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PharmD Early Assurance Program

Early Assurance Programs

 

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy seeks to admit exceptionally talented and diverse students who will become the next generation of pharmacy leaders. In order to meet this goal the Eshelman School of Pharmacy offers an Early Assurance Program (EAP) in collaboration with eight universities within North Carolina and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill undergraduate program. This program offers early assurance of admission into the School’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program after a minimum of two years of study and completion of all pre-requisite courses.

Students interested in the EAP are selected based on academic and nonacademic strengths identified by their undergraduate university and through performance after the first year of study. After the students are identified by their home undergraduate institution, the Eshelman School of Pharmacy admissions team selects students to invite for an interview. The School’s Recruitment and Admissions Committee then makes an admission decision.

 

Student Qualifications

The School’s Admissions Committee will review nominated students holistically, with consideration based on a variety of factors. Some of the key qualifications considered are:

  • Exemplary performance in coursework at the undergraduate institution
  • Significant extracurricular and community involvement
  • Demonstrated leadership, with emphasis on impact
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Identified interest in the Doctor of Pharmacy program
  • Performance at a required interview day

Students accepted into the EAP must maintain a set of predetermined standards to remain in good standing in the program:

  • Complete all prerequisite coursework with no grade lower than C-
  • Earn a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA by the end of the spring term preceding fall enrollment in the PharmD program
  • Meet with a pre-pharmacy advisor at least once each semester prior to matriculation into the PharmD program
  • Uphold the Academic Honesty Policy
  • Meet the health requirements/prerequisites established by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy for all entering students
  • Complete 72 hours of credit
  • Meet all other requirements, as established by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Admissions Committee.

 

Benefits to Students:

  • EAP students are invited to participate in an UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy seminar series (locally and remotely). These seminars are offered once a month during the academic year and students are required to attend at least one EAP seminar each semester.
  • Access to pharmacy advisors, faculty, and pharmacist mentors.
  • Application fee to PharmCAS waived.
  • Assured admission into the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy program following a minimum of two years of study

 

Partnering Universities:

 

Questions:

Contact Jana Thompson (jthompson3@unc.edu), Director of PharmD Recruitment or Heather Azzu, Director of Admissions (pharmacy_admissions@unc.edu).