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bkiskadd said:
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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joetrisman said:
Fwiw, i requested mine the week phorcas launched and it took about four weeks for them to post
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This is really annoying me. I called them yesterday too. I sent multiple transcripts to them, and they haven't posted any yet. They said that if they aren't processed after 7-10 days that they didn't get them and to resend. I highly doubt none of my transcripts got to them and that everyone else is having this same problem. This is really frustrating. To be honest, I much have rather have the old process of mailing each application separately. I'm paying ~$300 to have this process be easier, but I have to rely on them to get things done. Applications would have been much cheaper, and it would all be on my shoulders with the old process.

Everyone I've talked to said they're having issues with the transcripts also. I really hope this gets straightened out. I'm getting worried that this is going to hold me up when I have everything ready to go. 😡
 
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Is there any way to find out which residencies do not go through the matching process and equire paper applications?
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
This is really annoying me. I called them yesterday too. I sent multiple transcripts to them, and they haven't posted any yet. They said that if they aren't processed after 7-10 days that they didn't get them and to resend. I highly doubt none of my transcripts got to them and that everyone else is having this same problem. This is really frustrating. To be honest, I much have rather have the old process of mailing each application separately. I'm paying ~$300 to have this process be easier, but I have to rely on them to get things done. Applications would have been much cheaper, and it would all be on my shoulders with the old process.

Everyone I've talked to said they're having issues with the transcripts also. I really hope this gets straightened out. I'm getting worried that this is going to hold me up when I have everything ready to go. 😡
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agreed.They have received 3 out of 4 transcripts.. the one they haven't received is the school of pharmacy transcript which is kind of important. Will resend a third one
 
do you guys add drug info questions into your CV?
 
amy786 said:
do you guys add drug info questions into your CV?
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No. If you do that, might as well wear a white coat at Midyear (I seriously saw 2 guys walking in white coats).
 
bacillus1 said:
No. If you do that, might as well wear a white coat at Midyear (I seriously saw 2 guys walking in white coats).
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I missed this! Hahahahaha

I saw a lot of female slutwear going on, though.
 
confettiflyer said:
I missed this! Hahahahaha

I saw a lot of female slutwear going on, though.
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Same here! Do shorter skirts = better chance at a residency? 😛

In other news, not a single transcript has been posted. I'll be requesting them all over again. Sigh...
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
Same here! Do shorter skirts = better chance at a residency? 😛

In other news, not a single transcript has been posted. I'll be requesting them all over again. Sigh...
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Didn't notice any skirts like that but did see a few girls about to fall out of their tops. I guess depending on your RPD that might work for some people :shrug:
 
spacecowgirl said:
Didn't you read Z's creeper thread?

I have never been to midyear but it sounds like too many pharmacists in one place for me :scared:
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I read it after I post. :laugh: I guess shorter skirts= genuine interests and emails afterwards.

I'm not one for big crowds, and I managed through okay. I didn't know what to expect as this was my first midyear. It was insane. I'm glad I didn't go as a P3. I think it would have been really pointless minus not being shocked by all the chaos.

joetrisman said:
Didn't notice any skirts like that but did see a few girls about to fall out of their tops. I guess depending on your RPD that might work for some people :shrug:
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I saw a BUNCH of short skirts. I'm not the most modest person, but dang. I didn't see any cleavage though, surprisingly. There were a lot of questionable outfits. I guess it's always been drilled in me to wear a suit when networking at something like this. I saw people with green pants and capri pants. Girls that had on like clubbing dresses with a blazer thrown on, etc. Hopefully they'll tone it down for the interviews.
 
Did you know that you can create reference requests to be tailored to a specific site? When you do so, it is important to enter the program name and the type (PGY1 or PGY2) as the title; this way you can more easily attach the correct reference to your site designations. Perhaps more importantly, your reference will see the title that you have entered and will know how to tailor the reference. You are also able to have a single reference to be sent to all the programs. If so, just give the reference request a generic title.
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I thought I had looked over the whole site but this is definitely news to me. This was posted via their facebook feed. Makes sense, but their site definitely doesn't present it that way.
 
joetrisman said:
I thought I had looked over the whole site but this is definitely news to me. This was posted via their facebook feed. Makes sense, but their site definitely doesn't present it that way.
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This isn't on their site either. I spammed my reference writers with multiple emails per program. I know other people have done that as well. Do you think it would be better to go and delete all those requests and just have where they can complete one general letter?
 
I just decided to ask what my letter writers preferred to do. I went back in to send a general request and they changed the instructions for when you write a title for your request to say that you can just give the letter a general title. Sigh, I really wish they would get their act together!
 
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GoldfishPharmD said:
This isn't on their site either. I spammed my reference writers with multiple emails per program. I know other people have done that as well. Do you think it would be better to go and delete all those requests and just have where they can complete one general letter?
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GoldfishPharmD said:
I just decided to ask what my letter writers preferred to do. I went back in to send a general request and they changed the instructions for when you write a title for your request to say that you can just give the letter a general title. Sigh, I really wish they would get their act together!
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Yeah, I'm on the fence about it myself as I've already email bombed my reference writers once and I don't want it to become more confusing that it already is. So I may leave it...

FWIW, I have not seen the letter side of things, but I hear second hand that it is autopopulated from the previous form fill allowing changes if you choose. So it seems they don't start from scratch each time with the form and uploading the letter.
 
joetrisman said:
Yeah, I'm on the fence about it myself as I've already email bombed my reference writers once and I don't want it to become more confusing that it already is. So I may leave it...

FWIW, I have not seen the letter side of things, but I hear second hand that it is autopopulated from the previous form fill allowing changes if you choose. So it seems they don't start from scratch each time with the form and uploading the letter.
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That's nice to know. None of my writers have started, so I just went ahead and emailed them asking them what would be easier for them. 2 of my writers stated they would just like the general letter option as the letters wouldn't vary enough to warrant doing separate letters, which is what I expected. I know if I was someone writing letters, I would prefer the one, especially if you're writing letters for multiple students.

I'll be really happy to hit submit on this darn application. This process has been more frustrating than it needed to be with this whole PHORCAS system.
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
[/B]

That's nice to know. None of my writers have started, so I just went ahead and emailed them asking them what would be easier for them. 2 of my writers stated they would just like the general letter option as the letters wouldn't vary enough to warrant doing separate letters, which is what I expected. I know if I was someone writing letters, I would prefer the one, especially if you're writing letters for multiple students.

I'll be really happy to hit submit on this darn application. This process has been more frustrating than it needed to be with this whole PHORCAS system.
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IIRC, you can submit before the LORs are submitted. You just have to put in the respective LOR request per app. I'm ironing out my LOI right now and plan on submitting by the end of the day tomorrow.
 
joetrisman said:
IIRC, you can submit before the LORs are submitted. You just have to put in the respective LOR request per app. I'm ironing out my LOI right now and plan on submitting by the end of the day tomorrow.
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I was waiting for my transcripts to be uploaded. Have yours been uploaded? I'm going to fill out paperwork to resend them tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a month since I sent them out originally.
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
I saw a BUNCH of short skirts. I'm not the most modest person, but dang. I didn't see any cleavage though, surprisingly. There were a lot of questionable outfits. I guess it's always been drilled in me to wear a suit when networking at something like this. I saw people with green pants and capri pants. Girls that had on like clubbing dresses with a blazer thrown on, etc. Hopefully they'll tone it down for the interviews.
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I saw a lot of short skirts too. People really have no clue how to dress. And unlike you, I hope they don't tone it down for the interview, because that makes my chances better!

Finally got one of my transcripts uploaded!🙂
 
bkiskadd said:
I saw a lot of short skirts too. People really have no clue how to dress. And unlike you, I hope they don't tone it down for the interview, because that makes my chances better!

Finally got one of my transcripts uploaded!🙂
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:laugh:

I guess that's true. On the other hand, maybe those short skirts might improve their chances! :idea:
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
I was waiting for my transcripts to be uploaded. Have yours been uploaded? I'm going to fill out paperwork to resend them tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a month since I sent them out originally.
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I think I mentioned it earlier, but yes, all of them have been uploaded as I requested them the week phorcas went live
 
joetrisman said:
I think I mentioned it earlier, but yes, all of them have been uploaded as I requested them the week phorcas went live
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How long did it take yours to post? I requested mine to be sent to them on November 7th and nothing as of today. I sent in one request today. Going to request the others tomorrow.
 
For your CVs, are you guys listing details about your rotations? I'm getting mixed opinions. Some people have told me to take out all the details as you don't want it to be too long and it gives you something to talk about at interviews. I'm reading this Get the Residency book from ASHP and it states to have the details. I'm just confused on what's best.
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
For your CVs, are you guys listing details about your rotations? I'm getting mixed opinions. Some people have told me to take out all the details as you don't want it to be too long and it gives you something to talk about at interviews. I'm reading this Get the Residency book from ASHP and it states to have the details. I'm just confused on what's best.
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I am, but have max 4 bullets. I don't think it's wise to leave off descriptors especially if you did something unique like work on an MUE or another project. They are going to ask you questions regardless during the interview.
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
For your CVs, are you guys listing details about your rotations? I'm getting mixed opinions. Some people have told me to take out all the details as you don't want it to be too long and it gives you something to talk about at interviews. I'm reading this Get the Residency book from ASHP and it states to have the details. I'm just confused on what's best.
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I am not putting details. As it is, my CV is too long. Ideally I'd like to cut it down to three solid pages but I'm currently sitting at 5.
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
For your CVs, are you guys listing details about your rotations? I'm getting mixed opinions. Some people have told me to take out all the details as you don't want it to be too long and it gives you something to talk about at interviews. I'm reading this Get the Residency book from ASHP and it states to have the details. I'm just confused on what's best.
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Skip the details, that book is a piece of crap. If you need to explain what you do on a community rotation or even ICU rotation, the person reading your CV is stupid.
 
joetrisman said:
These LOIs are killing me...8/12 done. Almost to my goal of submitting today...
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I am still new to PhORCAS. Do you upload one general LOI or an LOI tailored to each application? References can upload one general letter for all the applications right? Thanks
 
confettiflyer said:
Skip the details, that book is a piece of crap. If you need to explain what you do on a community rotation or even ICU rotation, the person reading your CV is stupid.
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:laugh:
Thank you! That's what I was leaning towards. I do feel like I wasted money on this book. I seem to find all this info online pretty easily.


gammaknife said:
I am still new to PhORCAS. Do you upload one general LOI or an LOI tailored to each application? References can upload one general letter for all the applications right? Thanks
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I think it's recommended to tailor each LOI. You want to say specifically why you want to go to a certain program, etc. For the references, they can be general.
 
I resubmitted my request to have my transcripts sent to PHORCAS again. I'm starting to panic that they won't upload to the site in time for deadlines.

If it gets closer to the deadline, do you guys think I should contact the programs I'm interested in and explain to them my issue and send transcripts directly to them (I'm not sure if you can submit your PHORCAS application without the transcripts).

I'm just getting really tired of this system, and I don't want this one stupid thing to be the reason I can't get my applications completed on time.
 
facepalm.png


Sigh. So, I clicked the status button in PHORCAS (first time noticing this). It says they have received all my transcripts. If you go to FAQs, it states that the dates will appear next to your institution name with the date that the transcript was received... I just spent today requesting a new set of transcripts be sent to them and spent $15 in the process. I think I'm bald now from all the hair I've pulled out of my head.
 
joetrisman said:
Better late than never :shrug:
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I guess so... just annoyed how things haven't been consistent. When you click on undergrad/grad transcripts are there no dates for your transcripts for when they were received?
 
joetrisman said:
Anyone's opinion on print, sign, and rescan vs electronic signature?
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I think the physically signed method is nicer if you have a high quality scanner. If the scanned image of the document looks poor, then paste an electronic image of your signature onto the word document and save as a PDF.
 
Started my letter of intent. Kind of difficult. I don't want it to sound generic, but it seems hard to have an awesome letter with not that much room to say it. How many pages are you guys writing 1 or 2?
 
GoldfishPharmD said:
Started my letter of intent. Kind of difficult. I don't want it to sound generic, but it seems hard to have an awesome letter with not that much room to say it. How many pages are you guys writing 1 or 2?
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Keep it to 1 page.
 
I did 2 pages for most programs last year. I don't think it matters whether you do 1 or 2 pages, as long as you say what you want to say.
 
It is ok to use a bit of a second page, just not too much. It should not be 2 full pages.
 
Right now, I have everything on 1 page. I like it so far, I just need to polish it. Thanks for all your suggestions by the way! 🙂
 
For those of you curious about the turn around time for transcripts, it took ~ 1 month from the time I mailed my transcript request to the time it was listed as received in PhorCAS.
 
FYI - whether or not a program requires all transcripts...they all show up for us in the applicant portal. Phorcas will send us your app even if transcripts/LOR are pending...as long as all your documents are sent.

I have a feeling this process is going to be a nightmare. Submit your stuff ASAP!!!
 
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