PharmCAS Designations processing time

[ShindyK2]

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Ive completed everything by PharmCAS regarding my application.

LOR = Done
Transcript = Done
GPA Calculation = Done
Essay = Done
All the red Dotted sections = Done
Designated and paid = Done
Jan PCAT = listed
Supplemental App for Temple = Handed personally
(anything else that needs to be done?)

But they haven't sent out the application yet. Its probably because its the weekend where they do not work, but for people who had their application complete...

1) how long does it take for them to mail out the application once it is complete?

2) If I had Pearson send out the January PCAT scores directly to the Pharmacy Schools and let's say they already have my application from PharmCAS, will they accept that and immediately proceed with putting my application under review, or will they wait for PharmCAS to notify them of the PCAT scores? (which would be redundant)

3) Does the preliminary score report from the PCAT differ from the PCAT scores received by mail on the Feb 26th? I understand that it does not include the Essay scores, so perhaps it would affect the composite?

4) I have 98 in Bio and 90 in Chem but scored pretty bad on Reading (24). Is this going to be a problem?

5) How can I improve my reading score? Every answer seemed really the same...

Thank you for replying!

 

[JonPrePharmD]

1) It can take weeks, just depends on how busy they are. For instance, mine was: E-Submitted 10/24/11 Sent: 11/14/11

2) They will start processing your application package once it's complete. If PharmCAS already sent your application to the school without the PCAT scores, and the school already has them, then yes they will start processing.

3) Prelim score does not differ from the print out you get the day you take the PCAT. The essay score is a separate score from your composite score.

4) What did you get for Verbal Ability? If this score is high, it might allow them to look over the 24 on RC considering your other scores are very competitive. RC seems to be a very low scoring subtest this year, so I wouldn't stress too much. If the bring it up, explain why it was difficult.

5) This is probably the hardest score to attempt to improve on. I'd say you're fine if you composite is competitive.

 

[owlegrad]

Moving to PharmCAS forum.

 

[ShindyK2]

1) It can take weeks, just depends on how busy they are. For instance, mine was: E-Submitted 10/24/11 Sent: 11/14/11

3) Prelim score does not differ from the print out you get the day you take the PCAT. The essay score is a separate score from your composite score.

4) What did you get for Verbal Ability? If this score is high, it might allow them to look over the 24 on RC considering your other scores are very competitive. RC seems to be a very low scoring subtest this year, so I wouldn't stress too much. If the bring it up, explain why it was difficult.

Thanks for the reply.

1) Did you e-submit when your application was complete?

3) preliminary score report IS the printout the day you take the PCAT. I was wondering if THAT differs from the score report you get by mail.

4) my Verbal was 58. Will this be enough?

 

[xtsukiyox]

(anything else that needs to be done?)

Not that jumps out at me. You didn't need to pay a fee to Temple, did you? (I have not applied with them.)

1) how long does it take for them to mail out the application once it is complete?

PharmCAS cuts off mailings on Thursday night for the following Monday. So if your PharmCAS application has been complete any time since last Thursday, it will mail next Monday (2/6). HOWEVER - for deadline purposes, your application is marked as "complete" with PharmCAS as soon as you click submit (not after GPA calculations).

PharmCAS considers an application complete when you've paid & submitted, completed all required fields, and all your transcripts are received. LoRs & test scores are sent with the application to the school if they're received by the time the application cuts off for mailing. Otherwise, they are forwarded as they are received (also subject to cutoffs & mailing dates).

2) If I had Pearson send out the January PCAT scores directly to the Pharmacy Schools and let's say they already have my application from PharmCAS, will they accept that and immediately proceed with putting my application under review, or will they wait for PharmCAS to notify them of the PCAT scores? (which would be redundant)

The school has a specific process for this. They will either request you to send them the scores or send the scores to PharmCAS. If you send the scores to a PharmCAS school, the scores are automatically sent to PharmCAS, not directly to the school. PharmCAS will then forward the scores to the school.

Mailing is a misnomer - PharmCAS sends most information electronically.

3) Does the preliminary score report from the PCAT differ from the PCAT scores received by mail on the Feb 26th? I understand that it does not include the Essay scores, so perhaps it would affect the composite?

Nobody's score that I've heard of differs from the preliminary score report. The composite does not appear to take essay scores into account. The only difference between the mailed "official" results and the preliminary report is that the essays are graded, as you've noted.

By the way, where did you get February 26th? You seem pretty sure about that date.

4) I have 98 in Bio and 90 in Chem but scored pretty bad on Reading (24). Is this going to be a problem?

Check with the school. I have seen very infrequent requirements for a minimum section grade of 35, but most schools just look at composite.

5) How can I improve my reading score? Every answer seemed really the same...

I'd check the 99 percent club thread, or do a search as this question does come up quite frequently. I think people have reported that Doc Collins's packet helped prepare them with the style of questions & responses that would be expected. However, I have not used this method nor can I really recommend a method. (I have always scored well on this sort of test so I didn't really prepare besides taking the Pearson practice tests.)

Do keep in mind that January was the last test date for this application cycle (2012 matriculation). If you don't get in, I would suggest you talk to the schools you were declined from to see what the weaknesses are on your application. Your PCAT may not be all that weak.

 

[JonPrePharmD]

Thanks for the reply.

1) Did you e-submit when your application was complete?

3) preliminary score report IS the printout the day you take the PCAT. I was wondering if THAT differs from the score report you get by mail.

4) my Verbal was 58. Will this be enough?

Yes, my application was complete.

Sorry, I meant the prelim print out you get the day of the PCAT doesn't differ from the mailed score.

Since your verbal isn't outstanding, you're just going to have to be ready for a question about your RC & VA scores during the interview. Your composite, along with your bio, chem, qa scores are good enough to get you interviews I'm sure. What the poster said above me, just make sure they don't have a minimum for subtest scores.