Frequenty Asked Questions

What are the prerequisite requirements for being admitted to your program?
Ohio Northern's pharmacy program is a direct entry or 0-6 year program. Admission for most students will be after high school graduation and prior to any other college work. There are no college level academic prerequisites.

What are the main criteria for admission?
Ohio Northern's College of Pharmacy looks at five areas prior to any admission decision: ACT/SAT; high school courses completed; GPA; Class rank; and your activities/volunteer service profile. If you are a college student applying for transfer, your college GPA will be the most important factor, especially in science and math courses.

Are there minimum qualifications that you are looking for?
Each applicant's profile is reviewed in its entirety. It is difficult to give specific numbers but generally, we would like to see an ACT composite of at least 27 (1220 SAT); at least a 3.75 GPA; and, if your high schools ranks students, a top 10% ranking. Of special interest will be your math/science aptitude indicators and your life outside the classroom.

What if I am not admitted to the College of Pharmacy. Can I still attend Ohio Northern?
If your profile does not qualify you for admission into the pharmacy program, you may still be admitted into the University's College of Arts and Sciences and you would be permitted to take most of the same courses as pharmacy students and then apply for admission into the College of Pharmacy after one year. Admission would be dependent on two factors: space availability; and academic achievement in the first year. There are not guarantees of admission.

Do you require the PCAT for admission?
No. If you have taken the PCAT and you wish to furnish us with your scoring, this could increase your chance of admission.

Is there preference given to Ohio applicants?
No. Ohio Northern University is a private school and all applicants are considered equally regardless of residence.

Do you require the new ACT or SAT writing tests?
No.

Are there application deadlines?
Pharmacy applications are accepted after you have completed: your junior year in high school; and at least one of the aptitude tests - ACT or SAT. Your complete application file (including transcripts) must arrive in our Admissions Office no later than November 1 in order to receive consideration for the following year. Transfer students must submit their application no later than February 1.

Is a personal interview required?
Select applicants are invited to participate in mandatory interviews for admission selection. These invitations are made following review of applicant files and prior to any admission decisions.

Do you require references or written recommendations?
The College of Pharmacy requires applicants to have two reference forms completed and submitted prior to the November 1 deadline. These forms are available at http://admissions.onu.edu/ or you can call Admissions at 1-888-408-4668 and they will be happy to mail you the forms.

Do you require original transcripts?
Yes. Transcripts from your high school (s) and college (s) must be mailed directly from that school to our Admissions Office in order to be considered  official .

I am interested in applying as a transfer student to your pharmacy program but I am curious as to what credits will transfer and how long it will take to earn the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Can you help?
You can fax a copy of your transcript to: Dr. McCurdy 419-772-2720 and he will review it and reply to you by email. Don't forget to include your email address! If I have graduated from a foreign school, what should I do about transcripts?
All international applicants should have their records submitted to one of the national agencies that interprets and evaluates international transcripts. World Educational Services (WES) is one of these and they can be contacted through their web site at: http://www.wes.org

Is there a different application for pharmacy?
No, all pharmacy applicants must complete the standard university application form. Questions should be addressed to the Admissions Office at 1-888-408-4668 or admissions-ug@onu.edu.

When do I find out if I am admitted?
High School applicants are reviewed as soon as they are complete.  Decisions on who will be invited for mandatory December interviews are made by late November.  Admissions decisions will be made by the end of December.

Transfer applications are reviewed in time for a preliminary admission decision in late March.  Final decisions are usually not made until June 1.

Is Financial Aid available?
All students are eligible for financial aid consideration, including scholarships. Applicants that already have a college degree will not be considered for University scholarships or grants, but will be eligible for a variety of loan programs.

How many students apply each year and how many enroll?
Application numbers vary from year to year but we expect 1000 applicants for the pharmacy program each year. We anticipate enrolling 165 new students each year.

How many students do you graduate?
We anticipate awarding approximately 150-160 Doctor of Pharmacy degrees each year.

What pharmacy degree programs do you currently offer?
You may apply only for our Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program.

Don't you have any joint degree programs?
We have a dual degree program in pharmacy and law - Doctor of Pharmacy plus Juris Doctor. Students admitted to this program will be highly qualified and will be subject to additional admission criteria. Both degrees may be earned in a total of seven calendar years.

Do you offer courses over the internet or by some other form of distance learning?
Yes, but only for practicing pharmacists with the B.S. degree who wish to continue their education for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Is your program on the quarter system or semesters?
Ohio Northern University observes the quarter system. There are 3 ten week quarters during the academic year. These are equivalent to two semesters of work. A summer schedule is available with 3 four week sessions. Some students may complete a full-year three quarter course during the summer sessions.

Does your program grant credit for AP and/or PSEO (post-secondary courses)?
Ohio Northern does offer college level credit for appropriate AP test scores. Post-secondary college credit would be treated the same as any college transfer work.

If I am transferring credits from a semester system to your quarter system, how does it work?
A 3 semester hour course would transfer to Ohio Northern as 4.5 quarter hours assuming the course is approved for transfer credit.

Which classes will transfer?
You must have earned at least a C in the course to be transferred (not a C-), and the course must be approved for transfer by Ohio Northern University. Chemistry credits will transfer only from an "ACS Accredited" chemistry program.

Can I attend the College of Pharmacy part-time?
There is no prohibition against attending part-time although this would become increasingly difficult to do in the later stages of the program.

When can I begin your program?
New students begin our program each fall. There is no other point when you may matriculate.

Will I be required to undergo a background check? 
Background checks are required for 6th year rotations and most need to be completed prior to intern licensure.

Who do I contact for more information?
If you want to know any specifics about the pharmacy program, you may contact Dr. Bob McCurdy, Assistant Dean, at 419-772-2659 or r-mccurdy@onu.edu

For information on applying and/or visits, contact our Office of Admissions at 1-888-408-4668 or 1-419-772-2260. For additional information on the application process, go to: http://www-new.onu.edu/admissions.

Robert McCurdy, R.Ph.
Assistant Dean
Raabe College of Pharmacy
Ohio Northern University
Ada, Ohio 45810
419-772-2278
419-772-3554 (fax)
r-mccurdy@onu.edu