University at Buffalo Discussion

[bwsalvas]

Anyone have any questions that a current student could answer?

If you have any questions don't hesitate message me


-Brian

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[RxHopeful]

I really like UB it's my top choice for pharm school. I visited the campus this past summer and fell in love with it.

I toured the school and met with Cindy Konovitz but I didn't get to ask her about the passing rate for the NAPLEX exam. Do you feel UB provides a good education for the exam, do they have programs to assist students with/ practice for the exam? What's the average passing rate?

 

[pharm127]

Do you know approximately how long the adcom usually takes to give prospective students a decision? UB is my top choice and I'm interviewing there this Friday, but I have to respond to other schools pretty soon with a yes/no and a sizeable nonrefundable deposit. I would hate to waste the deposit money if it's not necessary. Although I guess that is all part of the game of admissions.

 

[bwsalvas]

Do you know approximately how long the adcom usually takes to give prospective students a decision? UB is my top choice and I'm interviewing there this Friday, but I have to respond to other schools pretty soon with a yes/no and a sizeable nonrefundable deposit. I would hate to waste the deposit money if it's not necessary. Although I guess that is all part of the game of admissions.

I personally lost $1500 to St. John Fisher because of the waiting. I've heard that the interviews this year have been getting decisions either yes or no within a week.

I know what you mean about losing the deposits though. I looked at it like I can't nickel and dime my education- so i accepted the offers from elsewhere waiting for the one I wanted. I did get it, and did lose all the deposit money. You'll make it back though, no worries.

 

[bwsalvas]

I really like UB it's my top choice for pharm school. I visited the campus this past summer and fell in love with it.

I toured the school and met with Cindy Konovitz but I didn't get to ask her about the passing rate for the NAPLEX exam. Do you feel UB provides a good education for the exam, do they have programs to assist students with/ practice for the exam? What's the average passing rate?

Our NAPLEX passing rate is ~95%. Its not 100, but no school is. We do have one of the highest.

The school offers lots of preparatory classes before the boards to remind us of everything we learned in previous years (law etc.) I have friends that go to other schools and I'm amazed how much more I know and have been exposed to than them...The school does a great job of preparation.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Do you know approximately how long the adcom usually takes to give prospective students a decision? UB is my top choice and I'm interviewing there this Friday, but I have to respond to other schools pretty soon with a yes/no and a sizeable nonrefundable deposit. I would hate to waste the deposit money if it's not necessary. Although I guess that is all part of the game of admissions.

Interview on Friday, they let you know by Wednesday of the next week. At least that is how it is for me. It's only $150 deposit at UB too, which is nice!

Thanx bwsalvas for opening this thread! I've been really impressed at all the UB students and their commitment to helping us prospectives.

 

[reacher]

Anyone have any questions that a current student could answer?

If you have any questions don't hesitate message me


-Brian

can you share your stats with us?? thanks.

 

[gilgamesh]

Are the interviews done by groups of applicants or one by one?

 

[bwsalvas]

Are the interviews done by groups of applicants or one by one?

There will be a number of applicants there on interview day. People have been very cordial and friendly to each other so far. Interviews are done one on one, however.

 

[bwsalvas]

can you share your stats with us?? thanks.

My stats?? I think more useful than my stats would be the stats for my class:

Average of Sum PCAT Percentile Score (excluding composite): 398
Average Science & Math GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math): 3.4
In-State: 75%
Out-of-State: 15%
Foreign Citizen: 11%
Females: 57%
Males: 42%
2 years or less of college: 41%
Bachelor's or higher: 52%
Average Age: 23
Number of States Represented: 13

Now, a few clarifications need to be made: The school does not favor in state or current UB students. These numbers change year to year, so I ask that you only use these as a reference and don't hang your hat on any of these numbers.

I was 3.1 science GPA, 444 PCAT (94%tile.) had very strong letters of recommendation and interviewed well.

 

[cchan]

I have my first interview this coming Thursday and am completely nervous. Any advice on how to prepare or what to look over...questions etc? Also, can anyone give me a sample writing/essay prompt that I can expect?

 

[seanlee]

i have finished most pre-pharm classes at cc except statistic. i was accepted as pre-pharm to UB. but i had to come back to korea to serve my military service. i'm planning to go to UB either fall08 or spring 09. i haven't taken PCAT test yet. i really want to study pharmacy at UB. do you have any recommendation that when i need to go to schoo? is it okay to go this spring?

 

[doodle]

I actually haven't heard anything from UB....is anyone else in the same boat? I find it a little strange. Do they have interviews into March?

 

[pharm127]

I actually haven't heard anything from UB....is anyone else in the same boat? I find it a little strange. Do they have interviews into March?

They told me they will be conducting interviews through April. They just started doing interviews for regular candidates (non-early admission) a few weeks ago.

 

[bwsalvas]

I have my first interview this coming Thursday and am completely nervous. Any advice on how to prepare or what to look over...questions etc? Also, can anyone give me a sample writing/essay prompt that I can expect?

No on the writing sample except its not difficult. There is really nothing you can do to prepare for it so don't worry.

If you're sure you want pharmacy it should show in the interview and thats exactly what you want them to see.

Oh yeah....Don't be nervous....be excited..This is an exciting time!

-Brian

 

[bwsalvas]

I actually haven't heard anything from UB....is anyone else in the same boat? I find it a little strange. Do they have interviews into March?

Our timeline is different from other schools. I wouldn't worry about it right now. If you do fear they've looked over your application don't hesitate to call admissions. They're very helpful people there-

-Brian

 

[bwsalvas]

i have finished most pre-pharm classes at cc except statistic. i was accepted as pre-pharm to UB. but i had to come back to korea to serve my military service. i'm planning to go to UB either fall08 or spring 09. i haven't taken PCAT test yet. i really want to study pharmacy at UB. do you have any recommendation that when i need to go to schoo? is it okay to go this spring?

UB Pharmacy only takes students on in the fall of every year so everyone is on the same time line. If you're coming back to finish prerequisites that is fine, UB does take students in the spring. Finish your prerequisites and take the PCAT. When you have those done apply to the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science through pharmCAS. The application deadline is Feb. 1.

-Brian

 

[BlueCrayon]

I actually haven't heard anything from UB....is anyone else in the same boat? I find it a little strange. Do they have interviews into March?

When did you apply?? It didn't take very long for me...they received my supp application on Jan 18th and they invited me for an interview Feb 2nd.

 

[doodle]

I sent in everything (pharmCAS and supplimental) at the beginning of December. I was just wondering when they finish up their interivew process (which someone already answered for me above). My stats aren't that great but their eh decent so I guess time will tell.

 

[pharmy84]

I haven't heard anything either yet, but I really want to go there! I am kinda late since the first time I took the PCAT was just in January, although I just got the scores back today..so maybe they will start reviewing soon.

 

[RxHopeful]

I know UB doesn't look at your composite score but rather the summation of your percentile ranks for each section. I took the PCAT in Aug and bombed it I retook it in Jan and I did much better however, my math score dropped considerably. Does UB look at the higher percentile rank, average the two, or look at each PCAT exam separately?

 

[bwsalvas]

I know UB doesn't look at your composite score but rather the summation of your percentile ranks for each section. I took the PCAT in Aug and bombed it I retook it in Jan and I did much better however, my math score dropped considerably. Does UB look at the higher percentile rank, average the two, or look at each PCAT exam separately?

That I cannot answer for sure. I do know that they take the best of your PCATs....I don't know if individual scores are used or not.

 

[bwsalvas]

I haven't heard anything either yet, but I really want to go there! I am kinda late since the first time I took the PCAT was just in January, although I just got the scores back today..so maybe they will start reviewing soon.

How'd you do?

 

[johnanderson]

I just got an interview notice today in my email. Unfortunately its scheduled for March 7 but it doesnt look like I'm going since I got accepted into the University of Arizona. Good luck to everyone else who applied.

 

[pharmy84]

I managed to get a 95 composite on the PCAT (including a 99 in chem!), but I am so afraid I am too late. I called PharmCAS and they said they aren't even going to send the scores out until sometime next week.

I was pretty sure I was going to try to apply for Fall 2009, but decided at the end of November to try for this year. Now i am at least relieved that I did good on the test and that it is out of my hands, but I'm still so nervous!

It was mentioned that they didn't start interviewing regular applicants until a few weeks ago, but how many spots are already taken by the early assurance applicants?

 

[cchan]

No on the writing sample except its not difficult. There is really nothing you can do to prepare for it so don't worry.

If you're sure you want pharmacy it should show in the interview and thats exactly what you want them to see.

Oh yeah....Don't be nervous....be excited..This is an exciting time!

-Brian

Thanks for the advice

 

[bwsalvas]

I managed to get a 95 composite on the PCAT (including a 99 in chem!), but I am so afraid I am too late. I called PharmCAS and they said they aren't even going to send the scores out until sometime next week.

I was pretty sure I was going to try to apply for Fall 2009, but decided at the end of November to try for this year. Now i am at least relieved that I did good on the test and that it is out of my hands, but I'm still so nervous!

It was mentioned that they didn't start interviewing regular applicants until a few weeks ago, but how many spots are already taken by the early assurance applicants?

Congrats on the high PCAT...as far as early assurance goes they won't know those numbers until the end of spring semester because the applicants have to keep a 3.5 for all the prepharmacy prereq's....so the number shrinks and grows depending on final grades.

I have no idea how many early assurance kids there are though.

 

[rw0300]

How involved is UB in finding places for you to get in your hours of working as an intern before you graduate? Is it difficult to find a job in the area? I am nervous about going there and not being able to complete enough hours to get a license because I can't find work.

 

[pharmy84]

YAY I have an interview! And it's this Friday! So excited and nervous at the same time!!

 

[BlueCrayon]

YAY I have an interview! And it's this Friday! So excited and nervous at the same time!!

Congratulations! I just had one there this past Friday...they told us we will get the email notification either Wednesday or Thursday.

It started at 1...first there was a half hour presentation, then a half hour writing section. After that they split us into 2 groups...my group went on an hour tour while the rest interviewed. We got back from the tour around 3 and then did our interviews. I was the very last one so I waited almost 2 hours before I finally went in. Talk about one nervous wait! The interview was with one faculty and one alumni together and it took about 30-40 minutes. (some of the other ones were only 15-20 though) They were very nice and friendly and just want to get to know you better. There was also a social gathering from 4-5, but I didn't even get out of the interview until after 5:30 so I missed it. It was kind of unfortunate since I didn't get the chance to meet faculty and students and ask more questions. Good luck!

 

[RxHopeful]

If people who had UB wait for their January PCAT, can post when they receive interview notifications it will be greatly appreciated.

 

[pharmy84]

Congratulations! I just had one there this past Friday...they told us we will get the email notification either Wednesday or Thursday.

It started at 1...first there was a half hour presentation, then a half hour writing section. After that they split us into 2 groups...my group went on an hour tour while the rest interviewed. We got back from the tour around 3 and then did our interviews. I was the very last one so I waited almost 2 hours before I finally went in. Talk about one nervous wait! The interview was with one faculty and one alumni together and it took about 30-40 minutes. (some of the other ones were only 15-20 though) They were very nice and friendly and just want to get to know you better. There was also a social gathering from 4-5, but I didn't even get out of the interview until after 5:30 so I missed it. It was kind of unfortunate since I didn't get the chance to meet faculty and students and ask more questions. Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback on what to expect! Good luck to you as well, since you should find out any day now!

 

[pharmy84]

If people who had UB wait for their January PCAT, can post when they receive interview notifications it will be greatly appreciated.

I ONLY took the January PCAT and I got an email on Monday for an interview. However, the day they assigned me didn't really work, so I called and they said they had one opening this Friday because someone just canceled. So, I was able to snag it!

I didn't even think they were going to receive the scores until this week, so I definitely wasn't expecting anything this soon.

Good luck to you!

 

[johnanderson]

I ONLY took the January PCAT and I got an email on Monday for an interview. However, the day they assigned me didn't really work, so I called and they said they had one opening this Friday because someone just canceled. So, I was able to snag it!

I didn't even think they were going to receive the scores until this week, so I definitely wasn't expecting anything this soon.

Good luck to you!

Lol. That was probably me that canceled. Good luck though.

 

[bwsalvas]

How involved is UB in finding places for you to get in your hours of working as an intern before you graduate? Is it difficult to find a job in the area? I am nervous about going there and not being able to complete enough hours to get a license because I can't find work.

The hours are built into credit awarded classes....so in order to pass each semester you have to get a certain chunk of your hours done.

We're given access to a website with all possible preceptors, searchable based on location, type of practice etc with their contact information.

They do schedule things for us, but only if we ask them to. So far we've been urged to seek out where we want to go and facilitate it through the school's guidance...

Don't be nervous about getting the hours done....its probably the easiest part of the program.

 

[fiteOFFurDEMONS]

Our NAPLEX passing rate is ~95%. Its not 100, but no school is. We do have one of the highest.

The school offers lots of preparatory classes before the boards to remind us of everything we learned in previous years (law etc.) I have friends that go to other schools and I'm amazed how much more I know and have been exposed to than them...The school does a great job of preparation.

Actually... University of Houston had a 100% passing rate on the NAPLEX last year.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Actually... University of Houston had a 100% passing rate on the NAPLEX last year.

Well, it varies from year to year for every school. I think he was talking about the average. That's usually what people consider.

I think it's scary that some pharm schools are down to a 76% pass rate!

 

[mpag13]

I just got accepted to buffalo and i'm super psyched cuz its one of my top choices! I just have a few questions. How long does it usually snow in buffalo? I mean months of the year...the weather is the main thing that concerns me about this school bc I'm from around D.C. What else is there to do outdoors besides snowboarding?
Also, how are the classes structured? Is it mostly lecture, small group discussion, etc? How does the courseload compare to your undergraduate?
Thanks!

 

[BlueCrayon]

I just got accepted to buffalo and i'm super psyched cuz its one of my top choices! I just have a few questions. How long does it usually snow in buffalo? I mean months of the year...the weather is the main thing that concerns me about this school bc I'm from around D.C. What else is there to do outdoors besides snowboarding?
Also, how are the classes structured? Is it mostly lecture, small group discussion, etc? How does the courseload compare to your undergraduate?
Thanks!

Congratulations! When did you interview? I was on the 29th and was wondering if you were in my group. I just got accepted as well...received the email this past Wednesday morning. The weather isn't all that bad...our winters are much milder than they were 10-15 years ago. You can expect snow usually nov/dec through March...generally April through November is pretty nice here. Spring can be wet, but Summer and Fall are great...not too hot most of the time. Well other than snowboarding and skiing, there's Lake Erie so there's boating and beaches...plus Niagara Falls has some nice sightseeing. Plenty of Nature preserves and hiking in the area as well. The adirondak mountains are only 6 hours away as well for hiking and climbing. There's lots of state parks for camping as well such as Allegehny, Letchworth, and Watkins Glen (which is near the finger lakes and has a huge gorge for hiking and there's the NASCAR race there every year) I'm sure I could come up with even more...I like the area myself, but of course I'm biased since I've lived here all my life .

Obviously I'm just starting too so I can't comment much on the classes. I did, however already take P1 courses Biochem, Phys1, Phys2 and Micro here and I can tell you they are most of the large classes you will have to take (I think there's only a couple more that large) and they are about 350 person lectures. I think most of the classes are much smaller though. Maybe bwsalves can comment further on the classes.

 

[gilgamesh]

Anybody here wait-listed at UB AFTER interview?

 

[mpag13]

Congratulations! When did you interview? I was on the 29th and was wondering if you were in my group. I just got accepted as well...received the email this past Wednesday morning. The weather isn't all that bad...our winters are much milder than they were 10-15 years ago. You can expect snow usually nov/dec through March...generally April through November is pretty nice here. Spring can be wet, but Summer and Fall are great...not too hot most of the time. Well other than snowboarding and skiing, there's Lake Erie so there's boating and beaches...plus Niagara Falls has some nice sightseeing. Plenty of Nature preserves and hiking in the area as well. The adirondak mountains are only 6 hours away as well for hiking and climbing. There's lots of state parks for camping as well such as Allegehny, Letchworth, and Watkins Glen (which is near the finger lakes and has a huge gorge for hiking and there's the NASCAR race there every year) I'm sure I could come up with even more...I like the area myself, but of course I'm biased since I've lived here all my life .

Obviously I'm just starting too so I can't comment much on the classes. I did, however already take P1 courses Biochem, Phys1, Phys2 and Micro here and I can tell you they are most of the large classes you will have to take (I think there's only a couple more that large) and they are about 350 person lectures. I think most of the classes are much smaller though. Maybe bwsalves can comment further on the classes.

Yeah I did interview on the 29th, haha did we meet? I was the one from MD. I thought the interview wasnt too bad, short and to the point. The people at Pittsburgh were grilling me for 45 min Thanks for your input on the weather! When I visited, I guess I just wasnt used to having to be indoors most of the time...I went to a school that had a large physical campus with lots of places outside to sit and study.

I noticed from your other posts that you worked as a lab tech at UB. Would you say that the research at UB focuses more on therapeutics or basic pharmacology? I'm thinking about going for the pharmd-phd, but I'm interested more in basic research (neuropharmacology) than drug delivery. Would you say UB is a good place for that? I think this would be the deciding factor for me between Univ of maryland and UB.

 

[BlueCrayon]

Yeah I did interview on the 29th, haha did we meet? I was the one from MD. I thought the interview wasnt too bad, short and to the point. The people at Pittsburgh were grilling me for 45 min Thanks for your input on the weather! When I visited, I guess I just wasnt used to having to be indoors most of the time...I went to a school that had a large physical campus with lots of places outside to sit and study.

I noticed from your other posts that you worked as a lab tech at UB. Would you say that the research at UB focuses more on therapeutics or basic pharmacology? I'm thinking about going for the pharmd-phd, but I'm interested more in basic research (neuropharmacology) than drug delivery. Would you say UB is a good place for that? I think this would be the deciding factor for me between Univ of maryland and UB.

That's funny, I'm not sure if we met or not...were you the guy in the maroon shirt? I was in the second interview group and I was the VERY last person to interview! I waited over an hour and a half outside the interview room. I didn't get into the interview until almost 5...they grilled me for about 40 minutes! I noticed a lot of other people were coming back after only 15 or 20 minutes. I ended up missing the social thing at the end, by the time I was done everyone was gone. They asked me a lot of questions, althought half of it focused on my current research and career. Yeah I've worked on the south campus for over 9 years in the Pharmacology department doing diabetes research and I'd say much of it is therapeutic based...most of my work for the past 5 or 6 years has been involved in beta cell death and mechanisms associated with it. So essentially we're looking at target pathways for drugs to prevent diabetes. Also recently, we've been looking at better ways for islet transplants trying to stimulate better angiogenesis so that after transplant, blood supply is established quicker. I don't think any of this really matters though because the pharmacology department is separate from the school of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences and I'm sure the pharmacy research is very different. They are internationally known for their high level of research so I'm sure you could find the right type of research for you. Let me know what you decide and maybe I'll see you at orientation if you choose UB.

 

[mpag13]

That's funny, I'm not sure if we met or not...were you the guy in the maroon shirt? I was in the second interview group and I was the VERY last person to interview! I waited over an hour and a half outside the interview room. I didn't get into the interview until almost 5...they grilled me for about 40 minutes! I noticed a lot of other people were coming back after only 15 or 20 minutes. I ended up missing the social thing at the end, by the time I was done everyone was gone. They asked me a lot of questions, althought half of it focused on my current research and career. Yeah I've worked on the south campus for over 9 years in the Pharmacology department doing diabetes research and I'd say much of it is therapeutic based...most of my work for the past 5 or 6 years has been involved in beta cell death and mechanisms associated with it. So essentially we're looking at target pathways for drugs to prevent diabetes. Also recently, we've been looking at better ways for islet transplants trying to stimulate better angiogenesis so that after transplant, blood supply is established quicker. I don't think any of this really matters though because the pharmacology department is separate from the school of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences and I'm sure the pharmacy research is very different. They are internationally known for their high level of research so I'm sure you could find the right type of research for you. Let me know what you decide and maybe I'll see you at orientation if you choose UB.

I was also in the second interview group. I *think* i know who you are...at the very end they said someone was still interviewing I remember thinking WOW. Actually I was the tall girl in the black suit. UB's reputation for research was definitely one of the things that attracted me. Are you gonna continue with your research when you start pharm school?

I really am leaning towards buffalo, just need to do a bit more soul searching...

 

[pharm127]

I really am leaning towards buffalo, just need to do a bit more soul searching...

DO IT!! I'll be starting there this fall and I can't wait! I went to UB for my undergrad degree a few years ago and I'm excited to be going back.

 

[pharmy84]

I just interviewed yesterday. It went OK I guess. There were only 2 students at the social-the same who gave the tour. I'm not sure how the interview went- I don't feel as good as I hoped I would. But we'll see.

It's going to be a long wait until we find out! AHHH

Did you guys hear on Friday then?

I hope I get in!!!

 

[pharm127]

I just interviewed yesterday. It went OK I guess. There were only 2 students at the social-the same who gave the tour. I'm not sure how the interview went- I don't feel as good as I hoped I would. But we'll see.

It's going to be a long wait until we find out! AHHH

Did you guys hear on Friday then?

I hope I get in!!!

I interviewed on a Friday last month and I got an email from them on Wednesday of the following week, so they were pretty good about not making us wait too long.

 

[BlueCrayon]

I was also in the second interview group. I *think* i know who you are...at the very end they said someone was still interviewing I remember thinking WOW. Actually I was the tall girl in the black suit. UB's reputation for research was definitely one of the things that attracted me. Are you gonna continue with your research when you start pharm school?

I really am leaning towards buffalo, just need to do a bit more soul searching...

Ah yes, I think I remember you as well...the whole interview is pretty much a blur because I was so nervous! I don't think I'll be able to continue my research...with classes as well as pharmacy rotations, I don't think I'll have enough time.

Pharmy84: Also interviewed on a Friday and got the acceptance email the following Wednesday at 10:00 in the morning...they're nice and quick about it!

 

[bwsalvas]

I just interviewed yesterday. It went OK I guess. There were only 2 students at the social-the same who gave the tour. I'm not sure how the interview went- I don't feel as good as I hoped I would. But we'll see.

It's going to be a long wait until we find out! AHHH

Did you guys hear on Friday then?

I hope I get in!!!

Sorry about not being there....Had a pharmaceutical care test 3-4:30 then a 6hr drive home for spring break in that storm... What'd you think of everything?

 

[jessthafacts]

If people who had UB wait for their January PCAT, can post when they receive interview notifications it will be greatly appreciated.

I took the PCAT in January, got an interview invite for 03/07 on 03/04. Recieved a call on 3/10 and a letter on 3/11 saying that I was accepted.

 

[miawww]

I took the PCAT in January, got an interview invite for 03/07 on 03/04. Recieved a call on 3/10 and a letter on 3/11 saying that I was accepted.

Whoa. Talk about fast!