A summer pharmacy camp for high school students as a pharmacy student recruitment tool

Abstract

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of a summer pharmacy camp on participants' pursuit of enrollment in doctor of pharmacy degree programs. Methods. All participants (n = 135) in a pharmacy camp at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy from 2007-2010 were invited to complete an anonymous online survey instrument. Results. Seventy-three students completed the survey instrument (54% response rate). Ninety-six percent of pharmacy camp participants said that they would recommend pharmacy camp to a friend, and 76% planned to apply or had applied to doctor of pharmacy degree program. Seven of the camp participants had enrolled in the UAMS College of Pharmacy. Conclusions. The pharmacy summer camp at UAMS is effective in maintaining high school students' interest in the profession of pharmacy. Continued use of the pharmacy camp program as a recruitment tool is warranted; however, additional research on this topic is needed.