Going to a lower ranked pharmacy school is making me nervous

[Sylvia]

Hey guys,

I have applied to some top pharmacy schools, but thus far I have only gotten interviews with "lower ranked" pharmacy schools. This is making me nervous. I already got rejected from UCSF and am still waiting to hear back from Purdue University.

I am not sure if I want to pursue pharmacy school if only the lower tiered schools are considering me...What do you guys think?

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[PharmtoCS]

Hey guys,

I have applied to some top pharmacy schools, but thus far I have only gotten interviews with "lower ranked" pharmacy schools. This is making me nervous. I already got rejected from UCSF and am still waiting to hear back from Purdue University.

I am not sure if I want to pursue pharmacy school if only the lower tiered schools are considering me...What do you guys think?

Which geographical area do you plan to practice after you graduate? Some unranked/lower-tiered schools are fairly well established in some areas, whereas others have horrendous reputations.

 

[Irelia]

Which geographical area do you plan to practice after you graduate? Some unranked/lower-tiered schools are fairly well established in some areas, whereas others have horrendous reputations.

This. Also, which schools do you mean by lower ranked schools? So, if you don't want to go into pharmacy field because you are getting accepted to only "lower" ranked schools, what is your plan afterwards? Did you even consider pharmacy field seriously? Remember, you can always transfer after getting into pharmacy school and if you do excellent in those lower ranked pharmacy schools, you will have more opportunities to become successful than people who are doing mediocre in "high" ranked school.

 

[Sylvia]

Which geographical area do you plan to practice after you graduate? Some unranked/lower-tiered schools are fairly well established in some areas, whereas others have horrendous reputations.

Ideally I would like to practice in a rural setting, like in Napa or Santa Rosa. But I may have to be in a city environment because of my husband. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Sylvia]

This. Also, which schools do you mean by lower ranked schools? So, if you don't want to go into pharmacy field because you are getting accepted to only "lower" ranked schools, what is your plan afterwards? Did you even consider pharmacy field seriously? Remember, you can always transfer after getting into pharmacy school and if you do excellent in those lower ranked pharmacy schools, you will have more opportunities to become successful than people who are doing mediocre in "high" ranked school.

My plan is to work as a pharm tech and reapply to the top schools once again.

You mean, say I do one semester at a lower ranked school and apply immediately afterwards to a top school?

 

[Jibby321]

My plan is to work as a pharm tech and reapply to the top schools once again.

You mean, say I do one semester at a lower ranked school and apply immediately afterwards to a top school?

That sounds like a waste of money.

 

[chemguy79]

My plan is to work as a pharm tech and reapply to the top schools once again.

You mean, say I do one semester at a lower ranked school and apply immediately afterwards to a top school?

I don't think that it works that way. You usually need an excellent reason to transfer to a different pharmacy school.

What were your stats? It could be that you were applying to top tier schools that were beyond the reach of your stats.

 

[Irelia]

I don't think that it works that way. You usually need an excellent reason to transfer to a different pharmacy school.

What were your stats? It could be that you were applying to top tier schools that were beyond the reach of your stats.

I know it is unlikely, but it is still possible to transfer. I was just saying this is an option for OP if she really wants to go to top tier school.

Also, if you plan to practice in rural setting, you should look more into school programs/curriculum rather than reputation or rank. (For example, UI-Rockford program is dedicated in serving rural community.) The reason is from what I have seen (from SDN and friends/relatives in pharmacy school) most graduates don't want to move to rural area and if you are going to work in rural setting you are most likely going to work in community/independent pharmacy(retail) which I believe school reputation shouldn't matter too much in getting you hired.

Also, as chemguy said above, maybe your stats/experience are not good for "top 10" schools such as UCSF or Purdue. Did you apply to any "mid" ranked schools?

EDIT: spellings....

 

[Sylvia]

I know it is unlikely, but it is still possible to transfer. I was just saying this is an option for OP if she really wants to go to top tier school.

Also, if you plan to practice in rural setting, you should look more into school programs/curriculum rather than reputation or rank. (For example, UI-Rockford program is dedicated in serving rural community.) The reason is from what I have seen (from SDN and friends/relatives in pharmacy school) most graduates don't want to move to rural area and if you are going to work in rural setting you are most likely going to work in community/independent pharmacy(retail) which I believe school reputation shouldn't matter too much in getting you hired.

Also, as chemguy said above, maybe your stats/experience are not good for "top 10" schools such as UCSF or Purdue. Did you apply to any "mid" ranked schools?

EDIT: spellings....

I am not absolutely committed to rural areas at the moment, but they sound appealing to me.

Maybe my stats aren't that competitive... 3.4 cum GPA, 3.39 sci GPA, 3 years of research experience and leading/mentoring other students in their projects, 3 poster presentations, 2 summer research fellowships, volunteered at kaiser and a rehabilitation center.

what can i do to improve my stats?...to be honest i am a little tired of research and want to do something else...

if i work as a pharm tech and become pharm tech lead, and volunteer in my community would that significantly boost my chances? i am interested in working with the elderly and being their companion sort of thing. also i am open to taking more classes at community college since my biology grades weren't stellar (B average, only got 1 A grade, no Cs)

Ideally I would like to specialize in something as a pharmacist, like being an oncology specialist or working as an ambulatory care pharmacist. i would like a dynamic leadership position...what are the best ways to prepare for this?

I like the roles and the responsibilities that doctors have in their professions, but I am only interested in the chemistry/biochemistry aspect of their knowledge base...and the theories behind medication therapies.

 

[Irelia]

I am not absolutely committed to rural areas at the moment, but they sound appealing to me.

Maybe my stats aren't that competitive... 3.4 cum GPA, 3.39 sci GPA, 3 years of research experience and leading/mentoring other students in their projects, 3 poster presentations, 2 summer research fellowships, volunteered at kaiser and a rehabilitation center.

what can i do to improve my stats?...to be honest i am a little tired of research and want to do something else...

if i work as a pharm tech and become pharm tech lead, and volunteer in my community would that significantly boost my chances? i am interested in working with the elderly and being their companion sort of thing. also i am open to taking more classes at community college since my biology grades weren't stellar (B average, only got 1 A grade, no Cs)

Ideally I would like to specialize in something as a pharmacist, like being an oncology specialist or working as an ambulatory care pharmacist. i would like a dynamic leadership position...what are the best ways to prepare for this?

I like the roles and the responsibilities that doctors have in their professions, but I am only interested in the chemistry/biochemistry aspect of their knowledge base...and the theories behind medication therapies.

Ohhhhh so you don't have any previous experience in pharmacy setting? Then no wonder you got straight up rejected from UCSF. Pharmacy school prioritizes more on pharmacy experience (whether you are a tech or volunteering...) than research experience. Also, I see that you are applying to schools that does not take PCAT, which in case prior experiences in pharmacy are more important. If you haven't notice, most schools doesn't require pharmacy experience but "strongly" encourages to have it. People who get in without pharmacy experience usually have like near 4.0 GPA and 90+ pcat. I think your GPA is fine and being a tech will definitely help your resume. Take PCAT if you can as well so that you can apply to more schools. My GPA is lower than yours but I am getting interviews from pretty good schools (top20) because of my experience and 90+ pcat score. As for specialty, I don't know much as well so hopefully somebody can answer that =]

 

[Sylvia]

Ohhhhh so you don't have any previous experience in pharmacy setting? Then no wonder you got straight up rejected from UCSF. Pharmacy school prioritizes more on pharmacy experience (whether you are a tech or volunteering...) than research experience. Also, I see that you are applying to schools that does not take PCAT, which in case prior experiences in pharmacy are more important. If you haven't notice, most schools doesn't require pharmacy experience but "strongly" encourages to have it. People who get in without pharmacy experience usually have like near 4.0 GPA and 90+ pcat. I think your GPA is fine and being a tech will definitely help your resume. Take PCAT if you can as well so that you can apply to more schools. My GPA is lower than yours but I am getting interviews from pretty good schools (top20) because of my experience and 90+ pcat score. As for specialty, I don't know much as well so hopefully somebody can answer that =]

No I don't have experience in an actual pharmacy...only shadow volunteered in a hospital and rehabilitation center. I think I would do just fine on the PCAT so I'm not worried about that.

I will be applying for pharmacy technician jobs in the next month but am still really nervous about working...

Should I not waste time on taking more classes at community college if my GPA is fine?

 

[chemguy79]

I think that you were reaching for top tier scores given your stats, especially since you don't have any pharmacy experience. In addition, to have more versatility in your application process, I would take the PCAT. Since you are a B student, you should be relatively well prepared for the PCAT.

My mindset is that if you want to go to a top tier school, you should strive to be a top tier applicant. UCSF typically requires students with a Bachelor's degree and I believe that is becoming the case for other upper echelon schools. You have very strong extracurricular activities, but I don't think that many of them are pharmacy related. You have great aspirations, but I think that you may be reaching with your schools of choice without improving your application.

 

[Sylvia]

I think that you were reaching for top tier scores given your stats, especially since you don't have any pharmacy experience. In addition, to have more versatility in your application process, I would take the PCAT. Since you are a B student, you should be relatively well prepared for the PCAT.

My mindset is that if you want to go to a top tier school, you should strive to be a top tier applicant. UCSF typically requires students with a Bachelor's degree and I believe that is becoming the case for other upper echelon schools. You have very strong extracurricular activities, but I don't think that many of them are pharmacy related. You have great aspirations, but I think that you may be reaching with your schools of choice without improving your application.

Well I am a B student in bio, but B+/A- student in chemistry and math.

I will most likely be working as a pharmacy technician, volunteering with the elderly, and studying for the PCAT for the next few months, just in case I get rejected from all the schools that I applied to. I don't have any solid acceptances just yet.

 

[Silent Cool]

Just go to the cheapest school. Does it really matter all that much? Just be sure to network, and schedule rotations near places you want to live, so you can make contacts there in the future and have good opportunities. Also don't forget about buying an independent. School choice is totally irrelevant if you become your own boss that way.

 

[Sylvia]

Just go to the cheapest school. Does it really matter all that much? Just be sure to network, and schedule rotations near places you want to live, so you can make contacts there in the future and have good opportunities. Also don't forget about buying an independent. School choice is totally irrelevant if you become your own boss that way.

All of the schools that gave me an interview are very expensive, and about the same price.

 

[Silent Cool]

All of the schools that gave me an interview are very expensive, and about the same price.

What about LECOM?

 

[Sylvia]

What about LECOM?

I didn't apply there...I only applied to schools that don't require the PCAT. I also heard bad things about LECOM, so I am staying away from it for now.

 

[Silent Cool]

I didn't apply there...I only applied to schools that don't require the PCAT. I also heard bad things about LECOM, so I am staying away from it for now.

I thought LECOM does not require PCAT?

"It is recommended that applicants take the PCAT prior to January due to our rolling admissions process. LECOM requires the PCAT; however an exception will be granted for applicants who have or will be completing at least a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. four-year college or university prior to matriculation. If selected for an interview, a written assessment will be performed during the on-site interview for those previously mentioned individuals who have not taken the PCAT. Acceptance into the program will be contingent upon completion of the bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation. - See more at: http://lecom.edu/entrance-requireme...rements/49/2205/619/2432#sthash.4IUESMf8.dpuf"

http://lecom.edu/entrance-requirements.php/School-of-Pharmacy-Entrance-Requirements/49/2205/619/2432

sounds pretty flexible

also LECOM is DIRT cheap

It's only 3 years, too.

 

[Sylvia]

I thought LECOM does not require PCAT?

"It is recommended that applicants take the PCAT prior to January due to our rolling admissions process. LECOM requires the PCAT; however an exception will be granted for applicants who have or will be completing at least a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. four-year college or university prior to matriculation. If selected for an interview, a written assessment will be performed during the on-site interview for those previously mentioned individuals who have not taken the PCAT. Acceptance into the program will be contingent upon completion of the bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation. - See more at: http://lecom.edu/entrance-requireme...rements/49/2205/619/2432#sthash.4IUESMf8.dpuf"

http://lecom.edu/entrance-requirements.php/School-of-Pharmacy-Entrance-Requirements/49/2205/619/2432

sounds pretty flexible

also LECOM is DIRT cheap

It's only 3 years, too.

ok I'm applying to both schools now just to see what happens after the interview. Are there any other schools that don't require the PCAT?

 

[Jibby321]

FAMU

 

[CaptainNick]

My advice would be to take a year off and get a job in the field before spending mad $$$ and realizing pharmacy isn't for you ... especially if your going into retail.

 

[Gombrich12]

They're all the same, other than the brand new diploma mills your outcomes are going to be about the same anywhere you go. Go to the cheapest school possible.

 

[Sylvia]

They're all the same, other than the brand new diploma mills your outcomes are going to be about the same anywhere you go. Go to the cheapest school possible.

that sounds like my best bet...I would like to repay my loans as soon and as easily as possible...So I may end up going to LECOM as opposed to Touro to do my education...I may only pay $75,000 as opposed to $150,000...so we'll see what the outcomes are. I am interested in residency positions though...that is my only concern about studying at LECOM.

 

[Jibby321]

LECOM is a diploma mill.


I know students who had trouble getting rotation sites and had to find them theirselves.

 

[Sylvia]

LECOM is a diploma mill.


I know students who had trouble getting rotation sites and had to find them theirselves.

that's what I read on their wehatelecom.com site...honestly, all these haters are making me doubt the profession as a whole. I am disappointed that pharmacy students appear to be of much lower quality than any other medical student.

 

[Jibby321]

Go to a public university. Those are most competitive. It'll make a difference with the connections you will be able to make.

 

[ibminh]

Hey guys,

I have applied to some top pharmacy schools, but thus far I have only gotten interviews with "lower ranked" pharmacy schools. This is making me nervous. I already got rejected from UCSF and am still waiting to hear back from Purdue University.

I am not sure if I want to pursue pharmacy school if only the lower tiered schools are considering me...What do you guys think?

Waiting around to get into top school is a really dumb decision. No offense but my grade is slightly higher than yours and I would happy to go to a "bottom lower ranked" pharmacy school. If you got accepted to top 10 good for you but not then just go to any school, get a license, go to work. 1 year being pharmacist = 100k ...Time is money leave your ego at home.

 

[Sparda29]

It's not about where you go to school or what GPA you have.

It's all about the connections you make and how your preceptors evaluate you (LORs). In my area, people are only gonna consider you for a position if someone puts in a good word.

 

[Sylvia]

It's not about where you go to school or what GPA you have.

It's all about the connections you make and how your preceptors evaluate you (LORs). In my area, people are only gonna consider you for a position if someone puts in a good word.

Ok do you have any suggestions on how to achieve that?

 

[Sparda29]

Ok do you have any suggestions on how to achieve that?

Making connections with professors who have nice jobs at hospitals, even if it means going to office hours to talk to them even though you understand the subject. Try to do as many rotations at possible at one site. Do more than you're required to do. (Only required to stay 8 hours, stay 12 hours, ask for extra projects to do)

 

[BC_89]

Hey guys,

I have applied to some top pharmacy schools, but thus far I have only gotten interviews with "lower ranked" pharmacy schools. This is making me nervous. I already got rejected from UCSF and am still waiting to hear back from Purdue University.

I am not sure if I want to pursue pharmacy school if only the lower tiered schools are considering me...What do you guys think?

Though this post is a little late, just in case anyone else stumbles across something like this during this time of year in 2015, I would have to agree with the other specified statements concerning "ranking" ... I think of this : what do you call an individual that graduated at the top of his pharmacy class at the top school and an individual that graduated at the bottom of his pharmacy class at the lowest ranked school ???? A pharmacist.... the title of school means nothing nowadays with a saturation in many areas. I also concur that it is most definitely definitely DEFINITELY networking that will help get you going with landing an opportunity for work...I have actually turned down a couple of higher ranked schools myself and accepted the cheapest one ( in TN, actually loved the area around the campus and environment ). The sooner you get in school, the better chance you have getting a head start in a retail / specialty you find interesting.

 

[SClENCE]

Go to the cheapest school

Though if you are a strong applicant, you will get into the best in-state school which naturally will have the lowest tuition anyways

 

[vanessalix]

I would just try to get in somewhere and not apply again...it's not really worth the time.

Anyway, with a good PCAT score, I think top tier schools outside of CA are not nearly as difficult to get into. UCSF is just notoriously hard.