Applying to new pharmacy school?

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SternPhantom

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Hey guys, I'm in the process of applying towards pharmacy schools as I'm about to graduate in Spring 2017 with my bachelor's degree. I know a general rule of thumb when it comes to fine pharmacy schools, one indicator of that is if they're fully accredited and not pre-candidate or candidate status. However, it's come to my attention that for one of the launching pharmacy programs for 2017 is from the Medical College of Wisconsin. When I looked them up, it seems that they're doing well with their medical program so I'm leaning towards applying there. Thoughts?
 
SternPhantom said:
Hey guys, I'm in the process of applying towards pharmacy schools as I'm about to graduate in Spring 2017 with my bachelor's degree. I know a general rule of thumb when it comes to fine pharmacy schools, one indicator of that is if they're fully accredited and not pre-candidate or candidate status. However, it's come to my attention that for one of the launching pharmacy programs for 2017 is from the Medical College of Wisconsin. When I looked them up, it seems that they're doing well with their medical program so I'm leaning towards applying there. Thoughts?
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I applied to this school and was offered an interview. Despite the intensity of the 3-year program, I really like their curriculum. It is highly clinical-based since they are producing the next generation of pharmacists. It seems more medical than pharmaceutical. I'll let you know how the interview process goes!
 
I actually applied to this pharmacy school and it seems like a great program. The dean has started multiple pharmacy programs so he knows what he is doing and there is going to be a lot of interaction between the medical students and pharmacy students. I had my doubts with it being a new program, but it seems like a great school and they know what they are doing!
 
Totally agree! I read somewhere on pharmacytimes.com that in the future pharmacy schools need to adjust their curriculum to prepare pharmacists for their upcoming role, which is more clinical than anything. I know for sure that MCW accomplishes this.
 
pbbtvv said:
Totally agree! I read somewhere on pharmacytimes.com that in the future pharmacy schools need to adjust their curriculum to prepare pharmacists for their upcoming role, which is more clinical than anything. I know for sure that MCW accomplishes this.
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Already interviewed and got accepted into the program. Good luck! Everyone is extremely nice!
 
Awesome! Thank you!
 
PharmDHopeful2017 said:
When do you have your interview? Good luck!
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This Friday! I've never been to Milwaukee before. But I am kind of excited haha. How did your interview process go? And how many interviewees were there?
 
pbbtvv said:
This Friday! I've never been to Milwaukee before. But I am kind of excited haha. How did your interview process go? And how many interviewees were there?
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There were 18 people at my interview and we were split into two groups. One portion was a writing portion and then the other portion was in person interviews. I am from Chicago, so Milwaukee does not compare to that, but the school is in a really nice area. I have never explored downtown Milwaukee either, but I hear it has a lot more than you would think!
 
PharmDHopeful2017 said:
Already interviewed and got accepted into the program. Good luck! Everyone is extremely nice!
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Congrats! And for who is having their interview today, good luck! Gonna finalize application in the next week and send it in.

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PharmDHopeful2017 said:
There were 18 people at my interview and we were split into two groups. One portion was a writing portion and then the other portion was in person interviews. I am from Chicago, so Milwaukee does not compare to that, but the school is in a really nice area. I have never explored downtown Milwaukee either, but I hear it has a lot more than you would think!
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How was the writing portion and the interview? And how did you feel coming into it?

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SternPhantom said:
How was the writing portion and the interview? And how did you feel coming into it?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using SDN mobile
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The writing portion and the interview was fairly laid back. They just want you to be yourself and to be relaxed, thats what one of the admissions counselors even told me. I felt like I was underprepared, but if you are just personable it will be a lot easier than you think.
 
Always got to consider the "what-if" scenario of new schools being not accredited

Just like south harmon institute of technology LOL :roflcopter:
 
PharmDHopeful2017 said:
The writing portion and the interview was fairly laid back. They just want you to be yourself and to be relaxed, thats what one of the admissions counselors even told me. I felt like I was underprepared, but if you are just personable it will be a lot easier than you think.
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was it a group interview or individual interview? and was the writing portion timed?
 
spurs2014 said:
was it a group interview or individual interview? and was the writing portion timed?
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It was an individual interview and the writing portion was 45 minutes. There is a group activity, but it was extremely laid back.
 
PharmDHopeful2017 said:
It was an individual interview and the writing portion was 45 minutes. There is a group activity, but it was extremely laid back.
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for the writing portion, was it an ethics question or a question about the future of Pharmacy? was it hand-written or on the computer? sorry for all the questions - i have an interview there next week and am super nervous!!! thank you for all your help 🙂
 
pbbtvv said:
This Friday! I've never been to Milwaukee before. But I am kind of excited haha. How did your interview process go? And how many interviewees were there?
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how was your interview at mcw? mine is next week. any tips would be appreciated!!!
 
spurs2014 said:
how was your interview at mcw? mine is next week. any tips would be appreciated!!!
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Very laid back and personable. They really just want to get to know you more as an individual. All of the faculty is extremely nice and that takes the stress away a little bit. Basically, just be yourself.
 
PharmDHopeful2017 said:
Very laid back and personable. They really just want to get to know you more as an individual. All of the faculty is extremely nice and that takes the stress away a little bit. Basically, just be yourself.
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awesome thanks for the input! are you thinking of going there this fall?!
 
spurs2014 said:
awesome thanks for the input! are you thinking of going there this fall?!
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Yeah I think I am going to go there. I am not sure though because I have two more interviews. It is an awesome school though and the Medical School is highly regarded. How about you?
 
depending on how this interview goes i definitely hope i am able to join you next year! fingers crossed!
 
spurs2014 said:
it went well - got accepted today! really like the program and the faculty there. do you know if there is a facebook group?
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Yeah there is a Facebook group. They sent me an email recently about it, so if you got accepted you should get an invite soon.
 
spurs2014 said:
it went well - got accepted today! really like the program and the faculty there. do you know if there is a facebook group?
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How long did it take for them to get back to you ?? I just turned in my application 2/10 . I'm so nervous !
 
toshpharmd said:
Would it be too late to apply to this school in the current cycle?
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No I do not believe it is too late. The application is fairly simple and all you have to pay for is to send your transcripts there.
 
toshpharmd said:
Would it be too late to apply to this school in the current cycle?
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no, but the longer you wait, the chances become SLIM to NONE as they already started accepting applicants since Late OCT- early NOV
 
Hohohee1 said:
no, but the longer you wait, the chances become SLIM to NONE as they already started accepting applicants since Late OCT- early NOV
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May is the deadline , but it's better to apply early !
 
I'm thinking of applying here for this application cycle. I was planning to apply next year but I am inching up in age and this way I would be done 2 years earlier....More earning potential.

I am planning to go for a residency. Any worries about it being a new school and the residency selection process? I'm just worried about accreditation....I have to really even see if this is a possibility for me. I'm going to email admissions with some questions and see what I get.
 
slothsrule89 said:
I'm thinking of applying here for this application cycle. I was planning to apply next year but I am inching up in age and this way I would be done 2 years earlier....More earning potential.

I am planning to go for a residency. Any worries about it being a new school and the residency selection process? I'm just worried about accreditation....I have to really even see if this is a possibility for me. I'm going to email admissions with some questions and see what I get.
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Getting a residency is extremely difficult no matter what school you go to. I have spoke to different pharmacists in retail and clinical settings and the district manager for the store I work in, and they have all said that the school doesn't make a difference when they are looking to hire someone. It really matters with what you do through pharmacy school and how much you can remember and know after pharmacy school.
 
PharmDHopeful2017 said:
Getting a residency is extremely difficult no matter what school you go to. I have spoke to different pharmacists in retail and clinical settings and the district manager for the store I work in, and they have all said that the school doesn't make a difference when they are looking to hire someone. It really matters with what you do through pharmacy school and how much you can remember and know after pharmacy school.
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Thanks! I was planning on waiting for the next admissions cycle. I have pretty much all my prereqs taken for them (I am planning to take the second o chem this summer). I might wait still and apply. I really like that it is a three year program and it looks like they could be doing some really cool things.
 
If you are seriously anticipating going for a post-graduate residency, just be aware that several residency programs do not accept applicants from the newer schools that are less than 5 - 10 years old.
 
QuietType said:
If you are seriously anticipating going for a post-graduate residency, just be aware that several residency programs do not accept applicants from the newer schools that are less than 5 - 10 years old.
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I agree. I think the best chance of getting a residency position is through the Froedtert hospital system. Everywhere else is going to be a challenge (unless it's like some rural area). Even then there are students from UW Madison and Concordia that may be applying to the limited residency positions. If you're looking into residency, you better prepare yourself now (interning, building connections, going to ASHP meetings, etc.). Pharmacy is not what it used to be; things have changed from the explosion of pharmacy schools, low reimbursement rates, and mail-order pharmacies taking over. If you've been working in the pharmacy, you should be recognizing these trends. If not, ask your manager about profits. Everyone getting into this profession should be absolutely concerned.
 
pbbtvv said:
I agree. I think the best chance of getting a residency position is through the Froedtert hospital system. Everywhere else is going to be a challenge (unless it's like some rural area). Even then there are students from UW Madison and Concordia that may be applying to the limited residency positions. If you're looking into residency, you better prepare yourself now (interning, building connections, going to ASHP meetings, etc.). Pharmacy is not what it used to be; things have changed from the explosion of pharmacy schools, low reimbursement rates, and mail-order pharmacies taking over. If you've been working in the pharmacy, you should be recognizing these trends. If not, ask your manager about profits. Everyone getting into this profession should be absolutely concerned.
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My first choice is MN, I haven't worked in a pharmacy but I do a lot of job shadowing. I just can't give up my hourly wage that I make at my current job and work as a pharm tech. I have decided to wait till next cycle because I just really need the time and I am taking classes post bac.
 
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Caution said:
Recently received my interview invitation, and MCW happens to be the only school in which I applied. Just finished my undergrad with a bachelor of science in biology pre-health, and super excited for this opportunity! Thanks to the individuals that shared their interview experiences!
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How long does it take for you to recieve their interview invitation after submit the application?
 
Caution said:
I submitted it on a late Friday night, and they emailed me the following Monday. So, about 2-3 days for me, but was due to the weekend I would assume.
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wow thats fast. I submitted it on Friday too but I havent heard anything from them yet. Its been one week already. Should I call them?
 
Purple Roses said:
wow thats fast. I submitted it on Friday too but I havent heard anything from them yet. Its been one week already. Should I call them?
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It has only been a week. You don't need to call. It's after the priority review deadline.
 
I just submitted my application on Monday. I haven't heard back either. Just be patient. What are your stats?
 
Any updates from anyone? It's been pretty quiet over here.
 
Caution said:
Any updates from anyone? It's been pretty quiet over here.
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I have an interview with them 3/24.
They sent me an invitation 2 days after I applied (February 17).
 
I'm still waiting, but I emailed them this afternoon and they said I would hear back within a week.
 
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