Overqualified?

[tinkerD]

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Just hypothetically, would pharmacy schools reject applicants that they feel are overqualified? Let's say, for example, an applicant with 99 PCAT, 3.9 gpa, and 3 years of pharmacy experience. Would schools feel that he might just be applying as a safety and not offer him an interview because they feel he wouldn't attend anyway?

This possibility just popped into my head the other day so I was just wondering. Please share if you felt that you weren't offered an interview because you felt that you were overqualified.

 

[owlegrad]

I really doubt this happens.

 

[SHC1984]

People with high test scores and GPAs usually apply to a few schools (4 to 5 schools) and get into most/all of them.

People with stellar stats rarely apply to A LOT of schools so I can't say for sure if they would get into all 20+ schools LOL...if that is what you are asking.

 

[riggylou]

I doubt it too... There are other criteria for choosing a school...maybe it is the only school that would be a reasonable commute from your home and you're not willing to move, etc. I think schools factor in that not everyone they offer admission to is going to accept and that is why they have waitlisting. I think they're way more concerned that people that do accept their offer of admission will be able to finish all 3-4 years there than that people won't accept their admission offer.

 

[2016hope]

I really doubt this happens.

Actually it does happen. I don't know in Pharmacy, but definitely in other health professions. I know of one school that rejects students who are too qualified--however if that student contacts the school and shows a genuine interest, they will turn it around and offer an interview. True story, happened last year to someone I knew and just happened to someone else a few weeks ago.

 

[owlegrad]

Actually it does happen. I don't know in Pharmacy, but definitely in other health professions. I know of one school that rejects students who are too qualified--however if that student contacts the school and shows a genuine interest, they will turn it around and offer an interview. True story, happened last year to someone I knew and just happened to someone else a few weeks ago.

Yeah, I am familiar with the concept of "Yield Protection", but it doesn't happen in pharmacy. I am somewhat skeptical that it happens at all, but I am not disputing your claim.

 

[bw6]

Yeah, I am familiar with the concept of "Yield Protection", but it doesn't happen in pharmacy. I am somewhat skeptical that it happens at all, but I am not disputing your claim.

I have never heard of this happening in pharmacy though it certainly does happen in other professions (e.g. medicine). Medical schools will reject overqualified applicants. If you hear of a pharmacy school rejecting someone with those credentials, please let us know. That would be fascinating.

 

[owlegrad]

I have never heard of this happening in pharmacy though it certainly does happen in other professions (e.g. medicine). Medical schools will reject overqualified applicants. If you hear of a pharmacy school rejecting someone with those credentials, please let us know. That would be fascinating.

Well, pharmacy school rankings are not based on yield, so it wouldn't make sense for them to do it. 😉


I am not a medical student so I cannot claim an authority of knowledge about the practice. But every time I look it up it seems that it is controversial if it really happens.

 

[tinkerD]

Any school would obviously want the best students. Grades and PCAT would be a pretty good indication of their abilities (not saying it's a clear indication). So would they, more or less, go down the list of grades and PCAT and evaluate from there?

 

[2016hope]

Yeah, I am familiar with the concept of "Yield Protection", but it doesn't happen in pharmacy. I am somewhat skeptical that it happens at all, but I am not disputing your claim.

Oh, wow. I never attributed it to yield protection. That makes sense. It was a Dental school I was referring to by the way.

 

[owlegrad]

Oh, wow. I never attributed it to yield protection. That makes sense. It was a Dental school I was referring to by the way.

Yeah, google it. 😉