FAQ

Frequently asked questions

• What can I do with a pharmacy degree?

  Pharmacy graduates work in community pharmacy and in a variety of settings: clinics, health systems, managed care, public health, pharmaceutical industry (research, regulatory affairs, medical writing, sales, etc.), academia, government (armed forces, FDA, NIH, etc.) and other industries such as insurance companies. The educational experiences of our students will include exposure to these various industries and academia. Learn more about what you can do with a pharmacy degree on our careers webpage.

• Should I plan to do a residency?

  Approximately 20 percent of pharmacy graduates go on to pursue residency training or research fellowships after graduation. Postgraduate training increases opportunities in various areas of clinical and health-system pharmacy, research, academia or specialized careers in other industry or federal or state governments. Plus, additional PhD training opens doors to research positions in academia or governmental or private labs.

• What salary can I expect to make as a pharmacist?

  According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the median annual wage and salary of pharmacists in May 2023 was $136,000. Starting salaries vary depending on the practice setting and location. For additional information, visit our careers webpage.

• Do I need a bachelor's degree before I apply to the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences? What are the requirements for admission?

  No, you are not required to earn a bachelor’s degree to apply. You must complete at least 62 semester credit hours of undergraduate study and complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C- or better prior to enrollment, along with a personal interview. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a science GPA of 2.75 are required for entry. 

  The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) will soon be retired. No PCAT testing dates will be offered during the 2024-2025 admission cycle or beyond.

  We do accept the GRE, MCAT, DAT, GMAT and LSAT if you have taken them within the last three years, but they are not a determining factor in the admission decision.

  Additional consideration will be given to those with community service, patient care, pharmacy or military experience. Get more information about admissions requirements.

• Is there anything I can do to strengthen my application to pharmacy school?

  Yes. Whether you just became interested in pharmacy or you are in the process of applying, there are steps you can take to learn more about the profession of pharmacy and become a stronger applicant. After you have reviewed the application requirements, as well as required prerequisite courses, technical standards and our application process, start investigating your options and make efforts to get in-person experience through:

  • Job shadowing in hospitals or community pharmacies
  • Conducting informational interviews with pharmacists
  • Volunteering or working in a pharmacy as a technician
  • Joining a pre-pharmacy or pre-health club at your school
  • Visiting local schools and colleges of pharmacy
  • Volunteering for health-related events in your community
  • Becoming familiar with current news and trends in pharmacy
• When are applications open and for how long?

  Students interested in applying to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program may begin applying for the fall term toward the end of July. Applications close June 1 of the following year. The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences operates on a rolling admissions process. This allows us to interview students on a monthly basis, filling our class continually as we go. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible since there is no guarantee that seats will be open toward the end of the admission cycle.

• What sets the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences apart from other schools in the Northeast?

  Our commitment is to provide pharmacy students with a high-quality, interprofessional education in new state-of-the-art facilities that focus on the clinical care of the modern patient. We will provide a superior pharmacy education to some of the region's strongest students at a reasonable cost and with small class sizes. At the same time, we will prepare our graduates to meet a strong public need for healthcare services that are accessible, affordable, evidence-based and innovative. Discover what makes Binghamton's pharmacy school an ideal choice.

• Where is the pharmacy school located?

  We are located in $60 million, ultramodern building on Binghamton University's Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City, N.Y. The campus is a few minutes’ drive from two major local healthcare systems and also houses the University’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences and other healthcare-based organizations and high-tech businesses. Explore our building webpage for more details.

• What kind of facilities are in the building?

  The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has modern, interactive classrooms for lectures, team-based learning or small group work. There are compounding, pharmaceutical care and sterile labs, mock community and hospital pharmacies as well as a leading-edge simulation lab. Nearly two floors are dedicated to research, with high-tech research tools and equipment as well as high-throughput screening capability and large-data computing. Explore our building webpage for more details.

• I have heard that the school will revitalize Johnson City. Is this true?

  One of the reasons for situating the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Johnson City is to add to the economic base of that village, as well as to the Town of Union and Broome County as a whole. The school is set to attract private-sector drug, device and supply companies interested in collaborating with the school's research efforts, creating new jobs and opportunities with a large economic impact.

• What is the Pharmacy Early Assurance Program (PEAP)?

  The Pharmacy Early Assurance Program (PEAP) provides academically exceptional students future admission into the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. These students will be able to apply to the PEAP during the second semester of their freshman year and enter the pre-pharmacy program. Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS) has built this program to allow students the flexibility to choose a path of entry that is best for them. Students are able to enter the SOPPS and earn a PharmD in four years once they have completed all the undergraduate prerequisite courses. Possible routes include (a) completion of prerequisite courses in two years (2+4), (b) completion of prerequisite courses in three years, with or without earning a bachelor’s degree (3+4) or (c) completion of prerequisite courses and a bachelor's degree in four years (4+4).

• How does the Pharmacy Early Assurance Program (PEAP) work?

  First-year students at Binghamton University are eligible to apply to the PEAP during their second semester at Binghamton. The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will invite eligible applicants for a face-to-face interview during the second semester. Upon acceptance into PEAP, students are able to enter the PharmD program after completion or two, three or four years of undergraduate coursework. The SOPPS Office of Admissions will work closely with students to ensure all entry requirements for the PharmD program are being met. PEAP students need to maintain a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA and math/science GPA as well as complete all required prerequisite courses with a C- or better. 

  PEAP students will need to complete the official PharmCAS application by Dec. 1 of the year prior to matriculation into the PharmD program.

• What does Early Action mean?

  The Early Action program is a non-binding option for applicants who would like to take action on their application early.  If accepted, Early Action applicants will be credited the $175 application fee to their first-semester bill and are guaranteed a scholarship.