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Medical College of Wisconsin Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program

This year-long program exposes high school and college students in the Milwaukee area to pharmacy career opportunities. Beginning with a one-week boot camp on the Medical College of Wisconsin campus, students explore various pharmacy career pathways and engage in hands-on compounding and vitals collection activities. Participants are matched with a pharmacist and student pharmacist who will serve as mentors over the course of the year. 
Apply for the 2025 Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program
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Program Eligibility

High school and college students are eligible to apply for the Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program.

To participate, scholars are required to attend a one-week summer boot camp in person at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Scholars must have their own transportation to the MCW campus - transportation assistance is not available.

There is no cost to attend. Daily lunch is provided.

Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Boot Camp
Monday, August 4 - Thursday, August 7, 2025
Daily Check-in at 8:30 a.m. 
Programming from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Medical College of Wisconsin 
8701 Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 30, 2025.

If submitting a recommendation letter as part of your application to the program, please have your recommender submit the letter via email to pharmacy@mcw.edu with the subject line "Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program Recommendation."

Apply for the 2025 Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program

Fourteen High Schoolers Complete MCW’s Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Boot Camp

The 2024 Pre-Pharmacy Scholars boot camp was a success! Students participated in informational sessions on inclusive leadership, how to write a college essay and innovation in pharmacy practice. They participated in engaging lab activities and tour MCW, Froedtert Hospital and Children’s Wisconsin.
Read about the program

Program Highlights

The Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program aligns with the four pillars of the Medical College of Wisconsin: Education, Research, Patient Care and Community Engagement.
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Education

Scholars will learn about the role of pharmacists in improving health outcomes. They will experience a “day in the life” of a pharmacy student, explore career opportunities, participate in interactive activities, and hear advice on the pharmacy school application and interview process.

Through mentoring and networking over the course of one year, scholars will develop relationships with student pharmacists and pharmacists. Quarterly experiences may include a shadowing experience with the pharmacist at their practice site, meeting with mentors to discuss career aspirations and other opportunities at the MCW School of Pharmacy. 

Research
Scholars will explore research areas with exposure to bench research, clinical research and community engaged research. 
Patient Care
Scholars will participate in vitals lab activities, learning to measure body temperature and read blood pressure.
Community Engagement
Scholars will gain knowledge on community engaged principles and community engaged research.   

Questions?

We invite high school and college students in the Milwaukee area to reach out with questions about the Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program.

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Abir T. El-Alfy, PhD, MS

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Professor Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences

aelalfy@mcw.edu

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Sarah McDaniel

Education Program Coordinator II

smcdaniel@mcw.edu

Meet With Me

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