Declined an Interview?

[athena09]

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Hey guys,
I was wondering if there is anyone out there who was declined an interview and felt they had the met the requirements to be considered. I really didn't think my grades were good enough to be considered for admissions, since i barely met the minimal requirements, but I have been offered some interviews. I know schools say they select people for interviews, but i can't help but think they give everyone an invite...

 

[alenadoma]

Hey guys,
I was wondering if there is anyone out there who was declined an interview and felt they had the met the requirements to be considered. I really didn't think my grades were good enough to be considered for admissions, since i barely met the minimal requirements, but I have been offered some interviews. I know schools say they select people for interviews, but i can't help but think they give everyone an invite...

Oh nonono, they definitely do not give everyone an invite. Once you get an interview, your chances increase from about 1/10 or 1/8 (depending on the school, chances could be more or less) to 1/2 or 1/3. It's definitely a good thing if you got an interview. And remember, grades aren't everything. Other parts of your application must have been pretty impressive. You should be proud of yourself, not be doubting yourself 🙂

 

[CaptainCurl03]

In my opinion, I would never withdraw my application if you were iffy about your chances. Why apply in the first place? You already dropped the money submitting the PharmCAS portion of the application, might as well just let the process finish unless they ask for more money to submit a supplemental application. At that point, then you have to decide how much you really want to go to that school. I really wouldn't base it on what you think your chances of getting in are because admission committees operate very differently at different pharmacy schools. You always have SOME chance of getting in at a pharmacy school even if you think your stats are sub-par.

 

[PharMed2016]

In my opinion, I would never withdraw my application if you were iffy about your chances. Why apply in the first place? You already dropped the money submitting the PharmCAS portion of the application, might as well just let the process finish unless they ask for more money to submit a supplemental application. At that point, then you have to decide how much you really want to go to that school. I really wouldn't base it on what you think your chances of getting in are because admission committees operate very differently at different pharmacy schools. You always have SOME chance of getting in at a pharmacy school even if you think your stats are sub-par.

True, there is always a chance for getting accepted even if your grades are subpar. Its hard to guage yourself relative to other applicants. Always, better to over apply (even though the wallet hurts) than to under apply.

 

[PharmPrincess]

Not everyone gets an interview! Out of the # of people who apply (for example 1000), there's going to be a certain number of people who just qualify (for example 500); meaning they meet the minimum requirement. Then from that pool, they narrow it down based on application, grades, PCAT scores, etc (for example 250). Usually from that group, the ones that are picked for an interview have 30-50% chance of getting in (depending on class size). Plus you have to remember, this is the time to really show the school how interested you are in their program and in pharmacy. So if they pick you for an interview, your chances of getting in increases. Be happy and be prepared!

 

[athena09]

Thanks guys! It really helps to have your insights. Sending in the apps is just half the battle...and the interview is definitely a great way to increase your chances of getting in.

 

[Sparda29]

Not everyone gets an interview. When you get an interview, your chances of getting in improve to basically 50%. From that point on, its all based on your interview performance.

I've heard from Touro Adcoms that students with 3.8-4.0s were rejected because they didn't like what they saw at the interview.

 

[Jaded03]

From that point on, its all based on your interview performance.

I actually don't like this idea. I have no idea whether or not schools practice this. However, my understanding of the interview process being the notes or LOR produced by your interviewers being added to your application file to be reviewed by an adcom, would go against this. Yes, poor performance can break you, but I don't believe all interviewees enter the interview day on equal footing. I don't think you can take a rejection after interviewing as you interviewed badly.

 

[CaptainCurl03]

The facts - Most of the applicants denied from a school who were not interviewed did not complete the supplemental application, withdrew their application, or filled in the supplemental application insufficiently.

Another fact to consider - most pharmacy schools are expanding their class sizes so they may actually accept applicants than previous years.

Another fact - Even though pharmacy school applications, PCAT, etc. fees add up over time, it is MUCH cheaper than applying to Med School or Dental School, etc. You really just have to realize how much money you're about to drop on tuition and should lean towards overapplying in my opinion. Every school is looking for something different in their applicants so where one school you have no chance, you may be exactly what another school is looking for in their applicants. Personally, I think applying to 6-9 schools is a good overapplying range but to each his/her own.

 

[gg1120]

Getting the interview invite is the most important part of getting accepted. My GPA and PCAT were average to borderline low for UT, but I got to show my true personality and shine at the interview. I'm confident my interview was what got me in. What previous posters have said is true, good grades will get you the interview, but you have to wow them. There was someone on sdn who had a 4.0/99% and got rejected from UT the same year I got in. Grades aren't everything.