What would you do?

[pharmgrl5]

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What would you do in this situation....

One day over this past summer our neighbor was out mowing his yard. My husband was also outside, they somehow managed to strike up a conversation. My husband tells our neighbor that I'm wanting to go to pharmacy school. Neighbor tells him "my son is a professor at KU (university of Kansas school of pharmacy)". He goes on to say that his son is on the admissions committee there, he says I should go talk to him. My husband calls me out to come talk to the neighbor. I'm standing there getting told that I should go contact this man's son. Now the presumption is that I'm getting told this because having a contact within the school might help me get in. My husband and I argue a bit over this later and I tell him that I'm not comfortable with that. For one thing, I am not sure it's right to go talk to this guy in hopes that I'll gain an edge with him. For another, it might be fairly obvious that I'm talking to him only to gain an edge, which might end up actually hurting me when I do apply. Husband still thinks I should do it, I disagree. I think that people should be admitted to pharm school because of their qualifications (good GPA, strong PCAT, work experience, etc. etc.) and not because they know someone on the admissions committee.

So my question is, what would you do in this situation? Do you think it's an unfair advantage to have contacts within the school?

 

[Odublar]

Personally, I don't see any issue with contacting his son and maybe asking him what they look for in candidates. What makes a person stand out in the application process. As long as you don't go bribing him or begging him to get into the school I see no flagrant ethics violation. 🙂

I'm sure you are not the only one who knows this information. It is how you handle it that determines how comfortable you should feel. The hesitation is a good thing, a great thing even. I applaud you for asking this.

Personally, it's about you. I've learned from the military that there is nothing wrong with asking. In the end, it's all about you. You want to get into a COP so you should take every opportunity to get yourself in that position. This may be a sign for you to march on into a career as a Pharmacist.

Even better is that it is also for your family. I'd say there are two kinds of people in this world. People who ask, and those that don't ask. If you walk up to this guy and be sincere about your goals and how you can achieve them I'm sure he will understand where you are coming from. If he helps you, then good for you. If he says "It's against the rules, I'm sorry" then back off the situation no harm no foul. Just don't persist if he has said this.

Like the many threads about customers asking "is it ready yet?", he most likely will leave with your name and a sour taste in his mouth.

In the end, it's your decision. I applaud your morals and ethics ma'am.

Have a nice evening. 🙂 👍

 

[Paulz]

Maybe your neighbor can talk to his son and see if there's anything he can do. It would be kind of random to just call him and say "I live next to your dad can you help me get in".

 

[Odublar]

Maybe your neighbor can talk to his son and see if there's anything he can do. It would be kind of random to just call him and say "I live next to your dad can you help me get in".

Sounds like the appropriate response to me. Except not ask what he can do, but what you can do. 👍

 

[FLPharm2Be]

What would you do in this situation....

One day over this past summer our neighbor was out mowing his yard. My husband was also outside, they somehow managed to strike up a conversation. My husband tells our neighbor that I'm wanting to go to pharmacy school. Neighbor tells him "my son is a professor at KU (university of Kansas school of pharmacy)". He goes on to say that his son is on the admissions committee there, he says I should go talk to him. My husband calls me out to come talk to the neighbor. I'm standing there getting told that I should go contact this man's son. Now the presumption is that I'm getting told this because having a contact within the school might help me get in. My husband and I argue a bit over this later and I tell him that I'm not comfortable with that. For one thing, I am not sure it's right to go talk to this guy in hopes that I'll gain an edge with him. For another, it might be fairly obvious that I'm talking to him only to gain an edge, which might end up actually hurting me when I do apply. Husband still thinks I should do it, I disagree. I think that people should be admitted to pharm school because of their qualifications (good GPA, strong PCAT, work experience, etc. etc.) and not because they know someone on the admissions committee.

So my question is, what would you do in this situation? Do you think it's an unfair advantage to have contacts within the school?

I also have to say that I don't find anything wrong with emailing/calling your neighbor's son. People use their connections all the time (right or wrong) to get ahead, whether it is for school or their career. Feel fortunate that you have such an opportunity with this potential connection. If I were you, I would email/call your neighbor's son and just say that you are a friend of his father's and that he mentioned that his son was a good contact for information about KU's Pharmacy School and that you are very interested in the school. If anything, this gives your name some familiarity. In the end the choice is yours. 🙂

 

[Pharm OU]

I have also been in this same situation more than once. My family, coworkers, family friends, etc. have been so supportive in my wanting to become a pharmacist. They are all behind me 110%. I have had more than one person with contacts at the college of pharmacy to which i have applied twice now. I didn't take them up on their offers the first time because I felt the same way as you. It's a strange and uncomfortable position to be in! After I was rejected, I decided maybe I should talk to some people at the school about what I can do to improve my applications and interviewing skills. Anyone that I have talked to has been more than willing to help me out and give me advice and tips. I have learned so many valuable things from these people I have contacted. I didn't know one of them was on the admissions committee until I was in a meeting with him. I would definitely say that it isn't a bad thing to have contacts. If anything it looks like you are very interested and trying to learn more about the profession, the school, etc! Just thought I would give some input from someone who has been in a similar situation! Good luck!

 

[fiorio]

you can ask his son what admin is looking for, how can you prepare yourself for application/interview etc.
i believe you are smart enough not to say to his son"hey dude i'm your dad's neighbor and get me in"