Interview / UIC

[RPhToBe]

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Hello all,

I have to say that I am quite grateful that those pharmacy students who have been accepted and are progressing in their careers are still around to support and offer their advice for pre-pharmacy students like myself. So thanks.

Secondly, what are everyone's thoughts on UIC's college of pharmacy? It's definitely competitive, like other schools.

Thirdly, re: the interview. I know the drill and am confident about myself, but I am concerned as to exactly what they will ask and what the focus will be. Since I've been working in retail for the past year now, I feel that I'm only exposed to a niche of the industry.

By the way, here is my background information:

• 2nd year pre-pharmacy student at UIC
• Pharmacy Technician for Walgreens (it's been a year)
• Involved, or soon will be, in a "Drug Name Project" at UIC to eliminate confusion among similar drug names
• Most recently assisted in establishing a "Wellness Center" at my former high schol

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[TCB]

You seem to be a well rounded applicant. The way I see it, it doesn?t really matter which pharmacy school you attend as long as you get your license. Is UIC a good school? If that school has a program that you're particularly interested in, you like their curriculum, then yes. Make some research about the school if you haven't done that yet , and find out what they have to offer TO YOU. This task is going to be easier for you , since you?re attending their undergraduate school. All you have to now is ask pharmacy school students about their experience there. Oh yeah it wouldn?t hurt you to also ask about the interview etc?.
Good luck.

 

[Modnar]

Um... help out those of us who are abbreviation-challenged. What's UIC?

 

[TCB]

University of Illinois at Chicago.

 

[RPhToBe]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[jdpharmd?]

RPhtoBe,

I have a friend in her 1st professional year at UIC COP. She is an IL native and chose it over 9 (nine) other schools, including some 3-year programs and Purdue. I'll get in touch with her to see if she can give you some insight. I seem to remember that UIC was one of the last schools to notify their applicants regarding admission, but there is no arguing that it's an excellent school. Don't be put off if they are really rude when you call the admissions office. Last year they wouldn't give me ANY student info (GPA, PCAT, #apps, etc...), and just about hung up on me (some people have a bad day, maybe it's best if those people aren't in admissions). If you're considering UIC, you can look into the CCP (Midwestern University, Downers Grove) pre-reqs and toss an app over there too. Best of luck.

 

[RPhToBe]

Thank you for your responses.

UIC is indeed an excellent pharmacy school. It was the only pharmacy school in Illinois until 1991. At that point, Midwestern came along. Also, Southern Illinois University will be opening their pharmacy school in time as well.

UIC is notorious for rude secretaries and front office personnel. It's my 2nd year there and I have encountered many of them. Solution: fight fire with fire!

My brother graduated from MWU-CCP in 2000. He's "strongly urging" me to apply me there.

But UIC has approved a dual PharmD/MBA degree that I am really interested in. In a nutshell, you get 2 degrees in 5 years, as follows:

Year 1: Pharmacy School Year 1 Summer: Business Courses

Year 2: Pharmacy School Year 2 Summer: Business Courses

Year 3: Finish all courses for MBA

Year 4: Pharmacy School Year 3

Year 5: Pharmacy School Year 4 (Rotations/Clerkships)

I would be grateful if your friend can provide some insight to the admissions process at UIC.

Thanks again!

 

[Nocsag56]

i'm glad i'm not alone in my perceptions of UIC's less-than-polite receptionists.
they were also not very forthcoming in sharing applicant information. they wouldn't even tell me if they had received all of my transcripts and if i had any prerequisites remaining.

the students seemed to be very involved in professional/academic organizations and were helpful in other aspects of student life (ie: working, living & class dynamics).

the writing sample was a breeze. the only challenge was getting a UIC-peronalized pen that didn't run out of ink. it was ridiculous.

my interview seemed a bit tough by comparison, but i think a lot of it was attributed to my interviewer. i felt that it was more of a defense presentation - rather than a 'get-to-know-you' session. he asked a lot of "why's" and "why nots".

i was highly interested in doing a PharmD/PhD - so i was given a tour of their research facilities. if i recall correctly, UIC is high on the NIH funding list - but from the looks of the place - it seemed as though they had limited resources.

hope that's helpful.
-nocsag56

 

[Caverject]

I have first hand experiance of the rudeness as well. Keep in mind at the time, I lived in Miami Florida so its not exactly a hop skip and jump to Chicago. Was told to come for an interview on a certain date. I showed up, was there waiting and waiting and waiting..... I could here some arguing and I finally figured out that the guy that was suppose to interview me didnt know he had an appointment with me. So grudgingly he took me into his office, didnt bother to shake my hand of course. Got into his nice leather chair turned around to face the window and stared out the window for about a minute. Finally he said why do you want to be a pharmacist. I gave my answer, and he just continues to stare out the window (back turned to me) He was silent again, then I asked him if I should just leave and he said yeah you should. I left, and said something to the front desk and they looked at me and smiled and said have a nice flight back to florida. You must love the weather down there! Thats my story....enjoy

 

[RPhToBe]

UIC is predominantly a research school. Indeed, the facilities aren't upto par as seen at some private institutions.

Regarding being shunted at the interview, I would take it as a blessing in disguise. Do you really want to go to a school where they really didn't wan you? It's your life for the next 4 years --- there has to be some level of comfort.

Too bad you had to fly down and waste your time and money...