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- Aug 23, 2017
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Hello,
I am just looking for some advice on improving my residency match chances next year. I am finishing up my P2 year and just found out that I will not be continuing on in my role as treasurer of ASHP. While this seems small, and I likely don't need to worry, it feels like a blow to my application.
My quick background is this:
Before pharmacy school:
~4 years as a pharmacy technician with Wal-Mart, BS in Chemistry from a University with a very highly ranked chemistry program, and a minor in biology and pharmacology.
P1:
Moved states for pharmacy school and took awhile to get settled. Began working as a CVS intern during August before the semester started. Maintained a 3.8 GPA during the school year. No club involvement or meaningful volunteer experience. Worked about 30 hours a week throughout the year. My retail IPPE experience went great, preceptor was willing to write me a recommendation for a job and continues to be willing to be a glowing recommendation.
P2:
Again no meaningful research or volunteer experience (had a great service opportunity lined up but Covid canceled). Had a ASHP treasurer position that I did for 1 year.
(This part is pretty long and sounds like I am tooting my own horn but I believe it shows how my P4 rotations will go based on my real world abilities) Institutional IPPE in the summer at a larger hospital system in a more rural area. The 3 weeks went great, I was with two students a year ahead of me in another pharmacy school and told to keep up and I did. The preceptor again was willing to be a phone contact on my CV, which she claimed that she had never offered an IPPE student in the past, and told me that she would request the school place me in all 3 APPE experiences they have if I wanted during P4. They do not currently have a residency program but are working on creating one, if they did I would feel pretty secure in getting a position there.
I changed over to a full time pharmacy position in July, and eventually ended up being our weeknight overnight person (mon-thursday nights 9-7) for the rest of my P2 year. I also had to pick up for the weekend person often and worked 29 out of 31 overnight shifts in October. Total average hours per week during the academic year ~43 hours per week. This is my main plus, as I maintained a 4.00 during the fall semester and should get a ~3.8 this semester without taking any pass/fail as our school allows us to now. My main plan is to highlight my ability to work full time and handle school, and use it as an explanation for my lack of other involvement. I will be continuing on as part time as they finally found someone to replace me at work, and will have about 20-30 hours a week next school year unless our night person leaves again. My pharmacy manager and pharmacy director would both provide me with very good letters of recommendation without a doubt. Got into Rho Chi at the end of the year.
I have really nothing other than work lined up for next year, and want to ensure that I make myself the best candidate possible with the consideration of just being a member of Rho Chi and ASHP and no leadership in either. I hope at least 1 person got through all of this and any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I am just looking for some advice on improving my residency match chances next year. I am finishing up my P2 year and just found out that I will not be continuing on in my role as treasurer of ASHP. While this seems small, and I likely don't need to worry, it feels like a blow to my application.
My quick background is this:
Before pharmacy school:
~4 years as a pharmacy technician with Wal-Mart, BS in Chemistry from a University with a very highly ranked chemistry program, and a minor in biology and pharmacology.
P1:
Moved states for pharmacy school and took awhile to get settled. Began working as a CVS intern during August before the semester started. Maintained a 3.8 GPA during the school year. No club involvement or meaningful volunteer experience. Worked about 30 hours a week throughout the year. My retail IPPE experience went great, preceptor was willing to write me a recommendation for a job and continues to be willing to be a glowing recommendation.
P2:
Again no meaningful research or volunteer experience (had a great service opportunity lined up but Covid canceled). Had a ASHP treasurer position that I did for 1 year.
(This part is pretty long and sounds like I am tooting my own horn but I believe it shows how my P4 rotations will go based on my real world abilities) Institutional IPPE in the summer at a larger hospital system in a more rural area. The 3 weeks went great, I was with two students a year ahead of me in another pharmacy school and told to keep up and I did. The preceptor again was willing to be a phone contact on my CV, which she claimed that she had never offered an IPPE student in the past, and told me that she would request the school place me in all 3 APPE experiences they have if I wanted during P4. They do not currently have a residency program but are working on creating one, if they did I would feel pretty secure in getting a position there.
I changed over to a full time pharmacy position in July, and eventually ended up being our weeknight overnight person (mon-thursday nights 9-7) for the rest of my P2 year. I also had to pick up for the weekend person often and worked 29 out of 31 overnight shifts in October. Total average hours per week during the academic year ~43 hours per week. This is my main plus, as I maintained a 4.00 during the fall semester and should get a ~3.8 this semester without taking any pass/fail as our school allows us to now. My main plan is to highlight my ability to work full time and handle school, and use it as an explanation for my lack of other involvement. I will be continuing on as part time as they finally found someone to replace me at work, and will have about 20-30 hours a week next school year unless our night person leaves again. My pharmacy manager and pharmacy director would both provide me with very good letters of recommendation without a doubt. Got into Rho Chi at the end of the year.
I have really nothing other than work lined up for next year, and want to ensure that I make myself the best candidate possible with the consideration of just being a member of Rho Chi and ASHP and no leadership in either. I hope at least 1 person got through all of this and any advice would be greatly appreciated!