Navigating Math Requirements for Medical College of Wisconsin Admissions

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) offers diverse pathways into healthcare careers, including medicine and pharmacy. Understanding the specific requirements, especially in mathematics, is crucial for prospective students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the math prerequisites and other essential admission criteria for programs at MCW, including the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program and general advice for pre-medical students.

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program Admission Requirements

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) School of Pharmacy offers a three-year, year-round Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center. The MCW Pharmacy School recognizes that there are individuals who desire a career in pharmacy who have arrived at that decision outside of the traditional undergraduate pre-pharmacy pathway. All applicants are required to satisfy the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program admission requirements.

Math Prerequisites

A crucial component of the PharmD program application is fulfilling the math prerequisites. A minimum of one college-level math course is required. Specifically, applicants must complete a 100-level or higher math course.

General Academic Requirements

Beyond mathematics, several other academic criteria must be met:

GPA: Applicants must achieve a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, as calculated by the MCW Pharmacy School. Additionally, a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required.
Credit Hours: Students considering applying for admission to the MCW School of Pharmacy must complete 72 credit hours of undergraduate study prior to matriculating to be considered for federal financial aid assistance.
Prerequisite Completion: All pre-pharmacy requirements must be completed by the start of orientation. For Summer 2025 admission, all prerequisites must be completed by June 30, 2025.

Course Prerequisites

Applicants to the MCW School of Pharmacy must complete specific prerequisite coursework. The following courses are typically required:

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General Biology: Recommended courses include Foundations of Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Botany, Marine Biology, Human Structure, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Animal Physiology.
Advanced Biology: Recommended courses include Genetics, Neuroscience, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Bacteriology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Genetics, Genomics. Lab preferred but not required.
General Chemistry: General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 2.
Organic Chemistry: Organic Chemistry 1 and Organic Chemistry 2.
College Algebra: Must be a 100-level or higher Math course.

Application Process

The MCW Pharmacy School accepts the PharmCAS application, which becomes available in July of each year. The final application deadline is June 1, 2026. After you have completed and submitted your PharmCAS application it will be reviewed by the MCW Pharmacy School Office of Student Affairs. You may receive direct correspondence from the Office of Student Affairs if your application is missing important information or if your application requires any clarification. The MCW Pharmacy School has a rolling admissions decision process. Rolling admissions means your application will be reviewed shortly after a complete PharmCAS application is received. Qualified applicants will be offered the opportunity to interview at the MCW Pharmacy School on a rolling basis.

Additional Requirements for International Students

International (F1 visa, J1 visa, or international degree) students interested in applying to the Medical College of Wisconsin Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program must satisfy the standard admission requirements. In addition to the standard admission requirements, international applicants must submit a course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation from the World Education Service (WES) to PharmCAS. On the PharmCAS application, enter your name as it appears on your passport. If the name on your academic record is different from that on your passport, enter the name from your academic record in the “Alternate Name” section. The ability to communicate effectively in English - to read, write and speak the language fluently - is vital to your success as an MCW student. Non-native speakers must submit official TOEFL scores submitted directly to PharmCAS. MCW accepts only Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) test scores. Scores are considered valid only if earned within two years of the intended first term at MCW.

International applicants are exempt from submitting English-proficiency scores via the TOEFL under the following circumstances:

The applicant holds a bachelor’s degree or higher completed in its entirety in the United States or another majority English-speaking country. The degree should be earned at a regionally accredited university located in the United States or at an officially recognized university in another country where English is both the language of instruction and an officially recognized language of the country. Please note that the entire program needs to have been completed in the qualifying country. do not qualify for this waiver.
The applicant’s native language is English.

MCW does not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on any other consideration such as work experience, English as a Second Language (ESL) enrollment, etc. Citizens must be prepared to submit a Certification of Finances form and provide supporting documentation for the total cost of attendance to the MCW Financial Aid Office after being admitted to the MCW PharmD program.

Optional Standardized Tests

Effective March 12, 2020, completion of the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)/Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is not required; rather, it's optional. If you believe the PCAT/MCAT provides evidence of your academic preparedness for the MCW PharmD program, you are encouraged to take the PCAT/MCAT and submit your scores to PharmCAS.

Evaluations

Applicants are required to submit at least three evaluations, and up to four are permitted. Applicants can submit evaluations from sources such as college professors, work supervisors, volunteer supervisors, or research supervisors. We do not accept evaluations from family, friends, or clergy.

Additional Information

MCW is one of the few pharmacy schools in the country offering a three-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Our innovative program will provide you with early and extensive exposure to a variety of clinical settings and world-class research in specialties such as precision medicine, pharmacogenomics, cancer and psychiatry. MCW’s PharmD graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to practice at the top of their license and contribute to patient-centered care within a team-based model, ensuring optimal patient outcomes in concert with other healthcare professionals. MCW prepares the next generation of pharmacists to meet the growing healthcare needs of society, and MCW PharmD students complete more than 2,200 clinical practice hours. A pharmacy career offers individuals the opportunity to encourage wellness in the community and the chance to improve the lives of those they serve every day.

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for pharmacist licensure examinations upon successful completion of the PharmD program.

Pre-Medical Program Considerations

For students considering medical school after college, UWM will provide you with an excellent foundation to help you reach your goal. Admission to medical school is a highly competitive process, and students must demonstrate very strong academic performance as well as provide evidence that they have engaged in health-related work experiences to meet the rigorous admission standards of medical school. Medical schools do no require any specific major. What they do expect, however, is that students will have taken the necessary preparatory science classes to prepare for the demands of medical school. Because of the number of biology and chemistry classes that need to be taken, most students choose to major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or neuroscience, but this is not a requirement.

Foundational Science Courses

Medical schools expect applicants to have completed essential science courses to build a strong foundation for the demands of medical school. Because of the number of biology and chemistry classes that need to be taken, most students choose to major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or neuroscience, but this is not a requirement.

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MCAT Preparation

Nearly all medical schools require that applicants take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Pre-Medical students normally should arrange to take this test at the end of their junior year. Effective 2015, the MCAT added a social/behavioral science component and additional chemistry. To be well prepared for the MCAT, students are advised to complete PSYCH 101, SOCIOL 101, and PH 101 (as well as other courses selected in consultation with the premed advisor) and CHEM 501.

Math Requirements and Recommendations

Some medical schools specify additional courses as part of the minimal preparation for admission. Calculus frequently is required or recommended. Therefore, Pre-Medical students should ascertain the specific requirements of the schools to which they intend to apply and plan their undergraduate programs accordingly.

Flexibility in Major

Although the courses listed above are mandatory for admission to almost all American medical schools, the rest of the program can be whatever the student wishes. Many individuals feel a calling to the medical profession after they have graduated and been working in another profession. The application process for medical school is highly competitive.

Additional Programs and Opportunities at MCW

Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program

The Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program offered by the MCW School of Pharmacy exposes high school and college students to pharmacy career opportunities. Scholars are required to attend a three-day boot camp in person on the MCW Milwaukee campus in August. Meals and snacks are provided.

Summer Training, Enrichment Program-Upward Potential (STEP-UP)

STEP-UP aims to provide exposure to a variety of health science careers to local high school students. Over a total of six Saturdays during the academic year, students participate in age-appropriate interactive sessions led by college pre-med students, MCW students, practicing physicians, and other health professionals.

500 Stars Initiative

The 500 Stars Initiative is a ten-year, comprehensive, multi-institutional, and community-focused initiative, with the overarching objective of enrolling 500 students over ten years into the 500 Stars. We offer direct, hands-on, professional experiences in clinical and translational science settings at CTSI partner and collaborator sites, as well as in the community. The Initiative works with well-established regional partners and takes both direct and supportive roles in the educational experience.

Advancing Innovative Minds (AIM)

AIM provides carefully selected high school students the opportunity to stimulate their interest in careers in medicine, biomedical research-and allied health.

American Cancer Society Healthcare Experience and Research in Oncology program (HERO)

The American Cancer Society Healthcare Experience and Research in Oncology program (HERO) is a virtual, multi-institutional, synchronous program for high school students. Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors interested in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) are encouraged to apply. Program activities are designed to foster an interest in health-related careers, recognizing the unique challenges of rural and urban communities. Programming is delivered in part through a partnership with eCLOSE Institute. The Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center is pleased to enroll up to 20 applicants each year. Over the course of two weeks, students collaborate with peers from the Midwest on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study project to explore facets of cancer science and clinical care.

General Admission Considerations for MCW Medical School

Applicants to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before starting the MD program. The degree may be earned in any discipline. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the MD program at UW (i.e., the first day of class). Applicants may apply before completion of premedical requirements, but must finish any outstanding medical school requirements before starting the MD program.

Prerequisite Coursework

A basic course in statistics or the equivalent is required. The requirement may be satisfied through a wide variety of courses that includes statistics topics and/or experiences that include implementation of statistics by the applicant. Such courses and experiences must be documented and submitted to the MD Admissions Office for approval. Strong skills in written communication are critical to the practice of medicine. The School of Medicine and Public Health therefore requires applicants to take an intensive writing course in a humanities or social science field to demonstrate these skills.

Grading Policies during COVID-19

UW will accept pass/fail (or equivalent) grades for coursework completed during the pandemic. However, to give the best sense of an applicant’s comparative academic preparation, UW encourages as much coursework as possible be taken on a graded basis (vs. pass/fail).

Mission Alignment

UW School of Medicine and Public Health has a broad, multi-faceted mission aimed at advancing health and health equity through remarkable service to patients and communities, outstanding education and innovative research. The Admissions Committee seeks applicants whose aspirations are consistent with the school’s mission and who articulate how training at UW will further their goals. Throughout the process, applicants should convey personal characteristics that demonstrate their readiness and qualifications for medical school, residency and physician practice. UW looks for evidence that applicants have developed and demonstrated the AAMC’s Pre-med Competencies for Entering Medical Students.

Residency Considerations

As a public institution, and consistent with the school’s mission and the Wisconsin Idea, the MD program focuses on training physicians to serve the health needs of Wisconsin. Therefore, approximately 70-75 percent of the student body in each class is comprised of Wisconsin residents, and non-resident admission is more competitive. For the MD-PhD program, residency is not a factor for admissions.

Experiential Knowledge

Describe opportunities that have provided experiential knowledge of medical practice, such as volunteering or working in clinical, patient-facing contexts.

Degree Requirements

You must have completed a bachelor’s degree before beginning the MD program. The degree may be earned in any discipline. Due to our integrated curriculum, we are unable to accept transfer students.

MCAT Scores

The Admissions Committee considers all MCAT scores earned by each applicant. Each year’s entering class must take the MCAT no later than Sept. 15 of the previous year and no earlier than Jan. If you submit your AMCAS application before a pending MCAT score has been reported, you must indicate any future dates when you intend to take the MCAT. We will hold consideration of your application until the scores have been released to us. Once the Admissions Committee has reached a decision on your application, we will not consider any additional MCAT scores for the current application cycle.

Additional Considerations

Citizenship: During the 2026 application cycle, MCW will accept applications from US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and DACA recipients. All applicants who are not US Citizens or US Permanent Residents must be prepared to submit a Certification of Finances form and provide supporting documentation for the total cost of attendance to the Financial Aid Office after being admitted to MCW Medical School.
Transcripts: To ensure accurate academic records, all final, official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended must be submitted directly to the MCW Office of Admissions by June 1 of the matriculation year. Transcripts must come directly from the educational institutions and include posted degrees.
Casper Test: Completion of the Casper test is mandatory for all MCW Medical School applicants. Casper is an online, open-response situational judgement test which assesses non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and physicians.

Combined Degree Programs

Combined MD/PhD or Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): This program is only offered at MCW-Milwaukee. This dual-degree program is typically completed in eight years, and matriculates about ten students per year.
Combined MD/MS or MD/MS in Clinical and Translational Science: This program is only offered at MCW-Milwaukee. This dual-degree program is intended to be completed within four years, and is designed for students who wish to pursue a medical career with a research focus.
Combined MD/MPH: This program is only offered at MCW-Milwaukee. Applicants to this dual-degree program will be eligible to apply after their first year of medical school at MCW has been completed.

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