Pre-Pharmacy Pathway

Pharmacy Early Assurance Pathway Program for High School Students

Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy offers a clear, supportive pathway for high school seniors and college freshmen to gain early assurance into our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.

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Pharmaceutical Researcher
Pharmaceutical Scientist
Pharmaceutical Sales Rep

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Program Overview

The Early Assurance Pathway is designed for motivated students who already know they want to become a pharmacist. It provides a streamlined route to CUW’s PharmD program with academic and professional support every step of the way.

Early Assurance students benefit from personalized coaching, faculty mentorship, and a direct path to the PharmD application process.

Benefits of Concordia's Early Assurance Program

$1,000 scholarship for completing pre-pharmacy coursework at CUW
Free PharmCAS application fee waiver for CUW
Simplified PharmCAS process and application coaching
Personalized advising from CUW’s Office of Pharmacy Recruitment
Early mentorship from pharmacy faculty
Invitations to CUW School of Pharmacy events and networking opportunities
Access to CUWSOP resources and the online school store
Early connections with current PharmD students and healthcare professionals

Make Concordia your starting point

CUW’s Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences is the ideal major for students on the pre-pharmacy track. CUW students benefit from:

A curriculum aligned with PharmD prerequisites
Access to hands-on lab experiences
Mentored research opportunities
Early relationships with pharmacy faculty

Note: Students may also use AP credit, dual credit (e.g., PHAR1000, PH1050), or transfer credits to fulfill pre-pharmacy requirements. However, those who complete their undergraduate studies at CUW receive additional scholarships and specialized support.

What to Expect

Discover your vocation in pharmacy

Eligibility

Students interested in the Early Assurance pathway must meet the following requirements:

Achieve a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
OR achieve a minimum first-year collegiate GPA (at least 12 credits) of 3.0 (4.0 scale)

Admission criteria

Candidates are reviewed based on:

Academic background
Communication skills (written and oral)
Pharmacy experience or exposure
Motivation and understanding of the profession
Leadership, service, and volunteer work
Letters of recommendation

Note: Early Assurance is managed by the CUW School of Pharmacy and is separate from traditional undergraduate admissions.

Timeline

To apply for Early Assurance, submit the following by June 1 (early applications encouraged):

Complete Early Assurance Application
Submit Two Letters of Reference
Participate in an interview (by invitation)

All applications are reviewed by the School of Pharmacy Office of Recruitment and Admissions. Qualified applicants will be invited to interview before final decisions are made.

Key dates

September 1 – Application opens
June 1 – Application deadline
Interview dates (2025):
- February 28
- April 4
- June 20
Decisions – Students typically notified within 2 weeks of interview

Expectations

How to keep your spot

To maintain your place in the PharmD program through Early Assurance, you must:

Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Earn C- or better in all pre-pharmacy courses
Submit your PharmCAS application by June 1 of the year you plan to enroll

Didn’t get Early Assurance?

No problem. Students not in the Early Assurance program can still apply for PharmD admission through the standard PharmCAS process if eligible.

Questions

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Katelyn Wilson
Assistant Director of Admissions Operations
Call and Text: 262-384-5190
Email: Katelyn.Wilson@cuw.edu

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