Pre Pharmacy | LSU University College

Pre-Pharmacy

Advising

LSU’s Pre-Pharmacy track is specifically designed to accommodate the prerequisite requirements for the two Louisiana Colleges of Pharmacy located at the University of Louisiana Monroe, and Xavier University. Advising for other Colleges of Pharmacy will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but may require verification from those programs.

To discuss how you may complete the prerequisite requirements for a pharmacy program that you are interested in, please make an appointment with Anthony Oster. 

  • LSU students may schedule an appointment with Anthony Oster using the Navigate Student App found in the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

At this time due to Covid-19, virtual appointments are available with Anthony Oster using the Navigate app on your phone:

  1. Select the "Appointments" widget
  2. Select “Academic Advising (UCFY & UCAC)” for the care unit
  3. Select “Pre-Pharmacy Advising" as your reason for the appointment. Note in the "Comments" box whether you are pursuing an undergraduate degree while also pursuing pharmacy or if you are just pursuing the pharmacy prerequisites.
  4. Lastly, select the day, time, and advisor. The app will send you a confirmation email/text to let you know the appointment has been created. The advisor you scheduled your appointment with will email you prior to the appointment time in order to invite you to join a Zoom video/audio appointment and to send you important documents. You can communicate with your advisor via email if you have any questions or concerns about the Zoom appointment.
  • Prospective or incoming students currently without an LSU class schedule may email aoster@lsu.edu to schedule an appointment.

University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy

The University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy is a selective enrollment program and has a competitive admission process. The basic requirements are as follows:

Admission Requirements:

  1. "C" or higher in all Pre-Requisite courses. A list of eligible coursework offered at LSU that will fulfill these requirements can be obtained from Mr. Oster directly.
    a. Any transfer coursework coming form outside of the LSU system should be evaluated by UL Monroe for equivalency.
    b. While the occurrence is rare, not all coursework that transfers to LSU will transfer to UL Monroe, and vice versa. The Tiger Transfer Tables can be used to check for LSU equivalency, but to ensure a smooth transition into a pharmacy program, transfer students entering LSU are recommended to locate and keep a copy of each course syllabus for any applicable prerequisite coursework in the event that the pharmacy school(s) that you are applying to require an additional evaluation of your coursework.  
  2. A PCAT composite score that is competitive with the applicant pool. While there is no minimum score, applicants are encouraged to retake the exam if the composite score earned is <30.
    a. For the Fall 2020 cycle, UL Monroe will accept the best PCAT composite score for two years prior and up to the February 2020 test date.
  3. Cumulative, Pharmacy Pre-Requisite, and Math/Science GPA of at least 2.5

The application process is three tiered: 

  1. Complete PharmCAS Application and pay the associated fee** 
    a. The Pre-Pharmacy advisor is available to review your application with you.
    b. Students are required to submit transcripts for all college-level coursework, including Dual-Enrollment courses taken during high school.
    c. Students are encouraged to select “yes” to the Advisor Release in the “Personal Information” section of your application. This data allows us to better-advise future pharmacy students by providing insights into the application class each year.
    d. When adding coursework from LSU into the “Academic History” section of your PharmCAS application, please select “LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY - A & M COLLEGE - BATON ROUGE,” choosing any other LSU option may result in your coursework being inaccurately reported.
    e. Make sure to complete the college-specific questions at the end of your application.  
  2. Complete the College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application and pay the associated fee
  3. Complete the ULM Undergraduate Admissions process** 
    **Please note that neither successful admission to ULM's undergraduate program, nor acceptance of a complete PharmCAS application guarantee admissions into the professional pharmacy program.
    PharmCAS applications require a verification process that can take four to six weeks to review and verify. It is recommended that interested students apply no later than March 15th to meet the May 1st
    application deadline.

Classes Begin: August of each academic year

Xavier University College of Pharmacy

The Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy is a selective enrollment program and has a competitive admission process. The basic requirements are as follows:

Admission Requirements:

Classes Begin: August of each academic year

How to apply

  1. Complete PharmCAS Application and pay the associated fee** 
    a. The Pre-Pharmacy advisor is available to review your application with you.
    b. Students are required to submit transcripts for all college-level coursework, including Dual-Enrollment courses taken during high school.
    c. Students are encouraged to select “yes” to the Advisor Release in the “Personal Information” section of your application. This data allows us to better-advise future pharmacy students by providing insights into the application class each year.
    d. When adding coursework from LSU into the “Academic History” section of your PharmCAS application, please select “LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY - A & M COLLEGE - BATON ROUGE,” choosing any other LSU option may result in your coursework being inaccurately reported.
    e. Make sure to complete the college-specific questions at the end of your application.  
  2. Complete the supplemental application that will be emailed to you after completing your PharmCAS application.
  3. Students are expected to meet the technical standards for this program prior to submitting an application.
    PCAT scores are not required.
    **Please note that a complete PharmCAS application does not guarantee admissions into the professional pharmacy program. PharmCAS applications require a verification process that can take four to six weeks to review and verify. It is recommended that interested students apply no later than January 16th to meet the March 2nd application deadline.
  4. Complete required Pre-requisite coursework.

 Pharmacy Student Tips for Success

  • LSU offers a wide range of resources for students, including tutoring services, learning strategists, and career counselors that can assist in preparing you to become a strong applicant.
  • Don’t overload your schedule. While the pharmacy curriculum is very science and math intensive, work with your strengths and don’t take on more than you believe that you can successfully complete.
  • The LSU grade exclusion policy often does not apply towards pharmacy admissions, as such, excluded grades may be added back into your Cumulative, Pharmacy Prerequisite, and Math/Science GPA’s.
  • Successful pre-pharmacy students meet with the pharmacy advisor at least once a semester to review prerequisites, discuss their application, and prepare for pharmacy school.

Resources

American Association of
Colleges of Pharmacy

PharmCAS - Pharmacy
College Application
Service

PHARMACY COLLEGE
Admission Test (pCAT)

ULM Contacts

Anthony Oster (Pre-Pharmacy Advisor)
150 Himes Hall, Center for Advising and Counseling
(225) 578-8281

Email

Sean Menefee
1800 Bienville Dr.
Monroe, LA 71201
(318) 342-3654

EMAIL

XUCOP Contact

Gwendolyn Hudson
1 Drexel Drive
New Orleans, LA 70125
(504) 520-7580

Email

Current LSU Students are encouraged to enroll in the community Moodle for this program. 

This online portals serve as the most up-to-date resource for students interested in the Pharmacy Professions.

PRE-PHARMACY