Applying to Pharmacy School: PharmCAS 2018 is OPEN!

As of July 18th the PharmCAS 2018 is officially open!

The time has arrived. So you’ve been working to keep up that GPA, right? Got gleaming PCAT scores? How about all that extra stuff like volunteer work, research projects, and extracurriculars? Well now it’s time to lay it all on the line! The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) have just dropped the Pharmacy College Application Service for those of you planning on entering the fall 2018 semester. This means the PharmCAS 2018 ready to be conquered!

 

Before You Apply

Completely & Carefully: Read the Instructions! The PharmCAS folks provide a detailed breakdown of each and every section of the application. It holds the answer to nearly all the questions you might have. Now isn’t the time for cutting corners so read it fully!

When you’re ready to start your application proceed here.

 

$ Cost $

Completing the PharmCAS costs $175 and includes sending it to one school. Each school beyond that is an additional $55. So to look at the math it’ll look like…

Remember, specific schools include secondary applications meaning secondary application fees.

Plus considering possible expenses for traveling to different schools for visits and interviews, the whole application process can really add up so you’ll want to really do your research to narrow down the programs you want to apply to!

 

Important Dates

Here is a calendar of important upcoming dates to keep on top of!

Below are the pharmacy school with the earliest regular deadline date…

FYI If your interested, the Early Decision Deadline = September 5, 2017!!! Learn more here.

 

PSA: the PharmCAS has provided a handy Application Checklist to help keep you on track!

With all the expense and stress of applying to pharmacy school, save yourself some trouble and check out PCAT Cracker for you PCAT prep and stay tuned to the blog for more topics on the application process like Getting Letters and Recommendation! That’s all for now!

Happy Applying 🙂

Applying to Pharmacy School: PharmCAS 2017 is Now OPEN!

As of mid July the 2016 – 2017 cycle of the PharmCAS is officially open!

In case you’ve somehow missed it: The Pharmacy College Application Service

aka the PharmCAS ready to be conquered!

 The Pharmacy Centralized Application Service (PharmCAS) is the general web-based application used to submit applications to one or multiple pharmacy programs is the U.S.

Keep in mind decision on admission comes completely from the schools and programs you are applying to and not from PharmCAS; they are only a service you submit your applications and transcripts through.

 

pharmcas-logo

 

Completing your PharmCAS application is a big deal and not a task to be taken lightly!

So let’s go over a few keys things to get you started on the road to being accepted to pharmacy school!

 

Before You Apply

Read the instructions! FULLY & CAREFULLY.  The PharmCAS website stressing this a lot and it’s important to know exactly what your getting into anyway so read it all!

Then you’ll create an account to get started on your application here.

Note: The PharmCAS suggests not to use a Hotmail email address. (Who still uses Hotmail? Just don’t.)

 

$ Cost $

Completing the PharmCAS costs $150 and includes sending it to one school. Each school beyond that is an additional $55. So to look at the math it’ll look like this…

Screen Shot 2016-08-23 at 3.49.15 PM

Remember, specific schools may include secondary applications resulting in secondary application fees.

Plus considering possible expenses for traveling to different schools for visits and interviews, the whole application process can really add up so you’ll want to really do your research to narrow down the programs you want to apply to!

 

Deadlines

Here are some important dates to keep in mind and below are the schools’ with deadlines in 2016 to prioritize on you list of possible pharm programs…

Screen Shot 2016-08-23 at 3.50.33 PM

FYI Early Decision Deadline = September 6, 2016!!! 

 

PSA: the PharmCAS has provided a handy Application Checklist to help keep you on track!

With all the expense and stress of applying to pharmacy school, save yourself some trouble and check out PCAT Cracker for you PCAT prep and stay tuned to the blog for more topics on the application process like Getting Letters and Recommendation! That’s all for now!

 

Happy Applying

Applying to Pharmacy School: PharmCAS 2016 is Now Open!

As of mid July the 2015 – 2016 cycle of the PharmCAS is officially open!

The time has come to put all your hard work and preparation to “paper” (really to the online application)! The Pharmacy Centralized Application Service (PharmCAS) is the general web-based application used to submit applications to one or multiple pharmacy programs is the U.S. Keep in mind decision on admission comes completely from the schools and programs you are applying to and not from PharmCAS; they are only a service you submit your applications and transcripts through.

The application is open until April but you’ll need to start thinking about a lot sooner (like now!) and keep in mind specific pharm school deadlines.

 

pharmcas-logo

 

Completing your PharmCAS application is a big deal and not a task to be taken lightly!

So let’s go over a few keys things to get you started on the road to being accepted to pharmacy school!

 

Before You Apply

Read the Instructions! Fully and carefully. The PharmCAS website stressing this a lot and it’s important to know exactly what your getting into anyway so read it!

Then you’ll create an account to get started on your application here. Important note: the PharmCAS website strongly suggests not to use Hotmail as they have had problems with it in the past.

Also important though: Who’s still using Hotmail? Apparently enough people that they had to say something!! Anywho…

Check out this handy PharmCAS Checklist here to make sure you’re getting everything you need in and are on the right track along the way!

 

$ Cost $

Completing the PharmCAS costs $150 and includes sending it to one school. Each school beyond that is an additional $55. So to do some adding up that goes like this…

 

Screen Shot 2015-08-13 at 1.51.56 AM

 

Remember, specific schools may include secondary applications resulting in secondary application fees. Plus considering possible expenses for traveling to different schools for visits and interviews, the whole application process can really add up so you’ll want to really do your research to narrow down the programs you want to apply to!

 

Early Decision

The Early Decision deadline is September 8th and is coming up fast!

As the name entails this option gives applicants a chance to find out early/asap if they’ve been accepted to their first choice school. A couple things to keep in mind when considering applying for Early Decision…

– In addition to completing the PharmCAS application, all of your transcripts and documents must also be in by the September 8th deadline. If your transcripts or application fee arrive after September 8th, your application will be automatically changed over to regular decision.

– It is a ‘binding option’ meaning if you get accepted through this option you are obligated to accept. You get a special opportunity for Early Decision admission to one school and one only. So choose carefully because once you’re in, you’re in!

Interested in learning more? Find out if your dream school participates in the Early Decision programs and get the full lowdown here.

 

With all the expense and stress of applying to pharmacy school, save yourself some trouble and check out PCAT Cracker for you PCAT prep and stay tuned to the blog for more topics on the application process like Getting Letters and Recommendation! That’s all for now!

 

Happy Applying

Applying to Pharmacy School: The Interview

The admissions process is long, stressful, and at times it feels like a lot of waiting and uncertainty. During this trying time there’s one clear sign in the process before a rejection and congratulations letter that your doing well… getting the call or email about setting up an

INTERVIEW!

Reaching this point in the admissions process is exciting and promising but don’t blow it now!

You’re not in yet!

 

You look good enough on paper to make it this far but are you really what pharmacy schools want?… prove it

So let’s talk about the interview and how to ace it!

 

Professional Basics

You know these things but they are important enough to drill into your head some more now…

BE ON TIME. DRESS PROFESSIONALLY. BE POLITE. Easy enough, right? DO IT!

 

Projecting “FOMO”

FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out and you basically need to instill in a admissions committee the fear of missing out on what an awesome prospect you are! The interview is a two-way conversation and you not only what to be prepared to answer their questions, you want to be engaging and have questions of your own. You are interviewing them as a potential school as much as they are interviewing you as a potential student and you gotta make them want you. This may be your top choice school… but hey, you’re a catch and half and got other options too so you want them to win YOU over too. Note that this kind of confidence isn’t cocky but reflects a genuine and avid interest in what the program has to offer. You are evaluating the school as much as they are evaluating you.

 

Be Honest

Besides your Personal Statement, the interview is the only place to speak of yourself in your own words. The school is trying to further get to know YOU and understand your motivations towards pharmacy. Be prepared to talk about pitfalls and flaws in your application, like a less than stellar GPA or PCAT score, to come up in the interview. This is your chance to shine and reassure them of any doubts and reservations they may have about you as a candidate. Speaking openly and honestly in the interview is always to way to go.

 

Be “On” At All Times

Each pharm program’s admission interview is unique. Some schools do one-on-one interview while others opt for a committee-style set up. Most include all day visits with tours of the school, meeting professors, etc. and it’s important to understand that the entire you’re there is essentially your interview. While you’re on campus act as if you’re always being watched and examined by the admissions committee because you basically are. Making a good impression all day can lead to another professor mentioning something to the committee for instance like, “hey that candidate seemed great and asked really interesting questions on the tour earlier”; keep in mind that this works vise-versa too! So you gotta be on at all times!

 

Bonus!

Here’s some interview preparation advice from PharmCAS,

“Those who have researched and gained direct exposure to the profession will be better prepared to respond to the interview questions.”

 

With these things in mind you can have a winning interview and be one step closer the congratulations acceptance letter! Until then you can work on getting a winning PCAT score to get you to the interview step with PCAT Cracker. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or advice to add on interviews!

 

Happy Practicing!

Applying to Pharmacy School: Letters of Recommendation!

Applying to pharmacy school is a long, trying process and while the PharmCAS for the Fall 2016 cycle won’t even open until around July, it’s time to start thinking about your application!

Summertime and these applications may seem like a ways away but…

RIGHT NOW is the time to be making the connections and developing relationships with future letters of recommendation writers!

 

You can’t just go around asking like this, “I’m great! Write about it!” *self-five*

self5

 

Anyway here’s the lowdown letters of rec:

 

Who to Ask?

Professors are bombarded with students asking for letters so the key is to ask the people who know you best in order to get the best letters. This is the time to be making nice with future potential letter writers and develop the kind relationships that make for compelling letters.

Basically you are recruiting for your pharm school application team, so choose them wisely!

Schools sometimes ask for specific letter writers (like one from a professor, one from an employer, etc.) so research your potential pharmacy schools’ requirements and plan accordingly.

 

Ask In Person.

Everyone really harps on this, as they should! You can set up an initial meeting through email to discuss the possibly of them writing a letter for you but you shouldn’t ask outright over the internet; that’s an in person question! Plus what’s that saying, “it’s harder to say no to someone in person”, right?

 

Ask Early.

As mentioned before professors are getting flooded with requests and you want a good letter not a rushed one! The absolute least amount of time is three weeks to ask for a good letter.

 

Go Asking Prepared.

This last tip will really set you apart from what could be many letter of recommendation a professor has to write. Go to your letter writers with all the materials they may need when writing a beautiful letter about you. These things can include your resume, CV, and at least a draft or bullet points from your personal statement. You want to set them up and make it easy for them to write a great letter so they can get a feel for exactly what you’re going for your application.

 

With these things in mind go forth and prosper setting yourself up for the best letters of recommendation possible. P.S. If you’re stressing about the PCAT fast approaching, practice and ace it with PCAT Cracker of course and stay tuned for more of our PCAT Breakdown series!

Applying for Pharmacy School: PharmCAS 2015 Is Now Open!

First thing is first, if you are planning to take the PCAT during the September testing window (Sept. 3-5) late registration is open until August 26th, and yes, there is late fee! Go now. The next PCAT testing windows are in October and November; registration opens on September 4th for both. The test is computer-based and testing centers/dates are first-come first-serve so register early, here! Keep in mind that before registering you need to have narrowed down the schools you want your scores sent to. Also be sure to choose a testing window that ensures that your scores will be received before the pharmacy programs’ registration deadlines. Whew! With the time-sensitive info covered, maybe you’re feeling a bit stressed. Perhaps a puppy could help…

prescribing a puppy

For anyone applying to enter pharmacy school next fall, the PharmCAS 2015 is officially open! The Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) is a centralized application service to apply to multiple degree programs offered by schools and colleges of pharmacy. Basically it’s THE pharm school application for programs in the U.S. They’ve actually just launched a whole new website for this application cycle and it’s beautiful, check it: www.pharmcas.org/! If you’re thinking you want to get in on Early Decision (ED), get a jump on the application now; the early decision deadline is September 2nd! Not all programs offer ED and keep in mind it’s for applicants that have an absolute first/only choice school and you’re only able to apply to the one program with this option. It is a ‘binding option’ meaning if you get accepted through ED you are obligated to accept.

The entire PharmCAS application process itself can be a challenge. Thankfully that new revamped website lays it out pretty clear. There’s even an official checklist for BEFORE you even get started with your application journey, here. Step one is to get through the PharmCAS Instructions in full and it’s a lot. No, really it’s a lot. Check out the thoroughly done 70-page Instruction Guide, here. It’s all good and important so read it, understand it, and make this whole process easier for yourself. Doing your research on specific programs you want to apply is crucial before this journey and this nifty new PharmCAS site (obviously I love it) has a wonderful directory for not only Pharm.D but also research graduate programs, here.

Feeling a little stressed? Here’s that puppy prescribed:

doc puppy

When completely the PharmCAS it is $150 for first school you apply to and then just goes up from there for each school after that, whoa. In fact, the whole application process can quickly become expensive with taking the PCAT, submitting the PharmCAS, then individual schools secondary application fees, possibly traveling to interviews, etc. so you really want to do your research and narrow down the programs you really want to apply to. Here’s what you’re looking at with just the PharmCAS fee:

PharmCAS fees

With all this expense, here’s a little something to ease the load: you can still upgrade your PCAT Cracker account and unlock the all the practice tests for $39 instead of the regular $99! This is all pretty stressful, google ‘puppies’ to cope. Plus one less thing to worry over can be that PCAT score! Get it right with PCAT Cracker y’all!