PharmCAS

[LiliaKT]

So now that I see the big con of the pharmcas is money.. what are the pros????
I mean why would someone spend this much money on applying and still have no/slight/some chance of getting in.

the pro is you might not have to send transcripts and recommendations letterse to every schools you're applying to. pharmcas will gather that one copy you send them and forward that to all the schools you're applying to. HOWEVER, even so, there are always exceptions to that, some schools still require you to send the transcripts directly to them, or have their own letters of rec forms that you have to fill out and send in. so in some ways, having pharmcas or not doesnt make THAT big of a difference. it all depends where you want to apply. just do a very thorough research before you start.

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[rxlynn]

So now that I see the big con of the pharmcas is money.. what are the pros????
I mean why would someone spend this much money on applying and still have no/slight/some chance of getting in.

The big pro is that in most cases you will not have to supply a lot of duplicate information on vastly different forms for each separate school. I only applied to 2 schools, but the supplemental for one of them was truly trivial (10 minutes plus a short essay). The other was a longer essay, but not much else. Especially if you have a lot of coursework, jobs, etc. that you have to list, it's nice to only have to do that once.

I do agree though, that the PharmCAS fee is a disincentive to applying to a lot of schools. Even if I could have relocated, I would not have applied to 8 or 10 schools just because of the fee.

Another pro to me was that you may only have to do your LORs once. I liked not having to bother my writers over and over again with different forms.
Oh, and don't forget the PCAT fee 🙂

 

[bugslife]

hi... i was wondering, does PharmCAS save the application material (i.e. coursework, letters of reference... etc.) from previous year for reapplicants?

thanks!

 

[aboveliquidice]

hi... i was wondering, does PharmCAS save the application material (i.e. coursework, letters of reference... etc.) from previous year for reapplicants?

thanks!

survey says no - I cant remember where I read it - but I am pretty sure you cant even access that info anymore once the "application year" in question is over

~above~

 

[RachGator]

survey says no - I cant remember where I read it - but I am pretty sure you cant even access that info anymore once the "application year" in question is over

~above~

We can't even access our materials from this cycle anymore. Except for sending my transcript info out, I don't think that Pharmcas was any big help. Did you print out your previous app to use as a guide for next time?

 

[bugslife]

We can't even access our materials from this cycle anymore. Except for sending my transcript info out, I don't think that Pharmcas was any big help. Did you print out your previous app to use as a guide for next time?

thanks for the replies.

i did print out the apps for this year. i was asking because if i didn't remember wrong, AMCAS actually saves applicant's information and it can be accessed for the next application cycle... does this sound familiar to anyone?

reapplicants please advise... thanks!

 

[imprecious]

thanks for the replies.

i did print out the apps for this year. i was asking because if i didn't remember wrong, AMCAS actually saves applicant's information and it can be accessed for the next application cycle... does this sound familiar to anyone?

reapplicants please advise... thanks!

This is from the PharmCAS website:

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR REPEAT APPLICANTS: Applicants applying through PharmCAS for a second time must begin a new online application and resend all test scores and official transcripts to PharmCAS. PharmCAS cannot carry forward any of your application data or materials from the previous year.

Best of luck with the application!

 

[ndearwater]

Even though PharmCas states that they do not carry over any application material, last June/July '05 when I started the process of reapplying I noticed that under "Transcripts" it showed they had received mine in May '05. So basically when I sent them my last updated transcripts that one particular transcript carried over- weird.
Obviously you don't want to assume that anything carries over. But when you create a new application for the second year, just take a look under transcripts in case it did carry over and save yourself the fee your school will probably charge you to get the transcripts sent.

 

[gkim8884]

Hey guys. I was just wondering if anyone knew what the Topic and Prompt was for the personal statement was on PharmCas last year? I just wanted to get a head start on it =P Anyone know the word count and etc for the statement? THANKS A LOT !! =)

 

[patmcd]

Hey guys. I was just wondering if anyone knew what the Topic and Prompt was for the personal statement was on PharmCas last year? I just wanted to get a head start on it =P Anyone know the word count and etc for the statement? THANKS A LOT !! =)

Here's the instructions for that section.

Your Personal Statement should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals.
You are encouraged to compose your statement in a text-only word processor (e.g., Notepad), review your statement for errors, then cut and paste the final version into the text box above. Click the Save button and then return to the Personal Statement to review the formatting of your text. You are limited to approximately 1 page (4500 characters, including spaces).
Some formatting characters used in programs like Word (angled quotes, accents, special characters) will not display properly. Take care to review your final text and to make the necessary corrections to the format.

After editing your statement, click SAVE then press VIEW PERSONAL STATEMENT to review the text. Verify the format and watch for any words or characters that did not display properly. Re-edit then re-save your statement if necessary.

You can NOT make any edits to your personal statement after you have e-submitted your completed application to PharmCAS.

 

[gkim8884]

thanks a lot for that! =)

 

[HotnSunnyDr]

Can u use the same personal statement if you are reapplying?

 

[patmcd]

You might want to look at improving it some, but theres no reason to write a whole new one.

 

[ladypharm7]

I Have A Quick Question About Submitting Letters Of Rec. To Pharmcas. For Example, If I Am Applying To 3 Schools, Do I Send 9 Recs. Or 3 Lors. This Is Confusinbecause On Pharmcas It Does Not State Which School Is For Which?

 

[imprecious]

I Have A Quick Question About Submitting Letters Of Rec. To Pharmcas. For Example, If I Am Applying To 3 Schools, Do I Send 9 Recs. Or 3 Lors. This Is Confusinbecause On Pharmcas It Does Not State Which School Is For Which?

You can only send 3 LORS to PharmCAS. Those three letters should meet the guidelines/ requirements for all the schools to which you are applying to through PharmCAS. Good luck!

 

[ladypharm7]

You can only send 3 LORS to PharmCAS. Those three letters should meet the guidelines/ requirements for all the schools to which you are applying to through PharmCAS. Good luck!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

 

[Baxter81]

I Have A Quick Question About Submitting Letters Of Rec. To Pharmcas. For Example, If I Am Applying To 3 Schools, Do I Send 9 Recs. Or 3 Lors. This Is Confusinbecause On Pharmcas It Does Not State Which School Is For Which?

Send three letters, along with the letter of rec. cover sheet which is required from pharmcas. They will make copies and send the letters to what ever school you designate.

 

[Pharm47]

I'm also confused on the LORs. Does Pharmcas give you the ability to choose which LORs go to which schools. For example, if one school only requires two, but you submitted three, can you choose which two of the three are sent to a specific school. Some of my schools require three, but my top choice only requires two, and I want to be sure they get the best two LORs! 😕

 

[imprecious]

I'm also confused on the LORs. Does Pharmcas give you the ability to choose which LORs go to which schools. For example, if one school only requires two, but you submitted three, can you choose which two of the three are sent to a specific school. Some of my schools require three, but my top choice only requires two, and I want to be sure they get the best two LORs! 😕

I don't think there's an option for you to choose which LORs go to which schools. I understand your scenario. Last year, i had 3 LORs submitted to PharmCAS and UOP only needed 2- one from a professor and one from a pharmacist. My 3rd LOR was from a physician. So I suppose UOP chose the two LORs that met the requirement. Other than that, I don't think there was an option for you to state which LORs should be sent to which school. There might be a place for you to indicate who your LORs are from in the supplemental application for the school? It depends on the school. Good luck with the applications!

 

[Pharm47]

To any re-applicants from years past: Was this the same question as the year before (2005). Basically I want to figure out, will this be the same prompt for Pharmcas 2007?

 

[Pharm47]

So I've emailed Pharmcas multiple times with this question, but all they do is cut and paste the application instructions as a response. If anyone can answer it for me, I will be eternally grateful!!! Here goes...

My undergraduate institution was semester-based, however, for each course we took, we received only 1 credit. This course was equivalent to a 4-credit course at any other semester-based school, but I guess my school just wanted to be difficult. In order to graduate, you needed a total of 32 credits under their system (equivalent to 128 credits at a normal school). Anyway, I'm concerned about how to fill out my Pharmcas application. The instructions indicate you must enter courses exactly as they appear on your transcript, but I am worried that they won't take my school's odd credit system into account. Thus, when XYZ pharmacy school receives my application, they will see that I only have 2 chemistry credits, 4 biology credits, 1 biochemistry credit, etc. Should I enter the credits as seen on my transcript, or convert them to normal semester credits personally??

Has anyone had a similar problem with a non-traditional crediting system. Please any advice/experiences are welcome!!

 

[JWirawan]

That's actually the first time I've seen that system and it sure is confusing 🙁. I'd suggest you inform your designated schools about the semester system on your undergraduate institution. I think PharmCAS will automatically change the number of credits hour. Once PharmCAS receive the transcript, they should be able to convert that 1 semester credit into 4 semester credit on the PharmCAS GPA. Take mine for instance: I had a 6 credit hour of AMP, but on the PharmCAS GPA, they wrote it as 4.66 credit semester of AMP.

 

[RockAByBaby]

That's actually the first time I've seen that system and it sure is confusing 🙁. I'd suggest you inform your designated schools about the semester system on your undergraduate institution. I think PharmCAS will automatically change the number of credits hour. Once PharmCAS receive the transcript, they should be able to convert that 1 semester credit into 4 semester credit on the PharmCAS GPA. Take mine for instance: I had a 6 credit hour of AMP, but on the PharmCAS GPA, they wrote it as 4.66 credit semester of AMP.

i agree..just do what pharmcas says because if they find discrepancies, it will delay the processing. you can also call pharmcas to ask them personally what they think but don't expect any superior customer service award winners.

 

[imprecious]

That's actually the first time I've seen that system and it sure is confusing 🙁. I'd suggest you inform your designated schools about the semester system on your undergraduate institution. I think PharmCAS will automatically change the number of credits hour. Once PharmCAS receive the transcript, they should be able to convert that 1 semester credit into 4 semester credit on the PharmCAS GPA. Take mine for instance: I had a 6 credit hour of AMP, but on the PharmCAS GPA, they wrote it as 4.66 credit semester of AMP.

This is also the first time I've seen this system as well. You should inform your designated schools as JWirawan had suggested. I'm surprised that PharmCAS has not emailed you a more helpful response. Maybe you should try calling them? I believe there may be a phone number at which you can contact them.

 

[ivenacava]

To any re-applicants from years past: Was this the same question as the year before (2005). Basically I want to figure out, will this be the same prompt for Pharmcas 2007?

The 2005 and 2006 PharmCAS apps had the same prompts.

 

[Pharm47]

Thanks for the advice! I actually did speak with a Pharmcas representative a month or two ago, but she wasn't very helpful. I don't think she was really listening to my problem, because she just kept stating the obvious stuff, told me to refer to the website, etc, etc. I guess I'll plan on calling or emailing my designated schools to let them know about the credit system at my school. It is a well-known institution within academic circles, so hopefully it won't cause too many problems!

 

[meLtdown4meL]

Thanks for the advice! I actually did speak with a Pharmcas representative a month or two ago, but she wasn't very helpful. I don't think she was really listening to my problem, because she just kept stating the obvious stuff, told me to refer to the website, etc, etc. I guess I'll plan on calling or emailing my designated schools to let them know about the credit system at my school. It is a well-known institution within academic circles, so hopefully it won't cause too many problems!

You can try calling pharmcas late May/early June. They are usually more receptive to questions at that time. Maybe they're just really busy right now.

What school did you attend?? I'm just curious b/c that unit system doesn't even seem standard.

 

[Pharm47]

I went to Pomona College, in Claremont, CA. They also graded us on a 12-point scale, so I graduated with a 11.5-something GPA. Annoying. I get to convert my credits, and my GPA!

 

[eddie269]

Hi guys, I was curious if this was the first year pharmcas is using these recommendation forms. When I applied 2 yrs ago, they never had them so I went to my professors one by one with different forms. Now this year, a few schools will only accept the pharmcas forms. Did they have these last year?

I'm asking because I want to know what the form consists of. This way, I can ask my old professors and pharmacist to fill one out when they become available. But I also want to let them know what it consists of beforehand so they won't be surprised.

Let me know. Thanks.

 

[boobash]

Hi guys, I was curious if this was the first year pharmcas is using these recommendation forms. When I applied 2 yrs ago, they never had them so I went to my professors one by one with different forms. Now this year, a few schools will only accept the pharmcas forms. Did they have these last year?

I'm asking because I want to know what the form consists of. This way, I can ask my old professors and pharmacist to fill one out when they become available. But I also want to let them know what it consists of beforehand so they won't be surprised.

Let me know. Thanks.

good question, and I'm not even sure what was the exact format. What I did was just submit my recommenders' name and email addresses to pharmcas, and they would send them an e-reference invite email. So they would click on whatever link and fill out this reference form online. I think my pharmacist recommender said something about a rating system, like from 1-5 is so and so responsible, professional, blah blah blah, some short answers, and I think there was a section at the end where they can actually type whatever they want about us.

Again, this was a long time ago, and word of mouth info. =) But just ask your recommender for their email address and let them know to lookout for an email from PharmCAS directing them to fill this recommendation form for you.

 

[imprecious]

Hi guys, I was curious if this was the first year pharmcas is using these recommendation forms. When I applied 2 yrs ago, they never had them so I went to my professors one by one with different forms. Now this year, a few schools will only accept the pharmcas forms. Did they have these last year?

I'm asking because I want to know what the form consists of. This way, I can ask my old professors and pharmacist to fill one out when they become available. But I also want to let them know what it consists of beforehand so they won't be surprised.

Let me know. Thanks.

Last year, PharmCAS asked who we want the LORs to be from. We provide their contact information on PharmCAS via email. PharmCAS will contact those individuals through email. Instructions are given to the people writing the LOR's, so I do not know what they were asked to do. There is no LOR forms to print out from PharmCAS. Only the transcript request forms are on PharmCAS. Good luck!

 

[eddie269]

Ahhh, I got you. So we never actually get to see the forms. That's fine. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[pharm89]

I was wondering if it is to my advantage to apply to pharmcas early (right on june 1st) or wait until after i have taken the june 24th pcat so i can concentrate on studying for that. I know that some schools run on rolling admission so i was just wondering what you guys think. also someone was telling me that pharmcas does not start sending your application until august. does anyone know if this is true. if that was the case i wouldn't start my application until after the june 24th pcat especially since i have not written my personal statement yet.
thanks for the help. 🙂

 

[JWirawan]

filling out the application for PharmCAS requires time. PharmCAS application is not something that you can finish in a matter of hours. It took me two weeks to fill out everything in it (including the personal statement). What I would suggest you to do is to start the application early, but still focusing on what's important (your PCAT on June 24th). Remember that once PharmCAS sent your application to the designated school, you can't change anything in it. Take your time in filling the application (especially on the personal statement), it is definitely an advantage to have an early start on your application 🙂. However, you musn't forget to prioritize.

 

[143namil]

so if you applied to pharm schools with recommendations... do we have to get ANOTHER set of recommendations when applying again? or can u use teh same recommendations we submitted to pharmcas.

 

[RxRob]

UNC Chapel hill's SOP website has a downloadable form that they use for LOR's. It may give you some insight as to what is on the PharmCas form. I know at one point it does ask the writer if they would trust you with their life... it's a pretty harsh form!

 

[bugslife]

filling out the application for PharmCAS requires time. PharmCAS application is not something that you can finish in a matter of hours. It took me two weeks to fill out everything in it (including the personal statement). What I would suggest you to do is to start the application early, but still focusing on what's important (your PCAT on June 24th). Remember that once PharmCAS sent your application to the designated school, you can't change anything in it. Take your time in filling the application (especially on the personal statement), it is definitely an advantage to have an early start on your application 🙂. However, you musn't forget to prioritize.

i have a question... if i indicate on PharmCAS that i am planning on taking the October PCAT, would my apps be delayed in being sent out or reviewed until my scores are reported?

 

[boobash]

so if you applied to pharm schools with recommendations... do we have to get ANOTHER set of recommendations when applying again? or can u use teh same recommendations we submitted to pharmcas.

If you applied through PharmCAS using their recommendation letter forms then yes, when you reapply you'll to redo the whole application process and re-ask whoever to resubmit reference letters for you. I don't think PharmCAS saves anything from your past applications.

Now from the school's point of view, I think they do keep your old application and may have your old reference from the last time you applied. But you probably still need to resubmit new references through PharmCAS anyway.

 

[JWirawan]

i have a question... if i indicate on PharmCAS that i am planning on taking the October PCAT, would my apps be delayed in being sent out or reviewed until my scores are reported?

I don't think so, PharmCAS will still send out your application to the designated school. However, the designated pharmacy school may delay the review for your application since you haven't taken the PCAT yet (it depends whether the pharmacy school requires PCAT or not). After PharmCAS send the applications to the designated school, you can't change your application. However, you can still send test scores, such as: PCAT, TOEFL, etc to PharmCAS which will be forwarded to the designated pharmacy school. PharmCAS will constantly send updated application to the pharmacy schools, such as: new test scores, etc. So, don't worry, PharmCAS won't delay your applications just because you haven't taken the PCAT yet.

 

[michele_107]

I was wondering if it is to my advantage to apply to pharmcas early (right on june 1st) or wait until after i have taken the june 24th pcat so i can concentrate on studying for that. I know that some schools run on rolling admission so i was just wondering what you guys think. also someone was telling me that pharmcas does not start sending your application until august. does anyone know if this is true. if that was the case i wouldn't start my application until after the june 24th pcat especially since i have not written my personal statement yet.
thanks for the help. 🙂

It takes pharmcas several weeks to process your application, so the earlier you get it in the better. I sent mine out last june, and was accepted by mid-October. So, applying early does have it's advantages. And, I would start working on your pharmcas application as soon as you can, because it does take a while to get it completed. Also, you should definitely start asking for recommendation letters as soon as you can. As for the PCAT, I think they will go on and send your incomplete application to the schools, and then when they get your score report send that to the schools. I don't know if this helps any or not... 🙂

 

[meLtdown4meL]

Yes- you should definitely send your PharmCas in early for several reasons- some already stated above.
1.PharmCAS will have the time to answer any of your questions within a few hours of e-mailing. Their phone lines will also be open if you have questions while completing the application. If you wait until October or November, your responses to questions can take a day or two... and the Pharmcas representatives aren't very nice about answering "obvious" questions.
2.You can send your transcripts in without "special processing". When I sent mine in from the school to Pharmcas, I had to include a sheet with the Pharmcas info (provided by Pharmcas). By including this sheet, my school considered that "special processing" and charged an extra $18.00. If you're one of the first ones to submit your transcripts to Pharmcas, they won't need that extra sheet since they can locate your file easily.
3.Schools will have access to your profile early- even if your PCAT isn't posted, your grades may give you automatic consideration.
About the PCAT- I strongly strongly urge you to reconsider taking the June PCAT. The October PCAT is highly impacted so scores take forever to post onto PharmCAS and even longer to get sent out to schools. I don't think my schools got my scores until late December, early January.
4.Sending Pharmcas early will give you the option of Early Decision at some schools.

Goodluck.

 

[missnikki]

When you say 1 page do you mean single spaced? Thanks!

 

[JWirawan]

1 page 4500 characters, that sounds like a single space to me =)

 

[RXCowgirl]

I have no idea what pharmcas is. Do I have to use it to apply for pharmacy school? and how does it work??
thanks guys

 

[RockAByBaby]

I have no idea what pharmcas is. Do I have to use it to apply for pharmacy school? and how does it work??
thanks guys

yes. most pharmacy schools use pharmcas but you should check each specific school because there are some that use their own application system. once you create an account, most of the directions are pretty straight-forward.

 

[imprecious]

I have no idea what pharmcas is. Do I have to use it to apply for pharmacy school? and how does it work??
thanks guys

Pharmcas.org is where you can set up an account for yourself starting June 1.

 

[JWirawan]

"PharmCAS is a centralized application service for colleges and schools of pharmacy provided by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)." -www.pharmCAS.org

Basically, what it does is centralize the process of pharmacy school applications. Instead of sending every pharmacy school different applications, you only have to do one applications, which is PharmCAS. However, every pharmacy schools usually has additional supplemental applications which you have to fill out.

PharmCAS consists of many applications that you have to fill out, some of the applications are: biography, extracurricular or clubs, transcript and grades, work experience, award or scholarship, designated schools, personal statement, etc. Application for 2007 opens on June 1st, 2006. Make your account ASAP, so you get the ideas on what it looks like. =)

For more information, go here:
http://www.pharmcas.org/

 

[kenng]

is there a book w/ sample PharmCAS PS and other guide lines that will help me write a strong PharmCAS PS of my own? Maybe one from "Personal statement for dummies" or other recent sources?

Thanks

 

[Gilmore2B]

Start with your local library. My town's library is very small, and I found a book on writing personal statements (from the 1970s). It was geared more towards MD applicants, but it helped alot. I would also recommend reading literature from organizations such as the APhA-ASP to help you focus on what qualities about yourself to highlight.

 

[ItsAboutTime]

I plan to take PCAT in October, 2006 and plan on submitting my PharmCAS Application to most of the schools by July/August for 2007 cycle.

Does PharmCAS wait for PCAT score before forwarding the application to the designated schools ?

Or it forwards the application to the schools and forwards the PCAT score when it receives it (probably in Nov in my case) ?

Or it forwards the file without PCAT and Candidate needs to submit the PCAT score latter directly to school ?

Any advise or suggestion, how I should handle this situation.

Thanks in advance for replying