Guidelines for Student Admission to the Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences

1. Applicants are evaluated for admission to the Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences based on an Admission Score consisting of a Weighted Composite Score AND an Applicant Profile Score.

2. The Weighted Composite Score consists of the sum of the following components:

Verbal GRE divided by 200 (maximum weight = 4)

Quantitative GRE divided by 200 (maximum weight = 4)

Undergraduate GPA (maximum weight = 4)

Required Course GPA (maximum weight = 4)

Credit for Completion of Prior Graduate Studies (2 points)

The highest total composite score an applicant can receive with this formula is 18. It weights the GRE equally with undergraduate and graduate performance, so that a poor performance in either can be mitigated by an outstanding performance in the other. Credit for completed prior Graduate Studies is also considered.

3. Applications are then submitted to Graduate Program Committee members for review of the applicant’s individual profile. Members rank the applications with a maximum score of 8.0. Committee members’ profile scores will be averaged and added to the Weighted Composite Score, giving the applicant’s Admission Score. The highest Admission Score an applicant can receive with this formula is 28. Criteria considered in determining the Applicant Profile Score:

TOEFL Score

Applicant’s essay

Applicant’s letters of reference

Universities attended

Personal references from associates

Prior work history (if any)

Following this method, the GPC has carefully weighted the components of the application; 30 % for the applicant’s GRE, 30% for prior undergraduate and graduate scholastic performance, 8% for completion of previous graduate studies and 31% for the committee evaluation of the applicant’s individual profile.

4. Following discussion in Graduate Program Committee meeting, during which the prior scores for individual profiles may be adjusted by GPC members, applications will be ranked. The minimum Admission Score for acceptance into the Graduate Program of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is 18.

5. Applications are listed in the order of their scores and admitted to the program in descending order (highest score first) for positions available for the specified term.

6. Qualifying applicants who are not selected for an available position will be placed on a waiting list, to be considered for admission should an opening become available at a later date. Applicants will need to keep their application current for the full year in order to remain on this list.

7. Faculty members paying for students from extramural or start-up funds will be allowed to choose an applicant, providing the applicant meets the minimum admission score of 18 established by the Graduate Program Committee and admitted according to 1- 4 above. No permanent assignments to a lab will be finalized until completion of the Research Methods (lab rotation) course.

8. An applicant who is accepted in the program, issued an offer, and then declines the offer must re-apply and go through the admissions process again should s/he wish to be considered for admission in a later term.

9. Graduate Student Stipends, whether funded by the State or through alternative sources, are provided on a yearly basis and no stipend is guaranteed for the full period of studies.