In 2023, the UW School of Pharmacy introduced a new program — the PharmD Early Assurance program — to expand access to pharmacy school and train more future pharmacists to help meet Wisconsin’s health care needs. The program offers conditional admission to high school seniors who want to become pharmacists and have been accepted to a four-year Universities of Wisconsin university.
“This program provides a pathway for a student who would like to study at a UW system university, train at the highest-ranked pharmacy school in Wisconsin, and then remain in the state to serve their local community as a pharmacist, the most accessible health care professional,” says Jeremy Altschafl, assistant dean of PharmD recruitment and admissions at the School of Pharmacy.
Students across Wisconsin are taking advantage of this adaptable program. “I’m so grateful to have a seat reserved at a top-ranked pharmacy school and to be able to stay in the state,” says Payten Totz, who is completing her undergraduate coursework at UW–Oshkosh. “I want to help people and make a difference as a pharmacist. I’m excited to have a head start on my career path with a spot in the PharmD Early Assurance program.”