CA resident applying this fall for BS pharm sciences and similar programs. This is a little tricky because schools have different names for this type of program. Stats are good but not amazing (UC unweighted 3.80; weighted capped 4.20; SAT 1520 (I know UCs don’t look at this); decent ECs that are good for demonstrating “why BSPS” but otherwise not fantastic). Our list is below. UNC and Northeastern are not on the list because I don’t think they are within reach. UCLA/Cal are on the list because you never know, but my main UC targets are Davis and UCSB.
Questions - do I have a good mix of safety/target/reach? Are there other programs I’ve missed? Should I scratch anything (maybe Michigan)? Many thanks.
Purdue - Pharmaceutical Science
Arizona - BS pharmaceutical science
NC State - Biochemistry
USC - BS in Pharmacology and Drug Development
University of Michigan Pharmaceutical Sciences (BS new in Fall 2025)
univ illinois chicago - pharmaceutical sciences, biochem
university of washington - biochem or pharmacology
ohio state - BS pharmaceutical science
temple (in philly) - pharmaceutical sciences
UCSB - Molecular and Cell Bio - Pharmacology Emphasis
UC Davis- Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
UC Cal - Molecular and Cell Bio - Molecular Theraputics
UCLA - Biochem?
UC Irvine - Pharmaceutical Sciences
UCSC - Biochemistry and molecular Biology
UCSD - Pharmacological Chemistry
UC Riverside - Biochemistry
UC Merced - Molecular and Cell Biology
You have acceptances on your list. If you like all the schools - you won’t be disappointed in Arizona or Temple, my guess is you have little to worry about.
If you’re willing to travel all the way to Temple, give a look at Penn State. https://agsci.psu.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/pharmacology-and-toxicology
Imho, the campus is much nicer and this program ^ is solid for your goals, not too big so a lot more personal attention than usual at a huge university, research woven into your studies.
If you get into Schreyer, you’ll have even more research and experiential support. https://www.shc.psu.edu/admissions/
Deadline is Nov 1, send the SRAR and test scores so they get there by Oct 15 to make sure it’s all processed by Nov 1.
You’ll definitely get into Arizona and likely into its Honors College. You have a shot everywhere else and Davis is an excellent target
I would cross out U Illinois Chicago because it’s very commuter.
Unlike Pharm school, if you go for a PHD, your studies would be paid for (an unfunded PHD isn’t worth doing).
Wow - great insights and you are making me feel so much less stressed. Thanks very much. I had Penn State on my list very early, and clearly needed to do better research on it. Thanks for the links - it does look like a great fit and possibly a target for me even though I’m OOS?
Good advice re UI-Chicago - I was hesitating at the commuter school idea.
Can you explain your last sentence a little? Do you mean my PhD studies would be funded e.g., by a research assistant position or fellowship? And if I’m not working in a funded lab, the PhD will not be worth doing?
I would say that with this record Penn State Pharmacology is not only a target but very likely or perhaps even a safety (GPA×rigor=2/3 of the decision, test scores and other elements are 1/3, and you have all they want in both respects.) Schreyer of course only admits 300 out of 8,000 freshmen so all bets are off (tip: the decision is made by professors who read your essays and ask the question, “is that someone who’d contribute to my seminar?” Essays are thus paramount, complemented by an evaluation of rigor and a teacher’s recommendation. Test scores don’t matter at all for Schreyer since the SAT is useless at determining intellectual curiosity, broad&dynamic thinking, analytical writing, etc. )
I’m rooting for Davis but it’s a bit unpredictable. I’m quite sure you’ll get several acceptances (pretty sure for Arizona+Honors,
and Penn State) and your main stress come 2026 will be to decide between them all.
Yes, if you’re not funded by a Fellowship, TAship, or RAship, it means your resume and potential have kept you out of those and it’s a huge red flag for any postdoc program or employer.
