When should I actually apply

[Prepharm0425]

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Okay so I have been studying for the PCAT recently and have been very busy and working a lot as well. I don't feel I can actually start my application until after July 18th and hopefully have my PharmCAS application sent by August 1st, hopefully all letters of recs will get there by that time. My question is this, Am I applying early or late? I feel like it will take time to get the application done including getting all transcripts from my schools received by PharmCAS and then the processing. When should I have my supplementals sent in? I am assuming they don't review your application until they receive everything. How long does everything take from the start of the application til the the end of everything from the finishing of the application to the processing of transcripts and Lor's. I plan to apply to 30 schools to increase my chances of getting in somewhere. I have spent way too much time in school and I just want to get started on pharm school already.

 

[diepsteven]

Okay so I have been studying for the PCAT recently and have been very busy and working a lot as well. I don't feel I can actually start my application until after July 18th and hopefully have my PharmCAS application sent by August 1st, hopefully all letters of recs will get there by that time. My question is this, Am I applying early or late? I feel like it will take time to get the application done including getting all transcripts from my schools received by PharmCAS and then the processing. When should I have my supplementals sent in? I am assuming they don't review your application until they receive everything. How long does everything take from the start of the application til the the end of everything from the finishing of the application to the processing of transcripts and Lor's. I plan to apply to 30 schools to increase my chances of getting in somewhere. I have spent way too much time in school and I just want to get started on pharm school already.

When are you taking the PCAT? I'm not sure how that process works specifically (taking the exam so close to your application date) since I only applied to a few California schools. If that were to run smoothly, then submitting your primary by August 1st is about average. Ideally you would have wanted to be "early" and submit mid July, but early August is fine as well. Also, you should look into if the schools you are applying to are "rolling". Give those priority when working on your supplementals...you want to be in the earliest interview date you can. Remember, once you submit your primary, it takes PharmCAS aout 5 weeks to calculate your GPA, it isnt until this time that they actually send your app to the respective schools (or that is what I believe). In that time, you would theoretically work on the supplementals. 30 schools is A LOT....the supplemental application would be a huge time commitment...I'm not sure if you want to sacrifice the quality of your personal statements for quantity (granted, youll be recycling a lot of related topics, hehe). From my experience, the two limiting factors in the application process for the primary would be waiting for your LOR's to be received as well as writing your primary personal statement. Everything else is simply inputting information. If you dont have your personal statement already written, or if you havent really started brainstorming, I feel like giving yourself ~2 weeks to complete the primary is a bit rushy, but thats obviously subjective. Anyways, I hope this helped 🙂

 

[whatwhyhow]

Prepharm0425, you are not alone. I just started applying today too. I feel so clueless. I don't what to start first 🙁( It is a little bit too rush to apply now but if I dont get in this year and apply again next year, will it reduce the chance to get in pharmacy school? I really really want cali pharmacy school but i might take pcat and apply out of state too. I haven't started study for pcat yet 🙁(( Am I so behind?

 

[Twentytwelve2]

Prepharm0425, you are not alone. I just started applying today too. I feel so clueless. I don't what to start first 🙁( It is a little bit too rush to apply now but if I dont get in this year and apply again next year, will it reduce the chance to get in pharmacy school? I really really want cali pharmacy school but i might take pcat and apply out of state too. I haven't started study for pcat yet 🙁(( Am I so behind?

I would skip the PCAT route even if you plan to apply oos because there are three schools outside CA that do not require the test: PacificU, Touro-NY, and MCPHS. I know one school will accept u but to answer your concern, adcoms like students who show perseverance. In fact, the supplemental for Touro CA asks if u have either a) applied to the school before or b) interviewed with them before. I think as long as u prove to them that ur a stronger candidate the second time around u will be offered a seat.

 

[Prepharm0425]

When are you taking the PCAT? I'm not sure how that process works specifically (taking the exam so close to your application date) since I only applied to a few California schools. If that were to run smoothly, then submitting your primary by August 1st is about average. Ideally you would have wanted to be "early" and submit mid July, but early August is fine as well. Also, you should look into if the schools you are applying to are "rolling". Give those priority when working on your supplementals...you want to be in the earliest interview date you can. Remember, once you submit your primary, it takes PharmCAS aout 5 weeks to calculate your GPA, it isnt until this time that they actually send your app to the respective schools (or that is what I believe). In that time, you would theoretically work on the supplementals. 30 schools is A LOT....the supplemental application would be a huge time commitment...I'm not sure if you want to sacrifice the quality of your personal statements for quantity (granted, youll be recycling a lot of related topics, hehe). From my experience, the two limiting factors in the application process for the primary would be waiting for your LOR's to be received as well as writing your primary personal statement. Everything else is simply inputting information. If you dont have your personal statement already written, or if you havent really started brainstorming, I feel like giving yourself ~2 weeks to complete the primary is a bit rushy, but thats obviously subjective. Anyways, I hope this helped 🙂

Hey, so sorry I totally forgot I posted this thread. What you said really helps, and I started working on my essay yesterday and should have it done and have my primary sent by Wednesday of next week. Thanks man

 

[Prepharm0425]

Prepharm0425, you are not alone. I just started applying today too. I feel so clueless. I don't what to start first 🙁( It is a little bit too rush to apply now but if I dont get in this year and apply again next year, will it reduce the chance to get in pharmacy school? I really really want cali pharmacy school but i might take pcat and apply out of state too. I haven't started study for pcat yet 🙁(( Am I so behind?

I don't think applying next year will reduce your chances and if you are afraid of not getting in somewhere, then you should apply to multiple schools. I plan to apply to a lot of schools, like a couple dozen, because I have a 3.3 GPA and an 82 PCAT, try applying to as many as you can

 

[Twentytwelve2]

I don't think applying next year will reduce your chances and if you are afraid of not getting in somewhere, then you should apply to multiple schools. I plan to apply to a lot of schools, like a couple dozen, because I have a 3.3 GPA and an 82 PCAT, try applying to as many as you can

A couple dozen!? You are doing yourself a disfavor. Your GPA and PCAT score is decent enough to get interviews and acceptance. I know someone who got into UoP with GPA under 3.0.

 

[Prepharm0425]

A couple dozen!? You are doing yourself a disfavor. Your GPA and PCAT score is decent enough to get interviews and acceptance. I know someone who got into UoP with GPA under 3.0.

I have been kinda nervous lately regarding getting admitted, I just want to get in so bad. I can't not get in this year, I should have applied to pharmacy school 3 years ago, but personal problems put it on hold.

 

[Twentytwelve2]

I have been kinda nervous lately regarding getting admitted, I just want to get in so bad. I can't not get in this year, I should have applied to pharmacy school 3 years ago, but personal problems put it on hold.

How will u handle completing every school's supple. essay? Let alone scheduling interviews and traveling to different states. You will be so exhausted that your performance will hurt, whether that shows in the essays or the interview.

Maybe it is just your nerves talking becauase I have yet to see anyone apply to 12-36 schools. Would u consider cutting it down to like 6 or less? Really- ur stats are great. Throw in some volunteer work and then its only the interview u need to worry about.