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| SOPHAS Admissions Code of Cooperation |
| I. Applicant Responsibilities
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In accordance with the ideals and principles of the Public Health profession, applicants to accredited schools and programs of public health are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates responsibility, integrity, veracity, respect and good judgment. |
| | Applicants are responsible for: |
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Adhering to the admission requirements and deadlines for each institution to which they apply. Some institutions have supplemental applications that must be completed. |
| | 2. | Completing their application and submitting all supporting documentation to SOPHAS in a timely manner. |
| | 3. | Providing honest, accurate and complete application information. |
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Reporting to SOPHAS any changes or updates (i.e. contact information) to their application. It is recommended that applicants provide similar updates directly to the institutions to which they have applied. |
| | 5. | Monitoring the submission and receipt of all application materials to SOPHAS, including all transcripts and letters of recommendation. The application status check, provided to applicants as part of the SOPHAS service, should be monitored throughout the application process. |
| | 6. | Accepting and/or declining all interview invitations and offers of admission in a timely and considerate manner. |
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Responding promptly to all offers of admission. Once an applicant has accepted an offer, it is the applicant's obligation to immediately notify and withdraw any outstanding applications or decline offers of admission from other institutions. |
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| II. SOPHAS Responsibilities |
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SOPHAS will facilitate, through each of its members, a professional and equitable admission process. Established protocols will provide applicants with a fair and complete review process of all application materials and support each program's autonomy in further evaluating, selecting and matriculating qualified students. |
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SOPHAS are responsible for: |
| | 1. | Collecting and collating all application materials submitted by applicants. SOPHAS is further responsible for verifying all documents (academic transcripts and letters of recommendation) and disseminating completed application files to all programs designated by applicants in a timely and efficient manner. |
| | 2. | Providing quality customer service. Its professional staff will maintain ongoing and responsive communications with programs and applicants. |
| | 3. | Ensuring customer confidentiality and data integrity by maintaining a reliable and secure Internet service and program of quality assurance. |
| | 4. | Reporting year-end data to each member and providing an annual report of aggregate applicant data to the Association of Schools of Public Health. |
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| III. Institution Responsibilities |
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In educating caring, compassionate and knowledgeable public health practitioners, accredited schools and programs of public health should conduct themselves and their admission processes in a manner that promotes the ideals of the profession and the mission of each institutions. Program areas will partner with SOPHAS in maintaining an admission process that is fair, inclusive and equitable. |
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Programs are responsible for: |
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Establishing and publishing accurate admission requirements and deadlines. Each institution will make such information easily accessible to potential applicants by maintaining a institution website linked to SOPHAS. Institutions will adhere to their own established and published policies and procedures of admission. |
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Optimizing efficiencies and maintaining good communication. Each institution should designate an individual to serve as the primary point of contact to SOPHAS and applicants. |
| | 3. | Maintaining ongoing communications with applicants. Applicants should be encouraged to monitor their application status and complete their applications promptly. |
| | 4. | Maintaining the confidentiality of applicant information, including letters of recommendation, during all aspects of the application process, including the interview, if any. |
| | 5. | Conducting a fair, reasonable and timely admission process. Procedures should be established to regularly update applicants as to their status. |
| | 6. | Making all admission decisions based on complete and verified application information provided through SOPHAS. |
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