Pharmacy Application Rant's!

[eddie269]

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OK, FIRST OFF, I AM FRUSTRATED!!!! This application process has been soooo long and tedious and I am not even done yet. From the applications itself, to the transcript requests and personal statements to the supplemental app's to the letters of rec., I am just FED UP!

But here is why I am just &*(*$&(*$(*($*!!!!!

We, as pre-pharmacy students, have worked very hard and sacrificed countless hours to study o-chem mechanisms, biology taxonomies, chemical properties, etc etc etc. And when it finally comes down to applying, I felt a sigh of relief. Like this is it. It's what I have worked so many years for.

Then you get to the BS side of it. THE LETTERS OF REC PART! now don't get me wrong, I truly understand that professors and pharmacists are BUSY BUSY people. I can relate because I know how it feels like to have things to do after things to do. But can they PLEASE CUT US SOME SLACK?!?!

Here is what i mean.

case # 1: my biology TA from last winter quarter decided to write me a letter of rec and have it co-signed by my bio professor. This was ALMOST A yEAR AGO! I have emailed again and again only to get responses like "I'll start soon because I am busy with school." so I email him during spring break. "I am out of town so I'll be busy." Emailed him at the beginning of the quarter. Then summer, then now. NO RESPONSE!

case # 2: I had my o-chem professor agreed to write me a letter. He told me to email him back with my personal statement, which I hadn't finished at the time. So I emailed him back saying when i finish with my PS in a few weeks, I will email him back to meet up. He said fine. Now 2 months later, EMAILS AFTER EMAILS, NO RESPONSE!!!!!!!

case #3: My pharmacist who is cool I guess. But we never got THAT CLOSE. He agrees to help me out with my letters. I went to him 2 weeks ago to drop off forms. One form is DUE THIS FRIDAY! Oct 15. I gave it to him Sept 29 and asked if he could get that form out ASAP. In person, he said "I will put that on my top priority list. I will get it out in a few days and will email you to let you know." SOUNDS GREAT!
I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH HIM AND HE SAYS HE DOESN'T RECALL IF HE IS DONE YET! he said "I'll be done by Friday for sure" I said "It's actually due this Friday. Are you done now? I can come by right now and pick up up and rush it USPS tomorrow."

He responds, "Like I said, I do not recall and I cannot tell you anything right now." then silence......I just said OK, thanks anyways. I did not want to keep pushing it cause he sounded mad but I am now stuck WITH NO IDEA WHEN HE WILL BE DONE, WHEN I CAN PICK IT UP, OR ANYTHING!!!

I am just fed up! DO THESE "PROFESSIONALS" not understand the pressure and importance of DEADLINES?!?! do they just say "Yes, I'll help you. no problem" TO ANYONE AND FLAKE?!?! I am trying so hard to meet the early admissions deadline this Friday for Loma Linda and EVERYONE IS FLAKING ON ME! This isn't just a normal favor. This is for my future! if you can't come through, then DON'T SAY YES!

Well, thats my rant. to everyone else who is applying, good luck.

👎 👎 👎 👎

 

[shal]

Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems. I hope that they get resolved soon! Just be persistent with them and see if there are any other professors who might be willing to write one. Good luck!

 

[eddie269]

luckily, my current professor understood my situation and decided to help me out even though we are in the middle of the quarter. She is so cool and I lucked out with her. As for pharmacists, I only know of one so I am stuck. I guess I got to play the pushy intern and bug him again tomorrow.

 

[illusions]

I understand how you are feeling. I asked a pharmacist where I work to write a rec for me. She's really nice and I know she has no problem doing it. The problem is she is being pretty slack in getting it done. I've kept reminding her, but after a while it seems like "are you going to do it or not." I set a deadline that I needed them, if that doesn't happen I guess I will have to ask someone else. It's tedius esp when my other rec's were able to do it in a few days. I just want to have everything with these applications done and off my mind for a few.

 

[jemc2000]

Does anyone know if there is a way to check with UF to see if they received my LORs?

 

[Glycerin]

Does anyone know if there is a way to check with UF to see if they received my LORs?

Call them. And send everything by delivery confirmation.

 

[Tuck]

Wierd, I decided to apply just before the deadline....and I got all 4 reccommendation letters from my professors done in under a week and sent in.

 

[DScheveningen]

Don't forget certified mailing, otherwise you just might have to ask your professors to send another one with the deadline a few days away! lol. i've learned my lesson, not from pharm. but from procrastinating in general + people who aren't quick about letters.

 

[Tuck]

The point I was trying to make though is that if the people don't care enough to get back to you and to take the time to write you a reference when they know you need it, then they are probably not a good choice to get your letter of reference from. When I decided on pharmacy as a career choice and went back to school for the pre-reqs I knew I would have to get letters of reference. As a result, I made a point to talk to the professors throughout this time period and ended up getting excellent letters of reference on short notice. I highly suggest doing your networking early, it will pay off in the long run.

 

[eddie269]

good point/ I understand that if they do not care enough to get it done in a few days, they probably aren't good recommenders for you. That's why I spoke with my service coordinator who I have done numerous events for. She did EVERYTHING in 3 days. My professor right now, I am getting an A in her class and she loves how hard working I am compared to everyone else (it's at a JC so most ppl are lazy). She did everything in 2 days!

But my pharmacist is the only pharmacist I know. He gets 40-50 of interns every year so to remember all of them is hard. I worked so hard, showed up early to my shifts and asked questions. But he never opened up to me. Now here he is lagging on my LAST letter of rec.

I am going to visit him today. I hope he's working.

 

[farmgrl00]

glad to hear that everything is turning around for you!

 

[imperial frog]

Try to get about double the amount of letters than you need, that way you have a better chance of having one to fall back on when the deadline looms. Of course this doesn't help you much at this point because the deadline is staring you in the face.

 

[eddie269]

OK I'VE HAD IT. here is how the conversation went:

Me: Hi ***. Just wanted to stop by to drop off this paper and to check up on those forms.

Pharm: Oh yes, I am still working on them. I will have them ready by Fri.

Me: OK, sounds good. but is there any way to have that Loma Linda form ready by tomorrow? It's due on Friday and I can come by tomorrow to pick it up and rush it USPS.

Pharm: Well, you can come tomorrow but I won't be here. I'm off Wed and Thurs. (chuckles a bit).

Me: (not finding his joke amusing) But it is due Fri. Have you done it yet?

Pharm: I do not recall. It's at home so I have to look at it later.

Me: (being SOOO frustrated at this point and trying to remain calm) So basically, you are working on Loma Linda right now?

Pharm: Well, I can't work on it RIGHT now, it's at home. Like I said, I'll have it out by Friday.

Me: (again, frustrated) OK ***, ummm. (silence hoping he has a comforting response). Thanks.


NOW PLEASE TELL ME!! what part of "IT'S DUE FRIDAY" does he not understand?!?!?!? It's due Friday MEANS DUE FRIDAY! Not have it done by Friday. Remember this happened today AFTER I spoke with him last night. He said yesterday that at his house. WELL,he wasn't sure if he did Loma Linda's yet and he couldn't check cause the forms were I went back today and somehow, he STILL doesn't know.
And remember I gave him these forms over 2 weeks ago and he said he'll have it out in 2 days and email me to confirm. (*$#(@(#@(@(!!!!!


I HAVE HAD IT! a pharmacist is supposed to be a role model. One who helps out his community and serves others. One who is dependable, trusting, and can keep his word.

I think the pharmacists from THAT ERA (40 yrs ago) do not have the same ideals as the pharmacists today.

GOD! Now I am using my back up-back up option #3 and have to get a hold of my o-chem professor from summer.

again, good luck to everyone else.

 

[DScheveningen]

OK I'VE HAD IT. here is how the conversation went:

Me: Hi ***. Just wanted to stop by to drop off this paper and to check up on those forms.

Pharm: Oh yes, I am still working on them. I will have them ready by Fri.

Me: OK, sounds good. but is there any way to have that Loma Linda form ready by tomorrow? It's due on Friday and I can come by tomorrow to pick it up and rush it USPS.

Pharm: Well, you can come tomorrow but I won't be here. I'm off Wed and Thurs. (chuckles a bit).

Me: (not finding his joke amusing) But it is due Fri. Have you done it yet?

Pharm: I do not recall. It's at home so I have to look at it later.

Me: (being SOOO frustrated at this point and trying to remain calm) So basically, you are working on Loma Linda right now?

Pharm: Well, I can't work on it RIGHT now, it's at home. Like I said, I'll have it out by Friday.

Me: (again, frustrated) OK ***, ummm. (silence hoping he has a comforting response). Thanks.


NOW PLEASE TELL ME!! what part of "IT'S DUE FRIDAY" does he not understand?!?!?!? It's due Friday MEANS DUE FRIDAY! Not have it done by Friday. Remember this happened today AFTER I spoke with him last night. He said yesterday that at his house. WELL,he wasn't sure if he did Loma Linda's yet and he couldn't check cause the forms were I went back today and somehow, he STILL doesn't know.
And remember I gave him these forms over 2 weeks ago and he said he'll have it out in 2 days and email me to confirm. (*$#(@(#@(@(!!!!!


I HAVE HAD IT! a pharmacist is supposed to be a role model. One who helps out his community and serves others. One who is dependable, trusting, and can keep his word.

I think the pharmacists from THAT ERA (40 yrs ago) do not have the same ideals as the pharmacists today.

GOD! Now I am using my back up-back up option #3 and have to get a hold of my o-chem professor from summer.

again, good luck to everyone else.

first, the pharmacist DID know "what part of friday." It's just that he doesn't give a poop about your predicament. Second, pharmacists AREN'T necessarily role models. some smoke crack, some beat their kids, some are great people who contribute much to their community. Honestly, from reading your conversation with the pharmacist, i highly recommend you get another letter other than this person. Chances are, he's going to write you a mediocre letter (or maybe even a letter that reflects negatively on you). Grab your ochem professor asap, i know it's a drag, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do. btw try to be more tactful in your requests, sometimes you have to compliment them or do something to make them feel like they're the good guys, and then you ask them for a favor. it usually works. and Please, don't attack pharmacists in that time period. that's just plain wrong for an aspiring pharmacists like you to make such assumptions. anyway, good luck.

 

[ultracet]

perhaps by "due Friday" he thought you wanted them by friday not that they were DUE.
*shrugs* i have no idea
sorry.

 

[npp71681]

Hi!

I think those Pharmacists who graduated long long time ago(8-40 yrs ago), they don't know the current situation with pharmacy admissions. How competitive they are becoming in these past 6-7 years? Before pharmacy wasn't competitive like it is now. Pharmacy has totally changed, so those graduate long time ago didn't go through the same admission process that we are going through currently. That's why they don't know how important the LORs, when it's due?

So, try to choose any recent graduates for LORs, they are knowledgeble with current situation with pharmacy admissions and they will do better job in doing these LORs.

 

[ucdbiochem]

lesson 1: start asking for LOR early
lesson 2: don't ever trust them no matter how they say, "yea, i'll write you a LOR"
lesson 3: if you think the pharmacist is messing around, go ask someone else.
lesson 4: can't tell you here. pm me if you wanna know.

 

[Roxicet]

I agree that you should always ask for more letters than you need. I had a similar experience getting a LOR from my professor last year, so I understand how frustrated you are. I asked my research mentor, who had also been my professor for genetics, two months before it was due. Time passed, maybe three weeks, and like others mentioned, if they haven't done it by then, they're probably not going to, so find a back up! So I asked another professor just in case the first prof didn't come through for me. I got the letter back from the second prof in a week, and the first prof still hadn't done it. I held out as long as possible before the early admissions deadline, hoping that the first prof would finish the LOR because he knew me better since I also worked in his lab, and he had become both my professor and my friend, so I figured he would write me a better letter. Finally I just sent in the second letter, but I didn't tell the first professor to forget about it; I just let him give it to me late. Since I wasn't applying to anymore schools, and I didn't need it, I decided to open it and read it before i threw it away. I was shocked at what I found, and was SOOOOOOOOO glad I had sent the other letter; even if I didn't know what the other letter said, it had to have been better than this one! Everything it said about me was positive, however, it was obviously rushed, hand-written, incomplete sentences (just bulleted phrases), and did not follow the directions on the LOR form at all. I was so dissapointed that someone who I thought had my best interest in mind would turn in something like that. I wish he had just told me he forgotten about it, and didn't have enough time to do a good job. So maybe it's a good thing that your pharmacist didn't give you the letter after all, because at this point it might have been rushed too. Maybe it was fate, and you'll get a better letter from someone else, like I did!

 

[Tuck]

I forgot to mention, but I would also tell them that you need it by a certain date. Just make sure that the date you set is a month or two before it is acutally due. This will at least allow you time to get an alternative if you have to. In addition, if it gets close to that time and you remind them, they are much more likely to get it done, and if they don't....well they are probably not a good source to get a reference from. Another thing about recommendations is this: do NOT just stop by and ask for a recommendation, treat it as something that is very important to you. Set up an appointment with your professor (or whomever) and bring in a typed paper that has a brief synopsis about yourself, goals, etc., and include the address, date, directions, and an envelope stamped and addressed to the school. Chances are you will not NEED to do all of this, but doing this really shows how well prepared you are and that you are serious about getting a good recommendation. People will be much more inclined to see you as a professional, and since you are applying to a professional program this is very important. In addition, remember that these professors get nothing out of writing these recommendations, so stress the fact that you are trying to minimize the inconvienience to them. They are likely to appreciate this and it will be reflected in the recommendation you get. Anyways, that is my advice for getting top notch recommendations...take it or leave it. 🙂

 

[dqkt]

I agree that you should always ask for more letters than you need. I had a similar experience getting a LOR from my professor last year, so I understand how frustrated you are. I asked my research mentor, who had also been my professor for genetics, two months before it was due. Time passed, maybe three weeks, and like others mentioned, if they haven't done it by then, they're probably not going to, so find a back up! So I asked another professor just in case the first prof didn't come through for me. I got the letter back from the second prof in a week, and the first prof still hadn't done it. I held out as long as possible before the early admissions deadline, hoping that the first prof would finish the LOR because he knew me better since I also worked in his lab, and he had become both my professor and my friend, so I figured he would write me a better letter. Finally I just sent in the second letter, but I didn't tell the first professor to forget about it; I just let him give it to me late. Since I wasn't applying to anymore schools, and I didn't need it, I decided to open it and read it before i threw it away. I was shocked at what I found, and was SOOOOOOOOO glad I had sent the other letter; even if I didn't know what the other letter said, it had to have been better than this one! Everything it said about me was positive, however, it was obviously rushed, hand-written, incomplete sentences (just bulleted phrases), and did not follow the directions on the LOR form at all. I was so dissapointed that someone who I thought had my best interest in mind would turn in something like that. I wish he had just told me he forgotten about it, and didn't have enough time to do a good job. So maybe it's a good thing that your pharmacist didn't give you the letter after all, because at this point it might have been rushed too. Maybe it was fate, and you'll get a better letter from someone else, like I did!

But Roxicet, you signed a waiver to not read it! lol, whatever, i did that too.

 

[imperial frog]

From the ones I've seen you have the option of choosing waiving your right to read or not. Either way, it's kind of moot if you're not using the letter...I'm guilty of it too because I wound up not applying to the university that the letters were for.

 

[dqkt]

yeah i'm aware of the waiver option, but generally speaking, it's better to waive it just to make everything run smoother. I was assuming roxicet waived . 😛

 

[Glycerin]

But Roxicet, you signed a waiver to not read it! lol, whatever, i did that too.

Signing a waiver does not mean that you cannot read the letter; it just means that you've waived your right. The recommender does not have to let you see it. On the other hand, if your recommender wants or asks you to read over what has been written, then that is fine.

 

[dqkt]

i know, but when you've signed the waiver, i don't think your recommender is too happy that you read it. that's the confidentiality agreement, not saying you can't read it, ever.