PharmCAS Application
The University of Washington School of Pharmacy, along with many other schools throughout the country, participates in a centralized application service called PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service) which allows applicants to use a single application to apply to multiple Doctor of Pharmacy degree programs.
PharmCAS will collect and process applications to pharmacy colleges and schools that participate in this service. PharmCAS begins accepting applications in mid-July. Please be aware that PharmCAS must receive all application materials by the deadline. Any required documents received after this date will be considered late, and no further evaluation of the application will occur.
Applicants to the UW School of Pharmacy PharmD Program must complete the on-line PharmCAS Application.
PharmCAS Resources
PharmCAS provides multiple resources for applicants who wish to learn more about the applicatio process or who encounter any concerns while applying. Please review the resources belwo to learn more about PharmCAS.
- 2024-25 PharmCAS Application Instruction PDF
- PharmCAS Applicant Health Center
- PharmCAS Tips for Applicants Video
Application Timeline
- PharmCAS Application Opens: July 11, 2024
- Preferred Application Deadline: December 1st, 2024
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 (11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time)
Applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis. Rolling admission means that applications are reviewed in the order that they are received. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the application cycle and to sign up for the earliest possible interview day.
Applicants who apply early will be able to sign up for earlier interview dates and will likely receive decisions sooner than those who apply later in the cycle. Depending on the size and strength of our applicant pool, our PharmD class may reach capacity before the application deadline. Should this happen, all remaining applicants will be considered for a spot on our waitlist. Waitlisted candidates will be offered admission if and when seats become available.
Application Steps
All applications materials are submitted directly through the PharmCAS application system. As part of the application, you will submit the following materials:
- Application fee. Paid through the PharmCAS application.
- Official, sealed transcripts from ALL colleges, universities, community colleges or technical colleges attended or from which credit was awarded (including Running Start, College in the High School, etc.). Transcripts are required even if coursework does not apply toward pharmacy prerequisites. Failure to report all coursework may result in disqualification of an offer of interview or admission. Applicants who have attended or received credit from a college or university which evaluates coursework through narrative transcripts rather than assigning numerical or letter grades must send an official narrative transcript to both PharmCAS and the UW School of Pharmacy by the deadline dates. Narrative transcripts require additional processing and review.
- References. Two (2) recommendation forms and letters of recommendation are required. The University of Washington School of Pharmacy requires, and will accept, two recommendations from a source who can speak to your professional demeanor, accountability and maturity, such as a professor, teaching assistant, employer or volunteer supervisor. Recommendations are NOT ACCEPTED from family members, friends, fraternity or sorority advisors, personal health care providers, high school faculty/advisors, mentors or job shadow professionals. Recommendations that are not accepted are from career services or reference letter centers. Committee letters are also not acceptable.
- Official Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate Test Score Sheet (only required if AP/IB scores are being used toward prerequisite coursework). AP applicants should request test scores using Code Number 5981 which is specific to the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. CLEP credits are not accepted.
- The UW School of Pharmacy does not require nor accept PCAT scores as part of the PharmD application
PharmCAS will be a webinar to assist applicants in navigating the application on Wednesday, July 28 at 11:00am PDT. You must register ahead of time to livestream or watch a recording of the webinar you can register here.
Additional Application Notes for non-U.S. Citizens
- Foreign transcript evaluations are required for any application who has earned college/university credit outside of the United States. Evaluations must be sent directly to PharmCAS for review. Although foreign coursework may not apply to prerequisites, it is considered as part of the Cumulative GPA. Therefore, applicants who have attended any foreign schools MUST have a transcript evaluation. Although foreign coursework will not apply to prerequisites, it is considered as part of the Cumulative GPA. The UW School of Pharmacy will only accept a course-by-course evaluation by one of the following agencies:
- F-1 Visa students are required to send TOEFL scores directly to PharmCAS. The TOEFL must be taken by the December deadline.
- H-4 Visa students must apply for and be awarded F-1 Visa status in order to be eligible to the PharmD Program
- U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee-Asylee or F-1 Visa Students are required to submit a photocopy of front and back of visa or green card
- Canadian citizens must send in a copy of their passport
Confidentiality of Application Materials
The UW School of Pharmacy will not discuss application statuses nor materials with anyone other than the applicant. Please do not ask others to contact our Office of Professional Pharmacy Education Admissions Office to inquire about the status of your application or to give an “additional recommendation” beyond what is included in your application. We consider only those recommendations that are included as part of the application package. This policy is established by the University of Washington School of Pharmacy for your protection.
Additional Information
The following links provide important context and information for any prospective PharmD student at the University of Washington
- PharmCAS – Pharmacy College Application Service. Home to the PharmD application as well as general application process information.
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) – The national organization that governs pharmacy boards across the United States and Canada. NABD oversees pharmacy licensure examinations such as the NAPLEX and MPJE.
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) – The regional organization that accredits institutions of higher education in Washington state.
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) – National organization that partners with accredited Pharmacy programs such as University of Washington to guide and lead pharmacy education across the country.