms you addressed the PharmD admissions selection criteria, specifically Communication Skills and Interest and Understanding of the Pharmacy Profession, as well as exhibiting the professionalism required to be a student pharmacist.
4. At the time of PharmCAS submission, must have a cumulative PharmCAS undergraduate GPA of 3.2. A PharmCAS GPA factors in all coursework taken, including college credits earned during high school. Your PharmCAS GPA may differ from your transcript(s) GPA if your college/university participates in academic/grade forgiveness.
5. PharmD prerequisite courses must be completed with a final minimum grade of C at the time of PharmCAS application submission, with no more than 2 C’s in all prerequisite course attempts.
6. Up to a maximum of two prerequisite courses can be taken at a outside of the Universities of Wisconsin, excluding transfer credits completed prior to obtaining a high school diploma.
7. Maintain a full-time course load (min 12 credits) each semester. If a student does not maintain a full-time course load, a written statement will be required and will be reviewed by the EA program committee.
8. Remain in good academic standing, free of academic/non-academic misconduct sanctions.
9. Fulfill program eligibility requirements in two to four years while enrolled at a one of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin.

If a student fails to meet the eligibility requirements, they will be notified of their dismissal from the Early Assurance program, but are eligible to apply to the PharmD program via the traditional PharmD admissions process.

International Early Assurance Applicants

Because the Early Assurance (EA) is not a direct-admit program, EA applicants must first be admitted to one of the 13 qualifying Universities of Wisconsin campuses, follow all international student requirements at their respective Universities of Wisconsin campus, then complete all pre-pharmacy requirements at that campus. International EA students need to work with their Universities of Wisconsin campus’ Office of International Student Services to obtain an F-1 student visa.

International EA students will not be granted an I-20 from the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy until they matriculate into the PharmD program and all conditions of PharmD admission (including the completion of all prerequisite courses) are met.  In addition, International students are not eligible for the EA program if they earned more than 12 credits of international coursework.  If more than 12 credits were previously earned, please apply via to the PharmD program via the traditional PharmD admissions process.