How to Apply to the PharmD Program

Prerequisite Coursework

To be considered for admission into the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, applicants are required to complete a minimum of 74 semester credit hours of prerequisite coursework (see the table below) at an accredited college or university. Applications lacking one or more prerequisites are considered if the applicant is enrolled in, or plans to enroll in, courses that fulfill missing prerequisites. If accepted into the program, all missing prerequisites must be satisfactorily completed (a C grade or higher) by summer session I in the year of matriculation.

Prerequisite coursework completed five or more calendar years prior to applying must be retaken unless the applicant has earned a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. Additionally, a grade of C or higher must be earned in all prerequisite coursework (grades of C- are not accepted). If you have questions about these requirements, contact the Office of Student Affairscop-admissions@pharmacy.tamu.edu at 361.221.0648.

†- Refer to the core curriculum section of the Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog to find courses that fulfill this requirement.

Texas University Course Equivalencies

Students completing their prerequisite coursework at a different university than Texas A&M may take courses under different course names and numbers than presented above. To determine the equivalent prerequisite course name and number from your university, refer to the course equivalency documents listed below:

• Austin Community College
• Baylor University
• Blinn College
• Collin County Community College
• Dallas County Community College District
• Del Mar College
• South Texas College
• Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
• Texas A&M International University
• Texas A&M University Kingsville
• Texas Southern University
• Texas State University
• Texas Tech University
• University of Houston
• University of Incarnate Word
• University of North Texas
• University of Texas at Arlington
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Texas at Dallas
• University of Texas at El Paso
• University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• University of Texas at San Antonio

For more information about course equivalencies, or if your university is not on the list above, refer to the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

Application Dates and Deadlines

Early Decision or Regular Decision?

Applicants of Rangel College of Pharmacy may apply using the Early Decision or Regular Decision application process.  You must decide which type of application you will choose before submitting your application. PharmCas will ask you to indicate which decision type on your application.

Early Decision Details

Applicants choosing the Early Decision option should be aware of the following:

• PharmCAS only sends your application to the Rangel College of Pharmacy; no other pharmacy programs receive it.
  • If offered admission, Early Decision applicants are obligated to enroll in the PharmD program at the Rangel College of Pharmacy.
  • If offered admission, the seat deposit of $500 is waived. 
  • The Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy reserves the right to defer applicants from the Early Decision program to the Regular Decision program. If this should occur, applicants are informed in writing.
  • If deferred to Regular Decision status, Early Decision applicants may apply to other PharmCAS pharmacy programs during the currently open application cycle for an additional fee and are not obligated to attend the Rangel College of Pharmacy if offered admission.
• The application timeline for the Early Decision process is abbreviated when compared to the Regular Decision process. If applying using the Early Decision process, you could be invited for an on-site interview in Kingsville, Texas, in October and receive a decision by late October. Please see dates below and plan accordingly. (Travel, notify professors, etc.)
• Since applicants are the first to be interviewed, all 120 seats are available at the interview.
• The Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy reserves the right to defer applicants from the Early Decision program to the Regular Decision program. If this should occur, applicants are informed in writing.

Important Dates for Early Decision

• Early Decision application opens: July 18, 2019
• Early Decision application deadline: Sept. 3, 2019
• Last PCAT date accepted: Sept. 10, 2019
• Early Decision interview dates: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 and Friday, Oct. 4, 2019
• Early Decision admission decision: Oct. 18, 2019

Regular Decision Details

Regular Decision applicants are encouraged to complete their application, PCAT, and Supplemental Application as early as possible.

• If offered admission, a $500 deposit is required to save your seat. 
• Our admission cycle participates in a rolling admissions, therefore you can receive an acceptance letter through the summer before the year of matriculation.

Important Dates for Regular Decision

• Regular Decision application opens: July 18, 2019
• Regular Decision application deadline: Extended Deadline: March 2, 2020
• Last PCAT accepted: Jan. 7, 2020
• Regular Decision interview dates: November 14, 2019; December 5 & 6, 2019; January 16 & 17, 2020; January 30 & 31, 2020; February 13 & 14, 2020; April 30, 2020

International Applicants

Applicants who are not a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident are classified as international applicants by Texas A&M University. If accepted, international applicants are reclassified as international students upon enrollment.

Required documents for international applicants

In addition to the required application materials, international applicants must submit the following:

1. An official copy of each international transcript (native language and certified English translation) describing all academic programs attempted, sent directly to the Office of Student Affairs.
2. A degree statement from each international institution attended.
3. A foreign credentials transcript evaluation for each international transcript must be sent directly to PharmCAS. Acceptable credentialing agency: World Education Service, Inc.

International applicants may mail their application materials to:
Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy
ATTN: Office of Student Affairs
1010 West Avenue B, MSC 131
Kingsville, TX 78363

TOEFL Requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to earn a TOEFL score of 550 (213 computer based, 80 on the Internet based test) or higher.

• Scores must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to PharmCAS (use code 8246).
• TOEFL scores more than two years old are not accepted.
• F-1/J-1 students will be required to submit proof that they have met the university's English proficiency requirements.

Students (excluding F-1/J-1 students) who have completed at least 74 semester credit hours at an accredited United States university or college will not be required to submit passing TOEFL scores.

Note: Your classification as an international student is completely separate from your classification as a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes. Residency status for tuition purposes is dependent upon the length of time you have lived in the state of Texas. Classification as an international student is dependent on your immigration status. Therefore, it is entirely possible that you could be considered a resident for tuition purposes and still be classified as an international student.

Transfer Applicants

Students enrolled in a PharmD program at another college or school of pharmacy, may apply to transfer into the PharmD program at the Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy.

Transfer Application materials

When applying for a transfer, students must submit the following:

1. A Rangel College of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy Transfer Student application
2. A personal statement detailing the reason or reasons for applying for a transfer. Include information about extracurricular activities, membership in student organizations and relevant volunteer work.
3. An official transcript from the current school or college of pharmacy.
   A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, on a 4.0 scale, is required.
4. Official transcripts from institutions where pre-pharmacy coursework was completed.
   A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, on a 4.0 scale, is required.
5. An official PCAT score.
   Scores more than three years old are not accepted and a competitive score is required.
6. A letter of good academic and professional standing from the dean of the current school or college of pharmacy.
7. Three letters of recommendation:
   • Two letters from faculty members teaching at the current school or college of pharmacy
   • One letter from a pharmacist or work supervisor who has firsthand knowledge of your capabilities

The Rangel College of Pharmacy may request a syllabus for each pharmacy course completed at the current school or college of pharmacy. Do not submit course syllabi unless they are requested.

Application Submission deadline and fee

The transfer application, supporting documentation and processing fee of $100 must be submitted by Feb. 1 of the year the student wishes to transfer. Mail transfer application and supporting documentation to:

Office of Academic Affairs
Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
1010 West Avenue B
Kingsville, Texas 78363

Transfer students are admitted into the PharmD program at the Rangel College of Pharmacy in the fall semester of the year they apply.

Important information regarding transfers

• Transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis, contingent on whether a seat is available.
• Students may only transfer into the didactic curriculum and are required to be enrolled for a minimum of three years as a full-time student at the Rangel College of Pharmacy to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
• Because of differences in pharmacy programs, there is no guarantee a transfer student will enter the PharmD program at the Rangel College of Pharmacy with the same classification. For example, a transfer student may have been classified as a third-year student in their current program, but may be classified as a second-year student in our program.
• Students applying for a transfer may be interviewed and should plan to travel to the Rangel College of Pharmacy at their own expense.

Admission Interview

All interviews are held on our Kingsville campus located on Texas A&M University Kingsville in Kingsville, TX. Our address is 1010 W. Ave B, Kingsville, TX 78363. The interview day will last about 4 hours. During this time, applicants participate in the interview, fill out a campus selection form, learn more about the program and speak with current students.

What is a Multiple Mini-Interview?

Admissions interviews follow the MuItiple Mini-Interview (MMI) format. MMI is a process where applicants interview with multiple faculty at different stations. A question or scenario is presented to the applicant just prior to entering the station. Questions and scenarios are designed to measure one or more of the following:

• Responsibility
• Ethical & Moral Judgment
• Communication Skills
• Management Skills
• Problem Solving
• Self Awareness
• Team Work
• Conflict Resolution

What to expect during an MMI?

1. Applicants are assigned to begin at a specific station.
2. After arriving at the station, applicants have 2 minutes to read the scenario or question posted on the door and plan an answer or response. 
   • A clipboard, paper and pencil will be provided.
3. Applicants then enter the room and have 5 minutes to communicate their answer or response verbally or in writing. 
4. Applicants are then given 1 minute to proceed to the next station and the process begins again at step 2.

The Rangel College of Pharmacy plans to have a maximum of 10 stations on your interview day.

How do I prepare for an MMI interview?

• Research the Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
• Practice giving timed responses to a variety of scenarios
• Review current health care issues
• Watch this video