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Medical College of Wisconsin Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program

This program exposes high school and college students in the Milwaukee area to pharmacy career opportunities. Beginning with a summer 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.
MCW School of Pharmacy Pre-Pharmacy Scholars logo, showing a medication and textbook.
Pre-Pharmacy Scholars group photo standing on a staircase at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

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 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 3 - Wednesday, August 5, 2026
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


Applications for the 2026 Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program are due by Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Applicants will be informed if they have been accepted for the program within the first two weeks of May 2026.

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.
Two female students wearing safety glasses measure liquid in graduated cylinders.
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Education

Scholars will learn about the role of pharmacists in improving health outcomes. They will explore career opportunities, participate in interactive activities, and receive guidance on the pharmacy school application and interview process.

Through structured networking and engagement opportunities, scholars will build connections with student pharmacists and practicing pharmacists. Experiences may include shadowing pharmacists at their practice sites and meeting with current Pharmacists to discuss career aspirations and 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, MEd

Education Program Coordinator II

smcdaniel@mcw.edu