1.  Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure fairness, accuracy, and ethical conduct in the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UB SPPS) PharmD and graduate programs admissions process by establishing clear expectations for applicant integrity and outlining procedures for addressing misrepresentation, falsification, or other violations related to admissions applications.

2.  Scope
This policy applies to:

• All applicants to the PharmD, MS and PhD programs
• Admitted students prior to matriculation

Note: Enrolled students adhere to the Graduate School Academic Integrity Policy when integrity concerns relate to their admissions application.

3.  Policy Statement
Any form of misrepresentation, omission, falsification, or unethical conduct undermines the integrity of the admissions process and may result in denial of admission or rescission of an offer.

Applicants to the PharmD program are expected to adhere to the PharmCAS Applicant Code of Conduct.

4.  Definitions

Application Integrity Violation includes, but is not limited to:

• Falsification or alteration of academic records or transcripts
• Misrepresentation of coursework, degrees, or academic standing
• False or misleading information regarding employment, clinical, volunteer, or research experiences
• Submission of plagiarized or fabricated personal statements, essays, or supplemental materials
• Misrepresentation of letters of recommendation
• Failure to disclose prior academic, disciplinary, or legal actions when required
• Use of third-party services to complete application materials

5.  Review and Investigation Process

a) Identification of Concern
Potential integrity issues may be identified through routine verification, third-party reports, institutional records, or self-disclosure.

b) Preliminary Review
The UB SPPS Office of Student Success and Engagement will conduct an initial review to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant further investigation.

c) Notification to Applicant or Student
If concerns persist, the applicant or student will be notified in writing and given an opportunity to respond by providing clarification or supporting documentation within 10 academic days* from the date of identification of concern. *From the UB Graduate Admissions Integrity Procedures, academic days are defined as weekdays, when classes are in session, not including the summer or winter sessions.

d) Formal Evaluation
The UB SPPS PharmD Recruitment and Admissions Committee (for the PharmD program) or Graduate Education Committee (for graduate programs) will review all available information and determine whether a violation occurred within 20 academic days from the date of identification of concern.

6.  Possible Outcomes
Depending on the severity and timing of the violation, outcomes may include but are not limited to:

• No action (if concerns are resolved)
• Request for corrected or additional documentation
• Denial of admission
• Rescission of an admission offer
• Referral to the university’s academic integrity or student conduct process

7.  Confidentiality
All application integrity reviews will be conducted in accordance with institutional privacy policies and applicable laws. Information will be shared only with individuals who have a legitimate educational or administrative need to know.

8.  Relationship to Other Policies
This policy operates in conjunction with:

• UB Graduate Admissions Integrity Policy
• UB Student Code of Conduct
• PharmD Progression
• PharmD Dismissal
• SPPS Graduate Academic Progression
• SPPS Graduate Dismissal

9.  Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with accreditation standards, legal requirements, and institutional best practices.