Program Structure and General Policies
Are you on a quarter system or a semester system?
UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences operates on the quarter system. The academic year consists of three quarters (fall, winter and spring) with some summer session experiential requirements.
Can I enter in the winter or spring quarter?
No. We admit one cohort of students each year, and all students begin the program in the fall quarter.
Do you accept transfer students from other pharmacy schools?
No. We do not accept transfer students from other pharmacy schools. All students enter the program as first-year students due to our curriculum structure and the sequence in which courses are offered throughout the academic year.
Do you offer tours of your school?
Yes. In-person tours are offered as part of the interview process, including during the interview and post-interview events. To schedule a personalized tour at another time, email Sarah Hole at pharmd@health.ucsd.edu. If you are unable to visit campus, you can also explore our school through our virtual tour or gain a student’s perspective with a student-led virtual tour.
Admissions Standards and Academic Requirements
What is the minimum GPA required for admissions?
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum science GPA of 2.80 to be eligible to apply. GPAs are calculated by PharmCAS using coursework from all colleges and universities you have attended.
What is the GPA range of the students who matriculate into the PharmD program?
Students admitted to our PharmD program typically have cumulative GPAs ranging from 3.0 to 4.0 and science GPAs ranging from 2.8 to 4.0. The average cumulative and science GPA for each entering class is typically between 3.5 and 3.6.
When reviewing applications, we consider more than just GPA. We look for evidence of academic growth and improvement over time, particularly from your freshman through senior years.
If there were circumstances that affected your academic performance, we encourage you to explain them in the special circumstances section of your PharmCAS application.
Is a BA or BS degree required for admission?
Yes. A bachelor's degree is required for admission. We do not give preference to any specific major, though a degree in a science-related field may help prepare you for the PharmD curriculum. We also strongly recommend completing science coursework before applying.
Do I have to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
No. Our program does not require any standardized tests, including the PCAT, GRE or TOEFL. Standardized test scores are not considered as part of our application review process.
May applicants use pass/fail classes to fulfill the institution's course prerequisites?
We prefer that prerequisite courses are completed for a letter grade. However, we will accept pass/fail if a letter grade option is not available.
Do you accept online coursework?
We highly recommend completing coursework in person when available, especially for prerequisite courses. However, online coursework may be accepted.
Application Process and Deadlines
Do you have rolling admissions?
No, we do not offer rolling admissions. Interviews are typically held over two days during the fall quarter and two days during the winter quarter. To be considered for these interview dates, please submit your application by the deadlines listed on our website.
Do you require an application processing fee?
No. There is no application processing fee required to apply to our program at this time.
May I apply again in a future application cycle?
Yes. You are welcome to reapply to our program in a future application cycle. Please note that application records are not carried over from previous years, so you must submit a new application through PharmCAS for each cycle in which you apply.
Applicant Pool and Selection Considerations
How many applicants do you accept each year?
Our program aims to enroll approximately 65 to 70 students each year. The final class size may vary based on the strength of the applicant pool and other institutional or programmatic factors.
Do you give preference to applicants from California colleges?
No. We do not give preference based on residency or the location of an applicant’s college or university. All applicants are evaluated using the same holistic review process, regardless of where they live or attend school.
Alternate List and Admissions Offers
How do spaces in the entering class become available?
Spaces in the entering class may become available for several reasons. Some applicants may decline their admission offer, while others may accept an offer but later withdraw. In rare cases, an offer may be rescinded if an applicant does not meet enrollment requirements, such as completing prerequisites, required onboarding components or other program policies and guidelines.
Where am I on the alternate list?
We are unable to share individual ranking information for the alternate list. We will keep you informed if updates become available and encourage you to reach out with any questions throughout the process.
What are my chances of receiving an offer from the alternate list?
Unfortunately, we aren’t able to predict how many admitted students will ultimately decline their offer or become unable to enroll. Because enrollment decisions vary each year, we cannot estimate the likelihood of receiving an offer from the alternate list.
How soon will I know if I am going to get an offer from the alternate list?
We aim to provide final alternate list decisions approximately three months before the start of the fall quarter. This timeline allows admitted students sufficient time to complete required onboarding steps and prepare to begin our PharmD program. In some years, however, decisions may extend beyond this timeframe depending on enrollment circumstances.
How many alternates are accepted each year?
The number of applicants admitted from the alternate list varies each year and depends on factors such as the number of admitted students who decline their offer or are unable to enroll. While we have historically admitted applicants from the alternate list with some consistency, each admissions cycle is unique, and we cannot predict or guarantee the number of offers that may be extended in any given year.
If I am offered admission, how will I be contacted?
Admission offers are sent by email to the address listed in your PharmCAS application. Please ensure your contact information remains current throughout the admissions process. If we are unable to reach you or you do not reply within the required timeframe, we will assume you are no longer interested in attending our program.
Fees, Deposits and Administrative Policies
Do you require a registration fee deposit?
No. A registration fee deposit is not required at this stage. However, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible if you decide not to attend our program so we can extend offers to other qualified applicants in a timely manner.
May I appeal a decision of denial?
An appeal may be submitted only if you believe a procedural or administrative error occurred during the review of your application.