top residency qualifications?

[Farm2010]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around for the past couple of days and am wondering what kind of qualifications they look for at top pharmacy residency programs. my current stats are:
gpa 3.7-3.8, rho chi, scholarships...etc
currently on rotations and graduate 2010,
took one ID rotation, plan on doing one in internal med and crit care later...
Research at the university as well as 2 year internship at Merck for research in ion channels and pharmacology.

The thing I hope to boost me up the most is that I hold 2 co-author publications in prestigious science journals (one in Biochemistry and one in PNAS)

I plan on applying to hopkins, stanford, unc...etc. Not sure if you guys have any experience on their app process, but do I have a shot? or do i need a 4.0 gpa and be God haha. Thanks guys

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[FAMUPharmD09]

Sounds like you are a very competitive candidate. However, one of the most important (if not the most important) things about the entire residency process is the interview. Don't take that part for granted.

On a side note don't necessarily look at the name of the hospital to decide whether a Pharmacy Residency is prestigious or not. Sometimes one may look at the name of an institution (i.e. Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo, etc.-not to say those aren't great pharmacy programs) and automatically assume the pharmacy residency is prestigious. You may end up being in a small fish in a big pond at those institutions as world renowned as those.

 

[njac]

And those big names listed are big names for their medical programs - sometimes those places are the least progressive for pharmacy.

You have to figure out what has what you want, more than just a name.

 

[Farm2010]

these are very solid advices and I greatly appreciate them. My main goal is to be an oncology specialist for personal reasons. Any direction on which schools I should check out to meet this goal if you were in my position? I don't even know where to begin looking on how the programs actually are vs. what their website and brochures tell me

Also, is it true that most programs are located in the west coast? It feels like specialists and job opportunities are in CA rather than in the tri-state area (where I'm from)

 

[KARM12]

And those big names listed are big names for their medical programs - sometimes those places are the least progressive for pharmacy.

You have to figure out what has what you want, more than just a name.

Prime example is Mass Gen...one of the top hospitals in the country...but their pharmacy department isn't very strong.

 

[AmphoTerrible]

How do you go about evaluating who has a strong pharmacy department. I feel like any program you ask will tell you why their program is better than another. How do you tell who has a strong program vs. just a strong pharmacy dept and which are the most competitive? Thanks

 

[njac]

Talk to your professors - the ones in a specialty you like or have really solid clinical skills. Ask them where they went or where they would go. Read articles, look where the authors practice.

That's not a foolproof method, but its a good start.

 

[p-rog]

If it's only oncology you're looking for, MD Anderson (UT) would be considered a "top program" I'm sure.

 

[KARM12]

How do you go about evaluating who has a strong pharmacy department. I feel like any program you ask will tell you why their program is better than another. How do you tell who has a strong program vs. just a strong pharmacy dept and which are the most competitive? Thanks

I feel like a lot of stronger PGY1 programs have a good number of residents, have PGY2 programs, and have been around for a while (15-20 yrs). Those programs tend to be well established and have good support from hospital administration. Obviously, this isn't all inclusive. There are a decent number of small, lesser known programs that are good. njac had some good suggestions as well.

 

[Glycerin]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around for the past couple of days and am wondering what kind of qualifications they look for at top pharmacy residency programs. my current stats are:
gpa 3.7-3.8, rho chi, scholarships...etc
currently on rotations and graduate 2010,
took one ID rotation, plan on doing one in internal med and crit care later...
Research at the university as well as 2 year internship at Merck for research in ion channels and pharmacology.

The thing I hope to boost me up the most is that I hold 2 co-author publications in prestigious science journals (one in Biochemistry and one in PNAS)

I plan on applying to hopkins, stanford, unc...etc. Not sure if you guys have any experience on their app process, but do I have a shot? or do i need a 4.0 gpa and be God haha. Thanks guys

Work experience during pharmacy school? Leadership positions?

Programs want to know that you can handle multi-tasking while excelling in academics. Residency is a juggling act.

I think my residency program is a good one. Also might want to look into Univ of WA if you want to go into Heme/Onc, since they have a PGY-2 in Onc and are associated with Fred Hutchison.

 

[MustLoveDrugs]

these are very solid advices and I greatly appreciate them. My main goal is to be an oncology specialist for personal reasons. Any direction on which schools I should check out to meet this goal if you were in my position? I don't even know where to begin looking on how the programs actually are vs. what their website and brochures tell me

Also, is it true that most programs are located in the west coast? It feels like specialists and job opportunities are in CA rather than in the tri-state area (where I'm from)

Have you checked out the ASHP website? There are oncology residencies all over the country, certainly not just in Cali...

http://www.ashp.org/Import/ACCREDITATION/ResidencyDirectory.aspx

Keep in mind that the job market changes from year to year. You may feel like there are a surplus of oncology jobs in one area right now, but who's to say there won't be positions available in another location by the time you finish 2 years of residency?

 

[Priapism321]

I thought we posted a subjective list of "top residency programs" a while back, not sure who all contributed. However, it was very accurate in my opinion. I can throw up a list of what I consider to be the top hematology/oncology programs in the nation if it would be helpful...it should be considered a bonus if the institution has a reputable residency program in general AND a PGY2 in the area of one's interest.

 

[ribbit541]

I would like to know a quick list your top of heme/onc programs. With a focus on the NW / West..?? Thanks!

 

[tackett26]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around for the past couple of days and am wondering what kind of qualifications they look for at top pharmacy residency programs. my current stats are:
gpa 3.7-3.8, rho chi, scholarships...etc
currently on rotations and graduate 2010,
took one ID rotation, plan on doing one in internal med and crit care later...
Research at the university as well as 2 year internship at Merck for research in ion channels and pharmacology.

The thing I hope to boost me up the most is that I hold 2 co-author publications in prestigious science journals (one in Biochemistry and one in PNAS)

I plan on applying to hopkins, stanford, unc...etc. Not sure if you guys have any experience on their app process, but do I have a shot? or do i need a 4.0 gpa and be God haha. Thanks guys

Just currious where did you go to pharmacy school? I'm at UNC now. Its a great place!

 

[KittiD]

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical center has a decent sized PGY1 program and a PGY2 Heme/Onc. It is a well regarded program. Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, NC has a Heme/Onc that has an ambulatory care component to it if that interests you. It seems to me that Heme/Onc is a growing area for clinical pharmacists. (Someone correct me please if I am misinformed). Unless you really want to there is no need to go to the West Coast just get the heck out of the over-crowded North East.

 

[KARM12]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around for the past couple of days and am wondering what kind of qualifications they look for at top pharmacy residency programs. my current stats are:
gpa 3.7-3.8, rho chi, scholarships...etc
currently on rotations and graduate 2010,
took one ID rotation, plan on doing one in internal med and crit care later...
Research at the university as well as 2 year internship at Merck for research in ion channels and pharmacology.

The thing I hope to boost me up the most is that I hold 2 co-author publications in prestigious science journals (one in Biochemistry and one in PNAS)

I plan on applying to hopkins, stanford, unc...etc. Not sure if you guys have any experience on their app process, but do I have a shot? or do i need a 4.0 gpa and be God haha. Thanks guys

The consensus in another forum was a list of the following programs which I would generally agree with if you're looking for an acute-care focused PGY1:

Johns Hopkins
University of North Carolina
University of Michigan
University of Illinois Chicago
Boston Medical Center
University of Kentucky
University of Washington
UCSF
Ohio State
Medical University of South Carolina
Barnes Jewish Medical Center
USCD
Mayo Clinic