problem with interview

[Utterdevotion]

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I'm scheduled to have my interview w/ Shenandoah on the 13th. The problem is, I found out today that my physics class won't count my interview as an excused absense. And the policy is, is I miss a lab, I fail the course.

In the end, I don't see any other way but to call Shenandoah and ask for them to reschedule. I don't even know why I'm asking...but how bad does that look?

 

[IsoPod]

Is there any way you can reschedule your lab? Maybe take it with another section?

 

[Utterdevotion]

The lab coordinator is being a douche. She says that it is NOT excused so I cannot make up for it.
...So rescheduling is really bad huh?

 

[Ammarha]

I'm scheduled to have my interview w/ Shenandoah on the 13th. The problem is, I found out today that my physics class won't count my interview as an excused absense. And the policy is, is I miss a lab, I fail the course.

In the end, I don't see any other way but to call Shenandoah and ask for them to reschedule. I don't even know why I'm asking...but how bad does that look?

Wow.. I am surprised they won't consider an educational interview an excused absence. That makes them look really bad. It's not like you are going on a vacation or something.... you are trying to further your education. I would see if you could talk to somebody else; maybe the head of the Physics dept. with a complaint. When I had my interview, I had to miss a lab and a lecture exam. My professors were more than willing to work with me and wished me luck on my interview. Good luck, but I would try to work something out with the school before you try to reschedule your interview.

 

[TennisBoy78]

I completely agree with the last post. Talk to the department head or dean of the college. If you have an exam that day, offer to take the it early. If it is just a lab, offer to come in on another day.

Interviews are extremely important. Yes, you may reschedule them, but only as a last resort. Make sure to tell the department heads that rescheduling only hurts your chances of getting into pharmacy school, which is why you are in that class to begin with. (It may not hurt you in the end, but you know that getting an early interview is crucial in these times of increased competition to pharmacy school.)

Ms. Mary Beth Board from Shenandoah left a message on my phone about my interview weeks back. She indicated that there were several times during Mondays and Fridays that I could set up my interview. If Fridays work for you instead, maybe you could do that. Since I work on both Monday and Friday, I had no choice but to ask my Pharm Manager for time off, and she gladly granted it to me. In fact, we have been practicing answering sample interview questions. I have always practiced getting to know my professors and bosses well because I never know when I have to ask them for favors.

Good luck to you and hope you can get things resolved. Good luck on your interview also!

 

[DHG]

1. Go to the Physics department chair.
It should end there-- they definately should let you out with an excused absence. If not:

2. Go to the dean of students at your college.



This is unacceptable that they won't give you an excused absence for an interview.


Are we getting the entire story? Have you already missed a bunch of class or something?😕 I can understand if you already have some unexcused absences why they might tell you no. If that's the case, sorry. Sounds like you screwed up.

 

[shaun009]

Go to your doctor that day.. Get a note and a prescription for some vitamins. Done deal!

 

[ttp]

Hello,
I have a problem too. I got my interview confirmed with USC on the 18th and today I received an invitation from Pacific on the same date. What should I do??? Any input would help. Thanks in advance. 🙂

 

[twester]

I'm scheduled to have my interview w/ Shenandoah on the 13th. The problem is, I found out today that my physics class won't count my interview as an excused absense. And the policy is, is I miss a lab, I fail the course.

In the end, I don't see any other way but to call Shenandoah and ask for them to reschedule. I don't even know why I'm asking...but how bad does that look?

You go over that lab person's head. That's unheard of and extremely unprofessional. If the physics department head blows you off, go to the Dean of the school or the president of your university. If that doesn't work maybe you can sue them for the lost wages that a year's delay cost you? Probably not unless you can prove you would have gotten in.

If all else fails, you could reschedule - but you shouldn't have to if you've had good attendance so far this semester.

 

[Utterdevotion]

Thanks for the suggestions.
To answer some of the things:

When Shenandoah called me about an interview, the only days were Mondays, so any day that I picked, I'd still miss lab. (not that, that is important since it's already been scheduled)

I don't know if going to the doctor is a good idea? Especially since I talked to the coordinator, so she would be very suspicious of my letter.

I have not missed a SINGLE day of lecture and our tutorial (sort of like a discussion but we do problems). And of course I haven't missed lab or else I would have failed the course....so I don't understand why she wouldn't let me.

This is what she said:
I'm afraid that a school interview is not an excused absence, and
unfortunately, as such there's no option for making up the lab. I'm
sorry for your circumstances but I'm sure you can understand we have
to apply the same policy to everyone. I wish you luck in the interview.
I mean, what LUCK is there when I'm going to fail your course and hence not be able to go to pharm school anyway??

Thank you all for your help again.
I think I will talk to the dean...

 

[TennisBoy78]

Hello,
I have a problem too. I got my interview confirmed with USC on the 18th and today I received an invitation from Pacific on the same date. What should I do??? Any input would help. Thanks in advance. 🙂

Set up a teleconference and try to conduct the interview with both at the same time!

All jokes aside, I would keep your original interview at the scheduled time (with the first school that invited you) and reschedule the other interview, unless Pacific is your #1 choice selection by far.

 

[ttp]

Thanks TennisBoy78......Looks like I have to keep USC as scheduled. But what should my excuse be for Pacific? Would it be bad to reject their scheduled date?

Thanks again. 🙂

 

[DHG]

This is what she said:
I'm afraid that a school interview is not an excused absence, and
unfortunately, as such there's no option for making up the lab. I'm
sorry for your circumstances but I'm sure you can understand we have
to apply the same policy to everyone. I wish you luck in the interview.
I mean, what LUCK is there when I'm going to fail your course and hence not be able to go to pharm school anyway??

No way. Follow the chain of command and see the department chair first. If the chair stands behind her, go see the dean next. If they STILL don't back down, ask the department chair for it in writing, on school letterhead. Keep this in case you run into any problems with Shennandoah not wanting to reschedule you if it comes to that.

 

[acetyl]

I'm sorry but those people are completely unreasonable. If this happens to me, I would write formal complaints to the chair of the department explaining to them that the ONLY reason you are giving them money via tution dollars and taking their class is because it is a pre-requiste to pharmacy school. You are the customer, and they need to accomodate to you.

 

[npage148]

1. drop the class
2. send strongly worded letters to the dean,assistant dean for student affairs/acedemics, dept chair, your profressor
3. go to the interview
4. take the class over the winter break or summer if needed
5. get in to pharmacy school
6. send real nasty letter to the lab instructor

But really, thats totall BS they are feeding you. I think anywhere else that would count as a valid note

 

[aboveliquidice]

1. drop the class
2. send strongly worded letters to the dean,assistant dean for student affairs/acedemics, dept chair, your profressor
3. go to the interview
4. take the class over the winter break or summer if needed
5. get in to pharmacy school
6. send real nasty letter to the lab instructor

But really, thats totall BS they are feeding you. I think anywhere else that would count as a valid note

All is good - except for #1 - Hell no dont drop the class. As a rule of thumb - if you have a "B" or greater - you never jump ship on a class. There are a LOT of options left open to you. Dropping the course is a last ditch option. I think the general opinion is to walk it up the chain of command. Its a "Lab" professor = chump in the grand scheme of things. Go to his/her superior, and break a chip off their shoulder...

~above~

 

[npage148]

The dropping of the class would only be done if there was no way around getting an F for missing the class. So, after the chain of commands leads you nowhere that is your action

 

[aboveliquidice]

The dropping of the class would only be done if there was no way around getting an F for missing the class. So, after the chain of commands leads you nowhere that is your action

👍 In such a case - I agree 100%

 

[Gilmore2B]

I agree with the majority of the responses thus far; however I was taught that a syllabus is like a contract. If your instructor put this policy in writing and you were aware of it while you still had time to drop the course and receive a full refund, then I would say you’re stuck. Seeking the assistance of the department may work, but I don't think any pharmacy school expects you to show up on an assigned day or else. Although they have many applicants and they can't accommodate everyone's schedule, they undoubtedly have handled circumstances such as these before. Call the pharmacy school to reschedule and make sure you keep positive! There’s a reason they invited you for an interview, they think you would fit well in their class!

 

[ndearwater]

Thanks for the suggestions.
To answer some of the things:

When Shenandoah called me about an interview, the only days were Mondays, so any day that I picked, I'd still miss lab. (not that, that is important since it's already been scheduled)

I don't know if going to the doctor is a good idea? Especially since I talked to the coordinator, so she would be very suspicious of my letter.

I have not missed a SINGLE day of lecture and our tutorial (sort of like a discussion but we do problems). And of course I haven't missed lab or else I would have failed the course....so I don't understand why she wouldn't let me.

This is what she said:
I'm afraid that a school interview is not an excused absence, and
unfortunately, as such there's no option for making up the lab. I'm
sorry for your circumstances but I'm sure you can understand we have
to apply the same policy to everyone. I wish you luck in the interview.
I mean, what LUCK is there when I'm going to fail your course and hence not be able to go to pharm school anyway??

Thank you all for your help again.
I think I will talk to the dean...

Hey,
I'm sure that if you talk to Dean McKay or Caz over at SU they would be happy to reschedule your interview. That seems so unfair! Just explain the circumstances. 🙂
Good luck!

 

[Utterdevotion]

Hi everyone.
I just want to tell everyone what happened.

I talked to the associate chair of the undergraduate education in the physics department. Basically, my lab coordinator laid down the ground rules that an excused absense can only be if you are deathly ill and have a doctor's note, or there was a death in the family. According to the associate chair, both he and the lab coordinator understands my situation and apologizes. But because these rules were set, it cannot be changed just for me.
So it remains UNexcused. But we compromised so that I will not fail the course, and instead I will lose the points from that week's lab. If I'm borderline at the end of the semester, my professor will bump me up to the next grade. (aka I lose nothing, it just remains unexcused.)

Since then, I have asked every professor I have to ensure I don't have another problem with this. And well, of course, I didn't have a problem with any of them.

I just wanted to warn anyone applying this year to make sure you know your school's policy.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Glowwyrm]

When I was in undergraduate school I had to register on a certain day within a certain 3 hour time period. My aunt's funeral was that day and they would not allow me to register any other day or even that same day but at 8 am. Basically I attended my aunt's funeral and then rushed back to school to register. I'm still a little bitter about that. So, I can kind of understand what you're going through. I'm glad you were at least able to reach a compromise that you're happy with.

 

[honeykrown]

Sometimes you wonder whats up wit these professors. I had a microbiology teacher who once told me i should drop the class since he doesnt think i would pass it if i missed three days. I told him he was joking that i would never drop the class. trust me he couldnt teach and half the class dropped, but i started from a "D" and ended up getting a "B" which i believe was something. Only 1 or 2 students got an "A".

I went to meet him at the end, and he was like he was surprised.

 

[LaoSaint]

Interesting

 

[ndearwater]

Hi everyone.
I just want to tell everyone what happened.

I talked to the associate chair of the undergraduate education in the physics department. Basically, my lab coordinator laid down the ground rules that an excused absense can only be if you are deathly ill and have a doctor's note, or there was a death in the family. According to the associate chair, both he and the lab coordinator understands my situation and apologizes. But because these rules were set, it cannot be changed just for me.
So it remains UNexcused. But we compromised so that I will not fail the course, and instead I will lose the points from that week's lab. If I'm borderline at the end of the semester, my professor will bump me up to the next grade. (aka I lose nothing, it just remains unexcused.)

Since then, I have asked every professor I have to ensure I don't have another problem with this. And well, of course, I didn't have a problem with any of them.

I just wanted to warn anyone applying this year to make sure you know your school's policy.

Thanks for all the help guys!

How was your interview? I know some P2's were doing interviews today! How fun! 🙂

 

[Utterdevotion]

How was your interview? I know some P2's were doing interviews today! How fun! 🙂

Overall my interview was alright....I was really nervous since this is my first one. So I stumbled through their first question of "Why pharmacy?" (which I knew was coming too!) But after that I did alright. I was surprised that 90% of the questions they asked were ethics related; one in particular was hard to answer *sigh*

Apparently if I got in, I will hear from them before thanksgiving!

 

[Roxbury]

I was surprised that 90% of the questions they asked were ethics related; one in particular was hard to answer *sigh*

Apparently if I got in, I will hear from them before thanksgiving!

Yeah the amount of ethics questions they asked both surprised me and it made me feel more comfortable with the interview.

As for the Thanksgiving thing, I had my interview around the same time as yours last year and I knew after Thanksgiving, so I had to wait until Christmas to brag

 

[dreaminofpharmd]

Overall my interview was alright....I was really nervous since this is my first one. So I stumbled through their first question of "Why pharmacy?" (which I knew was coming too!) But after that I did alright. I was surprised that 90% of the questions they asked were ethics related; one in particular was hard to answer *sigh*

Apparently if I got in, I will hear from them before thanksgiving!

Can you give examples of ethic questions you were asked?

 

[Utterdevotion]

Yeah the amount of ethics questions they asked both surprised me and it made me feel more comfortable with the interview.

As for the Thanksgiving thing, I had my interview around the same time as yours last year and I knew after Thanksgiving, so I had to wait until Christmas to brag

Roxbury - did they say that they would get back to you before Thanksgiving?
Because it really would disappoint me if I didnt hear from them, since Thanksgiving is a week away. It would make me feel a lot better that I wasn't put on hold or something...

 

[Utterdevotion]

Can you give examples of ethic questions you were asked?

A lot of them can be found in the interview feedback place.
But they go along the lines of:
-If you caught a student cheating what would you do?
-We usually work in groups, if you know that someone in the group was intentionally slacking off, what would you do?
-If you suspected that a pharmacist you were working with was under the influence of alcohol what would you do?

The one I had trouble with was:
-If a patient's benefits increased with the number of people they have in the family; And she came to your pharmacy saying that she had 6 kids when you know that she only had one...what would you?

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[Apothecary]

Hi everyone.
I just want to tell everyone what happened.

I talked to the associate chair of the undergraduate education in the physics department. Basically, my lab coordinator laid down the ground rules that an excused absense can only be if you are deathly ill and have a doctor's note, or there was a death in the family. According to the associate chair, both he and the lab coordinator understands my situation and apologizes. But because these rules were set, it cannot be changed just for me.
So it remains UNexcused. But we compromised so that I will not fail the course, and instead I will lose the points from that week's lab. If I'm borderline at the end of the semester, my professor will bump me up to the next grade. (aka I lose nothing, it just remains unexcused.)

Since then, I have asked every professor I have to ensure I don't have another problem with this. And well, of course, I didn't have a problem with any of them.

I just wanted to warn anyone applying this year to make sure you know your school's policy.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Your school, and its policy, sucks.

 

[Roxbury]

Roxbury - did they say that they would get back to you before Thanksgiving?
Because it really would disappoint me if I didnt hear from them, since Thanksgiving is a week away. It would make me feel a lot better that I wasn't put on hold or something...

Well, no matter what status you are put on, Ms. Caz will email you right away as soon as they make the decision. Then you'll get the official letter about 1-2 weeks later. I would expect you will probably hear the week after Thanksgiving. The admissions committee meets once a week to discuss the previous weeks interviewees. With next weeks holiday, I wouldn't think they will be meeting. Plus Ms. Caz has been out of town, so if she already has your info, maybe you will get it this week.