Okay, I wanted to come back and tell you about my experience yesterday during my interview at Chicago State University. First of all, I think those that bash this program are seriously under informed or just flat out misinformed. The meeting was an eye opener. Here is what I learned that I didn't know.
CSU is the fourth pharmacy school to open in the state of Illinois. They are currently in the process to achieve full accreditation, as is the third pharmacy school to open in the state of Illinois, Southern Illinois University COP at Edwardsville. Both schools are moving toward full accreditation, which is an intensive and ongoing process, that involves a lot of communication with the accreditation body. Tweaking of the program here and there is required to align the COP's activities with the requirements of the accreditation board. CSU's COP has actually been ahead of schedule in completing goals established for them by the accreditation committee. I have no doubt that CSU's COP will achieve full accreditation on schedule with ZERO problems. The college is run by enthused and dedicated people. I was there to impress them but surprisingly, they impressed me with their clear dedication to the school and the students.
The COP is currently interviewing for their third cycle. The inaugural class, which was slightly under one hundred students (sorry can't remember the exact number), all made it to their P2 year, except for one. That one person made the decision to withdraw after realizing that they did not really want to become a pharmacist. Of the second class of 99 students (they are P1s this year) all 99 students are still enrolled. I think those are great numbers. The interim dean and assistant dean of the school (as well as others that I met) repeatedly conveyed their commitment to each and every student in the pharmacy program. The school has a small number of students and seems to take an interest in each and every one of the students and their ultimate success. They have correctly figured out that in order for the school to succeed the students need to succeed.
Lastly, I want to address the issues that seem to get everyone up in arms about the school, and that is the graduation rate of first time freshman in CSU's undergraduate level. Because that rate is low compared to other schools there has been negative press for the school. This ranking is based on 6 percent of the undergraduate school population. These six percent do not graduate fast enough for the accreditation board, and because of that the school has received low marks. However, you need to remember that CSU serves the south side of Chicago which is mainly a minority and low income area. Instead of graduating in four years, this population takes five, six, seven, eight or even more years to graduate. Why? Because as low income students sometimes there isn't enough money to go through school in a sequential manner. A semester or two is taken off so that money can be earned to pay the bills and when there is enough they enroll again for another semester. The result of this is that the statistics look bad for CSU but that is because the board is comparing apples to oranges.
I think that CSU's COP is an exciting program run by really interesting, dedicated, and genuine people.
