So I have one huge question that I still don't know to this day: When does pharmcas actually send out? I don't want to complete my classes and everything, send out my references and then the application send out without receiving my july pcat scores
ALSO!
I see this section called "special life circumstances". I see overcoming adversity as one of the examples. Should I write something on this part or is this a part left for the personal statement? I don't get why this is included if we have a personal statement
I only skimmed, but I didn't see an answer to your questions.
PharmCAS will send when the following three items are satisfied:
1) You have put something in each required field.
2) You have paid the application fee for a school.
3) All transcripts received & GPA verification complete.
At this point, PharmCAS sends with any other information available at the time (references, test scores). When it receives additional information, it will disseminate to your schools upon adding it to your application.
As of last cycle, PharmCAS mailed on Mondays - everything processed through the cut-off time on the previous Thursday. (For example, anything processed through this afternoon would, in theory, mail Monday.) I'm not sure if the process is the same this year, but perhaps that helps give an idea of the timeframe.
When the school receives your PharmCAS application, they will mark your application incomplete and hold it until they receive all required information - which virtually always requires test scores & references. Once they receive any additional information, they will make a preliminary decision & if applicable, send a supplemental application and, ultimately, hopefully
an interview invite.
I can't speak to "special life circumstances," as it wasn't on last cycle's application. I believe it was on previous applications, so maybe someone who applied in an earlier cycle can provide some insight.
ETA: Word of advice - don't push the deadlines. You will feel so much better if you know your references & test scores are in at least a few weeks before any deadline, rather than having to ask "what happens if I don't?" Also, if the school has a supplemental, make sure you leave yourself to get that in too. Applying early is especially important for rolling admissions schools.