Future pharmacists who want to get their degree from Ferris State University’s College
of Pharmacy can apply early for admission through the PharmCAS Early Decision Program.
Ferris is one of about 30 colleges nationwide and the only one in Michigan that participates in the Early Decision Program for qualified applicants who have decided that a particular pharmacy degree program is their first choice and will enroll if accepted.
The program offers students the opportunity to apply early and have a decision up to three months sooner than the traditional application process for the same entering class. It is a binding option and applicants may only apply to one participating school.
“This benefits students because they have the application process done, a decision is made and they can focus on their studies and prepare for admission in the fall,” said Greg Wellman, a professor of Pharmacy at Ferris. “It also reduces the time and expense of applying to multiple colleges of pharmacy.”
The Early Decision Program deadline for the Fall 2013 class is Tuesday, Sept. 4 with responses guaranteed by Friday, Oct. 19. The regular-cycle application deadline is Saturday, Dec. 1 with decisions rendered between late January and March.
“The Early Decision Program reduces the uncertainty for students and improves the efficiency of the interview process for faculty and staff,” said Wellman, who noted that applicant interviews will begin shortly after the September deadline.
Admission criteria and pre-pharmacy requirements are the same for the Early Decision Program and regular cycle. However, admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program through Early Decision will be more selective. Completion of pre-pharmacy requirements does not guarantee admission.
Ferris’ College of Pharmacy will accept 150 students for Fall 2013 with a combination of Early Decision Program and regular application cycle students. That means fewer seats will be available during the regular cycle.
“We are not putting a fixed number on the Early Decision seats,” Wellman said. “We want to see what interest there is and make offers based on the qualifications of the pool of candidates.”
Applicants may be offered early admission, denied admission or deferred to regular applicant status. Those offered early admission are obligated to accept the offer and will not be permitted to apply to other PharmCAS institutions for Fall 2013. Those deferred will be considered during the regular cycle.
“If we defer a student, it may be because we need more information from the applicant or need to see their fall grades,” Wellman said.
The College of Pharmacy typically interviews about 230 applicants from across the United States and Canada for the 150-seat class. The majority of those accepted are Ferris pre-pharmacy students.
Of three colleges of pharmacy in Michigan, only Ferris has started participating in the Early Decision program. Wayne State University’s College of Pharmacy and the University of Michigan’s College of Pharmacy follow traditional deadlines.
Ferris’ College of Pharmacy has been recognized as an accredited institution by the Michigan Board of Pharmacy since 1893 and is the principle source of pharmacy practitioners in Michigan. In February, Ferris opened its College of Pharmacy Center for Innovational Learning and Research in Grand Rapids. The new facility supports the college’s curriculum, which emphasizes early opportunities to experience professional practice.
Information for Students about the PharmCAS Early Decision Program. PharmCAS is a centralized application service used by the majority of pharmacy schools.
For additional questions, call Ferris’ College of Pharmacy office at (231) 591-2252.