2026 AACP Admissions Workshop
Please join us for the 2026 AACP Admissions Workshop in Grapevine, Texas!
We invite all administrators, faculty, and staff who play a role in recruitment, admissions, retention, and student affairs to this two-day event. The goal of the Workshop is to provide attendees with the opportunity to learn and network, so the academy can collectively promote the profession and respond to challenges facing pharmacy education.
Join us for an engaging Workshop designed to share innovative practices, practical strategies, and collaborative solutions across the pharmacy admissions community. Session topics will include addressing financial barriers to pharmacy education through creative approaches to affordability, financial literacy, and cross-campus partnerships; enhancing the interview experience by reimagining interview formats, assessment methods, and holistic practices; and advancing recruitment strategies that strengthen connections with prospective students, families, advisors, and communities. The Workshop will also feature interactive case studies on unique admissions challenges offering participants the opportunity to exchange insights and develop effective strategies through dialogue and shared problem-solving. Don't miss this exciting and engaging experience!
The Workshop will precede the 2026 Annual Meeting. Additional details about programming, CAS training, and registration will be available by spring 2026.
- Friday, July 17, 2026: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Saturday, July 18, 2026: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Submit a Session Proposal for the Workshop
The AACP Admissions Workshop Advisory Committee invites members and non-members to submit session proposals. All proposals for the Admissions Workshop must be submitted via an online form by Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11:59 pm Hawaii Time (HT).
Session Categories
- Addressing Financial Barriers to Pharmacy Education. Presentations will focus on strategies to help applicants understand and access various financial resources (e.g., scholarships, grants, work-study, loans). Proposals may highlight innovative approaches to educating applicants about funding their Pharm.D., addressing financial barriers, and fostering collaborations between admissions, university foundation, and financial aid. Topics may also include promoting financial literacy, timing financial aid education, and advancing practices that support affordability and access.
- Enhancing the Interview Experience. Presentations will showcase strategies for designing and delivering engaging, equitable, and effective interview experiences. Sessions may explore approaches such as rolling interviews, virtual or hybrid formats, and the use (or non-use) of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Presentations highlighting creative methods for assessing applicants' professional and interpersonal skills, integrating holistic admissions principles, or improving the overall interview day experience are encouraged. Programs that have successfully restructured their interview process-or have navigated challenges and lessons learned along the way-are invited to share their processes and outcomes that can inform and inspire peers across pharmacy admissions.
- Innovative Recruitment and Marketing Strategies. Presentations will highlight strategies for strengthening pharmacy school recruitment and marketing efforts. Sessions may explore resourceful approaches to engaging prospective students, families, and influencers through outreach initiatives such as K-12 programming, advisor partnerships, and community engagement. Proposals that address challenges like undergraduate advisor turnover, sustaining long-term relationships with applicant pools, and tailoring recruitment for diverse audiences are encouraged. Presenters are invited to share their successes, data-driven outcomes, and lessons learned that can inspire fresh approaches to recruiting the next generation of student pharmacists.
- Case Studies in Unique Admissions Situations. Presentations will share interactive case studies highlighting unique or complex situations encountered in the admissions process. Accepted cases will be featured in a roundtable discussion session designed to foster dialogue and shared problem-solving. If selected, presenters will collaborate with committee members and fellow case contributors to design a cohesive session that allows participants to engage with multiple cases and conclude with a brief, facilitated wrap-up discussion summarizing key takeaways. Please note: No student-identifying information should be included in your case materials. We encourage submissions that explore challenging or nuanced admissions scenarios such as:
- Managing repeat coursework or prerequisite waivers
- Navigating admissions processes for international applicants
- Evaluating and processing transfer or advanced standing applicants
- Other unique or uncommon admissions cases that may benefit from shared discussion
Submission Guidelines
- All Workshop proposals must be submitted online by Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11:59 pm Hawaii Time (HT).
- The Workshop submission form differs from the Annual Meeting submission form (open through November 25).
- AACP members and non-members are eligible to submit, but non-members must be associated with a member institution.
- Individuals may submit more than one session proposal for the Workshop.
- Submitters must create a separate Save & Return login account for each proposal.
- AACP will share decisions on Workshop proposals by March 1.
- AACP may ask submitters with similar proposals to collaborate on a joint session.
- All invited speakers must agree to attend the onsite program, register, and pay to attend the Admissions Workshop, and are responsible for their own travel expenses.
- There will be no online participation options for attendees or speakers at the Annual Meeting or Admissions Workshop.
Review Criteria
The Admissions Workshop Advisory Committee will review session proposals and will consider the following criteria. Case Studies will only be reviewed for "Relevance to Admissions Workshop and Theme" and "Clarity and Organization."
- Relevance to Admissions Workshop and Theme
- Clarity and Organization
- Innovation and Engagement
- Practical Applications
Important Reminders
- Session Times: Traditional session times will be offered for either 30-minute (1 school) or 45-minute (2+ schools) blocks (unless otherwise noted).
- Limited or No Outcomes Data: While we strongly encourage you to share any available outcomes data, we recognize that not all activities will directly correlate with applications, enrollment, success, or retention. Please share your innovative ways to engage, assess, and support prospective students at every level, regardless of whether the effect of those efforts on the institution or individuals is yet known.
Questions
Please contact the AACP student affairs team at cas@aacp.org.
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Katie Owings Bruce
Director of Application Services and Student Programs
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
703-739-2330 x1026
kbruce@aacp.org
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