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Secure Your Spot in Cedarville’s PharmD Program as a High School Student

Cedarville University's Early Assurance Program offers high-achieving high school students the opportunity to secure direct admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program — before completing undergraduate studies.

  • Earn your PharmD in as little as six years (or choose a seven-year pathway).
  • Get guaranteed acceptance into Cedarville's PharmD program through the direct admit pharmacy program pathway — no need to reapply.
  • Reduced stress, more focus: early assurance lets you concentrate on learning, not competing.
  • No firm deadline — applications are considered on a rolling basis as long as seats remain available.
apply for direct entry to pharmd program as a high school senior

Why Choose Early Assurance?

Students accepted into the Early Assurance Program receive a renewable scholarship of $5,000 in addition to any other Cedarville undergraduate scholarships.

How To Apply

1. Apply to Cedarville University

  • You may begin once your final junior-year grades are available
  • Undergraduate application opens June 1

2. Declare your major as pharmaceutical sciences

3. Accept your Early Assurance invitation (if offered)

Start Your Application

Continuation Requirements

To move from the prepharmacy phase into the PharmD program, you must:

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA each year.
  • Earn “C” or higher in all courses.
  • Complete the full prepharmacy curriculum.
  • Pass a faculty interview during the final prepharmacy fall semester.

For more information, check out our Early Assurance Program FAQs.

PharmD Early Assurance Program FAQs

What is the Early Assurance program?

Early Assurance Program (EAP) (or Preferred Admissions) is open to a select group of undergraduate pharmaceutical sciences students who have demonstrated the aptitudes and skills need to successfully pursue a career in pharmacy. This status reserves a seat for the student in the PharmD program, which has limited class sizes.

Is the program for high school students only? Can college students apply?

The EAP was initially created primarily for students committing right out of high school to Cedarville’s pharmaceutical sciences undergraduate program. We do also accept transfer applications based on the same criteria.

Can I apply more than once?

If you do not initially qualify for EAP, you may still enroll at Cedarville as a pharmaceutical sciences student. Working with a pharmacy faculty advisor, a plan will be developed for you to pursue admission to the School of Pharmacy. If your Cedarville spring semester cumulative GPA is higher than 3.0, you may apply again for the EAP program at this time.

Is the Early Assurance Program accelerated?

With a strong academic performance in high school, you may be admitted to Cedarville as a Preferred Admission pharmacy student. This means a seat will be reserved for you in our Doctor of Pharmacy program before you complete your undergraduate studies. You can earn your PharmD degree in as little as six years following the accelerated pathway.

Am I required to major in pharmaceutical sciences?

The EAP criteria are that you declare pharmaceutical sciences as your major.

What if my GPA is below the minimum? Can I still apply?

If you do not initially qualify for EAP, you may still enroll at Cedarville as a pharmaceutical sciences student. Working with a pharmacy faculty advisor, a plan will be developed for you to pursue admission to the School of Pharmacy. If your Cedarville spring semester cumulative GPA is higher than 3.0, you may apply again for the EAP at this time.

Do I have to attend Cedarville for my undergrad degree?

In order to take advantage of the EAP, you must be enrolled as a pharmaceutical sciences degree student at Cedarville.

What are the benefits of the Pharmacy Early Assurance Program?

  • By achieving Preferred Admission to the pharmacy program, you can plan with confidence for pharmacy school, provided you meet the program continuation requirements.
  • You can focus on learning, not competing for a place in pharmacy school. We screen students during the admission process, not as a part of the academic experience. Therefore, your professors will focus on helping you learn and realize your full potential, not on weeding you out.
  • Cedarville has achieved national recognition for providing a supportive learning environment and a focus on undergraduate teaching. We want you to succeed!

What is the Early Assurance application process?

First, complete and submit your undergraduate application for admission. You may begin this process as soon as your high school posts your final junior year grades. The undergraduate application opens on June 1. Indicate your program of interest as Pharmaceutical Sciences on your application. You will automatically be considered for the Early Assurance Program.

What are the Early Assurance Program requirements?

For freshmen students accepted at Cedarville directly from high school, qualifying for EAP is based on:

  • Declared major on application: Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • High School Curriculum
  • Cumulative high school weighted grade point average of at least a 3.25
  • Recommended: ACT composite of at least 23 or SAT composite of at least 1130. Cedarville does not require a standardized test score as a requirement for admission. For more information, visit the Test Optional FAQs  page.