Current High School Students - Conditional Entry Program Eligibility Requirements
Incoming freshmen who wish to be considered for the CEP must meet one of the minimum eligibility requirements outlined below.
Minimum Eligibility Criteria:
Must have a ≥ 3.50 high school GPA (4.0 scale) verified through official transcripts OR
ACT Score ≥ 27 OR
SAT Score ≥ 1260
(Official test scores must be submitted at time of application but no later than January 19, 2026 if high school GPA < 3.5)
Application & Selection Process
Complete the following steps to be considered for the incoming Fall 2026 CEP cohort.
STEP 1:
- Apply for undergraduate admission to SIUE.
STEP 2:
- Once you have received your student ID (800#), use this link to apply for the final step in the CEP application.
Timeline for post-application completion:
- January - Selected applicants will be notified and receive an invitation to interview with the School of Pharmacy
- February* - Interviews will be conducted on a designated Saturday at the School of Pharmacy
- March - Top candidates will receive a formal invitation to participate in the CEP
- May 1st - Deadline to achieve minimum enrollment criteria and to accept and return the CEP Agreement Form
- May - July - Attend a New Student Orientation session at SIUE
- August - Classes begin
*Candidates may apply for both the Meridian Scholars Program and the CEP program at the same time and are encouraged to do so if interested. At least one interview will be required for consideration in the CEP program.
Conditional Entry Enrollment Criteria
A plan to meet the criteria outlined below must be communicated to the School of Pharmacy no later than May 1, 2026 to enroll in the CEP.
For fall 2026 freshmen who are offered conditional entry, students must create a plan to meet Math, Chemistry, and English placements for fall 2026 and are expected to work with the School of Pharmacy Office of Student and Professional Affairs (OPSA) to determine a 2 or 3-year path to prepare for Pharmacy School.
Math Placement Guidance
Students are expected to test into MATH 120 College Algebra as a minimum requirement. If a lower-level math course is required, students may be removed from the Conditional Entry Program but may continue to pursue the pre-pharmacy track with guidance from OPSA.
Students who place into MATH 120 College Algebra or Math 125 Precalculus Math with Trigonometry should plan to take the math course in their first fall semester.
MATH 125 placement can be earned in one of the following ways:
- Math Placement into Math 125 or higher
- Minimum Advanced Placement (AP) test score of 3 for Calculus AB or Calculus BC
- Minimum grade of C in dual credit course offered through a regionally accredited college/university equivalent to MATH 120: College Algebra
Chemistry Placement Guidance
Students are expected to test into CHEM 121 General Chemistry 1 with CHEM 125a General Chemistry Lab 1. If a lower-level chemistry course is required, students may be removed from the Conditional Entry Program but may continue to pursue the pre-pharmacy track with guidance from OPSA.
CHEM 121/125A placement can be earned in one of the following ways:
- Math Placement into Math 125 or higher OR
- Chemistry Readiness Exam (CRE) Score >= 39 OR 34 – 38 with 17+ CRE math subscore OR
- C or higher in CHEM 113 (Intro to Chemistry) AND Math 120 (College Algebra) or higher
Biology Placement Guidance
Placement in biology courses is dependent upon Chemistry placement. Ideally, students will take BIOL 150 General Biology 1 with Lab and CHEM 121/125a in the first semester. While these courses can be taken concurrently, BIOL 150 may not be taken unless the student in currently enrolled in or has completed CHEM 121.
Students who do not meet communicate their plan to meet enrollment criteria by May 1, 2026 will not be eligible to participate in the CEP. However, they are encouraged to continue in their Pre-Pharmacy studies and apply for admission to the PharmD program via the traditional method of application.
The School of Pharmacy Office of Professional & Student Affairs will communicate with those students whose CEP enrollment is affected and provide guidance on the steps to take for a continued path into pharmacy school.
Additional Information on the Terms & Conditions, CEP Requirements, Academic Requirements and Program Requirements for Matriculation into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program is available here.
