College of Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy

Pharmacy Early Assurance Program


Be Assured of Success.

If you’re an incoming first-year undergraduate student interested in pursuing a path to becoming a pharmacist, the Pharmacy Early Assurance Program can help you get there more confidently, more assuredly.

Opt in to the Early Assurance Program when you enroll in Manchester’s Pre-pharmacy Program and receive structured guidance to help keep you on track. If eligible you can fill your reserved seat when it comes time for admittance into Manchester’s Doctor of Pharmacy program.

As you start to plan for your future in pharmacy, you should also be aware of Manchester’s Dual Degree Program options. You can pair the Doctor of Pharmacy degree with a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics (PGx), the breakthrough science that uses an individual’s genetic markers to customize and maximize his or her medication therapy. You also have the option to pair the Doctor of Pharmacy degree with a Master of Business Administration. Designed specifically for aspiring pharmaceutical leaders, our MBA pharmacy track equips you with the specialized knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. These dual degree options have been developed as ways to set yourself apart as a pharmacy professional while still completing your degrees in four years.

Questions?
Need help?
Contact us at:
Phone: 260-470-2700
Send us an email
Schedule a visit to see if Manchester is right for you!

Early Assurance Benefits

All pre-pharmacy students enjoy benefits that connect them with the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

  • Networking opportunities with pharmacy program faculty, students and alumni
  • Informational sessions to help prepare for the Pharmacy Program and admissions process
  • Invitation into the Pre-Health Professions Club
  • A Doctor of Pharmacy Program interview with a 3.3 cumulative college GPA at the time of Pharmacy program application

for Students who enter the Early Assurance Program

  • A reserved seat in the Doctor of Pharmacy program during the year for which they apply (pending completion of required steps through their undergraduate experience and admissions process)
  • Locked/Reduced tuition. Based on when you transition into the Doctor of Pharmacy program, your tuition rate for that specific year will be locked in for you for the remainder of your time in the pharmacy program. Additional discounts may apply.
 Number of Years at North Manchester Campus Tuition Additional Discount
 4Locked in n/a
 3Locked in Additional 5% of tuition 
 2Locked in Additional 10% off tuition
* Tuition is locked in for four years at Pharm D tuition rate quoted during your P1 year. 

  • Priority advising appointment opportunities with both undergraduate and doctoral academic and admission advisors
  • Additional opportunities to prepare for entry into the Doctor of Pharmacy program, including a mock interview event and one-on-one appointments with admissions personnel at the time of application.

Eligibility

To qualify for Early Assurance, students must:
  • Meet all Manchester University undergraduate admission requirements
  • Minimum required high school GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Transition Options

Early Assurance students have three options to make a smooth transition from pre-pharmacy into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program:

Pre-Pharmacy Track (at least two years of undergraduate coursework)

  • Candidates would complete the 60 credit hours coursework at Manchester required to apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program (does not result in a bachelor’s degree).
  • Successful candidates must meet required college GPA of 3.0 or higher upon application to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

Fast Forward Track (three years of undergraduate coursework)

  • Candidates would complete prerequisite coursework as part of the Biology-Chemistry degree (or related degree completion) in three years through the Fast Forward degree option, earning a bachelor’s degree (NOTE: requires pre-approval and admittance into the Fast Forward program).
  • Successful candidates must meet required college GPA of 3.0 or higher upon application to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

Traditional Degree Track (four years of undergraduate coursework)

  • Candidates would complete a Biology-Chemistry degree (or related degree) in four years, earning a bachelor’s degree.
  • Successful candidates must meet required college GPA of 3.0 or higher upon application to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

Timeline

Once admitted to Early Assurance, students will adhere to a predetermined timeline to provide information to academic advisors, Office of the Registrar, and Pharmacy Program admissions personnel regarding their plans for possible entry into the professional program. Pharmacy Program personnel will work closely with the pre-pharmacy advisor and the Starfish system to track pre-pharmacy students through their undergraduate experience.

Summer after High School:

  • Students will connect with an academic advisor on the North Manchester campus, as well as an admission advisor from the Fort Wayne campus during Summer Registration Days.
  • Students should notify academic advisors and admissions personnel if they plan to pursue the Fast Forward track

After Fall Semester First Year

  • Students will connect with an academic advisor

After Spring Semester, First Year

  • Students will connect with Pharmacy Program admission advisor
  • Students should notify academic advisors and admissions personnel which track they plan to pursue – Pre-Pharmacy or Traditional Degree
  • Regular semester meetings will continue until student transitions into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. Undergraduate academic advisors will help students schedule courses and discuss their progress throughout a student’s undergraduate academic experience.

From Pre-pharmacy to Pharmacy

To maintain eligibility and transition into a seat with an incoming class of the Doctor of Pharmacy program, Early Assurance students must:

  • Submit a PharmCAS application by the predetermined Early Decision deadline date (typically early September) prior to their intended entry date to the Manchester University Doctor of Pharmacy Program 
  • Complete prerequisite course requirements with grades of C or higher
  • Successful candidates must meet required college GPA of 3.0 or higher upon application to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.
  • Complete all other admission requirements as outlined by the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
  • Complete the program’s admissions interview process successfully 
  • Submit a required "Intent to Enroll" form to confirm interest in joining cohort
  • Complete all required steps for matriculation into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
    * Those who opt in to Early Assurance, but do not meet these requirements can still apply for admission under the regular admissions process. 

Transfer students to Manchester University are eligible for Pharmacy Early Assurance based on the following criteria:

If at least one semester was completed at another university, then:

  • Final high school GPA must be at least 3.3, confirmed upon receipt of official high school transcript
  • GPA at institution from which the student transferred must be at least 3.0 at time of acceptance to Manchester University. 

Note: If a transfer student has completed more than one year at another university, at least two prerequisite courses must be completed at Manchester University to gain eligibility to Early Assurance, assuming the above criteria has been met.