Interview Quandry: Which School(s)

[LucAlb]

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Hi All,

First of all, thanks for all the helpful threads in this forum. I can't stress enough how much of a gold mine it has been; in fact, I probably couldnb't have started/finished my PharmCas application without it. With that in mind, I hope some of you could give me some advice regarding my current situation.

When I was first applying a couple months ago, I was not at all certain what schools I could conceivably or realistically get into. My PCAT scores were very good, but my ECs were average, and my GPA certifiably subpar. I am also a CA resident. For that reason I decided to throw the kitchen sink and apply to a total of 14 schools, all geographically diverse:

U Colorado Denver
U of Utah
Ohio State
U of Minnesota
U of Maryland
Mercer
Touro
USN
MCPHS
Nova Southeastern
Midwestern Glendale
LECOM Erie
U Wyoming

As of this Monday, here are the interview offers I've got:

U Colorado Denver
U of Maryland
MCPHS
Nova Southeastern
Midwestern Glendale
LECOM Erie
U Wyoming

While other I am still waiting for a reply. Now, normally speaking, I should be jumping up and down with joy. Unfortunately, I'm 1) currently working fulltime, 2) about to try and finish 2 of prereqs, and 3) have only a ~$2500 budget for travel and interviewing. As you could see, I was planning on having 2-3 interviews in the spring, at most 4, not 7 just before the end of January.
The good news is, I've already interviewed at UC Denver, and am planning on doing so for U of Maryland as well. The bad news is, well, I've already spent ~$500 of my budget, and will likely spend another $500 for UMaryland. Most crucially, I have absolutely no idea which schools out of the 5 left (MCPHS,Nova Southeastern, Midwestern Glendale, LECOM Erie, U Wyoming) I should prioritize and go for their interviews. Also, I don't know which schools in the next few weeks or so will offer me an interview.

Now, I do not wish to be ungrateful. Far from it, and in fact I am elated with so many choices. But due to my limitations (in retrospect I should planned my time and budget better) I really could only choose 1-2 more schools to interview, and that's it. 🙁 Could anyone help me out with any suggestions?



Much thanks!

 

[Sailormoon42000]

Hello,
I am currently a PS1 student at Midwestern University at Glendale AZ. Like you, I am a CA resident as well (Southern CA). Anyway, I also saw your post asking how the curriculum is like, etc. I don't have a good basis of comparing it with other schools, especially 4 year ones, but I could try to answer by describing the program. I feel that many people (esp. ones in the university) did pick Midwestern because it is a 3-year program. It is indeed a bonus, but it can be a curse as well, since the curriculum tends to be jam packed with exams, etc.
I don't want to scare anyone, but if you do consider Midwestern, do know that it comes at a very fast pace (it started on beginning of June and is year-round). You do get some breaks, but the schedule within the 4 quarters themselves are challenging, to say the least. It starts out relatively easy for the first 1-2 quarters, then gets really heavy for the last half of the first year. However, it is doable with just time management and how willing you are to live in the library 🙂
Anyway, I don't want to post such a long response (I think it is quite long already), so shoot me a message if you want to know more. If you do get an invitation for an interview and are still interested in the program, having an interview in Midwestern is not the most expensive, especially if you have a car. I am not sure where in CA you are from, but I actually drove from CA for the interview. I did stay at a hotel, so that was added expenses, but I did talk to some people who just drove really early (I couldn't do that at the time due to nerves) and just drove back and forth. I come from LA and driving one way requires me 2-2.5 tanks of gas and I drive an SUV.
Oh yes, one thing I do really love about Midwestern is their open door policy. They made a requirement of the professors to be available to the students (meaning no office hours) at any time other than if they are at a meeting or away from their office. A lot of students (inc me) have taken advantage of this and always just drop by to chat with professors regarding any questions, etc. Midwestern also tries to push toward residencies, or at least specializing. As for the NAPLEX, I cannot answer that since I have not seen what it is like. You take a lot of basic science courses in the beginning, but most schools do that I believe.
Hope that answers most of your questions.

 

[monkieez]

The airfare is a big part of the cost for interviewing, so I would suggest asking around in your family to see if anyone is sitting on a lot of frequent flyer miles and willing to help out that way.

Also, if you decide to interview at Midwestern Glendale this is what I recommend:
Stay at the Comfort Inn, it's extremely close to campus and cost me only $40 for a night. Also, don't mention that you are interviewing for Midwestern, apparently others who did were charged $20 extra (but were dropped off and picked up for the interview)
Use the discount code that Midwestern gives you and rent a car. For me, it was only $60 and the code waived the young driver fee. saves you a lot on cab fares plus the $20 room difference.

Good luck on wherever you decide to interview!