University of Maryland Thread

[min11286]

Hi, I just got accepted to UMB Pharmacy. I am very excited, but at the same time I am very nervous about housing.

Utterdevotion, since you have been living in the baltimore campus, could you please help me out. I would like to know how can I apply. What are the housing options and how expensive is it to live around campus like prow. Please help me, I will really appreciate it.

Thanks,
min11286

Congratulations to all the accepted candidates. I will see you guys in the fall.

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[Utterdevotion]

Hi, I just got accepted to UMB Pharmacy. I am very excited, but at the same time I am very nervous about housing.

Utterdevotion, since you have been living in the baltimore campus, could you please help me out. I would like to know how can I apply. What are the housing options and how expensive is it to live around campus like prow. Please help me, I will really appreciate it.

Thanks,
min11286

Congratulations to all the accepted candidates. I will see you guys in the fall.

Congrats Min!

Housing information can be found here for both Fayette, Pascault Row, and off campus: http://www.housing.umaryland.edu/
Pricing can be found through the website.

Fayette Square:
- About 2 blocks from school (3-4 minute walk)
- My view is that pharmacy school is hard enough, why not be comfortable where you sleep and study? So if you were to ask for my preference it would be Fayette (even though it's so expensive!)
- Very pretty, very comfortable but again, SO much more expensive
- Access to the following: vending machines on the 2nd floor, a free gym on the 2nd floor, FREE coffee/hot water for tea machine in the lounge, FREE office that contains a free fax machine and 3 computers and a copy machine (have to pay to use that), and an atm in the lounge area.
- If you are a living room type of person (some people like to just stay in their rooms) 4 bedrooms is the best. It's cheapest and you get the biggest kitchen, bedrooms, and living rooms in comparison to all the different apartments. The 4 bedroom apartments have 2 bathrooms and 4 sinks (outside of the bathroom).
There are 2 bedroom apartments (the A room always has the bathroom inside of the room; while the B room has the bathroom outside).
The 3 bedroom apartments have the least space (they share 1 bathroom though you do get 3 sinks).
- You have to supply your own floor lights. Only lights given are in the bathroom, the kitchen, and one small light by the living room (not enough light - trust me!)
- Laundry rooms and study rooms are available
- The 15th floor has a "sky lounge" with a very long table, good for hosting parties. You don't have to pay to reserve that room!
-Security: 24 hours, and they do rounds every few hours at night. To get into Fayette you must: swipe to get through the gates, swipe to get through the main door, swipe to get on the elevator, and then swipe to get to your apartment! phew!
- Fayette has two buildings Historic vs Towers: The main difference is convenience and extra comfort. Historic was not originally built for an apartment so some of the rooms are not equally sized, and it's not as pretty as the towers (hence cheaper rent).
Towers is where all the extra commodities are located (gym, coffee, fax machine). Towers has study rooms and washing machines every other floor (even floors are laundry rooms and odd floors are study lounges).
Historic has laundry room in the basement and no study lounges.
Towers begin at Full size beds for 4 bedrooms; Queen size beds for the 2 bedrooms.
Historic is ALL twin size beds. Historic also has a "7 bedroom" apartment option - which makes rent SUPER cheap

Pascault Row:
- SO CLOSE to school. Just one block from Pharmacy Hall and just across the street from Pharmacy Learning Center. It's great to hang out in PLC and study there with classmates since your apartment is so close
-Rent is Cheaper!!!
- There are no elevators. Most of the 2 bedroom apartments are on the 5th floor, which means you'd have to climb up all of them (trust me I live there, and it's not that bad because you get used to it!)
- There is 3 laundry machines on the basement floor that the entire building uses (that is not so good if you live on the 5th floor...)
- Everything is kind of old in P-row. The floor will creak and my stove doesn't work very well.
- You have to buy a lot of your own things: microwave, desk and chair for your room (while Fayette supplies all of these)
- You have to wash your own dishes because there's no dishwasher (also given in Fayette)
- The walls are thin so you could potentially hear your roommate and your neighbors (can be awkward!)
- security: the police station is across the street from P-row

For both Fayette and Prow, you must be a student of Maryland; so you will only see Dental, Nursing, Med, Social work, Pharm, etc. Safe from creepy people!

My suggestion for off campus housing is to come up to Baltimore and walk through some of them. I especially like Redwood, and Camden Crossing, as well as the townhouses/houses and the houses across MLK off Scott St.

 

[dashing]

...This is redundant question. PTCB are the tech CEs...not sure what your question is?

We also need C.E.s to be registered/liscensed, so I take it that there is a student exemption for both the PTCB and MD Registration C.E.s.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Utterdevotion]

We also need C.E.s to be registered/liscensed, so I take it that there is a student exemption for both the PTCB and MD Registration C.E.s.

Thanks for the info!

If you want to keep your tech license you must do CEs. If you are a student and register for the student exemption there are no CEs. That's what I said earlier...There is no student exemption WITHIN PTCB.

 

[dashing]

If you want to keep your tech license you must do CEs. If you are a student and register for the student exemption there are no CEs. That's what I said earlier...There is no student exemption WITHIN PTCB.

So, basicly, if you want to keep your PTCB you need to do CEs anyway, so there's no point in applying for an exemption for the liscence.

 

[Utterdevotion]

So, basicly, if you want to keep your PTCB you need to do CEs anyway, so there's no point in applying for an exemption for the liscence.

Well the way I look at it, if you become a pharmacy student, why do you need to keep your PTCB? In four years you will be a pharmaicst. PTCB requires CEs which is more work than just turning in your transcript early.

 

[2010rx]

Any news?
When are they going to send out more letters?

 

[jwl2523]

I received my acceptance letter last Friday on Mar 5 after interviewing on Feb 19. 😀 Sent Patrice a confirmation letter preferring the Baltimore campus. I am deciding between Ohio State and Maryland, they're both great schools frankly I don't think it matters where I go but if I end up going to OSU then I guess that will open up a spot. Good luck to everyone still waiting!

(Just for whom it may concern,
PharmCAS gpa 3.29, PCAT Chem 93, Bio 85, Eng 91, Math 95, Comp 95)

 

[chaunguyen]

Hi,
I am still debating about my campus preferences. I know Baltimore campus should be the best choice; however, I really concern about the safety, living cost of living in Baltimore city.
During my interview, I have talked to some PD2 and PD3 about Shady Grove campus which seems to be a nice place to stay and study. The thing I am a little bit worry about is that they use the web-based technology to deliver lectures at Shady Grove. That means we won't have direct interaction with our lecturers, which might be an important factor. I may be wrong on this, but the fact is that I received most of my reference letters from my professors by knowing them in person or through research.
It would be great if anyone can share some of your experience about Shady Grove campus, living cost, and is it a huge disadvantage not having a direct or face-to-face interaction with your professors?

 

[mgs50]

My guess is that no acceptances were sent out today since today is the last day of interviews. Hopefully some are sent out tomorrow!!

 

[2010rx]

My guess is that no acceptances were sent out today since today is the last day of interviews. Hopefully some are sent out tomorrow!!

Agree with you, but I think they will send them out later this week, maybe friday since the adcom needs to meet first...

😕 Is "Ethics" a required prereq for UMB? Cuz some schools are requiring it.(like Notre Dome)

 

[mgs50]

Agree with you, but I think they will send them out later this week, maybe friday since the adcom needs to meet first...

😕 Is "Ethics" a required prereq for UMB? Cuz some schools are requiring it.(like Notre Dome)

Ethics is not required for UMB.... check out the pre-reqs here: http://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/admissions/pharmd/prereqs.html

And hopefully we hear before the end of the week.... this wait is killing me!

 

[luckyphooey]

Hi,
I am still debating about my campus preferences. I know Baltimore campus should be the best choice; however, I really concern about the safety, living cost of living in Baltimore city.
During my interview, I have talked to some PD2 and PD3 about Shady Grove campus which seems to be a nice place to stay and study. The thing I am a little bit worry about is that they use the web-based technology to deliver lectures at Shady Grove. That means we won't have direct interaction with our lecturers, which might be an important factor. I may be wrong on this, but the fact is that I received most of my reference letters from my professors by knowing them in person or through research.
It would be great if anyone can share some of your experience about Shady Grove campus, living cost, and is it a huge disadvantage not having a direct or face-to-face interaction with your professors?

Academically speaking, both campuses are the same. We have to be or else we will have ACEP breathing down our necks. Even at Baltimore you wouldn't get the interactions you expect unless you sought them after your 4 hours of classes are over. Class related questions has to go through the class liaison anways and email is the best way to get in contact with the professors. I have heard from one of the professor that even though he has an open door policy rarely anyone visits him and he get a better turnout when he comes down to SG once a week. Also, remember we have full time professors/faculty at Shady Grove too (even the past immediate dean of the school is down here). I go to Shady Grove and I don't have any problem whatsoever and if I did the administration will be very responsive to it. Anything that happens in Baltimore has to happen to in Shady Grove too, if they get food, we get food. You should probably visit SG and see for yourself.

Sent from iPhone so sorry for any misspellings/grammars issues...

 

[luckyphooey]

Oh just another thing to add...for me, watching the lectures on Mediasite is more time efficient. I can watch a 50 minutes lecuture in 30 minutes (most of the teacher speaks very slow). It has gotten to the point where I can't watch at regular speed anymore. I've attended some classes before and always feel the need to rewatch the lecture again because I was distracted in class by the constant typing (lol) or other things. Both campus are great and have their pros and cons and whichever one you choose you will do just fine. Every year they calculate the average of both campuses and we are both even.

 

[dashing]

Oh just another thing to add...for me, watching the lectures on Mediasite is more time efficient. I can watch a 50 minutes lecuture in 30 minutes (most of the teacher speaks very slow). It has gotten to the point where I can't watch at regular speed anymore. I've attended some classes before and always feel the need to rewatch the lecture again because I was distracted in class by the constant typing (lol) or other things. Both campus are great and have their pros and cons and whichever one you choose you will do just fine. Every year they calculate the average of both campuses and we are both even.

If you choose to go Baltimore campus, you're still able to download lectures to review, so it seems like you'll get the best of both, if you're not sure which would be better...

 

[Utterdevotion]

Academically speaking, both campuses are the same. We have to be or else we will have ACEP breathing down our necks. Even at Baltimore you wouldn't get the interactions you expect unless you sought them after your 4 hours of classes are over. Class related questions has to go through the class liaison anways and email is the best way to get in contact with the professors. I have heard from one of the professor that even though he has an open door policy rarely anyone visits him and he get a better turnout when he comes down to SG once a week. Also, remember we have full time professors/faculty at Shady Grove too (even the past immediate dean of the school is down here). I go to Shady Grove and I don't have any problem whatsoever and if I did the administration will be very responsive to it. Anything that happens in Baltimore has to happen to in Shady Grove too, if they get food, we get food. You should probably visit SG and see for yourself.

Sent from iPhone so sorry for any misspellings/grammars issues...

What exactly about Baltimore are you afraid about? I'm a short Chinese girl and I am not afraid of the city! lol. Baltimore is not that dangerous. And as I've said before, the 1st safest place in Baltimore is Baltimore Harbor (the tourist attaction) and the 2nd safest place is on campus.
Baltimore and SG have very similar cost of living. Unless you move out to Hanover (20 minutes from Baltimore), or Silver Spring/Prince George's County (20-30 minutes from SG) I would say they are about the same.

Some Pros and Cons (from a semi Bias Baltimore student)

Baltimore:
- 120 students/class, and all three classes are now REQUIRED to go to class (since there are a lot more synchronous classes that are NOT recorded for later watching)
- A much more 'school like atmosphere' in Baltimore since there are more pharmacy students and we are all hanging around between classes and meetings (vs SG which shares their campus with other schools)
- Organizations are more accessible to attend and participate (Even though we work on being as equal as possible, not all organizations have synchronous meetings all the time (it's a work in progress!), and many events are located in Baltimore.
- Have the ability to go to class, which I actually LIKE to do (I can't really imagine not going to class for 5 days). I like seeing classmates and hanging out with them in between classes. And yes, we do have access to recorded lectures.
- There are more research-oriented professors in Baltimore, which means it is easier to gain access to them and do research with them. It is possible at Shady Grove, but you will have to make the drive up here.
- Relationships are stronger with administration (if you so choose), such as our Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Director of Experiential Learning whom are located on the Baltimore campus, and are very active in our student organizations

Shady Grove:
- GREEN GRASS! I am not a city person, so I like to study in nice places with grass! There are not that many places in Baltimore where you can do that
- FREE PARKING. And no parallel parking!!! (Can you tell, I'm not a city person?)
- Class size is small - so you have an intimate group of friends
- Can stay home and watch lectures in your PJs (and usually on double speed which helps save time!)
- There is interactions with professors on BOTH campuses, even if you are at SG. I going to defer to luckyp about interactions, since I'm not clear on that
- Has a very active Shady Grove organization
- Has great potential to develop your leadership skills in a smaller, more intimate environment
- Ability to have much closer relationships with the professors at SG campus (something I am personally jealous about!!)
- Shares the campus with other schools including public health and nursing - which allows for a lot more interdisciplinary interactions

 

[justjack]

for current students at the Baltimore campus, has anyone noticed if a certain cell phone provider has good, bad, or mediocre signal?

i'm about to switch plans and might as well rule out any companies that has poor signal on campus/in the classrooms.

 

[Utterdevotion]

for current students at the Baltimore campus, has anyone noticed if a certain cell phone provider has good, bad, or mediocre signal?

i'm about to switch plans and might as well rule out any companies that has poor signal on campus/in the classrooms.

A lot of students have Verizon - and I've never had ANY trouble with them. I get signals on elevators and underground on the subways. I've had spotty service with Tmobile.

 

[justjack]

A lot of students have Verizon - and I've never had ANY trouble with them. I get signals on elevators and underground on the subways. I've had spotty service with Tmobile.

thanks utterdevotion. can anyone comment on sprint? i am leaning towards their Everything Plan

 

[luckyphooey]

On the same note, Tmobile is the only spotty coverage at Shady Grove. All other providers are good.

 

[globalruns]

got e-mail on Friday, March 5th of acceptance

interview 1/29


This thread has been excellent and people sound so proactive, inquisitive and helpful. Hope everybody crosses the finish line, even though the wait must be hard, but looking forward to hearing people claim their acceptance. It will come in due time, Good Luck!!

 

[min11286]

Hi, thank you sooo much Utterdevotion for you feedback on housing. I will definitely keep your suggestions in mind before applying for housing.
By the way, if you don't mind answering one last question, what is the crime rate like around prow and fayette and the campus?

Thanks again,
Min11286

 

[chaunguyen]

Thank you Luckyphooey and Utterdevotion for your help. I think I am leaning toward Shady Grove campus 😀

 

[2010rx]

Is the adcom going to meet again or all the decisions are made already?

 

[luckyphooey]

Is the adcom going to meet again or all the decisions are made already?

They will meet again, I just don't know when this week.

 

[pink84]

Is there anyone who got the acceptance letter among the Feb 5th interviewees? I am just still waiting whether I am accepted or not. However, I did not hear anything from the school. Many people who interviewed before/after me have gotten already. I asked to Patrice, and she said that they will send letters to all applicants at the end of the month. I do not understand her meaning. Is it meaning that they will send the denial letter or acceptance letter?

 

[min11286]

I interviewed on Feb25th and got accepted on the 5th of March. But, honestly if I were you I would not worry about it. I know many students from the past years, who got their acceptance letters in April and some even got in June (which is very late but they did get accepted). Usually the rejections are mailed later, once all the acceptance letters are mailed out. Also, this year everyone has a better chance of getting in, as they did not interview that many students compared to last year due to the snow. They need to accept more people because not everyone wants to go to UMB.
I hope that helps, don't worry too much yet.

Regards,
Min11286

 

[luckyphooey]

I interviewed on Feb25th and got accepted on the 5th of March. But, honestly if I were you I would not worry about it. I know many students from the past years, who got their acceptance letters in April and some even got in June (which is very late but they did get accepted). Usually the rejections are mailed later, once all the acceptance letters are mailed out. Also, this year everyone has a better chance of getting in, as they did not interview that many students compared to last year due to the snow. They need to accept more people because not everyone wants to go to UMB.
I hope that helps, don't worry too much yet.

Regards,
Min11286

Wow Min, you've said it all. You are correct people do hear back later so don't stress, it is not over until the fat lady sings. Also I just want to let you guys know that your interviewing date does not factor into your acceptance.

Btw, congrats Min and I hope to see you all soon.

 

[mgs50]

Were there really less people interviewed this year because of the snow? I thought they scheduled a make-up date??

 

[Utterdevotion]

I interviewed on Feb25th and got accepted on the 5th of March. But, honestly if I were you I would not worry about it. I know many students from the past years, who got their acceptance letters in April and some even got in June (which is very late but they did get accepted). Usually the rejections are mailed later, once all the acceptance letters are mailed out. Also, this year everyone has a better chance of getting in, as they did not interview that many students compared to last year due to the snow. They need to accept more people because not everyone wants to go to UMB.
I hope that helps, don't worry too much yet.

Regards,
Min11286

We did not change our number of interviews due to the snow - it was rescheduled and more students were booked per day.

Acceptances can be emailed out as late as June/July because of the waitlist. If a student that "accepted" our invitation and later drops out (maybe they got into another school they wanted to) then a spot will open up and another acceptance invitation will go out.
Students should be hearing soon what their status is (accepted, waitlisted, not accepted). So you guys just have to be a bit more patient! (I know that's hard!)

Good luck everyone! 🙂

 

[2010rx]

We did not change our number of interviews due to the snow - it was rescheduled and more students were booked per day.

Acceptances can be emailed out as late as June/July because of the waitlist. If a student that "accepted" our invitation and later drops out (maybe they got into another school they wanted to) then a spot will open up and another acceptance invitation will go out.
Students should be hearing soon what their status is (accepted, waitlisted, not accepted). So you guys just have to be a bit more patient! (I know that's hard!)

Good luck everyone! 🙂

Are you indirectly pointing out that most (maybe all) of the acceptance letters are out already, and people who have not received one are either in waiting list or not accepted? If thats the case then people who haven't got in should keep theirs crossed so that someone would drop out...

 

[Utterdevotion]

Are you indirectly pointing out that most (maybe all) of the acceptance letters are out already, and people who have not received one are either in waiting list or not accepted? If thats the case then people who haven't got in should keep theirs crossed so that someone would drop out...

No I'm not! I am merely pointing out that we don't have Admissions working through the summer continuously sending out invitations (as Min may make it sound like). Invitations that go out in the Summer are from the Waitlist. That's all I'm saying! Don't freak out! lol

 

[2010rx]

No I'm not! I am merely pointing out that we don't have Admissions working through the summer continuously sending out invitations (as Min may make it sound like). Invitations that go out in the Summer are from the Waitlist. That's all I'm saying! Don't freak out! lol

I know, 😉 ...But Thanks for the fast responselol

 

[dashing]

If I apply in the fall, will my fall grades be incorperated into my application's GPA? Also, does anyone know if UMB excepts cleps?

 

[pink84]

I interviewed on Feb25th and got accepted on the 5th of March. But, honestly if I were you I would not worry about it. I know many students from the past years, who got their acceptance letters in April and some even got in June (which is very late but they did get accepted). Usually the rejections are mailed later, once all the acceptance letters are mailed out. Also, this year everyone has a better chance of getting in, as they did not interview that many students compared to last year due to the snow. They need to accept more people because not everyone wants to go to UMB.
I hope that helps, don't worry too much yet.

Regards,
Min11286

Thank you for your saying. I hope that I will be able to get any notification by the end of this month.

Congratulations 🙂

 

[dashing]

For those of you who took it already: Are any formulas given on the PCAT exam or do we need to memorize them all?

 

[luckyphooey]

For those of you who took it already: Are any formulas given on the PCAT exam or do we need to memorize them all?

This should probably be in the PCAT forum but to answer your question: no there will be no formulas provided.

 

[2010rx]

Did the adcom meet this week?
If so, did they send out acceptance letters, or they are still waiting for the response of people who got in on 5th of march!

 

[phrmgirl0]

this waiting part is tough!!!

 

[mgs50]

Did the adcom meet this week?
If so, did they send out acceptance letters, or they are still waiting for the response of people who got in on 5th of march!

I was just about to ask the same thing! And I know next week is UMB's spring break.... Luckyphooey do you know if the adcom will be meeting during spring break, or if we don't hear from them today should we not expect to hear back for at least another week?

 

[luckyphooey]

I was just about to ask the same thing! And I know next week is UMB's spring break.... Luckyphooey do you know if the adcom will be meeting during spring break, or if we don't hear from them today should we not expect to hear back for at least another week?

I'm actually on my two weeks rotation/spring break so I don't actually know what is going on at school. My best guess is that they will not meet during Spring Break because there are students on the committee. Maryland is really quick with their notifications, for instance when they meet on Tuesdays for interview decision, invites are sent out on Wednesdays or like last week when they met on Thursday for acceptance decisions, emails were sent out on Friday. If they haven't met already, you guys might have to wait until after Spring Break...

 

[mgs50]

I'm actually on my two weeks rotation/spring break so I don't actually know what is going on at school. My best guess is that they will not meet during Spring Break because there are students on the committee. Maryland is really quick with their notifications, for instance when they meet on Tuesdays for interview decision, invites are sent out on Wednesdays or like last week when they met on Thursday for acceptance decisions, emails were sent out on Friday. If they haven't met already, you guys might have to wait until after Spring Break...

As always, thanks for your help Luckyphooey!

From the looks of it now, they only sent out one batch of acceptances last friday, which didn't come close to filling the class. Looks like we all have to wait at least another week for a response.... this wait is so torturous, hopefully we all hear back soon! Good luck everyone!

 

[uncbiograd]

As always, thanks for your help Luckyphooey!

From the looks of it now, they only sent out one batch of acceptances last friday, which didn't come close to filling the class. Looks like we all have to wait at least another week for a response.... this wait is so torturous, hopefully we all hear back soon! Good luck everyone!

Torturous is right! And I would have been much happier cancelling these last couple interviews. Sure, just add a some more stress to my life... that would be lovely 🙂

 

[justjack]

I know questions about housing has been repeated many times, but I still can't quite make up my mind.

Any current students live in The Atrium or Inner Harbor Lofts? I'm curious to know if you have any comments or advice regarding those apartments.

 

[luckyphooey]

I know questions about housing has been repeated many times, but I still can't quite make up my mind.

Any current students live in The Atrium or Inner Harbor Lofts? I'm curious to know if you have any comments or advice regarding those apartments.

One of my friend lives in the Atrium and she absolutely loves it there! Her only problem is that it is next to the light rail and so it can be annoying/sketchy sometimes [especially at night] when there is a bunch of people hanging around in the streets.

 

[Silvermist]

Quick question: just wondering what the job placement has looked like so far for the class of 2010 in the DC/MD/VA area ... good, bad, indifferent? Thanks =)

 

[min11286]

Hi, I was just wondering today, what do you guys think is a good time to apply for housing?

 

[Utterdevotion]

Hi, I was just wondering today, what do you guys think is a good time to apply for housing?

The earlier the better!

 

[zzll]

I just got the acceptance letter a few minutes ago.

 

[Utterdevotion]

I just got the acceptance letter a few minutes ago.

Congrats!! 🙂