(361) Evaluation of the Relationship Between PCAT-Optional Admission Policies and Admission Trends

Trainee Category: Student Pharmacist

Objective : To explore the relationship between a Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)-optional admission policy and the number of total applicants and historically underrepresented applicants to a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program, highlighting student perceptions on the policy.

Methods: Admissions and recruitment data two years prior to and after implementation of a PCAT-optional admission policy in the 2019-20 admission cycle were retrospectively obtained from four admission cycles at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Trends in the number of total applicants and applicants from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds were examined. A voluntary, anonymous survey with Likert scale and open-ended questions was electronically administered to first- and second-year pharmacy students to explore their perceptions of the PCAT-optional admissions policy. A chi-squared test and inductive coding were employed for comparisons and data analysis.

Results: The total number of applicants to the School increased by 19% after the PCAT-optional policy implementation, with the number of historically underrepresented applicants increasing by 12% [p <.001]. Sixty-three percent of students favored the permanent adoption of the PCAT-optional admissions policy. Survey results revealed that 67% of students viewed the PCAT as a financial barrier and 60% viewed it as a stressor. Despite these opinions, 57% of responses revealed that the PCAT-optional admissions policy did not strongly influence students’ decisions to apply to pharmacy programs.

Conclusions: The PCAT-optional admission policy was associated with an increase in the number of total applicants and historically underrepresented applicants to the PharmD program. Students favored the use of this model as it relieves financial barriers and stressors for applicants.