NEOUCOP uses the PharmCAS application process.  Additional information about the application process is found below.

Frequently Asked Questions  
Partner Universities
2009/10 Viewbook
   Pharmacy Outreach Program

Pharmacy Program

NEOUCOP’s work in the development of the doctor of pharmacy degree continues and all information is subject to change. Please visit our web site frequently to obtain the latest updates and program details.

Preprofessional Background

All undergraduate students will be required to take preprofessional courses as a foundation for the professional program in pharmacy. This coursework includes general education that will encourage the broadening of intellectual powers and interests. The preprofessional background will facilitate the development of professional practitioners capable of understanding their role as health care providers in a culturally diverse society. The preprofessional pharmacy requirements will provide students with the coursework necessary for successful completion of the professional pharmacy curriculum. When combined with the professional curriculum, it will provide students with an excellent education. Applicants for admission to the Pharm.D. program at NEOUCOP must complete a minimum of 72 semester hours or 105 quarter hours:

Admitting Students

NEOUCOP anticipates that most of its pharmacy applicants will have completed their preprofessional requirements at one of its partner universities:  The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, Kent State University or Youngstown State University. The pharmacy program has preferential admission agreements whereby students who complete preprofessional pharmacy studies at any of those four institutions will be eligible to apply for one of that institution's designated seats in the professional program. NEOUCOP will also accept applications and students from other educational institutions through the "at large" application review. The 2008 class of the Pharm.D. program will admit 75 students; NEOUCOP anticipates this will be accomplished by admitting 15 of the best-qualified students from each of the four partner institutions with preferential admission and 15 students from other institutions.

NEOUCOP recognizes the importance of and the educational advantages of a diverse student body to its health professions educational program. Substantial efforts will be made to recruit and retain qualified minority and economically disadvantaged students.

Admissions Criteria

The following minimum requirements should be met for admission consideration:

• Expected GPA of 3.25 (minimum GPA considered is 2.5).
  
  
• Expected GPA of 3.25 in all math and science courses.
  
  
• Minimum composite score on the PCAT in the 50^th percentile.
  
  
• No grade lower than “C-” in any required course.
  
  
• Completion of the required 72 semester hours (105 quarter hours) of prerequisite coursework.

Successful applicants must also meet additional requirements such as the applicant's degree of interest in the profession, as demonstrated by extracurricular activities; noncognitive factors such as maturity; leadership skills and abilities; community service and volunteer experiences; possible work experiences, especially experience with patients in a pharmacy or health-related setting; and professional shadowing experiences. Applicants are highly encouraged to acquire volunteer or work experience in a pharmacy prior to admission to the College of Pharmacy. The Admissions Committee has the latitude to make all admissions decisions, including exceptions to the criteria based on a holistic review of an applicant.

Supplemental Application

Fee Waiver Guidelines

NEOUCOP applicants may qualify for waiver of the PharmCAS application fee and the Supplemental Application fee, in situations of economic hardship.  Consult the PharmCAS website for fee waiver eligibility. Generally speaking, NEOUCOP will waive the Supplemental Application fee if PharmCAS waives the application fee.    

Transfer Admissions

The College of Pharmacy may accept transfer students from other pharmacy schools as long as these students are in good academic standing and have legitimate reasons for seeking a transfer.  All requests for transfer admission should be referred to the assistant dean, student affairs and admissions so that the potential transfer applicant can be counseled prior to submitting an application.

To be considered for transfer, a student must meet the College’s general requirements for admissions. The student must also submit the following:

1. A letter to the director of admissions indicating why the student wishes to transfer and explain any difficulties encountered at his or her current institution;
2. Official transcripts from all schools attended (undergraduate, graduate, and professional);
3. Official PCAT scores (if taken for admission to current pharmacy school);
4. A catalog and a detailed pharmacy syllabus for any courses for which advanced standing consideration is requested;
5. A letter from the student affairs dean of the pharmacy college in which the student is enrolled. The letter must indicate the student’s current academic status and/or terms of withdrawal/dismissal;
6. A letter of recommendation from pharmacy professional or pharmacy faculty member;
7. A College of Pharmacy transfer admissions application;
8. Additional documents or letters of recommendation as determined necessary by the director of admission.

All requests are reviewed individually and in context of seats available in the College of Pharmacy program. The Office of Admissions will collect and review the student’s portfolio and determine if an on-site interview is offered. After an interview, the Admissions Committee will make a decision on the students’ application. If the applicant is considered acceptable and space is available, the Admissions Committee will also evaluate the equivalency of educational courses the applicant completed prior to transfer as well as the professional competencies that may have been achieved through continuing pharmacy education, other postgraduate education and training to determine placement of the student in the pharmacy curriculum.

Information about transfer application availability, availability of seats and timelines will be posted on the College of Pharmacy web page annually.

A Unique Curriculum

NEOUCOP will build upon the established excellence of its medical education program and become a national model for the interdisciplinary training of health care professions. The pharmacy curriculum emphasizes the College's core values:  competence; communication; caring; character; and community. Distinctive features of NEOUCOP include:

• A curriculum that emphasizes interdisciplinary teamwork, with the medical students and pharmacy students in many combined educational settings. This emphasis allows students to develop a broad view of patient care and work effectively with other health professionals, leading to superior patient care.
• An innovative and progressive curriculum with a depth in educational experiences featuring advanced pharmacy practice experiences, clerkships, capstone project, and community service.
• State-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, computer facilities, lounges and offices.
• Experiential training sites throughout northeastern Ohio.
• Opportunity to be taught by dedicated medical and pharmacy school faculty. This allows faculty to give personal attention to each student and in turn students learn to give personal attention to their future patients.
• Opportunities to actively engage in research and publishing.

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