Admissions Step 2: The Application

Preparing to complete the application

• We recommend that you review the application process completely so that you’re aware of all the information you need to gather and how much time the entire process will take.

• UCSF-specific essays will appear in the PharmCAS application when an applicant designates UCSF as a school to which they intend to apply.

• Review the timeline for the application process: Admissions Deadlines.​

Review UCSF’s school page on the PharmCAS website

PharmCAS requires each school to provide basic information to all applicants. Please visit UCSF’s School Page for helpful information.

Completing the application

Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) Application
PharmCAS is a service that enables you to use one primary application to apply to multiple PharmD degree programs.

Details about completing the application

1. Checklist: Transcripts: You are required to submit official copies of your transcripts (also known as "marks reports"). Some transcripts must be sent to PharmCAS, and some must be sent to UCSF. For details, see Checklist: Transcripts.
2. Advanced Placement tests: AP test scores may be used in lieu of course work to fulfill some prerequisites, but no other placement exams are accepted. You cannot apply the IB, CLEP, or in-house placement tests offered by your college or university. For details, see Advanced Placement Tests.
3. Your contact information: Since our ability to communicate with you is critical, we ask that you notify us of any changes to your contact information and take steps to ensure that problems with e-mail will not arise. For details, see Your Contact Information.
4. Reapplicants: If you have previously applied to the UCSF School of Pharmacy PharmD degree program within the past 2 years, see About Reapplying.

After submitting the application

Confirming receipt: Due to the high volume of applications and supporting material we receive, we are unable to respond to any inquiries requesting confirmation of receipt of materials.

You can expect to wait at least 1 month before hearing any notification from our office regarding receipt of your application materials. During this time, PharmCAS and our office process and verify applications.

Please do not contact us unless…

• Your contact information has changed.
• Your course schedule has changed.
• You want to withdraw your application.

After reviewing all eligible applications, we select those applicants we wish to interview. Although the number of invitations is not predetermined, we usually invite between 250 and 275 applicants to interview.

Invitations to participate in our Interview Process will be mailed from late October through early January. All applicants are notified of their interview status by the end of January.

Frequently asked questions about the application

1. Do you have rolling admissions?
   No. We have a discrete admission cycle that ends in spring when all applicants are notified of their status.
2. Will I be given special consideration if I submit my application early or in the summer?
   No. All completed applications received by the application deadline are given the same evaluation. There is no advantage to submitting an application early.

See all frequently asked questions about PharmD admissions

More on this topic in our admissions director’s blog

Although not required reading, you’ll find additional comments in My new favorite saying…, a blog post by Admissions Director Joel W. Gonzales.

Next step: Step 3: The Interview Process