Factors Influencing the Selection of a Major: A Comparison of Pharmacy and Nonpharmacy Undergraduate Students

Objective. To assess prepharmacy students' perceptions of the professional role of pharmacists prior to enrollment in pharmacy school, and the association between perceptions and student demographics. Methods. A 58-question survey instrument regarding pharmacists' roles, work experiences, and demographics was developed and administered to students (N 5 127) enrolled in an organic chemistry laboratory experience at Purdue University. Results. Theory of planned behavior subscales (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control) were influenced by students' grade point average, gender, and application to pharmacy school, while unpaid work experience affected professional commitment. Students evaluated work experience related to their pharmacy studies more positively than non-pharmacy-related areas in the theory of planned behavior subscales. Conclusions. Evaluating students' perceptions may be beneficial in helping pharmacy educators design their curricula, as well as allowing admissions committees to select the most qualified students to promote the development of positive perceptions toward the professional role of pharmacists. Grade point average (GPA) and application to pharmacy school were associated with significant differences for the theory of planned behavior and professional commitment subscales.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Prepharmacy Students' Perceptions of the Professional Role of Pharmacists

Kiersma¹,

Plake²,

Newton³

et al. 2010

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] However, these choices may be made without much knowledge or consideration of what constitutes a career in pharmacy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing Pharmacy Students' Choice of Major and Its Relationship to Anticipatory Socialization

Keshishian

2010

Objectives. To determine factors that influenced students' choice of pharmacy as a major and assess relationships between these factors and anticipatory socialization. Methods. Two hundred fifteen freshman and sophomore students enrolled in a 0-6 doctor of pharmacy program completed a survey instrument on which they rated 6 motivational factors in their decision to major in pharmacy and answered questions related to anticipatory socialization. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to answer the research questions posed. Results. Female students ranked desire to help others as a stronger motivating factor in their decision to pursue a career in pharmacy than did male students. Caucasian students rated providing more career opportunities and providing an entry-level doctorate as stronger motivating factors for pursuing pharmacy than did Asian students. Asian students had lower levels of anticipatory socialization than other students. Students with higher levels of motivation had higher levels of anticipatory socialization. Conclusion. Results of this study provide further insight into effective recruiting strategies and recommendations for improved pharmacy education.

“…The competition for students goes beyond the competition between colleges and schools of pharmacy because not only do colleges and schools have to compete with each other for qualified applicants, they must also compete with other healthcare programs, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and allied health professions. 1 Given these challenges, pharmacy college and school admissions offices are searching for new ways to improve the quality and diversity of their applicant pools.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study also found that among non-pharmacy students there was little knowledge of the profession. 1 This suggests that more students could be drawn to the profession if they had greater access to information about the profession. Cline and colleagues surveyed prepharmacy undergraduate students and examined the differences between applicants and non-applicants to pharmacy school.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Summer Pharmacy Camp for High School Students as a Pharmacy Student Recruitment Tool

Myers

DeHart

Dunn

et al. 2012

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of a summer pharmacy camp on participants' pursuit of enrollment in doctor of pharmacy degree programs. Methods. All participants (n 5 135) in a pharmacy camp at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy from 2007-2010 were invited to complete an anonymous online survey instrument. Results. Seventy-three students completed the survey instrument (54% response rate). Ninety-six percent of pharmacy camp participants said that they would recommend pharmacy camp to a friend, and 76% planned to apply or had applied to doctor of pharmacy degree program. Seven of the camp participants had enrolled in the UAMS College of Pharmacy. Conclusions. The pharmacy summer camp at UAMS is effective in maintaining high school students' interest in the profession of pharmacy. Continued use of the pharmacy camp program as a recruitment tool is warranted; however, additional research on this topic is needed.