prestige vs job offer

[PremedSingh]

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Suppose two pharmacists, "pharmacist A" and "pharmacist B" are competing for a job in retail pharmacy. "pharmacist A" graduated from a very prestigious and highly acclaimed pharmacy school, maintained a very good GPA, seems very intelligent overall. "pharmacist B" got his pharm d from a school that has a low standard of admission (low gpa requirements and less or no requirement for ec's) but worked as a pharmacy tech for 1-2 years, your typical average student...... Who in your opinion will get the job?

 

[NaOH]

Pharmacist A will be out the door the moment a better offer comes along. Pharmacist B has fewer options and has relevant experience. I think it's pretty clear how it shakes out.

 

[Corpseman]

Grades don't matter. The name of the school is the only thing that matters and that is if the interviewer went to the same school.

1-2 years of tech experience 4 years prior to applying should have no influence on getting the job over someone with no experience.

 

[gwarm01]

Eh, prestige isn't really a thing in pharmacy. Especially if you are looking for a job in a different market than your school, where likely no one has ever heard of it.

 

[MindGeek]

school that has a low standard of admission (low gpa requirements and less or no requirement for ec's)

Schools require extracurriculars now?

Hiring managers who are preceptors would probably know which schools:

• inadequately prepare their students for APPEs,
  
• are tougher overall (which will drive down GPA),
• don't count APPEs toward GPA (which would boost low P&T/D&D grades), and
• make you do an extra APPE (>1440 hrs total),

low standard of admission

Admissions standards are in the past. People hiring will care about job preparedness.

Being a technician was in the past. You are an APPE or new grad now. (Wait, aren't you Pre-Med @PremedSingh ?)

Make yourself the best functionally performing APPE and you will shine. Functional performance is not equal to past academic performance or being 'smart.' Keep a record of every single achievement, project, task, presentation, etc. during APPE year and let your C.V. speak for itself. Not just I was there between these dates.

Having a license in hand is more attractive than a 'smart' student who still has to take the Practical Exam (in NY & GA), NAPLEX, and MPJE.

 

[BenJammin]

I really don't care what school you went to unless it's mine. I get students all the time from a university that claims to be a top 4 program and they're hit or miss. I care more about what your experiences in both work and school.

 

[Got Em]

There is no prestige in pharmacy. Retail picks who can work the fastest and are best with customers.

 

[KARM12]

For retail, if you have tech experience...that will trump which school you went to.

 

[Lucky One]

Prestige over experience really only comes into play in a small subset of jobs and pharmacy is not one of them. You don't need prestige to move up in the ranks or get to your desired goal.

 

[wagrxm2000]

If the tech worked for my company they will have a better chance getting hired. The worst thing that can happen in retail is hiring a lazy pharmacist. With the tech it is already known how competent and hard working they are. School means zilch in retail.