Pharmacy Residency Q&A: Does Your Pharmacy School Ranking Matter When You Apply for a Residency?
Each year U.S. News & World Report releases their rankings for the Best Pharmacy Programs in the United States, but does your pharmacy school ranking actually matter? Will going to a top rated pharmacy school program improve your chances of matching into a residency program? Let’s get into it…
How does U.S. News & World Report determine their pharmacy school rankings?
U.S. News & World Report determines their pharmacy school rankings through a rather rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process. They assess various factors that can impact the education students receive including academic quality, faculty resources, research activity, and student outcomes. Data is collected from surveys sent to deans, administrators, and faculty members at ACPE accredited pharmacy schools. Additionally, statistical indicators such as student selectivity, graduation rates, and research funding are taken into consideration. The rankings aim to provide prospective students insights into the quality and reputation of these different pharmacy programs.
Do pharmacy residency programs consider pharmacy school ranking when determining what candidates they interview?
When reviewing pharmacy residency candidate applications, each pharmacy residency programs decides which factors they want to consider when assessing the qualifications of the applicants. Some programs weigh certain factors more than others depending on the residency focus and expectations. While the reputation or ranking of the pharmacy school where the candidate graduated from might offer some insights into the academic expectations and quality of education received, it is not the sole determining factor and typically isn’t a consideration at all. Residencies often pay closer attention to the overall academic performance, clinical experience, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, research involvement, and personal statement of the candidate than the specific pharmacy school that a candidate attended. These aspects collectively provide a better understanding of the applicant's capabilities, commitment to the program they are applying to, and potential fit within the residency program. So while pharmacy school ranking could be a part of the application, it is usually evaluated alongside several other criteria that collectively matter more than your pharmacy school ranking alone.
What aspects of a pharmacy school might a pharmacy residency program consider when reviewing applicants?
Academic performance and achievements tend to play a crucial role, as they reflect the candidate's foundation of knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences. Some programs will review candidates grades from pharmacotherapy coursework separately from other coursework as these classes are the most like clinical practice. Another aspect that some programs consider is the NAPLEX pass rate for a school. Since all pharmacy residents will need to pass the NAPLEX in order to complete their residency requirements, attending a school with a higher pass rate can be more desirable. Lastly, how a program structures a student’s APPE rotation experiences may impact a candidate’s chances of getting an interview. Candidates who attended a pharmacy school that provide students with more challenging rotations may be seen as favorable.
While pharmacy school ranking may not be a true factor in deciding which candidates get a residency interview, candidates who go to higher ranking schools may have an academic advantage over schools that rank at the bottom of the list thus increasing their chances of successfully matching. If you are interested in completing a residency, check the U.S. News & World report rankings for the schools you are applying to and don’t forget to ask about their NAPLEX pass rates and residency match percentages as well. While you’re at it, click here to download my free Ultimate Residency Application Checklist to get a jump start on the requirements and expectations for your pharmacy residency applications.
