Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Is LLU a faith-based institution?
Yes. Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The mission of the School of Pharmacy is to educate and train pharmacists within a Christian environment so that they can become caring, competent, health care professionals.

Do I have to be a Seventh-day Adventist to apply?
No. Preference is given to qualified Seventh-day Adventist individuals; however, LLUSP has a firm policy of admitting individuals who desire a faith-based education and demonstrate a commitment to Christian principles. No candidate is accepted on the basis of religious affiliation alone.

How many letters of recommendation do I need, and from whom?

What is the minimum GPA required for admission to the PharmD program?
The minimum for both cumulative and cumulative science/math GPA is 2.75.

Is a baccalaureate degree required for admission?
No, only the prerequisites are a required minimum. However, a degree can make an applicant more competitive for admission, and in recent years a strong majority of our successful applicants have had degrees. The few without a degree have junior standing and have completed upper division math/science preparatory courses.

Is pharmacy experience required?
While it is not a requirement to have pharmacy experience, it is highly recommended.

Can I fax my application materials?
We do not accept faxed documents as official.

When will I know if I will be invited for an interview?
We will begin inviting applicants for interviews during mid-October and will continue interviews through March. Interview slots are easier to obtain earlier in the application process.

Does Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy participate in PharmCAS?
Yes, we do participate in PharmCAS. Please use this link to apply to our program: www.pharmcas.org.

Do you have a rolling admissions policy?
Yes, we review and accept applications on a continual basis.

Is there an advantage to applying early?
Yes, we do our primary review of files as they are received and completed. Early applicants have the advantage of having a greater number of interview openings still available. Remember, we have a rolling admissions policy.

Do I need to submit transcripts that have courses that are unrelated to the pharmacy prerequisites?
Official academic transcripts are required from all colleges and universities you have attended regardless of whether or not it applies to your prerequisite coursework. Your file will be considered incomplete if a transcript is missing and therefore will not be reviewed.

May I call your office to find out the status/decision of my file?
We notify every applicant in writing as soon as a decision is made. We are not able to provide status or decision information over the phone or through e-mail. This hinders the process and delays notification for all applicants. Please be patient as you wait to hear from us.

Can international students apply?
Yes, we do consider international students.

My course plan has changed, must I notify your office of these changes?
Yes, since we consider your complete academic performance in evaluating your application, you must inform us of your current and planned course schedules--even courses that are not pharmacy prerequisites. Please e-mail us at admissions.sp@llu.edu for schedule changes. You must also notify us immediately if you are not receiving a baccalaureate degree as anticipated.

How many applications do you receive? How many students do you accept per year?
For the 2009 fall cycle we received approximately 750 completed applications. The class size is 75 students.

I have completed coursework outside of the United States. Should I have my international transcripts evaluated prior to applying?
Yes, international coursework must be evaluated by one of the following companies:
1.  American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
2.  Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
3.  World Education Services (WES)    

Must I have all the prerequisite courses completed before I apply?
No, but you must have a plan in place that allows you to complete all requirements by the spring quarter/semester prior to entering our program. You must complete these courses by the end of the spring term prior to entrance in order to fulfill requirements.

Is the PCAT or GRE required?
No, we do not require any standardized test.

I have already enrolled in a professional pharmacy program. Am I eligible to transfer?
No, LLUSP does not enroll transfer students in the professional program.

Do you give preference to residents of California or from California colleges?
No, although a significant portion of our student body is from California, this is merely a reflection of our overall applicant pool.

I already have a baccalaureate degree. Do I still need to complete all the prerequisites?
Yes, all applicants must complete all the prerequisites regardless of degree or major before entrance into our PharmD program.

What if I have a change of address or telephone number?
You should e-mail our office at admissions.sp@llu.edu of all changes of mailing, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers.

How do I withdraw my application?
You should e-mail our office at admissions.sp@llu.edu indicating your decision to withdraw your application. Please notify us as soon as possible. An explanation is appreciated.