2014 Scramble Support

[rivulet]

If you don't get it this year, you can always try again next year. I had a few friends from my class that didn't match last year and tried again this year. They matched because they were able to show growth from their applications last year that made them much more competitive. The hard part is giving up the salary that you will be earning in the real world.

Take it from someone that didn't get a single residency interview last year and thought there was no hope for becoming the specialist I had dreamed of becoming since my first year of pharmacy school:

Just because you didn't get a residency doesn't mean that you can't be a clinical pharmacist or whatever career you had set for yourself. Pharmacy really is a learn as you work profession. It is also VERY small. The more time you spend in the real world, the more you're going to learn - so, I don't think it's fair of you to say that you won't get more schooling or training, because you definitely will! Networking will be a KEY goal for you too.

You can't give up on your dream job just because you didn't match or what have you. All a residency does is give you a foot in the door. If you're really passionate about something or dead set on working with a specific patient population, do your best to excel at whatever opportunities that are given to you and express your interests to whoever you can. No mediocre "I'm stuck working for retail chain XYZ/small, unexciting hospital/etc. and I hate my life" attitude. You are not stuck. You are helping people. And you have been given the same tools that everyone has been given to be the best pharmacist possible, and so you should be THE BEST PHARMACIST POSSIBLE! Our goal is to improve our patients' lives, our communities, and to make sure that people take medications safely and effectively. We are the medication specialists, so keep your eye on the overall prize. It really helps put things into perspective.

Connections are made everyday and you want to ensure that you have a fantastic reputation from where you're coming from. You never know when a little networking might throw something in your lap. Many of my classmates had that happen, and actually, one of the girls I used to go to school with is an oncology pharmacist her first year out of school without residency training and she does an AMAZING job at it. Personally, I didn't think I was going to get a residency last year, so I made it a point to find a job that would get me into my specialty area eventually if I didn't find a position as a resident.

Utilize all of your contacts. That was what ended up being my saving grace last year. I knew the RPD for my program, found out that they had very little applications because it was brand new, and I did my research. The goals of the residency were exactly what I was looking for and it gave me ample opportunity to work in my practice area. I asked the RPD if I could apply late to the program and was granted permission to do so. I had an interview a week later, found out I got the job two days after the interview, and the rest is history.

So the point of this: Don't get bummed out. Work hard. Play hard. And most importantly: don't give up on the dreams you've set for yourself. You just had a road block on your path to getting to where you want to be. After all, no one can say life is easy, right? And the best things are worth the wait.

EDIT: Holy moly, sorry for the novel. I promise to get off my soap box…maybe.

You are amazing. Thank you for this uplifting message

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[nervoushabits]

You are amazing. Thank you for this uplifting message

I wasn't always this uplifting. I have to be somewhat humble. During my PGY1 experience, I contacted a fellow Kappa Psi brother who talked me through this very same conversation for two hours one rainy Friday night. I was at a really low point - the overachiever who just didn't make the cut. It's a terrible feeling to be told that you aren't good enough for an interview when you know you are just as capable as all the other people who applied. He told me that I had to keep things in prospective - why did you decide to go to pharmacy school? Why do you want to be a pharmacist? What goals did you have when you first started classes?

To be honest, I always thought I was going to be a compounding pharmacist…then I found out how terrible I was at it. Then I thought, oh, I'd move back home and work for a mom and pop shop or for the chain that I worked at throughout school. Then I found a love for a particular area after a very traumatic experience and couldn't see myself doing anything else. I had no intentions of doing a residency until my final year of school and was a bit behind the game. It's all about going back to the basics and understanding why you want to be a pharmacist. The pharmacist that talked me through it made me realize that I should be grateful that I have this amazing gift to help people, and he told me that if I wanted to be successful, I had to take what was given to me and run with it, with or without a residency. He also told me to never settle and to create my own opportunities. Just some food for thought.

 

[Transformer]

I wasn't always this uplifting. I have to be somewhat humble. During my PGY1 experience, I contacted a fellow Kappa Psi brother who talked me through this very same conversation for two hours one rainy Friday night. I was at a really low point - the overachiever who just didn't make the cut. It's a terrible feeling to be told that you aren't good enough for an interview when you know you are just as capable as all the other people who applied. He told me that I had to keep things in prospective - why did you decide to go to pharmacy school? Why do you want to be a pharmacist? What goals did you have when you first started classes?

To be honest, I always thought I was going to be a compounding pharmacist…then I found out how terrible I was at it. Then I thought, oh, I'd move back home and work for a mom and pop shop or for the chain that I worked at throughout school. Then I found a love for a particular area after a very traumatic experience and couldn't see myself doing anything else. I had no intentions of doing a residency until my final year of school and was a bit behind the game. It's all about going back to the basics and understanding why you want to be a pharmacist. The pharmacist that talked me through it made me realize that I should be grateful that I have this amazing gift to help people, and he told me that if I wanted to be successful, I had to take what was given to me and run with it, with or without a residency. He also told me to never settle and to create my own opportunities. Just some food for thought.

Not matching does NOT mean you are not good enough to complete a residency. There are simply not enough residency positions to satisfy the overwhelming demand.

You don't need a residency to help people. For example, on my days off from the hospital, I tutor pharmacy students and volunteer at a church; answering questions people have about their medications. I do it because I enjoy teaching and counseling patients. You all can pursue helping people in your on ways; regardless if you complete a residency.

 

[nervoushabits]

Not matching does NOT mean you are not good enough to complete a residency. There are simply not enough residency positions to satisfy the overwhelming demand.

You don't need a residency to help people. For example, on my days off from the hospital, I tutor pharmacy students and volunteer at a church; answering questions people have about their medications. I do it because I enjoy teaching and counseling patients. You all can pursue helping people in your on ways; regardless if you complete a residency.

Oh yes, I know this. If you read any of my previous post, I'm totally on the same page. But when you apply to several programs and don't get offered an interview, it makes you think you aren't good enough or that you weren't meant to do what you feel you are meant to do. This was just my feelings before I had a conversation with someone who really turned my perspective around. I'm sure there are many people out there going through the same feelings and thoughts. I just wanted to share my own experience and give a supportive nudge. I go out of my way to help people everyday and would continue to do so if I wasn't a resident. That's the whole point of being a pharmacist - to help people - and many of us lose sight of this when we're applying for residencies and jobs or what have you. It's always good to have a little bit of a reminder sometimes.

 

[RxFuture1118]

the thing that upsets me and I know there are people in an even worse situation than I am (no interviews at all), I had around 6 interviews in this whole residency process and still didnt get one. In some ways, it sucks to be so close and still not make it. And in all honestly, I wouldn;t change a thing in my preparation, CV, and INTERVIEW. I thought all of my interviews went AMAZING but I guess the directors had other ideas. Like I said, I wouldnt have changed a thing about my interviews if I can go back and re-do it all over again. I dont know what I was doing wrong. I got great vibes from one program in particular in the Mid-West and spent around an hour on the phone talking about pharmacy, answering/asking questions, laughing together (almost felt like I was talking to a friend) and I ended up not getting one of their positions. I just dont understand. The whole process is for the birds and is a bit ridiculous!

 

[huskypharmd2014]

the thing that upsets me and I know there are people in an even worse situation than I am (no interviews at all), I had around 6 interviews in this whole residency process and still didnt get one. In some ways, it sucks to be so close and still not make it. And in all honestly, I wouldn;t change a thing in my preparation, CV, and INTERVIEW. I thought all of my interviews went AMAZING but I guess the directors had other ideas. Like I said, I wouldnt have changed a thing about my interviews if I can go back and re-do it all over again. I dont know what I was doing wrong. I got great vibes from one program in particular in the Mid-West and spent around an hour on the phone talking about pharmacy, answering/asking questions, laughing together (almost felt like I was talking to a friend) and I ended up not getting one of their positions. I just dont understand. The whole process is for the birds and is a bit ridiculous!

What I have learned from this whole process is network, network, network, network, network, oh yeah and more network. It's really about who you know. I'm pretty sure most of these interviews are just formalities and most programs already know who they're going to pick and just need to conduct a certain number of interviews to appear like they're being fair (both in the match and the scramble). This is just my opinion of course, and it may just apply to my state, but it's what I've seen so far. Unless you know someone or have actually worked or had a rotation at the site, you don't stand a chance except for a lucky few.

 

[KidPharmD]

the thing that upsets me and I know there are people in an even worse situation than I am (no interviews at all), I had around 6 interviews in this whole residency process and still didnt get one. In some ways, it sucks to be so close and still not make it. And in all honestly, I wouldn;t change a thing in my preparation, CV, and INTERVIEW. I thought all of my interviews went AMAZING but I guess the directors had other ideas. Like I said, I wouldnt have changed a thing about my interviews if I can go back and re-do it all over again. I dont know what I was doing wrong. I got great vibes from one program in particular in the Mid-West and spent around an hour on the phone talking about pharmacy, answering/asking questions, laughing together (almost felt like I was talking to a friend) and I ended up not getting one of their positions. I just dont understand. The whole process is for the birds and is a bit ridiculous!

I might offer some advice. First, don't give up, you can always re-apply with work experience under your belt. Most RPD's look very highly on a little work experience (not too much of just retail).

Second, take a dose of humility. Our program interviewed about 40 candidates for a 4 position PGY1. We had about 35 that would have made good residents. About 20 of those would have made excellent residents at our institution. However, after all that we did have to chose 4 that were our top picks. The rest were very hard to determine. We did have some candidates that if not for ONE thing would have ranked much higher. So, you might have been a good applicant with some bad luck. You might also have a CV just good enough to get an interview, and you might interview pretty well. The situation seems to suggest that there is something better you could have done either in the interview or as part of your CV. You might need some professional advice. If you haven't read THIS BOOK, you should - every pharmacy student should.

Regardless of what you decide to do, good luck in your search.

 

[pharm B]

I think I won that book in a patient counseling competition a few years back; it's pretty good. I later found out that our school has online access to it (maybe via AccessPharmacy). Just a thought for those of you who have still access to such resources and want to save your cash.

 

[pharmdarling]

I might offer some advice. First, don't give up, you can always re-apply with work experience under your belt. Most RPD's look very highly on a little work experience (not too much of just retail).

Second, take a dose of humility. Our program interviewed about 40 candidates for a 4 position PGY1. We had about 35 that would have made good residents. About 20 of those would have made excellent residents at our institution. However, after all that we did have to chose 4 that were our top picks. The rest were very hard to determine.

Exactly. My program has two positions and therefore we interviewed fewer candidates, but the point is the same. Everyone that I interviewed would have made good residents. I suppose that's a good thing from the standpoint of the program, as it doesn't really matter if we get our top or bottom picks.

 

[inverness2012]

As far as improving applications for next year, I would recommend organizational involvement and doing educational certificates. Message me if you want more details.

 

[EML9255]

I'm just terrified now I will not find a retail job. I had a rotation with grocery chain and the DM seemed interested in hiring new students but told me he hires more towards graduation time and told me to stay in contact with him and update him as it gets closer to graduation. Obviously that is no guarentee so I have been applying and emailing as many contacts as possible in other retail chains and I mostly keep hearing back "We have filled our spots for grad interns, check our website once you are licensed and apply to positions through there" I feel like many of my classmates already have jobs/residencies lined up. I know I am not alone, but it is extremely stressful.

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

I'm just terrified now I will not find a retail job. I had a rotation with grocery chain and the DM seemed interested in hiring new students but told me he hires more towards graduation time and told me to stay in contact with him and update him as it gets closer to graduation. Obviously that is no guarentee so I have been applying and emailing as many contacts as possible in other retail chains and I mostly keep hearing back "We have filled our spots for grad interns, check our website once you are licensed and apply to positions through there" I feel like many of my classmates already have jobs/residencies lined up. I know I am not alone, but it is extremely stressful.

I think you will find something. Everyone in my class eventually found something even though it may not have been what they wanted. I got a job offer to Rite Aid when I didn't match initially. Just keep looking and putting in applications.

 

[Dred Pirate]

I might offer some advice. First, don't give up, you can always re-apply with work experience under your belt. Most RPD's look very highly on a little work experience (not too much of just retail).

Second, take a dose of humility. Our program interviewed about 40 candidates for a 4 position PGY1. We had about 35 that would have made good residents. About 20 of those would have made excellent residents at our institution. However, after all that we did have to chose 4 that were our top picks. The rest were very hard to determine. We did have some candidates that if not for ONE thing would have ranked much higher. So, you might have been a good applicant with some bad luck. You might also have a CV just good enough to get an interview, and you might interview pretty well. The situation seems to suggest that there is something better you could have done either in the interview or as part of your CV. You might need some professional advice. If you haven't read THIS BOOK, you should - every pharmacy student should.

Regardless of what you decide to do, good luck in your search.

this +100 - I personally will elevate a person who has worked in the profession - especially hospital well over someone who "checked all the boxes" with organizations, etc. Because I know that person will likely want to work at my hospital when they are done with theire PGY1 - If you work as a pharamcist, and still desire to come back and do a residency - bonus points. When I rank candidates the ability and desire and work ethic are something you can't teach, you can teach someone how to do a poster, blah blah blah

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

this +100 - I personally will elevate a person who has worked in the profession - especially hospital well over someone who "checked all the boxes" with organizations, etc. Because I know that person will likely want to work at my hospital when they are done with theire PGY1 - If you work as a pharamcist, and still desire to come back and do a residency - bonus points. When I rank candidates the ability and desire and work ethic are something you can't teach, you can teach someone how to do a poster, blah blah blah

What! You mean this poster isn't important! *throws poster to the ground*

 

[KARM12]

I 100% agree with Dred Pirate....being a good "fit" for the program is important. Our best residents aren't necessarily the ones with the most research experience or most involved in organizations.

The most important to me is 1. you've held a job in a pharmacy, 2. have great letters of recommendation, 3. have good grades, and 4. have completed challenging rotations.

 

[Dred Pirate]

What! You mean this poster isn't important! *throws poster to the ground*

lol
When I rank perspective residents this is my order of importance:
1. Work experience (especially a letter of recommendation by someone I know and respect)
2. Grades (you can be a great worker and motivated, but if you can't fake grades - most of the time)
3. Volunteer activities - especially those healthcare related, but doesn't have to be - shows you have a motivation and are not an "all about me" person
4. Leadership roles in groups and organizations - again, doing things outside of the pharmacy world show you are not just doing it for the resume builder
5. Research - important, but show me something?
6. Poster presentations -

 

[pharm B]

5. Research - important, but show me something?
6. Poster presentations -

Man, these two areas are the ones where I'm really hurtin'.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Man, these two areas are the ones where I'm really hurtin'.

they are at the bottom of my list, others may say differently. They help get you an interview but once you get there, I put more importance on the other things

 

[OroPharmD2b]

As I search for pharmacy jobs I stumble on some 'pharmacy resident' position on some hospitals websites. These are not through PHORCAS and come from sites that have filled their residency spots. Does anyone know how these residency positions may differ from the regular ones? Aren't all resident positions be filled through PhorCAS?

 

[fiestychix03]

As I search for pharmacy jobs I stumble on some 'pharmacy resident' position on some hospitals websites. These are not through PHORCAS and come from sites that have filled their residency spots. Does anyone know how these residency positions may differ from the regular ones? Aren't all resident positions be filled through PhorCAS?

From my experience last year these positions are already filled but are posted on the jobs websites as the hired residents have to fill out a formal application. It can be misleading as outside people are tempted to apply however its more of formality for the residents who matched to still have to fill out the institution's online application. I know this because I inquired about this last year to two different hospitals and they both said the same thing...

 

[KidPharmD]

As I search for pharmacy jobs I stumble on some 'pharmacy resident' position on some hospitals websites. These are not through PHORCAS and come from sites that have filled their residency spots. Does anyone know how these residency positions may differ from the regular ones? Aren't all resident positions be filled through PhorCAS?

As the other poster stated, these are almost always the job application posted for the residents that were accepted. Our applications will go up soon. The only exceptions usually are the Non-ASHP accredited residencies.

 

[hpamazing]

...20+ applications later, I finally got an offer

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

...20+ applications later, I finally got an offer

YAY! I'm so happy to hear that!

 

[pharm B]

...20+ applications later, I finally got an offer

Awesome! CONGRATS!

 

[hpamazing]

YAY! I'm so happy to hear that!

Awesome! CONGRATS!

Thanks guys ....now I'm no longer anxious about getting an offer....i'm anxious about starting...

 

[Dalteparin]

I 100% agree with Dred Pirate....being a good "fit" for the program is important.

I agree. Before I consider any other criteria of a resident candidate, I ask myself, "Do I think I can work with this person?" And if the answer is no, I don't rank them.

 

[pharm B]

I agree. Before I consider any other criteria of a resident candidate, I ask myself, "Do I think I can work with this person?" And if the answer is no, I don't rank them.

This is exactly why at least one of my classmates didn't match.

 

[spacecowgirl]

lol
When I rank perspective residents this is my order of importance:
1. Work experience (especially a letter of recommendation by someone I know and respect)
2. Grades (you can be a great worker and motivated, but if you can't fake grades - most of the time)
3. Volunteer activities - especially those healthcare related, but doesn't have to be - shows you have a motivation and are not an "all about me" person
4. Leadership roles in groups and organizations - again, doing things outside of the pharmacy world show you are not just doing it for the resume builder
5. Research - important, but show me something?
6. Poster presentations -

I agree with this. Most posters are the biggest waste of time ever. And unless you did a bunch of the research design yourself, I'm not that impressed that you helped input data into Excel.

I agree. Before I consider any other criteria of a resident candidate, I ask myself, "Do I think I can work with this person?" And if the answer is no, I don't rank them.

Yes - there is a lot to be said for je ne sais quoi. Hard to explain but lacking it makes a working relationship very difficult as I know first hand.