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Downers Grove, IL Campus Catalog
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College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus
- Mission
- Accreditation
- Degree Description
- Curriculum Outcomes
- Admissions
- Graduation Requirements for the Pharm.D. Program
- Licensure Requirements
- Pharm D. Curriculum
- Departments
- 2016 Core Course Descriptions
- 2021 Core Course Descriptions
- Elective Course Descriptions
- Student Academic Policies
- Student Administrative Policies
- Awards and Scholarships
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty
- Pharmacy Practice Faculty
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College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus
These offer applicants the opportunity to gain an early acceptance into Midwestern University's College of Pharmacy and complete prerequisite courses at an affiliated school. If all program requirements are fulfilled, then applicants earn a seat in the College of Pharmacy and may then begin the three-year Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum at either the Downers Grove, IL campus or Glendale, AZ campus. (Note: Although CPDG is frequently referenced in this Dual Acceptance Program section, the option to attend CPG on the Glendale, AZ campus remains.)
Affiliated Schools
There are affiliation agreements with the following schools for the completion of prerequisite courses:
Four-Year Institutions:
- Benedictine University - Lisle, IL
- Dominican University - River Forest, IL
- Elmhurst University - Elmhurst, IL
- Hebrew Theological College - Skokie, IL
- Illinois Institute of Technology - Chicago, IL
- Lewis University - Romeoville, IL
- Loyola University Chicago - Chicago, IL
- Rockford University - Rockford, IL
- University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne, IN
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - Milwaukee, WI
Community Colleges:
- College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn, IL
- Moraine Valley Community College - Palos Hills, IL
- Prairie State College - Chicago Heights, IL
Available Tracks
Track 1:
- Must be a senior in high school at the time of application.
- Apply to one or more of the affiliate schools and later gain acceptance (choose one school to attend).
- Must have a weighted cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Optional: If desired, applicants may submit scores on college entrance exams:
- ACT of 24 or higher (submit scores directly using code 6400)
- SAT of 1190 or higher (submit scores directly using code 3788)
- Completed application and official high school transcripts are due to Midwestern University on the following dates:
- Early Decision: November 1st
- Regular Decision: February 15th
- All pre-pharmacy coursework must be completed within two years at the chosen affiliate school.
Track 2:
- Must be a full-time first-year student (freshman) already attending one of the affiliate schools at the time of application.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Completed application and official affiliate school transcripts are due on June 6th. Transcripts must reflect two semesters of full-time coursework at the affiliate school.
- All pre-pharmacy coursework must be completed within two years at the affiliate school from the time of Dual Acceptance Program acceptance.
Applicants should additionally reflect a motivation for and commitment to the pharmacy profession. Upon review of completed applications and submitted transcripts, invitations for participation in Interview Day will be extended, after which conditional admission decisions are rendered.
Applications and Admissions Process
Eligible students may access the free applications via the Website: www.midwestern.edu/DAP
Track 1 Application - Deadline: November 1st (early decision) or February 15th (regular decision). To apply to affiliate schools for the pre-pharmacy coursework, please contact the institution(s) directly. If applying to more than one affiliate school, this can be designated in the application.
Track 2 Application - Deadline: June 6th
For both tracks, official transcripts should be forwarded to: Midwestern University, Office of Admissions, 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. (Transcripts for Track 2 applicants should reflect two semesters of full-time coursework at the affiliate school).
After the Midwestern University Office of Admissions receives all completed application materials, applicant files are reviewed to determine which applicants merit invitations to attend an on-campus or virtual Interview Day.
During the Interview Day, candidates will:
- Participate in personal interviews that evaluate verbal communication skills, understanding of the pharmacy profession, commitment to patient care, and other elements as determined by faculty.
- Participate in a writing sample exercise.
- Learn more about the pharmacy program, student services, as well as tour (or virtual tour) the Midwestern University campus and pharmacy school facilities.
Following applicant visits, applicant files are forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. The committee may recommend to conditionally accept or to deny student admissions. These recommendations are then forwarded to the Dean for final approval. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies applicants of their status within two weeks of their visits. Conditionally accepted applicants will be ensured a seat at CPDG upon successful completion of the program requirements.
Program Conditions
All five of the following academic conditions must be met to retain admission to CPDG for the respective summer quarter. If any conditions are not met, then the student will no longer be a participant in the Dual Acceptance Program and will be encouraged to apply to MWU CPDG via the traditional application process.
Condition #1
All pre-pharmacy prerequisite courses must be completed at the affiliated college or university within a two-year period for Track 1 students, and within two years upon acceptance into the Dual Acceptance Program for Track 2 students. (All courses must be completed by end of spring just before transition into CPDG.) Refer to the appropriate required coursework for a particular affiliated college or university.
- Students cannot take summer classes at another college or university, even if that school is a Dual Acceptance Program (DAP) affiliate school.
- Note that some affiliated colleges or universities require placement exams and have special requirements for students who earn advanced placement credit.
- Some exceptions to the "affiliate college or university only" rule may apply. For example: Recognized AP credit granted for work completed prior to beginning at the affiliated college or university. If the institution recognizes and grants a student credit and the credit appears on that student's transcript, then that credit will be accepted.
Condition #2
Student must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the conclusion of the summer term after the first full year in the program.
Only courses taken at the affiliated college or university are to be used in the final cumulative GPA calculation.
Condition #3
A minimum pre-pharmacy science grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 must be also achieved and maintained.
Condition #4
Student must earn a grade of C or higher in all required prerequisite courses. Grades of C- (minus) are not accepted.
Condition #5
In the first year of the program, students may repeat one course for a higher grade one time. Both attempts will be included in the cumulative GPA calculation.
In addition to meeting these academic conditions, Early Assurance Program students must:
- Upon acceptance, submit a signed Letter of Understanding to the Midwestern University Admissions Office.
- Complete and submit a modified PharmCAS application, which will include the submission of transcripts for coursework completed at the affiliate school.
- Sign and return a College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus Matriculation Agreement and Technical Standards Certification Form. Both of these agreements will be sent to qualified students in the fall before their completion of their pre-pharmacy coursework in the following spring. The Matriculation Agreement will outline deposit requirements, final transcript submission, proof of immunizations, proof of insurance, and mandatory health testing requirements.
- Submit required matriculation deposit fee (amount and deadline date will be designated in Matriculation Agreement.)
In order to enhance their performance when later attending CPDG, students should consider these additional experiences:
- Involvement in extracurricular/leadership activities in the community or affiliated college or university.
- Volunteer or paid healthcare experiences (pharmacy, if possible)
Progress Checks
Program students should meet with their affiliated college or university's assigned academic advisor every semester. The advisor monitors the progress of students and will advise CPDG of any students failing to meet the requirements.
Any student who fails to meet the program requirements will be encouraged to apply to CPDG via the traditional route (submit PCAT scores, if the cumulative or science GPA is below 2.75). NOTE, the traditional application process is competitive, hence former Dual Acceptance Program students must compete for available seats and are not guaranteed admission via this route.
Additional Agreements
The following agreements are not associated with the Dual Acceptance Program (DAP). These are additional early assurance opportunities during the application process.
Benedictine University’s MSIP Program Applicants
Students currently enrolled in Benedictine University's Master of Science in Integrative Physiology (MSlP) program may be eligible for a guaranteed interview as an applicant to Midwestern University's College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus's Pharm.D. program. To qualify for a guaranteed interview as part of the application process, the following criteria must be met:
- Meet all traditional admission requirements of Midwestern University's pharmacy program.
- Apply for admission to Midwestern University using PharmCAS by the May 1st deadline for Summer enrollment at Midwestern University immediately following the completion of the MSlP at Benedictine.
- Have an MSlP program GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application to Midwestern University.
- No final course grade less than a "C" in Benedictine University's MSlP program.
- Have a Cumulative Overall GPA of 3.2 or higher, including courses taken in Benedictine University's MSlP program.
- Submit PCAT scores, if the student has a cumulative and science GPA below 2.75.
- Be recommended by the Director of the MSlP program with an additional letter from a professional or academic reference.
- Patient contact experience is highly recommended, particularly to demonstrate a discernment process to enter the pharmacy profession.
- All applicants must meet Midwestern University's technical standards, which is essential to delineate the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective skills needed for matriculation into, continuation in, and graduation from the educational program.
- If accepted into the program, must meet all other enrollment requirements including but not limited to medical, criminal background, and substance abuse clearance.
Arizona Christian University Applicants
Students currently enrolled in Arizona Christian University, may be eligible for a guaranteed interview as an applicant to Midwestern University College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus's Pharm.D. program. To qualify for a guaranteed interview as part of the application process, students must meet the following criteria:
- Achieve a minimum of a 3.25 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate coursework (with a 3.25 cumulative grade point average in sciences).
- Submit scores from the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) during the previous five years of the current admission cycle if the student has a cumulative and science GPA below 2.75.
- Have completed the minimum number of the prerequisite courses (as stated in the Midwestern University Catalog) in the prescribed subject areas at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better before the program begins.
- Have the ability to successfully fulfill all technical standards for the respective College.
- Receive satisfactory scores at the interview with the MWU Admissions Committee members on the day of the admissions interview.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of and a sincere interest in pharmacy, including shadowing at least one pharmacy professional prior to admission.
- Personal integrity and sound moral character.
- Reflect a people/service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Meet all other requirements set forth by MWU, including requirements documented in the catalog and student handbook.