As mention in other threads, the classes here try to have blended learning scheme: From dialectic lectures, to book reading, to lots of group projects, and to several online components. A lot of this is done to help a vast variety of different learners pick up the subjects more easily. However, the big down side right now is that there are still a lot of kinks in their method. A lot of new ideas still being toss around and the faulty is still trying to sort out what works and what doesn't.
The school itself is planned to house a little over 100 students per class. The faulty seem to be genuinely concerned about the student. And furthermore care about the advancement of pharmacy profession and advocacy of public health among pharmacist. The professors are basically the same types you could find in your regular average-joe-university (many are picked up from other pharmacy and medical schools). All that matters is that they know their material right? We just started labs this 2nd semester but for next year class, it will begin in your 1st semester. (So far, its the basic curriculum you would find at other schools.)
As for student life itself. Graduate school can be a lot like high school sometimes. You hear this from all the pharmacy school, so its nothing new. One aspect that is unique is that this is a commuter school, so you can make any judgment that is typically associated with that statement. Many of the students are from local area. As for ASB or other student clubs, you can be as involved as you like (as long as your grades are okay).
Its also hard to judge our current class since each student was chosen by a case by case basis. The averages and scores would be very shrewd and perhaps portray an inaccurate image of what type of student the college would like to admit.
The best advice is keep in mind that this is still a new school. Classroom and labs are continuously being built and changed according to the needs of the students. Also, be willing to work along with the faulty and admin and stay patient as they try to put together lectures and structure the classes.
At the interview, just be open about yourself, have examples for your claims (I was class president -> I did so.. and so.. -> and I learn how to...), thoroughly research public health and the pharmacy profession. You can also go as far as have mock interviews at your university, research questions online (studentdoctor is a wonderful resource), and practice answer in front of a mirror and peers. Leave, the rest is up to your personality!
Good luck to all those that applied!
