Better Chances?

[scienceguy13]

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Alright, so I've been wondering about this for a little while now, and I could really use some advice. I'm mainly interested in 2 or 3 schools. One school is a public university that prefers state residents and residents of the region (I'm neither). The other two schools are just private out of state schools.

I really like the public out-of-state one, because their whole goal is preparing you for a rural area, which is where I want to be someday. I would definitely apply early decision there as well, and I feel like I might even have an advantage having grown up in a rural area and all (though the out of state/region thing is still obviously against me).

Or I could just apply to the private schools, which don't care about residency. I think one of them is early decision as well, which I could possibly do. Any advice on where the best chances really might be?

 

[xtsukiyox]

Why not apply to your #1 choice ED, then apply to the private schools if you don't get into your #1? Is there something I'm missing? Even with rolling admissions, if you're quick, your applications to the private schools might get there in October, which is still relatively early in the game.

 

[scienceguy13]

Well I just kinda figured if my hopes for that public school are out of reach, I may as well go for the one of the others. Even I did go ED for that public school, I'm not sure when I'd get a decision by... Maybe October sometime? And yeah, if that doesn't work, then I wasn't sure how quickly I could get things in for rolling admissions at another school. I mean one of the school websites says that after November 1st, it'll become much more competitive. So it seems like I can't really get a good shot at both, kind of have to pick one.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Check the PharmCAS candidate booklet for more information on ED. There is a date in October they have to respond by.

Anyone who's done ED have more practical info as to how quick it takes to get applications going to other schools?

Even though it becomes more competitive after Nov 1 doesn't mean it becomes impossible. It sounds like rolling admissions to me.

Maybe some stats & schools might help get some more direct feedback?

 

[scienceguy13]

Well, the out-of-state school I'm interested in is East Tennessee State University. I also like Campbell though because it's in more a rural location. I'll have my bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology next year, and I still have a 4.0 so far. I'm pretty much done with pre-reqs as well, and am just finishing up upper-level science classes for the degree now. I have yet to take the PCAT, but I've taken a few practice tests, and always seem to do well. When I take it for real, I think I can score above 70, hopefully at least. I have some good EC's, work multiple part-time jobs, and can obtain good LORs. I don't have a job as a tech at all, but I've done many of hours of shadowing so far, all in different settings. I don't know how much it would matter come application time, but I also grew up on a farm in a very rural area. Because of that, I feel like I can honestly say that's where I'd like to end up someday. I think those are about all the main points.

 

[xtsukiyox]

I think your youth will play into how strong a personal statement you can write and how convicted you come across as far as pharmacy & your goals. It definitely helps when you have something you feel strongly about.

If you have a 4.0, score well on the PCAT as you suspect you will, it seems to me you'll be able to pick your school, out of state or not. 👍 For ED, you'll need to take your PCAT early so the scores get there in time (I think Jan or July should be OK, but I didn't apply ED).

Other opinions?