Early Assurance Program

High School Seniors with a passion for pursuing a health care career in pharmacy are encouraged to apply.  Students must meet the following requirements for consideration:

• Have a 3.2 or higher unweighted GPA at the end of the fall semester of their senior year
• By the end of their spring semester, achieve admittance to an accredited undergraduate program of their choice
• Commit to pursuing a career in pharmacy by taking the most demanding science and math courses available

As one of the only College of Pharmacy Early Assurance Programs located on an academic medical center, there are many benefits for candidates accepted into the program:

• Acceptance into the MUSC College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. program upon completion of all maintenance requirements/conditional acceptance expectations
• Study prerequisites at any accredited college or university of your choice
• Special networking opportunities with College of Pharmacy faculty, students and alumni
• Ability to use LIFE and Palmetto Fellows scholarships for the Pharm.D. program (South Carolina residents)
• PharmCAS application fee and Pharm.D. seat fee waived

• Apply online through PharmDIRECT by May 1, 2026 (application opens August 28, 2025)
• Submit three letters of recommendation through PharmDirect application
• Submit an essay on why you are pursuing pharmacy as a career through PharmDirect application
• Meet the MUSC College of Pharmacy Technical Standards

The MUSC Admissions office will review and evaluate applications on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive a phone call and/or email after submitting their application with information regarding the next steps in the application process.

Upon acceptance into the Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy’s Early Assurance Program and graduation from high school, students may complete the prerequisite requirements at any accredited undergraduate program of their choice and must:

• Successfully complete all prerequisite requirements within two (2) academic years* with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Work/shadow a minimum of 20 hours in pharmacy or interview at least five pharmacists - Sample Interview with a Pharmacist Questions (PDF) or complete the Pharmacy Career Pathways Certificate Program
• Submit a PharmCAS application by October 1 during the fall semester of their sophomore year/second year of prerequisites
• Successfully interview with the College in the fall semester prior to starting the Pharm.D. program
• Successfully pass the required background check
• Satisfy the MUSC College of Pharmacy established technical standards for the admission, progression and graduation of the Pharm.D. Program

Those who do not meet these requirements may apply for admission under the regular Pharm.D. admission criteria. *Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances