sibling attending that school -- advantage or disadvantage?

[crazy4eck]

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Is it an advantage or disadvantage to have a sibling already attending a school I am applying to? Because I wasn't sure if it is a good or bad thing, so don't know yet if I should bring it up during interview or applications? Any advice would be appreciated! Any pharm students have any experience in this, being part of the admissions process perhaps?

 

[Farmercyst]

Is it an advantage or disadvantage to have a sibling already attending a school I am applying to? Because I wasn't sure if it is a good or bad thing, so don't know yet if I should bring it up during interview or applications? Any advice would be appreciated! Any pharm students have any experience in this, being part of the admissions process perhaps?

It's hard to say. I know most of the admissions staff and several of the pharmacy professors, so if my siblings applied (assuming my reputation with them is as good as I think it is) then it may be beneficial. The problem is, I have no idea who is on the adcom. They may have no idea who I am. The interviewer doesn't have to be pharm faculty (could be researcher, alum, or someone else). In that scenario, it may have a neutral effect. If your sibling has ticked off a faculty/adcom member, it could have a negative affect. I would assume that this situation would be neutral or positive, but it's probably best not to associate yourself upfront with your sibling and just where the cards fall.

Once you're in, it doesn't matter if your sibling is there. You'll establish yourself on campus. It may be beneficial to have an upperclassmen you can relate to, but your experience doesn't HAVE to be affected by theirs.

 

[AngelaCL]

As long as your sibling isn't disliked by an ad-com member, I think it could be a really good thing. When you get asked something like "what do you know about this school" or "why here?" you will have some good concrete answers. That also might be something that will help you succeed there - you know what to expect in your classes, you have a support system there, you have someone to help you study.

 

[crazy4eck]

thanks farmercyst and angela... my sibling does not have any bad rep at the school. my only concern is the interview panel would think something like: she isn't wanting to go to pharmacy school because she loves it, but rather just copying her older sibling. I see this happen to a lot of my friends, where they don't follow their own passion but the passion of their older bro/sis. in my case, i truly love working at the pharmacy and think this is the career for me. so i guess if i can show my own love for pharmacy with my answers, then having a sibling there won't hinder my chances... thanks again everyone

 

[thanawalt]

My aunt and uncle are both professors at my top choice. They are neighbors with one of the adcoms. Would this be an advantage?

 

[lkrsfanforever]

Thanawalt, i dont know if your comment was sincere or not. if yes then i cant believe you are even asking that question...but if it was meant as a sarcasm, then i think you should save it! people post questions on this forum because need an honest opinion, not some smarty pants reply. if you're not going to answer in a respectful way then dont!

personally, i think it's always good to show that you have some relative going to the school, as long as you don't make it sound like you're just following in your family's foot step. best of luck!

 

[wolfpackhal]

I don't think having a sibling at a school would help or hurt you in terms of getting accepted, but it could give you an advantage in that your sibling can give you valuable tips.

 

[thanawalt]

Thanawalt, i dont know if your comment was sincere or not. if yes then i cant believe you are even asking that question...but if it was meant as a sarcasm, then i think you should save it! people post questions on this forum because need an honest opinion, not some smarty pants reply. if you're not going to answer in a respectful way then dont!

I am serious.