Criteria for Partial Tuition Remission

PharmD/Ph.D. candidates in their 3rd and 4th years of the curriculum may qualify for partial tuition remission based on certain criteria.

The criteria are designed to ascertain the applicant’s potential for a successful career as a pharmacy researcher. This will be evaluated based upon:

  1. Evidence of high-level academic performance
  2. Activities that demonstrate a commitment to basic, clinical, or translational research
  3. The potential to excel in the applicant’s future career path.

Preference will be given to individuals who have research experience with faculty in the COP.

Items to be submitted by applicant:

  1. Letter of intent indicating past and present research experience, research group(s) of interest, and career plans (500 word limit)
  2. CV
  3. Transcripts
  4. 3 letters of reference

Criteria to consider in evaluating candidate:

  • Academic Success
    • Pharmacy GPA, with focus on GPA in required courses in the PharmD curriculum
    • Undergraduate GPA, with focus on upper division science coursework
    • GRE scores
    • Elective coursework--Does selection of courses reflect applicant’s research interests [e.g., Seminar (PHAR 507), Research Elective (PHAR 701)]?
  • Professional involvement
    • Is the applicant a member of relevant professional societies, do they hold leadership positions within COP student organizations? Have they attended state/national/international professional meetings? Etc.
  • Research experience
    • Does the applicant have experience working with a COP faculty member? Other research experience?  Relevance/depth of experience should be considered.
    • Does the applicant have demonstrated intellectual curiosity?
    • Demonstrated ability to integrate clinical and research knowledge/skills?
  • Goals
    • Does the applicant articulate career goals that demonstrate an understanding of the PharmD/Ph.D. and the potential career opportunities available to a person with this level of training?
    • Does the applicant indicate which research group(s) within the College of Pharmacy he/she is interested in joining?
What is the selection process? Is it same or different from application for admission to the graduate school?

Selection for the award is a separate process from applying for admission to the graduate school, although that graduate studies committee owns the process and could adapt or personalize it as necessary.

How many awards are given out each year?

No more than two students per professional year selected for the award.

When such awards are available to the professional students?

Tuition remission/scholarship award will be available starting the third professional year.  Two reasons: First, there is a track record of performance in the professional program to judge their academic abilities.  Second, we want the financial exposure of the College limited to 6 – 8 students; so up to four students in the professional program and up to four with their Pharm.D., but have not yet taken prelims.

What is the nature of the tuition remission/scholarship award?

It is a loan, forgiven only after completing their prelims with an OSU faculty member. Students will be taxed on the award when it is forgiven.  Students need to be aware of their risk.

What is the loan amount?

The value of the loan is somewhat flexible and on the Word version of Loan app there is a spot to enter the initial annual value.  It is approximately the difference in the cost of Graduate vs Pharm.D tuition.

Are Pharm.D./Ph.D students eligible for receiving GTA?

Yes, It is important to remember that the intent is to treat them as a new graduate student in their first year after they get their Pharm.D., which basically assures them of a first year GTA (they are not eligible for a GTA while a professional student).