USC Pharmacy School

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CAAtexas

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Hey guys, so I know that USC, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco are some of the top schools that do not require the PCAT. Because they don't have this test score to look at, what is the most important thing they are looking for in an applicant?

Anyone who has interviewed or been accepted by these schools have any advice or insight?

Thanks!!

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Hey guys, so I know that USC, UC San Diego, UC San Francisco are some of the top schools that do not require the PCAT. Because they don't have this test score to look at, what is the most important thing they are looking for in an applicant?

Anyone who has interviewed or been accepted by these schools have any advice or insight?

Thanks!!


They will highly consider mostly on GPA and extracurricular activities you've done. If you are a well rounded applicant with at least 3.6 ~ 3.7 GPA with research, pharmacy experience, and volunteering, you'll most likely to get an interview. :thumbup:
 
Great, thank you! I do not have much pharmacy experience besides shadowing a couple pharmacists and doing research, but my aunt is a pharmacist so I do know a lot about the profession. I have everything else you mentioned... so hopefully, I will be able to get an interview! Thanks again for your input!
 
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Great, thank you! I do not have much pharmacy experience besides shadowing a couple pharmacists and doing research on antiepileptic drugs, but my older sibling is a pharmacist so I do know a lot about the profession. I have everything else you mentioned... so hopefully, I will be able to get an interview! Thanks again for your input!

But you should reconsider about the saturation going around in California and I've seen many pharmacy students having a hard time finding clinical rotations site and jobs upon graduation :) I might be wrong, but a source comes from a buddy of mine that is currently attending Loma Linda School of Pharmacy.
 
Why USC? The school is very expensive...
 
Hello! There doesn't seem to be a threat specifically for USC School of Pharmacy class of 2017 applicants. I am working on my supplemental application, and am I blind or is there not an option to choose that I am applying for the PharmD degree after choosing USC School of Pharmacy?? Hope this makes sense.
 
It's probably because the app procedure is two-step. First you have to submit your "graduate" application and once that's in, you can immediately begin "Pharmacy" application. There is a detailed direction on website but I forget where. You should definitely read it before you start.
 
I submitted my application pretty early pharmcas 7/12 and supplement 8/02 - but i still haven't receive anything from them beside the email saying they got my app. anyone heard from them yet?
 
I submitted my application pretty early pharmcas 7/12 and supplement 8/02 - but i still haven't receive anything from them beside the email saying they got my app. anyone heard from them yet?

This is what I received from USC on Aug 20th, so we still have a long time to go I guess.

The University of Southern California School of Pharmacy has received your Supplemental Application. You will be notified via email when your evaluation is completed. Invitations for interviews are also sent via email approximately two to three weeks prior to an interview date. The 2012 interview dates are:

October 27, 2012
January 26, 2013
February 23, 2013
March 23, 2013 (subject to change)
 
This is what I received from USC on Aug 20th, so we still have a long time to go I guess.

The University of Southern California School of Pharmacy has received your Supplemental Application. You will be notified via email when your evaluation is completed. Invitations for interviews are also sent via email approximately two to three weeks prior to an interview date. The 2012 interview dates are:

October 27, 2012
January 26, 2013
February 23, 2013
March 23, 2013 (subject to change)

:thumbup: Thx for your post.
I think we applied to like same schools lol
:D Hope we both get interviews
 
:thumbup: Thx for your post.
I think we applied to like same schools lol
:D Hope we both get interviews

lol yay good luck to both of us XD I applied to 12 schools total and pretty much have all California schools covered. =D
 
They will highly consider mostly on GPA and extracurricular activities you've done. If you are a well rounded applicant with at least 3.6 ~ 3.7 GPA with research, pharmacy experience, and volunteering, you'll most likely to get an interview. :thumbup:

Honestly if you're a well rounded applicant with those stats, you're probably going to get in.
 
I'm a current P3 at USC, so feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions on the program!
 
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Hello, so I am new to this forum. I was wondering if you think pharmacy experience is really necessary to get in the school. Do you think experience in healthcare will suffice?
 
Hello, so I am new to this forum. I was wondering if you think pharmacy experience is really necessary to get in the school. Do you think experience in healthcare will suffice?

As a P1 I met a lot of classmates who have 0 pharmacy experience, not even volunteering. So yes, you can still get in. But you need to be clear as to why you want to pursue pharmacy, I'm sure they'll question you hard during your interview as to why you want to pursue this field with no experience. good luck
 
not yet! do you think we will hear this week since the first interview is on oct. 27th?
 
I think we have been overlooked for the first round.
 
I think we have been overlooked for the first round.

Not yet. They will start notifying people starting tomorrow, Monday the 8th. As they said, you will be notified 1-3 weeks before the date of the interview. So that would be the 8th to the end of NEXT week. Judging from last years posts, most people seemed to get an email on tuesday. So two more days to go most likely everyone! Good luck!
 
lemme know if anyone calls the office to ask!
 
I just got an e-mail from USC for the October interview. Check your e-mails.
 
Congrats! =O when did you submit your applications? I'm hoping I get an email soon :oops:

Thanks. I don't remember the exact date but I sent my PharmCAS and my secondary application late July.

Good luck!
 
I spoke too soon. I got an invitation to interview in my email today
 
me too!!!! so excited! too bad it's right after UOP >_< flying back and forth ;(
 
me too!! but my question is what do the sessions mean???

Mine says session 2?? what does that mean??

IM SO NERVOUS!! goodluck to us all!
 
I'm a P1 and this school is sooooooooooooooooo disorganized! It's hard to believe. Just a fair warning to you all! (I was warned too but honestly didn't believe it)
 
Congrats! =O when did you submit your applications? I'm hoping I get an email soon :oops:


i just got my invite yesterday too for session 2, and i submitted PharmCAS july 28th and supplemental on aug 3rd =D
 
i just got my invite yesterday too for session 2, and i submitted PharmCAS july 28th and supplemental on aug 3rd =D

OOhh I see. I submitted my supplemental around august 8th. Hope I find out soon! :p
 
do you guys know the odds of getting in after you get an interview invite?!?
 
do you guys know the odds of getting in after you get an interview invite?!?

on the pharmCAS website for USC, it says last year they gave out 450 interviews and accepted 247 of them! 54.88% of them got in! :)
 
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on the pharmCAS website for USC, it says last year they gave out 450 interviews and accepted 247 of them! 54.88% of them got in! :)

REALLY!?!? usc is my top choice and this is good news if its true. =D
 
Does anyone know when the dates for the first tier are? I'm just hoping I submitted early enough to get into the first tier... I don't want to wait until 2013 to find out if I got an interview. So anxious!
 
Does anyone know when the dates for the first tier are? I'm just hoping I submitted early enough to get into the first tier... I don't want to wait until 2013 to find out if I got an interview. So anxious!


The first set of interviews are out so I don't think there is a very high chance of getting an interview for October anymore unless someone drops out or declines. Just have to hope for January or February or March:xf: I am in the same boat
 
Did anyone receive an acknowledgement of receipt of their PharmCAS app from USC? It's the only school I haven't gotten an e-mail from...
 
I clicked on this link thinking it was south carolina. Even if your desired school doesn't require the PCAT, you might as well take it. Its not very difficult and is pretty crucial if you plan on applying anywhere outside of CA.
 
I'm a P1 and this school is sooooooooooooooooo disorganized! It's hard to believe. Just a fair warning to you all! (I was warned too but honestly didn't believe it)

Care to elaborate?
 
I am also applying to the CA schools including USC. I submitted my secondary early October and waiting for evaluation. Good Luck to you all!

For those of you who have gone through the interview..Any tips?
 
I am also applying to the CA schools including USC. I submitted my secondary early October and waiting for evaluation. Good Luck to you all!

For those of you who have gone through the interview..Any tips?

Don't stress! My interview was very casual and I didn't feel like I was put on the spot or grilled so to speak...just make sure you show off how amazing u are =]

Also....make sure u don't drink too much water..I had my interview first and then my essay immediately after and there is no time allowed for a bathroom break -_____-
 
anybody hear back yet who had the oct 27 interview??

Im nervously waiting....
 
anybody hear back yet who had the oct 27 interview??

Im nervously waiting....

The admission will probably contact the october interviewees right before or right after thanksgiving.
 
I am also applying to the CA schools including USC. I submitted my secondary early October and waiting for evaluation. Good Luck to you all!

For those of you who have gone through the interview..Any tips?

The current pharmacy students will escort you through the entire process, which is kind of nice but as Truc16 has mentioned, there is no bathroom breaks in between the interview and the writing exam. Try not to consume caffeinated drinks in the morning.

Also, if you get cold easily, I recommend a something to wear on top. It was pretty chilly in all of the rooms.
 
how long did your guys' interview last? is it bad if it lasted 15-20 minutes?
 
how long did your guys' interview last? is it bad if it lasted 15-20 minutes?

^15-20 mins is the normal time, 20 minutes is actually how much time they are suppose to allot you

mine lasted 30 though, but I dont know if that was necessarily a good thing =/
 
^15-20 mins is the normal time, 20 minutes is actually how much time they are suppose to allot you

mine lasted 30 though, but I dont know if that was necessarily a good thing =/

I dont think it is necessarily good or bad. I think its more about the sense you got from your interviewer. For example, if your interview goes over time and you feel as though its because your interviewer has not got the answers to all his questions yet then perhaps thats not a good thing, but maybe your interviewer was just interested in your responses and the conversation taking place. In my interview, we ran over by a bit and my interview was mindful of the time but seemed to continue to want to talk to me for a little longer. He answered my questions to him very thoughtfully and with a detailed response so he wasnt trying to rush me out of there. Also when he asked me about his research after giving a brief response I asked if he wanted to hear more about it and he did so he seemed genuinely interested to have invited me to speak more in depth about what I do. I wouldnt worry about time, just think more about how you felt during and after the interview. Also some interviewers can seem very withdrawn and stoic but that doesnt mean you did bad. Ultimately I would say reflect on the feeling you got from the interview but dont stress about it wondering what this meant or that meant or if it would have been better to say this or not say that because you NEVER know exactly what the interviewer was looking for and the impression they received so just relax, try and enjoy the time between now and decision time and freak out later when you get a decision :D
 
I dont think it is necessarily good or bad. I think its more about the sense you got from your interviewer. For example, if your interview goes over time and you feel as though its because your interviewer has not got the answers to all his questions yet then perhaps thats not a good thing, but maybe your interviewer was just interested in your responses and the conversation taking place. In my interview, we ran over by a bit and my interview was mindful of the time but seemed to continue to want to talk to me for a little longer. He answered my questions to him very thoughtfully and with a detailed response so he wasnt trying to rush me out of there. Also when he asked me about his research after giving a brief response I asked if he wanted to hear more about it and he did so he seemed genuinely interested to have invited me to speak more in depth about what I do. I wouldnt worry about time, just think more about how you felt during and after the interview. Also some interviewers can seem very withdrawn and stoic but that doesnt mean you did bad. Ultimately I would say reflect on the feeling you got from the interview but dont stress about it wondering what this meant or that meant or if it would have been better to say this or not say that because you NEVER know exactly what the interviewer was looking for and the impression they received so just relax, try and enjoy the time between now and decision time and freak out later when you get a decision :D

^so true, I can't help to be nervous and freak out though. My interview did not go well at all. I could tell he didnt like me =/
 
^so true, I can't help to be nervous and freak out though. My interview did not go well at all. I could tell he didnt like me =/

TBH I would take that with a grain of salt too. Ok maybe the interview didnt leave you with a good feeling but the interview is only part of it: there was also a writing sample. I don't know how much each is weighted but I think the writing sample probably influences their decision significantly. And you may have felt that the interviewer didnt like you but some interviewers use a high stress approach, nitpicking everything you say or running through questions quickly, cutting you off, etc. I applied to schools last year last minute (and missed the deadline for the ones I was really interested in aka USC and a couple of others) but got interviewed at the schools I did apply for and at Touro my interviewer was exactly all those things that I just listed and I did get accepted so you never know. Plus applying very early and getting the early interview date really helps too because even if you arent accepted in this round, my understanding is that EVERYONE who isnt accepted is put on active consideration, none actually denied admission. So you still have a shot at being accepted 3 weeks after each of the subsequent interviews. Just try and take your mind off it with something. I'm redoing my kitchen cabinetry to distract me from thinking about it too much :p
 
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