Interviews!

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Thanx bunches! Now waiting for USC....
 
yeah, i asked in admish office and they said that they haven't mailed anyone yet. I'm confident you'll be the first one Mai.😉
 
it seems usc is moving along towards the interviews. i called today to talk to them about a weird letter they sent asking me for transcripts for classes in progress now, and after a lot of confusion the woman told me that she could not find my file, which meant that it was under review for interviews since i already have a file number. so hopefully we will be hearing soon 🙂
 
And so I've decided to fork out 500 bucks to fly to LA, drive to Stockton, and get my interview on the 24th of October. Problem is I'm not old enough to get a rental.....Any advice?
 
Originally posted by hmtran
And so I've decided to fork out 500 bucks to fly to LA, drive to Stockton, and get my interview on the 24th of October. Problem is I'm not old enough to get a rental.....Any advice?
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how old are you? have you checked out dollar? i rented from them in college and they charge you like and extra fee, like about $35/day, i think, but they will rent to people between 21 and 25, i think. you could also check out rent-a-wreck. the cars aren't that bad, just not brand new, and i think they have fewer restrictions than the bigger companies.

also, have you checked out amtrak? i am pretty sure that the train runs right up the central valley from l.a. to the bay area. also, i know you can take a bus from the amtrak in sacramento to stockton. so maybe check that out if you can't drive. there's also greyhound... you could take the super shuttle from lax to the terminal and get the bus.
 
It'll prolly take 10 hours from LA to Stockton if I took a greyhound or an amtrak....lol. I'm 20.5 yrs old, but on my license I'm 23.5. (LONG STORY...but I think I told u guys already?). But anyways, ummmm no I'm trying to buy a package deal on yahoo flight + rental car for 4 days for 450, but I cant get it if I'm not 25. So.....ummmm I guess I'll have to get separate airfare and rental car. sucks.

More tips? PLEASE?

Mai
 
Originally posted by hmtran
And so I've decided to fork out 500 bucks to fly to LA, drive to Stockton, and get my interview on the 24th of October. Problem is I'm not old enough to get a rental.....Any advice?
Click to expand...

Call the school and see if they will give you their corporate discount code for car rentals.. I used it for my interview last year and it not only lowered the price, but removed age restrictions. 🙂
 
Well, I found a way out of that rental deal. A friend of mine in LA is gonna get me a rental with his corporate deal.

One question: how about a flight from LA to stockton or sacramento. Are there any cheap airlines that fly within CA between the cities? Like something else besides jetblue? I looked up on hotwire, and a flight from LA to stockton is ~130. It's a very good price, but the problem is I don't know the TIMES that I'm gonna depart and arrive, and that's pretty vital.

I'm not sure what other options I have. Renting a car is the bottom line. I'm just afraid of driving in a strange state all by myself for 5-6 hours and with the thought of getting lost....... So........hrmmmm...... That's all I gotta say...lol.

Thanks so much for your help guys. If you got more input, please feel free to reply. Otherwise, in 10 days I'll be in LA!!! Woo-hoo!
 
That's quite a drive from LA to Stockton. I wouldn't advise it. Have you tried orbitz? Get a flight to Sac or Stockton. They're only about 45 minutes away from each other and they might also have a shuttle. Besides, gas is expensive and the effort you put into driving that distance is worth the plane ticket.

Mimi
 
The price on hotwire went up to $200.
 
If you need any help while in Stockton, I'm there on the weekends.
-jason
 
Awww, thank you! Any recommendations on where I can stay, hotel-wise? Or maybe UOP would offer me a room on their campus, if they're that generous....
 
you can crash at my place if you tell me in advance when is the interview.
 
Oct. 24. I'm probably driving Thursday night (Oct. 23).

By the way, how was your interview, riskhk? Care to share? Tips?
 
Maybe you should try to fly to Sacramento and then get a bus or shuttle like Mimi mentioned if you don't want to drive? Check out Southwest, but I doubt the flight will be lower than the $130 to fly to Stockton that you found on the other site. Driving would kinda suck and you may be really tired if you're jet lagged, do that drive at night, and then interview the next morning. But I wouldn't worry too much about getting lost. Once you get on the 5 it's just hella flat, long, and boring. But you can drive fast....
 
Mai,

You should PM lyzzibeth. She's from Davis and does the whole LA to Sacramento thing to see her BF.

As for driving it, this is chauvinistic n sh#t, but it's no biggy if you're a guy. I've done it in well less than five hours at least five times. Your mean speed is 90 mph.
 
interview wasnt that bad. two students and one professor. essay was on pharmacy standards. (i.e. how to handle problems between pharmacists and doctor )

you're coming on the 24th? hmmm i remember my interview was on a saturday.

yeah you can crash at my place. I don't mind.

i would rather fly from sacramento or san jose.

L.A. is pretty far (i.e. 5 hours for one way) but whatever floats your boat

pm me
 
Just 90 mph? That's not bad..... I remember back when I did a 6.5 hr trip in 5 hours doing 120 mph almost the whole way. Boy was I crazy.....Sadly though, he wasn't too surprised to see me...Oh well!

But I think I'm gonna drive guys. Like Tri said, it's not so bad. I drive back and forth from New Orleans and Memphis all the time (6.5 hrs) and that's going 80 mph cuz Mississippi cops are a$$holes. I do 80 now because I got pulled over for doing that 120....lol. I got that cleared though! Had to pull some strings.

But that's off subject, ummmmm yeah I'm gonna drive drive drive. Besides I get to see more of California. That couldn't be a bad thing. =)

Mai
 
There's nothing to see on I-5, except some stanky cow farms every now and then. Be careful driving thru Stockton. They have speed traps.

Mimi
 
1. Car discounts - If you call up AAA, I think they will give you a discount (10%)? For most car rentals (in CA, at least) you have to be 21 but pay some more PER DAY as a sort of insurance. Since I would think you're trying to MINIMIZE cost, you should probably fly into Sac or SJ, since those are the two close airports.

2. It would probably be in your best interest, like Risk said, to fly to SJ or Sac. It'll probably take about 1 hr from Sac to Stockton, but I forget the distance from SJ to Stockton.

Good luck! :clap:
 
Originally posted by hmtran

But that's off subject, ummmmm yeah I'm gonna drive drive drive. Besides I get to see more of California. That couldn't be a bad thing. =)

Mai
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-Obviously someone who has never driven from LA to Northern CA on the 99 or 5...poor soul.🙂
 
I wish I could fly, but the flights are around 200-250 bucks.

As for driving, hey I'm trying to be optimistic Jason! =P We have cows here too! And probably more than California.....

Mai
 
I might interview you Mai. my classmate just told me that 2nd years can actually take part in the i.v. That'd be a kick in the head. We coulld rehears the whole thing 😉 jk. i don't anticipate they let me pick the student anyway.
 
Originally posted by Triangulation
I might interview you Mai. my classmate just told me that 2nd years can actually take part in the i.v. That'd be a kick in the head. We coulld rehears the whole thing 😉 jk. i don't anticipate they let me pick the student anyway.
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Wouldn't you be a first year for this round of interviews, Tri? 😉
 
sorry my bad. they said level 1s could. which does make sense since my iv'r is a level 2 now.
 
me too...only 2nd years could interview
 
Originally posted by hmtran
I wish I could fly, but the flights are around 200-250 bucks.

As for driving, hey I'm trying to be optimistic Jason! =P We have cows here too! And probably more than California.....

Mai
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this is totally random but i was just on this 3-day water resources tour in the l.a. basin, and we visited the dairy farms in the chino valley region and learned that this area of california has the highest concentration of dairy cows in the country and probably even the world. who knew? but i guess you can guess when you step out of the ontario airport and smell the manure....

but at least california cows are happy cows, or something like that, though peta might beg to differ...
 
Maybe it's too late, but look into Southwest airlines... they have horrible seats, but if you make advance arrangements, they have special fares... I think it's less than a 100 bucks roundtrip in the CA area. Also, flying directly to Sac or even SF would be better than LA... it is about 5-6 hr drive to stockton from LA... Or maybe you can leave today and start walking... LoL... but seriously... good luck on your interviews and don't be nervous! You came this far... that can only be good!
 
Originally posted by azpremed

but at least california cows are happy cows, or something like that, though peta might beg to differ...
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Yup, it's actually something like "great cheese come from happy cows... and happy cows, come from California!" Seriously, if you drive up(or down, i guess, depending on where you're from) the I-5 which runs down california, you will see them! Starting from LA, drive about a good 3 hours, and suddenly you'll be surrounded by millions of cows... but they didn't look too happy to be there... not too much grass like it showed on commercials...
 
I just signed up to participate in IV's on november 8. Not sure what i'll be doing.
 
You know, it's 3 weeks away from the 1st interview on Nov 8 for USC, and I still havent heard from them yet. Maybe they're procrastinating? But anyways, has anyone else heard anything from them? Cuz I'm feeling icky about this..........

Mai
 
Originally posted by hmtran
You know, it's 3 weeks away from the 1st interview on Nov 8 for USC, and I still havent heard from them yet. Maybe they're procrastinating? But anyways, has anyone else heard anything from them? Cuz I'm feeling icky about this..........

Mai
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i haven't heard anything either yet... i was hoping for the nov 8 interview also. it could still happen though, especially since they seemed to be reviewing files last week when i called them.
 
not sure. if you don't get an interview the first session don't sweat it. i think you're only worried if you're the first to apply but don't get an i.v until march or april. you guys are doing fine.

i'm sure the whole pharmcas thing is tweaking things a lot.
 
Originally posted by Triangulation
not sure. if you don't get an interview the first session don't sweat it. i think you're only worried if you're the first to apply but don't get an i.v until march or april. you guys are doing fine.

i'm sure the whole pharmcas thing is tweaking things a lot.
Click to expand...

well i am pretty sure i am not in the first round. they sent me some email today that my file is being "processed" with this stupid attachment that i could not open very easily. i finally got it open and it said that my speech class was not acceptable. what the?!? this is the same class that UCSF and UCSD said was fine, intro to public speaking. i am really pissed off. i will not be sitting through another semester of speech. i guess i need to call them and talk to them. i am hoping that it is a mistake since sacramento city college just re-numbered all of their courses. grrr.......

+pissed+
 
i finally got it open and it said that my speech class was not acceptable. what the?!? this is the same class that UCSF and UCSD said was fine, intro to public speaking. i am really pissed off. i will not be sitting through another semester of speech. i guess i need to call them and talk to them. i am hoping that it is a mistake since sacramento city college just re-numbered all of their courses. grrr.......
Click to expand...

Been there. done that. I had the same prob w/my speech class, but after i was accepted they accepted the one i took. when it comes down to brass tacks, they care more about the school you took the course at rather than the actual course, bc they get audited on the institution, so as long as you took it a course on their list, which Sac City College is, you should be fine.

They don't hold you up from iv'ing bc of your courses though, so don't let that worry you. i iv'd before taking like 6 pre-reqs.

if things get really annoying ask for jim in the admish office, he's the one that can decide.
 
Hey Tri,

Thanks for your post. That makes me feel much better about things 🙂
 
so i went home to my parent's house in sf this weekend to go to a friend's wedding and i had gotten the USC interview letter! 🙂 not one has been home for the past week to tell me it was there, so that was a nice surprise.

so, tri andother usc students and people who interviewed there lastyear, any words of wisdom? i think maybe i will start a new thread for interview advice in general (or bump up an old one) since it looks like interview season is starting. this will be my first interview, so it's pretty cool 🙂 did anyone else hear from them this weekend or today?
 
Originally posted by azpremed
so i went home to my parent's house in sf this weekend to go to a friend's wedding and i had gotten the USC interview letter! 🙂 not one has been home for the past week to tell me it was there, so that was a nice surprise.

so, tri andother usc students and people who interviewed there lastyear, any words of wisdom? i think maybe i will start a new thread for interview advice in general (or bump up an old one) since it looks like interview season is starting. this will be my first interview, so it's pretty cool 🙂 did anyone else hear from them this weekend or today?
Click to expand...

Congrats! :clap:

Hopefully the fires will be cleared by next week and flights won't be delayed or CANCELLED like they were last night......(horrible experience with that) I would say fly into Burbank -- way less people and traffic to deal with.

As far as advice, review your personal statement, stuff about the school, and prepare yourself with the "usual" questions they ask at interviews (i.e. why do you want to become a pharmacist?)
 
Well to make a short story, my UOP interview was fantastic. I had a great time talking to professors and students. In one interview with a professor, we talked about crawfish and eating crawfish for about 15 minutes. It was so fun! And with other students we just talked about California and why UOP yada yada yada. I thought it was mainly an interview to see how well you communicate with others and also expressing your passion and why you went into pharmacy. At UOP it was very much a relaxed setting. Other students there told me that at USC it would be more uptight, but who knows. So anyways, I had the essay, then interviews, then tour. That's the best route to take.

So anyways, I just got word from USC for an interview, and I'm going. My trip to LA was okay. The drive to Stockton was long! My ex and I arrived at LA at 5:30, and we didn't get to Stockton til like 2 in the morning!! TIRED! And then after the interviews, we drove to San Francisco and spent the day there.

Then Sunday we wanted to go up to Big Bear Mtn but then it was closed due to the fires, so we went shopping at some outlet mall near Palm Springs (I think). It was great. Then on the drive back to LA from Palm Springs, my ex broke up with me. Nice. So that's the lowpoint of my trip.

So Monday, I arrived at the airport at 9:00 planning to leave, but my flight got cancelled. It was moved to 1:00, which was then moved to 5:00. I arrived in Dallas to connect to Memphis, but I missed that flight too! The airline gave us a free night's stay at the Hyatt, but I didn't have any carry on bags with me.....absolutely nothing! So this morning (Tuesday) I woke up at 9:00, flew back to Memphis, and now I just got home at 12:00. What a long long long long day!!

So there goes my wonderful trip. I feel so bad for those people's homes and the lives that were lost in that fire. I hope everyone's flights/trips turned out okay. Hopefully, in about 2 weeks everything will be stabilized when my USC trip comes around. And it will be nice to see the same people at UOP again at the USC interview. Otherwise, I'm gonna lie down and get some rest.

TTYL!

Mai

P.S. The weather in LA was wonderful! Back here in Memphis it's so cold!
 
Wait. What's your interview date? I'm all confused. If it's the 11/8 then i'll be there.
 
Yeah it's the 8th of November. So you're interviewing, Tri?
 
Hello Mai,

I'm new to this forum! I wanted to know if you could give me some pointers on the UOP interview. What kind of attire do you think is appropriate for a girl? How was everyone else dressed? (I don't want to be over/underdressed) What kinds of questions can I expect from the interviewers and on the writing sample? You make the whole process sound very easy and relaxing! Anyway, take care!

Thanks!
 
halohalo,
yeah, the UOP interview was my first interview last year and was the easiest interview. as far as attire, i think business formal is fine for ladies.
good luck.
ucd
 
hey halohalo,
my next interview is with uop too. I think you will be safe wearing a suit. I purchased a gray pant suit from express for the usc interview and a lot of people were not as dressed up. ONe girl wore black pants and a blue blouse without a suit jacket. another wore a stripped shirt and black wool vest over. many girls wore skirts with their suits. I was obsessed with finding the "perfect" interview outfit but i realized after the usc interview that you will always have your range of people wearing "business-formal" with the suit jacket and pants to the "busness casual" with just black pants and a top. I personally feel its better to be over-dressed rather than under-dressed for these interviews
hope this helps!
 
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