Preparing Members of AAPP Student Chapters for PGY-2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Applications

Author: Jose Rey, PharmD, MS, BCPP, FAAPP

Welcome to the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists as a student member. Perhaps, during your training as a student, you will be enthused to consider, and then plan to do, a PGY-2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency after your PGY-1 residency training. 

I can only assume that you have learned the universal truth that ‘psych is the coolest’ and that you want to specialize in this area of pharmacy practice and become the best possible practitioner that you can be.

Preparing for an Outstanding Residency Application

So, in that effort, I have some questions for you to answer to ensure you are preparing yourself for an outstanding residency application:

  1. How are your grades?
  2. Are you an active member of AAPP and other organizations?
  3. What have you done for community service (e.g. a mental health fair event) or advocacy related to mental health–with your AAPP chapter or with another organization? (e.g. the NAMI Walk near you)
  4. What leadership opportunities have you embraced? You don’t need to be the president of your AAPP chapter or XYZ organization, but were you actively involved in the organization? Maybe you developed and championed a specific event focusing on mental health, substance use, or neurology?
  5. How are your communication skills? All of them: interview, presentation, interpersonal, writing.
  6. Have you taken advantage of the many networking opportunities at the AAPP Annual Meeting that you have as a student? 

Going the Extra Mile

If you are serious, make a list of the RPDs of your programs of interest, and ask to speak with them or maybe even have a coffee with them. This interaction will help them put a face to a name; perhaps I will get to meet you first as a 3rd year student, then again as a 4th year, then possibly as a PGY1 resident looking toward a PGY2 in psychiatric pharmacy. 

AAPP may seem big, but we’re not that big. Forget six degrees of Kevin Bacon… with AAPP, you’re always one or two degrees (connections) away from any of us RPDs, like Dr. Christopher Thomas or Dr. Bethany DiPaula, or any other RPD you may be sending your application to. 

Are you only looking at PGY1 programs that happen to have PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy programs because you are trying to ‘early commit’?  Or are you geographically flexible, which greatly enhances your application opportunities and options.  Your chapter advisor could and should meet with you to discuss your interests and help make recommendations for training programs that match your goals. They may even know RPDs personally or professionally that they can refer you to, so that you can reach out and connect.

Remember, every Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a four or six-week-long interview. Are you trying for APPEs at hospitals with residency programs? Don’t just sign up for easy APPEs to get through pharmacy school with minimal effort. 

Going the Extra Mile...and Then Some

More important steps you can take. 

  1. Have you presented a poster or paper at AAPP, or any other pharmacy meetings like ASHP or ACCP, reflecting your extra work and efforts as a student? Even if you aren’t presenting a poster, attend the poster sessions, and check out the posters from the program(s) that you think that you’re interested in to see the kind of work they are doing. You can interact with their current resident or possibly the RPD.
  2. Do you have a social media presence? Are you on LinkedIn or a different platform?  Is there anything on your profile that isn’t flattering or professional, such as inappropriate pictures? If yes, then clean it up and keep it updated.

If you are interested in a particular program, reach out to them early (even as a 3rd or 4th year student) and ask if you can ‘shadow’ or spend a day with a current resident or preceptor. And yes, that might mean a road trip to another city.

In summary, don’t wait until your 4th year as a student to start attending meetings, doing research, or making contacts with members of AAPP that are involved in PGY2 residency programs.  Do the things that will make you an interesting and strong applicant.  So, answer the above questions and then ask yourself, “are you doing those activities now?”, and if you’re not, then why are you waiting?

References: 

  • Caballero J, Clauson KA, Benavides S. Get the Residency: A Modern Guide to a Successful Match. 3rd ed. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 2023. 

AAPP website: