Change in Fall Course Schedule?

[Studio Red]

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Hey all,

I am a current applicant for Fall 2009. I'm currently applying to UCSF, UCSD, UoP, and 2 out of states (Pittsburgh and Minnesota). I was hoping you could give me some advice about a particular dilemma I have, but I guess it would be best if I give some background first. I am currently an undergraduate at UCSD, but will only be a part-time student in my remaining time there (this will be my 5th year). I have sent in my PharmCAS applications, as well as the supplemental applications to the California schools. As it stood, my plan was to take a Human Anatomy course at the local community college (Mesa) during this fall semester, and returning to UCSD in the Winter quarter to finish up some courses. I had a mishap, however, when I realized too late that there was a separate Anatomy/Physiology course (in which I enrolled) and a Human Anatomy only course. Unfortunately, the Anatomy course is full, and the Anatomy/Physiology class will fulfill no pre-requisites for me (as I have already taken a Mammalian Physiology course at UCSD which fulfills all the other pre-requisites I need). So my question is this: will it affect my admissions chances if I were to take the Fall academic quarter/semester off (although I will be keeping busy by volunteering/working), and instead take the Anatomy course next semester/quarter? Or would you recommend that I keep the current Anatomy/Physiology course and just take it? I understand that on my PharmCAS application (which I had already filled in with my plan to take the Anatomy/Physiology course) that I am able to change my planned courses in the months of December-January, but am not sure how it would reflect (or if it would even be possible) if I were to move the course back and have no academic coursework for this quarter/semester.


I have emailed the 3 CA schools, and gotten some mixed responses. One of the admissions people from UoP (Veronica Semler) told me that if I feel my academic record is strong enough, it should not impact my chances for admission. Today, the admissions director from UCSF (Joel Gonzales) emailed me the following reply:

There’s nothing you can do to change whatever you indicated on your PharmCAS and Supplemental Application. Once those have been submitted, we do not allow applicants to change information.

I know that doesn’t answer your question, specifically, but I think the question is irrelevant if you’ve submitted your application, right?

I'm a bit confused, as the UCSF website has this particular page: http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/pharmd/admissions/changeofschedule/ which says (as I had read previously) that there is a window in which I can update my academic coursework for the year. Because UCSF is my top choice (and I feel that I am a competitive applicant), I am inclined to listen to the admissions director and take the class, but obviously there are some key issues that stand against what he says.
Can anyone give me a little advice on my situation? Taking the class isn't too big of a problem, but seems like a bit of a waste to me if I plan on taking anatomy next semester anyway.


Thanks in advance for reading through my essay of a thread 🙂

 

[Schrutebeetfarm]

What is this? Abe Lincoln's biography

 

[mrblah]

Hey all,

I am a current applicant for Fall 2009. I'm currently applying to UCSF, UCSD, UoP, and 2 out of states (Pittsburgh and Minnesota). I was hoping you could give me some advice about a particular dilemma I have, but I guess it would be best if I give some background first. I am currently an undergraduate at UCSD, but will only be a part-time student in my remaining time there (this will be my 5th year). I have sent in my PharmCAS applications, as well as the supplemental applications to the California schools. As it stood, my plan was to take a Human Anatomy course at the local community college (Mesa) during this fall semester, and returning to UCSD in the Winter quarter to finish up some courses. I had a mishap, however, when I realized too late that there was a separate Anatomy/Physiology course (in which I enrolled) and a Human Anatomy only course. Unfortunately, the Anatomy course is full, and the Anatomy/Physiology class will fulfill no pre-requisites for me (as I have already taken a Mammalian Physiology course at UCSD which fulfills all the other pre-requisites I need). So my question is this: will it affect my admissions chances if I were to take the Fall academic quarter/semester off (although I will be keeping busy by volunteering/working), and instead take the Anatomy course next semester/quarter? Or would you recommend that I keep the current Anatomy/Physiology course and just take it? I understand that on my PharmCAS application (which I had already filled in with my plan to take the Anatomy/Physiology course) that I am able to change my planned courses in the months of December-January, but am not sure how it would reflect (or if it would even be possible) if I were to move the course back and have no academic coursework for this quarter/semester.


I have emailed the 3 CA schools, and gotten some mixed responses. One of the admissions people from UoP (Veronica Semler) told me that if I feel my academic record is strong enough, it should not impact my chances for admission. Today, the admissions director from UCSF (Joel Gonzales) emailed me the following reply:



I'm a bit confused, as the UCSF website has this particular page: http://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/pharmd/admissions/changeofschedule/ which says (as I had read previously) that there is a window in which I can update my academic coursework for the year. Because UCSF is my top choice (and I feel that I am a competitive applicant), I am inclined to listen to the admissions director and take the class, but obviously there are some key issues that stand against what he says.
Can anyone give me a little advice on my situation? Taking the class isn't too big of a problem, but seems like a bit of a waste to me if I plan on taking anatomy next semester anyway.


Thanks in advance for reading through my essay of a thread 🙂

academic update is not the same as changing your apps. Academic update means you are updating the classes you put on your application. So the adcom is right.

 

[Studio Red]

What is this? Abe Lincoln's biography

It was George Washington's biography.

On a more serious note, I spoke to Joel Gonzales on the phone just now, and I guess he had initially misunderstood my question, since Anatomy/Physiology isn't required by UCSF anyway (Anatomy was for Minnesota). It seems like I don't really have to take this class, but I guess I'd still like to hear some opinions on whether or not I should keep this course just so my application doesn't look poor or as if I got lazy this year. For reference here are my stats:

3.7 GPA
2 years leadership experience as a board member on a cultural organization
1 year lab experience

My main glaring weakness (or shortcoming) is my lack of pharmacy experience, but I do have a pharmacist mentor. I'm hoping (if I don't take classes this semester) to find a job as a pharm clerk or at least volunteer in one.

 

[Studio Red]

academic update is not the same as changing your apps. Academic update means you are updating the classes you put on your application. So the adcom is right.

Right, but what I am doing is changing my planned coursework and not taking a course this semester (if I do end up dropping the course), and instead taking it next semester. I'm not changing any other part of my application.

 

[mrblah]

thats iffy. Some schools will let you do what you are saying, but others will not. Its pretty much up to the adcom at a particular school.

If you feel your app is strong enough, don't bother taking classes you don't need. Instead concentrate in getting the experience you need that will take you through the interview process (i.e. your glaring weakness).

 

[Studio Red]

thats iffy. Some schools will let you do what you are saying, but others will not. Its pretty much up to the adcom at a particular school.

If you feel your app is strong enough, don't bother taking classes you don't need. Instead concentrate in getting the experience you need that will take you through the interview process (i.e. your glaring weakness).

I think that seems to be the best course of action, as well. Thanks for your help!