PhORCAS

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Sparda29 said:
Sub-3.0*

Obviously, exams are the absolute fool-proof way to test someone's knowledge of a subject. 🙄

If the grades were calculated the way they should be (based on labs and in-class assignments/case-studies), then I would have gotten a 3.5+.

Pharmacy is not a profession where you need to be able to remember every single detail off the top of your head.
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I agree that exams and memorizing every detail isn't what matters. However, that's the current measure we have to gauge future performance.

In your case, though, and based on your own posts, it doesn't seem like you exactly applied yourself. Then again, no one really knows for sure if you're making **** up half the time. You seem to have found something that works for you though and that's good for you.
 
My program will be using this, I think it will be slick.
 
Sparda, I don't understand why you want to do a residency? You hate rules, you hate doing work/always look for the easy way out of things, you don't like being told what to do, and you want to work the minimal amount of hrs as possible....

I'm sorry, but none of that gels well with doing a residency. You would hate it and you would not be a good resident.
 
He wants the advantages without any of the work. Generation Me.
 
KARM12 said:
Sparda, I don't understand why you want to do a residency? You hate rules, you hate doing work/always look for the easy way out of things, you don't like being told what to do, and you want to work the minimal amount of hrs as possible....

I'm sorry, but none of that gels well with doing a residency. You would hate it and you would not be a good resident.
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Hate Rules - True
Hate doing work - False, I hate doing work that requires physical exertion. I like being able to sit in one spot the whole day. Not running around from the IV room to the narc safe back to the computer back to picking drugs then to the phone then to the narc safe. I gotta buy a pedometer one day to see how much walking I do.
Look for the easy way out - Yeah, I look for ways to work efficiently.
Don't like being told what to do - Depends on what it is.
Want to work minimal hours - As an intern, yeah of course. As a pharmacist, no, I wanna work over-time and get that $$$.

I gotta figure out if what I eventually want to be doing is something that requires a fellowship or a residency.
 
Sparda29 said:
Hate Rules - True
Hate doing work - False, I hate doing work that requires physical exertion. I like being able to sit in one spot the whole day. Not running around from the IV room to the narc safe back to the computer back to picking drugs then to the phone then to the narc safe. I gotta buy a pedometer one day to see how much walking I do.
Look for the easy way out - Yeah, I look for ways to work efficiently.
Don't like being told what to do - Depends on what it is.
Want to work minimal hours - As an intern, yeah of course. As a pharmacist, no, I wanna work over-time and get that $$$.

I gotta figure out if what I eventually want to be doing is something that requires a fellowship or a residency.
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Just think how physically fit your job is making you! If you sit around all the time, it will take years off your life anyway.

Though yeah, I'm kinda lazy like that too. 🙂
 
Sparda29 said:
Hate Rules - True
Hate doing work - False, I hate doing work that requires physical exertion. I like being able to sit in one spot the whole day. Not running around from the IV room to the narc safe back to the computer back to picking drugs then to the phone then to the narc safe. I gotta buy a pedometer one day to see how much walking I do.
Look for the easy way out - Yeah, I look for ways to work efficiently.
Don't like being told what to do - Depends on what it is.
Want to work minimal hours - As an intern, yeah of course. As a pharmacist, no, I wanna work over-time and get that $$$.

I gotta figure out if what I eventually want to be doing is something that requires a fellowship or a residency.
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I ran around the hospital like a crazy person when I was a resident...you don't make OT as a resident and will be working more than 40hr/week. Also, many manager and specialist jobs are salaried, so not benefit of OT money. Cutting corners is different than being efficient. I can work efficiently following the rules, without cutting corners.
 
Sparda29 said:
It'll make it easier/harder for prospective residents. Yeah, you can compile all your information easier, but it will make it easier for programs to quickly look through and throw out applications with low GPAs. It'll make it harder from the days when you could wow them with your CV/talk your way into it.
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makes our lives easier, w00t.
 
yeah i'm surprised sparda hasn't jumped on the "eff residency those elitist bastards" train yet.

and i love how PhORCAS is free for programs to use the 1st year, i hope uptake is >95%. makes me wonder what's in store later.
 
Sparda29 said:
Hate Rules - True
Hate doing work - False, I hate doing work that requires physical exertion. I like being able to sit in one spot the whole day. Not running around from the IV room to the narc safe back to the computer back to picking drugs then to the phone then to the narc safe. I gotta buy a pedometer one day to see how much walking I do.
Look for the easy way out - Yeah, I look for ways to work efficiently.
Don't like being told what to do - Depends on what it is.
Want to work minimal hours - As an intern, yeah of course. As a pharmacist, no, I wanna work over-time and get that $$$.

I gotta figure out if what I eventually want to be doing is something that requires a fellowship or a residency.
Click to expand...

I ran around like a crazy person during both of my residencies. Also I haven't gotten paid overtime since I was an intern- as a resident I got a stipend and now I'm an exempt employee. And I definitely don't work only 40 hours a week.
 
Sparda29 said:
That's another thing, now you gotta pay to apply to places. What is this, pharmacy school?
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Given how annoying it was running around building separate applications last year, I'd gladly pay $25 for a central application. Figure this:

$7 for a transcript
$6 for priority mail + delivery confirmation
$3 worth of printing/paper/etc...
+ time at the post office to send it off
= $16

vs. $18.75 per school for the 1st 4 on PhORCAS.

Oh and you never answered my question...how the heck did you manage to get an interview at CHOC for residency? I don't ever remember you being remotely interested in peds, then again I only know you on SDN.
 
confettiflyer said:
Given how annoying it was running around building separate applications last year, I'd gladly pay $25 for a central application. Figure this:

$7 for a transcript
$6 for priority mail + delivery confirmation
$3 worth of printing/paper/etc...
+ time at the post office to send it off
= $16

vs. $18.75 per school for the 1st 4 on PhORCAS.

Oh and you never answered my question...how the heck did you manage to get an interview at CHOC for residency? I don't ever remember you being remotely interested in peds, then again I only know you on SDN.
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Meh, for me it was $6 per transcript, and less than $1 for the cost of 2 stamps, and relatively cheap paper so let's put that at $2...so that's 9 bucks, all sent from my mailbox. Big difference since I applied to 9 programs. Hopefully I won't all of a sudden decide to do PGY2 and use PhORCAS.
 
bacillus1 said:
Meh, for me it was $6 per transcript, and less than $1 for the cost of 2 stamps, and relatively cheap paper so let's put that at $2...so that's 9 bucks, all sent from my mailbox. Big difference since I applied to 9 programs. Hopefully I won't all of a sudden decide to do PGY2 and use PhORCAS.
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Stamps?! you live dangerously, my friend. It was all USPS Priority Mail w/ delivery confirmation for me. Then again, all my applications had to travel from east to west coast.

Oh and I forgot, I sent my app via USPS priority w/ confirmation but provided my LOR writers pre-stamped envelopes to mail LOR's. so + $0.88 x # of applications.
 
When do you all plan to start Applying for PhORCAS? I just recently got my CV in order... and i'm currently looking up residency spots.
 
Just Because said:
When do you all plan to start Applying for PhORCAS? I just recently got my CV in order... and i'm currently looking up residency spots.
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I'd go ahead and already get everything lined up on the site. My plan is to go to midyear, meet all the programs I'm interested in, cut my list down, and apply to the programs when I get home.


Anyone that has started on their phorcas app had a transcript posted yet? I finished all of mine the first week it opened and nada 😕
 
confettiflyer said:
Given how annoying it was running around building separate applications last year, I'd gladly pay $25 for a central application. Figure this:

$7 for a transcript
$6 for priority mail + delivery confirmation
$3 worth of printing/paper/etc...
+ time at the post office to send it off
= $16

vs. $18.75 per school for the 1st 4 on PhORCAS.

Oh and you never answered my question...how the heck did you manage to get an interview at CHOC for residency? I don't ever remember you being remotely interested in peds, then again I only know you on SDN.
Click to expand...

Oh, my school doesn't make us pay for transcripts (at least I hope it is still that way).

When did you ask me about CHOC? I don't think I ever mentioned that here.

I actually am pretty interested in peds cardiology/solid organ transplant because of A (they never really taught us peds at our school and never had a peds rotation) and B (personal family influence, one of my cousins had a heart transplant last year).
 
Sparda29 said:
Oh, my school doesn't make us pay for transcripts (at least I hope it is still that way).

When did you ask me about CHOC? I don't think I ever mentioned that here.

I actually am pretty interested in peds cardiology/solid organ transplant because of A (they never really taught us peds at our school and never had a peds rotation) and B (personal family influence, one of my cousins had a heart transplant last year).
Click to expand...

well you've never PMed me so how else would i know about CHOC? You posted it on here.
 
confettiflyer said:
Given how annoying it was running around building separate applications last year, I'd gladly pay $25 for a central application. Figure this:

$7 for a transcript
$6 for priority mail + delivery confirmation
$3 worth of printing/paper/etc...
+ time at the post office to send it off
= $16

vs. $18.75 per school for the 1st 4 on PhORCAS.

Oh and you never answered my question...how the heck did you manage to get an interview at CHOC for residency? I don't ever remember you being remotely interested in peds, then again I only know you on SDN.
Click to expand...

confettiflyer said:
well you've never PMed me so how else would i know about CHOC? You posted it on here.
Click to expand...

Can't find it in this thread. Maybe I posted it somewhere else on the forum? Are you a resident there?

I'm probably not gonna apply for a residency this year. My hospital has a new plan for pharmacists to get us on the floors instead of sticking around in the pharmacy so I wanna see what they do with that. Besides, I gotta save some money up if I'm gonna do a residency.
 
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joetrisman said:
I'd go ahead and already get everything lined up on the site. My plan is to go to midyear, meet all the programs I'm interested in, cut my list down, and apply to the programs when I get home.


Anyone that has started on their phorcas app had a transcript posted yet? I finished all of mine the first week it opened and nada 😕
Click to expand...
no transcript posted yet... I sent schools my transcript requests on Oct 1...
 
So the transcript requirement for non-pharmacy institutions appears to be optional? (No little red square next to it on the main page)

Since the option is available, do programs WANT to see that info? I just went to CC for pre-reqs; got decent grades after a spell, but nothing to write home about. I'm worried that throwing another institution into the mix is just going to add more room for things to go wrong.
 
Don't overwhelm our residency director with additional paperwork, she won't be happy. I don't think she cares about undergrad.
 
Nottingham said:
So the transcript requirement for non-pharmacy institutions appears to be optional? (No little red square next to it on the main page)

Since the option is available, do programs WANT to see that info? I just went to CC for pre-reqs; got decent grades after a spell, but nothing to write home about. I'm worried that throwing another institution into the mix is just going to add more room for things to go wrong.
Click to expand...

bacillus1 said:
Don't overwhelm our residency director with additional paperwork, she won't be happy. I don't think she cares about undergrad.
Click to expand...

Do I need to report every school I have ever attended?

Yes. You need to list every college level school you have attended, a school that had multiple campuses, or if you took just one course there.
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What transcripts do I need to send?

You need to send a transcript for every school that has issued you college credit.
If it is a multi campus school and they combine the coursework on one transcript then you only need send one. Do not assume they combine it on to one transcript, please contact your schools registrar’s office before making that determination.
Click to expand...
PhorCAS Help - FAQ
 
Our official institutional requirements remain the same paper to PhORCAS, so we would ignore any non-pharmacy school transcripts as they are technically not a requirement.
 
So my current plan is to apply for jobs, and then scramble for PGY-2 if I don't get anything. I'm concerned though, as it says that scrambling will be done through PhORCAS, and I will not be purchasing PhORCAS as I don't want to do the match. So how will scrambling work for people that don't go through the Match? Does anyone know?
 
So the LOR section of phorcas opened today. Do LOR writers typically address each program individually? That's the way the website seems to suggest. I was just curious as I'm applying to a large number of residencies and am worried on home burdensome this may become for my LOR writers.
 
joetrisman said:
So the LOR section of phorcas opened today. Do LOR writers typically address each program individually? That's the way the website seems to suggest. I was just curious as I'm applying to a large number of residencies and am worried on home burdensome this may become for my LOR writers.
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This is what it seems like to me. Which does seem like a burden, but unless they are writing a very specific one for each residency (and some do require them to answer very specific questions) it should not be an issue. Your references did this prior to PhorCAS as well, so it is nothing new.

My issue is - has anyone tried putting in a phone number with an extension for references? I'm worried it doesn't work properly.
 
joetrisman said:
So the LOR section of phorcas opened today. Do LOR writers typically address each program individually? That's the way the website seems to suggest. I was just curious as I'm applying to a large number of residencies and am worried on home burdensome this may become for my LOR writers.
Click to expand...

I just sent an email about this. I was wondering if the LOR writers can upload one letter if it's not addressed to a specific program and from there I can use that same letter for multiple programs. None of the programs I'm planning to apply to seem to have very specific questions that need to be addressed, so I hope that's the case.
 
On the letter writer side, in the past we had to write for each individual program. Always fun trying to make sure you don't address it to the wrong person. On the program side, I've seen letter writers screw it up. We don't fault the candidate for that one, but will fault you if you are the one to address it wrong!
 
Silly question, I just went to email one of my professors with the LOR link from PhorCas. There is a box that requires Title of the program.

I know it's an option to have someone write individual letters for each program - or you can just use the same one. Personally, I was just going to have my references use the same letter for all programs. I have an idea of where I'm looking at, but I haven't finalized my decision yet.

So ... do I have to have all my programs picked before I can send the link out? 😕:idea:
 
PreciousThings9 said:
Silly question, I just went to email one of my professors with the LOR link from PhorCas. There is a box that requires Title of the program.

I know it's an option to have someone write individual letters for each program - or you can just use the same one. Personally, I was just going to have my references use the same letter for all programs. I have an idea of where I'm looking at, but I haven't finalized my decision yet.

So ... do I have to have all my programs picked before I can send the link out? 😕:idea:
Click to expand...

To me, the answer seems to be yes, which I had planned to have the letter uploaded before midyear and do sendouts to programs after meeting everyone at midyear - a screening interview if you will. I'm on the fence now as to get the letter secured away before midyear or wait and be worried about my writers getting them in on time. I've already notified all my writers of my request, but I feel like the phorcas request is a "hey you've got xyz time left"
 
joetrisman said:
To me, the answer seems to be yes, which I had planned to have the letter uploaded before midyear and do sendouts to programs after meeting everyone at midyear - a screening interview if you will. I'm on the fence now as to get the letter secured away before midyear or wait and be worried about my writers getting them in on time. I've already notified all my writers of my request, but I feel like the phorcas request is a "hey you've got xyz time left"
Click to expand...

You could just give your letter writers a heads up that you'd like them to write letters, and tell them which programs you're applying to when you come back from Midyear. This is what most people did before PhORCAS.
 
bacillus1 said:
You could just give your letter writers a heads up that you'd like them to write letters, and tell them which programs you're applying to when you come back from Midyear. This is what most people did before PhORCAS.
Click to expand...

joetrisman said:
To me, the answer seems to be yes, which I had planned to have the letter uploaded before midyear and do sendouts to programs after meeting everyone at midyear - a screening interview if you will. I'm on the fence now as to get the letter secured away before midyear or wait and be worried about my writers getting them in on time. I've already notified all my writers of my request, but I feel like the phorcas request is a "hey you've got xyz time left"
Click to expand...


tl;dr?
 
Sparda29 said:
Sub-3.0*
Click to expand...

For the sub 3.0 GPA, how many programs should I apply to ? I'm coming from UCSF so we have quite a few people in our class with a 2ish GPA. I will have two publications under the belt, one being primary author presenting poster at midyear. Good amount of EC experience: mentoring, leadership - was a student leader for project HEART for APhA, threw a fundraiser for american heart assocation, working with underserved - for my internship I volunteered in an outpatient dual pharmacy/clinic, volunteered at lots and lots of health fairs, immunization clinics, various school projects - student orientation and etc. GPA trend wise, first year ws almost 4.0, then as my anxiety disorder got completely out of control - GPA has worsened substantially and took me through a third year to finaly get a hold of it (of my anxiety).

My strategy was to compensate lackluster GPA by having killer rotations and my rotations experiences have all been very strong. I have 6/8 very strong acute care rotations, and 2 mandatory community and am care. I've gotten very good feedback from my preceptors most saying I'd make an excellent clinical pharmacist and universally from all preceptors that I am a very hard worker ( I've put in as much as 90 hours a week on certain rotations and love nothing more than being in a hospital ). I also have a couple of attendings on my services from my previous teams and chief residents offering to wirte me letters - what are thoughts on that ? At CSHP certain programs said that would be favorable especially for rotations where your pharmacist preceptor switched every 1-3 days but your medical team stayed the same for 4+ weeks and have gotten to know you really well.

I'm thinking about 15 programs ? My primary focus is NYC, do I have any chance or am I completely noncompetitive ?
 
joetrisman said:
IMO, 10 is the new 7 which seemed to be the standard until recently. So I'm personally doing 15 to help me sleep at night 😉
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Well, how do your stats compare to mine ? I suck obviously, so I'm applying generously. GPA is my biggest obstacle, not sure how will I overcome it. We take a big comprehensive exam before clinicals demonstrating clinical competency and you can't progress onto rotations if you don't pass ( it's P/F), I wonder if maybe integrating that info somewhere into my application will help me somehow ?
 
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Callista said:
Well, how do your stats compare to mine ? I suck obviously, so I'm applying generously. GPA is my biggest obstacle, not sure how will I overcome it. We take a big comprehensive exam before clinicals demonstrating clinical competency and you can't progress onto rotations if you don't pass ( it's P/F), I wonder if maybe integrating that info somewhere into my application will help me somehow ?
Click to expand...

I believe competency exams are fairly common as my school has them and most students I've run into on rotations have mentioned them at some point.

From reading here, it seems most people have something missing on their application. I personally lack inpatient work experience and significant pharmacy leadership experience.

In the home stretch with 6 months before midyear, I've tried to focus on maximizing what I can while their is still time left. I worked hard on rotations to receive strong letter of recommendation. I've had my CV reviewed by a large number of faculty at my school and other schools. I've emailed all the programs I'm interested in to get my name out there and also to get information from them that isn't available on either the ashp site or their program site such that I can narrow down my program list. I'm going to midyear and will be tentatively meeting all my programs and making a good impression. Finally, I'm currently working on my letter of intent. I've read here that it can really make a difference on your application. So in addition to my revisions, I'm sending it to a friend who is a communications professor for feedback :meanie:

Good luck on your applications!
 
Callista said:
Well, how do your stats compare to mine ? I suck obviously, so I'm applying generously. GPA is my biggest obstacle, not sure how will I overcome it. We take a big comprehensive exam before clinicals demonstrating clinical competency and you can't progress onto rotations if you don't pass ( it's P/F), I wonder if maybe integrating that info somewhere into my application will help me somehow ?
Click to expand...

The one problem with a GPA that low compared to say, lack of inpatient experience, is it is one easily identifiable metric that will automatically get an application thrown out. A lot of places have minimum GPA requirements.
 
cycloketocaine said:
The one problem with a GPA that low compared to say, lack of inpatient experience, is it is one easily identifiable metric that will automatically get an application thrown out. A lot of places have minimum GPA requirements.
Click to expand...

That's what I am afraid of most. I'm owning my grades- I am pretty happy I'm finishing and didn't drop out like some of my classmates or got held a year back (like over 10% of our class) especially given that I have thought about dropping out at some point when my depression got super severe and even stopped going to class for like a month during a 3rd year when I have completely given up. Rotations on the other hand I am loving, it's nothing like class, I love working till utter exhaustion and sleeping 4-5 hours a day, love patient care and the acutness of things, preceptors like me, so I've been doing really good and what I lack in knowledge from class I've been making up by signing up for most challenging rotations there were to fill whetever gaps I had. 😛rolly not gonna help me though 🙁(
 
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Callista said:
That's what I am afraid of most. I'm owning my grades- I am pretty happy I'm finishing and didn't drop out like some of my classmates or got held a year back (like over 10% of our class) especially given that I have thought about dropping out at some point when my depression got super severe and even stopped going to class for like a month during a 3rd year when I have completely given up. Rotations on the other hand I am loving, it's nothing like class, I love working till utter exhaustion and sleeping 4-5 hours a day, love patient care and the acutness of things, preceptors like me, so I've been doing really good and what I lack in knowledge from class I've been making up by signing up for most challenging rotations there were to fill whetever gaps I had. 😛rolly not gonna help me though 🙁(
Click to expand...

It sounds like if you can get some interviews you will do well. Apply to smaller, less known facilities if you can. I know they may not be your first choice, but it sounds like you are willing to take what you can get.
 
Has anyone's transcripts been posted on the site? I requested mine to be sent on the 6th or 7th and none of them have been posted yet. I find it odd that not a single one is up.
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
Has anyone's transcripts been posted on the site? I requested mine to be sent on the 6th or 7th and none of them have been posted yet. I find it odd that not a single one is up.
Click to expand...

Nope. I originally had mine sent on October 15th and they were not posted 4 weeks later so I called them. They said they never received them and and that I should have them sent again, so I did. Well it's two weeks later and still nothing. I called today and was put on hold for 10 minutes to be told they still don't have them and if they are not on there by Friday I would need to have them sent a THIRD time.
Ughhhhh. 😡 Glad I'm not the only one with this problem though.
 
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