USC Class of 2012: Trojan Family Thread

[wishful08]

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The interview is almost here in less than 12 hours....whooopie....good luck tomorrow!!

 

[RaginCajun]

Stick a fork in that bad boy I am done. Lets just hope they pick Daddy this year. I met some cool people at SC today. 😎

 

[misspharm]

Hi, I am still waiting and waiting for the invitation for interview from USC. Does anyone know if they already send out all the invitations? It's sad. There is only one interview left for USC.
Please let me know, Thanks.

 

[Farmercyst]

Hi, I am still waiting and waiting for the invitation for interview from USC. Does anyone know if they already send out all the invitations? It's sad. There is only one interview left for USC.
Please let me know, Thanks.

Some posters have already mentioned getting February invites, no word on March yet. Those will probably be out mid-February.

 

[RaginCajun]

MissPharm you shouldn't stress out because there are only ~40 seats taken as of right now. With possibly a 185-190 seats total there is a very good chance of getting a shot.

 

[goinkhead]

must.....not......ridicule....

Stick a fork in that bad boy I am done. Lets just hope they pick Daddy this year. I met some cool people at SC today. 😎

 

[shehsheh]

MissPharm you shouldn't stress out because there are only ~40 seats taken as of right now. With possibly a 185-190 seats total there is a very good chance of getting a shot.

Hey... I was placed on waiting list after the first interview... on my letter it said, "55 were accepted"... I'm not sure how many of those actually paid their deposit... but the ~"~40 seats" are you just estimating? Or do you know because you go to USC pharm school or have talked to someone from the admissions board?

 

[RaginCajun]

That is what we were told at the interview. Maybe some of those who were accepted declined.

 

[nerv12345]

i was at the interview yesterday...the dean of admission (i think?? i forgot what his title was--but he was the one that talked to us before we split up for our interview sessions) said that they had accepted 48 from november's session.

 

[skysong]

If we're accepted, should we start applying for campus housing now? How is the housing on campus?

 

[shehsheh]

That is what we were told at the interview. Maybe some of those who were accepted declined.

THANK YOU

i was at the interview yesterday...the dean of admission (i think?? i forgot what his title was--but he was the one that talked to us before we split up for our interview sessions) said that they had accepted 48 from november's session.

THANK YOU

 

[PharmCal05]

Good luck to those of you who have interviewed. I'll be interviewing in Feb 23rd and I don't know anything about the LA area. Do you mind telling me where you stayed and how you got to the campus? I'm thinking about flying into Ontario. Thanks!

 

[pharm friend]

the interview went well...nice weather and ppl were friendly...hope i get in!

 

[lovestoeat]

Good luck pharm friend and everyone else! I think the interview session (Sat 1/26) went smoothly: checked-in, mingled with the current students (who were all friendly), Jim Granderson gave a nice "don't be nervous" talk, went off for my interview (2-on-1, 30 mins or so), and completed a writing assignment (20 mins). I think the whole process was a little over 2 hours. My student interviewer was very friendly, faculty member was less friendly but I was anticipating much worse; they mostly asked me to elaborate on my ECs. I know mentioning the writing assignment might stress some ppl out... don't be; it was really short and nothing you can really prepare for. I had to take notes on a brief article for 5 min, and then summarize the article using my notes (15 min).

To pharmcal05: sorry, no recs for hotels since I live in LA. LAX is closer to USC than Ontario, but it is busier. Either way, you may want to rent a car b/c I can't think of any hotels within walking distance to USC and the LA mass transit system isn't great.

 

[misspharm]

Some posters have already mentioned getting February invites, no word on March yet. Those will probably be out mid-February.

MissPharm you shouldn't stress out because there are only ~40 seats taken as of right now. With possibly a 185-190 seats total there is a very good chance of getting a shot.

I just called today and they told me they completed the selection for Feb 23 interview. Only one interview is left...😱😱😱 Does anyone know if applying late can result in getting the interview late? Because I completed my sypplemental application on10/31/07.Thanks.

 

[Farmercyst]

Good luck pharm friend and everyone else! I think the interview session (Sat 1/26) went smoothly: checked-in, mingled with the current students (who were all friendly), Jim Granderson gave a nice "don't be nervous" talk, went off for my interview (2-on-1, 30 mins or so), and completed a writing assignment (20 mins). I think the whole process was a little over 2 hours. My student interviewer was very friendly, faculty member was less friendly but I was anticipating much worse; they mostly asked me to elaborate on my ECs. I know mentioning the writing assignment might stress some ppl out... don't be; it was really short and nothing you can really prepare for. I had to take notes on a brief article for 5 min, and then summarize the article using my notes (15 min).

To pharmcal05: sorry, no recs for hotels since I live in LA. LAX is closer to USC than Ontario, but it is busier. Either way, you may want to rent a car b/c I can't think of any hotels within walking distance to USC and the LA mass transit system isn't great.

Interview coordinator says they like to schedule out-of-towners for later interviewers. I'd say go ahead and fly into Ontario. It'll be about 35 minutes to campus from there. Hotels will probably be cheaper there than near LAX (at least cheaper than ones you'd actually be willing to stay at) If hotels near Ontario are more expensive due to proximity to the airport and convention center, you might look into El Monte, San Gabriel or Rosemead. Perhaps Alhambra/Monterey Park if there's a hotel there.

 

[etherealx85]

so they're only interviewing 450 or 600 this year...seems like everyone is saying 450...b/c i was in the first interview in nov and was placed on active consideration which had 150 that interviewed...there's 4 interview dates...does this mean they interview 150 for the first interview...150 for the second interview and 75 each for the third and fourth interview? or is it something different? i'm kind of confused....anyways either way it's just more waiting...gl to those that just interviewed and those expecting interviews

 

[nerv12345]

they said they're only interviewing a total of 400 people for the entire cycle..they told you different?

 

[RaginCajun]

I believe the 150 considered TAP folks.

 

[shehsheh]

they said they're only interviewing a total of 400 people for the entire cycle..they told you different?

Ok.. I was in the Nov interview and Jim said that they are interviewing 450 total. 150 for the first interview and 100 for the next three interviews. I'm a little confused... everybody is saying something different. Can somebody please clarify. 😕

 

[nerv12345]

Ok.. I was in the Nov interview and Jim said that they are interviewing 450 total. 150 for the first interview and 100 for the next three interviews. I'm a little confused... everybody is saying something different. Can somebody please clarify. 😕

m'eh...i guess they can tell us anything they want...to play it safe...i am goign to assume they are interviewing 500 people and accepting about 200 people (since some will decline) for the class of approximately 185. so we have a 40% chance of getting in...not too bad i guess.

 

[terse]

Ok.. I was in the Nov interview and Jim said that they are interviewing 450 total. 150 for the first interview and 100 for the next three interviews. I'm a little confused... everybody is saying something different. Can somebody please clarify. 😕

that is correct. i was there also for the November interview and yes, that is what Jim said.

 

[AndyMan]

I was there this past weekend and Jim said that there was only 4 interview sessions, as opposed to 5 in the previous years, and 100 interview invites per session.

 

[pinkster741]

I just called today and they told me they completed the selection for Feb 23 interview. Only one interview is left...😱😱😱 Does anyone know if applying late can result in getting the interview late? Because I completed my sypplemental application on10/31/07.Thanks.

ah! i'm still waiting!

 

[powertoold]

The writing sample is really easy. I wouldn't worry about it.

The people involved in the interview process are nice and friendly. The Dean of Admissions is great at calming you down.

 

[SPharmN]

Ok.. I was in the Nov interview and Jim said that they are interviewing 450 total. 150 for the first interview and 100 for the next three interviews. I'm a little confused... everybody is saying something different. Can somebody please clarify. 😕

Yes, I'm very sure it's 150+100+100+100=450

 

[koercive]

if I turned in my app in mid-October , would I most likely get the last interview slot if I were to get an interview at all?

 

[misspharm]

I have a quesion and just want to see if anyone can help me about it.
I receive an email today about the classes that i "lack" to finish all the required from USC. I don't know if that is a good thing, is that mean they are considering my application? Since I already lost hope because other people keep telling me I will not get anything because I submit the application too late. If you guys know something about this, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[powertoold]

I have a quesion and just want to see if anyone can help me about it.
I receive an email today about the classes that i "lack" to finish all the required from USC. I don't know if that is a good thing, is that mean they are considering my application? Since I already lost hope because other people keep telling me I will not get anything because I submit the application too late. If you guys know something about this, please let me know. Thanks.

I also received the lack letter. I wouldn't worry about it unless you have a lot of lack classes. I got an interview in Dec for Jan 26th.

 

[Farmercyst]

I have a quesion and just want to see if anyone can help me about it.
I receive an email today about the classes that i "lack" to finish all the required from USC. I don't know if that is a good thing, is that mean they are considering my application? Since I already lost hope because other people keep telling me I will not get anything because I submit the application too late. If you guys know something about this, please let me know. Thanks.

The only reason to worry about the lack letter is if you can't finish the classes you lack before the deadline (August, I think). Other than that, it's just to remind you which classes you HAVE to take.

 

[Farmercyst]

Yes, I'm very sure it's 150+100+100+100=450

Yep, it's 450. They cut back on interviews after the November one. So it started out 150 for each and then got changed to just 100 each. Next year they say it'll just be 400 interviews total. Last year there were only 4 interviews, so I'm not sure where the "cutting down from 5 interviews to 4" came from.😕

 

[Farmercyst]

if I turned in my app in mid-October , would I most likely get the last interview slot if I were to get an interview at all?

Most likely. I turned my app in late Oct 2006 and got the March 07 interview. Fortunately they take people from the last interview.😀

 

[csayani]

The only reason to worry about the lack letter is if you can't finish the classes you lack before the deadline (August, I think). Other than that, it's just to remind you which classes you HAVE to take.

I interviewed on Nov. 10th and I was placed on active consdieration. I have 4 science classes and 1 class for my BA in progress but USC wont get my grades until June when everything is complete and I am concerned that they won't accept me because I feel that there is a lot left, whereas other students are basically done. I thought my interview went well and I had a 3.6 overall gpa, 2 years pharmacy experience (1 year as a tech) and research. Any thoughts on my chances? Do people with this much work in progress get accepted?

 

[Farmercyst]

I interviewed on Nov. 10th and I was placed on active consdieration. I have 4 science classes and 1 class for my BA in progress but USC wont get my grades until June when everything is complete and I am concerned that they won't accept me because I feel that there is a lot left, whereas other students are basically done. I thought my interview went well and I had a 3.6 overall gpa, 2 years pharmacy experience (1 year as a tech) and research. Any thoughts on my chances? Do people with this much work in progress get accepted?

I don't think they take the number of courses remaining into consideration. Several people were accepted without complete prereqs last year (meaning they were accepted before prereqs were completed, not that the prereqs were not required of those individuals.) We didn't have final verification on transcripts and coursework completed until November. I'd say your chances are no worse than mine were last year. By this time you should have sent them your Fall transcripts, and be enrolled in spring classes. That would leave only what you plan on taking for summer. (unless your on quarters, then you'd be enrolled in winter, registering for spring soon and have summer) Either way, I doubt the number of classes remaining has anything to do with it. After February interviews there'll be a much better picture and we'll see what happens. Your GPA is better than mine was and my situation in the November preceding my interview was the same. I still needed molecular, micro, anatomy/physiology II, and statistics.

 

[ScarlettDarke]

Most likely. I turned my app in late Oct 2006 and got the March 07 interview. Fortunately they take people from the last interview.😀

Farmercyst, I know you've already done it somewhere before, but do you mind posting your stats? Do you feel you had a really strong interview and that's what put you over the edge during the 4th interview session? I'm sooo nervous bc my gpa isn't great + I submitted my app pretty late so if I'm even invited for an interview at all Im thinking I'll really have to shine since that'll be the only time they review my file. Thanks!

 

[Farmercyst]

Farmercyst, I know you've already done it somewhere before, but do you mind posting your stats? Do you feel you had a really strong interview and that's what put you over the edge during the 4th interview session? I'm sooo nervous bc my gpa isn't great + I submitted my app pretty late so if I'm even invited for an interview at all Im thinking I'll really have to shine since that'll be the only time they review my file. Thanks!

The GPA is probably what gave me the biggest push, but it's just barely better than average, so my interview must have counted for something.
If I remember right (it's not important to me anymore *shrug*)
3.49 cumulative/3.59 science
BS Chemistry,Biochemistry option Minor Biology
AS Chemistry
AS Biology (It's just paper at this point)
Three pharm tech classes (pharmacology,math, pharmacy systems)
Medicinal Chemistry as my U/D elective
No pharmacy experience
No Shadowing
No Research
No PCAT
No clubs.
No Frats
No Service Experience
30 year old, married w/2 kids (that's my extracurriculars.)
Just goes to show, if you can get an interview, you have a chance.

 

[csayani]

I don't think they take the number of courses remaining into consideration. Several people were accepted without complete prereqs last year (meaning they were accepted before prereqs were completed, not that the prereqs were not required of those individuals.) We didn't have final verification on transcripts and coursework completed until November. I'd say your chances are no worse than mine were last year. By this time you should have sent them your Fall transcripts, and be enrolled in spring classes. That would leave only what you plan on taking for summer. (unless your on quarters, then you'd be enrolled in winter, registering for spring soon and have summer) Either way, I doubt the number of classes remaining has anything to do with it. After February interviews there'll be a much better picture and we'll see what happens. Your GPA is better than mine was and my situation in the November preceding my interview was the same. I still needed molecular, micro, anatomy/physiology II, and statistics.

wow..thank u for ur feedback... how long after u were placed on active consdieration did u get in? U interviewed last november?

 

[misspharm]

The GPA is probably what gave me the biggest push, but it's just barely better than average, so my interview must have counted for something.
If I remember right (it's not important to me anymore *shrug*)
3.49 cumulative/3.59 science
BS Chemistry,Biochemistry option Minor Biology
AS Chemistry
AS Biology (It's just paper at this point)
Three pharm tech classes (pharmacology,math, pharmacy systems)
Medicinal Chemistry as my U/D elective
No pharmacy experience
No Shadowing
No Research
No PCAT
No clubs.
No Frats
No Service Experience
30 year old, married w/2 kids (that's my extracurriculars.)
Just goes to show, if you can get an interview, you have a chance.

Thanks for sharing. I heard that USC likes to "grill" applicants. What do you think I should do to perform good in the interview?I am still waiting, but hopefully they will give me the last interview.

 

[nerv12345]

Thanks for sharing. I heard that USC likes to "grill" applicants. What do you think I should do to perform good in the interview?I am still waiting, but hopefully they will give me the last interview.

you heard wrong! my interviewers were really cool.

i guess the only "grilling" part would be ...if you mentioned something in one of your response, they would root off that and ask a question

ex: i was talking about my experiences at my pharmacy and i so happened to mention medicare part D---so the interview asked me what i thought about medicare part D

 

[Farmercyst]

There are generally a few people every year who feel that they were grilled by there interviewers. I wasn't, but maybe there's one or two interviewers out there who do. It's a rare occassion though, if it happens at all. I wouldn't anticipate a grilling. In terms of getting ready so you don't feel grilled. Anticipate the questions (read interview feedback section). Practice. Use a parent, friend, lab partner, career center, etc. Above all, relax when you're there. Things will go smoother if you're relaxed.

 

[powertoold]

Farm, I'm just curious. Since you didn't have any extracurriculars or pharmacy experience, what did they ask you during the interview? 😀

Also, are you a first year student? Sorry if I missed that. Nevermind, you are a first year 🙂

 

[Farmercyst]

Farm, I'm just curious. Since you didn't have any extracurriculars or pharmacy experience, what did they ask you during the interview? 😀

Also, are you a first year student? Sorry if I missed that. Nevermind, you are a first year 🙂

Well, when they asked me if I had any experience in pharmacy, I mentioned my technician classes, medicinal chemestry elective, my recently obtained PTCE certificate, and mentioned my ability to translate between medical terminology and English for my wife while my daughter was in the NICU.
When they asked me about problems within the profession, I mentioned some of the things I read about here. Primarily a lack of general appreciation of patients for what pharmacists actually do and the lack of understanding leading to an underappreciation of the profession and it's corresponding inability to promote itself as a more necessary function of the healthcare system in the eyes of the public. (I wasn't nearly that eloquent, if you can call it that, during my interview) Basically I tried to show them that I wasn't applying to pharmacy school on a whim, that I'd studied it out, knew which career paths interested me, and that I was on a level equal to or greater than the other interviewees. Fortunately my work as a customer service rep and the "things I learned from my patients" thread clued me in on many of the similarities between what I'd been doing for 8 years, and what I wanted to do for a career.
The hardest question was, what kind of leadership experience do you have that's recent. I had listed Eagle Scout 1995, I think even Boy's State delegate 1994 if I recall correctly. Just really archaic stuff. I could think of 2 things. Adult instruction at my church, and assistant moderator on SDN. Neither seemed very appropriate, but it's all I could come up with. Of course I made it sound better than the ho-hum stuff that it is, but I guess it was enough.

Hope that answers your question. I'd be open for more discussion if you think it'd help.

 

[misspharm]

you heard wrong! my interviewers were really cool.

i guess the only "grilling" part would be ...if you mentioned something in one of your response, they would root off that and ask a question

ex: i was talking about my experiences at my pharmacy and i so happened to mention medicare part D---so the interview asked me what i thought about medicare part D

Do you think that they ask questions based on what you told them at the beginning? I heard from others that the things that you mentioned when they asked to "tell me about yourself" set the following questions. Do you think it is true? Since you already went to the interview, I think you may be able to answer my question. Thanks.🙂

 

[powertoold]

Yes, they do make you follow up with your responses, so you can't BS anything heh 😀

 

[nerv12345]

Do you think that they ask questions based on what you told them at the beginning? I heard from others that the things that you mentioned when they asked to "tell me about yourself" set the following questions. Do you think it is true? Since you already went to the interview, I think you may be able to answer my question. Thanks.🙂

liek the above poster said..absolutely, so you have to be careful what you answer...
also, make sure you know your supplementals--it's open file (although, they didn't ask me anything from mine even though i could clearly see them holding my supplemental)

 

[Farmercyst]

They guage the interview partially on your enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm for pharmacy, for USC, for leadership opportunities. While they have a list of written questions, they are free to adlib. If you give them something that they can use to assist them in their goal of finding how well you fit at USC, they will go off sheet and follow where you've lead them. If you mention you did research in medicinal chemistry or some such, they'll probably follow up on that, even if it wasn't where they'd have normally gone. So yes, don't mention anything you're not able to discuss further. They do have your personal statement. Generally it's enough to know what to ask about if nothing comes up through the normal course of the interview. I wasn't asked anything specific to mine, but they did mention some of the things in my PS during the interview.

 

[misspharm]

How about the summary for the article? I heard they only give you 20 minutes. Can someone tell me something about the essay part?Thanks.🙂

 

[nerv12345]

mine was not pharmacy related...basically it was a short passage that you read, take notes on, and write a summary about (after they take the actual passage away from you)

i guess they're testing to see how well you retain information, organize it into your own quick notes, and how you analyze and explain it

the notes have a weird guide line--you can only write 5 words (non-sentence form) of notes using 10 lines max and use that as a reference for when you write the summary

 

[misspharm]

mine was not pharmacy related...basically it was a short passage that you read, take notes on, and write a summary about (after they take the actual passage away from you)

i guess they're testing to see how well you retain information, organize it into your own quick notes, and how you analyze and explain it

the notes have a weird guide line--you can only write 5 words (non-sentence form) of notes using 10 lines max and use that as a reference for when you write the summary

Thank you. I am glad that it is not like writing an essay.

 

[Scrubs Fan]

Thanks for sharing. I heard that USC likes to "grill" applicants. What do you think I should do to perform good in the interview?I am still waiting, but hopefully they will give me the last interview.

you heard wrong! my interviewers were really cool.

she didn't hear wrong. I interviewed in january and I was grilled! very much so. maybe because I walked in too confidently and they wanted to chop me down, or maybe he was just in a mood. Didn't matter though, I still did a decent job.
but be ready for everything, and if they do grill you, don't let that throw you. just do it like you practiced, be confident, and you'll be fine.