some questions-- help me out?

[newtothisPharm]

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Hi
I'm going to be applying this year for the first time and I'm confused about some application stuff.

1. Is it better to take the PCATs in july or sept? or does it not matter? I've taken them once before but never applied.

2. is it necessary to have a LOR from a pharmacist?

oh, also I'm in the process of getting my pharm tech certification- if I don't have it by the time pharmcas starts up is there a place to put this on the app?

3. when does pharmcas open? early june...?

Thanks!

 

[R2pharmD2]

Hi
I'm going to be applying this year for the first time and I'm confused about some application stuff.

1. Is it better to take the PCATs in july or sept? or does it not matter? I've taken them once before but never applied.

2. is it necessary to have a LOR from a pharmacist?

Thanks!

1. Depends on where you're applying. If they do rolling admissions, you want that score in ASAP. If they review all of their apps after the deadline, and that deadline is after you'd get your scores back in September, then it won't make much difference. Will you be more prepared to take it in September than July? If not, then you might as well take it in July.

2. Not necessary, unless your school(s) specify a preference, but definitely desirable.

 

[rxlea]

Hi
I'm going to be applying this year for the first time and I'm confused about some application stuff.

1. Is it better to take the PCATs in july or sept? or does it not matter? I've taken them once before but never applied.

2. is it necessary to have a LOR from a pharmacist?

oh, also I'm in the process of getting my pharm tech certification- if I don't have it by the time pharmcas starts up is there a place to put this on the app?

3. when does pharmcas open? early june...?

Thanks!

1. Doesn't matter unless the school is rolling admissions or has an app deadline before November-ish.

2. Depends on the school
2.5 Go to their website
3. Go to their website

 

[newtothisPharm]

The Pharmcas website hasn't released new info for this cycle yet- does anyone know around when it opens?

Also, is there a chance to gain acceptance even if some of my pre-reqs are still in progress? I know it says its possible on the school websites, I just want to know if it diminishes my chances?
I have extensive courses in Biology (I have my BS in biology) but I don't have courses in Economics, or Speech, will this hurt my chance significantly?

Thanks everybody!

 

[cjflahave]

The Pharmcas website hasn't released new info for this cycle yet- does anyone know around when it opens?

Also, is there a chance to gain acceptance even if some of my pre-reqs are still in progress? I know it says its possible on the school websites, I just want to know if it diminishes my chances?
I have extensive courses in Biology (I have my BS in biology) but I don't have courses in Economics, or Speech, will this hurt my chance significantly?

Thanks everybody!

Not having the classes done by the time you apply will not hurt you. You just need to have all the pre-reqs done by the time you'd start pharmacy school in the fall.

 

[cmspharm]

The Pharmcas website hasn't released new info for this cycle yet- does anyone know around when it opens?

Also, is there a chance to gain acceptance even if some of my pre-reqs are still in progress? I know it says its possible on the school websites, I just want to know if it diminishes my chances?
I have extensive courses in Biology (I have my BS in biology) but I don't have courses in Economics, or Speech, will this hurt my chance significantly?

Thanks everybody!

It actually does say on their website that the application will be available in early June.

I don't think it really affects your chances if you have a few courses that you still have to complete, especially since they aren't the science or math pre-reqs. It does, however, depend on the schools you are applying to. If it states that it's okay on their website, I would not worry about it. As long as you complete the courses by the time of matriculation, it should be fine for most schools.

 

[Praziquantel86]

The best way to figure this all out is to contact the schools directly and visiting the PharmCAS website. Each school has different entry requirements, so it's impossible to say without going through individually.

 

[sanode]

newtothisPharm

first off - congrats on thinking about this sooner rather than later.
My 2 cents - spend some time working with a Pharmacist so your LoR will have that much of an impact

 

[JJVmom]

Hi
I'm going to be applying this year for the first time and I'm confused about some application stuff.

1. Is it better to take the PCATs in july or sept? or does it not matter? I've taken them once before but never applied.

Thanks!

Are you happy w/your scores? I believe the earlier the better. If you can, take July. You can always retake Sept.

Get everything else done in Pharmcas immediately. (You could even start working on your PS now.) The later in the season, the longer it takes for them to calculate your GPA and get your package sent out.

 

[shredgnar]

Is there a specific question for the PharmCAS PS or can you write about whatever you want? Also, does anyone know the word limit? I am applying for the first time this fall, and I would like to start working on my PS soon. Thanks 🙂

 

[cmspharm]

Is there a specific question for the PharmCAS PS or can you write about whatever you want? Also, does anyone know the word limit? I am applying for the first time this fall, and I would like to start working on my PS soon. Thanks 🙂

"Your Personal Essay should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals. The personal essay is an important part of your application for admission and provides you with an opportunity for you to clearly and effectively express your ideas.

Do NOT personalize your essay for a particular pharmacy degree institution. You can NOT make any edits to your personal statement after you have e-submitted your completed application to PharmCAS.

You are encouraged to compose your essay in a text-only word processor (e.g., Notepad), review your essay for errors, then cut and paste the final version into the text box above. Click the Save button and then return to the Personal Essay to review the formatting of your text. You are limited to approximately 1 page (4500 characters, including spaces). Some formatting characters used in programs like Word (angled quotes, accents, special characters) will not display properly. Take care to review your final text and to make the necessary corrections to the format.

Each pharmacy school reserves the right to require additional essay responses as part of the supplemental application process."

-http://www.pharmcas.org/docs/Instructions201011.pdf