Frequently Asked Questions


International Student Questions

What does candidate status mean?
According to ACPE, graduates of a class designated as having Candidate status have the same rights and privileges as graduates of an accredited program including the ability to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination. The University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy was recently awarded Candidate Accreditation Status during the June 2008 Executive Board Meeting of the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE). ACPE accredits all pharmacy programs in the U.S. through a three-step process: pre candidate status for programs that haven’t enrolled students, awarded to UH Hilo in June 2007; candidate status, awarded to a program with students enrolled pending graduating its first class; and full accreditation, for which UH Hilo is on track and eligible in May 2011 when the first group of Pharm.D. students will graduate.

What is the cost for in-state and out of state tuition?

For tuition information please visit: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/uhh/bo/tuition_schedule.php

How can I increase my chances of being accepted?

UHH - COP operates on a competitive, rolling admissions process. The application review process begins in August 2009 and continues until all seats are filled. Early submission of complete application materials is strongly recommended and will increase a qualified applicant’s chance of receiving an interview and possible offer.

How can I find out if the classes I have taken meet the prerequisites?
The UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy will accept classes from all accredited institutions. Please read the information below carefully, this will help you to determine what types of classes will fulfill the requirements. It is also suggested that you meet with an academic advisor from your home institution and provide them with this information; they will be able to make educated suggestions. When you submit your completed application with the prerequisite checklist, the Admissions Committee will review your courses. If you are missing a prerequisite you will be notified in writing by the UH Hilo Admissions Committee. If you have taken a course which may meet one of these requirements but is not an obvious match, we can review an email request which includes: course description, name of the institution from which the course is being taught, and the number of credits. Please email this request to; pharmacy@hawaii.edu.
Can I use two courses with the same prefix for each category?
You may not use the same prefix course for each category, for instance you may not use two communications (COMM) courses for the Humanities requirement.
Can you use the same prefix course for two different categories?
You may use the same prefix course for two different categories where appropriate, for example: COMM – Public Speaking will meet the Speech requirement and COMM – Intercultural Communications will meet the Humanities requirement.
Can I count one class for more than one prerequisite?
No, courses may not be counted for more than one prerequisite requirement. In other words, one course may be used to apply for only one requirement.
What class meets the requirement for a course with a cultural diversity component?
Our requirement for a course with a cultural diversity component is generally met by classes such as: World History (prehistory to 1500), World History (1500 to the present), Culture Revitalization Movements, World Religions, World Literature (Classical to 17th Century) World Literature (17th Century to the present), Literature of the Earth, Geography of World Regions, Sustainable Agriculture and Cultural Anthropology. In general it is a class which which exposes the student to different cultures and lifestyles. If you have taken a similar course and would like our Admissions Committee to review it to determine if it meets our requirement, please submit an email request which includes: course description, name of institution from which the course is being taught, and the number of credits.
What classes meet the Social/Behavioral Science Requirements?
In general classes which are taken in the following disciplines will meet the Social/Behavioral Science requirement: Anthropology, History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Geography and Women’s Studies. Classes such as Introduction to Business and Agricultural Economics will also meet this requirement.
What classes meet the Humanities Prerequisite?
In general classes which are taken in the following disciplines will meet the Humanities prerequisite: Art, Linguistics, Communication, Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Music), English, Philosophy, Ethics, Hawaiian Studies and Indigenous Studies, Religious Studies and Languages other than English.
Does Statistics count towards Social Science or Humanities?
No, it will not count towards any prerequisite.
What if I have taken classes on the quarter system and after conversion I am short?
We round up!
How is GPA calculated and what is the minimum?
GPA is calculated through PharmCAS, Please visit http://www.pharmcas.org/applicants/gpa.htm for specific information. There is no minimum GPA required in order to apply.
Will we accept Pass/Fail classes for prerequisites?
We will not accept pass/fail classes for prerequisites.
What does the rolling application process mean?
The rolling application process means that we review applications on an on-going basis from the beginning of the application year until all seats in the class are full. Once we receive completed applications they are reviewed by the Admissions Committee and interviews are offered throughout the year to qualified students. It is to your advantage to turn your application in as early as possible because of this process. Once the seats in the class are filled, qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list. As seats open up, students on this list will be offered seats in our program.
Will my January PCAT scores be accepted?
Applicants are encouraged to take the PCAT in October of the application year or earlier. January 2010 PCAT scores will be reviewed, however chances to receive an interview and subsequent offer are reduced significantly if a candidate has not taken the PCAT before 1/23/2010. If applicants meet the Feb 1, 2010 PharmCAS deadline, PharmCAS will continue to send to us all of your updates and test scores until the close of the application year on April 1, 2010.
If I have taken the PCAT multiple times which PCAT score will the Admissions Committee use as they review my application?
The Admissions Committee reviews your best overall composite score.
Can I transfer into the program before completing my degree?
Yes, applicants do not need a degree in order to apply to or be accepted into the College of Pharmacy. Students must complete, or be in the process of completing all prerequisite coursework with a minimum grade of “C.” However, our Admissions Committee gives preference to those students with a Bachelors degree.
Can I apply to transfer into UH Hilo Pharmacy from another Pharm.D. program?
UHH-CoP may accept transfer students from other ACPE accredited pharmacy schools as long as these students are in good academic standing and have legitimate reasons for seeking a transfer. All requests for transfer information should be referred to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UHH-CoP so that the potential transfer applicant can be counseled prior to submitting an application. To be considered for transfer, a student must meet the College’s general requirements for admission. He/she must also submit the following:

1. A letter to the Chair of the Admissions Committee indicating why he/she wishes to transfer and explaining any difficulties encountered at his/her current institution;
2. Official transcripts from all schools attended—undergraduate, graduate, and professional;
3. A catalog and a detailed pharmacy syllabus for any courses for which advanced standing consideration is requested;
4. A letter from the dean of the pharmacy college in which the student is enrolled. The letter must indicate the student’s current academic status and/or terms of withdrawal/dismissal;
5. Additional documents or letters of recommendation as determined necessary by the Chair of the Admissions Committee or Associate Dean for Academic affairs.

The Office of Admissions will collect and forward the student’s portfolio to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for review. If the review is positive, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will instruct the Admissions Committee to interview the transfer student applicant. The Admissions Committee will provide its recommendation to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

How can I request more information about the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy?
The most up-to-date information is located on our website: http://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu/. At this time we do not currently send out informational brochures.
Is there a preference on who writes the letter of recommendation?
We do not accept letters of recommendation from friends or family members. We recommend that you seek out reference letters from individuals who have had direct experience of you in an educational and/or professional setting that can attest to your work ethic, character and skills. This may include professors, pharmacists, previous supervisors, or club advisors from experiences you may have had in education, research, patient exposure, community service and/or employment.
How many students are accepted every year?
We accept 90 students every year of which approximately 50% are non-residents and 50% are Hawaii residents.
If I’m not a Hawaii resident, do I still need to fill out the residency declaration form?
Yes. Every applicant is required to complete this form in order to have a complete application. However, non-residents only need to complete Section A.

International Student Questions

Will you accept my course work taken in a foreign university?
Students with international transcripts must have their transcripts analyzed by a foreign transcript service. These foreign transcript evaluation reports are submitted to PharmCAS. PharmCAS will provide UH –Hilo CoP with this information. UH Hilo will accept evaluations from WES, ECE or Josef Silny & Associates. Please visit the PharmCAS website http://www.pharmcas.org/applicants/transcripts.htm for more information on this process and to view the contact list of Foreign Transcript Evaluation Services.
What is the cost for an international student?
Here is a link to the tuition information: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/uhh/bo/tuition_schedule.php. International students pay out of state tuition.
As an international applicant do I need to take the TOFEL exam?
No, international applicants are not required to take the TOFEL exam. However, International Applicants must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework in the United States at any regionally-accredited college or university. Of the 30 required semester hours, 15 semester hours must be allocated to non-remedial science courses.