Pharmacy Professionalism Toolkit for Students and Faculty Provided by the APhA-ASP/AACP Committee on Student Professionalism

ADMISSIONS
Best Practice Guidelines

Background
The admissions process is tantamount to licensure as a pharmacist since the majority of students entering colleges and schools of pharmacy complete their degree. Thus, professionalism is an important element of the admissions process. In addition to academic preparedness, admission committees should evaluate an applicant’s potential to demonstrate and embrace the professional behaviors and attitudes necessary to provide quality patient care.

Planning Elements
Written documentation about the admissions process for pharmacy degree programs must be available to prospective applicants. The same information should be available to all prospective applicants regardless of the communication channel (e.g., written, verbal, electronic). An admissions committee should be formed to objectively assess an applicant’s credentials provided in a standardized format (e.g., PharmCAS, supplemental application forms).

Timelines
All information about the admissions process should be reviewed by administrators and faculty prior to the start of each admissions cycle, generally in the late summer or early fall. Updates or revisions should be provided as needed.

Promotion
Prospective applicants to colleges and schools of pharmacy are likely to receive general information about the profession and specific information about the admissions process from a variety of sources. Usual sources include websites (e.g., AACP, PharmCAS, or specific schools or colleges), academic advisors at colleges or universities, and alumni.

Evaluation
The adequacy of the admissions process can be measured against standardized measures of achievement as students progress through the academic program and upon graduation. Standardized measures include grade point averages, grades within specific disciplines, participation in student organizations, performance in advanced pharmacy practice experiences, post-graduate study, and the type of employment upon graduation.

Application Process
Interview Process
Staff Participation in the Admissions Process
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