Appalachian College of Pharmacy

[sasmw2]

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I have not seen a thread for the Appalachian College of Pharmacy yet for Fall 2010 admissions so here we are...

Has anyone interviewed yet?

I have an interview on December 5th.

 

[iluvsmile]

Hi,
I have an interview offer for dec. 5th too but I couldn't make it. Maybe after the interview you can post up about what you feel about the school. Thanks

 

[sasmw2]

I had my interview this morning.

Overall I think the interview went very well. The accelerated program, along with it's block class format, really appeals to me. The location could be a deciding factor for some. One must be willing to live in a rural area for at least 2.5 years as parts of your rotations can be where ever you'd like - as long as an affiliation is created with the school.

I will be adding some information to the interview feedback page once I hear an answer from the school.

If anyone has any specific questions please let me know.

 

[jpham2]

I had my interview this morning.

Overall I think the interview went very well. The accelerated program, along with it's block class format, really appeals to me. The location could be a deciding factor for some. One must be willing to live in a rural area for at least 2.5 years as parts of your rotations can be where ever you'd like - as long as an affiliation is created with the school.

I will be adding some information to the interview feedback page once I hear an answer from the school.

If anyone has any specific questions please let me know.

Hi, Have you heard anything from the school yet? Did they say how long they would let you know the result?

 

[sasmw2]

The interview was Saturday and they said they were meeting on Tuesday... I have read on here from years past and some received a letter about 10 days after. However the school says 4-6 weeks. I will post when I get something.

 

[jpham2]

The interview was Saturday and they said they were meeting on Tuesday... I have read on here from years past and some received a letter about 10 days after. However the school says 4-6 weeks. I will post when I get something.

Hi, I also had my iterview on that Saturday, and P1 students said that they received their acceptance letters between 1-2 weeks last year. I will also post when I hear from the school.

 

[sasmw2]

Hey did you receive an email stating that the letters were sent out? Did your email hint an answer to what your letter would say? Mine said something that is hinting good news, but it could be something they write to everyone (like a copy and paste email). I wanted to check. She said the letters would be in the mail tomorrow! Yeah!

 

[jpham2]

Hey did you receive an email stating that the letters were sent out? Did your email hint an answer to what your letter would say? Mine said something that is hinting good news, but it could be something they write to everyone (like a copy and paste email). I wanted to check. She said the letters would be in the mail tomorrow! Yeah!

No, I did not receive any email from ACP. You are probably accepted. I am just curious but not worried much about being accepted into this school as I already got in another school. They one time said to me that they need one more LOR as I had only 2. Let me know when you receive anything from them. Good luck!

 

[sasmw2]

Don't give up hopes yet. Congratulations on your other acceptance. Keep us posted either way.

 

[sasmw2]

I received the letter today! I was accepted!

FYI It came in a normal size tinted yellow envelope, it was pretty thick - containing 4 pieces of paper.

Anyone else?

 

[docss26]

What did you guys think of the campus? I saw pictures online and I was pretty disgusted.

 

[sasmw2]

"Disgusted." That is a strong word. When I am disgusted I think of puking in my mouth, etc. I did not have that feeling. The pharmacy school is all by itself - two buildings. They were very nice looking. The location is definitely rural. I would not mind going there. One can be out of the area in 2.5 years - doing the last 3 rotations anywhere they like. And in only 2 years and 9 months be a Pharmacist. Not a bad deal.

 

[jpham2]

I received the letter from ACP today. It was snowing badly on last Saturday in my area so the carrier did not deliver mail. I was accepted too. The letter came in a small envelope size which I thought it was not a good sign because other schools sent me large, thick brown envelopes with tons of information about their programs, tuition, financial aid and forms to be filled out.

To Docss26, the campus was not that bad. The buildings are new but I am more concerned about their resources. Their library and lab are too small with not many facilities like other pharmacy schools. There are other things that I can’t tell you in this forum. However, if students do not have any other choice, this school is definitely Ok for them as their program is block format which I assume that every student should be able to pass his/her exams easily.

 

[pharm B]

Congrats on all your acceptances! I appreciate that ACP's located on Dragon Road.

 

[UCSF13]

Congrats to all that have been accepted to pharmacy school. I was just wondering but how come this school does not have full accreditation when it has already graduated 3 classes?

 

[andrewsmack05]

Congrats to all that have been accepted to pharmacy school. I was just wondering but how come this school does not have full accreditation when it has already graduated 3 classes? ​

This thread has finally garnered my interest. I did receive an interview invite there for this cycle, and I am intrigued by this question. I hope someone on here knows the answer to it, if not, then I will email these people and report it back here on SDN.


​

 

[sasmw2]

Hey. I can brief on that question. I do not think they have graduated three classes... 100% of their graduates obtained employment - as the school is candidate status to date and have the same rights as students from a fully acc. school. The passing rates for the NAPLEX were very high - in the very high 90% (like 96 or 98%). They are thinking they will become fully acc. by Fall 2010. So more than likely if accepted for Fall 2010 the school will be acc. by the time school starts or shortly after.

 

[jpham2]

According to the information from the school website, ACP was established in 2003 and first accepted students in 2005. So they have graduated two classes.

Regarding the passing rate for Naplex, the first year was 92% and the second year was 93% or 94% (can't remember exactly). This information was provided during their presentations on the interview day.

 

[UCSF13]

My fault, I thought it was 3 classes. I thought it opened in '04. I am in no way trying to bash this school, unlike how a lot of posters on sdn like to make themselves feel better by bashing other schools on here..I was just wondering that's all..I think the school should be OK since they have a fairly good NAPLEX pass rate. The only bad thing about them not having the regional accreditation is they won't qualify for federal loans so hopefully they will have it soon.

 

[sasmw2]

They do have an affiliation with a bank in the area that will allow you to take out enough money for tuition, living, everything basically for ALL three years. The bank will approve all three years at once, so you do not have to worry about getting a loan for year one, then year two, then year three... so not so bad. And I have heard the interest rate is not that bad compared to Sallie Mae's two digit interest rates.

 

[z33bandit]

I have two colleagues who have graduated ACP. Both passed NAPLEX no prob, both are working as Pharmacists at national chains, both recieved bonuses for employment. ACP is rural, but also has small student teacher ratios, you can actually get help when you need it, its all business and you are a Dr. of Pharmacy and job ready in three years. Naysayers are always going to cry piss and moan and make arrogant comments about schools. All arrogant comments aside it is a great school, if you want to party and play there are plenty of places to go with lots of distractions....if you want to concentrate on the task at hand and go to work ACP is a great school period. Hope to see you there.

 

[andrewsmack05]

I have two colleagues who have graduated ACP. Both passed NAPLEX no prob, both are working as Pharmacists at national chains, both recieved bonuses for employment. ACP is rural, but also has small student teacher ratios, you can actually get help when you need it, its all business and you are a Dr. of Pharmacy and job ready in three years. Naysayers are always going to cry piss and moan and make arrogant comments about schools. All arrogant comments aside it is a great school, if you want to party and play there are plenty of places to go with lots of distractions....if you want to concentrate on the task at hand and go to work ACP is a great school period. Hope to see you there.

And amen.

 

[Ligase]

I have two colleagues who have graduated ACP. Both passed NAPLEX no prob, both are working as Pharmacists at national chains, both recieved bonuses for employment. ACP is rural, but also has small student teacher ratios, you can actually get help when you need it, its all business and you are a Dr. of Pharmacy and job ready in three years. Naysayers are always going to cry piss and moan and make arrogant comments about schools. All arrogant comments aside it is a great school, if you want to party and play there are plenty of places to go with lots of distractions....if you want to concentrate on the task at hand and go to work ACP is a great school period. Hope to see you there.

Can you tell us which national chains they are working at? As I understand that pharmacists graduated from ACP so far have to work within that rural area. Big chains like CVS and Wal-Mart never hire pharmacists graduated from non-ACPE schools.

 

[PonderingChoice]

Count me as another individual curious why they're not fully accredited if they've graduated a couple classes.

 

[sasmw2]

I was just researching the ACPE website and came across some interesting information. Per ADDENDUM #4: PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION FOR NEW COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS OF PHARMACY, a "hold in Candidate Status with reasons (i.e. noting unmet standards) and monitoring details (NOTE: a program can hold a developmental accreditation status (i.e. pre-candidate and candidate combined) for a maximum of five years." And then on ACPs Detailed PharmD Accreditation History, it states that they have been at Candidate Status going on 4 years. It seemed at the interview, and from the current students, that ACP should be granted Full Accreditation after their comprehensive review coming up, which I think is in June.

I am most likely going to be working in NC after graduating. SO I contacted the NC Board of Pharmacy to see, just in case, if graduating from a Candidate status school, is okay to sit for the NC Board of exam. I am waiting for a reply. BUT if the max is five years, than by the time I graduated it should be Full anyway (unless for some reason the school was forced to withdrawl the accreditation status, and then I am not sure what would happen). Does anyone else have any other information on this?

 

[andrewsmack05]

If anyone gets accepted elsewhere, I would put your deposit down on multiple schools. Then see what happens in June with ACP. It seems like a double-edged sword with this place. If one got accepted elsewhere then I wouldnt hesitate.

 

[tenfour]

Can you tell us which national chains they are working at? As I understand that pharmacists graduated from ACP so far have to work within that rural area. Big chains like CVS and Wal-Mart never hire pharmacists graduated from non-ACPE schools.

ACP grads don't have to work in any particular place, they work all across the nation in community pharmacies, chains, hospitals, the works. The majority work in the Appalachian region as that is where the majority of the graduates hail from but the school presently has a wide array of students from across the nation and around the globe. In a few weeks very good news is expected regarding full accreditation. Like all pharmacy schools until the recent economic downturn, recruiting faculty was a challenge. Now the school has more faculty than required and, more importantly, the school has faculty that are very mission oriented and student friendly with almost instant access for individual help. Log onto the website and review the faculty's qualifications. The school has won national awards and compete very well against other schools in the state in competitions. Both graduating classes have a 90+ Naplax pass rate and all are employed that applied for jobs. They work for Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Kroger, CVS, you name it. It is interesting that someone would think that a graduate would have to work in a rural area. I guess the writer is confused because that is the school's mission but it sure is not mandatory.

 

[jpham2]

I know that it was hard for pharmacists graduated from non ACPE school to get a job in big cities and big chains like Walgreens, Wal-mart. So they have to end up working in the central area because they can't go anywhere else. Those rural areas need a lot of pharmacists so they do not care whether a pharmacist graduate from ACPE or non ACPE schools. I got accepted there but I have to decline their offer after visiting the school on the interview day. I am not saying bad about this school but just want to give general information about ACP so students know what to expect in the future.

 

[nenndre]

Ok.... let me clarify this, if you graduate from candidate status schools you can only work in rural areas and not big pharmacies like Walgreen's ? Because, I am so confused on all the status things.. in terms of what i will be able to do with my degree? If I get PhD in Pharmacy wouldn't i be qualified to work in any pharmacy ? I read on ACPE site that graduating from candidate status schools will give you the same rights as if you would graduate from full-accredited schools. Gosh.. help ? 😳

 

[sasmw2]

I just heard from an ACP student that ACP just received notification that they
were just awarded FULL ACCREDITATION from ACPE!

Sweet!

 

[cherryblo]

ACPE has advanced the Appalachian College of Pharmacy to Full Accreditation status

 

[CK8652]

Ok.... let me clarify this, if you graduate from candidate status schools you can only work in rural areas and not big pharmacies like Walgreen's ? Because, I am so confused on all the status things.. in terms of what i will be able to do with my degree? If I get PhD in Pharmacy wouldn't i be qualified to work in any pharmacy ? I read on ACPE site that graduating from candidate status schools will give you the same rights as if you would graduate from full-accredited schools. Gosh.. help ? 😳

If you look at job postings from employers, many require a Graduate of an Accredited school of pharmacy. Even though you're granted rights to practice, some places won't hire you. Oh, and it's Pharm D not PhD. As far as accreditation, I don't think any school has been denied it after it's been granted Candidate so if you're going to a candidate you should probably be okay.

 

[andrewsmack05]

Has anyone received a letter from ACP who interviewed on 1/23?

 

[jet1]

I received my letter in the mail... and just a letter, but I got in... ACCEPTED... but most likely turn it down... and I interviewed on 1/23...

 

[andrewsmack05]

I got accepted too, I got the letter this morning since I didnt pick up the mail yesterday, I just wanted to know if anyone had got one. I dont know if I'll be attending though.

 

[pharmama]

I interviewed on 1/23 and got my acceptance letter a week later. I am soooo excited to attend in the fall.

 

[pharmama]

They do have an affiliation with a bank in the area that will allow you to take out enough money for tuition, living, everything basically for ALL three years. The bank will approve all three years at once, so you do not have to worry about getting a loan for year one, then year two, then year three... so not so bad. And I have heard the interest rate is not that bad compared to Sallie Mae's two digit interest rates.

Which bank are you talking about? I have been accepted and need to finalize my $$ for school.

 

[triumphbr]

Wow.. some really weird info in this post. I am a student at ACP so I thought I would try to clear some of this up.

ACP has graduated 2 class... It took them 4 years to become accredited. Just like 99% of every other pharmacy school. The only difference was they graduated their first class in 3 years instead of 4. They tried to get accreditation faster than 4 years school by doing so. That didn't work and they got accredited on the same schedule.

Graduates from a pre-candidate/candidate school are just like graduates from a fully accredited school. I have never understood why this is so hard to understand. If you graduate from a candidate school (which 2 classes have) you can work anywhere you want too assuming you pass the NAPLEX. These people will not be carrying around a stigma their whole lives because the school they went to was candidate status when they graduated. They can work wherever "bob" from Mercer works. They do not have to work in a rural area because -insert absurd reason here-.

Students at ACP are from California, Colorado, China, South Africa, Middle East, New Hampshire, Florida... everywhere. The same places other pharmacy school students are from. The only difference being that Appalachia focuses on additional issues which effect the rural area it is located in. IE - more focus on diabetes, smoking cessation, prescription drug abuse, lung cancers, and pain management to name a few. This is not some great big deal that requires extra classes or whatever. For example during lecture when you talk about diabetes you will learn that more people in the Appalachia have diabetes than average.. or it will be certain drugs will be singled out as more likely to be abused in the Appalachian region etc.

Lab... You spend 1 day ever 2 weeks in the lab.. for 2 semesters. Thats less than 25 labs so what exactly are you wanting here? There are about 30 people in lab at one time... and 36 stations. There are also 3 lab instructors there at all times. two PhD's and a Pharm-D. Extremely helpful and they are always close by when you have questions.

The library is pointless. Everything you need is available to you 24 hours a day via computer and the online databases the college gives students access to. I have never even been in the library for anything to do with research. I do plenty of data/drug research but I do it at home on my couch via my laptop.

Block schedule should make everything easy to pass. -- Dream on. Tell that to the 8 people that failed Bio-Chem in the first semester. (a little more than 10%) I don't want to try to guess what happened but I have heard some of them say they just got behind and never got caught up. It's very easy to do and you cannot be a procrastinator unless you want to hang on by your fingernails all the time. We typically have an exam every 2 weeks over roughly 8 days of lecture. The last exam I took was over 24 hours of lecture, about 500 slides, and 60 drugs that we are required to know inside/out. ... and it was worth 30% of my final grade in that class. If you ignore class for 1 week you can be in serious trouble grade wise.

That being said I love it and am happy with my decision to go there.

 

[triumphbr]

Which bank are you talking about? I have been accepted and need to finalize my $$ for school.

He's talking about New Peoples Bank but they really aren't as good as other places. The best rates seem to come from Sallie Mae or Credit Unions.

 

[kjf05c]

triumphbr, where do you live there. The website says they will tell you about housing after you are accepted. I don't figure that there is student housing there... do most students rent homes from individuals nearby??

 

[Deneb625]

I just graduated from ACP in May 2009. I'm so glad I chose this school - 3 year PharmD program, rural setting, block schedules, etc. I'm out practicing pharmacy a year earlier than I would have at other schools. The block scheduling allows you to focus on a particular subject one at a time - Cardio, Oncology, etc. The school was tough, the testing schedule was tiring, but I scored a 135 on my Naplex after graduation and my class had a first-time pass rate on the Naplex that was something like 94%. Also, they are now fully accredited. As far at the rural setting is concerned, if your looking for malls, museums, city life, etc. then this might not be the place for you. But if you like hiking, nature, kiyaking, birding, ATV riding, etc., which are the very things that I love, then ACP has what you are looking for. Overall, I had a great experience.

 

[antoni]

i have an interview on 03/27. can anyone please give me a clue what type of questions to expect. or where to get those common questions...

 

[sRX]

Hey! I'll be at that interview too.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

 

[antoni]

Hey sRX , r you in group I, just wondering if we r in the same group...

 

[sRX]

Why yes, I am. Group 1... 7:45AM bright and early.

 

[99Steeda]

Just a heads up, there is no group 1 session. I thought I was in group 1 in the morning but basically everyone that is interviewing that day will be there at the same time. It should be close to 50 people. My group had 49. Then you will be assigned a panel number. There were 5 panels of interviewers with about 10 interviewees per panel. Good luck.

 

[antoni]

How was your interview, was it intense or just the common questions???

 

[99Steeda]

How was your interview, was it intense or just the common questions???

While there you interview with two current students and then later move on to interview with two current staff members. The interview with the students seemed very laid back and they asked more conventional type interview questions. Now the interview with the staff seemed more intense and the questions were not ones that you can really prepare yourself for. They were kind of like scenario type questions. I knew I did well with the students but thought I bombed with the staff. Dont blow off the student interview. I ended up getting my acceptance letter this morning however. Good Luck to all. If u have more questions just ask.

 

[antoni]

Thanks for the quick response and congratulation on your acceptance. Did you applied another school or... well I hope not... anyways if you knew you already accepted another school, you will be relaxed and have the confidence, I complited my application at the end of march, so I only applied only three school which i will probably decline one of it. so my chances getting into Pharm school this year are so slim..

 

[Shehzad Roy]

Congrats to all of you who recieved interview invitations. Can you please post your stats (gpa and pcat). I have also applied there, but no interview yet, so just wanna know what are my chances of recieving one.

Thanks