Pathway Declaration Essay & Interview for the Health Services and Policy Research (HSPR) Pathway
When you declare a preference for the Health Services and Policy Research (HSPR) Pathway, in addition to completing and signing the Pathway Preference Form, you must also write an essay and participate in an interview with members of the Pathway Committee.
Essay and interview requirements
The essay
The essay enables the pathway faculty to ensure that the pathway is the right fit for each student and that the student is a good match for the pathway.
Submit an essay responding to the following questions:
- What is your understanding of the HSPR Pathway? (i.e., the skill sets that will be taught.)
- Why you think you and the pathway are a good match?
- How will the pathway enhance your goals as a student and as a pharmacist? (i.e., what do you hope to learn?)
- With which faculty and/or outside experts have you spoken in contemplating your decision to apply to the HSPR pathway? What did you learn?
- Describe a potential research area and any steps you have already taken to pursue the development of your idea. This is not a commitment to a specific research question, which will come at a later date, but rather a demonstration that you have thought about and understand what is entailed in the research project for this pathway.
No particular format is required, and you need not address each question separately. You should, however, cover each in your essay.
Essays are evaluated using the following criteria:
- written communication skills
- demonstrated clarity and understanding of the pathway
- the suitability or "fit" of the student with the pathway.
- At the top of the page, include your name, e-mail address, and the name of your preferred pathway.
- Use 12-point type.
- Write no more than 750 words.
Submit 1 printed copy and 1 electronic copy. Before 5:00 PM on the declarations due date of Monday, January 9, 2012:
- E-mail the essay electronic copy to Lucia Piriano at pirianol@pharmacy.ucsf.edu.
- Deliver the printed Pathway Preference Form and the printed essay to the OSACA.
The interview
Sign up for an interview appointment in the OSACA during the pathway declaration interview sign-up period. Interviews take place the following week.
Go to: Pathway Declaration Process
