The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy admissions process is designed to identify future pharmacy leaders. We believe in a holistic approach to admissions, where academics, extracurricular involvement, diversity, motivation, communication, teamwork, ethics, and problem-solving skills are all valued. The result is a rich and challenging learning environment that fosters innovation, inquiry, and leadership.
PharmD Program How to Apply
Important Dates
PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service) opened July 13, 2023, for fall 2024 entrance (Class of 2028).
Admission Steps
- Questions about admission and application? Contact email: pharmacyadmissions@uky.edu
- Questions about prerequisite coursework? Contact email pharmacyadvising@uky.edu
Step 1: PharmCAS Application
All applicants must submit a Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) application. Plan to submit July-early September of the year prior to intended entrance. Please note that PharmCAS requires 4-6 weeks for verification purposes before an application is forwarded to individual colleges of pharmacy. Instructions for submitting the PharmCAS application and UKCOP requirements are available on the PharmCAS site. Details about UKCOP application requirements can be found on the PharmCAS School Page. Applicants must complete the UK-specific "program materials" and "prerequisite" sections of the PharmCAS application.
Due to UKCOP's rolling admissions process, seats begin to fill quickly after fall interviews are held. For this reason, UKCOP has established October 2 as the priority application deadline. Interview seats will be filled on a rolling basis with priority given to students meeting the October 2 priority deadline. Interviews continue through April pending available seats. International students must submit TOEFL scores and transcript evaluations (www.wes.org) to PharmCAS. The PCAT is not required or accepted.
Step 2: UKCOP Application Fee
Submit the $80 UKCOP Application Fee (credit card only). You will be transferred from our website to the WorldPay Financial Services site.
IMPORTANT: If the credit card holder's name is different than the applicant's name, please include the applicant's name (student) with the payment; otherwise your fee cannot be matched with your application materials. The UKCOP Application Fee may be waived for students who are granted a PharmCAS Fee Waiver. To request a UKCOP fee waiver, forward your approved PharmCAS Fee Waiver to Candace Smigla.
Click here to submit your $80 UKCOP Application Fee
Step 3: Interview
To be considered for admission, applicants must be selected for an interview. Qualification for the interview process includes a holistic review of the application and consideration of GPA. The GPA is calculated considering all undergraduate coursework taken; science and math coursework is heavily weighted as well as interview scores. A rigorous GPA is considered a significant indicator as part of a student's application. Invitations will be sent via email beginning approximately 2 weeks in advance of each interview date and until a few days prior to the interview date.
Tentative Interview Dates for 2023-2024 Application Year (Fall 2024 entrance):
Friday, October 27, 2023 (in-person interviews)
Friday, December 1, 2023 (in-person interviews)
Friday, February 16, 2024 (in-person interviews)
Step 4: PharmCAS Fall & Spring Academic Updates
Step 4: PharmCAS Fall & Spring Academic Updates
All applicants are required to complete the Fall and Spring PharmCAS Academic Updates. Completion includes entering updated grades (and in-progress and planned coursework, if any), sending transcripts of updated coursework directly to PharmCAS, and monitoring your PharmCAS account to ensure your updated information has been verified.
Schedule an Advising Appointment (if Applicable)
Schedule a UKCOP Advising Session to ensure you are on the best path to PharmD program entrance.
Prospective Applicant Advising
This session is designed for students who are beginning the application process to pharmacy school. The Advisor will help guide you in your Pre-Pharmacy planning and help you build skills for success.
Stay in Touch
If you would like to receive updates concerning UKCOP admissions information, please share your contact info with us here.
Next Steps
- Complete your online application through PharmCAS
- Our online application system incorporates departmental requirements.
- Prepare for an Interview
- Questions?
- Please direct questions to pharmacyadmissions@uky.edu.
We wish to remember and honor those who inhabited this Commonwealth before the arrival of the Europeans. Briefly occupying these lands were the Osage, Wyndott tribe, and Miami peoples. The Adena and Hopewell peoples, who are recognized by the naming of the time period in which they resided here, were here more permanently. Some of their mounds remain in the Lexington area, including at UK’s Adena Park.
In more recent years, the Cherokee occupied southeast Kentucky, the Yuchi southwest Kentucky, the Chickasaw extreme western Kentucky and the Shawnee central Kentucky including what is now the city of Lexington. The Shawnee left when colonization pushed through the Appalachian Mountains. Lower Shawnee Town ceremonial grounds are still visible in Greenup County.
We honor the first inhabitants who were here, respect their culture, and acknowledge the presence of their descendants who are here today in all walks of life including fellow pharmacists and healthcare professionals.