Early Assurance Program
Students planning to attend or currently enrolled as a first-semester freshman at Samford University or any fully accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university can apply to McWhorter School of Pharmacy's Early Assurance program. Qualifying students will then be invited to interview for the Doctor of Pharmacy program and if successful, be notified of acceptance. If these students meet all progression standards throughout the two-year prepharmacy course work, they are guaranteed a seat in the first-year cohort.
Benchmarks once enrolled at Samford:
- Achieve a 3.0 overall and math/science GPA each semester prior to enrollment at McWhorter School of Pharmacy
- Complete all university core and science courses at Samford*
- Enrollment in FOUN 102 Vocations Exploration in Pharmacy
- All prerequisite courses to be completed in two (2) academic years*
- Not found responsible for any campus values or other conduct violations
- Active participation in Samford’s prepharmacy club and specific EAP events each semester
Benchmarks once enrolled at other fully accredited colleges/universities:
- Achieve a 3.0 overall and math/science GPA each semester prior to enrollment at McWhorter
- Complete all specifically identified pre-requisite courses at an accredited college or university*
- Complete all prerequisite courses in two (2) academic years*
- Have no disciplinary actions taken by their undergraduate college/university during enrollment
- Actively participate in the college/university’s Pre-Pharmacy Club (or equivalent)
- Interview for EAP: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 and Saturday, April 12, 2025**
*Waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances.
**Currently enrolled as first semester freshmen
Application Requirements
- Be admitted at Samford or another fully accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university as a first-time, full-time freshman directly from high school OR be enrolled as a college freshman in the fall semester.
- Have a minimum 3.5 GPA (overall high school) and a minimum 3.4 "Pre-pharmacy Preparation” (PharmPrep) GPA at time of application. Courses in this PharmPrep GPA calculation include: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Precalculus, and Calculus
- Applicants must have completed 5 of the 7 courses listed above to be considered for early assurance.
- Provide two letters of references, one being from a math or science teacher who has instructed the student and the other from the high school Advisor/Guidance Counselor specifically addressing the student's academic potential in the overall areas of math and science. Letters are submitted through Slate. Letters from family members will not be accepted.
- Submit an honor-system-based writing assessment by computer with autocorrecting features on their computer disabled. The applicant will email their writing sample to the Director of Pharmacy Admissions or designated staff to be submitted into the rating system.
- Have a successful interview involving members of the School’s Admissions Committee (Appendix 3). The Admissions Committee will then make a decision on each EAP applicant regarding admission to our PharmD program.
Pharmacy EAP Application
Prospective Samford undergraduate students must apply for admission to the university first. A few undergraduate programs require additional applications, auditions or interviews. Graduate program application processes are variable. Visit the individual program pages to learn about their processes.
