Help! I'm having trouble breathing!!!

[joya]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

😱 I have applied to 7 schools so far and got only 1 interview!!!

🙁 UB - waitlisted
😡 UIC - rejected

😕 VCU - MidWesternCCP - Touro CA - SJFC - LIU: Still waiting for interview offer.

Should I start panicking!?!?

My applications did get sent late due to PharmCAS error (01/15/09).
I'll deal with them later...I missed deadlines for UCSF-UW-Howard Univ.

My stats: overall GPA 3.3
pre-req GPA 3.6
PCAT: pretty low: ~47% in math, chem: other sections ~80%
pharmacy experience: pharm tech for 9 mos.

Do I have absolutely no chance of getting into any school?!
What can I do to at least get an interview?

I would appreciate any feedback. I really need to get away from my parents this year! Lol!

 

[ll strife ll]

What is ur pcat composite? Any extracurricular or volunteer work?

 

[joya]

composite is 65%🙁

have a B.A. in English Lit.
I work as a pharmacy tech & tutor.
second career student, worked in corporate but quit my job for pharmacy.

I am serious freaking out right now.
I thought I aced the interview at UB!

 

[homeslice]

You still have 5 schools that you haven't heard back from, so I don't see any reason to panic at this point. That's almost twice as many schools as I applied to in the first place.

 

[luwical]

😱 I have applied to 7 schools so far and got only 1 interview!!!

🙁 UB - waitlisted
😡 UIC - rejected

😕 VCU - MidWesternCCP - Touro CA - SJFC - LIU: Still waiting for interview offer.

Should I start panicking!?!?

My applications did get sent late due to PharmCAS error (01/15/09).
I'll deal with them later...I missed deadlines for UCSF-UW-Howard Univ.

My stats: overall GPA 3.3
pre-req GPA 3.6
PCAT: pretty low: ~47% in math, chem: other sections ~80%
pharmacy experience: pharm tech for 9 mos.

Do I have absolutely no chance of getting into any school?!
What can I do to at least get an interview?

I would appreciate any feedback. I really need to get away from my parents this year! Lol!

Don't panic. If you get an interview, speak from the heart. I took so much advice from everyone. The result was talking like a robot in the interview. There is no wrong or right thing to say. Don't blame anybody for your problems. Flow like a burning flame and consume whatever that stands in your way. It is your destiny if you believe it.

Send in reminder letters to the schools and extra letter of recommendation from a professor that you trust will convey your whole personality in the most outstanding manner.

In this letter, talk passionately about why you want to be a pharmacist. Don't give them usual: I want to help people (This is what I want did differently this year. Everyone that I know applying for pharmacy is saying the same thing. Your choice of extracurricular will show whether you can handle people.). Tell them about the challenges that requires immediate attention. Tell them that you cant wait to take them on.

 

[joya]

Thanks everyone!😍

That's what I did... speak from the heart. I thought my personal essay was very honest...how pharmacy became my passion and how I can't wait to become a pharmacist. Also, my interviewers loved my sincerity and said that I was engaging! 😀

I think my PCAT scores are to blame. I should have done better. I was going through some personal stuff and couldn't focus and ran out of time. I actually guessed about 15 questions on the Chem section and for the math section, I didn't take calculus yet so I think that really affected my score. It's just really nerve recking to wait without knowing. I prepared the last two years of my life for this moment and....nothing.

Is anyone losing LOTS of sleep like me? I can't focus on anything at this point! Also, do a lot of people not get into a school during their first try?
Sorry for being so whiney, but I'm going crazy right now.

 

[fhx06]

I know exactly how you feel. It's a nerve-wrecking situation to be in to have to wait and wonder, but just remember that you are not alone in your boat trying to weather the storm.

Worrying so much that it cuts into your studies is something of a concern, though. Remember that you still need to do well in the rest of your studies to fulfill any admissions requirement prior to start of school, so keep that as your main focus for now. Work hard, study hard, fight hard, and know that you've worked for the last two years to get here, and it is not time to quit... and having a paper bag to hyperventilate into probably doesn't help.

PS: This is my second year applying... so I know what it feels like + 12 more months. 😉

 

[Lance13]

Thanks everyone!😍

That's what I did... speak from the heart. I thought my personal essay was very honest...how pharmacy became my passion and how I can't wait to become a pharmacist. Also, my interviewers loved my sincerity and said that I was engaging! 😀

I think my PCAT scores are to blame. I should have done better. I was going through some personal stuff and couldn't focus and ran out of time. I actually guessed about 15 questions on the Chem section and for the math section, I didn't take calculus yet so I think that really affected my score. It's just really nerve recking to wait without knowing. I prepared the last two years of my life for this moment and....nothing.

Is anyone losing LOTS of sleep like me? I can't focus on anything at this point! Also, do a lot of people not get into a school during their first try?
Sorry for being so whiney, but I'm going crazy right now.

Your PCAT is not bad at all, and your stats seem fine. I wouldn't worry at this point. It may be due to the PharmCAS error you spoke of.

 

[Venicat]

The PharmCAS error had a negative impact on your standing at several schools it sounds like. Also you applied to mostly CA, NY, and IL schools which are some of the most highly selective and especially selective for in-state applicants.

 

[Lance13]

Where are you from JOYA?

 

[HmoobRX]

Joya, I totally am losing sleep over this whole application process too. I'm so stressed about it I started getting this twitch in my right eye. I wasn't sure if it was stress related or if I should get it checked out. I ran it by my pharmacist and he said most likely just stress.
Anyway, I'm much in the same boat you are. I applied to 11 schools. I got rejected outright by 2 schools, withdrew 1 application after reading a post about private school loans, missed 1 supplemental application deadline, and I haven't heard word from the rest. At this point I'm not sure what I can do to better myself. I really want to get in for this fall. I graduated last spring and have just been working for this past year. I work for a pharmaceutical company full-time and my company is great but I can't feel the passion for it long-term. I kept my pharm tech job as part time because I was hoping to get in school and work as an intern. I've been very discouraged lately and don't know if I'll even be able to do that at this point now.

 

[joya]

Lance13, I'm from CT. Originally from NYC but moved in with parents 2 yrs ago to save money on rent. They're wonderful for letting me live for free, but I don't think they'll be too supportive if I don't get in this year! They are very strong-headed. According to them, I should be married and have 3 kids already. LOL. But as I said, I will deal with PharmCAS later, after I get into a school. I seriously think that they have a flaw in their system. Basically what happened was that I had all of my transcripts sent in by October. I e-submitted my application and waited for my grades to be updated. I waited and waited until January and I thought something was seriously wrong. so I went into to each and every page of my application and in the transcript section, they deleted one of the trascripts and entered another school's transcript twice!!!😱
Needless to say, I was furious and I even threatened to drive to Mass. but PharmCAS did a complete search and found my transcript. They didn't even apologize! How rude!

For anyone who is from PharmCAS: students pay you good money to get reliable service from you. your organization should at least have the common curtesy to let the students know that their application is not complete if they submit their application. something definitely needs to be changed and I will definitely contact your manager/supervisor soon regarding this matter. no student should have to go through what I am going through right now. It is not cool to have my chances of getting into a pharm school because of some clerical error that could have been avoided.

 

[joya]

Joya, I totally am losing sleep over this whole application process too. I'm so stressed about it I started getting this twitch in my right eye. I wasn't sure if it was stress related or if I should get it checked out. I ran it by my pharmacist and he said most likely just stress.
Anyway, I'm much in the same boat you are. I applied to 11 schools. I got rejected outright by 2 schools, withdrew 1 application after reading a post about private school loans, missed 1 supplemental application deadline, and I haven't heard word from the rest. At this point I'm not sure what I can do to better myself. I really want to get in for this fall. I graduated last spring and have just been working for this past year. I work for a pharmaceutical company full-time and my company is great but I can't feel the passion for it long-term. I kept my pharm tech job as part time because I was hoping to get in school and work as an intern. I've been very discouraged lately and don't know if I'll even be able to do that at this point now.

HmoobRX,
thanks for replying. I'm sorry that you're going through the same situation as I am. When did getting into pharm school get so competitive? And why do the schools torture us so? All this time, energy, money, and stress... they just drain you out don't they?
But hang in there. we will get to pharmacy school this year.😍
and because we tried so hard and went through all this, I think we will be able to enjoy and appreciate whichever school we get into more than others who didn't have to try so hard.
Also, I just found this site last night, while moping around about being waitlisted and I'm not a blogger but this forum really helps. for now at least anyway. . I was surprised at how supportive everyone is. You guys rock! Keep writing and I'll keep reading! We'll go through this together.
As for the eye twitching thing, I had the same problem when I first started taking pre-requisites. I just focused so much on getting As and I was so stressed out about not having money after tuition and living like a student. Try taking a warm bath at least every other day and find a relaxing hobby. Something you can do for 30 minutes a day. I chose the gym and started doing cardio and light weight training. I can only lift about 15 lbs each 😀 but I love the feeling while working out.
Hang in there!

 

[joya]

I know exactly how you feel. It's a nerve-wrecking situation to be in to have to wait and wonder, but just remember that you are not alone in your boat trying to weather the storm.

Worrying so much that it cuts into your studies is something of a concern, though. Remember that you still need to do well in the rest of your studies to fulfill any admissions requirement prior to start of school, so keep that as your main focus for now. Work hard, study hard, fight hard, and know that you've worked for the last two years to get here, and it is not time to quit... and having a paper bag to hyperventilate into probably doesn't help.

PS: This is my second year applying... so I know what it feels like + 12 more months. 😉

If you don't mind me asking, what was the problem when you applied last year? And what have you done for the past year to prepare for this year's application? Did the schools give you any feedbacks? thx.

 

[fhx06]

If you don't mind me asking, what was the problem when you applied last year? And what have you done for the past year to prepare for this year's application? Did the schools give you any feedbacks? thx.

My community college transcript from high school dual enrollment was not received until well into February. Trying to get confirmation, finding out about being having the transcript resubmitted, requested to pay again, all done while living 5 hours away from the actual campus was a heck of a lot of hassle. In addition, one of my letters of recommendation was submitted pretty late. From that, I learned to get that crap done during the summer and just worry about accuracy from then on. As a result, I got on one school's waitlist and just simply rejected from the other 4 schools I applied to.

Having graduated last May, it was much easier to get all my paperwork done while taking only some filler courses for some of my main choice schools, ie. a history course. I wish you much luck and don't forget to take a deep breathe every once in a while. 🙂

 

[diastole]

HmoobRX,
thanks for replying. I'm sorry that you're going through the same situation as I am. When did getting into pharm school get so competitive? And why do the schools torture us so? All this time, energy, money, and stress... they just drain you out don't they?
But hang in there. we will get to pharmacy school this year.😍
and because we tried so hard and went through all this, I think we will be able to enjoy and appreciate whichever school we get into more than others who didn't have to try so hard.
Also, I just found this site last night, while moping around about being waitlisted and I'm not a blogger but this forum really helps. for now at least anyway. . I was surprised at how supportive everyone is. You guys rock! Keep writing and I'll keep reading! We'll go through this together.
As for the eye twitching thing, I had the same problem when I first started taking pre-requisites. I just focused so much on getting As and I was so stressed out about not having money after tuition and living like a student. Try taking a warm bath at least every other day and find a relaxing hobby. Something you can do for 30 minutes a day. I chose the gym and started doing cardio and light weight training. I can only lift about 15 lbs each 😀 but I love the feeling while working out.
Hang in there!

When I get really stressed out, I sing songs in Rock Band. I have a terrible voice but it cheers me up and only takes a few minutes.

 

[joya]

Having graduated last May, it was much easier to get all my paperwork done while taking only some filler courses for some of my main choice schools, ie. a history course. I wish you much luck and don't forget to take a deep breathe every once in a while. 🙂

thx fhx06!
i hope i can post some good news soon!

as for UB, i feel a lot better since i called and they said that most ppl on their waitlist get accepted. but still...i wish i can be certain.😛

 

[joya]

When I get really stressed out, I sing songs in Rock Band. I have a terrible voice but it cheers me up and only takes a few minutes.

haha. good idea. i will try that sometimes. although, i do sing along to the fabulous 🙂thumbdown) music they play at walgreens pharmacy (where I work). they play hits from the 70s and the 80s i believe. the songs are actually horrible and plays over and over in my head, even in my dreams!

i wish we can post sounds on sdn.
then we can both entertain and annoy the hell out of everyone with our singing while we wait to hear back from schools!

 

[slimfine]

I am kindda in the same boat. Got rejected from UCSF and Uni. of Pac. 😡

But I have one interview with Notre Dame MarylanI just hope it goes well.

I haven't heard from Howard,LIU,NE,LECOM B.🙁

got put on hold for Western😕

it really helps coming to this site.

 

[joya]

I am kindda in the same boat. Got rejected from UCSF and Uni. of Pac. 😡

But I have one interview with Notre Dame MarylanI just hope it goes well.

I haven't heard from Howard,LIU,NE,LECOM B.🙁

got put on hold for Western😕

it really helps coming to this site.

yeah, what's up with LIU?
i e-mailed them yesturday and they said my application is still in pile. they just never got to it. 😕

also, i heard a bad rep about Howard. not that i know anything about that school. at this point, i'm willing to go anywhere!!! never felt so desperate in my life! 😛

yeah, i just found this site like 3 days ago and it's been so great. 😍
wish i knew about it sooner.
definitely keeps the time pass faster while waiting.
good luck to you!👍😀

 

[DayTTU17]

PS: This is my second year applying... so I know what it feels like + 12 more months. 😉

Right there with you!! Just relax at the interviews if you should get anymore!!! Speak from your heart like said above. I only told 4 people about my interviews so they did not get hyped up etc...just know if you do not get in the first year, it will allow you to see if it is really what you want. Coming back a second year shows alot! GL

 

[joya]

😉 just got e-mail from midwestern...
interview invite!!! scheduled 3/1😀
wish me luck ppl!

anyone on this thread with any good news?😍

 

[fhx06]

Best of luck to you. 🙂