I think they told everyone that most people wouldn't find out until the first week of April..thats really not that far away..a month at the most so the waiting is almost over!
University of Colorado
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I am interviewing with CU School of pharmacy on 11th. I have heard there is a group activity, anyone have any suggestions for me. Also, they ask you to read an article and answer some question. I was wondering if anyone can suggest a good resource to read the articles. Any tips or Suggestions will be appreciated.
In terms of questions, I would say be aware of the future and potential opportunities/risks for being a pharmacist, why you want to become one, and what role you can play in its future. Be aware of your past achievements and the challenges you've faced, especially in a group setting or if you had "difficulties" with certain people, and how you may have resolved them. Perhaps most importantly, think through various ethical dilemmas inherent in a pharmacy, and how you would best respond to it.
I felt the group activity was a bit wonky. I won't spoil the questions(mods probably won't let me), but think of what you value in life, and what values you would want in a "very" large "group" of people. Really think through them and ask yourself why you value them. You will be in a group of 4-5 people. The evaluators will look for your participation and quality of your arguments. Staying mostly or even partly silent is a big no no. Make sure your voice is heard, and be careful of being "dominated" by more vocal team mates.
Last but not least, the essay portion is relatively short, but intense. You have less than a hour to complete a space limited essay, so budget appropriately. I won't spoil the topic, but its based on reading a particular health care article and then formulating a basic for/against argument. The best way to prepare is to read up ahead on some of key issues for our health system in places like the NY Times or perhaps the Public Departments/studies of various universities. You probably won't get most of them, but that's ok, because neither does UC Denver. The essay is just to test whether you have at least a rudimentary grasp of them and how you can translate and communicate those ideas.
I felt the group activity was a bit wonky. I won't spoil the questions(mods probably won't let me), but think of what you value in life, and what values you would want in a "very" large "group" of people. Really think through them and ask yourself why you value them. You will be in a group of 4-5 people. The evaluators will look for your participation and quality of your arguments. Staying mostly or even partly silent is a big no no. Make sure your voice is heard, and be careful of being "dominated" by more vocal team mates.
Last but not least, the essay portion is relatively short, but intense. You have less than a hour to complete a space limited essay, so budget appropriately. I won't spoil the topic, but its based on reading a particular health care article and then formulating a basic for/against argument. The best way to prepare is to read up ahead on some of key issues for our health system in places like the NY Times or perhaps the Public Departments/studies of various universities. You probably won't get most of them, but that's ok, because neither does UC Denver. The essay is just to test whether you have at least a rudimentary grasp of them and how you can translate and communicate those ideas.
You shouldn't really be worried about the essay. You are given an article with some questions to answer. So if you are okay reading articles such as those from NYT I think you should be fine. Also the group exercise isn't something you can "prepare" for. Just go in and let your values shine through your reasoning and participation. Like the previous poster said, stay moderate (I would say). Don't be too dominating but don't be too shy... if you get what I mean... you'll see the overseers make notes of you while you are talking to your group, so you should probably make good eye contact with your groupmates when you talk and stuff 😳
Also for the interview questions, I would look at the previous year's questions posted somewhere on this site. I would look at them and formulate what you might talk about and practice if you feel the need to. The interviewer will have a list of questions, which are asked to everyone equally, and you'll have to answer like 4-5 questions... (i think)
Don't be too nervous, the entire process is actually very draining only because it's very long: tour+interview+essay+ group exercise. So make sure you eat hearty breakfast and lunch!
Also for the interview questions, I would look at the previous year's questions posted somewhere on this site. I would look at them and formulate what you might talk about and practice if you feel the need to. The interviewer will have a list of questions, which are asked to everyone equally, and you'll have to answer like 4-5 questions... (i think)
Don't be too nervous, the entire process is actually very draining only because it's very long: tour+interview+essay+ group exercise. So make sure you eat hearty breakfast and lunch!
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Bring cash for parking, if the machine isn't working, try the other end of the lot.
The tour is long so wear comfy shoes and bring a coat or bring them to change into. If you are coming from out of state and have to check out of your hotel, you can bring all your stuff with you and they'll keep it in their offices.
Bring a snack, they do give you lunch.
BRING A PEN. If you don't they will be ticked and you'll look like an idiot.
Be knowledgeable of the curriculum and ask about it on the tour.
Be relaxed, friendly, and outgoing.
The tour is long so wear comfy shoes and bring a coat or bring them to change into. If you are coming from out of state and have to check out of your hotel, you can bring all your stuff with you and they'll keep it in their offices.
Bring a snack, they do give you lunch.
BRING A PEN. If you don't they will be ticked and you'll look like an idiot.
Be knowledgeable of the curriculum and ask about it on the tour.
Be relaxed, friendly, and outgoing.
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Im going the same day. Where you from? Im from CA.
And thank you for the tips given above by the previous candidates or pharmacy students.🙂
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Just found some stats on CU-Boulder's website regarding UCHSC based off 2008:
Total applications received: 1,273
Ratio of applications to # accepted 8:1
Percentage Colorado residents: 80
Mean age of students: 27
Mean GPA: Cum: 3.4
Number in class: 150
Degree conferred upon graduation:
Pharm.D.
Licensure requirements:
State Board Exam
In-state yearly tuition: $16,446
Mean annual earnings: begins: $75,000
(mycareer.com)
Misc.: Most graduates are employed by
retail-chain stores, and secondly by hospitals, while others are consultants or
work in home health care, etc. Employment rates: 95-99 percent. There is a
shortage of pharmacists nationwide.
Pharmacy graduates average three to
Total applications received: 1,273
Ratio of applications to # accepted 8:1
Percentage Colorado residents: 80
Mean age of students: 27
Mean GPA: Cum: 3.4
Number in class: 150
Degree conferred upon graduation:
Pharm.D.
Licensure requirements:
State Board Exam
In-state yearly tuition: $16,446
Mean annual earnings: begins: $75,000
(mycareer.com)
Misc.: Most graduates are employed by
retail-chain stores, and secondly by hospitals, while others are consultants or
work in home health care, etc. Employment rates: 95-99 percent. There is a
shortage of pharmacists nationwide.
Pharmacy graduates average three to
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Thanks Megandupe! It will be nice to compare this with the 2011 freshman class. THe world has changed somehwhat since 2008. I wonder how many applicants got spooked waiting for CU and took the sure thing if they had been accepted by another school. I know Regis University has sent accepted emails to most of their canidates by the end of February. A friend had to send in a $350 deposit by March 1st deadline to hold his spot. Anyone out there care to let us all know if you ended up committing to another PharmD program AND put down a deposit?
Oh i did that a month ago. CU is my last choice, but it was the only interview i attended. And I live in Denver.
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I take it you will NOT be accepting CU-Denver? May I impose to ask how much your deposit was if you have submitted it. I believe CU's is $1000 and Regis is $350 both non-refundable.
Thanks.
Actually I just got my acceptance letter this morning. Did anyone else's have a major type-o, regarding the deposit's due date, it reads: 'The Admission Response Form which should be returned to our office by March .' <-- Its due in March I just dont know when?
No it was an email actually
Ya I just got my acceptance this morning as well with the typo. I just got another email about a half hour ago saying they forgot to say when the deposit was due and it's March 24th. I had my interview February 18th, what day did you interview megandupe??
I interviewed Jan 31- looks like the adcom finally had a little sit down! Congratulations to everyone!
you miiight want to talk to sparkly09
Thanks that's what I was thinking. It would be nice to have sparkly09's imput, especially since it's the same situation I'm in😕
I declined 3 other schools pretty easily but just can't decide here.
'Wmw' it looks like you're debating between University of Texas and University of Colorado Denver? Where are you leaning towards??
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Hey,
Yea im stuck pretty good here trying to make a decision. Straight up I like UCDenver's school/program/total package alot more than UTexas, UCDenver is just more expensive; $40,000 more expensive in tuition over four years. Not sure yet if what UCDenver offers is worth $40,000 more to me. It's tough to say. I also live in Austin, where UTexas is, so UTexas would be more practical in a sense as well...
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Britzzy, I'm also in between UCDenver and U of Minnesota right now (w/ one potential school I'm still waiting to hear from). They're definitely similar programs, but UC Denver seems to have the latest makeover. But as a MN resident, I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet.
I got accepted to both Minn and UC -Denver, and I am a Colorado resident. From what I have heard and looked into it , it seems that Colorado is more retail based, and Minnesota has a big push for MTM and research. I will be paying more as an out of state resident, but the 100% placement and 60% residency facts got me. Plus the campus is amazing, and their is no chance of getting shanked like there is in aurora. Don't get me wrong both schools are good programs, but I could tell a difference between #3 and number 23. (although outdated rankings). Also, with Regis open now their will be more saturation in the Denver market, while the U of M is the only one in Minnesota. Whichever you choose, it will still be amazing, hope this helped!
I was the same way! I dont understand why UCD has such poor focus on clinical pharmacy research when its at one of the best medical research campuses in the country!? They dont have a PharmD/Phd program, so I didnt care too much for them
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Considering they're both great programs, I personally went with Denver due to minimizing costs by so much since CO grants residency. I also preferred not going to lecture and watching lectures through iTV.. but that's just a personal thing because knowing me, if I knew there was no real lecture, I'd probably just try to watch the lecture online at home esp if it's -10 outside haha. Fortunately, MN doesn't grand residency though, or I would have still been in that same predicament 🙂 ~50 grand estimated tuition+COL per year is not ignorable (at least for me). Plus, I think the last year is 50% more tuition iirc. Almost a ~70 grand difference for me and I'm OOS for both!
Also I think proximity to CA does play a part, although I'm not attached to CA or anything, my family is still here and I know far more CO graduates here than UMN. & a lot of people do talk about retail/community as if it is a bad thing, but the field is opening up and expanding more and more, and according to my friend who attends Umich right now, many of her classmates are applying to community pharmacy residencies also. I honestly think it's what you make of pharmacy school and you can't expect the school to drastically change your life or give you some sort of insane advantage. (Ie: UoP is ranked like in the 50's... residencies don't really seem to care about that in terms of any sort of disadvantage over a top 10 school)
Wish you guys who are deciding the best of luck, remember that it's a good predicament to be in! 🙂
Also I think proximity to CA does play a part, although I'm not attached to CA or anything, my family is still here and I know far more CO graduates here than UMN. & a lot of people do talk about retail/community as if it is a bad thing, but the field is opening up and expanding more and more, and according to my friend who attends Umich right now, many of her classmates are applying to community pharmacy residencies also. I honestly think it's what you make of pharmacy school and you can't expect the school to drastically change your life or give you some sort of insane advantage. (Ie: UoP is ranked like in the 50's... residencies don't really seem to care about that in terms of any sort of disadvantage over a top 10 school)
Wish you guys who are deciding the best of luck, remember that it's a good predicament to be in! 🙂
No i don't think so... If it was mid-April maybe, but they just had 40 people interview on Friday! So they have to add all of those to the ones who had previously interviewed. I am curious as to how many times they are meeting in the next few weeks though...
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I'm not really sure of the admission committee's strategy, but it seems like the majority of people who have had acceptances interviewed before February (if anybody that has been accepted interviewed after January 31st please speak up). Subsequently, if you interviewed after that you may still be in the initial draw of acceptances. Like I said, I don't know. I have not been accepted and am wondering the same thing.
The wait is starting to make me anxious too, but just think in a couple of months from now it will be old news and we will be waiting for something else. It's very depressing to constantly be waiting for the next step, I wish I could just enjoy the present and not think about the future. 😎 So it goes.
The wait is starting to make me anxious too, but just think in a couple of months from now it will be old news and we will be waiting for something else. It's very depressing to constantly be waiting for the next step, I wish I could just enjoy the present and not think about the future. 😎 So it goes.
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Definitely don't think so... my friend who is a current p1 there right now got his acceptance in April last year & I believe he interviewed in Feb sometime.
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Hey, I interviewed on February 28th and was accepted this past monday. A friend of mine who interviewed on the same day is still waiting to hear from them. I'm pretty confident they still have many more acceptances to hand out.
I interviewed January 24th. I know what you mean, I have been hesitating every time I get an email icon on my droid. I also keep rethinking the interview in my head, just trying to figure out where I may have fubar'd. Right now, all I can think of is my PCAT (62 comp, but nothing below 50). UC and UM are the only schools I applied to, so if I miss the cut, not sure what the heck I will do! The fact I have my degree (140+ credits) has put my GPA in a stasis of the 3.1-2 range, so not sure what road lies ahead.
BTW I love the Rockies! I still have my tickets from the opening day at Coors!
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If I'm not mistaken, isn't a 3.1-3.2ish about the average gpa of students accepted to pharmacy schools? I think it's around there.... so don't fret! PCAT may be a bit low (not too sure what the avg. pcat is among accepted pharmacy students) but if they liked your stats enough to interview you then you've got a good shot, especially if you think your interview went well!
Thanks for the support!
I know two people that go to CU and I've heard from both of them that they push towards the clinical aspect rather than the retail aspect, which one of them likes and one of them doesn't like as well because this person wants to do retail. Hopefully everyone will figure out the right fit for them!
heard the same thing from my friend who is currently a P4 at UCD. They are pushing the clinical aspect more these days and are trying to get more of their students to apply for residencies after getting their PharmD
I interviewed on February 18th and was accepted this past monday. However, they said you might not hear back until April and I was completely shocked that I heard from them so soon. I definitely don't think you should expect waitlist at this point though because there's still a lot of time from now until the middle of April. I had decent stats, but nothing too impressive so don't give up hope 🙂
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Nothing yet here. Sad day.
Three days before my acceptance I received a background check email for conditional acceptance. It listed all the schools that utilized this background check service. UCD was listed, the other school I was accepted to was not listed. Process of elimination: i figured it out.
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