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Doctor of Pharmacy

Incoming Student Characteristics

The Pharm.D. is a professional degree for pharmacists similar to the M.D. for physicians or D.D.S. for dentists. Typical applicants have solid grades in their science and math prerequisite courses (letter grade of C minus or better). Applicants typically have a bachelor’s degree, but it is not required to enter the PharmD program. Students are subject to the prerequisite requirements in place when they are admitted to the program.

All PharmD candidates that apply to the Eshelman School of Pharmacy must apply in PharmCAS.  Application data from each incoming class year is analyzed to improve overall decision making related to class composition.  Through analysis of these data, the School can better target recruitment strategies to improve the admissions outcomes of our students and the School.

as of Mar. 14, 2023

Incoming Class YearCompleted Applications (1)North Carolina Applications (2)North Carolina Rural County Applications (3)UNC Chapel Hill Applicants (5)Overall Program Acceptance Rate (4)
2022570 (+6%)124 (22%)30 (.5%)28 (.5%)286 (50%)
2021540 (+19%)129 (24%)22 (.4%)32 (.6%)238 (44%)
2020454 (-19%)114 (25%)27 (.6%)26 (.6%)187 (42%)
2019560 (+ 14%)115 (21%)29 (.5%)25 (.4%)216 (39%)
2018492 (-13%)140 (28%)40 (.8%)32 (.7%)206 (42%)
2017567 (+ .7%)182 (32%)35 (.6%)42 (.7%)224 (40%)
2016563 (-12%)185 (33%)40 (.7%)41 (.7%)213 (38%)
2015641211 (33%)35 (.5%)57 (.8%)229 (36%)

(1) Completed applications include all Local Status types, but excludes Unverified.

(2) NC Applications is all completed applications with a self-reported permanent home residence state of North Carolina.

(3) NC Rural County Applications is all completed applications with a self-reported permanent home residence city that maps to a rural county designation as reported here by the NC Rural Center: https://www.ncruralcenter.org/about-us/

(4) Program Acceptance Rate is all completed applications with a final Local Status of:  Declined Asheville – Deposit Paid, Declined Asheville – No Pay, Declined Offer CH – Deposit Paid, Declined Offer CH – No Deposit, Declined CH- No Deposit, Deferred, Matriculated – AVL, Matriculated – CH, Matriculated-Asheville, Matriculated-Chapel Hill, Rescinded Offer, Withdraw – Administrative – Did not respond to offer, Withdraw – After Matriculation.  This total application pool in this final status is then divided into the pool of total completed applications in that admission cycle to derive the acceptance rate.

(5) UNC Chapel Hill Feeder School Applicants is all completed applications that have listed UNC Chapel Hill in either Previous College 0 or Previous college 1 field in their application.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog

as of Mar. 10, 2023

The following table outlines a select set of student characteristics for each incoming class. Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor key student characteristics and pre-enrollment performance trends to ensure that the PharmD program is optimized to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Incoming Year# of Enrolled Students (1)Average Incoming GPA (2)Average PCAT (3)Average Age of Applicant (4)
20221373.5787.4421.8
20211473.5487.78*21.9
20201233.5788.1021.6
20191603.5789.6121.7
20181453.5187.1121.8
2017154N/A86.8421.5
2016141N/A87.9422.0
2015154N/A88.0121.6

(1) # of Enrolled Students = Count of unique student IDs that were enrolled at the completion of the Fall academic term and reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report.  Snapshot data for 2015 to 2018 is not available for validation at this time.

(2) Average Incoming GPA = Average GPA of all applicants in PharmCAS that were in a status of Matriculated at the time of cycle close and as reported in the PharmD Admission Cycle Report.

(3) Average PCAT Composite = The composite score is calculated from the Biology, Chemistry and Reading sections as reported in the PharmCAS application. This is averaged for all students in the Matriculated status at the time of cycle close and is reported in the PharmD Admissions Cycle Report. PCAT transitioned to an optional admissions requirement in 2021.

(4) Average Age of Applicant = The age at the time of PharmCAS application is self-reported. This is averaged for all students in the Matriculated status at the time of cycle close and is reported in the PharmD Admissions Cycle Report.

*  2021 was the first year that the PCAT score submission was optional for admissions.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog

as of Mar. 10, 2023

The following table outlines the gender and residency mix for each incoming class.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor these metrics to ensure that the PharmD program is optimized to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Incoming YearFemale (%)Male (%)North Carolina Residents (%)Non-NC Residents (%)
202274264555
202173273961
202071295248
201978224258
201867334357
201768325941
201670305149
201568326040
201465356238
201361396436
201267337228
201168317822
201062357723
200970307228
200865358614
200770308416

(1) Female (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as Female during their incoming class year Fall Term snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report.

(2) Male (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as Male during their incoming class year Fall Term snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report.

(3) North Carolina Residents (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as having a permanent residence of North Carolina during their incoming Fall Term class year snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report.

(4) Non-North Carolina Residents (%) = Count of unique student IDs that self-identified as having a permanent residence outside of North Carolina during their incoming Fall Term class year snapshot as reported in the Incoming Student Headcount Report.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog

as of Mar. 10, 2023

The following table outlines the race and ethnicity mix for each incoming class.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor these metrics to ensure that the PharmD program is optimized to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Incoming YearWhite (%)Asian (%)African American or Black (%)Hispanic* (%)Native American or Alaska Native (%)Two or more races* (%)Unknown/ Other (%)
20225118119074
2021502476166
2020552247075
2019601988<1<15

Race / Ethnicity (%) = The count of unique student IDs that self-identified as that specific race/ethnicity during their incoming Fall Term class year snapshot. The non-resident alien designation in Connect Carolina is categorized in the Unknown/Other category.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog


as of Mar. 10, 2023

The following table outlines the total student enrollment (4-year program), campus of the student and dual degree designation as of the end of each academic year.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor enrollment trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

YearTotal # of Enrolled Students (1)Chapel Hill CampusAsheville Campus*Dual Degree - MBA (2)Dual Degree - MPH (2)
202256851760205
2021578511782110
2020606518881113
20195804918986

(1) Total # of Enrolled Students = Total count of unique student IDs (PY1, PY2, PY3 or PY4) that were enrolled as either full-time or part-time students by campus designation in the PharmD program in the Fall, Spring or Summer I or II academic terms.

(2) Dual Degree = Total count of unique student IDs (PY1, PY2, PY3 or PY4) that were enrolled as either full-time or part-time students in the dual PharmD / MBA (Kenan-Flagler Business School) and PharmD / MPH (Gillings School of Global Public Health) program in the Fall, Spring or Summer I or II academic terms.  Note – The dual-degree program counts by year are provided by the Office of Student Affairs annually (OSA) and are not available for reporting out of Connect Carolina.

*The Asheville campus opened in 2011.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog


Learning Assessment Framework

as of Mar. 10, 2023

Frequent assignments and formal assessment (quizzes or exams) are an essential part of ensuring students are on track with the desired competency and skill acquisition.  Course Directors maintain a comprehensive syllabus each academic term that identify “high stakes” assignments and assessments that represent a substantial component of the course grade.  Through analysis of these assignments and assessments by category and date of occurrence, School leadership can effectively manage the student assignment and assessment burden across the curriculum by academic term.

Academic TermClinical Simulation (1)Exams (2)TotalUnique Courses ReportingAssessments per Course Ratio
Fall 2023TBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
Spring 202324426697.3
Fall 2022164157115.2
Spring 202225305586.9
Fall 202116385496.0
Spring 202131326387.9

(1)  Clinical Simulation is a category used to identify skills assessments (eg, OSCE) administered using the CAE LearningSpace. (https://www.caehealthcare.com/learningspace/enterprise/)

(2) Exams is a category used to identify knowledge assessments administered using ExamSoft. (https://examsoft.com/)

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog


Student Outcomes

last updated on Mar. 10, 2023

On time graduation is an important success factor of the PharmD program and is a measure that is closely monitored.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor on-time graduation performance trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Graduating YearFour-Year Graduation Rate (%)Delayed (%)*Dismissed (%)Withdrew (%)
202293<80<1
20219730<1
202094<4<1<1
201990802
201896202
2017973<10
201696202
201593402
201492531
2013953<1<1
2012923<14
20119054<1
201095203
200994312
2008972<1<1
2022: 11 students were delayed: 5 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MBA dual degree program, 2 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MPH dual degree program, 2 for leave of absence, 1 for medical leave, and 1 other
2021: 5 students were delayed: 2 to meet the requirements for the PharmD/MBA dual degree program, 2 for academic reasons, and 1 medical leave
2020: 6 students were delayed: 4 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MPH dual degree program, 1 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MBA dual degree program, 1 for medical reasons
2019: 13 students were delayed: 3 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MPH dual degree program, 1 to meet the requirements for the PharrmD/MBA dual degree program, 2 for academic reasons, 3 for medical reasons, 3 for leave of absence, and 1 other
2018: 4 students were delayed: 3 for medical reasons and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MPH dual degree program
2017: 8 students were delayed: 3 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons, 3 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MPH dual degree program, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2016: 4 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 2 for medical reasons, and 1 for other reason
2015: 7 students were delayed: 4 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons, and 2 for other reasons
2014: 7 students were delayed: 2 for academic reasons, 4 for medical reasons, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2013: 5 students were delayed: 3 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2012: 5 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 3 for medical reasons, and 1 to meet the requirements of the PharmD/MBA dual degree program
2011: 7 students were delayed: 5 for medical reasons, 2 for other reasons
2010: 4 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 2 for medical reasons, and 1 for other reasons
2009: 4 students were delayed: 3 for academic reasons, 1 for other reason
2008: 2 students were delayed: 1 for academic reasons, 1 for medical reasons

as of Mar. 10, 2023

The NAPLEX and the MPJE exams are critical outcome measures that help School leadership assess relative competency performance against benchmarks.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor performance trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Graduating YearNAPLEX First-Time (%)National BenchmarkPerformance vs. NationalMPJE In-state First-Time (%)National BenchmarkPerformance vs. National
2022948017% Higher947722% Higher
2021*978217% Higher897913% Higher
2020988614% Higher958315% Higher
2019928712% Higher92839% Higher
201895897% Higher93849% Higher
201792885% Higher90N/AN/A
2016958610% Higher95N/AN/A

* Revised NAPLEX blueprint occurred in 2021 – click here for details of the change.

 

as of Mar. 10, 2023

Students’ acceptance of a position at or around graduation is a critical success factor of the PharmD program that is closely monitored.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor placement trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Class YearEmployment (1)Residency (2)Fellowship (3)Other (4)Students GraduatedPosition Acceptance RateFirst or Second Choice Acceptance Rate
20222980141135124 / 135 = 92%103 / 124 = 83%

 

(1) Employment is defined as accepting a position in Community Pharmacy (chain), Community Pharmacy (independent), Nuclear, Life Sciences Consulting, Long Term Care, Consulting or Other.

(2) Residency is defined as accepting a post graduate residency training position in any of the following specialties.  Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, Community, Hospital/Health System Admin, Managed Care or Other.

(3) Fellowship is defined as accepting a post graduate fellowship training position in any of the following specialties.  Medical Affairs/Medical Information/Medical Communications, Clinical Research/Drug Development, Regulatory Affairs, Managed Care, Health Economics & Outcomes Research/Market Access, Drug Information, Commercial, Clinical Pharmacology/Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics/Pharmacometrics.

(4) Other is defined as any position accepted that is not categorized as employment, residency or fellowship.  In some cases, this might be enrollment in postgraduate education.

2022 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2022. This was supplemented with student follow-up through November.

2021 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2021. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2020 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2020. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2019 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2019. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog

as of Mar. 10, 2023

Students’ acceptance of a position at or around graduation is a critical success factor of the PharmD program that is closely monitored.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor placement trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Employment position location

Class YearNorth CarolinaOutside North CarolinaTotal
202213 (57%)10 (43%)23

 

Residency position location

Class YearNorth CarolinaOutside North CarolinaTotal
202226 (33%)53 (67%)79

 

Fellowship position

Class YearNorth CarolinaOutside North CarolinaTotal
20225 (36%)9 (64%)14

 

2022 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/04/2022.  This was supplemented with student follow-up through November.

2021 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2021. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2020 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2020. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2019 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2019. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog

as of Mar. 10, 2023

Students’ acceptance of a position at or around graduation is a critical success factor of the PharmD program that is closely monitored.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor placement trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Class YearTotalFirst choiceSecond choiceOther choiceFirst or Second choice
20222918 (62%)3 (10%)8 (28%)21 (72%)

 

2022 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/04/2022.  This was supplemented with student follow-up through November.

2021 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2021. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2020 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2020. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2019 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2019. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog

as of Mar. 10, 2023

Students’ acceptance of a position at or around graduation is a critical success factor of the PharmD program that is closely monitored.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor placement trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Class YearTotalFirst choiceSecond choiceOther choiceFirst or Second choice
20228053 (66%)16 (20%)11 (14%)69 (86%)

 

2022 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/04/2022.  This was supplemented with student follow-up that through November.

2021 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2021. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2020 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2020. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2019 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2019. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog

as of Mar. 10, 2023

Students’ acceptance of a position at or around graduation is a critical success factor of the PharmD program that is closely monitored.  Through analysis of these data, the School can assess and monitor placement trends to deliver on its intended outcomes relative to the School’s strategic plan.

Class YearTotalFirst choiceSecond choiceOther choiceFirst or Second choice
2022149 (64%)4 (29%)1 (7%)13 (93%)

 

2022 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/04/2022.  This was supplemented with student follow-up through November.

2021 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2021. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2020 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2020. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

2019 data collected via the Graduating Student Survey that closed on 5/2019. This was supplemented with student follow-up that ended in November. Please click HERE to view the summary results.

Authoritative Data SourceReport Catalog