title: Development of a residency interviewing preparatory seminar.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The development of a residency interviewing preparatory seminar (RIPS) is described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RIPS elective at Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy was designed to assist pharmacy students during their last professional year in preparing for the residency application process. The learning objectives of the course focused on improving students' interviewing and presentation skills, professionalism, and developing their curriculum vitae (CV) and personal statement. Course and instructor evaluations and demographic data collected via anonymous surveys were used to ascertain students' perspectives about the course. The class was purposely scheduled to begin in October and end in November, right before the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in early December. Due to limited faculty availability on the scheduled evenings and the desire to provide tailored, in-depth feedback, enrollment was limited. The RIPS was an intensive eight-week elective completed by 10 fourth-year pharmacy students. The course began with an overview of the residency application process, and students submitted their CVs and personal statements to faculty mentors for critique. To simulate residency interview components, students completed several timed activities in class and participated in mock interviews. Students stated that the course improved their application materials, interview skills, and confidence in their ability to obtain a residency. Overall, 78% of RIPS participants matched with a residency program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RIPS elective was successful in improving residency candidate confidence at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Students reported that the course was helpful and improved their confidence and ability to interview.
authors.affiliation: Department ofPharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA. jcaballe@nova.edu
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benavides
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Clauson
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Borja-Hart
authors.forename: Jehan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marino
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008611:Mentors; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D013339:Students, Pharmacy