New this year: Applicants who submit both the PharmCAS and USC Supplemental applications by the priority deadline and meet the following criteria will be guaranteed an admission interview:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
- Free of felonies, misdemeanors, and academic integrity / student conduct violations
The University of South Carolina provides an educational experience unlike any other.
We invite you to become part of our more than 150-year legacy at the USC College of
Pharmacy. The application cycle begins in July for entry into the Pharm.D. program
in the Fall semester of the following year. Carefully review our Admission Requirements and evaluation criteria in order to put your best foot forward.
There are several required steps in the application process for the Pharm.D. program. Become familiar with this timeline to ensure that you complete every step necessary for your application to be considered. We review applications on a rolling basis, therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Required Steps in the Application Process
Admission Cycle Instructions for the 2022-2023 (Fall 2023) admission cycle will be provided when the applications are available.
- Review our Admission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
The USC College of Pharmacy evaluates applicants holistically to determine a candidate's potential as a student pharmacist. This means that in addition to GPA, we consider all qualities and attributes of applicants evidenced by their application package. - Review our Technical Standards [pdf]
- To ensure you receive email notifications from the college, we recommend that you
safe-list the following domains in your email settings: @cop.sc.edu, @mailbox.sc.edu
- To ensure you receive email notifications from PharmCAS, refer to the Email Troubleshooting section of the PharmCAS Application Instructions.
The PharmCAS is an electronic application that is submitted through the Pharmacy College Application Service.
The PharmCAS application will be available by noon on July 14, 2022, and must be submitted by the April 3, 2023, deadline.
As part of the PharmCAS application, you will be required to submit the following:
- Three Electronic Evaluations (Letters of Recommendation)
You must submit three appropriate electronic evaluations (letters of recommendation) through the PharmCAS system. Inappropriate evaluations include those written by family members, friends, family friends or other individuals who cannot speak to the characteristics evaluated by the Admissions Committee.
- Official Transcripts
Official transcripts from every accredited U.S. institutions attended must be submitted directly to PharmCAS from each institution, including high school dual enrollment credit. More information regarding transcripts can be found here.
This checklist can help you gather the right materials as you prepare your application. The application fee is submitted directly to PharmCAS when you submit your application.
PharmCAS will not process an application until the application is complete, the application fee is paid, and ALL official transcripts are received. Processing can take up to 5 weeks after all required materials are received by PharmCAS. You can login to PharmCAS and check the status of your application at any time.
Once your PharmCAS Application is complete and verified, it will be provided to the USC College of Pharmacy. Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure earlier review by the USC Admissions Committee.
The USC College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application is separate from the PharmCAS Application.
The Supplemental Application will be available by noon on July 14, 2022, and must be submitted by the April 15, 2023, deadline.
There is an application fee, currently discounted at $65, which is nonrefundable and payable by electronic check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard only.)
Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure earlier review by the Admissions Committee.
The USC College of Pharmacy will not require the PCAT for admission into the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program for the 2022-2023 application cycle.
Applicants can submit their PCAT scores if they feel that it would strengthen their overall application. Applicants with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA are strongly encouraged to submit PCAT scores as part of their application.
Please reach out to our Director of Admissions who can assist you with questions and personalized admissions advising.
The USC College of Pharmacy’s admission process operates on a rolling basis. Interviews are scheduled September through April. Not all applicants are invited to interview; applicants not selected for an interview will not be considered for admission.
Once your verified PharmCAS application and supplemental application have been received by the College of Pharmacy, the Admissions Committee will review your application package and selected applicants will be invited to interview for admission into the Pharm.D. program.
The on-site interview consists of a College of Pharmacy overview presentation, two 30-minute one-on-one interviews, a student-led tour of the college and an exit interview; this process will take about half a day. Interviewees are required to bring three copies of an updated resume to the interview.
Pharm.D. Transfer Admission
Applications for transfer students from an accredited professional pharmacy program within the United States into the USC College of Pharmacy professional Pharm.D. program will be evaluated on an individual basis.
The student applying for transfer must be currently enrolled and in good academic and professional standing in their current Pharm.D. program. As the student must complete at least two years of study at the USC College of Pharmacy in order to be eligible for a degree from the institution, students must complete, at minimum, their third and fourth professional years at the USC College of Pharmacy.
Students enrolled in an international professional pharmacy program are ineligible to request transfer to the USC College of Pharmacy professional Pharm.D. program and should follow the admissions processes for International Applicants.
- The following items must be submitted to the Director of Admissions no later than February 1 to begin the transfer evaluation process:
- Letter from the student outlining the reason for the transfer request and desired entrance level into the program (i.e., 2nd year, 3rd year, etc.)
- Letter from the current pharmacy school Dean’s Office stating the student is in good academic and professional standing
- The following items must be completed/submitted to the Director of Admissions no later than March 1:
- Submit current program's Pharm.D. curriculum
- Submit course descriptions and syllabi for all completed Pharm.D. courses
- Complete an interview with the Director of Admissions to discuss transfer intent and eligibility
- Following evaluation of completed curriculum by the appropriate committee, the student
will be notified no later than April 1 of the professional year placement, if space permits, that would be offered in the
case of transfer acceptance.
- If a student chooses to continue with a transfer request, the following must be completed
no later than April 30:
- Complete the admissions interview process dependent upon available interview dates. (Submit Resume/CV to the Director of Admissions prior to scheduled interview date)
- Submit the following to the Director of Admissions:
- Official college transcripts from all institutions attended for all college coursework completed, including Pharm.D. program prerequisite courses and Pharm.D. courses
- (Optional) Official PCAT scores (must include writing score) - This may be submitted if the applicant feels it would enhance their admissions file
- Three letters of recommendation
- The Admissions Committee will evaluate all information obtained during the transfer request process to determine whether a transfer acceptance will be extended. Applicants will be notified no later than June 1.
- If a transfer request is extended, the student must submit the following items no
later than July 1 to secure their acceptance:
- USC College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application
- Seat Fee
- The following must be submitted prior to matriculation into the Doctor of Pharmacy
program at the direction and timeframe of the Director of Admissions:
- Clear criminal background review
- Negative drug screen