CA Northstate Interview

[CCdarling]

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Nm 🙂

 

[eggroll]

hey ppl, i just had a call for an interview on the 7th. that's next monday!!! aahh!!! my problem is that i have a presentation the next day that was already schedule at the beginning of the semester. and i come from texas! what do i do????

 

[3434]

Hey Eggroll,
I would call the school and check if you can reschedule for the following friday (11th). Rescheduling should not be that difficult.

I wish you the best of luck and welcome to California 🙂

 

[prepharmgal]

I rescheduled mine from Monday to Friday back in Feb. It's not that hard to do it =) Good luck with the interview! 🙂

hey ppl, i just had a call for an interview on the 7th. that's next monday!!! aahh!!! my problem is that i have a presentation the next day that was already schedule at the beginning of the semester. and i come from texas! what do i do????

 

[Pharmacyguy4]

I originally received an interview for March 14, but I rescheduled it for the 21st. It should be no problem because I still got accepted🙂. Oh btw, for you who are planning to attend, there is a facebook group for CNCP. You guys should join.

 

[neetfreek259]

I originally received an interview for March 14, but I rescheduled it for the 21st. It should be no problem because I still got accepted🙂. Oh btw, for you who are planning to attend, there is a facebook group for CNCP. You guys should join.

Yea join and show your support to CNCP. Make sure you search for California Northstate College of Pharmacy. Please show respect and no trash-talking on the facebook group 🙂

Eggroll, just call and reschedule. It should be fine. They're really nice about it 🙂 Good luck to you.

For those of you who got accepted. CONGRATS!!!!

So let's do a roll call, who got accepted and will be attending there this fall?

 

[yazzman]

Yea join and show your support to CNCP. Make sure you search for California Northstate College of Pharmacy. Please show respect and no trash-talking on the facebook group 🙂

Eggroll, just call and reschedule. It should be fine. They're really nice about it 🙂 Good luck to you.

For those of you who got accepted. CONGRATS!!!!

So let's do a roll call, who got accepted and will be attending there this fall?

how much is the tuition at that school and what code do you use to get federal loans?

 

[PharmD83]

Hey, what's sup Yazzma. Tuition at California Northstate College of Pharmacy is estimated to be around $35,810 a year. I believe that this does not include housing and other expenses. Since Cal Northstate has not been accreditted yet, there is not financial assistance from the government, so there is no school code available as of yet. However, the dean is working with I believe four other banks around the school that would allow students to receive private loans. They are still working on this process and more information should be coming out soon regarding this topic. For those of us who are accepted and are committed to attending Cal Northstate, congradulations! I hope everything will run smoothly and hopefully see you in August as classmates! Go CNCP class of 2012!

how much is the tuition at that school and what code do you use to get federal loans?

 

[sunaqua03]

hey everyone. i just signed up for SDN and am hoping you guys can give some feedback on how your interview went. I have an interview with CNCP this coming Monday, April 7 and would appreciate any tips or feedback so I can better prepare myself. I actually read this entire forum, searching for relevant interview info but ended up reading other people's arguments about whether to trust CNCP or not 🙁. I read shikamaru's post on the interview questions, but was wondering if all those questions were asked for everyone? Also, what do you guys think of giving a thank you card to your interviewers after the interview? I was thinking I might come off as a suck up, but on the other hand, it would show my appreciation. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

 

[neetfreek259]

hey everyone. i just signed up for SDN and am hoping you guys can give some feedback on how your interview went. I have an interview with CNCP this coming Monday, April 7 and would appreciate any tips or feedback so I can better prepare myself. I actually read this entire forum, searching for relevant interview info but ended up reading other people's arguments about whether to trust CNCP or not 🙁. I read shikamaru's post on the interview questions, but was wondering if all those questions were asked for everyone? Also, what do you guys think of giving a thank you card to your interviewers after the interview? I was thinking I might come off as a suck up, but on the other hand, it would show my appreciation. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

Hi there, it wouldn't hurt to give them a thank you card. It shows your appreciation and it makes them remember you. As for interview questions, they asked me
1) Why pharmacy?
2) If I was accepted into all of the CA pharmacy schools, what school will I pick and why?
3) Since CNCP is a new school, what can I do to make the school be recognized by the public and what sort of improvements do I think CNCP needs?
4) What are my plans for the future after receiving my Pharm.D degree? Residency? and why in that particular field?
5) Will I be pro-active in the school organizations and what can I do?

Hope these help and good luck with your interview 🙂

 

[Hizzo23]

I interviewed on the 21st of march along with my twin brother. We both received an acceptance email on march 28! congrats to all of you that were accepted and I look forward to seeing you in the fall. For those that have interviews coming up, do not stress. The staff is really friendly and they don't ask you any questions out of the ordinary. Good luck and congrats to all once again! Go CNCP co 2012!

 

[moolman]

2) If I was accepted into all of the CA pharmacy schools, what school will I pick and why?

This seems like an unfair question. Do they expect you to answer that CNCP is your first choice and you would pick it over all the other schools, or maybe it's a honesty question. They want to check how honest you will be at the interview. This question puts you in an awkward position because you never want to say in an interview that the school isn't your first choice but at the same time, giving a good reason to attend an unaccredited school over the top established schools is tough.

If you can say with a straight face to them that you would turn down UCSF, UOP, USC, UCSD to attend CNCP, you deserve to get an acceptance.

To be helpful, the only answer I wouldn't give is that you want to go to CNCP because you like new challenges and like to be the first in everything, so you would choose them over the other schools. I'm sure they've heard that a million times. Unless, at your school you started a new club or traveled somewhere rare like North Korea and you can tie it into that about new challenges and experiences.

 

[WWE]

LOLOL I have to agree with you on this one. What kind of question is " 2) If I was accepted into all of the CA pharmacy schools, what school will I pick and why?" I would love to hear your guys' answers, for those of you who got in.

 

[lessotto]

LOLOL I have to agree with you on this one. What kind of question is " 2) If I was accepted into all of the CA pharmacy schools, what school will I pick and why?" I would love to hear your guys' answers, for those of you who got in.

I was asked a question similar to this one during my UCSD interview. And I just could not say "UCSD". I am very honest!!!

First, I was asked what other schools I got accepted/interviewed/invited for an interview to. And the way the next question was asked required me to pretty much say "why would not I go to other schools I get accepted into". I was shocked to even hear them asking that - not very professional, don't you think?

 

[prepharmgal]

Good luck with the interview. For my interview, I don't have similar questions as neetfreek259. My interview questions are mostly about research. I think it depends whether you have worked in a pharmacy or not! They also asked me whether I want to be a research pharmacist or a clinical pharmacist. Hope that helps.

hey everyone. i just signed up for SDN and am hoping you guys can give some feedback on how your interview went. I have an interview with CNCP this coming Monday, April 7 and would appreciate any tips or feedback so I can better prepare myself. I actually read this entire forum, searching for relevant interview info but ended up reading other people's arguments about whether to trust CNCP or not 🙁. I read shikamaru's post on the interview questions, but was wondering if all those questions were asked for everyone? Also, what do you guys think of giving a thank you card to your interviewers after the interview? I was thinking I might come off as a suck up, but on the other hand, it would show my appreciation. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

 

[eggroll]

Wow! I totally agree with ya guys.. this IS a messed up question... my problem is.. ok i'm from texas and this is the only Californian school that I'd applied to.. I only applied bc the application date was so late and convenient, so I thought this as a back-up. So referring to this question:
"IF accepted into all of the CA pharmacy schools, what school will I pick and why?"

1. Now do I approach this as hypothetically-that I got acceptance into these schools IF I were to applied at these schools OR...

2. Say I didn't apply to any other CA schools, this is only one... which would make sense that this would lead to "why THIS school in particular?"

I'm so glad that we have SDN... seriously my interview is next Fri. (4/11).. and I would have froze on the spot with this question.

 

[moolman]

Regardless if you applied to other schools or not, they are basically asking why CNCP is your first choice. Which is a question many schools ask during their interviews.

I think my approach to this question would be more on the straight forward side. I would say something along the lines of that you know that CNCP is a new school and because of that, you figured it was easier to get in. You're hoping that CNCP would over look the struggles/hardships that you went through with your lower GPA. And talk about how GPA and being a good pharmacist doesn't have a direct correlation. How your grades have improved in the last year and CNCP in their great wisdom should give you a shot to be a pharmacist rather than the other schools that have more restrictive GPA requirements and won't overlook a couple of bad semester in the past. Obviously, keep emphizing how your grades have improved recently and you'll be a good student at their school, yada, yada...

 

[eggroll]

Hey ya! I'm buying my plane tickets now.. which airport should I go to??? are there any in rancho? or should i go to sacramento and is the drive far TO the school?

thanks so much in advance!

 

[neetfreek259]

This seems like an unfair question. Do they expect you to answer that CNCP is your first choice and you would pick it over all the other schools, or maybe it's a honesty question. They want to check how honest you will be at the interview. This question puts you in an awkward position because you never want to say in an interview that the school isn't your first choice but at the same time, giving a good reason to attend an unaccredited school over the top established schools is tough.

If you can say with a straight face to them that you would turn down UCSF, UOP, USC, UCSD to attend CNCP, you deserve to get an acceptance.

To be helpful, the only answer I wouldn't give is that you want to go to CNCP because you like new challenges and like to be the first in everything, so you would choose them over the other schools. I'm sure they've heard that a million times. Unless, at your school you started a new club or traveled somewhere rare like North Korea and you can tie it into that about new challenges and experiences.

Lol, I do agree with you and guess what? I gave them my most honest answer. I would pick USC because 1) close to home, 2) good location with good restaurants, 3) hospital rotations available, 4) I love LA!!!

 

[CCdarling]

Yes it is a common question. At UCSD, I was asked specifically, how many schools have I applied to and how many have I interviewed with. At CNCP however, I was asked why CNCP, not why CNCP over the other CA schools.

 

[CCdarling]

Hey ya! I'm buying my plane tickets now.. which airport should I go to??? are there any in rancho? or should i go to sacramento and is the drive far TO the school?

thanks so much in advance!

Fly into Sac and the ride from there is about 20-30 mins (if I remember correctly).

 

[Nae614]

Yes it is a common question. At UCSD, I was asked specifically, how many schools have I applied to and how many have I interviewed with. At CNCP however, I was asked why CNCP, not why CNCP over the other CA schools.

U had an interview at UCSD?..u must have pretty high stats!

 

[Proteomics]

hey everyone. i just signed up for SDN and am hoping you guys can give some feedback on how your interview went. I have an interview with CNCP this coming Monday, April 7 and would appreciate any tips or feedback so I can better prepare myself. I actually read this entire forum, searching for relevant interview info but ended up reading other people's arguments about whether to trust CNCP or not 🙁. I read shikamaru's post on the interview questions, but was wondering if all those questions were asked for everyone? Also, what do you guys think of giving a thank you card to your interviewers after the interview? I was thinking I might come off as a suck up, but on the other hand, it would show my appreciation. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

Hi sunaqua03
Just relax! They don’t ask you anything out of ordinary. Every thing is strait forward. I was interviewed on 2/15 and got acceptance latter on 2/28. Make sure you listen to their question very carefully and then think before you utter.
Hear are the question I was asked:
1, did you apply to any other pharmacy school? my answer was yes! Then they asked me, have you been invited for interview? My answer was, No! And I backed it up with more explanation and here is what I said, “ since I have just applied via PharmCAS, it may take few weeks for the school to receive my application. I believe I will take a little longer before I hear from the school.
2, if you see your class met cheat, what would you do?
3, Why CA Northstate Pharmacy?
4, have you ever had any leadership skill? Why or why not.
5, tell me about yourself?

Hopefully this would help. For those who got accept to the school, congratulations!
See you all in August.

 

[CCdarling]

U had an interview at UCSD?..u must have pretty high stats!

Yes it was my first interview and I was beyond nervous..so needless to say I screwed that one up. My stats are maybe a little above avg, but I'm not willing to wait an extra year to reapply.

I think I PMed you about Touro before... hi again

 

[Allright]

how many have been accepted to other schools as well where does cncp fall on your list of schools when u decide

 

[Pharmacyguy4]

Hey, don't stress about the interview. It's not that bad. The staff there is really friendly. I was interviewed by Dean Hawkins and Dr. Feng. It was more of a conversation with basic questions such as...1)tell us about yourself 2) why cncp? 3) why pharmacy and not med? 4)are you planning on residency/specializing? 5) Did you apply to schools in your state? 6) I was accepted to pharm school last year but I didn't end up going, so they asked me why 7) They saw that I had volunteering at a retail pharmacy so they asked me if I wanted to be a retail pharmacist 6) besides school, what do you like to do on your spare time? 8) Do you have any leadership experience 9) My twin bro interviewed on the same day as me, so they asked me what if we accepted one and not the other (luckily we both got in) 10) Do you have any questions for us? Like I said don't stress and just be yourself. The only other advice I can give you is that since it's a 2 on 1 interview, when you are asked a question, don't just answer to the person who asked you the question...make sure you look at both interviewers while answering and use hand gestures and try to smile all the time 🙂 Good luck to all of you.

 

[sunaqua03]

hey everyone. Thanks for sharing your interview experience! All your comments are very useful 🙂 One thing I noticed was that in an earlier post, someone mentioned that the interview was closed-file. Yet, some of your interview questions seemed pretty specific to your experience. Is it open-file then?

 

[CHARMO]

Please join the facebook group. Make sure you type: California Northstate College of Pharmacy.

 

[pnaico0lada]

hey everyone. Thanks for sharing your interview experience! All your comments are very useful 🙂 One thing I noticed was that in an earlier post, someone mentioned that the interview was closed-file. Yet, some of your interview questions seemed pretty specific to your experience. Is it open-file then?

I read that too when I first wanted to look up interview feedback from SDN, but mine was open-file =) Just be sure to go over the essays you wrote for CNCP, your extra-curricular activities, etc.

 

[neetfreek259]

hey everyone. Thanks for sharing your interview experience! All your comments are very useful 🙂 One thing I noticed was that in an earlier post, someone mentioned that the interview was closed-file. Yet, some of your interview questions seemed pretty specific to your experience. Is it open-file then?

Don't worry about open-file or close-file, you still have to be at your best performance. They did both close and open-file for me. Close-file: it includes general questions such as why pharmacy and why CNCP. Open-file: it is all applicant-specific. They can ask you about your pharmacy experiences, extra-curricular activities, or they can discuss one or two points about your personal statement. Anything that they feel will help them in understanding you as an individual. Good luck 🙂

 

[Proteomics]

hey everyone. Thanks for sharing your interview experience! All your comments are very useful 🙂 One thing I noticed was that in an earlier post, someone mentioned that the interview was closed-file. Yet, some of your interview questions seemed pretty specific to your experience. Is it open-file then?

Hi sunaqua03,

Don’t worry if it’s open-file or close-file. Just be yourself. Make sure you go over your application booklet. Go over your personal statement. Again, listen to their questions very carefully and you will be ok. Good luck! 👍

 

[keevin]

Did anyone interview on the 24th?

I got an email on Friday but still haven't received the regular mail letter of acceptance yet.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Proteomics]

Did anyone interview on the 24th?

I got an email on Friday but still haven't received the regular mail letter of acceptance yet.

Thanks a lot!

Keevin,
Congratulation!
It is funny! I was only informed via regular mail but not an e-mail. :cry:

 

[keevin]

Keevin,
Congratulation!
It is funny! I was only informed via regular mail but not an e-mail. :cry:

That is pretty strange!
When were you accepted? Are you gonna go?

 

[prepharmgal]

That is pretty strange!
When were you accepted? Are you gonna go?

It takes a week for me to receive the enrollment confirmation letter! 🙂 Congratulations. Are you attending CNCP then!?

 

[keevin]

It takes a week for me to receive the enrollment confirmation letter! 🙂 Congratulations. Are you attending CNCP then!?

If they get pre-accreditation in June, definitely.🙂

 

[prepharmgal]

Welcome! 🙂

If they get pre-accreditation in June, definitely.🙂

 

[Proteomics]

That is pretty strange!
When were you accepted? Are you gonna go?

Of cours! If every thing works out for the school. By the way, I was accepted on 2/28 two weeks after my interview.

 

[confettiflyer]

sooooo......what's this i hear that CNCP uses the "problem based learning" method?

really? $35k for an utterly lazy way of "teaching" material. Wtf is that! You're paying that much to learn everything independently?

Fantastic deal if I may say so myself 👍

 

[PharmD83]

hey dude, what's sup with you dropping by this forum every so often and bashing on this school? I mean, we all know that you're not attending CNCP, why do you bother doing this? Do you feel a sense of comfort when you're doing all of this? Why don't you take your misery out on something else. Let the people who are planning on attending this school have some hope. I mean we all know that your arrogant comment doesn't really mean anything, but dude chill out. And they last time I checked you're going to attend a new school as well, and the only difference is that your school obtain the precandidate status, so what make you think you're so great? Relax man! We're all happy for ya, so just stop acting like a juvenile and grow up!

sooooo......what's this i hear that CNCP uses the "problem based learning" method?

really? $35k for an utterly lazy way of "teaching" material. Wtf is that! You're paying that much to learn everything independently?

Fantastic deal if I may say so myself 👍

 

[CCdarling]

Seriously if you despise this school so much, PLZ do everyone a favor and quit commenting on this thread. It's getting old.

 

[pnaico0lada]

sooooo......what's this i hear that CNCP uses the "problem based learning" method?

really? $35k for an utterly lazy way of "teaching" material. Wtf is that! You're paying that much to learn everything independently?

Fantastic deal if I may say so myself 👍

I too was a little concerned with the PBL style of learning. However, there really is no right or wrong way of learning, just as long as YOU understand the material. We all have different ways of studying, some may like to memorize, some may like to debate, some enjoy hands-on learning, some like to be spoon-fed, etc.

There are two really awesome threads on SDN that talk about this issue. PBL has been implemented in mostly medical schools (ie: LECOM), some dentistry (ie: USC), and a few pharmacy schools have decided to steer courses that way as well (ie: Mercer, U Mississippi -- has a 98.8-100% passing rate on the NAPLEX).

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=410585
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=64015

Different schools cater to different students' needs -- the means may be varied, but the end product depends on the time, effort, and determination YOU choose to put in, not the curriculum itself.

 

[neetfreek259]

sooooo......what's this i hear that CNCP uses the "problem based learning" method?

really? $35k for an utterly lazy way of "teaching" material. Wtf is that! You're paying that much to learn everything independently?

Fantastic deal if I may say so myself 👍

I have read many of your posts and seriously you need to grow up. What does it do for you to talk **** about a school like this? What school are you even going to? STANFORD?? HARVARD?? or YALE?? Cause if not, you need to shut a fu*k up for a change!!!! Excuse me for my language. Aren't you going to a new school too?!! Good grief. How old are you?! Listen kid, if you don't like or are unhappy about something, then learn to accept it and stay away from it!!! 🙄 You are making me as well as everyone here sick!!! With this sort of attitudes and behaviors, you WILL NOT last in pharmacy school because no one will want to be your friend, and eventually they will all boycott you!!! And guess what?! You'll end up being a loner in pharmacy school!! I feel bad for you already!!!

 

[Pharmacyguy4]

ohhhh woooowwwwww, neetfreak snnaapppeedddd lmao G! Good **** though...I don't know why this guy or girl whatever, keeps hating. Were you rejected by CNCP and you're just taking out your frustration? Let me tell you something buddy, this isn't Med school or Law school so it doesn't really matter what school you go to. A person can go to bob's school of pharmacy for all I care. As long as at the end of 4 years (or 3) they have learned the adequate skills to be a good pharmacist and have the ability to pass the NAPLEX. If you wanna keep hating, go somewhere else and do your trash talking because quite frankly, we're all sick of you. Go get a life buddy.

 

[slick cat]

I have read many of your posts and seriously you need to grow up. What does it do for you to talk **** about a school like this? What school are you even going to? STANFORD?? HARVARD?? or YALE?? Cause if not, you need to shut a fu*k up for a change!!!! Excuse me for my language. Aren't you going to a new school too?!! Good grief. How old are you?! Listen kid, if you don't like or are unhappy about something, then learn to accept it and stay away from it!!! 🙄 You are making me as well as everyone here sick!!! With this sort of attitudes and behaviors, you WILL NOT last in pharmacy school because no one will want to be your friend, and eventually they will all boycott you!!! And guess what?! You'll end up being a loner in pharmacy school!! I feel bad for you already!!!

couldn't have said it better. 👍

 

[yazzman]

sooooo......what's this i hear that CNCP uses the "problem based learning" method?

really? $35k for an utterly lazy way of "teaching" material. Wtf is that! You're paying that much to learn everything independently?

Fantastic deal if I may say so myself 👍

Read all this person's post...all this person does is go around and slaming people and putingthem down......this person think's she or he or is better than everyone else...

 

[PharmDee2Bee]

Let me tell you something buddy, this isn't Med school or Law school so it doesn't really matter what school you go to. A person can go to bob's school of pharmacy for all I care. As long as at the end of 4 years (or 3) they have learned the adequate skills to be a good pharmacist and have the ability to pass the NAPLEX.

What's that supposed to mean? It sounds like you think pharmacy school is a joke? That it is not comparable to med school or law school? I find this ridiculous to begin with and for a pharmacy student to say it..😡 Let's say you go to bob's school of pharmacy, do you actually think "bob" in this case, will be able to teach you the "adequate skills" to be a pharmacist? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you sound like those snooty people who think pharmacists are inferior to md's and lawyers. AND to be a good or even great pharmacist, you can't just depend on "adequate skills" to pass the NAPLEX or get you by in the working world.

 

[CCdarling]

What's that supposed to mean? It sounds like you think pharmacy school is a joke? That it is not comparable to med school or law school? I find this ridiculous to begin with and for a pharmacy student to say it..😡 Let's say you go to bob's school of pharmacy, do you actually think "bob" in this case, will be able to teach you the "adequate skills" to be a pharmacist? Correct me if I'm wrong, but you sound like those snooty people who think pharmacists are inferior to md's and lawyers. AND to be a good or even great pharmacist, you can't just depend on "adequate skills" to pass the NAPLEX or get you by in the working world.

Chill out. I think he means it doesn't matter which pharmacy school you attend, you'll still be able to find a job when you're done.

As for med or law, I don't know so I can't say.

 

[lasthurdle]

sooooo......what's this i hear that CNCP uses the "problem based learning" method?

really? $35k for an utterly lazy way of "teaching" material. Wtf is that! You're paying that much to learn everything independently?

Fantastic deal if I may say so myself 👍

Your update about CNCP using PBL is appreciated. Though you could have worded your comments a bit better; saving everyone else the trouble of having to go through all the posts telling you to grow up, just so they can see if there are any new useful updates about the school.

By the way, to grow up is: to become an adult. 18yrs old is considered grownup. How old are you? Oh yeah that’s right you’re 25. Curious why you choose to attend pharmacy school now? Of course, it’s because you didn’t want to. It’s also because you like the number 25, 3.08, 2.88, 92 and were working hard living your superior life waiting for the magic number twenty five.

CNCP plans to become a research institution. PBL is their philosophy to mold their students into a competent researcher or a pharmacist with hands-on experience capable of working with others and thinking for themselves. By all means I do not know what I’m talking about, so don’t ask me how they come about accomplishing that. But, like you I can post anything I want. Unlike you I hold back posting things that comes from my a*zz...at times I can't!

 

[Pharmacyguy4]

Pharmd2bee...who said anything about pharmacy school being a joke? I have a lot of friends currently in pharm school and TRUST ME, it's no joke...and to think that I'm snotty? Woow I'm not even going to comment on that...I think you sat there and over analyzed what I was trying to say...If I thought that pharmacists were inferior, do you actually think I would be going into the field?? CCdarling said it best...IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT PHARM SCHOOL YOU GO TO, because you will still have a job no matter what. That was the point I was trying to make in response to confettiflyer's remarks since he/she loves to bash CNCP. As far as law school...imagine going to a prestigious law school such as Michigan or Harvard as opposed to a mediocre law school...after graduating, who do you think has a better shot at landing a job? The Michigan/Harvard or the mediocre school?? My point was to show that with pharmacy, we're all going to have a job no matter what and it doesn't matter what school we go to, even if it's called "bobs" lol. Common, you gotta have a little sense of humor lol. But for law and med (to get a good residency), it doesn't matter. Hope that clears it up for you and try not to get bothered over little things like this because it's not worth it 🙂 Hope that clears it up.