Pharmacy School Dilemma! HELP!!!!!

[DulcePharm]

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I applied to the 3 pharmacy schools in my state (NC) through PharmCAS and have completed the supplemental applications for my top 2 choices. My plan was to wait until these two school either gave me an interview or denied me before I completed the supplemental for my last choice pharmacy school. I did take my PCAT in September and am waiting on my official scores, my top two choices will not accept preliminary scores. It turns out my last choice (the one I haven't even completed the supplemental for, emailed me a week ago asking for my PCAT preliminary scores and today they called me 2 times and emailed me 3 times asking me to submit my supp app and my preliminary scores so I can interview next week!!!! Thing is that since this is my last choice and if I do get accepted I have to make a nonrefundable $2k deposit! I really want to attend any one of the two other schools but I do not want to loose this money what do I do? Can I tell them to delay my interview for next month? if so what excuse should I use? HELP!!!!

By the way, my chances of getting in to the other schools I applied to are up there I would say, I have a GPA> 3.5 a PCAT>90 and am a pharmacy tech at CVS, I'm also a minority (in case that matters).

 

[Mur7ay]

Just see if they could reschedule at a later date. They shouldn't ask why you can't make it next week.

 

[Jibby321]

I applied to the 3 pharmacy schools in my state (NC) through PharmCAS and have completed the supplemental applications for my top 2 choices. My plan was to wait until these two school either gave me an interview or denied me before I completed the supplemental for my last choice pharmacy school. I did take my PCAT in September and am waiting on my official scores, my top two choices will not accept preliminary scores. It turns out my last choice (the one I haven't even completed the supplemental for, emailed me a week ago asking for my PCAT preliminary scores and today they called me 2 times and emailed me 3 times asking me to submit my supp app and my preliminary scores so I can interview next week!!!! Thing is that since this is my last choice and if I do get accepted I have to make a nonrefundable $2k deposit! I really want to attend any one of the two other schools but I do not want to loose this money what do I do? Can I tell them to delay my interview for next month? if so what excuse should I use? HELP!!!!

By the way, my chances of getting in to the other schools I applied to are up there I would say, I have a GPA> 3.5 a PCAT>90 and am a pharmacy tech at CVS, I'm also a minority (in case that matters).

2,000 dollar deposit??? That's outrageous.

Sounds like they want you to complete the application so they can get more money. Sounds like a money grubbing school. Is it private?

Your gpa and PCAT and experience should get you in to any of your state schools.

 

[Mur7ay]

2,000 dollar deposit??? That's outrageous.

Sounds like they want you to complete the application so they can get more money. Sounds like a money grubbing school. Is it private?

Your gpa and PCAT and experience should get you in to any of your state schools.

I agree.. $2000 is a large sum for a deposit. Mine was $1000 with the option of paying $500 now and $500 next year.

 

[Jibby321]

I agree.. $2000 is a large sum for a deposit. Mine was $1000 with the option of paying $500 now and $500 next year.

1000 is still crazy.

Mine was 200 and was due like in June which was way after acceptances went out.

 

[JuT]

with ur stats. I promise u will get accepted to Chapel Hill. maybe extended ur other interview date!

 

[DulcePharm]

2,000 dollar deposit??? That's outrageous.

Sounds like they want you to complete the application so they can get more money. Sounds like a money grubbing school. Is it private?

Your gpa and PCAT and experience should get you in to any of your state schools.

It is a private school. Out of the 3 schools I applied, 2 are private and one is public, I really want to attend the public school because its a lot cheaper and is one of the top schools in the country. I just don't want to make the wrong choice or loose money.

I guess I'm just going to tell them to postpone the interview until next month? I'm just wondering how long it will be until I get a call from the other schools. I heard official September PCAT scores will be available to the schools by the end of this month but then they still have to review my app and from there decide on the interview. I really don't know how much I can postpone an interview so that I can give time for the other schools to contact me.

The public school is a $500 deposit and the other private school is a also $2k (but I'd much rather attend this one)

 

[BeLikeBueller]

I would not ask them to extend your interview date. That will likely be seen as unprofessional and I'm not sure they'd do it anyways. The acceptance letters for most schools don't go out until December to January (as I recall) and there is typically a deadline at some point in the spring... It's not like you have two days to make a decision.

That's what you need to find out, is how long you have to accept an offer once it is made... But don't do that by contacting the school (again, because it might be seen as unprofessional - you are letting them know they're not your top choice)... See if you can find out more information on their website.

 

[JuT]

I would not ask them to extend your interview date. That will likely be seen as unprofessional and I'm not sure they'd do it anyways. The acceptance letters for most schools don't go out until December to January (as I recall) and there is typically a deadline at some point in the spring... It's not like you have two days to make a decision.

That's what you need to find out, is how long you have to accept an offer once it is made... But don't do that by contacting the school (again, because it might be seen as unprofessional - you are letting them know they're not your top choice)... See if you can find out more information on their website.

It's so obvious that which school she was referring to. I would say extended. It wont hurts u. with ur stats, school will fight for u. and i'm pretty sure that school only give u 2 weeks to turn in ur deposit. If u interview next week. u will accepted within 3 days after the interview, and 2 weeks to turn in the deposit. Nothing wrong with extended the interview. people will understand ur circumstances, ur busy schedule and etc. U should go to Previous year thread of the other 2 school u applied to, see when the interview invite send out. why settle for one when u have more options? and yes if I have a lower stats or that is my top choice I would take the interview right away.

 

[DulcePharm]

I would not ask them to extend your interview date. That will likely be seen as unprofessional and I'm not sure they'd do it anyways. The acceptance letters for most schools don't go out until December to January (as I recall) and there is typically a deadline at some point in the spring... It's not like you have two days to make a decision.

That's what you need to find out, is how long you have to accept an offer once it is made... But don't do that by contacting the school (again, because it might be seen as unprofessional - you are letting them know they're not your top choice)... See if you can find out more information on their website.

Exactly! I do not want to be unprofessional about it. I have 2 weeks from acceptance letter receipt to reply back to them.

 

[DulcePharm]

It's so obvious that which school she was referring to. I would say extended. It wont hurts u. with ur stats, school will fight for u. and i'm pretty sure that school only give u 2 weeks to turn in ur deposit. If u interview next week. u will accepted within 3 days after the interview, and 2 weeks to turn in the deposit. Nothing wrong with extended the interview. people will understand ur circumstances, ur busy schedule and etc. U should go to Previous year thread of the other 2 school u applied to, see when the interview invite send out. why settle for one when u have more options? and yes if I have a lower stats or that is my top choice I would take the interview right away.

Thank you for your great feedback! I just didn't want to directly mention the schools but you know exactly what I'm talking about. I will go check out past threads.

Thank you! 👍

 

[BeLikeBueller]

It's so obvious that which school she was referring to. I would say extended. It wont hurts u. with ur stats, school will fight for u. and i'm pretty sure that school only give u 2 weeks to turn in ur deposit. If u interview next week. u will accepted within 3 days after the interview, and 2 weeks to turn in the deposit. Nothing wrong with extended the interview. people will understand ur circumstances, ur busy schedule and etc. U should go to Previous year thread of the other 2 school u applied to, see when the interview invite send out. why settle for one when u have more options? and yes if I have a lower stats or that is my top choice I would take the interview right away.

I'm not even sure what to make of that...

If you are being interviewed for early acceptance, then it would probably be safe to ask to postpone to regular acceptance, otherwise it will be very obvious what you're trying to do. And I know you want to go to the state school, but it is incredibly competitive. You do have good stats, but just know that it is possible that you won't get an interview there. You don't want to unnecessarily burn any bridges. Professionalism is everything in this field, so just make sure you handle this situation with respect and decorum. Do that, and you'll be golden.

 

[JuT]

I'm not even sure what to make of that...

If you are being interviewed for early acceptance, then it would probably be safe to ask to postpone to regular acceptance, otherwise it will be very obvious what you're trying to do. And I know you want to go to the state school, but it is incredibly competitive. You do have good stats, but just know that it is possible that you won't get an interview there. You don't want to unnecessarily burn any bridges. Professionalism is everything in this field, so just make sure you handle this situation with respect and decorum. Do that, and you'll be golden.

Have u seen her stats? quite impressive. In addition, it's only begin of Oct. Not like Dec or Jan and start to freak out. If she doesn't get an interview at other 2 schools by the end of the application cycle, I will be gladly to apologize to u at that point. But it's still early in the application cycle and she hasn't submitted her application for too long. There're still time for her choices. just submit the supplemental and ask for extended. extended til next month, go interview and u got extra 2 weeks to make a decision. So that mean u got 1 month + 2 weeks by that time u would hear from ur other top choices already.

 

[chemguy79]

Have u seen her stats? quite impressive. In addition, it's only begin of Oct. Not like Dec or Jan and start to freak out. If she doesn't get an interview at other 2 schools by the end of the application cycle, I will be gladly to apologize to u at that point. But it's still early in the application cycle and she hasn't submitted her application for too long. There're still time for her choices. just submit the supplemental and ask for extended. extended til next month, go interview and u got extra 2 weeks to make a decision. So that mean u got 1 month + 2 weeks by that time u would hear from ur other top choices already.

I don't necessarily agree, JuT. UNC is very competitive, so those stats are solid, but UNC gets numerous applications with such stats. I believe that their class profile is a 3.5 GPA with an 80-85 PCAT.

OP, If you really don't want to go to the school that's offering you an interview, don't apply. It is a risky venture in case you don't receive any acceptances this year, but why would you apply to a school where you don't really want to be, especially if the deposit is such a vexxing venture for you.

Furthermore, if your PCAT scores aren't official at this point, why are you worrying about interview offers when the schools have already told you that they don't look at preliminary scores? I think that you're freaking out unnecessarily and you should calm down until your scores are official and then wait for an interview from UNC.

Finally, I highly doubt that you'll be able to postpone the interview at the school in question. To be frank, said school clearly know how competitive you are, so they want to see if they can "lock you in" and take your deposit until you are accepted at a different school. Hypothetically speaking, I could see you getting accepted at say ... Campbell, paying your deposit, and then ... getting accepted to UNC and forfeiting your $2000 deposit. It happens every cycle and they surely make tens of thousands of dollars from anxious pre-pharm students who want an acceptance in their hand instead of waiting for an acceptance from the school that they ultimately want to attend because it's a public in-state (i.e., cheaper) stellar school.

Patience is a virtue and you should exercise some of that now, especially if you ultimately want to go to UNC. If it doesn't happen this cycle, it doesn't happen this cycle. However, I don't think that you'll be able to have your cake (delaying off the interview or ultimately your deposit until you get an interview at UNC) and eat it too. Applying to pharmacy school is a game of sorts, so prepare to play or get played.

 

[DulcePharm]

I don't necessarily agree, JuT. UNC is very competitive, so those stats are solid, but UNC gets numerous applications with such stats. I believe that their class profile is a 3.5 GPA with an 80-85 PCAT.

OP, If you really don't want to go to the school that's offering you an interview, don't apply. It is a risky venture in case you don't receive any acceptances this year, but why would you apply to a school where you don't really want to be, especially if the deposit is such a vexxing venture for you.

Furthermore, if your PCAT scores aren't official at this point, why are you worrying about interview offers when the schools have already told you that they don't look at preliminary scores? I think that you're freaking out unnecessarily and you should calm down until your scores are official and then wait for an interview from UNC.

Finally, I highly doubt that you'll be able to postpone the interview at the school in question. To be frank, said school clearly know how competitive you are, so they want to see if they can "lock you in" and take your deposit until you are accepted at a different school. Hypothetically speaking, I could see you getting accepted at say ... Campbell, paying your deposit, and then ... getting accepted to UNC and forfeiting your $2000 deposit. It happens every cycle and they surely make tens of thousands of dollars from anxious pre-pharm students who want an acceptance in their hand instead of waiting for an acceptance from the school that they ultimately want to attend because it's a public in-state (i.e., cheaper) stellar school.

Patience is a virtue and you should exercise some of that now, especially if you ultimately want to go to UNC. If it doesn't happen this cycle, it doesn't happen this cycle. However, I don't think that you'll be able to have your cake (delaying off the interview or ultimately your deposit until you get an interview at UNC) and eat it too. Applying to pharmacy school is a game of sorts, so prepare to play or get played.

One of the schools wants me to interview even when they haven't received my official PCAT scores thats why I am worried, I thought they would all just wait for my official scores. I do prefer UNC, but I applied to other schools because I know people who attend at the other two and they like it. Its not that I don't want to attend the school that wants me to interview, its more of a distance thing for me, I would rather not move (because of family). But in any case, I much rather enter pharm school this cycle and I will do anything for it. I understand that this is a strategic plan for pharm schools, and I just wanted some feedback to be able to make a smart decision about it.

I appreciate everyone's opinion since everyone has a different point of view and has been in different circumstances, everyone's feedback is great!

👍

 

[CaileyBug]

I got accepted and just paid my $2000 deposit at the school you would rather not go to. It was really my only choice since my husband is active duty military and it's one of the few schools near a military post. With that being said, I KNOW you can request a later interview date there. I know you can. I know of people who have done it before. Like someone else already said, they don't need to know why you can't make it this month. But if you explain that you cannot possibly make it this month, it won't be a problem. I really wouldn't worry if I were you. I have heard of people with your stats not getting into UNC, but not very often. I have a feeling that if you interview better than a doorknob, you'll probably get in. If something happens and you don't, then I'm sure you'd get into your 2nd choice school. If I were you, I would put off that interview and relax. You'll be fine. 🙂

 

[chemguy79]

I got accepted and just paid my $2000 deposit at the school you would rather not go to. It was really my only choice since my husband is active duty military and it's one of the few schools near a military post. With that being said, I KNOW you can request a later interview date there. I know you can. I know of people who have done it before. Like someone else already said, they don't need to know why you can't make it this month. But if you explain that you cannot possibly make it this month, it won't be a problem. I really wouldn't worry if I were you. I have heard of people with your stats not getting into UNC, but not very often. I have a feeling that if you interview better than a doorknob, you'll probably get in. If something happens and you don't, then I'm sure you'd get into your 2nd choice school. If I were you, I would put off that interview and relax. You'll be fine. 🙂

I don't think that the issue is whether you can request a later interview date; I think that the issue is holding off the interview date or the subsequent deposit until the OP hears from her preferred school.

I know that you can delay interviews, I did so myself when I had 2 interviews in the same week and one school was across the country, but you may run into an issue when you push back an interview date for an undisclosed period of time. As you said, I don't think that you would have a problem delaying the interview for a month; However, if the OP has not heard from UNC in a month, she should go to interview at Campbell and plan to pay the incredibly expensive deposit upon acceptance.

 

[JuT]

I don't necessarily agree, JuT. UNC is very competitive, so those stats are solid, but UNC gets numerous applications with such stats. I believe that their class profile is a 3.5 GPA with an 80-85 PCAT.
.

I think people have been mistaking which school she was referring to. I am from NC, I know exactly which school she is referring to which (correct me if im wrong OP.)And IDK if u read her post clearly or not. She said, she would much rather go to two other top choices than the one that just offered her an interview, but if she doesn't hear anything from them then she doesn't mind go to the one that offered her an interview first. And I agreed that UNC is competitive bc they're #2 rank, but not only UNC is competitive, other schools are competitive as well. And it's not only grades and pcat that they put in consideration. Her EC are quite impressive as well. UNC is a research base school, she also has a clinical research experiences. Why u think she doesn't have a chance? I've been to UNC too many time, talked to too many current students and pharmacists that graduated from there. One now walgreens manager said, he got accepted to UNC with a 2.9 GPA and 90 something on the PCAT. I DONT get why people said u wont get accept to UNC blah blah. But if u don't try then how can u find out the answer? keep having the thought in ur mind? OH UNC is competitive and I wont get in? OP she's not like competitive competitive, but she has a really high chances compare to many other applicants. and not to just cover all about UNC, what about her other top choice? of course she will get an interview at that school, it just a matter of time. Why have to go to a dead end?

ps. excuse my grammars. I am not a good writer.


Science GPA: 3.42
Math GPA: 4.0
Non-Science GPA: 3.69

I completed most prereqs in a community college and graduated with an Associate's Degree and GPA of 3.81

I also just finished my Bachelor's of Science in Biology with minors in Chemistry, Psychology, and Forensic Science (also does anybody know where we declare minors in the PharmCAS app?) with a GPA of 3.31

I took my PCAT on Sept. 3rd and got a preliminary composite of 90
Bio 97
Chem 97
Math 67
RC 75
Verbal 49
Composite 90

I also just started working at CVS as a Pharmacy Tech a month ago and got NC certified after taking their LearNet course.

Job History:
Clinical Research - 8 months (still work here)
Waitress - 5 years (still work here)
Hostess - 4 years (long ago)
[I have 3 part time jobs for a total of almost 60 hours per week]

extracurriculars:
Student ambassador for my community college - volunteer in the school for 4 hours per week
American Heart Association - for a few months
Puppy love Rescue - foster puppies

Honors:
Merit scholarship
Student Ambassador scholarship
American Association of University Women Scholarship
Dean's list
Presidents's list
Honor's List

LOR:
- Sr. Clinical Research Coordinator (my boss)
- Head of Organic Chemistry labs (my lab instructor for my Ochem courses and forensic chem)
- Immunology Professor (had him for BIO101 in my Community College and also had him at my 4 year college for Immunology)

 

[chemguy79]

JuT, I'm rather bewildered by your post.

The poster stated that UNC is her top choice elsewhere on the board. I don't think that anyone is assuming anything there. Furthermore, Campbell has a $2000 deposit so again, so it seems rather clear to me which schools are being discussed. In addition, other posters on the thread seem to be in agreement with the schools in question. Therefore, I don't know why you seem to be indignant and rather inflamed about those comments. 😕

What I did notice is that the OP was reticent about paying the $2000 deposit if she received an interview elsewhere. This is completely understandable and common. However, I don't know how long the OP will be able to delay her interview. I could see delaying the interview for a month, however, I don't see it being successful for any longer. From personal experience, UNC tends to be slower with respect to giving interviews. Furthermore, a student that I tutored received an interview in March after his PCAT scores became official. The wait could be very long, it's all about the quality of the applicants in the cycle. This ties into the next point ...

I don't believe that anyone has expressed that other schools are not competitive ANYWHERE on this thread; What has been CLEARLY expressed said is that UNC is very competitive. Therefore, your conjecture that she should be practically guaranteed an interview there is a bit off-base. I'm rather confident that she will get an interview there, but you seem to be accepting it as fact. It should happen, but your purported suggestion that
it will happen is a bit shaky.

Furthermore, NO ONE in the thread has said that she doesn't have a chance. You are clearly WRONG if you think that ANYONE has said that on this thread. What has been said is that the pool is clearly competitive, so it's not a guarantee. If you consider a statement that acceptance isn't guaranteed as "she doesn't have a chance," then I would suggest that you read the thread more clearly. I'm really surprised by your comments in the quoted post, they really don't relate to what was expressed in this thread AT ALL. 😕

I think people have been mistaking which school she was referring to. I am from NC, I know exactly which school she is referring to which (correct me if im wrong OP.)And IDK if u read her post clearly or not. She said, she would much rather go to two other top choices than the one that just offered her an interview, but if she doesn't hear anything from them then she doesn't mind go to the one that offered her an interview first. And I agreed that UNC is competitive bc they're #2 rank, but not only UNC is competitive, other schools are competitive as well. And it's not only grades and pcat that they put in consideration. Her EC are quite impressive as well. UNC is a research base school, she also has a clinical research experiences. Why don't u think she doesn't have a chance? I've been to UNC too many time, talked to too many current students and pharmacists that graduated from there. One now walgreens manager said, he got accepted to UNC with a 2.9 GPA and 90 something on the PCAT. I DONT get why people said u wont get accept to UNC blah blah. But if u don't try then how can u find out the answer? keep having the thought in ur mind? OH UNC is competitive and I wont get in? OP she's not like competitive competitive, but she has a really high chances compare to many other applicants. and not to just cover all about UNC, what about her other top choice? of course she will get an interview at that school, it just a matter of time. Why have to go to a dead end?

 

[DulcePharm]

I got accepted and just paid my $2000 deposit at the school you would rather not go to. It was really my only choice since my husband is active duty military and it's one of the few schools near a military post. With that being said, I KNOW you can request a later interview date there. I know you can. I know of people who have done it before. Like someone else already said, they don't need to know why you can't make it this month. But if you explain that you cannot possibly make it this month, it won't be a problem. I really wouldn't worry if I were you. I have heard of people with your stats not getting into UNC, but not very often. I have a feeling that if you interview better than a doorknob, you'll probably get in. If something happens and you don't, then I'm sure you'd get into your 2nd choice school. If I were you, I would put off that interview and relax. You'll be fine. 🙂

Actually its the other school that I rather not go to because I would have to move there, its too far from where I'm from. I would love to get accepted at the same one you were! How was your interview? And congrats on your acceptance!👍

 

[CaileyBug]

It was great! I was so nervous going in but when it was finally time for my interview, it was no problem. And like I said before, everyone was so nice that it was hard to be too nervous!!!