Doctor of Pharmacy student Emily Weyenberg had never been to Iowa City, but she knew the first time she stepped foot on the Iowa campus it was where she was meant to be.

“It was the ‘small-town, big city’ atmosphere that drew me in and I appreciated that Iowa offers all of the amenities of a large school while still feeling like a tight-knit community.”

Some of those amenities include Iowa’s “top-rated curriculum, fantastic faculty, and state-of-the-art facility,” according to Weyenberg.

She was also impressed by the atmosphere at the UI College of Pharmacy:

“I was introduced to the term, “Pharmily”, meaning pharmacy family, during my interview session. That term really describes the atmosphere at the College. All the faculty are on your side and want to see you succeed and the collaborative environment with your peers really makes learning easier!”

When asked why others should choose Iowa, Emily offered, ‘the quality and quantity of clinical experiences.’

“I believe it is the educational experiences this College offers that sets them apart from other colleges of pharmacy. This program provides opportunities to experience what a pharmacist will face in clinical practice. As a student pharmacist, I’ve been able to gain experience at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, located directly across the street from the College. It is rewarding to study pharmacy in a forward-thinking state, like Iowa, that is working continuously to improve the pharmacy experience for all pharmacists in the state and beyond.”

During her first year of pharmacy school, Weyenberg had many amazing opportunities to develop professional relationships and friendships with faculty and students. One of the highlights of her first year was participating in the White Coat Ceremony, as “it was such a rewarding experience to be surrounded by pharmacists who have excelled in their fields.”

Weyenberg has developed an interest in business and administrative duties as well as law and policy. She is confident—thanks to the opportunities at Iowa and close proximity to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics—that she will be able to work in both areas to advocate for her patients inside and outside of the hospital setting.

Weyenberg is excited for the next three years at Iowa to learn and grow alongside her peers and to best serve her patients.