List of Pharmacy Schools That Don’t Require PCAT in 2022
This article provides a comprehensive list of pharmacy schools that don’t require PCAT. It also makes a list of the best pharmacy schools in USA that don’t require PCAT. So, if you’re searching for the best pharmacy schools that don’t require PCAT, then you certainly are in the right place. Keep reading to get all the information you need.

This article is designed help you make the right decision in your choice of pharmacy schools.
In addition to giving you the details of the pharmacy schools that don’t require PCAT, this article will also analyze PCAT, MCAT, and a comparison.
Let’s get right to it!
PCAT 101
One of the greatest challenge faced by intending pharmacy students is the requirement for PCAT.
It is easier to gain admission into pharmacy schools that don’t require PCAT than the pharmacy schools that require PCAT.
The best way to secure admission into a pharmacy school is having some background information about the pharmacy school. This is because the expected cost of writing the PCAT exams is avoided. Also, not having the PCAT as an admission requirement is one step closer to getting admitted into that pharmacy school.
An added advantage is that you get to attend one of the best pharmacy schools that don’t require the PCAT.
Pharmacy.org reports that about 80% of pharmacy schools in USA do not require PCAT. However, various schools in the outstanding 20% pharmacy schools have made PCAT optional for the 2021/2022 academic session.
There is no better time to apply for the best pharmacy schools that don’t require PCAT than now. But, we must first know the best pharmacy schools that don’t require PCAT and those that made it optional.
Let’s take this ride together!
What Is PCAT?
PCAT is the acronym or short form for the Pharmacy College Admission Test. It is a specialized test that helps ascertain qualified applicants to pharmacy schools and colleges.
PCAT grades general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education.
How Does PCAT Relate TO Pharmacy Schools?
Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is required by some U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy. It is designed particularly for colleges of pharmacy.
Due to the requirement for PCAT, pharmacy schools and programs that don’t require PCAT are increasingly getting very competitive.
The competition for admission into these pharmacy programs that don’t require the PCAT is as a result of the huge applications that these school receive each year.
What Is The MCAT?
The MCAT (The Medical College Admission Test) is a computer-based standardized examination for intending medical students in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is specifically designed to evaluate problem-solving, critical thinking, written analysis, and knowledge of scientific concepts and principles.
Prior to 2006, the MCAT was a paper-and-pencil test. However, all administrations of the MCAT is now computer-based.
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Is MCAT harder than PCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is more difficult than the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). A good indicator is the biology questions which are more advanced in the MCAT than what is seen in the PCAT. Also, while there is physics in the MCAT, there is no physics in the PCAT.
Furthermore, the number of questions in the PCAT is much shorter than the MCAT. The PCAT is less expensive when compared with the MCAT.
What Are the Best PCAT Scores for Pharmacy Schools?
PCAT average score is 400. Therefore, to pass the PCAT in most pharmacy schools that require the PCAT, prospective students or applicants must score an average score of 400.
Note however that most top-tier pharmacy schools that require PCAT prefer a 400 or above score for admission.
What is more? Applicants should take the PCAT approximately one year prior to the fall semester they intend to start pharmacy school.
The University of Texas at Austin reports that, most top pharmacy schools that require PCAT ask for the following PCAT scores;
- PCAT scores should ideally be > 70 percentile with a writing score of at least 3.
- 75% of successful applicants have a PCAT composite score of ≥ 70 percentile
- 50% of successful applicants have a PCAT composite score of ≥ 85 percentile
- All subsections (Reading Comprehension, Verbal, Quantitative, Biology, and Chemistry) of the PCAT are considered significant when reviewing your PCAT results.
List of Pharmacy Schools That Don’t Require PCAT in 2021
There are a lot of pharmacy schools that don’t require the PCAT. We’ve made up a list of pharmacy schools in the USA that don’t need PCAT.
This list of pharmacy schools in USA that don’t require PCAT are listed below according to their categories.
#I. List of Private Pharmacy Schools That Don’t Require PCAT
The following private pharmacy schools do not require PCAT;
#1. Belmont University
#2. Butler University
#3. California Health Sciences University
#4. California North state University
#5. Keck Graduate Institute
#6. Campbell University
#7. Lebanese American University
#8. Loma Linda University
#9. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston, MA
#10. Nova Southeastern University
#11. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Manchester, NH
#12. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Worcester, MA
#13. Ohio Northern University
#14. Northeastern University
#15. Notre Dame of Maryland University
#16. St. John’s University
#17. University of the Pacific
#18. Pacific University of Oregon
#19. Samford University
#20. South University (GA)
#21. The University of Findlay
#22. Touro University California
#23. University of New England
#24. University of Southern California
#25. West Coast University
#26. Western University of Health Sciences
#27. Xavier University of Louisiana
#28. William Carey University
#II. List of Public Pharmacy Schools That Don’t Require PCAT
Below is a list of public pharmacy schools that don’t require PCAT;
#1. Chicago State University
#2. East Tennessee State University
#3. Ferris State University
#4. Florida A&M University
#5. Idaho State University – Anchorage, AK
#6. Idaho State University – Pocatello and Meridian, ID
#7. The University of Texas at Tyler
#8. Marshall University
#9. The University of Tennessee
#10. Oregon State University
#11. Purdue University
#12. University of Kentucky
#13. University of Washington
#14. Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
#15. The University of New Mexico
#16. The University of Rhode Island
#17. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
#18. University of California, San Diego
#19. Washington State University
#III. Pharmacy Schools Where PCAT is Optional
Below is a list of pharmacy schools where PCAT is optional;
#1. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
#2. Appalachian College of Pharmacy
#3. Cedarville University
#4. University of Wisconsin – Madison
#5. Auburn University
#6. Concordia University Wisconsin
#7. Creighton University
#8. Drake University
#9. Fairleigh Dickinson University
#10. Harding University
#11. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
#12. Lipscomb University
#13. Medical University of South Carolina
#14. Mercer University
#15. University of Florida
#16. Sullivan University
#17. University of the Incarnate Word
#18. University of Connecticut
#19. St. John Fisher College
#20. University of Colorado
#21. Northeast Ohio Medical University
#22. Midwestern University -Downers Groove campus
#23. Presbyterian College
#24. Southwestern Oklahoma State University
#25. Regis University School of Pharmacy
#26. Southern Illinois University
#27. Roseman University of Health Sciences
#28. Shenandoah University
#29. University of South Florida
#30. The University of Oklahoma
#31. South College
#32. The Ohio State University
#33. South Dakota State University
#34. University of Kansas
#35. The University of North Carolina (UNC)
#36. The University of Texas at Austin
#37. University of Toledo
#38. Thomas Jefferson University
#39. University of Saint Joseph
#40. Touro College NY
#41. Union University
#42. University of California, San Francisco
#43. University of Cincinnati
#44. Wingate University
#45. West Virginia University
#46. Virginia Commonwealth University
#47. University of Wyoming
#48. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
#IV. Pharmacy Schools that Usually Requires PCAT but don’t Require PCAT in 2021
Some pharmacy schools that usually require PCAT but do not require PCAT for the 2021/2022 session are list below;
#1. University of Kentucky
#2. University of Michigan
#3. Texas A&M University
#4. th Dakota University
#5. University of Toronto
Best Pharmacy Schools in USA That Don’t Require PCAT
The pharmacy schools listed below are the best pharmacy schools and programs in the USA for 2021 that do not require PCAT for admission.
#1. University of California–San Francisco
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
PCAT: Optional
University of California–San Francisco is the oldest school of pharmacy in the West. UCSF has a long history of science accomplishments, patient care, and research clinician successes.
The University of California San Francisco school of pharmacy offers PharmD programs, Ph.D. programs, and Postdoctoral and short courses under the departments of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, clinical pharmacy, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
Its School of Pharmacy focuses on improving health through precise therapeutics—medicines, medical devices, and diagnostic tests.
Lastly, if you believe the PCAT provides evidence of your academic strength, you may take the PCAT and submit your scores to PharmCAS although it won’t be considered during acceptance.
#2. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Accreditation: American Council for Pharmacy Education
PCAT: Optional
College of Pharmacy at the University of Michigan was named in 1916. Today, it has become a strong member of the University of Michigan Health System.
This is one of the best colleges of pharmacy in the USA with a proven record of excellence. For instance, over 65% of 2018 PharmD graduates were named to top residencies or fellowships.
Because of her reputation for academic and research excellence, its PharmD and Ph.D. programs are among the most sought after in the US. It typically offers admission into PharmD, MS, Ph.D., Bachelors programs that have different specializations as well as residency programs.
In conclusion, you may submit a PCAT if your GPA is lower than 3.0 and your academic grades are poor.
#3. Purdue University
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
PCAT: No
The Purdue College of Pharmacy is unrivaled. In over 125 years of successful operation, we have produced elite pharmacy leaders who are improving lives worldwide in rewarding, top‑paying healthcare careers.
Basically, Purdue offers the Pre-pharm, BS pharmaceutical sciences, Pharm D, and Graduate programs to students. Whichever program you want to enroll for, there is a space for you here.
In the same vein, this pharmacy education will give you an array of knowledge in science, healthcare, technology, business, math, and counseling. It is one of the pharmacy programs that don’t require PCAT.
#4. University of Kentucky
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
PCAT: No
The UK has the largest Pharmacy Education & Research Building in the World. Similarly, we’re known for two things: being bold and innovative.
Continually, the University of Kentucky college of pharmacy has been ranked as a top-ten institution, and our research funding more than doubled since 2012.
So, whether you want to obtain your PharmD, this is the best pharmacy school that do not require PCAT.
#5. Ohio State University
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
PCAT: No
This is another pharmacy school that don’t require PCAT.
You can typically enroll in its undergraduate, PharmD, MS/Ph.D., continuing professional development, online, and early assurance programs.
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy is home to world-class faculty, dedicated students, and innovative researchers working toward improving medications and medication-related health outcomes.
Lastly, since 1885, there has been innovation in drug discovery and development, pharmaceutical sciences, and translational clinical research. This has led to more than 40 patents in the past five years for treatments ranging from cancer to heart failure.
How Long is Pharmacy School?
To get the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, you require at least two years of undergraduate college study followed by four academic years of professional pharmacy study.
Most students enter a pharmacy degree program after completion of three or more years of college.
Ranking Criteria for the Best Pharmacy Schools in USA that Don’t Require PCAT
We ranked these pharmacy schools using some criteria;
This is very important of pharmacy schools because pharmacy schools are require to have a license to practice.
Attending a pharmacy school that is not accredited means that your certificate of graduation is invalid.
In essence, this is one of the major requirements to consider when choosing a pharmacy school.
This is another major requirement for these pharmacy schools on this list. Even if the schools are the best but require PCAT scores, they will not be on our list.
We also considered the rankings by other international platforms like USNews.
Another factor is Low acceptance rate. If the acceptance rate is low, this means that the pharmacy school is well sought after.
What GPA do you need for pharmacy school?
Most PharmD programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0. This means that you will need to have a C grade or above in the required courses.
If you can, take pharmaceutical science-related courses.
Conclusion
The accredited pharmacy schools and programs in the USA that don’t require PCAT are numerous.
Although records show that students enrolled in pharmacy schools with PCAT come out better that those in pharmacy schools without PCAT. This is not always the case as there are renowned pharmacist that has made their schools proud.
Do well to read this post carefully and ask questions where you need further clarification.
Originally posted 2021-05-15 09:08:15.
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