PharmCAS Questions

[fenderbiz]

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Hi. Should I receive the 'PCAT CID' that Pharmcas asks for after registering for the PCAT? Also the PCAT registration asks for score recipients. If all the schools I'm applying to say to submit the score via pharmcas, then 104 is the only one I need to mark correct? Thanks.

Yes, 104 is the only one you need to mark. If you accidentally mark others, however, they automatically forward the scores to PharmCAS for the schools (that you selected) that use PharmCAS.

I don't know the answer to the CID question. I hope someone else does, because I would like to know as well. An estimated guess would be that they send you the CID with the admission ticket a week or so before the test date. If not, then they must assign you a CID when you receive your scores in the mail. Hopefully we don't have to wait until then to e-submit, though.

 

[Tatodotcom]

Yes, 104 is the only one you need to mark. If you accidentally mark others, however, they automatically forward the scores to PharmCAS for the schools (that you selected) that use PharmCAS.

I don't know the answer to the CID question. I hope someone else does, because I would like to know as well. An estimated guess would be that they send you the CID with the admission ticket a week or so before the test date. If not, then they must assign you a CID when you receive your scores in the mail. Hopefully we don't have to wait until then to e-submit, though.

The CID is your Candidate ID number you get from Pearson when you sign up to take the pcat. Its on you admission ticket in the top right hand corner. I think its like 11 numbers or something. this is new as pharmcas didn't require that last year (they only needed you SSN). but its not hard to find just go to view admission ticket and you'll see it

 

[sungieality]

.

 

[fenderbiz]

Found it:

"...at least 10 days before your PCAT test date, you will receive another email message with instructions explaining how to access and print your Admission Ticket. If you have any problems accessing your Admission Ticket, call Customer Relations immediately at 1-800-622-3231.

The Admission Ticket that you will print out shows the complete reporting address of the Test Center that you requested, the exact time that you should report to the Test Center, and an assigned ID number."

 

[sheerin]

I've taken some courses at my community college during High School, not particularly AP credit, but CC classes, it was a program at my school, I don't know if I should put that in my application.

 

[sheerin]

What do they mean by publication? A research paper that was published?

 

[Passion4Sci]

What do they mean by publication? A research paper that was published?

Right - Like when I was in my Senior year at UCD, I co-authored a research paper in the Psych department as part of my Honors Challenge program and to satisfy the requirement for Magna. This would be a "publication" in PharmCAS.

 

[PistonFan531]

Can I e-submit my pharmcas application before pharmcas receives my transcripts and final LOR's? And then submit the transcripts and LOR's at a later date? And if I do this would my application be put on hold until I submit those things? Or would they still receive the application and look at it even though I would be missing those items initially?


Thanks

 

[purple platypus]

Can I e-submit my pharmcas application before pharmcas receives my transcripts and final LOR's? And then submit the transcripts and LOR's at a later date? And if I do this would my application be put on hold until I submit those things? Or would they still receive the application and look at it even though I would be missing those items initially?


Thanks

You're done already?! 😱


@sheerin: I asked a related question, above--you should include it because they say to add all coursework you have taken.
Like Passion4Sci said, just put it as Freshman even though it was during high school.

 

[fenderbiz]

Do schools actually start looking at apps during the Summer?

 

[pavouaxiong]

You're done already?! 😱


@sheerin: I asked a related question, above--you should include it because they say to add all coursework you have taken.
Like Passion4Sci said, just put it as Freshman even though it was during high school.

I am almost done with mine too. Finished inputing all classes. Finished personal essay (might revise in the next couple of days when my mind is fresh). I mailed in my request of transcripts from my colleges today. I requested my recommenders to write of me last night. I hope they do not procasinate. I will email them weekly to remind them to finish it.

I do not plan to submit until early-late July because I am waiting for things to settle down so I can add more volunteer activities in PharmCAS.

Good luck on inputing all those courses!!! It sure took me forever last night.

 

[konig]

This is similar to my concern as well. I had many engineering classes that were cross-listed, i.e. between Computer Engineering and Mathematics, and also, some of the engineering classes were clearly under the subject matter of computer science while others were math.

Oh, the fine details of it all, especially when the PharmCAS instructions state to "select the subject that best describes the content of the course curriculum" and these engineering classes can (potentially) fall under other subjects besides Other Science.

Basically, should I just categorize everything labeled as engineering under "Other Science", no matter what the course content?

Many thanks in advance!

Thanks this is what Pharmcas said too. What if the course is listed as PUBH 6305 Biostatistics...Wouldn't that go under Math, though?

 

[cmspharm]

Hi,
According to the Pharmcas Instructions, it says that "Public Health" courses would go under "Other Science".

So even if I have a Behavioral Health and Health Education course, I would put it under "Other Science", and NOT the "Social/Behavioral" course category?
Please clarify...

Also, would "Biopsychology" go under "Social/Behavioral" category, OR would it be "Biology"?

Thanks

I also am having trouble determining what category Biopsychology should be placed under. I was thinking "Social/Behavioral Science" because it is a Psychology course at my school, but then I realized that this course doesn't fulfill the social/behavioral science requirement to graduate from my school. It actually fulfills a Physical and Life Science requirement at my school. Since this is the case, should I list it under "Biology and other LIFE SCIENCES" or just "Other science"? I am leaning towards "Biology and other life sciences." What do you guys think?

 

[Pharm Phiend]

I know that i must submit all grades.....never intended not to. i will however have to make all A's and B's in my courses. I just want to raise my gpa as high as possible so i can be considered. thanks for all the advice and encouragement. another concern that i have is i want to apply to 7-10 schools, but all the different non-science pre-reqs are hard to keep track of, does any one have a strategy they are willing to share. i am try it compile my school list so i can take courses that would satisfy non-science pre-reqs.

 

[desmoulins45179]

would you put latin honors under honors and scholarships?
what would you put for " Name of Award, Honor and Merit-Based Scholarship?"
I would assume for "organization" that you would just put the school.

 

[fenderbiz]

I really wouldn't worry about what we classify the classes as. I can't imagine that would actually be an issue, as long as you aren't putting all of your science classes under English.

Here's the scenario: "Hmm...this is an excellent candidate and he would be a great asset to our school...accept that he classified biopsychology under the wrong category!!!😡

But seriously, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[desmoulins45179]

for anyone who wants it, here is the official PharmCAS classifications. Doesn't really help you with the biopsychology classification though

Biochemistry: Biochemistry, Physiological Chemistry


Biology & Other Life Sciences: Animal Science, Anatomy (Human/Comparative), Biology, Botany, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Cellular Physiology, Earth Science, Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Histology, Natural Science, Neurology, Oceanography, Pathology, Physiology, Physical Science, Zoology


Computer Science: Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Animation, Graphic Design, Operating Systems, Programming Languages, Software Engineering, Word Processing


Economics: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Economics, Banking


English/Literature: Bible Literature, Composition, English, Journalism, Literature, Medical Terminology, Poetry, Reading Skills, Theater Literature


Inorganic Chemistry: General Chemistry, Medical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Qualitative Analysis, Quantitative Analysis, Readings in Chemistry, Research in Chemistry, Special Topics in Chemistry, Structures & Bonds, Analytical Chemisty


Microbiology Bacterial Pathogenesis, Bacteriology, Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Microbiology, Microbial Genetics, Mycology, Pathogenics, Parasitology, Virology


Math: Algebra, Behavioral Statistics, Biostatistics, Calculus, Chemical Math, Math, Statistics


Non-Science: Acting, Agriculture, Archeology, Art, Art History, Business, Cultural Geography, Dance, Education, ESL, Ethics, First Aid, Foreign Language, Forestry, Geography, Government, Health/Personal Hygiene, History, Humanities, Law, Logic, Management, Marketing, Military Science, Music, Philosophy, Physical Education, Political Science, Religion, Social Ethics, Theater, Theology, Accounting


Organic Chemistry: Bio-Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Readings in Organic Chemistry, Special Topics in Organic Chemistry


Other Science: Agricultural Science, Astronomy, Bioethics, Chiropractic, Dentistry, Electronics, Emergency Med-Tech, Engineering, Epidemiology, Geology, Kinesiology, Medical Technology, Meteorology, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacology, Physical Anthropology, Physical Geography, Physical Science, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Teaching Science


Physics: Electricity & Light, Magnetism, Mechanical Heat, Physics, Thermodynamics


Public Speaking: Communication, Debate, Public speaking, Speech


Social/Behavioral Science: Anthropology, Community Health, Criminal Justice, Educational Psychology, Ethnic Studies, Human Sexuality, Marriage/Family, Personal Health, Physiological Ethics, Psychology, Social Science, Social Work/Sociology

 

[koercive]

yappy, a 3.5 into a 3.8 GPA is not that significant. shouldn't affect you at all

pharm phiend , you are on the right track if you can perform well now with your prereqs. like others have said, you aren't doomed as long as you can show excellent progress (pharmCAS splits up your gpa into freshman year gpa/soph/junior/senior/etc so admission committees definitely look at trends). your maturity and experiences will most likely be a plus- just prove your ability with the pcat as well . good luck

 

[busyizzy]

So I have a couple of questions ...

If I have a primary university, and I attended summer classes at another institution for two different summers (2005 and 2007), should I list that as one "school session" and just make the attendence date from 2005, June to 2007, August?

Orrrrr .... should I make two different sessions with the same school, and just list the actual dates attended, June 2005-July 2005, and July 2007-August 2007?

The specifications of lab + lecture also have me a bit confused. In my lab classes, there was lecture once a week. Should I still designate it as a lab only class, or is it lab + lecture? Vice versa, I have a class (physics) that was lecture 5 times a week, and we also had lab once a week. Is this just lecture or is it counted as lab + lecture?

Would you guys consider engineering classes as general non-science classes?

Thanks, guys! Man, this coursework process on pharmcas is sooo obnoxious. Can they really think of no better way to do this...??

 

[sungieality]

So I have a couple of questions ...

If I have a primary university, and I attended summer classes at another institution for two different summers (2005 and 2007), should I list that as one "school session" and just make the attendence date from 2005, June to 2007, August?

Orrrrr .... should I make two different sessions with the same school, and just list the actual dates attended, June 2005-July 2005, and July 2007-August 2007?

The specifications of lab + lecture also have me a bit confused. In my lab classes, there was lecture once a week. Should I still designate it as a lab only class, or is it lab + lecture? Vice versa, I have a class (physics) that was lecture 5 times a week, and we also had lab once a week. Is this just lecture or is it counted as lab + lecture?

Would you guys consider engineering classes as general non-science classes?

Thanks, guys! Man, this coursework process on pharmcas is sooo obnoxious. Can they really think of no better way to do this...??

I don't know the answers to all of them, but a few that I thought I might answer:
I would make separate sessions for the summer school sessions, just because it wasn't consecutive and that could get confusing if it were listed as though it were.

For the lab/lecture class, I had this issue too. I think the best thing is if it counts as both a lab/lecture prereq fulfillment (course equivalencies) for the school you're applying to, to just list it as lab+lecture. I think the purpose of the lab and lab+lecture option is so they can see if you actually fulfilled the lab prereqs for that particular class or not.

 

[fxok425]

When I input the courses, I only find application > completed course work, I can't find where to input planned and inprogress courses. Anyone help? Thank you.

 

[sungieality]

When I input the courses, I only find application > completed course work, I can't find where to input planned and inprogress courses. Anyone help? Thank you.

When you input a new session, it will have a bubble for completed and one for planned/in progress. Just select that bottom bubble.

 

[pcproduct]

Will the data that I entered into the PharmCAS website for the current application cycle (2010) carry over into the cycle after that (2011)? I would hate to have to re-enter everything if I get totally rejected this cycle or just decide to wait another year before sending.

 

[busyizzy]

It won't save. You have to reenter information year after year, as they wipe their data clean from year to year. Pain in the ass, right?

 

[charfdorn]

I don't know the answers to all of them, but a few that I thought I might answer:
I would make separate sessions for the summer school sessions, just because it wasn't consecutive and that could get confusing if it were listed as though it were.

For the lab/lecture class, I had this issue too. I think the best thing is if it counts as both a lab/lecture prereq fulfillment (course equivalencies) for the school you're applying to, to just list it as lab+lecture. I think the purpose of the lab and lab+lecture option is so they can see if you actually fulfilled the lab prereqs for that particular class or not.

Let me jump in on the lab/lecture topic. Some schools offer labs as an included portion, others offer labs separately. The Physics class with one weekly lab - was there a separate lab course that you signed up for, or was that the extent of it? As far as the lab with one lecture, that sounds like a separate lab course (not enough info to say for sure). Did you have a different class devoted to lecture on the same subject? It's easy to tell whether a course is lab-only by looking at the number of credits. Labs are typically one or sometimes two credits, with the related lecture taking 3 or 4. Combined courses are usually 4 or 5 credits, and when they are offered you will not find a related lab course offered at the same time.

 

[AKN16]

Yup, it doesn't save from one yr to the next... Def, print out your app when your done for future reference..

 

[pcproduct]

Yup, it doesn't save from one yr to the next... Def, print out your app when your done for future reference..

I'll definitely do that.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Just don't get rejected!

One shot, one kill. 😉

Think positively.

 

[Arooga]

Hey Guys
If you repeated a class, does pharmCAS count both grades or how does it work ?😕

Thanks

 

[kirang]

Really know which classes were prereq's and which ones were basic science coures needed with a major?! How do they calculate their GPA...😕

 

[HolyLights]

Hey Guys
If you repeated a class, does pharmCAS count both grades or how does it work ?😕

Thanks

Yep, PharmCAS doesn't do academic forgiveness, or one grade will replace another. That is up to your school how they want to recalculate your GPA later. PharmCAS will take the average of the 2 grades, or if you even have to take it the 3rd time, they will take the average of the 3.

 

[charfdorn]

Really know which classes were prereq's and which ones were basic science coures needed with a major?! How do they calculate their GPA...😕

I don't understand the distinction. They calculate GPA on a weighted 4-point scale (A = 4, A- = 3.7, etc... x number of credits in course / total credits taken). I think they include all science courses (Bio, Chem, and Physics) in the Science GPA.

 

[luckyphooey]

Pharmcas just calculate and verify your GPA and Science GPA base on what you classify each class. Since all schools, have different pre-reqs, PharmCAS just does a general overall GPA and science GPA, the school would ultimately have to evaluate your trascript and determine whether you have fulfilled your requirement and calculate GPA of their own.

 

[busyizzy]

Let me jump in on the lab/lecture topic. Some schools offer labs as an included portion, others offer labs separately. The Physics class with one weekly lab - was there a separate lab course that you signed up for, or was that the extent of it? As far as the lab with one lecture, that sounds like a separate lab course (not enough info to say for sure). Did you have a different class devoted to lecture on the same subject? It's easy to tell whether a course is lab-only by looking at the number of credits. Labs are typically one or sometimes two credits, with the related lecture taking 3 or 4. Combined courses are usually 4 or 5 credits, and when they are offered you will not find a related lab course offered at the same time.

We did have a different class dedicated to lecture-only on the same subject. I guess by that standard, it will be a lab only class. But these "lab only classes" were 4 units. Is that unusually high for a lab only course? Did my school like torturing us and make our labs really freaking hard, comparitatively to other schools? Course this isn't a PharmCAS question, just a question of curiosity.

Hmm, regarding Pharmcas, how far back would you go in your volunteer/extracurriculars? I used to teach math and english during summer school for about 2 summers but this was about 6 years ago. Is that too far back? Is it like high school on your resume - after about 2-3 years in college, you just drop your high school cuz nobody cares?

I worked at my parent's office for several years, on and off throughout high school and college. Should I not put this on my work experience/resume due to family relations?

Last question! It says on pharmcas to list your extracurriculars in order of importance. Should you put your pharmacy extracurricular first, even if it wasn't the most important to you personally? Would NOT putting it first be looked upon negatively by schools?

 

[desmoulins45179]

We did have a different class dedicated to lecture-only on the same subject. I guess by that standard, it will be a lab only class. But these "lab only classes" were 4 units. Is that unusually high for a lab only course? Did my school like torturing us and make our labs really freaking hard, comparitatively to other schools? Course this isn't a PharmCAS question, just a question of curiosity.

One of my lab classes (experimental pharmacology) was 3 semester credit hours

 

[sUrface]

I noticed that PharmCAS now has a Publication section......although it is rather lacking.

 

[mgs50]

I added a reference on pharmcas a few days ago, and then immediately emailed my professor to remind him to keep an eye out for it. My professor responded to me yesterday and said he had yet to receive it but he would keep an eye out for it. Does anyone know how long it takes for pharmcas to send the email to evaluators? I got a confirmation email immediately that I added the reference.... Thanks for the help, and good luck with the application everyone!

 

[tahi193]

My professor got my PharmCAS email pretty much immediately. Ask him to check the spam filter on his email. It might be stuck in there.

 

[desmoulins45179]

also apparently PharmCAS does no like hotmail email addresses so you might have to do the paper one if your LOR has a hotmail email

 

[BabyBelle]

Hey guys. I have a couple of questions regarding the letter of recommendation process. I am currently a 4th year about to graduate and I will be asking my professors for letter of recs; however, I am not going to apply this year but next year (2010) for Fall 2011. So my questions are:
1. Will pharmacy schools look at the letters of recommendations differently if they are 1 year old?
2. How do I go about giving the Pharmcas waiver form/letter of reference form(not exactly sure what is it called) to my professors to sign if I am not going to be apply now? From what I was told, I have to have them sign it the year that I am apply to, but I just thought that was weird because they are writing the letters for me now. I'm confused.

 

[SHC1984]

LOR are done electronically now thru Pharmcas. Unfortunately you cannot ask for an LOR until you are about to apply. So if you are applying NEXT year, then don't ask for an LOR until June of 2010.

 

[busyizzy]

What you can do is note to the person you're not applying immediately, but when the time comes in a year or two, ask if they'd be willing to write you a LOR. That way, they'll keep you in mind or keep some sort of notes on your performance to write about.

 

[pdng]

can we add more schools after submitting pharmcas if we feel like we dont have a chance, and we want to apply more to those schools that have late deadline

 

[Medieval]

Yes, you can add more schools after submitting the application. This is from the PharmCAS web site:

ADDING A PHARMACY SCHOOL AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION

"You may apply to additional pharmacy programs after submission of your PharmCAS application. To apply to additional programs, log onto your PharmCAS application and designate additional schools. Do NOT create a new PharmCAS application to add new designations. PharmCAS must receive the appropriate fee for each additional pharmacy program you select. You cannot apply to a particular school after the application deadline date has passed."

 

[BrokenFlowers]

My professor got my PharmCAS email pretty much immediately. Ask him to check the spam filter on his email. It might be stuck in there.

My teacher hasn't received the email from pharmacs about writing a recommendation letter for me. I sent the request on Wednesday, I'm I doing something wrong?

 

[BrokenFlowers]

I added a reference on pharmcas a few days ago, and then immediately emailed my professor to remind him to keep an eye out for it. My professor responded to me yesterday and said he had yet to receive it but he would keep an eye out for it. Does anyone know how long it takes for pharmcas to send the email to evaluators? I got a confirmation email immediately that I added the reference.... Thanks for the help, and good luck with the application everyone!

Did your professor receive the email? Mine hasn't. I used her college email address.

 

[fenderbiz]

Hey Guys
If you repeated a class, does pharmCAS count both grades or how does it work ?😕

Thanks

They so an average of the grade, but they also combine the credits, so more weight is added to retakes. The retake does not replace the original.
ie: a C and an A in a 3 credit class equals 6 credits of a B.

 

[charfdorn]

can we add more schools after submitting pharmcas if we feel like we dont have a chance, and we want to apply more to those schools that have late deadline

Yes. I did this, although it didn't help me. I got rejected by the late-deadline school and accepted by my first choice. It's really easy to do, in fact, you just pay the $40 supplemental school fee and you're done. Make sure you check out the school's supplemental app, though, because otherwise you're wasting 40 bucks.

 

[koercive]

yep, they make it easy for you to pay more money 😀

 

[busyizzy]

Hmm, regarding Pharmcas, how far back would you go in your volunteer/extracurriculars? I used to teach math and english during summer school for about 2 summers but this was about 6 years ago. Is that too far back? Is it like high school on your resume - after about 2-3 years in college, you just drop your high school cuz nobody cares?

I worked at my parent's office for several years, on and off throughout high school and college. Should I not put this on my work experience/resume due to family relations?

Last question! It says on pharmcas to list your extracurriculars in order of importance. Should you put your pharmacy extracurricular first, even if it wasn't the most important to you personally? Would NOT putting it first be looked upon negatively by schools?

Anyone have some answers to my questions? 😕 I know the questions I asked don't have straight forward answers - just looking for the opinions of others going through the same process/went through the same process of what seems the best. Thank you~.