Achieving Enrollment Outcomes by Aligning Applicant Recruitment and Selection with Unique Organizational Niches

Abstract

As pharmacy programs use holistic approaches to admissions, changes will emerge in the quantity and quality of the student applicant pool. Several programs have stopped the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) requirement, modified pre-requisite coursework, and reduced minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements. In alignment with their unique mission, values, and vision statements, programs have also expanded aspects of their application and review process to increasingly focus on leadership skills, community service, teamwork, collaboration, and paid and volunteer experiences beyond academic performance emphasizing skills and affective domain areas aligned with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards and the Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) Outcomes. Herein, we will discuss how pharmacy schools and colleges can refine their admissions interview processes in alignment with their unique curricular and programmatic niche areas of distinction.