College of Pharmacy interviews prospective students









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Student Ambassador Ann Philbrick, a first-year pharmacy student from Ord, talks with a prospective student before her interview on Friday.

Senior student Mike Stott remembers the day, four years ago, when he was interviewed as part of the UNMC College of Pharmacy’s admissions process.

As he greeted prospective pharmacy students going through the interview process Friday, the fourth-year student could relate to their butterflies.
“That day, I was nervous,” Stott said. “Today, it’s kind of fun to watch everybody.”

On Friday, more than 160 prospective pharmacy students visited the College of Pharmacy, interviewing for 58 remaining positions in the Class of 2007.

Applications up

“It’s a really, really good pool of applicants,” said Student Coordinator Mary Ramirez. “There are many excellent undergraduate students who applied, and the number of those applicants is up about 10 percent from last year.”









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Lien Do, center, a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, visits with College of Pharmacy Student Coordinator Mary Ramirez, left, and Student Ambassador Melissa Pollard, a third-year student from Taylor. Do was on campus Friday for Interview Day at the college.

That percentage includes a significant increase in the number of applications from Nebraska residents, said Clarence Ueda, Pharm.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Ueda added that he is encouraged by the increased number of applicants and the quality of those who have applied.

Pool of applicants “strong”

“It’s a stronger pool, based on preliminary observation of the data that we have,” Dr. Ueda said. Those data include such items as the applicants’ grade point average and completed course history.

Dr. Ueda also pointed out that the applicant numbers increased despite much negative publicity surrounding the University of Nebraska’s budget situation. Lawmakers are considering proposals to reduce the university’s state allocation significantly.

“Despite all of the negative media coverage, our numbers are up,” Dr. Ueda said. “That’s a very positive sign.”

The application process

A total of 65 students will be offered admission as members of this fall’s Class of 2007. Five of those positions have been claimed by students in the Rural Health Opportunities Program, and two more have been reserved for students who deferred their admission to this year from last year.

On Friday, each student was interviewed by two-member faculty teams, including volunteer adjunct faculty, for about 20 minutes. Current pharmacy students served as Student Ambassadors and gave prospective students tours of the Pharmacy Building and explained and answered questions about student life at the College of Pharmacy.

The interview is one measure the College of Pharmacy uses to determine which students will be admitted. The others include a student’s transcripts, evaluation letters and personal questionnaire.