Responding to the evolving and expanding field of pharmacy, the University at Buffalo’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UB SoPPS) is excited to introduce programmatic updates effective for fall 2010 entering freshmen interested in becoming licensed pharmacists.

With post-graduate residencies and fellowships becoming the norm, and clinical and counseling skills taking on greater importance, UB students who enter the four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program beginning in Fall 2012 will first follow a flexible two-to-three-year pre-pharmacy curriculum. The curriculum will provide students with the “clinical edge” needed to counsel and manage the drug and therapeutic services prevalent in the rapidly growing field of health care.

In addition, UB’s SoPPS is scheduled to move to John Kapoor Hall, which will be located on UB’s South Campus in 2012. Students entering the professional program in 2012 will be the first class in this new state-of-the-art building. They will have an immediate advantage of access to a highly sophisticated compounding lab, our groundbreaking patient simulation center, and much more.

Founded in 1886, UB’s SoPPS is the only pharmacy school in the SUNY system and a national leader in education and research. With over 1,000 regular applicants, the school only admits the best of the best, ensuring that its students are well-prepared for whatever track they choose. UB continues to attract high quality students in part because of its top-notch Early Assurance program (automatic entrance into the PharmD program for qualified students), unique combined degree programs (PharmD/MBA, PharmD/JD, PharmD/MPH, and PharmD/PhD), and the internationally renowned Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences which allows students to study the design, action and delivery of drugs while pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

If you know students who excel in math and science and are interested in a rewarding and flexible career that is in high demand, UB’s SoPPS may be right for them.

For more information on the University at Buffalo and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, visit www.pharmacy.buffalo.edu/admissions, or contact the school at pharm-admin@buffalo.edu or 716-645-2825 (press 1).

I’d like to share with you a story about one of our Undergraduate Academy students. Marissa came to UB from Oakdale, NY to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a music minor concentration in violin. As a freshman, she joined the Research Exploration Academy led by Dr. Tracy Gregg from the Department of Geology. Through her academy seminar, Marissa was introduced to research, how it is conducted and how it impacts our community. The following spring, Marissa and her classmates designed an individual research project investigating the relationship between hours spent on schoolwork and GPA and presented it to students, faculty and staff at the University’s Annual Celebration of Academic Excellence.

With one year already under her belt, Marissa decided to investigate further research opportunities in the psychology department. She soon found herself in the Social Psychophysiology Lab with Dr. Seery.  In the lab, Marissa was responsible for connecting participants to sensors so that any physiological changes that occurred during the experiment could be detected. This particular lab investigates important issues such as self-esteem, stereotype-threat, and ego-depletion. Completing a full year of research has encouraged Marissa to continue research over the summer and to pursue a PhD in psychology.

While focusing on her academic studies, Marissa has also taken advantage of the many co-curricular activities available on campus such as the UB Symphony Orchestra, the University Student Alumni Board, and the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology. In addition, Marissa believes it is her responsibility to “pay it forward” and serves as a mentor to undergraduates through the Scholars Program and the Academies Mentoring program. This spring Marissa was accepted into UB’s Advanced Honors College. She continues to impress us with her energy and accomplishments.

Marissa’s story is just one of the many success stories that have emerged from UB’s Undergraduate Academies. These living and learning communities are for students, faculty, and staff interested in the common themes of Civic Engagement, Global Perspectives and Research Exploration. They strive to engage students, help them gain appreciation for various topics, and introduce them to the many avenues available to them, so that they can get involved and make a difference in their community, both on and off campus.

I invite you to encourage your students to consider the Undergraduate Academies so that they may develop a unique undergraduate experience that will undoubtedly provide them with an extraordinary experience as well as a competitive profile!

To learn more, visit http://academy.buffalo.edu.

Hadar Borden
Administrative Director
Undergraduate Academies

Each year, UB receives applications from thousands of interested students. Now, future student have a new way of submitting applications to UB through The Common Application. We’re very excited about our new membership—this opportunity will provide another great option for students, families, and counselors to obtain information on UB.

Participation in The Common Application requires that colleges and universities look at applications holistically, and UB will now require a supplemental application from every applicant, including an essay and one reference letter from a teacher or school counselor. Most applicants have already been submitting these documents to us.

Freshman applicants for the fall class need to submit their applications by mid November of the senior year for the admissions committee to begin review in December. Scholarship consideration is based on materials received by December 31st (SAT or ACT scores should be sent to UB directly from the testing agency). Notification of admissions decision and scholarships are sent out starting in February.

Please share this information with your students. The link to The Common Application is www.commonapp.org. The Common Application also prints and distributes a paper version. Of course, students can still use either the print or online SUNY application that is found at www.suny.edu or www.admissions.buffalo.edu/apply.

Warmest wishes for a wonderful summer!
Steve Smith
Assistant Admissions Director

Last fall, we promised that we’d pass along stories of the unique learning experiences of UB’s Honors Scholars. What better place to find such stories than from the students who participated in the Honors College’s service learning-based freshman colloquium which allows students to explore new ideas through active engagement with the world around them.

This year, the colloquium focused on getting students acquainted with the promise and challenges of urban communities like the City of Buffalo. To kick off the fall semester, guest lecturers spoke to Honors Scholars about the past, present, and future of Buffalo. Next, each student took part in a variety of tours of the city, arranged in cooperation with the Preservation Coalition of Erie County and the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier. It was an illuminating experience for freshman John Gerber: “The tour of Buffalo was one of the first times I’ve walked around the city just for the sake of walking around. It was really interesting, and it definitely opened my eyes to Buffalo’s roots and what it is really like. It just felt like a good place to be.”

Students were encouraged to select service projects that matched their academic interests. For example, one group comprised of dance and arts majors chose to work with Moving Miracles, a dance/movement program for children, adolescents, and adults who are exceptionally challenged mentally, physically, or emotionally. Laura Crowe, a dance major from Palatine, Illinois, says that she initially approached the project with some apprehension because of her inexperience in working with wheelchair-bound students. That notion quickly faded as she made connections with the students and encouraged their progress. “This project completely transformed my views about the severely disabled and opened my eyes to the types of programs available to them,” Crowe says. “I also learned that I have a knack for teaching and working with children, and that I am capable of handling the difficult situations that sometimes arise while working with the disabled students – this program has opened new doors for me in my major and in my future career plans.”

Inspired by a tour of Buffalo that focused on neighborhood revitalization, another group of scholars helped to renovate the exterior of a vacant house on the city’s west side. By the end of the semester, a home that was once slated for demolition was being looked at with interest by potential buyers. Honors Scholar Kaitlin George noted, “After finishing the project, I felt a sense of accomplishment – I really enjoyed seeing the difference I could make in just a few hours.”

Other scholars performed their service learning with agencies such Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, and Journey’s End Refugee Services. Ryan Dunnigan’s group volunteered with the American Red Cross Life Project, assisting senior citizens with home maintenance. The Niskayuna, NY native says, “When I began this project, I only expected to help people by cleaning up their yards – but I learned that I can help even more by just listening and talking to them.”

At the end of the colloquium, participants were asked to give a final presentation on their experience and write a paper that incorporated what they learned in the field with their coursework. In their reflections, it was overwhelmingly evident that each scholar considered their experiences to be eye-opening and, in some cases, life-altering. And many students expressed their intention to continue to perform service in the future with the agency they had worked with.

If you’d like to learn more about UB’s Honors College or the many ways in which learning at UB extends beyond the classroom, feel free to give us a call at 1-888-UB-ADMIT. We have many more stories like these to pass along.

Special Thanks to:
Jessica Dudek, University Honors Program
Kevin Corbett, Office of Admissions

As one of the nation’s leading public research universities, UB has a proud tradition of fostering a learning environment which supports our talented and ambitious undergraduate students. In keeping with this tradition, we have some exciting news to share.

For more than twenty-five years, the University at Buffalo has been home to the oldest and most well-established honors program in the State University of New York. Now we can lay claim to offering one of the richest and most comprehensive honors institutions in the nation.

UB’s Honors Program has become the University Honors College. The new name is a reflection of a renewed and transforming Honors curriculum – one that challenges and inspires students to be fully engaged with the issues of the day in a truly collaborative learning community.

As simple as this change may appear, our goal is profound: to propel students to become scholars of the first order, who possess the ability to make a difference in our increasingly interconnected global society.

Features of the University Honors College include:

• Newly focused and expanded honors curriculum, providing engaging, collaborative learning that prepares students for the exciting challenges presented by our increasingly interconnected global society.
• Opportunities for students to explore a wide range of enhanced academic experiences, including independent study, undergraduate research, internships, graduate coursework, teaching, study abroad and more.

What has not changed is the high level of advisement and support provided by our committed honors staff and faculty mentors. Whether it is help with developing an individualized course of study, advisement toward applying to a nationally recognized graduate program, or assistance with applying for national and international scholarships and fellowships, Honors Scholars enjoy the expert guidance they need to achieve their impressive goals.

Our Honors Scholars, many of whom come from your schools, never cease to impress and amaze us. And as they graduate and go on to achieve future successes, we couldn’t be more proud! In future web logs, we’ll share some of their exciting stories. More information will be coming to you, or visit honors.buffalo.edu.

Best Wishes,
Frances Bernstein
Associate Admissions Director

We all live and interact within a variety of communities and being a student at UB is no different. Some of the exciting and beneficial communities that students can choose from include:

• Getting to know UB with 15 or so students in a first semester “UB 101” course; their fellow students will also be intentionally scheduled in some of their other courses.
• Living in the same residence halls as students who share academic interests and having a professional or faculty advisor in the hall.
• Living in the residence halls with students who share special interests, among them, interests in leadership, tutoring and mentoring, or wellness.
• Belonging to scholarly communities such as the University Honors Program, the University Scholars Program or the Daniel Acker Scholars Program.
• Becoming a Diversity Advocate and being part of an educational advocacy group.
• Getting to know a distinguished faculty member and exploring a thought provoking topic by taking a Discovery Seminar.
• Joining a UB Academy, multidisciplinary in nature, such as the newly forming Civic Engagement and Research Exploration Academies which entail both classroom and real world experiences.
• Upperclassmen may go on to consider taking joint, dual degree, or combined undergraduate/graduate degree program. They may engage in cutting edge research, intern for college credit, join their department’s honors program, study abroad, or take a semester at sea.

As can be seen, UB takes a different approach to learning. It has been said, UB is as big as you need and as small as you want. We hope your students will jump right in and take advantage of what we offer, both big and small!

Best wishes,

Fran Bernstein

Associate Admissions Director

As I sit here in my chair watching the last days of winter, I imagine being in your chair. I imagine that you will be hearing from students who have applied to UB but have not received an acceptance or in some cases, have received a denial. For both of us, these can be difficult conversations. This was a particularly competitive year at UB and we have had to make some difficult decisions among a great many strong applicants. We will definitely be utilizing a waiting list, but promise that we will not keep students waiting any longer than is necessary.

Happily, you may also hear from students accepted to UB who have received academic scholarship offers and for some students, offers to join the University Honors or the University Scholars Program. You may also hear from students who have received offers from our Presidential Scholarship or Daniel J. Acker Scholars Programs, both carrying generous funding and numerous program perks. For more information about our scholarly communities, you can go to: http://admissions.buffalo.edu/academics/scholarlycommunities.php

We hope that your former students attending UB and enjoying these programs are bringing the word back to your high school that the program benefits are tremendous. From special housing options to faculty mentoring, from multidisciplinary coursework to specialized advisement and priority registration, our academically talented students realize the full benefit of a UB degree.

Best wishes,
Frances Bernstein
Associate Admissions Director

Greetings! As I write this entry, I am reminiscing about my numerous fall recruitment trips. Many of my trips included travel outside of New York State to recruit prospective UB students. This can prove to be challenging at times but I love every minute of it!
 

Often I find that the farther away I travel, the more enthusiastic students are about UB and Buffalo. During a week-long trip to California last spring, I spoke to many students that had family in the Western New York area or whose parents were SUNY alumni and they were eager to explore the possibility of attending UB. Most students with whom I speak are familiar with UB’s excellent academic reputation within the SUNY system as well as nation-wide.
 

Of course, I occasionally speak with students whose only “knowledge” of Buffalo is football, weather and chicken wings.  It is always a pleasure to inform students and families that Buffalo and UB are so much more!  I share with them the news that there are some very exciting and innovative changes underway at UB, as we expand our offering of experiences that will enrich undergraduate education at UB.   We are increasing the opportunities available in undergraduate research, service learning, study abroad programs, independent study programs and have formed new  undergraduate academies (learning communities).  Our hope is to provide a distinctive, meaningful and fulfilling undergraduate experience for every student. You will be hearing much more about these endeavors in the very near future.
 

As I reflect on this year’s accomplishments and goals for the coming year. I realize that am so fortunate to work in a profession that allows me to serve high school students, their families and the school counseling community on a daily basis. It is very rewarding to help students find the right fit for college.  Hopefully, I’ll get to meet some of you in my travels. Have a safe and happy 2007!
 

Megan Sarkis

Senior Admissions Advisor

UB and the Buffalo community are enjoying a lovely fall season.  Our October “surprise” storm is all but a distant memory and we are preparing for our beautiful and exciting winter season.  We look forward to the benefits of activities including great – and affordable – nearby downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, hiking, ice skating, and just having fun outside.  Being outdoors is a terrific way for our students to unwind and take in some fresh air as they approach a typically stressful end-of-the-semester and final exam schedule.   

Our busy fall recruitment schedule is coming to an end and we are now preparing for admissions application review.   We are also beginning to make plans for the upcoming spring recruitment season.  Please know that we are available to participate in your programs for high school juniors and their parents.  UB representation is just a phone call or an email away and, if our schedule permits, we’d be happy to join your efforts in informing prospective students and their families about the college admissions process.

While our fall open houses have passed, prospective students and their families are encouraged to visit UB throughout the year.  Our website   http://admissions.buffalo.edu/visit offers helpful information on scheduling a trip to the area.  In addition, your students can communicate with UB students through our interactive IM, student blogs, frequent chats, and informative message boards.  During the application review cycle our toll free number, 1-888-UB-ADMIT, is a great way to talk with us should you or your students have any questions.

We have an announcement for you:

UB’s Policy on the SAT
UB will continue to use the highest math and critical reading test scores from different test dates to determine the highest combined score from the new SAT.  Freshmen applying for Fall 2007 will be required to take the SAT or ACT writing component, however these scores will be used for research purposes only.  Official score reports must be sent directly from the testing agency to the UB Office of Admissions.  UB’s SAT code is 2925; the ACT code is 2978.

Come back soon for another blog entry.  Right now there’s a brisk walk, a bright blue sky, and a Starbucks hot chocolate calling my name!  

Jennifer Hess
Associate Director

Summer has, once again, flown by and before we all know it, we’ll be in the throes of the college application process. It is a good thing we love it so much!

If you are reading this blog, you have found your way to the school counselor Web site. We are hopeful that the resources available on the site are useful and easy for you to use. I am always open to suggestions on improving our Web site; you can email me at fjb@buffalo.edu.

Our office looks forward to the admissions application season. We are challenged to bring in a bright, diverse class and ensure that our prospective students hear from us in relevant ways. In keeping up with advances in technology, prospective students can now IM current UB students until late at night, read UB student blogs, join a chat with admissions staff, or post a question on our message board. In addition, prospective students can expect to receive a phone call from current UB students. Counselors can certainly take advantage of all of these modes of communication as well, but rest assured that – as always – we are only a quick phone call away. You can easily find out who is reviewing your student’s applications by clicking on “Meet Your Admissions Counselor” on this website. Our direct phone numbers are listed and we are always at your service.

We have two announcements for you:

• Our scholarship decisions will now be based on information received by December 31, 2006. Please encourage your students to arrange for the testing agencies to send us their SAT and ACT test results as quickly as possible.
• We are also requesting that new students complete their FAFSA by February 1, 2006. Adjustments can be made if taxes for the previous year are filed after this date. This will allow students to be considered for the full amount of aid possible.

I hope that you enjoy the beautiful fall season!

Fran Bernstein
Associate Director