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 IPBP FAQs As of February 27, 2007 International Post-Baccalaureate PharmD (IPBP) Program Answers to frequently asked questions about WesternU's International Post-Baccalaureate PharmD program can be found here.
About the International Post-Baccalaureate PharmD (I.P.B.P.) Program
Application Deadline Foreign Equivalency, TOEFL and TSE Admissions Process Information Internal Assessment (IA) Exam
Interview Information Foreign Students Class Schedule for 2007 Refund Policy Housing, Tuition and Campus Employment
What is the International Post-Baccalaureate PharmD (I.P.B.P.) program? The International Post-Baccalaureate PharmD (I.P.B.P.) program offers a unique training opportunity for graduates with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy.Like all Colleges of Pharmacy in the United States, Western University requires 4 years of professional training following a minimum of 2 years of pre-pharmacy coursework. The International Post-Baccalaureate PharmD (I.P.B.P) program allows the successful applicant to bypass the first year and entre directly into the second year of the traditional (professional) program. Thereafter, the program is completed within a 3-year duration. The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree awarded to the IPBP student is the same as the degree given to traditional students. Who is qualified to apply for the IPBP program?
The IPBP program is open to all American and foreign-trained pharmacists with a bachelor's degree (B.S. or equivalent) who wish to progress to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree at the Western University College of Pharmacy. What is the duration of the IPBP program
The duration of the program is 3 years. IPBP students join the second year of the traditional Pharm.D. program and complete the remainder of the program within the time frame of 3 years. When can I apply to this program? Applications will be available in November 2007. The application deadline is February 1, 2008 for entry into the program starting July 2008. All application materials are due into the Admissions Office by this date. I am due to graduate with a B.S degree in Pharmacy in 2008. Can I apply for the IPBP program now?
Yes. However, you must provide evidence, such as a letter from your school/college, stating that you are on track to graduate prior to start of classes (July 2008) at Western University. All relevant documents must be submitted by the application deadline. Are there any requirements to pass the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) for admission into the IPBP program? No. FPGEE scores are not required or considered for the IPBP program. However, you must obtain a passing grade in the IA exam administered by the College of Pharmacy. For more details see FAQ's on IA examination. (Applicants please note that information on pharmacist licensure can be obtained at www.nabp.net especially if you have a BS degree prior to 2003 or graduated from a 5-year pharmacy curriculum) Is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) a requirement for admission into the
IPBP program? Yes. The TOEFL is a mandatory requirement for all graduates from non-English speaking countries. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) is required for consideration of admission. For students appearing for the TOEFL exam under the new guidelines, a minimum score of 79 (internet-based) is considered acceptable. Scores must be submitted by the June 1, 2008. Is the Test of Spoken English (TSE) a requirement for admission into the IPBP program? No. At this time, the TSE is not required for admission. However, the Western University College of Pharmacy places a strong emphasis on communication skills, both oral and written, for all students. We believe that a strong foundation in communication is key to becoming competent practitioners of the profession. Good communication skills also facilitate productive interaction with fellow students, faculty, the healthcare team and above all, your patients! What is the process for admission into the IPBP program? Once your file is complete, the Admissions office will forward your application to the College of Pharmacy for a preliminary evaluation. The college of Pharmacy faculty will evaluate your file and provide a score, whereupon your application may be selected for an interview and international assessment (IA) exam. If you are not selected for an interview and IA exam, you will be notified of this decision immediately and your file will be closed for that year.
What is the IA exam? The Internal Assessment (IA) exam is a test that is written and graded by the Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty at Western University. There are two main purposes of this exam as follows: (1) Since IPBP students by-pass the first year of the curriculum, this exam is intended to evaluate the candidate's strengths and weaknesses in topics that are taught in the first year of the Western University Pharm.D. curriculum. The weaknesses identified by taking the IA exam will allow Western University faculty to suggest further student review in basic pharmaceutical sciences and foundation skills in preparation for the rigorous Pharm.D. curriculum. (2) The IA exam serves as an entrance exam for admissions into the IPBP program. Scores from the test play a significant role in the overall admissions process.
Is anyone exempt from taking the IA?
No. It is mandatory for all candidates applying for the IPBP program to take the IA exam. What is the expiration date on the IA scores? All passing IA exam scores are valid for 1 year only. Thus, all applicants for the IPBP program will be required to take the exam every year in the event they are not admitted into the program. However, re-applicants who applied prior to 2006 and received an IA passing score will not be affected by this change their scores will be considered valid for three years (see below). I passed the IA within the last three years. Would I have to take it again? No. If you took the IA exam prior to 2006, i.e., 2005 you do not have to take it again until 2008. However, once the three year validity has expired, all re-applicants will be subject to the new rule as stated in the FAQ. It is also important to note that if the re-applicant wanted to impove their IA exam scores, they would be welcome to do so provided the requisite examination fees have been paid. As mentioned above, IA scores play a significant factor in the selection process so better the score, better your chances of admission into the program! Only your most recent score will be factored into the admissions process.
What happens to my IA Examination Study Guide Access fee if I do not get selected for an interview?
If after preliminary evaluation of your file, you are not selected for an interview but you have already purchased the study guide, you will forfeit the $250 study guide access fee. If you are a re-applicant, you may opt to use the study guide purchased during 2006-2007 application period. However, if the study guide was purchased prior to November of 2006, re-applicants will be required to purchase a new study guide. Study materials may be updated on a yearly basis thus it would be advisable to consider purchasinng the study guide every year. Alternatively, you may choose to wait until an interview decision has been made on your application before submitting the requisite fee for the IA examination. However, please be aware that since the deadline for application is February 1, 2008 and interview decisions will be made during that time, and provided you are selected for an interview, it will reduce the amount of time for preparation of the IA exam scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2008.
When will the IA test be administered? The tentative date for the IA exam and interview has been set for April 24 (Thursday) and 25 (Friday), 2008. These dates will be confirmed in the near future. All admission related events including the IA exam will be held on the campus of the Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, Ca. Please visit our website at www.westernu.edu/xp/edu/contact/location.xml for directions to campus.
How will the IA exam be graded? An applicant must achieve a score of at least 60% to receive a "PASS" for the IA exam. Also, if areas of weaknesses are identified, the candidate may be asked to take remedial courses prior to being admitted as a student. Will my IA exam score make a difference in the overall admission process?Z Yes. IA exam scores are a significant factor in the admissions process. Therefore, a high score in the IA exam will definitely improve your overall chances of being admitted into the porgram. How do I study for the IA exam?
Upon notification of your application being received from the Western University admissions office, candidates will receive online access to an information packet containing study guides, sample exams and a syllabus of review information. In order to obtain the information packet, all prospective students must have access to a computer and a valid email address (your email address should be clearly filled out in the application form). All relevant study materials will be placed on the Western University server. No hard-copy documents will be provided. Prospective students will be given "guest student" account access thereby allowing them to download the study material from the server. Detailed instructions will be provided on how to download documents from the Western University server.
Once the study materials are received by the candidate, it will be the responsibility of the candidate to study at his or her own pace and take the IA exam at the designated date and time. Important! Although the deadline for applications is February 1, 2008, candidates are encouraged to send in, at the least, their admission applications (with requisite IA study guide access fees) as early as possible so that access to study materials can be provided for them. This will allow more time for the applicant to study the materials provided. What is the format for the IA exam? The entire examination will consist of multiple-choice questions. The test will be divided into four sections: (A) Pharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacogenomics (B) Immunological Sciences (C) Pharmacology and (D) Acid-Base Chemistry. Approximately 200 questions are anticipated for the entire test. The questions will include all the above mentioned sections. Most of the questions for the IA will be based on the information provided in the study guides. When will the study materials be available for download? Study materials will be available for distribution by mid-November 2007. Applicants interested in the program should submit applications early to access the study materials. Although the deadline for applications is February 1, 2008, candidates are encouraged to send in their admission applications as early as possible such that access to study materials can be provided for them. This will allow them more study time for the IA exam. However, the applicant can also choose to wait until the preliminary decision on the interview has been made, as explained in the FAQ. When will the results of the IA exam be announced? Results of the IA test will be announced within 2 weeks after the exam. Passing IA scores are valid for 1 year (for new applicants) and 3 years (for re-applicants prior to 2006). When will the interview session take place? Interviews will be conducted on April 24 and 25, 2008 (tentative). These dates will coincide with the dates for the IA exam. Will the interviews and IA exam take place on the same day? Yes. The IA exam is administered in the morning and interviews (including written essays) are conducted in the afternoon, of the same day. This arrangement is more convenient for applicants traveling from out of town. What can I expect on the day of the IA exam/interviews?
Applicants accepted for interviews will be asked to arrive at the Pomona campus early in the morningon thier assigned interview day. The morning starts with a brief introduction and orientation to the program. The IA exam starts immediately after the orientation. The IA exam is approximately 4 hours in duration. During the afternoon session, applicants will be separated into two groups for either the oral interview or the written essay component. Once all activities are completed, applicants are free to leave campus. How are the oral interviews conducted?
Usually, a team of two members comprise an interview team, usually one faculty and one student. Each interview session last apprximately 25-30 minutes during which time the applicant is also given an opportunity to ask questions. Although communication skills are evaluated extensively, the interview team also looks for such qualities as motivation, critcal thinking, general knowledge etc. Overall, every effort is made to keep the interview session informal and friendly. How is the written essay session conducted? As one group starts the oral interview session, another group is administered the written essay component. The essays topics are usually of general interest whereby the applicant is encouraged to provide a balanced view of the topic to the best of his/her ability. The writing session lasts approximately 40 minutes. Where will the interview sessions be conducted? Interviews will be held at the Western University of Health Sciences Campus in Pomona, Ca. Other sites may be added/deleted depending upon strenght of the application pool. When will I know whether I have been admitted into the program? Admission acceptance letters will be sent out within two weeks of completion of the interview/IA process. If I am a foreign student, will the university assist me in completing student visa/immigration formalities? Yes. The Western University admissions office will work with you to complete your immigration formalities. All foreign applicants are required to provide documentation such as financial support etc no later than the day of the interview/IA to enable the admissions office to prepare related paperwork for F-1 visas etc., should they be admitted. Please see http://www.westernu.edu/xp/edu/international/international-student-visa.xml for more information regarding requirements for international students. Contact the admissions office for additional information. Please remember all required paperwork should be turned in as quickly as possible for the admissions office to issue the I-20 form to the student. When do classes begin in 2008? Although classes for the traditional program students start on August 11, 2008, the IPBP students will start classes on July 14, 2008. A 3-week orientation course known as "Overview of Clinical Practice" will be offered to orient the new students to the block system and provide other relevant information to prepare them for the initial blocks during the upcoming year. This is a graded course hence attendance is mandatory. Following the completion of the orientation course, all students will be expected to participate in a University orientation session a week before classes start on August 11, 2008. More information on this orientation will be provided at a later date. Is attendance at the "Overview of Clinical Practice" course a mandatory requirement? Yes. This is a graded course based on exams and quizzes. Your grade in this course will be applied towards your overall grade in the program. What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy and procedure? The following policy applies only to applicants who have purchased but not accessed the IA study guide: An IPBP withdrawl form must be completed and submitted online to the admissions office at least ONE week before the interview/IA exam date indicating clearly that you ahve decided to withdraw your application from consideration into the IPBP program for that year and that you have not accessed the study guide. (Please note that we can only provide refunds if we have a written official notification from you)
Upon receipt of the email or letter to the admissions office, the College of Pharmacy will refund your exam fee according to the following policy:
- If access to the exam study material HAS NOT yet been established, a 20% processing fee will be deducted from the original exam fee. - If access to the exam study material HAS been established, you will forfeit the $250 fee as indicated earlier but you would be able to reuse the study guide for the next admissions cycle. All remaining amounts (as applicable) will be refunded to the candidate within 2-4 weeks. Is housing on campus available? Yes. A brand new apartment housing complex opened in December 2005, which caters mainly to the students of WesternU. For more information, please visit the following link www.helixpomona.com Additional housing information for Pomona and surrounding areas can be found at http://www.westernu.edu/xp/edu/students/students-housing-moving.xml. What are the tuition and other fees for the IPBP program? The tuition and other fees are the same as for our students in the traditional program (see http://www.westernu.edu/xp/edu/admissions/pharmd_tuition.xml for current tuitions). Am I eligible for employment as a student on an F-1 visa? Yes. However, there are certain restrictions on employment. Please visit the following link for more information on employment and issuance of social security numbers. http://www.westernu.edu/xp/edu/international/international-employment.xml | |
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