Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program | MCW Pharmacy School

皇家华人 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 皇家华人 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.

Pre-Pharmacy Scholars group photo standing on a staircase at the 皇家华人.

Program Eligibility

To participate in the Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program, scholars are required to attend a one-week summer boot camp in person at the 皇家华人 in Milwaukee. High school and college students are eligible.

There is no cost to attend, and transportation assistance is available. Daily lunch is provided.

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

皇家华人
8701 Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226

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

Fourteen High Schoolers Complete MCW鈥檚 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 皇家华人: 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 disparities. They will experience a 鈥渄ay in the life鈥� 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, attending a pharmacy school class, 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?

Contact Dr. Abir El-Alfy via email.

Abir T. El-Alfy, PhD, MS

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Professor Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences

aelalfy@mcw.edu

Funding

We thank the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation for awarding scholarship funding for the Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program. The NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to fund prospective projects that advance patient care by creating new learning opportunities for students and fostering diversity in pharmacy.