University Of Southern Nevada

08/17/2005 - Student Selection Process

All information regarding the University of Southern Nevada College of Pharmacy, including the application - available in September, can be easily accessed on our website.   Candidates only need to complete one application to apply to both the Henderson and South Jordan campuses as the admissions process is the same for both campuses. The Admissions Office will rank applicants using a formula based on their Academic Achievement, Interview scores and if you are a resident of Nevada or Utah.

The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) for fall 2009, letters of recommendation, pharmacy experience, a BS/BA degree and Nevada or Utah residency are not required to apply.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT SCORE
The Admissions Office reviews an applicant’s official transcript(s) to determine her/his academic achievement score. The academic achievement score is determined by evaluating the applicant’s:

• overall grade point average
• science prerequisite grade point average (applicants must complete four of the required eight science prerequisites by the end of December so that the Admissions Office can calculate the science prerequisite grade point average)
• completed prerequisite coursework
• additional points will be awarded if you have received a Baccalaureate, Masters or other doctoral level degrees  
  Applicants with the highest academic achievement scores will receive an invitation to interview for the program.

INTERVIEW
The Admissions Office, after ranking applicants according to their academic achievement scores, invites applicants with the highest scores to an on-campus interview. The College typically interviews from January until April.  Candidates are interviewed by a panel that can consist of two faculty members and one student from the College of Pharmacy. Through various questions the panel assesses the candidate's abilities in oral communication skills, working within a team, compassion, leadership, motivation, problem-solving, and professionalism.

The interview panel may review an applicant’s answers to the essay questions in the application before the interview. Therefore, each applicant should provide concise answers to the essay questions in the application and be familiar with the written responses he/she provided in the application.

FINAL SELECTION PROCESS
Faculty, after reviewing data collected from applicants during the admissions process, vote to grant admission to qualified candidates. Communication to applicants and candidates regarding their status in the admissions process will originate from the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs with approval of the Dean. It is expected that all applicants will be notified of their final admission status by May.