To anyone who has had an interview for LECOM Erie...

[LECOMorBUST]

Just wondering if anyone who has already had an interview for LECOM Erie (or FL) would be willing to share their experience about the phone interview, i.e. list of questions the interviewer asks would be a huge help and much appreciated. Who conducted the interview, length of interview, if the outcome was or on acceptance, and other relevant academic/application stats. I looked in the Interview Feedback section for LECOM and there was only a couple of recent feedback left and most are incomplete.

Thanks in advance if you can share your time and experience to help out.

 

[Glowwyrm]

Just wondering if anyone who has already had an interview for LECOM Erie (or FL) would be willing to share their experience about the phone interview, i.e. list of questions the interviewer asks would be a huge help and much appreciated. Who conducted the interview, length of interview, if the outcome was or on acceptance, and other relevant academic/application stats. I looked in the Interview Feedback section for LECOM and there was only a couple of recent feedback left and most are incomplete.

Thanks in advance if you can share your time and experience to help out.

I think all of the questions I was asked are in the interview section. My interview lasted about 20 minutes. It was not stressful at all because the woman doing the interview was really nice and easy to talk to. I think I spent more time asking her questions than she spent asking me questions. Remember, they aren't just interviewing you, you are also interviewing them. Be sure to ask any questions you have to find out if LECOM would be a good fit for you. I received my letter of acceptance a couple of weeks after the interview. Good luck with your interview. I've also spoken with a few students that have also been accepted and they all seem very nice and very helpful. I don't think LECOM is going to be a cut throat environment but one where the students help each other. We're all going to be in the same boat and it's so much easier to tackle the challenge as a group. At least that's the vibe I get from the people I've talked to so far. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I hope to see you in the fall.

 

[LECOMorBUST]

I don't think LECOM is going to be a cut throat environment but one where the students help each other. We're all going to be in the same boat and it's so much easier to tackle the challenge as a group. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I hope to see you in the fall.

Thanks for the kind words and advice.

I would think the throat cutting can stop after admission into a school, doesn't seem to make much sense to continue that kind of behavior after you have supposedly "proven yourself". I say that in quotes because I hear disturbing conversations about very mediocre students (academically) who will likely be admitted into a school based on contacts/politics and not on merit. But I suppose this is the game and you play by their rules.

 

[LECOMorBUST]

Only Glowwyrm has had an interview with LECOM Erie ... hmm.

 

[penguins429]

... i interviewed with them back in late december -- unfortunately i haven't heard from them since, so i figure i am going to be put on the waitlist at best ... oh well -- but as for the interview, its just a few basic, structured, standard interview questions that they give to everyone ... the interviewer was really friendly ... generally, nothing to stress over ... good luck

 

[Rxgrrl]

I'm still waiting for an interview with LECOM Erie as well...

 

[NDGirl]

I'm waiting to hear back from LECOM Bradenton. Good luck to you all!

 

[misstofu]

i had my interview back in Dec too...haven't heard anything, so dumb now! i guess i won't get accepted! =( hic hic...darn it! and then, let me see, how was the interview? i thought it was stressful, but actually it wasn't....Dr. Ghilzai was super nice, he is willing to explain the questions if you don't understand them, part to part. so if you have anything that you don't understand, no problem! very easy questions, just like the interview feedback....that's all!

 

[LECOMorBUST]

i had my interview back in Dec too...haven't heard anything, so dumb now! i guess i won't get accepted! =( hic hic...darn it! and then, let me see, how was the interview? i thought it was stressful, but actually it wasn't....Dr. Ghilzai was super nice, he is willing to explain the questions if you don't understand them, part to part. so if you have anything that you don't understand, no problem! very easy questions, just like the interview feedback....that's all!

Thanks for the insight misstofu. What are your stats, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[pmp85]

Hey All,

I haven't heard a word back from LECOM either. I applied back in November and have been admitted to a few schools already. The last I heard was the admissions committee was meeting sometime in mid-February. I haven't heard much about the school. Anyone have any kind words or NOT so kind words?

 

[LECOMorBUST]

Hey All,

I haven't heard a word back from LECOM either. I applied back in November and have been admitted to a few schools already. The last I heard was the admissions committee was meeting sometime in mid-February. I haven't heard much about the school. Anyone have any kind words or NOT so kind words?

That's seems a bit odd, I would think they would contact you by now, to let you know good or bad some decision. What are your stats?

I don't have much experience with the school, so I can make any good or bad comments.

 

[LECOMorBUST]

It seems most with an interview with LECOM have jumped ship.

 

[Rxgrrl]

I also applied back in November--and only recieved an email stating that my application was complete...

 

[pmp85]

That's seems a bit odd, I would think they would contact you by now, to let you know good or bad some decision. What are your stats?

I don't have much experience with the school, so I can make any good or bad comments.

I really don't know why. Seems as though that may be the consensus with LECOM (Erie). Def not a plus in my book. Btw, my stats are very good. I've interviewed with multiple schools and been admitted to 2 already.

The other thing I have noticed lately at a few interviews (with 4 year professional programs), there is a sort of a downwards look upon shortened/accelerated pharm programs (i.e. 2 yrs 10m like LECOM). One of the Deans even went as far as saying, "they are pharmD mills, contributing VERY little to the advancement of the degree."

Being admitted to both a four year school as well as an accelerated program, how do you guys feel about the comparison/reaction of that Dean.

 

[LECOMorBUST]

The last I heard was the admissions committee was meeting sometime in mid-February.

From what I understand, admission at LECOM is on a "rolling" basis, so why would the committee necessarily meet in mid-Feb?


About your comment above about the Dean of the 4 year programs. Shouldn't the quality of a school/program be measured by the quality of the graduates and 1st try pass rates for the NAPLEX? Rather than dismissing the quality of a school/program based on the length of the program.

 

[pmp85]

From what I understand, admission at LECOM is on a "rolling" basis, so why would the committee necessarily meet in mid-Feb?


About your comment above about the Dean of the 4 year programs. Shouldn't the quality of a school/program be measured by the quality of the graduates and 1st try pass rates for the NAPLEX? Rather than dismissing the quality of a school/program based on the length of the program.

I do not know why---Hence, the discussion topic.

I was given the date of Mid-Feb by whomever I spoke to at LECOM. Its not really a big deal to me as I have already been accepted to 2 two other schools. Furthermore, schools typically meet around this time (Feb) especially with the applicant pool becoming larger and more competitive. Note that LECOM offers a generally "late" PharmCAS deadline.

2yr vs 4yr: I don't think its the quality of the program so much as the time in which the material is taught within. For example, people tend to absorb difficult material better in a lengthier time frame (Remember, this is a professional degree). In addition, pharm schools are heavily ranked upon their research quality and capabilities (US NEWS & WORLD REPORT). Judging the time frame, as a previous private and public researcher myself, it is very difficult to publish quality research in only 2 years. There are many criteria that are used to rank schools. If you buy the online rankings from US News you can view the criteria on which they were based.

 

[LECOMorBUST]

Furthermore, schools typically meet around this time (Feb) especially with the applicant pool becoming larger and more competitive. Note that LECOM offers a generally "late" PharmCAS deadline.

2yr vs 4yr: I don't think its the quality of the program so much as the time in which the material is taught within. For example, people tend to absorb difficult material better in a lengthier time frame (Remember, this is a professional degree).

Good points above, though it seems the main difference between 3 or 4 yr programs are having the summers off or working through them.

With research, is it not better to be in a (pharmacology) PhD program versus say a traditional PharmD program?

 

[pmp85]

Good points above, though it seems the main difference between 3 or 4 yr programs are having the summers off or working through them.

With research, is it not better to be in a (pharmacology) PhD program versus say a traditional PharmD program?

You do not need a Ph.D. to do research. The significance of a Ph.D. simply notes that you have contributed in the advancement of your discipline. In addition, employers view a Ph.D. as "training/experience in research." In my opinion, the Ph.D. has become extremely trite in today's society. There are too many Ph.D.'s being awarded as well as too many existing Ph.D's. They have lost their so called "distinct excellence."

You can do research with any degree or even without a degree. However, your research will earn credibility as your very own credibility increases (i.e. the greater quality research you turnout the more credibility.) All scientists must peer review. It is simply the nature of the beast but overall ensures the quality of all scientific advancement.

Furthermore, publishing a paper out of an ivy university rather than Podunk-U greatly increases credibility. Catch the idea? LoL!

 

[LECOMorBUST]

Any others?

 

[LECOMorBUST]

How about now?

 

[aboveliquidice]

I would say generally that a 3 year program is designed to get you your pharmD - but little else. Those schools probably will not be the research centers around which other schools gravitate. Pacific U in Oregon is where i am going to attend, and its single purpose is to make you a basically trained pharmacist. If you want to go into a specialty, you will find plenty of residencies for it. As for me - The US Gov is going to give me my residency - so Im not worried. If you are looking for more exposure to research - you might want to seek out a big research school - like USC or UF.

Good luck to you all

~above~

 

[nightcrawleRx]

I would say generally that a 3 year program is designed to get you your pharmD - but little else. Those schools probably will not be the research centers around which other schools gravitate. Pacific U in Oregon is where i am going to attend, and its single purpose is to make you a basically trained pharmacist. If you want to go into a specialty, you will find plenty of residencies for it. As for me - The US Gov is going to give me my residency - so Im not worried. If you are looking for more exposure to research - you might want to seek out a big research school - like USC or UF.

Good luck to you all

~above~

I agree, if you want residencies they will be somewhere no matter what school you are attending, at least from what I have heard and while I bet USC has a great program, if someone is really set on research then they’d most likely be better off with a PhD. To me, a PharmD is more clinical, while we all know that at its core, a PhD revolves around research.

 

[Rxgrrl]

Still haven't heard anything--I called them--they said they still had seats open--and would interview up until May!??

 

[LECOMorBUST]

Still haven't heard anything--I called them--they said they still had seats open--and would interview up until May!??

Have not heard anything as well, but at least there are seats available.

 

[LECOMorBUST]

Still no email confirming my application is complete.