USC Class of 2013

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I know this is a little early but...

Currently, I'm taking Biochemistry I and Economics, and I plan on taking Physics II next semester. My question is...If the interview goes smoothly, what are the chances of someone getting accepted right away considering they are missing 3 courses? I know they give priority to students who have completed all of their courses, but does anyone know a friend who got accepted with pre-reqs still missing?

The reason I'm asking is that next semester I will have to take either 20hrs or 16hrs depending if I get accepted in December.
 
yiwen615 said:
I know this is a little early but...

Currently, I'm taking Biochemistry I and Economics, and I plan on taking Physics II next semester. My question is...If the interview goes smoothly, what are the chances of someone getting accepted right away considering they are missing 3 courses? I know they give priority to students who have completed all of their courses, but does anyone know a friend who got accepted with pre-reqs still missing?

The reason I'm asking is that next semester I will have to take either 20hrs or 16hrs depending if I get accepted in December.
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I don't think they will penalize you if you haven't finished all of your pre-req courses. I think they are pretty confident from your profile to invite you for an interview (and first round too!). My friend Ray got accepted last year from the first round interview with two classes he hadn't finished with.
I hope this helps. Btw, good luck on your interview this Saturday! I hope to see everyone there! :luck:
 
3 classes isn't that much to be worried about.

On the other hand, I was missing 8-9 classes last year and didn't get an interview for that reason specifically (ucsd gave me an interview as they have fewer pre-reqs)
 
Thanks for both of your inputs. It def helped me to not worry about it now. *phew*

Ditto, can't wait to see everyone saturday!
 
EDLKim said:
Hi Farmercyst

I know this sounds redundant but can you please share with us any advice you have regarding to the essay. Like format, duration, and the type of questions/prompts for the essay portion. Thank you.
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It may be available in interview feedback, and isn't necessarily any kind of secret. I do not have this years subject and even if I did I wouldn't compromise the system by disclosing it.
Generally they give you an article to read. You have a time limit 10-15 minutes. You take notes based on specific instructions. They take the article. You then summarize the article with the help from the notes taken.
That's how it went last year and the year before. I'm not sure what it's supposed to prove. I suppose reading comprehension, ability to follow instructions, and ability to take useful notes in a short period of time.
I can't guarantee it'll be the same format this year, but worst case scenario you know what was done in the past even if it proves useless.

With interviews this Saturday a couple disclosures, disclaimers. I will be there. I intend to be a student interviewer (interviews are 2:1 faculty+student: interviewee). I have no intention of letting you know who I am before or after the interview. I will not answer "were you my interviewer?" questions online. I will not tell you what your chances of acceptance are as they are beyond my control. I do not want to be stalked or harrassed.
If, for some reason, they request I do something other than interviews then I have no problem disclosing that during or after the interview as your fate will be in no way in my hands.
Feel free to post any other questions or PM me and I'll be glad to answer as time allows. Finals are 1 month away so I may be a little busy as acceptances are mailed out.
 
Farmercyst is an honorable man but I am certainly not. PM me and I will tell you EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING! :meanie:
 
Farmercyst said:
I have no intention of letting you know who I am before or after the interview. I will not answer "were you my interviewer?" questions online. I will not tell you what your chances of acceptance are as they are beyond my control. I do not want to be stalked or harrassed.
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you may stalk and harass me with your endless list of questions instead
 
how early are you guys going to your interviews tomorrow? I'm thinking about 30min-1 hour early for myself


Does anyone know why everyone has varying interview times? At UCSD last year, everyone came at the same time and was taken into their interviews at various times throughout the entire session.
 
Lebow61 said:
you may stalk and harass me with your endless list of questions instead
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😉
Perhaps a little clarification on my part.
I have no problem answering endless questions, as long as they aren't, "Did you do my interview?" "Did you tell them to accept me?" "Was my interview good enough for me to get accepted.?"
 
I was just wondering..how many people were interviewed today?
 
FinestDrug said:
Wow!!...Can anyone share their experiences today?
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I felt that time went by so fast during the interview! It didn't even feel like 20 minutes. Overall, everyone was friendly and after talking to the students it made me want to go to USC even more.
 
bellashmella said:
I felt that time went by so fast during the interview! It didn't even feel like 20 minutes. Overall, everyone was friendly and after talking to the students it made me want to go to USC even more.
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What was the Itinerary for the day?
 
149 were scheduled for interview today. Average GPA of the group was 3.6.
I interviewed 6 individuals. Some pointers for those coming down the pike:

Listen to the question being asked. Answer that question.

If you are not genuinely interested in pharmacy, why are you interviewing?

When we ask you if you have any questions, don't ask something that makes us think you're looking for the easy way out or that you want to cut corners on your educations, or would like to do something that would be considered unprofessional.

I may think of others later, but seriously, those that didn't get an interiew today obviously have a chance if more of the same happened with the other people who were interviewing today.

Having said that, there were a few spectacular interiews today and I did have one I gave top marks to. So if you are on top of your game, you can do well.
 
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Farmercyst said:
149 were scheduled for interview today. Average GPA of the group was 3.6.
I interviewed 6 individuals. Some pointers for those coming down the pike:

Listen to the question being asked. Answer that question.

If you are not genuinely interested in pharmacy, why are you interviewing?

When we ask you if you have any questions, don't ask something that makes us think you're looking for the easy way out or that you want to cut corners on your educations, or would like to do something that would be considered unprofessional.

I may think of others later, but seriously, those that didn't get an interiew today obviously have a chance if more of the same happened with the other people who were interviewing today.

Having said that, there were a few spectacular interiews today and I did have one I gave top marks to. So if you are on top of your game, you can do well.
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So on pharmcas it says:
Number interviewed - 480
Number accepted/class size - 190
I think they send acceptance to more students than 190 since that's the same as the class size. I'm sure there are a few that turn down USC.

There are 4 interview dates right? 480/4 = 120. About 30 more people in the first interview slot (or it could be that USC is accepting and interviewing few more this year (ie 500 interview/200 accept).

I wouldn't be too worried about the first slot having 149. They are interviewing 480 or more possibly.

Like Farmercyst said if the first slot did not have as many good applicants than maybe less accepted and more spots for future interview dates.

Good luck to everyone and hopefully you guys weren't the ones Farmercyst was talking about LOL 🙂 . I was a few weeks late to get one for the first slot and hoping to get one for a future date.
 
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I'm wondering why I didn't get an interview for the first session... I turned in my application on the first week of Aug.... 🙁
 
Farmercyst said:
fraternities may have test banks that may, and usually do, include tests the professors are not aware are in circulation. Don't ask about that in front of a faculty interviewer. Any student interviewer with a brain will either deny the existence or tell you how dumb it would be for such a thing to occur when sitting next to faculty
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Really? Fraternities collect exam questions so that would give their members an advantage over other students? I am telling! What's the dean's number?
 
Farmercyst said:
149 were scheduled for interview today. Average GPA of the group was 3.6.
I interviewed 6 individuals. Some pointers for those coming down the pike:

Listen to the question being asked. Answer that question.

If you are not genuinely interested in pharmacy, why are you interviewing?

When we ask you if you have any questions, don't ask something that makes us think you're looking for the easy way out or that you want to cut corners on your educations, or would like to do something that would be considered unprofessional.

I may think of others later, but seriously, those that didn't get an interiew today obviously have a chance if more of the same happened with the other people who were interviewing today.

Having said that, there were a few spectacular interiews today and I did have one I gave top marks to. So if you are on top of your game, you can do well.
Click to expand...


I'm dumbfounded by this. How do people like this get an interview in the first place? ***siiiiiiiiiigh***
 
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goinkhead said:
I'm dumbfounded by this. How do people like this get an interview in the first place? ***siiiiiiiiiigh***
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Are you serious? Even really smart people sometimes ask not so smart questions when they are nervous.
 
BMBiology said:
Are you serious? Even really smart people sometimes ask not so smart questions when they are nervous.
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yes, i was serious. thats why i posted my comment.

I didnt say the applicant wasn't smart. but just to entertain your post...the applicant may be book-smart...

socially smart, not so much.

i mean...c'mon...
 
BMBiology said:
Really? Fraternities collect exam questions so that would give their members an advantage over other students? I am telling! What's the dean's number?
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This happens at alot of schools I heard of...

goinkhead said:
yes, i was serious. thats why i posted my comment.

I didnt say the applicant wasn't smart. but just to entertain your post...the applicant may be book-smart...

socially smart, not so much.

i mean...c'mon...
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Maybe BMBiology is one of those... jk !
 
BMBiology said:
Really? You never asked a dumb question in your life? Oh c'mon.
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not in a situation that would have life-changing consequences...like during an interview to pharmacy school. because i was smart enough to think about good questions to ask the adcoms before the interview.
 
Give people a break. When you become a pharmacy student and you go on rounds, some people may be dumbfounded by the questions you ask and you are going to think, "oh BMB was right! Even smart people mess up".
 
I had this guy with a GPA of 3.7 asked me, "how come pharmacists don't have to keep on learning after they graduate"? I thought to myself, "what? there're no new drugs?" Not a good question but I figure you can't discount someone by just one question.
 
BMBiology said:
Give people a break. When you become a pharmacy student and you go on rounds, some people may be dumbfounded by the questions you ask and you are going to think, "oh BMB was right! Even smart people mess up".
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im sorry for starting/continuing my argument. i shouldnt have said anything.

i think Farmercyst's anecdotes speak for themselves.
 
I'm sure the person realized that it was a mistake after the interview. I've realized I should have said certain things and made mistakes as well just not something that would break my chances only that I didn't say something that would strengthen my interview, but it is too late now.

GPA isn't an indication of how smart you are. Different situations (classes/major/school/etc) can make it easier for some. You'll find out that some of the lower GPA students (even below 3.0) performing at the top of the class in pharm school against those who had 3.7+ GPA.

There is an implication that the interviewer had good grades because he had access to previous tests. That may hurt his chances, but if that person doesn't say the same thing at another school he/she might get in to other pharm schools and probably will/did.

Also different schools look for different aspects in applicants. Some are looking more at morals/ethics, others look at communication/social skills, and things like appearance, voice, etc could have some minor effect on admission decisions. No one knows just hope your a right match. Getting an interview is a great step and you basically have one foot in.
 
I was dumb enough to ask the admissions officer at OSU about her dog because I had read about it on some interview for OSU prepharm society. Turns out her dog had to be given up because her daughter was allergic to it. Moral: if you have the temptation too look up admissions officials at prospective schools, don't. If you do, don't mention it in the interview. If you're yet still too dense, check the date first to make sure it's not out-dated. I'm sure it's not the only stupid thing I did at that interview, but it sticks out. So yeah, I empathize with the interviewees I met today, but I still have to grade based on the overall impression I got, whether due to nerves or just momentary lapse in judgement.
 
BMBiology said:
Really? Fraternities collect exam questions so that would give their members an advantage over other students? I am telling! What's the dean's number?
Click to expand...


yes, a lot of college fraternities, sororities, and clubs have collections of old exams.

When the competition is fierce, undergrads will band together and protect their common interests. Survival of the fittest group.

I agree on the fact that discussing these matters at an interview is not a great way to impress your interviewers.


Ironically, I've heard from older USC pharmacy grads that they used to get together and formulate a Note taking system. Each student is assigned the task to take excellent notes for a particular teacher. Slowly, a collection of notes are created for each class. These notes were circulated and helped students who can't make it to every single class.

Keep in mind this was done way before the existence and convenience of internet and power point slides. In that sense, I can see how the Note taking system was relevant and quite helpful.
 
Farmercyst said:
I was dumb enough to ask the admissions officer at OSU about her dog because I had read about it on some interview for OSU prepharm society. Turns out her dog had to be given up because her daughter was allergic to it. Moral: if you have the temptation too look up admissions officials at prospective schools, don't. If you do, don't mention it in the interview. If you're yet still too dense, check the date first to make sure it's not out-dated. I'm sure it's not the only stupid thing I did at that interview, but it sticks out. So yeah, I empathize with the interviewees I met today, but I still have to grade based on the overall impression I got, whether due to nerves or just momentary lapse in judgement.
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I hope you interview me! ... you seem very professional...that you make unbiased judgements, you know your expectations from a pharmacy student, and you know whether the applicant is a good fit for USC.
 
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Farmercyst said:
I still have to grade based on the overall impression I got, whether due to nerves or just momentary lapse in judgement.
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The last time I interviewed students was 3 years but I recall USC saying not to discuss it so I am disappointed that you would actually post your interviewees' bad experience in a forum that is widely read by those who are currently applying. What if you had a lapse in judgement during an interview and found out that your interviewer decided to post it online?
 
BMBiology said:
The last time I interviewed students was 3 years but I recall USC saying not to discuss it so I am disappointed that you would actually post your interviewees' bad experience in a forum that is widely read by those who are currently applying. What if you had a lapse in judgement during an interview and found out that your interviewer decided to post it online?
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Point taken. I've made the pointers a little less situation specific (though they were anecdotal, they were probably a little too transparent.) Though I'm sure any number of people may think at this point that they may have done worse than they actually did, I think it's better overall to at least have the pointers out there.
 
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How did everyone else think they did?
 
i think i did so-so on the interview. the interviewers were really nice and tried to make me feel comfy, but they didnt seem uber-impressed with some of my answers (i felt the blood draining from my face 😀). plus, i skipped the question session after the essay... though i skipped that because i had already asked several students a bunch of questions before the interview. in retrospect perhaps i should've stayed anyway? too late now!
 
My friend and I skipped the Q/A at the end with the pharmacy students at the end as well. I had already been speaking to 4th year USC pharm students since January so I feel like I got a good feel from that already. I wouldn't worry too much sanrevelle since the lady proctoring the essays said it was optional and we could leave if we wanted.

As for the interview, I thought it went by super fast. I felt confident going in and I didn't struggle with my answers much. Luckily it was because all of the questions they asked me were almost identical to the ones I prepped with (thanks to the SDN questions posted from previous usc interviews)! I felt like the faculty member wasn't paying that much attention to what I was saying, but I think it's b/c he was tired by the time my 10:30 interview rolled around and I can imagine interviewing for a couple hours can be draining. In the end, I couldn't really tell how they felt about me...they seemed very indifferent but maybe I'm just being paranoid? But overall, I think I did alright. Hopefully everything turns out okay! 🙄
 
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Any more?? I know more people interviewed than those who posted!
 
Does anyone know when the next round of invitations should be sent out?
 
for the november 15th interview, do u guys think that we'll get responses by dec 5th? i just got my acceptance to touro, and they want the deposit by that date, but i'd much rather go to usc. i know at the interview they said it'd take 2-3 weeks, but i don't know if they mean we'll have received something by end of the 3 weeks or that they'll send out decisions by then. $2000 is a lot of money for peace of mind 🙁
 
giraffesarecool said:
for the november 15th interview, do u guys think that we'll get responses by dec 5th? i just got my acceptance to touro, and they want the deposit by that date, but i'd much rather go to usc. i know at the interview they said it'd take 2-3 weeks, but i don't know if they mean we'll have received something by end of the 3 weeks or that they'll send out decisions by then. $2000 is a lot of money for peace of mind 🙁
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I hear ya giraffesarecool! I already paid the deposit b/c i interviewed so early at touro and was accepted even before I knew I was going to interview at usc. For your sake I hope they can get it out by dec. 5th. Plus, I'd like to know asap too!
 
giraffesarecool said:
for the november 15th interview, do u guys think that we'll get responses by dec 5th? i just got my acceptance to touro, and they want the deposit by that date, but i'd much rather go to usc. i know at the interview they said it'd take 2-3 weeks, but i don't know if they mean we'll have received something by end of the 3 weeks or that they'll send out decisions by then. $2000 is a lot of money for peace of mind 🙁
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That would be pushing it. Usually they are mailed at the end of the 3rd week post interview. So ~12/6 they should go in the mail. Probably won't get them until the following week.
 
giraffesarecool said:
for the november 15th interview, do u guys think that we'll get responses by dec 5th? i just got my acceptance to touro, and they want the deposit by that date, but i'd much rather go to usc
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Call up Toura and give them an excuse as to why you need to extend the deadline. You got accepted early so most likely, you are a good student so they may give you some slack.
 
chambord911 said:
I hear ya giraffesarecool! I already paid the deposit b/c i interviewed so early at touro and was accepted even before I knew I was going to interview at usc. For your sake I hope they can get it out by dec. 5th. Plus, I'd like to know asap too!
Click to expand...

Same here, I just couldn't decline before interviewing at other schools though. I'm seriously waiting on pins & needles for a response from USC!
 
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