Factors Influencing the Selection of a Major: A Comparison of Pharmacy and Nonpharmacy Undergraduate Students

Abstract

ABSTRACTTo increase the number of applications and qualified applicants, schools and colleges of pharmacy may be forced to target a different set of high school and college students. It is important to identify differences between current pharmacy students and current nonpharmacy students. This identification may increase the ability to recruit students who currently do not consider or choose pharmacy as a major/career. Students were surveyed to examine potential differences between the influences on pharmacy and nonpharmacy students' major selection. Among the factors evaluated were financial aid, previous education, potential career/degree characteristics, and information sources. There exists a difference between pharmacy and nonpharmacy students in several areas. Areas such as information sources consulted and sources of funding may identify nontraditional avenues of recruitment that can increase the awareness of pharmacy as a potential major.