What?

[OkiePharmD]

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I took the Ca. High School Prof. Exam when I was 16. Life sucked for me at the time and I was being moved around every few months. When I was almost 30 I took the GED and started college. I had never even seen algebra or chem before. I started at the very begining with everything.
I guess the ADCOM felt that I didnt have a clear understanding of what to expect form Pharm school and they are concerned about my ability to succeed. Woe. I have been talking to them and everyone that I can and reading everything I can for 5 years. I have had to fight for everything good in my life and I guess this is no different. I have mentors and teachers who cheer me on and they think I will do fine.
I have a friend who got in last year with the same GPA and a PCAT much lower.
OH well! GPA 3.3 and PCAT 68. Ill retake the PCAT and study math and chem. I know I need to work on that but I have a very clear understanding that I will have to breath, eat, and sleep pharmacy to do well.
Just needed to rant.

Im a nice person and I have a soft voice and Im overweight. I need want to totally change my image. Maybe if I was a bitch Id being taken more seriously.
Ive already lost 40 pounds and Ill lose the rest. (Kids and surgeries helped me gain weight, when you dont move because of pain you get fat.)

 

[117296]

Maybe if I was a bitch Id being taken more seriously.

Not a good idea.

 

[OkiePharmD]

I dont really mean it. I just need to stand up straighter. I try very hard to be positive but its been hard to be the last few weeks.

 

[cuedee]

Keep fighting, Okie, keep fighting.

 

[Knickerbocker]

Where did you apply?

 

[PharmTheQuah]

Was there with you Okie last year for the interviews and this year too! I may be in the same boat. But you never know, SOMETHING has to give sometime. I watch all the great movies, Rudy, Hoosiers, Mighty Ducks (kidding!!) etc... and each time I'm like yea, I'm just like them...the underdog. Okie, we WILL win someday. Keep it up! We can't let them win.

 

[OkiePharmD]

I applied and interviewed at OU this year. Last year I applied but I didnt interview. My application was good enough to get an interview but then Im told maybe I should consider another career.l feel better now thanks guys. Im not giving up or anything but it works on me sometimes. I know that a lot of you understand totally where Im coming from. Im going to concentrate on finishing my degree and working right now and then retaking the PCAT. 🙂
Im so used to sucking it up and carrying on Im going to go into shock when success finally comes.

 

[BleedsInBlue]

Ive already lost 40 pounds and Ill lose the rest. (Kids and surgeries helped me gain weight, when you dont move because of pain you get fat.)

I was in a car accident two years ago, and broke about thirty bones, including my hip and pelvis, which definitely hurt the most. I was in the hospital for months, and rehab for months after that. I probably gained 30-40 pounds due to not being able to walk. I know how you feel. I am still having surgeries to this day to fix my left hand, which is still screwed up.

 

[OkiePharmD]

I started reading the thread someone posted on fat people and didnt finish reading it. Hope that guy never gets ill or hurt and cant move. Im lucky that my husband still loves me as sweetly now as when I was little... before I had his children 🙂. Im working on it.
I hope that you heal and the surgeries will be over for you soon. I find a strict vegan diet is the only way I can lose. Have you looked into McDougal? It is difficult to follow but I find when I am faithful to it for about a week I dont even want the junk.

 

[mrblah]

I took the Ca. High School Prof. Exam when I was 16. Life sucked for me at the time and I was being moved around every few months. When I was almost 30 I took the GED and started college. I had never even seen algebra or chem before. I started at the very begining with everything.
I guess the ADCOM felt that I didnt have a clear understanding of what to expect form Pharm school and they are concerned about my ability to succeed. Woe. I have been talking to them and everyone that I can and reading everything I can for 5 years. I have had to fight for everything good in my life and I guess this is no different. I have mentors and teachers who cheer me on and they think I will do fine.
I have a friend who got in last year with the same GPA and a PCAT much lower.
OH well! GPA 3.3 and PCAT 68. Ill retake the PCAT and study math and chem. I know I need to work on that but I have a very clear understanding that I will have to breath, eat, and sleep pharmacy to do well.
Just needed to rant.

Im a nice person and I have a soft voice and Im overweight. I need want to totally change my image. Maybe if I was a bitch Id being taken more seriously.
Ive already lost 40 pounds and Ill lose the rest. (Kids and surgeries helped me gain weight, when you dont move because of pain you get fat.)

retake the pcat and apply again. As for your interview, you will need to practice, and its best to practice with the most critical p1 or p2 student you can find.

As for losing weight...lol. I found out that it was easier and cheaper to buy a suit that fit my expanding gut 😀

 

[shehsheh]

I took the Ca. High School Prof. Exam when I was 16. Life sucked for me at the time and I was being moved around every few months. When I was almost 30 I took the GED and started college. I had never even seen algebra or chem before. I started at the very begining with everything.
I guess the ADCOM felt that I didnt have a clear understanding of what to expect form Pharm school and they are concerned about my ability to succeed. Woe. I have been talking to them and everyone that I can and reading everything I can for 5 years. I have had to fight for everything good in my life and I guess this is no different. I have mentors and teachers who cheer me on and they think I will do fine.
I have a friend who got in last year with the same GPA and a PCAT much lower.
OH well! GPA 3.3 and PCAT 68. Ill retake the PCAT and study math and chem. I know I need to work on that but I have a very clear understanding that I will have to breath, eat, and sleep pharmacy to do well.
Just needed to rant.

Im a nice person and I have a soft voice and Im overweight. I need want to totally change my image. Maybe if I was a bitch Id being taken more seriously.
Ive already lost 40 pounds and Ill lose the rest. (Kids and surgeries helped me gain weight, when you dont move because of pain you get fat.)

You seem like a very determined individual... I'm confident that you will make it as a successful pharmacist.

 

[Transformer]

I took the Ca. High School Prof. Exam when I was 16. Life sucked for me at the time and I was being moved around every few months. When I was almost 30 I took the GED and started college. I had never even seen algebra or chem before. I started at the very begining with everything.
I guess the ADCOM felt that I didnt have a clear understanding of what to expect form Pharm school and they are concerned about my ability to succeed. Woe. I have been talking to them and everyone that I can and reading everything I can for 5 years. I have had to fight for everything good in my life and I guess this is no different. I have mentors and teachers who cheer me on and they think I will do fine.
I have a friend who got in last year with the same GPA and a PCAT much lower.
OH well! GPA 3.3 and PCAT 68. Ill retake the PCAT and study math and chem. I know I need to work on that but I have a very clear understanding that I will have to breath, eat, and sleep pharmacy to do well.
Just needed to rant.

Im a nice person and I have a soft voice and Im overweight. I need want to totally change my image. Maybe if I was a bitch Id being taken more seriously.
Ive already lost 40 pounds and Ill lose the rest. (Kids and surgeries helped me gain weight, when you dont move because of pain you get fat.)

Your efforts are inspirational.

What do you think you said that made ADCOM feel you didn't quite know what to expect from their pharmacy school???

Your stats is good enough for interview invites. (I'm sure you know that)

Apply Again and if possible, apply to a variety of pharmacy schools.

Good luck!

 

[OkiePharmD]

I dont know what I said. I have W's on my transcripts but that wasnt an issue when I went in to review my application with them before I submittd it. The lady I talked is very nice and I cant take it so personal. Im not giving up I may just need to wait an extra year before I can apply again so that I can work and finish my BA. I havent decided what other schools to apply to I need to research the other schools.
🙂 Thanks for the kind comments. I feel much better about the whole thing today. Quiting is not an option.

 

[eelo]

I dont know what I said. I have W's on my transcripts but that wasnt an issue when I went in to review my application with them before I submittd it. The lady I talked is very nice and I cant take it so personal. Im not giving up I may just need to wait an extra year before I can apply again so that I can work and finish my BA. I havent decided what other schools to apply to I need to research the other schools.
🙂 Thanks for the kind comments. I feel much better about the whole thing today. Quiting is not an option.

Okie, you may be able to go back and talk to someone ont he adcom to find out where they felt you were weak. You might have to wait until their busy season is over, but lots of schools are very willing to give input to help you strengthen your application for next year. Your plans (more classes, finish degree, retake PCAT) are on the right track. It won't hurt to ask where you need to improve, or what happened that completely eliminated you. Also, are you applying at other schools besides OU? What about SWOSU?

This is TOTALLY my opinion; I certainly won't speak for the adcom at OU, but I'd guess they're a little leery of your background, in terms of not completing high school and waiting so long to finish a bachelor's degree. I think that when you've got your BS, you'll be a lock for a spot, if not before.

I also think that you can take your background story and make that a strength, as in "This was my situation, it sucked, but it was mine, and I knew that the only person who could effect change in that situation was ME...." and then show how you changed it.

I think you've probably got a lot more strengths than you're seeing in yourself. ;-)

 

[PharmTheQuah]

WOW, That was the nicest thing I've ever seen eelo post! I would take that for a good sign. Keep it up guys!

 

[eelo]

WOW, That was the nicest thing I've ever seen eelo post! I would take that for a good sign. Keep it up guys!

Eelo's been around the block a few times and has heard more than a few stories about how unfair life is, and how the mean ol' professors were just out to get (me), and how that nasty PCAT just isn't a good measure, and how GPA shouldn't count for anything, and how totally crappy GPAs should be balanced out by 75 years as a pharm tech..... and so on, and so forth. I call 'em as I see 'em...... whiney babies need not apply. ;-)

You know what stands out about Okie? S/he doesn't whine about his/her situation. It may not be perfect, but it's the situation, so we just deal with it and work with the strengths that are there. Okie isn't asking for any special consideration, and isn't claiming that a difficult past should entitle her/him to something now.

This is a REAL person, with a REAL life, with REAL trials and tribulations. No matter which path Okie chooses, Okie will come out just fine, and the people around him/her will be better for his/her presence.

I'm just hoping we're lucky enough to keep Okie in medicine, preferably pharmacy.

 

[mrblah]

I dont know what I said. I have W's on my transcripts but that wasnt an issue when I went in to review my application with them before I submittd it. The lady I talked is very nice and I cant take it so personal. Im not giving up I may just need to wait an extra year before I can apply again so that I can work and finish my BA. I havent decided what other schools to apply to I need to research the other schools.
🙂 Thanks for the kind comments. I feel much better about the whole thing today. Quiting is not an option.

what did they actually ask you during the interview, and how did you answer it? Maybe I can help you.

 

[UES Girl]

I took the Ca. High School Prof. Exam when I was 16. Life sucked for me at the time and I was being moved around every few months. When I was almost 30 I took the GED and started college. I had never even seen algebra or chem before. I started at the very begining with everything.
I guess the ADCOM felt that I didnt have a clear understanding of what to expect form Pharm school and they are concerned about my ability to succeed. Woe. I have been talking to them and everyone that I can and reading everything I can for 5 years. I have had to fight for everything good in my life and I guess this is no different. I have mentors and teachers who cheer me on and they think I will do fine.
I have a friend who got in last year with the same GPA and a PCAT much lower.
OH well! GPA 3.3 and PCAT 68. Ill retake the PCAT and study math and chem. I know I need to work on that but I have a very clear understanding that I will have to breath, eat, and sleep pharmacy to do well.
Just needed to rant.

Im a nice person and I have a soft voice and Im overweight. I need want to totally change my image. Maybe if I was a bitch Id being taken more seriously.
Ive already lost 40 pounds and Ill lose the rest. (Kids and surgeries helped me gain weight, when you dont move because of pain you get fat.)

This isn't about pharmacy school but maybe if you want to lose weight you should try WW. I have gained lots of weight (over 40 lbs to be exact😱 ) once moving to States ( American high fat diet tends to do that to people) but easily lost it few years ago after signing up for WW. It's not a diet either as they teach you how to make life style changes and learn how to eat properly. I now know how to eat correctly and even if I gain a lb or 2 over a holiday I easily lose it. My BMI is now 19 and I have noticed a complete change in how people treat me vs how they used to treat me. My personality changed too - I am now the skinny b****

 

[OkiePharmD]

Wow.

I think that my biggest hurdle may be my educational past. I can see why my transcripts with W's and the age I took my GED etc. all send up red flags. The lady from OU was kind, like I said before, and she said she didnt want to see me set myself up for failure. I think she is sincere about her desire to see me succeed and I needed that conversation to kick me in the butt so Id step up my game. Another issue is I have 4 children and we have to survive financialy now and still plan for our future. I am going to apply for Southwestern and I think to the University of Appalacia (spelling? oops) where if needed I can defer entrance for a year if I get an offer to attend. That will allow my husband and I more time to work and save money for moving our family.

I have heard great things about WW and Ive been poking around the internet getting as much info as I can. I need to get the weight off to improve my self image and my public image besides it be awesome to be fit enough to run a marathon (another ambition).🙂

The responses are exactly what I needed to hear so Thanks again. 🙂

ONWARD!!!

Oh, as far as the interview questions go...I was asked about a time that someone else wasnt carrying their share of the load, group project, and how I handled it. A question about being in a diverse environment. A question on how I have handled/ coped all the changes, open doors, new experiences etc. in my adult life. And another I cant recall.
All I can think of is I come off as an excited goofy little kid. I suck it all up and I love it. The only wish I could retain it better. That just comes with practice. I think I just talked way to much during my interview. Havent got the happy medium, between the two extremes, down yet. 🙂

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

I started reading the thread someone posted on fat people and didnt finish reading it. Hope that guy never gets ill or hurt and cant move.

What a crappy thing to say...

Just because you don't like what the poster thinks doesn't mean you have to be an immature baby and hope the worst for that person.

 

[cycloketocaine]

What a crappy thing to say...

Just because you don't like what the poster thinks doesn't mean you have to be an immature baby and hope the worst for that person.

You need to chill.

Okie said earlier that the overweight issue that he/she had been dealing with was because she was sick and couldn't move. She was just saying that sarcastically.

 

[OkiePharmD]

LOL
I wouldnt wish pain, injury, poverty, failure, whatever (or being fat for that matter) on anyone. AND I understood the position the poster on that thread was coming from. I remember when I was a teen saying that if I ever got over 200 pounds would someone please just shoot me. HA! That was a very silly thing to think or say and THAT was immature and now I am fat. HA!
I was being sarcastic but I didnt mean it literally. Besides I was having a slight pity party for myself.

 

[OkiePharmD]

HA...thats still too funny pumpkin. LOL
but I think you totally misunderstood my tone.
I went to look back at that thread to see if you responded because Im bored
so...personal attack on my character huh?

Pumpkin said:
"Pharmacists have the right to be tubbies.
Fatties living off our tax dollars are the people that really piss me off. Stop shoving **** in your face and start saving a little money, and getting some exercise you tub of lard."

WOW! enough said.

 

[cycloketocaine]

HA...thats still too funny pumpkin. LOL
but I think you totally misunderstood my tone.
I went to look back at that thread to see if you responded because Im bored
so...personal attack on my character huh?

Pumpkin said:
"Pharmacists have the right to be tubbies.
Fatties living off our tax dollars are the people that really piss me off. Stop shoving **** in your face and start saving a little money, and getting some exercise you tub of lard."

WOW! enough said.

Eh, don't worry about it. He/she just hastily misread your post. I knew what you were saying.

Who reviewed your app at OU?

 

[OkiePharmD]

Coralee Duncan. Shes awesome.

 

[PharmTheQuah]

Don't worry about it Okie. The people that interviewed you probably didn't allow you to be yourself. I've interviewed there twice now and I believe I'm a personable person but things didn't have a flow to them. The interview was too business like and didn't allow me to bring things out like I wanted to. I did my best now it's wait and see. I would seriously just get with some OU P-1's and practice interviewing with them. The P-1's are helpful but you have no control over who interviews you!