does california require a pcat

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prepharm25 said:
does california require a pcat?

Some people told me that they started requiring it
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If you go to the PharmCAS website, it'll say that none of the California schools require the PCAT.

Also, check out each of the schools' websites to confirm or talk to the admissions directors.
 
nope.

but because of this it is more harder to get into a school in california.
 
Here's a question. Why isn't it required it california but is everywhere else?
 
trailrider400 said:
Here's a question. Why isn't it required it california but is everywhere else?
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Schools concentrate on other things besides just numbers. Just compare the supplemental applications: UCSF vs. some of the schools in the Midwest.

It took me 4 months to fill out and perfect my supplemental application to UCSF and several months to think about what I want to put into it vs. 2 months I spent studying for the PCAT. Overall, I felt selection process was just as strenuous.
 
cheburashka said:
Schools concentrate on other things besides just numbers. Just compare the supplemental applications: UCSF vs. some of the schools in the Midwest.

It took me 4 months to fill out and perfect my supplemental application to UCSF and several months to think about what I want to put into it vs. 2 months I spent studying for the PCAT. Overall, I felt selection process was just as strenuous.
Click to expand...

I hear what your saying but most schools look at other things besides numbers. And I know they are hard schools to get in to but still don't get why just schools in California don't require it. Oh well 🙂
 
trailrider400 said:
I hear what your saying but most schools look at other things besides numbers. And I know they are hard schools to get in to but still don't get why just schools in California don't require it. Oh well 🙂
Click to expand...

I took the PCAT here in CA back in 2007 when I was doing the pharm school apps for the first time, and honestly found it extremely easy. If I remember the conversations from other people who were taking it correctly, I wasn't alone in my opinion. I studied maybe for a week, and I ended up scoring a 99 composite. Granted, this was while I was at the tail end of finishing up my post-bac mostly at community colleges around San Francisco, so the bulk of the material was still fresh in my head, but I was honestly surprised that the questions asked seemed relatively basic.

Even though I personally do really well in standardized tests, I don't believe they, especially the PCAT, provide an accurate picture of a successful professional. The PCAT can't capture the experiences and other stuff that well qualified applicants otherwise bring. The supplementals for the California schools are also a lot more extensive than the supplementals for the schools I applied to that weren't in California, so I think it all balances out.

It also reminds me of this woman who freaked out when I took the PCAT who wouldn't put her pencil down after the chemistry section was over. Despite being told numerous times that she had to stop, she kept on working to the point where she was told to leave by the head proctor. The proctor then told us to take a 15 minute break, and when we came back, we were greeted with screaming and crying since the woman was begging to let her complete the PCAT. The head proctor correctly refused, saying that she showed blatant disregard for the rules and that she would call the police if she didn't leave. The woman then proceeded to try to take the exam from the head proctor, at which point the head proctor called for security and told all the other proctors to do so too. At this point, the woman suddenly realized there were 300+ people staring at her, wondering WTF was her problem, and she slunk away from the testing room. We were all shocked that this woman would take this so far, but at the same time we were all mumbling, "wow, how pathetic." I honestly don't think she'd make a good pharmacist if she wasn't able to handle the pressure of an exam like this.
 
I still think some form of a standardize exam is better than none. Standardize exam is a very fair comparsion of each applicant...an supplemental application is not b/c you can always just pay someone to write it for you! :laugh:
 
stkyrice said:
I took the PCAT here in CA back in 2007 when I was doing the pharm school apps for the first time, and honestly found it extremely easy. If I remember the conversations from other people who were taking it correctly, I wasn't alone in my opinion. I studied maybe for a week, and I ended up scoring a 99 composite. Granted, this was while I was at the tail end of finishing up my post-bac mostly at community colleges around San Francisco, so the bulk of the material was still fresh in my head, but I was honestly surprised that the questions asked seemed relatively basic.

Even though I personally do really well in standardized tests, I don't believe they, especially the PCAT, provide an accurate picture of a successful professional. The PCAT can't capture the experiences and other stuff that well qualified applicants otherwise bring. The supplementals for the California schools are also a lot more extensive than the supplementals for the schools I applied to that weren't in California, so I think it all balances out.

It also reminds me of this woman who freaked out when I took the PCAT who wouldn't put her pencil down after the chemistry section was over. Despite being told numerous times that she had to stop, she kept on working to the point where she was told to leave by the head proctor. The proctor then told us to take a 15 minute break, and when we came back, we were greeted with screaming and crying since the woman was begging to let her complete the PCAT. The head proctor correctly refused, saying that she showed blatant disregard for the rules and that she would call the police if she didn't leave. The woman then proceeded to try to take the exam from the head proctor, at which point the head proctor called for security and told all the other proctors to do so too. At this point, the woman suddenly realized there were 300+ people staring at her, wondering WTF was her problem, and she slunk away from the testing room. We were all shocked that this woman would take this so far, but at the same time we were all mumbling, "wow, how pathetic." I honestly don't think she'd make a good pharmacist if she wasn't able to handle the pressure of an exam like this.
Click to expand...

Again my question wasn't asking anyone to defend the integrity of the admissions process in California. After all they host the best pharmacy school in the country (as far as numbers go) and I know they have great pharmacy schools. I was just wondering why out of the many pharmacy schools California doesn't require the pcat? Cultural? So many applicants its not necessary?
 
i like how "california" is just one big giant singular entity
 
confettiflyer said:
i like how "california" is just one big giant singular entity
Click to expand...

Thanks for adding to this champ... They are singular here because they as a group don't require the pcat... Here's another one... ALL the people i quote are jackasses :laugh:
 
SHC1984 said:
I still think some form of a standardize exam is better than none. Standardize exam is a very fair comparsion of each applicant...an supplemental application is not b/c you can always just pay someone to write it for you! :laugh:
Click to expand...

That's why you have interviews. And most, if not all the schools in California require essays on the days of the interview to make sure that your writing skills parallel to that which you have written on your supplemental applications.
 
trailrider400 said:
Thanks for adding to this champ... They are singular here because they as a group don't require the pcat... Here's another one... ALL the people i quote are jackasses :laugh:
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Be polite here. It seems that many people explained in a way to answer your questions. Perhaps many CA schools do not think PCAT is not a good measurement to select their schools' candidates. If you really wonder why those CA schools do not require PCAT, why don't you contact with the CA schools' admission offices to figure it out yourself?
 
NocturneGminor said:
Be polite here. It seems that many people explained in a way to answer your questions. Perhaps many CA schools do not think PCAT is not a good measurement to select their schools' candidates. If you really wonder why those CA schools do not require PCAT, why don't you contact with the CA schools' admission offices to figure it out yourself?
Click to expand...

1. Because I'm not applying to any California schools and really don't care that much 2. For the same reason everyone posting on this forum doesn't contact the school directly with their 20 questions. Sorry if I play too rough 🙂
 
Another uniquenses of California pharmacy: I've been told they require a licensing exam that is harder than the NAPLEX. And with the PCAT even though Cali schools don't require it some of them will accept it and use it in the application process (i.e., UCSD)
 
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trailrider400 said:
1. Because I'm not applying to any California schools and really don't care that much 2. For the same reason everyone posting on this forum doesn't contact the school directly with their 20 questions. Sorry if I play too rough 🙂
Click to expand...

If you did not care for applying for CA schools, why did you even bother to ask the question to people here in the begining?

You started the question about CA schools Vs PCAT.

People here answered you at their best.

Now you do not care. Very rude.

Are you some kind of impotent? I see you are full of inferiority toward CA applicants and CA schools.

Perhaps, were you rejected by CA schools?
 
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NocturneGminor said:
If you did not care for applying for CA schools, why did you even bother to ask the question to people here in the begining?

You started the question about CA schools Vs PCAT.

People here answered you at their best.

Now you do not care. Very rude.

Are you some kind of impotent?

Perhaps, were you rejected by CA schools?
Click to expand...
Lol who are you trying to impress here?!?
"You started the question about CA schools Vs PCAT"
Is this a cage match? (see simple question 'why doesn't california require the pcat'.)
"Very rude."
Okay mom. You've been here for one month. Give me a break.
"I see you are full of inferiority toward CA applicants and CA schools."
See above. California schools are GREAT.
"Perhaps, were you rejected by CA schools."
I didn't apply to any California schools. I can't afford it and probably wouldn't get accepted!

My question was why don't California schools require the pcat. My question hasn't been answered but like I said I don't care that much because I'm not applying to them. No big deal.
And please, Mr. self righteous. Don't tell me how to act or think or that I am being rude. You're the one who interpreted my post to be an attack on California schools. Can you read? Again California schools are the most coveted in the country. Where does your complex come from?
 
trailrider400 said:
Lol who are you trying to impress here?!?
"You started the question about CA schools Vs PCAT"
Is this a cage match? (see simple question 'why doesn't california require the pcat'.)
"Very rude."
Okay mom. You've been here for one month. Give me a break.
"I see you are full of inferiority toward CA applicants and CA schools."
See above. California schools are GREAT.
"Perhaps, were you rejected by CA schools."
I didn't apply to any California schools. I can't afford it and probably wouldn't get accepted!

My question was why don't California schools require the pcat. My question hasn't been answered but like I said I don't care that much because I'm not applying to them. No big deal.
And please, Mr. self righteous. Don't tell me how to act or think or that I am being rude. You're the one who interpreted my post to be an attack on California schools. Can you read? Again California schools are the most coveted in the country. Where does your complex come from?
Click to expand...

I'm with you. I wanted to know why as well, but it doesn't mean I was gonna apply there. Where's the love people?:laugh:
 
trailrider400 said:
Lol who are you trying to impress here?!?
"You started the question about CA schools Vs PCAT"
Is this a cage match? (see simple question 'why doesn't california require the pcat'.)
"Very rude."
Okay mom. You've been here for one month. Give me a break.
"I see you are full of inferiority toward CA applicants and CA schools."
See above. California schools are GREAT.
"Perhaps, were you rejected by CA schools."
I didn't apply to any California schools. I can't afford it and probably wouldn't get accepted!

My question was why don't California schools require the pcat. My question hasn't been answered but like I said I don't care that much because I'm not applying to them. No big deal.
And please, Mr. self righteous. Don't tell me how to act or think or that I am being rude. You're the one who interpreted my post to be an attack on California schools. Can you read? Again California schools are the most coveted in the country. Where does your complex come from?
Click to expand...


A lot of pharmacies school did not require the PCATs before...it use to be less competitive and I even know someone that got into Lake Erie without PCATs and without an interview and without a bachelors degree!!!!! And it wasn't even that long ago!!! I think it was like 4 years ago at most...I graduated college 2007 and she applied my sophomore year so 2005. Not that long ago.

Anyways the point is schools didn't use to require much...No PCAT, No interview, No degree, No nothing! However things will change as it gets more competitive. If you look at the Touro Website you will see that they will REQUIRE the PCAT this year! I am sure as it gets more competitive each non PCAT school will start mandating PCAT scores and eventually ALL SCHOOLS will require the PCAT.

I hope that answers your question. 🙂
 
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