Early Assurance Doctor of Pharmacy
UMR’s Early Assurance Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is designed to provide a pathway for students to gain early admission to pharmacy school. UMR’s Early Assurance PharmD collaboration with the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy is designed for incoming first-year students. Students will apply for admission to UMR’s undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) program and complete additional questions on the application for the Early Assurance Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Students complete their undergraduate BSHS degree at UMR, working with their Student Success Coach to ensure completion of all prerequisites for the Doctor of Pharmacy program. In their fourth year students complete a simplified application and interview process to be admitted into the PharmD program.
- Conditional admission to the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy PharmD program, pending the completion of program requirements.
- Access to pharmacy advisors to assist with course and extracurricular planning.
- A faculty or pharmacist mentor.
- A current PharmD student mentor.
- Special workshops on topics such as pharmacy career exploration, study skills and interview preparation.
- Fee waivers provided to those applying to the professional program.
- Invitations to CoP community events.
- Students complete their undergraduate BSHS degree at UMR, working with their Success Coach to ensure completion of all prerequisites for the Doctor of Pharmacy program, which include:
- Successfully complete the BSHS degree requirements.
- Complete all PharmD program prerequisite courses (that were required at the time of admission) at UMR or UMTC with a minimum grade of B-; with permission, up to a maximum of two courses can be taken at another institution.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Maintain a full-time course load each semester.
- Meet once per semester with CoP pre-pharmacy advisor.
- Submit simplified PharmCAS application by September 1 in the year prior to entering the PharmD program.
- Participate in an affirmation interview during the year prior to entering the PharmD program.
- After graduating from UMR, students complete their Doctor of Pharmacy degree in approximately four years with the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.
- Incoming undergraduate students must apply by December 1 as a first-year student for admission to UMR’s undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program and complete a small number of additional application questions for the Early Assurance Doctor of Pharmacy program.
- Finalists are invited to interview for the PharmD program in early spring.
- There are 10-12 available spots each year for Early Assurance PharmD students.
View the Interview Preparation Worksheet for interview practice.
Applicants will need to submit answers to the following questions:
1. Describe a situation where you overcame a challenge. What steps did you take to overcome this challenge? How did your individual strengths and weaknesses contribute to the way you handled the situation?
2. Describe a situation where you experienced or witnessed discrimination or someone being treated unfairly. What id you do at the time, and why? If you encountered the situation again today, would you respond differently? Why or why not?
3. Describe a group, organization, or community in which you have been heavily involved or consider yourself a member. What has been your individual contribution or role in the group? What have you gotten out of your participation in the group?
4. Describe an interest, skill, or passion that you have developed outside of school and work. What steps have you taken to learn about this topic, develop your skills, or gain expertise in this area? What lessons have you learned from this interest or skill that could be applied to other aspects of your life?
