1. Does the program offer a master's degree?

The graduate program is designed primarily for PhD students; applicants for the doctoral program are given priority in admission. The Division of Pharmaceutics does not typically accept students into a Masters of Science Program.  Under special circumstances and with the consent of the Division of Pharmaceutics faculty, students may opt out of the PhD program and pursue a Master of Science degree.

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2. Do I have to do the GRE subject test? When should I take the GRE?

ONLY the GENERAL test is required. If you choose to take the subject test, however, the results will be indicated on your score report and will be seen by the admissions committee. The GRE is best taken by October prior to the application deadline. For example, if you are applying for entry in Fall, 2001 (application deadline January 15, 2001), then it would be best to take the GRE by October, the previous year. Applications with December test scores will be reviewed; however, they will be delayed in the applications/admissions process. The paper-based GRE is offered in October and December. The computer-based GRE can often be taken on short notice year-round.

For more information, contact:

Graduate Record Examinations
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, New Jersey 05841-6000, USA
(In the U.S., call 1-800-GRE-CALL)
Visit the GRE Web site at http://www.gre.org
Visit the ETS Web site at http://www.ets.org

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3. Can the application fee be waived?

The fee cannot be waived by the Department. Applicants who are disadvantaged economically may request an application for fee waiver from the Graduate School.

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4. What are my chances of getting in? How many students apply? Are admitted? How smart is the competition?

We average 125-150 applications, and admit an average of 10 students. The average GPA for the entering class in the last 3 years is 3.4; the minimum required GPA is 3.0. Average GRE scores for the last 3 years are V=70%, Q=89%, and A=82%. About two-thirds of admitted students have an MS degree. Keep in mind that numbers are only one part of the admissions process, and the whole application is reviewed; we recruit students from a broad variety of backgrounds.

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5. Are there interviews?

Yes, selected applicants are invited for interviews, usually in February or March.

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6. Can I apply for Spring Quarter? What is the timing of the application process?

This program primarily offers fall admission. Application packets are mailed out beginning in September. Review of applications begins in late December. The deadline for receipt of applications is January 15. Interviews are in February or March. Admissions decisions are made between January and April. Off-cycle admissions are made occasionally if a position becomes available.

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7. Is my background appropriate? What degree/courses do I need to have to apply?

Applicants need to hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an institution of acceptable standing. They need to have adequate preparation in organic and physical chemistry and the biological sciences, especially biochemistry and physiology. In most cases, adequate background preparation includes completion of the following subjects (with the approximate number of quarter units indicated): analytical geometry and calculus (8); physics (12); physical chemistry (physical pharmacy) (9); organic chemistry (15); biochemistry (6). 6 units of pharmacology and 6 units in the area of Biological Sciences are required, 3 of which must be in physiology. Students are urged to complete these requirements before admission; however, students from a wide range of disciplines undertake the study of pharmaceutical chemistry, and arrangements may be made for such students to complete some of these requirements after admission.

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8. What is the Difference Between the PharmD and PhD Programs?

The PharmD. program emphasizes the professional practice of pharmacy. Graduates of the PharmD. program become eligible for licensure to practice pharmacy upon passing the licensure examination. The PhD degree program emphasizes research in the area of pharmaceutics. Strong emphasis is placed on acquisition of research skills, experimental design, and solution of problems in the area of pharmaceutics.

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9. What is the combined PharmD/PhD program?

The PharmD. and PhD may be taken as a combined program and students choosing the combined PharmD/PhD apply for admission to both programs. The advantage they have is that while in the PharmD program they can orient their elective courses so that they are fulfilling some of the required courses of the PhD Program. When they enter the PhD Program they will have already satisfied one year of course work. For more information see the combined program brochure (pdf).

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10. How long does it take to complete the course requirements?

Generally 2-3 years.

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11. When do students choose their research advisor?

At any time in their first year. Every new student is encouraged to explore the research areas of other faculty members to find the dissertation research training that they are most interested in.

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12. How long does it take to complete the program?

Graduates from the program in the last five years have averaged 5.0 years (s.d.=1.2, range=3.2-8.9, n=28) to graduation.