U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools 2007” ranked KU’s pharmacy program as 16th in the nation. Pharmacy graduates take an exam called the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination, or NAPLEX, when they graduate from college. KU pharmacy graduates rank 21st among the 89 pharmacy schools across the nation in passing the test. From 2002 to 2006, only 10 KU pharmacy graduates did not pass NAPLEX on the first try. In 2001 and 2002, every pharmacy graduate passed it on their first try.
Cara Morrell and Meghan Watson work on lab reports, calculate pharmaceutical problems and study together – a lot. Last fall, these two girls studied every weekend for the PCAT, or the Pharmacy College Admission Test. They could also take the PCAT again if they would like more time to study so that they can improve their grade. Every candidate also has to attend an interview. This process often stresses students out because it is a very competitive school. KU pharmacy school students are among the best in the nation.
According to Gene Hotchkiss, associate dean of pharmacy, KU students enter the pharmacy school after completing core curriculum requirements and, on average, have a grade point average of 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. These students are among the top in their class and only the highest are chosen for admission to the pharmacy school. If students do not get in on their first try, they are able to apply again the next spring. The admission process depends on their grades and interview.
Part of the mission statement for the School of Pharmacy is “through exemplary curricula and programs, the School encourages the advancement of pharmaceutical care so as to enhance health.” The School of Pharmacy strives to be one of the best by following their statement. Students and faculty in the School of Pharmacy are in the top of their class. The School of Pharmacy wants to produce pharmacists that will improve health by taking care of their clients with the proper and best medicine.
Today, Morrell and Watson are two of the only 420 students in the traditional pharmacy program. This number is significantly lower than those students who are in other professional schools at KU. Now that they have been admitted and started taking classes in the pharmacy school, it takes a little bit of stress off them, but they still have to get good grades to stay in the school.
Cara Morrell, Iola junior, said she is always studying but it will be worth it in a few years when she becomes a pharmacist. Pharmacy school is six years and most candidates get in their junior year so most students are in school for an extra two years. Graduates receive a professional degree, as opposed to a bachelor of arts or sciences. Once students graduate, they take the NAPLEX test and receive a license. These recent graduates then take a test for the state in which they wish to practice.
“I was so excited when I got into pharmacy, it was stressing me out,” Morrell said.
Meghan Watson, Overland Park junior, had other options as well. She interviewed and sent test scores to Creighton and UMKC pharmacy schools. The University of Kansas was her first choice, but she likes being prepared. She said she was thrilled when she found out about pharmacy school.
Kelli Shaw, Salina sophomore, is applying to KU’s pharmacy school this spring. Studying on the weekends for the PCAT was not unusual for her this semester.
“I hope I did well,” Shaw said, “I feel like I studied all the time.”
The School of Pharmacy has a lot to offer its students besides its great academics. There is a Pre-Pharmacy Club which is available to all students interested in the school. Once in the school, each new class has elections on whom their class president and vice president will be. Shannon Short, Salina junior, ran against four other people in his class to be president. He goes to meetings with the deans and other presidents of classes to discuss and solve any problems.
“I was the president of Pre-Pharmacy club so I knew I wanted a leadership position so I ran against four other people and won,” Short said.
The School of Pharmacy wants to continue its tradition as a leader in pharmaceutical education. The curriculum has made it possible to produce a highly competent practitioner in today’s world.