Cooperative Admissions Guidelines
Some pharmacy schools voluntarily participate in the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines (CAG), also known as admissions traffic rules. The guidelines for applicants are below. View the PharmCAS School Directory to see a list of colleges and schools participating in the CAG during the current application cycle. To locate, select “Yes” in the CAG Status filter and click “Apply Filter.” Applicants who are accepted to a Pharm.D. program and decide not to enroll for any reason are instructed to immediately notify the school of their decision, regardless of the school’s CAG participation status.
As per the guidelines, applicants should respond promptly to a school or college’s invitation for interview. If an applicant cannot appear for a previously scheduled interview, applicants should notify them immediately that they need to cancel via the school or college’s preferred method. Click here to view frequently asked questions about the CAG.
PharmCAS Participating School and College Responsibilities
Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy will:
- updated their admissions decisions through WebAdMIT at least weekly throughout the application cycle;
- send their final decisions by theyearly date determined by PharmCAS (including early decision); and
- report any applicants who violate the PharmCAS Applicant Code of Conduct.
Applicant Acceptance Protocols
As an applicant, you should respond promptly to a school or college's invitation for interview. If you cannot appear for a previously scheduled interview, notify them immediately that you need to cancel via the school or college’s preferred method.
Prior to March 1
- In fairness to other applicants and pharmacy programs, if you have decided before March 1 not to attend a pharmacy school or college that has offered you admission, promptly withdraw your application from that (those) program(s) using the school or college’s preferred method.
- You may choose to hold multiple acceptances until March 1.
- When a school or college extends an offer of admission prior to March 1, a maximum $200 holding deposit may be required.
- Schools and colleges may not require a second deposit prior to March 1. After March 1 they will set the dollar value for the second deposit, if applicable.
After March 1
- After March 1, you may hold only a single acceptance.
- If you have accepted an admissions offer from more than one school, you must choose the school at which you will enroll by March 1.
- By March 1, promptly withdraw your application from all other schools that offered you an acceptance using the school or college’s preferred method.
- Additional admission offers may continue as needed after March 1.
- If you receive and choose to accept an offer after March 1, you must rescind your acceptance at the school where you had previously accepted an offer prior to accepting the offer at the new school.
School and College Responsibilities
Rules below are not applicable to PharmCAS Early Decision Admissions Program. Visit the PharmCAS website to determine if a college or school is currently participating in the Cooperative Admissions Guidelines.
On or Before March 1
- Applicants may choose to accept multiple admission offers.
- Schools and colleges may require a maximum $200 holding deposit when an applicant accepts an admission offer. This deposit may be non‐refundable in accordance with state and university guidelines.
After March 1
- Applicants may hold only one acceptance. Schools and colleges may choose to rescind their offers to applicants holding multiple acceptances.
- Schools and colleges may require a second deposit, and will set the dollar value, if applicable. Applicants may consider additional admission offers after March 1, but may still only hold one acceptance.