feedback for reapplying

[axiom8891]

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Greetings all,

I have recently been offered acceptance into CNCP, but after much consideration, I have concluded that it is not the most financially ideal school and would rather reapply/apply to schools within my state of residency (Washington).

I applied to UW in the previous cycle and was fortunate enough to be interviewed as well. However, in the end, I was not offered admission.

I believe the poor interview was the deciding factor. Additionally, my prereq grades were only adequate for the most part, and my composite PCAT score wasn’t the most outstanding. However, when I performed poorly in one type of assessment for a certain subject, I performed well in the other type (e.g. I had a low general chemistry grade, but relatively competitive chemistry PCAT score; I had a low PCAT score for reading comp, but high grades for classes geared to toward heavy reading and subsequent analysis). The only area I was lacking in both grades and PCAT scores was quantitative ability. Ultimately, I believe they considered me due to my overall performance and well written personal statements.

My plan for reapplying is as follows and I am asking for any feedback or suggestions.

- gain additional extracurricular experience
- retake courses for areas that could use room for improvement [e.g. calculus (though I finished calculus in high school, so it has been quite some time), possibly physiology, etc.]
- Keep pharmcas and school personal statements relatively the same as before, with minor changes to details (regarding pharmacy experience history, how I have improved in general, etc.)
- possibly take workshop(s) on interviewing
* I don't think I would have adequate time to study for a PCAT retake this cycle that would yield better scores.

Is there anything I should reconsider or add to the plan above?

P.S. Sorry for the novel. Oh and I'm also applying to WSU 😉 (what are my chances compared to UW? haha)

 

[WhiteSnows]

I would not let this chance pass me. I do not know how expensive CNCP is, but opportunity cost may be greater if you wait for another year, plus there is risk of not being accepted again.

 

[delano2000]

i would not let this chance pass me. I do not know how expensive cncp is, but opportunity cost may be greater if you wait for another year, plus there is risk of not being accepted again.

+1

 

[Project2015]

To provide balance to the discussion, I would pass on CNCP because it's expensive AND it's candidate.

Based on the limited information, the plan sounds fine. I'm not sure about the necessity of retaking courses unless they were that bad.

 

[Trankuil]

Does the risk outweigh the reward? For me I would say no and keep my seat in school. I was accepted into a very pricey private school. It was the only one I applied to and my first time applying, but I got it. I know I could have waited another year and had the chance to apply to more, but I chose not too even though this one I will attend is a little pricey but the reward outwieghed the risk for me.

 

[diastole]

If you are going to turn down this school, I'd apply to more than just your two state schools. You don't want to turn down a school and then get rejected by all the schools this year. You want a backup school so you have somewhere to go if your state schools turn you down.

I'm not as concerned as most about opportunity costs when you are young. You aren't going to look back at the end of your life and think that you would be so much better off if you had worked 41 years instead of 40. By that point, that money will have long been spent on things you don't even remember. However, crushing debt in your early years will weigh on you until you get it paid off.

For your classes, I'd take physiology before calculus. I'm finding that physiology is the most helpful class for pharmacy school by far. I haven't seen much calculus and unless you are taking it to improve your PCAT scores, I think the time and money could be better spent.

Have you called your school to ask how you could improve? Some schools will tell you. It might be worth that instead of just guessing why you didn't get in.

 

[axiom8891]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Here's a bit more info:

- I was a wait-list candidate offered a seat for CNCP (but I do plan to reapply, and they said re-applicants previously wait-listed usually get in the next time).

- I will be applying to more than two in-state schools. In addition to UW and WSU, I will be applying to OSU and Pacific University in Oregon (Pacific told me last cycle, that I should have more extracurricular activities and improve some grades)

- Tuition is more than double at CNCP compared to my desired schools in Washington. (plus the higher living costs and costs of travel between states during breaks)

- At this point in time, I don't think I would be competitive for certain grants/scholarships. (I am willing try, but realistically I think there is a slim chance for payoff)

- My family is funding nuring school for my sister at UW simultaneously, and doesn't feel comfortable with the degree of additional costs if I were to attend CNCP (where I would be reapplying to other schools in the meantime anyway, and would be unsure if any courses from CNCP would be transferable/credited).

I suppose it is trade-off between financial and opportunity costs. The way I see it, I am still relatively young, and if I was able to secure an interview with UW once, I may be able to again (as I will only improve in certain aspects). Additionally, a friend of mine, with similar performance as me, got into WSU.

Thanks again.

 

[Trankuil]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Here's a bit more info:

- I was a wait-list candidate offered a seat for CNCP (but I do plan to reapply, and they said re-applicants previously wait-listed usually get in the next time).

- I will be applying to more than two in-state schools. In addition to UW and WSU, I will be applying to OSU and Pacific University in Oregon (Pacific told me last cycle, that I should have more extracurricular activities and improve some grades)

- Tuition is more than double at CNCP compared to my desired schools in Washington. (plus the higher living costs and costs of travel between states during breaks)

- At this point in time, I don't think I would be competitive for certain grants/scholarships. (I am willing try, but realistically I think there is a slim chance for payoff)

- My family is funding nuring school for my sister at UW simultaneously, and doesn't feel comfortable with the degree of additional costs if I were to attend CNCP (where I would be reapplying to other schools in the meantime anyway, and would be unsure if any courses from CNCP would be transferable/credited).

I suppose it is trade-off between financial and opportunity costs. The way I see it, I am still relatively young, and if I was able to secure an interview with UW once, I may be able to again (as I will only improve in certain aspects). Additionally, a friend of mine, with similar performance as me, got into WSU.

Thanks again.

To me it sounds like you have already made up your mind 😉 Go with what you feel is best for you, which to me sounds like even you think holding off and re applying is best.