EAP students prepare for interviews with remote PREP+

They were determined to stay on track for making history as the first Early Assurance Program (EAP) class at the MUSC College of Pharmacy. So when COVID cancelled their on-campus interview training program, it was just another hurdle they leapt.

On June 19, the prospective students went online for the College’s first virtual Pharmacy Readiness Engagement Program (PREP), which used Zoom as a platform for interaction between faculty, current students, and the EAP students. The future pharmacists also had the opportunity to participate in mock multiple mini-interview (MMI) sessions to prepare for the real thing in the fall.

“PREP+ is an important part of their preparation for full enrollment,” said Jenny Bagg, admission manager. “We had to figure out some way to give them the same experience without compromising their safety, and they did a great job of adjusting to a virtual event.”

PREP is a one-day program that introduces students to the many career options available in the pharmacy profession, engages students with nationally-recognized faculty - both clinicians and researchers - and teaches students how to prepare for the MUSC College of Pharmacy interview process.

When launching the EAP – which allows exceptional high school and first-year college students to apply early for conditional acceptance – the College created a PREP+ event specifically for early assurance students. Participation is one of the prerequisites of full enrollment. 

Comments in a post-event anonymous survey indicated the online version was able to accomplish its goals:

• “The mini mock interviews were very helpful and the staff was very friendly and encouraging. The last two sections with the students was also very informative.”
• “I mostly enjoyed the mini-interviews as well as learning about the student organizations.”

The College is now accepting applications for the PREP event on Friday, July 10. This event for prospective students in the standard admission cycle will also be online.