Admission Criteria and Requirements
Admission to MCPHS grows more competitive each year. The admission committee's goal is to enroll the most qualified, diverse and talented class possible.
As a leader in health care education, MCPHS seeks to enroll students who are intelligent, independent, and actively engaged. Please check the appropriate section below for the criteria and requirements for admission.
First-Year Admission (Boston campus only)
A first-year applicant usually is a current senior in high school who anticipates graduating in the spring prior to the fall semester. Candidates who already have graduated from high school or have earned their GED and have taken fewer than 12 college credits also will be considered for freshman admission.
Admission officers and faculty consider the following factors in determining acceptance to MCPHS.
Academics
Candidates who have completed a minimum of sixteen units of coursework in a challenging college preparatory program and have achieved good to excellent grades in the following subject areas are viewed favorably:
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of mathematics (algebra 1, algebra 2 and geometry)
- 2 units of laboratory science (one each in biology and chemistry)
- 2 units of social sciences (including one in history)
- 5 units of additional college prep courses
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and honors-level courses are highly desired. Additional science and mathematics courses are highly recommended.
Standardized Tests
Candidates must provide SAT (including Writing Section) and/or ACT scores.
TOEFL and IELTS scores must be submitted for students for whom English is a second language.
Essay
Applicants must provide a personal essay chosen from one of six topics provided on the Common Application. Candidates should express themselves clearly, concisely and effectively in their personal essay. Your personal essay allows us to get to know you as a person and student apart from your grades, test scores and other objective data.
In addition to your personal essay applicants must provide a brief statement with their Common Application Supplemental Form. In this brief statement please address your reason for pursuing the specific health care career you are applying for and your reason for applying to MCPHS.
Letters of Recommendation
At least two letters of recommendation are required:
- one from a guidance or college counselor;
- one from a mathematics or science teacher.
Extracurricular Activities
Candidates should provide a description of extracurricular activities to show a genuine interest, commitment and involvement in activities outside of the classroom that demonstrate leadership, compassion and dedication - especially activities that are related to health care. Please include community service, positions of leadership, musical instruments played, athletic participation, and any other significant accomplishments.
Transfer Admission (Boston, Worcester, and Manchester campuses)
A transfer applicant is any individual applying for admission to one of the MCPHS undergraduate or first professional degree (e.g., PharmD or Boston's Physician Assistant Studies) programs who has completed 12 or more college credits and/or has one or more earned degree(s).
Academics/Cumulative
- The equivalent of one or more semesters (a minimum of 12 semester hours) of college or university level courses
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (2.8 for PA Studies) or higher on a 4.0 scale attained at an accredited college or university*
- Evidence that the applicant can handle a full-time course load (12-15 credits) at the four-year college or university level
*It is important to note that a 2.5 grade point average is the minimum acceptable GPA for a student to be reviewed seriously (2.8 GPA minimum for PA Studies). Transfer into some of our programs can be quite competitive and the average GPA for admitted students is much higher.
Standardized Tests
SAT and/or ACT scores are required for candidates with fewer than 30 college or university credits at the time of application.
TOEFL and IELTS scores must be submitted for students for whom English is a second language.
Performance in Mathematics and Science Courses
Admission officers look favorably on successful achievement in mathematics and science courses at the college or university level without having to withdraw or repeat.
Essay
Please submit a typed 500-word essay discussing your reasons:
- For choosing the academic program marked on your application;
- For selecting the specific health career you will pursue after graduation;
- For applying to MCPHS.
Be sure to address all three questions - academic program, career choice, and selection of MCPHS - in your response.
Extracurricular Activities
Please provide a description of your extracurricular activities in order of importance to you: include community service, positions of leadership, musical instruments played, athletic participation, and any other significant accomplishments.
Interview
An interview is required of transfer applicants to the first professional year (Year 3) of the PharmD program (Boston, Worcester and Manchester), as well as applicants to the Physician Assistant Studies program (Boston, Worcester, and Manchester). Interviews are by invitation only after the application is complete and reviewed.
Graduate Admission (Boston, Worcester, and Manchester campuses)
Graduate applicants are candidates with an earned bachelor degrees or higher from an accredited college or university (preference is shown for candidates with a previous degree in a related science field).
Academics
- MCPHS prefers candidates whose overall GPA is 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) with consistent performance of 3.0 or better in prerequisite courses and other subjects related to the major field of study.
Standardized Tests
- GRE scores are required (regardless of graduation year from a college or university) for the following programs: Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry.
- GRE scores also are required for the following programs if an applicant has graduated from college within the last five years: Regulatory Affairs and Health Policy, Drug Discovery and Development.
- TOEFL and IELTS scores must be submitted for students for whom English is a second language.
Related Activities
Please provide a description of your extracurricular, volunteer experience, and work-related experience as it relates to your major field of study.
Additional program-specific requirements can be found in the academics section of the website or in the College Catalog section for each program.