Early assurance pathways

The Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy offers an Early Assurance pathway into our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program for high school seniors who complete their pre-pharmacy coursework at Concordia University Wisconsin or Concordia University Ann Arbor and seek a clear pathway through the PharmD application and admission process.

Requirements

To be eligible for the Early Assurance pathway, high school seniors must:

  • Be admitted to Concordia University Wisconsin or Concordia University Ann Arbor
  • Achieve a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
  • Complete and submit the Early Assurance application by February 1 of their high school senior year
  • Submit two letters of reference by February 1 of their high school senior year using this form
  • Interview at CUW, if invited, in February of their high school senior year

High school seniors who are admitted to the University, indicate pre-pharmacy as a program of study on their application for admission, and meet the minimum academic requirements above will be informed by the CUW—SOP of their eligibility for the Early Assurance pathway.

Selection process

Students seeking eligibility for the Early Assurance pathway who complete the requirements above will be reviewed by the CUW—SOP Admissions Committee and associate dean for academic affairs to determine eligibility.

Eligibility will be determined using the following selection criteria:

  • Academic background
  • Communication skills
  • Pharmacy experience
  • Motivation for pursuing pharmacy and understanding of the profession
  • Service, leadership, and volunteer activities
  • Letters of reference

Progressing into the PharmD program

To progress to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, Early Assurance students must:

  • Submit the PharmCAS application by June 1 of the year you plan to enroll in the PharmD program.
  • Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a C or better in all pre-pharmacy courses taken prior to submission of the PharmCAS application.
  • All pre-pharmacy coursework should be completed at CUW or CUAA.
  • AP and dual-credit courses will be considered to satisfy pre-pharmacy coursework.
  • Beyond AP and dual credit courses, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion and with the approval of the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for the School of Pharmacy.
  • At the point of submitting the PharmCAS application, all pre-pharmacy courses that have been completed must be done so without withdrawing from or repeating any of the required courses.

Students who are successfully progressing in the Early Assurance pathway and meet the criteria above don’t have to interview or take the PCAT to progress into the PharmD program.

Benefits to students

CUW pre-pharmacy students who are on the Early Assurance pathway and are meeting the PharmD progression requirements will benefit from:

  • Securing a spot in Concordia's pharmacy program right out of high school.
  • Fast-tracking the pharmacy school admissions process.
  • Having an assigned faculty mentor in the school of pharmacy that helps you develop your pharmacy career interests.
  • Having access to a pharmacy school admissions counselor to ensure that you are meeting the progression requirements.

How does it work?

High school seniors who are 1) admitted to CUW or CUAA, 2) indicate pre-pharmacy as a program of study on their application for admission, and 3) meet the minimum academic requirements above will be informed of their eligibility for the Early Assurance pathway.

Qualified students will declare their interest in the Early Assurance pathway by submitting the necessary requirements listed above.

  • February 1: Early Assurance application deadline
  • February 1-31: Interview at the Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, if invited
  • February-March: CUW School of Pharmacy Admissions Committee reviews interviewed candidates for Early Assurance eligibility
  • March 1-30: Students are informed of their status in the Early Assurance pathway

Once approved for the Early Assurance pathway, the student will be expected to meet all of the PharmD progression requirements listed above. 

PharmD admission without early assurance

Concordia University Wisconsin pre-pharmacy students who aren’t part of the Early Assurance pathway or didn’t maintain eligibility in the Early Assurance pathway are still eligible and encouraged to apply for admission to the PharmD program.
All students are eligible to apply as regular applicants through the PharmCAS application. Students who aren’t on the Early Assurance pathway and wish to pursue a PharmD degree are guaranteed an interview and consideration if they meet the following criteria:

  • C- or better on pre-pharmacy coursework included on PharmCAS application
  • Minimum of 2.75 cumulative college GPA

Contact us

The Office of Student Affairs is here to help you through the application and admission process. Please contact us with any questions you have:

Rebecca Greskoviak, Interim Director of Recruitment and Admissions
rebecca.greskoviak@cuw.edu
262.243.2747