By request the Pre-Pharmacy forum will be consolidating the WAMC threads into a single master thread. It is our hope that this will reduce the amount of space devoted to the various WAMC threads in circulation at any given time leaving room for other threads on the main page and to give everyone who wants to know what their chances are an idea based on responses to other WAMC posters with similar backgrounds.
How this will work:
Any poster can post a what are my chances question in this thread. Should you decide to post outside this thread, the post will be merged into this thread.
Regarding What are my chances questions:
Rule 1: Be courteous. Given the risk of wasting money on applications, travel, lodging, etc., most people want an idea how likely it is that they are applying to the correct schools based on their own statistics. You may have to tell someone their chances aren't very good, but you don't have to do so in a rude manner.
Rule 2: Please be as complete as possible when listing your application profile. Though we understand the desire for privacy in revealing personal information over the anonymous Internet, it doesn't benefit you if you receive opinions from SDN members having incomplete data about your application. You should include as much of the following as possible:
a. Schools you are applying to
b. Overall GPA
c. Math/Science GPA
d. GPA in last one or two school years
e. Complete PCAT scores (or just composite)
f. Pharmacy experience obtained
g. Date of application submission (PharmCAS/primary and secondary)
Additionally, the following will help us gauge your chances but are more optional:
h. Number of LORs and source of LORs
i. Non-pharmacy work and/or volunteer experience
j. Self-perception of interview skills
k. Overall impression of personal statement quality
The more information you list, the better informed others will be when they form an opinion.
Rule 3: This thread is for "what are my chances" posts only and their immediate responses. All "what are my chances" posts found in the SDN Pharmacy forums is subject to a move to this thread. We intend for this thread to consolidate and organize all of these related posts. Therefore, don't create a new thread asking about your chances. We will most likely move it to this thread ASAP.
Rule 4: Search, search, search! The chances are good that someone answered your question through a different SDN user. We can reduce redundancy of posts if you just search the thread first for your answer.(e.g.
Improve your chances thread.)
Disclaimer: Unless a user is on the adcom to the school you are asking about, no one can know with any certainty your true chances of acceptance/interview. Those that answer typically have at least applied and received an interview at a school, though maybe not the one you're asking about. As always the best way to find out what your chances are is to contact the school and ask.
a. Schools you are applying to: ( FYI: my parents were really made me apply to all these schools. Yes I did all the secondaries and etc. I literally had a strict sleep schedule for 3-4 weeks.) I had to to slow and thoughtfully work on my essays
Midwestern University- Glendale
Auburn University
California Northstate
California- San Francisco, University of
Campbell University
Ferris State University
Hawaii, University of at Hilo
LECOM Bradenton School of Pharmacy
Loma Linda University
New England, University of
New Mexico, University of
Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy
Oregon State University
Pacific, University of the
South University (GA/SC)
Touro University (CA)
University of Georgia
Western University of the Health Sciences
California- San Diego, University of
Charleston, University of
Howard University
Maryland, University of
Thomas Jefferson University
Wyoming, University of
Colorado Denver, University of
Iowa, University of
Mercer University
Northeastern University
Regis University
Samford University
Shenandoah University
b. Overall GPA: 3.1 from University of California of Los Angeles in Dept. of Biochemistry
c. Math/Science GPA: 3.0
d. GPA in last one or two school years 3.0
e. Complete PCAT scores (or just composite)
Composite is 90
verbal 68
bio 79
reading composition 49
quantitative 93
chemistry 98
f. Pharmacy experience obtained
I have no pharmacy experience. I did however work for a complete Vet clinic. I did work 300 hours with a pharmacy setting for dogs. I don't know if that counts
g. Date of application submission (PharmCAS/primary and secondary)
September 19, 2013 and I am currently working on secondaries. Ill be completed by the end of October 2013
Additionally, the following will help us gauge your chances but are more optional:
h. Number of LORs and source of LORs =4
1. Professor Dan Nehauser. Professor of Physcial biochemistry at UCLA and reknowned researcher
2. History of Art professor ( a little something othe than science)
3. Statistics professor
4. Physics professor
i. Non-pharmacy work and/or volunteer experience
I am have earned my Girl Scout Eagle award. I was in the Girl Scouts for 10+ years and I have vested
well in over 4000+ volunteering. This ranges from singing christmas carols at foster houses, helping around in a hospital setting or even soup kitchens
j. Self-perception of interview skills
I have no idea to how to accurately describe my social skills. I am very easy going and do get very nervous if I have too many eyes in front of me. I do however always answer a question honestly and straight to the point. I don't include extra information until they ask me. I'm not much of a talker. Im not a of a listener. If you give me the chance, I will ask questions pertaining to the topic.
I am always prepared. Before interviews, I research the school/job I am applying for. For example when I ask my professor for LOR, I read several research papers before coming in. In case they ask me about their research. Even better, I review old class material because professors like to ask " what have to learned in my class."
k. Overall impression of personal statement quality
I felt my statement was a little sad and morose. I felt that my essay was honest and heart felt. I did however try not to "focus" on myself to much. I talked about my personal life and my battle with my medical issues and how it relates to drugs. I emphasis that " because of my battles,"
I am compassionate for other in my situation; we all walk a fine line. Of course, all of our experience are different but we all one trait in common: Improve the quality of life for mankind. (This is my essay in a nutshell)
Other concerns:
I am concerned that my GPA is not high enough, reading in PCAT is only 49%, and lack of pharmacy experience. Most of my pharmacy experience came from me. In the last year, I have suffered from a heat stroke, gluten intolerance ,lyme disease, depression and anaphylaxis shocks. I got lyme disease from volunteering with animals and anaphylaxis shock is from food allergies. I am classified as disable because after a coma accident, I have slight depression. I must be on medication. Unfortunately, the medications make me have slight memory lost. My doctors have decided that it is better for me to stay on the medication because the benefits are more than the side effects. I am concerned that my disable will put me at a lower advantage for my pharmacy application.
I do not mention these issues in my application. However, if asked, I will honestly tell them ONLY the essential information. ( I am not proud or happy about it. I do try my best to take it all in and offer what i have back to the world. ))
I have tried to provide as much information as I can. I hope that my fellow peers and mentors can give me a better idea on how to improve my application. I would also appreciate it if anyone could address the concerns I have for pharmacy school and offer me advice.
Im sorry if my story is a sad and personal one. It is not with in my control. I would like to ask my fellow peers and mentors to please not share my information openly to the public.
)
