2014-2015 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Admission Cedarville University uses a direct entry approach for admission to the School of Pharmacy. This means that most students compete for admission to the prepharmacy curriculum as incoming new students from high school or another university. If they gain preferred admission as new students, their admission to the final four years of the professional curriculum is secure, provided they meet the requirements to continue in the program. This approach enables students to focus on enjoying their undergraduate education as prepharmacy students, not competing for admission to pharmacy school. Admission to the School of Pharmacy involves two steps. First, students obtain admission to the University. Second, students compete for preferred admission to the School of Pharmacy. That competition begins with an invitation by the Pharmacy Admissions Committee to apply for admission to the School of Pharmacy. Those invitations are based upon the following criteria: 1. Declared interest in pharmacy 2. Academic curriculum 3. Cumulative GPA (high school or collegiate) 4. ACT composite and subscores of at least 23 (or SAT subscores of 530 or higher)(for high school students) The Pharmacy Admissions Committee begins inviting students to apply by the first week of October. The application process involves submitting an essay and scheduling an interview with the Pharmacy Admissions Committee. Interviews typically begin in mid-November and continue until the class is full. Final selection is based upon performance in the interview and on the essay. Students who do not wish to compete for preferred admission or who do not qualify for preferred admission as a new student may still take the prepharmacy curriculum with the approval of the Dean of the School of Pharmacy. Their eligibility to continue into the professional-level pharmacy curriculum will be contingent upon meeting the continuation requirements outlined below. The School of Pharmacy also encourages students who have earned undergrduate or graduate degrees elsewhere to apply. These “postbaccalaureate” students apply directly for admission to the professional pharmacy program following the procedures outlined on the School of Pharmacy website. Factors considered in admission decisions include collegiate grade point average, PCAT scores, experience in and passion for pharmacy, and the interview with the pharmacy admissions committee. Continuation Requirements To continue as a preferred admission prepharmacy student and move into the professional portion of the curriculum, students must meet the following requirements: 1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. 2. Complete all of the curricular requirements (including the general education language requirements) and any professional development- or service-related requirements set forth in the prepharmacy program. 3. Obtain a PCAT score (Pharmacy College Admissions Test) at the 50th percentile or above. 4. Interview successfully with the faculty of the School of Pharmacy. Retention and Progression Requirements A student must repeat any required course with a grade lower than “C” in any course that is not a sequence course (General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Human Structure and Function; where a “C-” is permitted as long as a “C+” or better is earned in the other courses in the sequence). In order to achieve an overall GPA of 3.00, a student may repeat any course, and the new grade replaces the previous one. Under the School of Pharmacy’s repeat course policy, the previous grade earned remains on the student’s official transcript but it is not calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA for continuation in prepharmacy or admission into the professional pharmacy program. Preferred admission students failing to meet GPA requirements of a 3.00 after the first semester will be placed on conditional status. Preferred admission students failing to meet GPA requirements of a 3.00 after the first year of prepharmacy may be placed on probation status within the School of Pharmacy. If, after the next year the student does not meet minimum GPA requirements, the student may lose his or her preferred admission status for admission into the PharmD program in the School of Pharmacy. Students may continue to take prepharmacy course requirements for competitive application in the PharmD program. Students may appeal decisions through the student affairs committee of the School of Pharmacy. Financial Aid Prepharmacy students benefit from all scholarship programs available to other Cedarville undergraduate students. These scholarships may be used for the first four years of the seven year curriculum (i.e., prepharmacy plus the first professional year). Additionally, students who qualify for the preferred admission pathway may receive a prepharmacy scholarship based upon financial need and merit. Career Opportunities The demand for pharmacists appears to be strong for many years to come. Current shortages as well as changes and advances in science and health care will create abundant opportunities for pharmacy graduates. These opportunities may include: • Clinical specialist in cardiology, oncology, nutrition, infectious disease, diabetes mellitus, psychiatry, etc. • Community pharmacist • Compounding pharmacist • Consultant pharmacist in geriatrics, palliative care, etc. • Hospital pharmacist • Long-term care pharmacist • Managed care pharmacist • Nuclear pharmacist • Pediatrics pharmacist Page 153 2014–15 Undergraduate Academic Catalog School of Pharmacy Admission