Feeling kinda down

[Hosstheboss]

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Man, I just got rejected from Campbell University's School of Pharmacy and feeling kinda crappy. I graduated with a B.S. in biochemistry and have a GPA of 3.42, got in the 95th percentile on the PCAT, played college sports and I've worked in a pharmacy for the past 6 months. I thought I interviewed well. Makes me wonder how competitive these schools really are. I was wondering if the fact that I'm out of state played a role. I have 8 more schools to hear from and I'm seriously wondering if I have a good shot or not

 

[dumbguy]

don't worry, with your 95 percentile pcat and a 3.4 gpa and pharmacy experience, some school will accept you.

 

[janeno]

Your gpa is almost average and your PCAT is just awesome. Plus, you have B.S. degree and pharmacy experience. You should be able to get in somewhere for sure.... Wait, do you interview well?

 

[Ammarha]

Man, I just got rejected from Campbell University's School of Pharmacy and feeling kinda crappy. I graduated with a B.S. in biochemistry and have a GPA of 3.42, got in the 95th percentile on the PCAT, played college sports and I've worked in a pharmacy for the past 6 months. I thought I interviewed well. Makes me wonder how competitive these schools really are. I was wondering if the fact that I'm out of state played a role. I have 8 more schools to hear from and I'm seriously wondering if I have a good shot or not

Being and out or state applicant will actually play a huge role unless the school is a private institution. Most public universities give priority to in state residents rather than out of state residents. The few seats that schools give to out of state students are very competitive and the students must have stellar stats. Hopefully you have applied to your state school or some private schools as well. Anyone else have any experience with this?

 

[Ammarha]

I just realized that Campbell IS a private school. Your resident status should not make a difference at all. You could always call and ask if there were any specific reasons for the denial. It could just be that Campbell seems to get many applicants... maybe the GPA average was higher than yours. Good luck!

 

[airen]

Are PCAT scores averaged or the highest one taken into consideration? Does this depend on individual schools? Can you elect to have your PCAT scores not posted?

 

[Hosstheboss]

I think I interview well but I'm not sure and I'm going to call them on Monday. I did apply to all the schools in my state. Unfortunately one of them is Albany and is really hard to get into. Maybe I'll apply to a few more schools. Any suggestions as to where would be a good idea.

 

[cdpiano27]

Inside Information:

Campbell, although private, really likes students from North Carolina. Before PharmCAS, basically only local students applied, and they really do prefer them.

The average GPA is surprisingly low of who gets in there. They like people who will fit in. It is more like getting a job than actually applying to a school for who gets in.

The average PCAT is in the lower 70s I think.

The place is out in the middle of nowhere near I-95 with very few restaurants and not much to do.

 

[cdpiano27]

That being said, I know that I would be rejected from them for sure, because I would probably not "fit in" with what they wanted. They have a very specific idea of the personality of the student that they want. if that does not match them exaclty, you are out.

 

[rx27563]

wow i definately understand what you mean about Campbell's admission process..im a junior there and i have had some really good friends get in and get rejected and honestly their stats really varied--some that had high stats didnt get in and some who didnt have good stats did. its just the way the adcomm is and it will probably stay this way. totally not fair IMHO.

 

[TennisBoy78]

Hoss, your stats are fine. It could be that Campbell likes NC students, but why would they have wasted your time by interviewing you?

Another thing (although no one will admit this) is the North-South divide. Did you say "Yes sir" and "Yes ma'am" in your interviews? It may sound like a silly question, but Southerners take this as being polite. I have lived in a lot of places in my life, and Northerners can be just as polite but show it in different ways.

I have to also agree with the other notion that your stats may be too high. They may feel that since your stats are better, you will get in somewhere else and decline them later. For your future interviews, make sure that you tell them how interested you are in THEIR program. You could have done it, and if you did and they still don't want you, move on. I doubt that you would like attending a school that you had a bad experience at anyway.

 

[cdpiano27]

Yes, I have a story. I did a job interview in Jackson, MS, and I was asked the same question 3 times at my interview, and it was one that had a 20 minute response. The third time, I just stated that I had answered that question already before. However, they thought it was rude. And that was when they decided not to hire me. That was such a trap!!!

Also, my asking for $40-50K with a masters degree seemed like too much money for them, which is silly, because the average earning in my field with MS degree and no experience is in the $50-60K range.

 

[PharmaCgirl]

I go to Campbell now as well. Some things to remember...

yes a lot of people apply...this past year over 2,000 applicants about 120 of us were accepted...so as they tell us about 20 people wanted each of our seats.

Another...acceptance is on a rolling basis so you have to apply as early as you can.

Third just like most schools and jobs...it is all about who you know and persistance. There will be people who get in over others despite higher grades or better experience because of the interview (some people just come off as better communicators, "pharmacists-to-be's", more "likeable"...its just human nature)..and yes it is b.s...but it is reality and it is not just pharmacy schools.

Also keep in mind that Campbell offers dual degree programs, and if you are in one of those you are more likely to get in than someone who does not have intentions of doing a dual degree. (I am not sure if other dual degree offering schools do the same...)

I am sorry you did not get in. You sound like an excellent candidate. I personally did not do as well as you did on the PCAT, did not have as many college activities, but I did work for 2 years in a pharmacy, and 1 year in a research company, as well as have a 3.82 gpa with a bs in pre-med bio. It is all up in the air when it comes to stats though...This school really does emphasize the interview.

 

[cdpiano27]

I thought of something else. Someone who is an in-state resident of NC, if they got into UNC why would they want to go to Campbell. since it is so much more expensive? I think that Campbell would look up an in-state resident and see if they applied to UNC and try to figure out if they got in. Then if Campbell thought that student got into UNC they would then reject them thinking that they had no intention of going to their school.

Why would someone be $120,000 in debt versus $70,000-80,000?

I am not knocking Campbell. It is just the financial reality.

 

[Hosstheboss]

I just want to say thank you guys for being supportive it really helped. You gave me alot of good advice.

 

[rx27563]

PharmaCgirl,

im a junior here like i said majoring in biology my gpa will be around a 3.0 and ive been studying for the pcat for about 3 months--so im hoping for at least an 80% composite. im interested in going for my pharmD/MBA. do you think i have a snowball's chance at getting in? ive been working at the same pharmacy for 5 years...im a CPhT.

 

[PharmaCgirl]

To be honest, it is all about who you know. Also APPLY EARLY!!!! It is on a rolling-basis and if you wait til after christmas then you might not really have a snowballs change, def apply as early as you can!

Our avg. gpa was a 3.2, and if you had at least a 3.0 you get a little scholarship to start as well. I personally had a 3.8 and 2 years of pharmacy experience, and I dont remember my pcat composite but it wasnt that great, so you def have the stats to get in, if you get an interview emphasize your experience and your desire to be a pharmacist. Maybe show interest in a dual degree even if you do not really get one, I know they show preferential to those in the Clinical Research program since we are all doing the dual degree with a masters in that and the doctorate.

Get to know the administration (you never know who will give you your interview!)

GOODLUCK!

 

[rx27563]

do you have any suggestions about what faculty members i should get to know? 🙂