South Dakota

[sweetcalie08]

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Has anyone heard much about the South Dakota State University college of pharmacy? I just applied there, and am hoping to get in, but am unsure of my chances. I hear it's 1/3 accepted or worse...not too terrible but still...those could be old statistics. Are any of you enrolled at SDSU COP? Just wondering how the small-town life is. Any comments or suggestions would be great. 🙂

 

[rxforlife2004]

One of my friend got accepted to South Dakota last year, but he declined to go for NVCP because he cannot handle cold weather...
From what I heard (my friend), the school is really cool and not that competitive to get in; however the weather is really a big issue....If I have to make a choice, I rather go to Hawaii...

Did you apply for Hawaii?

 

[sweetcalie08]

Nope, I did not apply to Hawaii. Actually I only applied to South Dakota State this year. I kind of applied there on a whim, lol. I had actually been planning to wait another year yet before applying to a bunch of schools...but since I have all of SD's prereqs completed or in progress (they don't require physics), I thought, why not? BTW, I'm from Minnesota and currently going to school here so cold weather should not be a problem. In fact, this last week I was suffering in temps of -24F. Ugh. Oh well...hopefully SD is not too competitive like I'm suspecting.

BTW, rxforlife, you may have mentioned this in another post, but are you currently in a pharmacy program or are you applying? Which school are you at or which schools are you looking into? Thanks for your reply. 🙂

 

[MNnaloxone]

I applied to NDSU and SDSU for the class of 2004. I discarded my application to the U of M halfway though the process for a number of reasons. Since my girlfriend-now-fiancee was at NDSU, SDSU was a backup. Both parents are from SD, and I have a lot of family there. I grew up in Minneapolis.

I was accepted at NDSU in the first round (top 30? Like it matters.) I was waitlisted at SDSU. Out of curiosity, I called the Dean at SDSU COP to chat. He told me that I had interviewed very well, and that he was impressed by my application. But when it got down to it, I was waitlisted because I was not a SD resident. He said that they had to take as many SDers as possible before opening the class to non-residents. He then asked me to wait it out for a month, because he was sure that they could get me in-and I told him to take me off the waitlist-I was staying in Fargo.

Not sure if this still is the case, but that is what was told to me 4 years ago. Best of luck in your application process.

As for Brookings: it all depends on where you come from. My best friend is from there, and that helped when we visited. Last time I was there, the Safari was about the best bar (although my 'local' friend made Ray's Corner fun), and Hobo Days was the entire reason to live there. There's a huge chunk of land on the southwest(?) corner of campus dedicated to botannical gardens, trees, and frisbee if you are into that. Pharmacy occupies a wing of the 'science' building. Other than that-not much. You'll either get a lot of studying done, or get treated for alcohol poisoning.

You just may have old stats for acceptance. I know for NDSU, for my class we had 150-175 applicants for 60 seats. This year I hear its already nearing 400 for 80 seats. The word must've gotten leaked about pharmacy... 🙂

pharmtech: How'd you like the snow this morning? People are still trickling in to work at my rotation site in Plymouth...

 

[sweetcalie08]

Aw shucks, I was afraid to hear that SD residents get total preference. I had been getting that impression lately though. What sucks is that I don't think the UofM COP gives preference to MN residents, do they? Seems like all the states around us give preference to their own residents, but MN not as much so. Ugh! Something tells me not to even bother applying to the UofM COP now...my grades are pretty good (mostly A's) but I got a C+ in calc (blah) and I'm not even close to having my B.S. degree first either...plus there are many more applicants here. I may just have to settle for my alternate plan of nursing (to hopefully be a PA-C eventually--but I hear that's even more competitive than pharm!), which I really don't want to do. 🙁

Haha, yeah I just trudged through all the snow back to my dorm today and suffered through the nasty windchills last week. Glad I didn't have to drive in this nasty stuff this morning. I must admit, though, today felt awfully warm compared to last week. Is it spring yet? 😉

 

[sweetcalie08]

MNnaloxone: The application deadline for SDSU this year was yesterday (February 1st). Do you have any idea when they send out interview invites and when candidates are interviewed? Since Brookings is more than a short hike from Minneapolis, I'd like to interview during my spring break if possible. What was your interview experience like there? Any suggestions of how to prepare for the interview if I get an invite? Thanks.

Gosh, that still makes me bad about the "preference to SDers" thing...bosh 🙁 ...

 

[MNnaloxone]

Man, you are asking about things that happened four years ago...during my drunken Sigma Chi days...I'll try and do my best.

I don't remember how long it took to get an interview invite. I seem to remember that I interviewed at SDSU during my spring break at NDSU, so that's the right time frame. I think I had my acceptance letter from NDSU by Easter...?

I remember having a nice chat with the dean, and then a one-on-one interview in a faculty member's lab/office. Then a tour, a bragfest about their APhA chapter, a handshake, and goodbye. Maybe a 2 hour process??? Overall, it seemed pretty laid back-more of a "get-to-know-you" than a grilling.

For the interview, prepare like any other. Suits are a must at this level (though I think I got away with a sportcoat). Know your strengths/weaknesses, and be able to showcase your leadership skills through your outside activities. I'm sorry, I jut can't remember anything specific from the interview other than the snow was melting, and my buddy was still driving a wrecker for a company there and he was doing it with a suspended license.

I don't think that the U of M gives overt preference to their students, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was there during the sorting process. Thought that the U of M was going to require a BS before admissions starting soon-like a year or two. Something to check into.

Is moving an option for you? If so, I could speak to the residency requirement for NDSU. With all A's and a C+, you'd be pretty competitive there (heck, I'd think you'd be competitive at the U of M, but I'm basing my judgement on what I knew back then. My fiancee got into the U of M COP then with a 3.3...I'm sure things are tougher now at both schools.)

I understand why ND and SD place residency bonuses in their admissions. Both schools positively bleed pharmacists into Mpls. Actually, about a 4th of my class is from the metro, or just outside it. With the whole rural pharmacy situation on shaky ground, the reasoning is that if you grew up there, you'll stay there. Its a poor solution to the problem, but minds won't change anytime soon.

Let me know if you have anything else I can help you with.

 

[sweetcalie08]

Thanks for the advice, MNnaloxone. Unfortunately, though, I have never really had a formal interview (albeit for a fast-food job, which was not formal at all -- interestingly enough, my current boss did not want to interview me for the pharm tech job, since he knew me well enough already I guess). So, I guess I will be in for quite a new experience if I get to interview at SDSU. Aaack. Guys have it easy w/ deciding on interview attire 😉 ... there's more of a standard. However, as I'm female, I will be more challenged to determine the appropriate attire for my interview. I have read some suggestions regarding this, but there's still a gray area. Oh well, that's the least of my worries I suppose.

MNnaloxone, I take it you're currently a pharmacy resident in the Cities? Are you happy with your decision to pursue pharmacy? 🙂

Keep braving those frigid temps. 😉

 

[pharmel]

hey pharmtech-
if you go to Brookings, have a steak sandwich at the Ram Pub for me!

 

[sweetcalie08]

Hey pharmel, did you use to live in Brookings or what? I will see what I can do for you if I get accepted. 😉

 

[MNnaloxone]

pharmtech: _Hopefully_ I'll be a pharmacy resident in the TC. I'm going through interviews now (3 down, 3 to go). I'm actually in my last year of the PharmD, going through rotations.

Don't stress over your interview attire too much. The replies on this board all seemed reasonable. If you have something that you think is reasonable when compared to the suggestions, you'll be fine. The 'proper attire' varies regionally. I interviewed for undergrad at several schools in NY/New England, and things were more formal there. We're a bit more relaxed out here on the Northern Plains. Think about a dark grey or navy suit skirt/slacks (slacks-it is too damn cold for skirts, I am sorry to say...) combo. I saw a lot of those at my schools 'business' events.

Am I happy with pharmacy? Happier than my fast food job, my job at the liquor store, the frost desk at a hotel, the microbiology firm, and the USDA. So far, it is working for me. The best part of pharmacy is the opportunity to continue learning. That's why I'm leaning on residency...

More snow tomorrow, at least that's what I heard on the radio this morning. Are you at the U, or another school down here?

pharmel: Where's the Ram Pub? I'm trying to place it, but when I crash Brookings, my buddy and I always seem to end up in the lower tier of eating/drinking establishments...(see Ray's Corner, above).

 

[pharmel]

My husband's parents live in Brookings. We try to visit every year. The Ram Pub is on Main Street on a SW corner towards the S. end of Downtown. You can also get awesome burgers at Nick's which is also on Main St. on a SW corner just after you turn onto Main from 6th St. There's also a great little cafe on 6th St. on the N. Side just W. of the McDonalds (Ruby's maybe?) The cafe is in an old gas station. Enjoy the eats!

If you do get in at SDSU, my mother in law is a nurse at the student health. She is THE BEST!!

 

[pharmel]

MNnaloxone-
How old is your friend from Brookings? I wonder if he knows my husband....

 

[sweetcalie08]

MNnaloxone: Yeah, I'm at the U right now. I am so glad they have some tunnels to escape from this frigidness once in awhile. Anyway, thanks again for all your input. I suppose I should visit SDN much less frequently starting soon...it gets rather addicting but I have a bunch of tough courses to keep up in. Good luck on getting your residency!!

 

[MNnaloxone]

pharmel: My buddy is 26-his last name is Petik. He's got two older brothers, so he just might know one of them.

pharmtech: Thanks for the luck. Four interviews down...two to go.

 

[sweetcalie08]

Hey hey, I thought I'd revive an old thread...since there seem to be some new posters on this board now. Just a-wondering if anyone else has opinions about South Dakota (for pharmacy)...

 

[SDSU29]

Hi Yall,
I just got invitation for interview at south dakota state university (COP) for March 9. I am totally blank on what types of questions to expect in the interview. I tried to look south dakota state university in interview feedback but there were none.
I would really appreciate if you guys can share your experience or any other information with regard to their interiview and essays.
Thank you very much.
SKB

 

[Ray1234]

Hi Yall,
I just got invitation for interview at south dakota state university (COP) for March 9. I am totally blank on what types of questions to expect in the interview. I tried to look south dakota state university in interview feedback but there were none.
I would really appreciate if you guys can share your experience or any other information with regard to their interiview and essays.
Thank you very much.
SKB

Hello SDSU29,
One of my friend was interviewed there couple of years ago. Later, he went to Uni of M. as far as i could remember, he said that interview was pretty laid back type. After the interview you will be writing an essay. They take this essay very seriously.
ray

 

[PrePharmD]

*bump* South Dakota anyone?

 

[cinnamoroll12]

I was planning to apply there, but then realized that they have high preference to South Dakota residents. So, I never applied there.