Ask a Temple University PY1!!!

[drpharMD]

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As a pre-pharm student, I had a lot of burning questions. As a first year student, I have had most of them answered. This site is always a great source of info, and I hope I can add to that tenet. So.....I think the title says it all. Ask me anything about pharmacy, pharmacy admissions, pharmacy schools in general, PCAT stuff, etc., and I will try to impart any wisdom I can.

 

[pharmRxn]

do the interviewers look down up on non-native students with accent and how can they improve their interviewing skills?

 

[drpharMD]

do the interviewers look down up on non-native students with accent and how can they improve their interviewing skills?

To be honest, I don't think it will hinder most students -- as long as you are clear enough for the person interviewing you to understand you. There are many people who have REALLY thick accents in my class who have no problem communicating. Obviously, I can't speak for everybody, but I would like to think that interviewers keep an open mind about everyone at the beginning. One's accent may be tough to understand but the most important thing is WHAT he/she is saying.


The interview is all about confidence, which comes with preparation beforehand. Write down common questions you think you might get and go over some responses with another person (that is key). The more you practice, the better you will get. Temple has a group interview, so it is crucial that you know your stuff, convey your thoughts clearly, AND be able to think quickly. All that comes with practice. Hope that helps.

 

[confettiflyer]

why are temple parties so lame? serious question.

 

[gamkaung]

Does Temple has writing sample on the day of the interview?

 

[drpharMD]

why are temple parties so lame? serious question.

For this, I can't really comment lol. I assume you are a Temple student. It is up to us to change that perception!

 

[drpharMD]

Does Temple has writing sample on the day of the interview?

Not sure where you might have heard this. Temple doesn't have a writing sample - just a group interview. Depending on your perception, you might prefer the writing sample instead! Group interviews are tough - you have to sell yourself and stand out positively in the group, but not try to dominate the conversation or seem too pompous. I would prefer a one-on-one interview, but that's just me.

 

[gamkaung]

Not sure where you might have heard this. Temple doesn't have a writing sample - just a group interview. Depending on your perception, you might prefer the writing sample instead! Group interviews are tough - you have to sell yourself and stand out positively in the group, but not try to dominate the conversation or seem too pompous. I would prefer a one-on-one interview, but that's just me.

thanks... It's good that Temple doesn't have a writing sample. I don't like writing.
Yeah group interview is tough. English is my second language and I have a strong accent. As long as I can speak clearly, I will be fine right?
never done group interview before...

 

[drpharMD]

thanks... It's good that Temple doesn't have a writing sample. I don't like writing.
Yeah group interview is tough. English is my second language and I have a strong accent. As long as I can speak clearly, I will be fine right?
never done group interview before...

I would say so. But make sure there is substance to what you are talking about. You can talk clearly but not have a clue (no offense lol)! Practice as much as you can.

 

[globalruns]

Why did you choose Temple?

 

[Monalyce]

thanks... It's good that Temple doesn't have a writing sample. I don't like writing.
Yeah group interview is tough. English is my second language and I have a strong accent. As long as I can speak clearly, I will be fine right?
never done group interview before...

Sorry to break it to you, but you're going to be in big trouble at any pharmacy school if you do not have good writing skills.

 

[Moni526]

Do you remember how long it took once you submitted everything (PharmCAS, supp apps) to get a response on an interview? I will be going up to Philly in the middle of December for another interview and *IF* I were to have an interview, it would be awesome to have them the same weekend. Thanks!

 

[drpharMD]

Sorry that it took so long to respond - the Finals season was crazy. Plus, I think bumping this will allow others who are interviewing around this time to ask questions.

 

[drpharMD]

For my personal experience, it took a while for me to hear from Temple. I applied LATE, so my interview was late in the game as well (I believe it was middle of March). So I guess it varies depending on the applicant. They also sent word via email. Hope that helps.

Do you remember how long it took once you submitted everything (PharmCAS, supp apps) to get a response on an interview? I will be going up to Philly in the middle of December for another interview and *IF* I were to have an interview, it would be awesome to have them the same weekend. Thanks!

 

[willrocks]

Does Temple offer any scholarships, and do they consider you a graduate student for financial aid purposes in the P1 year?

 

[drpharMD]

Does Temple offer any scholarships, and do they consider you a graduate student for financial aid purposes in the P1 year?

As far as I know, they do not. My PCAT was solid but not stellar, and my GPA was about a 3.3, so if they offer one they didn't give it to me. The chance to get one after your first year seems to be there, and I was told that you can ask for a merit-based scholarship after the second semester is completed if your GPA is good enough.

You are considered a pharmacy student in terms of financial aid. Depending on whether you are an in-state/out-of-state student will determine the tution you are responsible for and any financial aid assistance that the school can offer.

 

[luckyphooey]

My friend is trying to decide between Shenandoah and Temple. Why should she choice Temple?

 

[nextyearrx]

For my personal experience, it took a while for me to hear from Temple. I applied LATE, so my interview was late in the game as well (I believe it was middle of March). So I guess it varies depending on the applicant. They also sent word via email. Hope that helps.

Can you tell us your stats if you don't mind?? (so that we have a rough idea about getting into Temple).

 

[drpharMD]

My friend is trying to decide between Shenandoah and Temple. Why should she choice Temple?

Good question. Temple is an ESTABLISHED Pharmacy program, which helps you as a student for a number of reasons. First, ALUMNI. This field is about who you know, and what they can do for you in order to help you in your career. We had a class last semester where established alums came in to talk about their experiences, and they were all helpful and forthcoming. I made sure I got their business cards, simply because you never know how they might be able to help you in the future. I am not sure how long Shenandoah has had their program, but I can assure you that the Alumni network here at Temple has to boast some of the top people within the field in the country.

Secondly, the curriculum is stellar. Temple, IMO (I went to med school for a few years) has one of the toughest didactic curriculums for a pharmacy school in the country. Despite this, the instructors are HEAD OVER HEELS better than anything I endured in med school. They are nice, easy-going, and genuinely eager to help you succeed. They ENCOURAGE students to ask questions and will go out of their way to aid you. I always had my emails answered within a short time, and an instructor will always answer your questions after a lecture. That was important to me as a student because I despise a long lag time between when I ask a question and when I receive an answer. I can honestly say the teachers are second to none in terms of their demeanor and credentials. Our Pharmaceutics teacher was a dean for a pharmacy school in SOUTH AFRICA for crying out loud. Very polished faculty.

Lastly, I would say the facilities. The library is a half a block down Broad, clean, spacious, and 24 hours. The area (though not the greatest) is extremely well lit at night with multiple lights above the buildings and security posts on each intersection off Broad Street. I have never had any problems, and I usually stayed LATE a lot last semester.

The fact that Temple is located in Delaware Valley offers a lot of internship and career opportunities as well. With the cluttered climate that is now the pharmacy job market, this notion proves invaluable. Hope that sways your friend. Good luck.

 

[drpharMD]

Can you tell us your stats if you don't mind?? (so that we have a rough idea about getting into Temple).

No problem. I had a 3.3 GPA from a school in the South. My PCAT score wasn't spectacular (I had a 74% overall I think). I did horrible on Chem and Reading Comp, but my Bio was a 98%, which saved my overall percentile. I had tons of ECs but literally no Pharmacy experiences despite working at a free clinic and dispensing OTCs.

Disclaimer: I was waitlisted at first. I think they rank their waitlist, so if you are DO NOT PANIC. I am just glad I was able to get in to an established school, and no one will care how you got in once you're there. Hope that helps.

 

[nextyearrx]

No problem. I had a 3.3 GPA from a school in the South. My PCAT score wasn't spectacular (I had a 74% overall I think). I did horrible on Chem and Reading Comp, but my Bio was a 98%, which saved my overall percentile. I had tons of ECs but literally no Pharmacy experiences despite working at a free clinic and dispensing OTCs.

Disclaimer: I was waitlisted at first. I think they rank their waitlist, so if you are DO NOT PANIC. I am just glad I was able to get in to an established school, and no one will care how you got in once you're there. Hope that helps.

Do you know how many students are usually waitlisted? Where were you in the waitlist students??

 

[drpharMD]

Do you know how many students are usually waitlisted? Where were you in the waitlist students??

That is info that is not available to students (applying or current). I do know that I applied late (Feb) and I interviewed late as well (late March). I was waitlisted after about three to four weeks, and I received an acceptance in late May. I don't know where I ranked on the list, but I was a late applicant, so it had to be pretty far down.

 

[eekOMG]

Exactly how dangerous is the part of Philly the school is in? I keep hearing it is in a bad ghetto which is a bit off putting.

 

[drpharMD]

Exactly how dangerous is the part of Philly the school is in? I keep hearing it is in a bad ghetto which is a bit off putting.

It is not that bad in reality. Most of the time, your classes are done by early afternoon, and the campus is very well lit. There are campus patrol stations on each block, near the school and the library. There are also huge lights on the buildings along Broad Street, which make the area even safer during the evening.

In terms of living, I decided to live in the Northeast section of the city. Thirty minutes away (forty five minutes with traffic in the morning to get to school), but I have no complaints.

 

[luckyphooey]

drpharMD, thank you for taking the time out to response. Truly appreciated, I will pass along the information to my friend.

 

[Janinetex]

Do you know how formal the interview attire should be at Temple? I've seen a lot of people suggest black or navy suits, but I would rather wear something that doesnt make me look like Im going to a funeral.

Also, is the interview open file?

 

[justjack]

Do you know how formal the interview attire should be at Temple? I've seen a lot of people suggest black or navy suits, but I would rather wear something that doesnt make me look like Im going to a funeral.

Also, is the interview open file?

i interviewed early february and it was closed file. also, the other candidates, male and female ranged from business casual to professional. i was the only one in a full black suit. but the faculty seemed very friendly and casual that i think you'd have a lot of flexibility in your attire.

 

[samurai361]

My burning question lol...how are your times off? I'm hoping to go to a 4 year in my state not too different from PA so do you get like more than a month off for summer vacations? Each year or only like after the first or 2nd year? Also I wanted to know how many students actually take that time off or have to stay behind and intern to get their min. number of pharmacy intern hours? If they do have to stay behind, is that the normal routine (i.e. it's hard to get those hours done during the school years) or unusual?

Thanks in advance 😀

 

[Erex]

As a pre-pharm student, I had a lot of burning questions. As a first year student, I have had most of them answered. This site is always a great source of info, and I hope I can add to that tenet. So.....I think the title says it all. Ask me anything about pharmacy, pharmacy admissions, pharmacy schools in general, PCAT stuff, etc., and I will try to impart any wisdom I can.

I got an interview but I'm worried because, I've not taken any classes like Mosaic. It dpesn't exist in y school. What exactly is that class about and do I have to do it? (sorry I know it sounds silly to ask that)

 

[infamousbdesi12]

Hey, yea i know that u have to take Mosaic 1 and Mosaic 2 in order to be in Temple Pharmacy school. Mosaic 1 and Mosaic 2 are basically Humanity classes.
Mosaic 1= humanity seminar 1 ( Intellectual Heritage)
Mosaic 2= Humanity seminar 2 ( Intellectual Heritage) if you have similar classes to mosaic u might not have to take them

Just wondering does anyone know how many students are accepted in Temple Pharmacy school? because i havent heard from them😕

 

[Pancakesteve]

Do you know how formal the interview attire should be at Temple? I've seen a lot of people suggest black or navy suits, but I would rather wear something that doesnt make me look like Im going to a funeral.

Also, is the interview open file?

If you can, wear a suit, but not a black one. (Charcoal, navy and grey are excellent choices.) Typically, black is reserved for Weddings and funerals, and is considered too formal for interviews. A navy suit, with a blue tie is a sharp look, and isn't incredibly formal. Ignore the advice from people who suggest black suits. 🙂

While this advice isn't really going to make or break your interview, (it seems that Pharmacy school interviews are not as fashion-dependent as law and business school interviews) it certainly can't hurt.

 

[willrocks]

Hello,

I have a few. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

How easy is it to find retail and non-retail intern work in the area?

Would you say a car is needed at any point during the 4 years?

Please comment on the workload of the curriculum.

 

[lilipopxlove]

Hi, I'm an admitted freshman for pre-pharm and I'm planning on taking summer sessions at temple. Do you recommend this idea? or would it look bad on my pre-pharm track?

 

[AlPacino]

As a pre-pharm student, I had a lot of burning questions. As a first year student, I have had most of them answered. This site is always a great source of info, and I hope I can add to that tenet. So.....I think the title says it all. Ask me anything about pharmacy, pharmacy admissions, pharmacy schools in general, PCAT stuff, etc., and I will try to impart any wisdom I can.

This is something that I have yet to get a straight answer on and everybody seems to have different opinion on it, so I am not sure who to believe. Using your experience on what you have learned so far, could you answer me me one question? The chicken or the egg? Thank you for your Temple PGY1 expertise!

 

[owlegrad]

The OP hasn't logged on since 2010 so...good luck with that.

 

[smercer]

This is something that I have yet to get a straight answer on and everybody seems to have different opinion on it, so I am not sure who to believe. Using your experience on what you have learned so far, could you answer me me one question? The chicken or the egg? Thank you for your Temple PGY1 expertise!

This is actually a quite easy answer... The Egg.

We accept that birds decended from dinosuars, which are known to have laid eggs. I do not know of any avian species that does not lay eggs. We also know that mutations which would lead the creation of a new species (chicken in this case), would occur over several generations. Thus, the embryo that forms that is different enough from the originating species to be classified as a chicken would have to have hatched from an egg (as stated prior that all avian species lay eggs). Thus, the egg came first.

Even if we go back further to whatever ancestor of dinosaurs that intially evolved the trait of egg laying, then we must consider that this adaptation is what would have classified it as a new species, thus once more it would have needed to of successfully hatched from an egg to become that species. Thus, the egg always comes first.

 

[Khoaitay]

Hey guys, I applied for class of 2018 and just recently got accepted. I'm just wondering if Temple denied the provisional acceptance if you GPA is lower than the required GPA before pharmacy school officially starts. Please let me know if you know of anyone that have that situation.

 

[sk10051992]

Hey guys, I applied for class of 2018 and just recently got accepted. I'm just wondering if Temple denied the provisional acceptance if you GPA is lower than the required GPA before pharmacy school officially starts. Please let me know if you know of anyone that have that situation.

Yeah I am curious as well! I don't think so because the requirements don't say anything about that, but I would be too scared to actually ask Joan. lol