pills 7 th general meeting application workshop thursday, february 28, 2013 from 7:00-8:30pm at 101...
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PILLS 7th General Meeting
Application WorkshopTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013
FROM 7:00-8:30PM AT 101 MORGAN
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: WWW.OCF.BERKELEY.EDU/~PILLS
American Heart Montho Each year 600,000 people in the United State die because of heart disease. o40 states allow pharmacists to provide expanded patient careo~275 million people visit a pharmacy PER WEEKoFree blood pressure screeningsoEducate patients on risk factors/preventionoSavings on aspirin/vitamins/blood pressure monitorsoDistributing guides on heart healthoAPhA launched the Pharmacy Blood Pressure ChallengeoPharmacists can log their progress online to track their contribution
PILLS Volunteer
Upcoming Volunteer EventoBerkeley Project Month, 3/9, 8-4pm
oRegister at: http://www.berkeleyproject.org/ , and http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/nmcqx
oGroup to volunteer with: PILLS; date to volunteer: March 9th; preferred site leader: blank
oEaster Pancake Breakfast, 3/31, 9-1pm
oOakland Chinatown at Lincoln Rec Center
o15 PILLS volunteers
oRSVP 1 week from general meeting
Paid clerk position at Abbotts Compounding Pharmacyo Applications due on Friday, 3/15 at 4:00pm
o Located at 2320 Woolsey Street (at Telegraph Ave.)
o 1-2 shifts per week, M-F,1 -5:30pm
o Tasks: general customer service (helping patients, answering phone calls), packaging prescriptions for delivery, assisting pharmacist/pharmacy technicians
o Email cover letter and resume to [email protected]
o Format: “LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_Resume” and “LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_Cover_Letter”
o Interviews during week of 3/18
oQuestions? Email [email protected]
Social•InterHealth Social•Friday, March 8th, 6:30-8PM•Come meet other members from different clubs: PAHC, ForeSight,PDS, etc.•Fulfill your Social Requirement to be an Active Members in PILLS
PhREND & SIBLING Updates!
NCPPSNORTHERN CALIFORNIA PRE-PHARMACY SYMPOSIUM
7th Annual Northern California Pre-Pharmacy Symposium (NCPPS)
oWhen: Saturday, April 6th, 2013 8:45AM-4:30PM
oWhere: VLSB
oRegistration: $16 public, $13 PILLS members
oHow: http://pillsncpps2013.eventbrite.com
Application ChecklistoPrimary Application – PharmCASo Transcriptso Personal Statemento Letters of Recommendations (LORs)
oSecondary Applications
oCompletion of Coursework
oPharmacy Experience
oExtra-curricular & Leadership Experience
oInterview Preparation
PharmCAS Checklist
PharmCAS What you need to complete: (http://www.pharmcas.org/docs/CHECKLIST%201213.pdf)
Basic biographic information Send in PCAT scores if applicable Send in ALL college transcripts (including community colleges)
http://www.pharmcas.org/applicants/transcripts.htm
Send in letters of recommendation Personal Statement
Prompt: Your Personal Essay should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals. (4500 characters)
Payment ($150 for the 1st school, $50 for the subsequent schools)
Processing time AFTER submission is around 3-4 weeks, so plan accordingly!◦ Example: UCSF’s application is due on November 1, so you can submit your PharmCAS application on November 1, but PharmCAS will not finish processing all your material and send it to UCSF until mid-November
Home Page1st section: Applicant Information2nd section: Academic History3rd section: Additional Information4th section: Essay5th section: Privacy Statement6th section: References7th section: Schools to Submit toRead the FAQs!
PCAT
College Information
Transcripts
Coursework
Extracurriculars
Example - Active PILLS MemberName of Organization: Pre-Pharmacy Informational Learning SocietyCity: BerkeleyIs the activity related to pharmacy or health care?: YesRelated Healthcare Profession: PharmacyTotal Number of hours: 17 (If active member for 1 year)Average Weekly Hours: 0.5Activity Date: September 2012-Present
Personal Statement
Letters of Recommendation
Fees and WaiversoOn PharmCAS, the fee depends on the number of schools that you want to receive your application. Your application will not be considered until payment is received.
oFees are non-refundable (this includes withdrawals and missed deadlines)
o$150 for one school and $50 for each additional school for the 2012-2013 cycle
oAvailable for those in financial need, but you must apply by the deadline! First come, first serve basis. o This is based on your income, your parent’s income and whether you are claimed as a dependent according to the most recent Federal Income Tax Return.
o If you are given a fee waiver, you can apply to one school for freeoMust use within 45 business days or you will lose it!o Do not e-submit until your request for fee waiver has been approved or deniedo If approved, must pay by money order
Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
Letters of Recommendation – Why?oLetters of rec are part of what the schools use to assess your application.
oThey can often make or break an application
oAllows for someone else to vouch for your abilities
Letters of Recommendation – How?oPharmCAS allows for up to 4 letters to be submittedo Submission can be electronic or by mail. Electronic submission is preferredo See here for detailed instructions
oPharmCAS provides a list of questions to the person writing your letter. Detailed instructions and questions available here
oKeep in mind that schools have different LOR requirements. Review the specific requirements for each school you’re applying for! This school-specific information can be found both on the school websites and on PharmCAS
oUSC requires 2, with at least 1 being from a faculty member
oUSC accepts 4, requires 3.
Letters of Recommendation – How?oWho should you ask?o Again, can depend on the school, but in general they should be from people who:o Know you well (not just someone with a reputation)o Can speak for your academic abilityo Can vouch for skills (communication, leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, motivation, etc.)o Someone who can articulate all of the above (basically someone who can write a good letter
Examples:
Pharmacist Professor Boss/supervisor Post-doc
Letters of RecommendationoHow to ask for oneo Ask in person, then follow up with an emailo Give your letter writer plenty of time. Ask at least 2-3 months in advance, and make sure you follow up with them
o Clarify deadlines, requirementso Provide your letter writer with whatever they require (Cover letter, personal statement, resume, transcript)
o Be prepared to articulate your interest in the program you’re applying to.
oOther tips:o Confidential letters are preferredo Check the career center and school websites for more specific information
Questions about primary application?
Supplemental Applications and
Interviews
Supplemental ApplicationoIn addition to the PharmCAS application, many schools also require a secondary “supplemental application”o Basic biographical questionso Coursework information (again)o Additional essay questions specific to the schoolo Resume
oBoth applications (primary and secondary) are due by school specified deadlines
oTIPS:o CHECK DEADLINES!o May be different from PharmCAS application deadline, and different between schools
o START EARLYo Some questions require more thought than otherso Keep a journal of pharmacy and write down ideas as you go
InterviewsoAfter submitting applications, schools may start contacting you for interviews
oYou are responsible for arranging your own transportation and lodging
oDress in business attire
oTIPS:o Research the style and format of interviewo Research potential interview questions (studentdoctor.net)o Know yourself, why pharmacy, and why that particular school
UCSFSupplemental
Application
BackgroundoFounded in 1872, fist pharmacy school in the West
oLocated in San Francisco, CA on the UCSF Parnassus Campus. No undergraduate program.
oUCSF mascot is presumably a bear, though it does not have any athletics, thus no official mascotowere voting on possible a bank of fog, or bacteria
oIn 2012, US News and World Report ranked UCSF School of Pharmacy number one. Also first in NIH research funding among pharmacy schools.
oInnovators of 3-pathway PharmD (Pharmaceutical Care, Pharmaceutical Science, and Health Services and Policy Research)
oAdmissions Coordinator Joel Gonzales’ Blog: http://pharmdadmissions.ucsf.edu/
UCSF Application OverviewoCost: in state ~$35K/academic year
o Primary Application: PharmCAS
o Secondary Application: 4 required essays, and 1 optionalo $60 Application fee, $80 for international students
o Letter of Recommendation: 3 or 4 (additional ones will be discarded). o At least 1 from a person who knows you through college-level academic work
o Interview: Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) & Essayo New interview process for Fall 2013 candidateso 6 minute rotations of independent assessmentso Meant to get aggregate score of soft skills like professionalism, ethical/moral judgment, interpersonal skills
oAcceptance: Interview offers around Christmas, admission decisions before April 1st, not rolling admission
University of the Pacific THOMAS J. LONG SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Background
oLocation: Stockton, CA. approximately 1.5hr drive from Berkeley, 1hr south of Sacramento
oPharmacy school is not on main campus
o3 year accelerated program: 3 week summer break, class from 8-5 almost 5 days a week
oDual degree program offered: PharmD/MBA, PharmD/PhD
oProduces most number of pharmacists in California
oFor more information: http://schoolpages.pharmcas.org/publishedsurvey/490
Personal TipsoRolling admission: APPLY EARLY! No PCAT required
oEssay prompts: Describe a challenge that you have overcome; Why University of the Pacific
oResume required for supplemental application, format it well
oRequired rec letter: one professor, one pharmacist
oOpen filed interview, one student one professor, 20 mins each
oRelaxing interview, friendly staff
oNotified within 2 weeks of interview about acceptance
oDeposit expensive, $750.
oDeposit paid within 2 weeks of acceptance to secure spot
University of California, San DiegoSKAGGS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
Background & EnvironmentoLocated in La Jolla, CA
o Established in 2000, first graduating class of pharmacy was in 2002
o Four-year program closely associated with UCSD School of Medicine
o Numerous research and development companies surrounding the campus
o Close proximity to the beachoMarine pharmacology or sea medicine
Application Processo Website: http://pharmacy.ucsd.edu/prospective/admissions-process.shtml
o In-State: ~$50K/year (detailed breakdown http://meded.ucsd.edu/assets/25/File/Student%20Budgets%202012-13_PHARM%281%29.pdf)
oOut of State: ~62K/year
oPrimary application through PharmCAS
o Secondary application: $80 application fee (must be postmarked by due date)
o Letters of Recommendation: three (see PharmCAS)
o Interviews: Conducted January/FebruaryoEmphasis placed on oral and written communication skillsoSeek personal & emotional characteristics necessary to become an effective pharmacy practitioner
Backgroundo Located on USC’s Health Campus in Los Angeles, California across from the LAC+USC Medical Center off the I-10/I-5 Freewayo Neighbors with Keck School of Medicine, Norris Cancer Center, Doheny Eye Institute
o Founded in 1905 and established nation’s first clinical pharmacy program
o Dense in API and Hispanic populationo Top 5 non-English languages in LA/OC area are Spanish, Cantonese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Korean
o 730 PharmD students, 86 faculty memberso Strong in Dual/Joint Degrees (+1-2 years)
Application Processo Preliminary Application (Part I) through PharmCAS by early to mid-November. o Supplementary (Part II) material due at the same time.o Part I – General process, 2 Letter of Recommendations, price depends on # of school appliedo Part II – Resume, no longer application fee for supplementary
o 2 parts to Interview Process: oral interview and written interviewoWill be notified 2-3 weeks before interview, o Oral (20+ minutes): main questions (why pharmacy, why USC, strengths/weaknesses), don’t be around the bush, be sincere (no BS-ing), stay calm (no caffeinated drinks in morning)
o For Class of 2016: 1,065 applied, 450 interviewed, 282 admitted (26%), 185 seatedo Average age: 24, Average GPA: 3.59o Highly consider GPA, but also extracurricularo If unaccepted, some get put on active consideration for following year.
Touro University California COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
Backgroundo Located on Mare Island, in Vallejo, CA, at a National Historic Landmark of what once was a U.S. Navy base.
o Established in 1997, first graduating class of pharmacy was in 2009
o Distinguished 2+2 program
o Offers 7 required rotations, 4 elective rotations
o Local, has many affiliation with Berkeley clinics, pharmacies & UC Berkeley clubs
Application Process o Website: http://admissions.tu.edu/cop/process.html ; Admission questions contact [email protected]
o Cost: $40K/academic year
o Primary Application: PharmCAS (3 to 6 weeks processing period)
o Secondary Application: $50 Application fee
o Letter of Recommendation: Requires THREE ( 1 biological/physical sciences faculty member, remaining two up to applicant), but you may send more
o Interview: Group setting (3 panelist, 5-6 interviewees) o Gauges verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills
oAcceptance: Discussed every other week and decisions are sent out immediately afterwards
Questions about secondary applications?
Out of State & PCATSCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA.
Why Out of State?oMany top pharmacy schools are out of state.oMany different programs out there:oDual Degrees, 3 year programs, etc.
oMany require PCAT, some do not.oNew experiences.oBetter job market in other states.
PCAT OverviewoPCAT Costs: $199oWill only reimburse half of payment if test is cancelled. Avoid the late fee.
oScore is based on percentile rank: 1 to 99th percentile. (99th percentile is highest score)oMay improve application if you have a low GPA. oStandardized test = able to evaluate across schools.
oTest is taken on a computer and is timed by section.oNo points deducted for wrong answers.oOne of writing subtest experimental.o48 questions each section (40 scored, 8 experimental)
oWill have to choose which schools to send score to when registering.
PCAT Test Structure
Studying for PCAToRecommended classes:oOrganic Chemistry: CHEM 3A/3B or 112A/112BoGeneral Chemistry: CHEM 1A/1B or 4A/4BoBiology: BIO 1A/1BoAnatomy: IB 131oCalculus: MATH 16A/16B or 1A/1BoWhen to take: Summer after Sophomore year or Winter break of Junior yearoStudy Preparation:o Kaplan ClassesoPrinceton Review, Barron’s, Kaplan study books
PCAT Test Days
Questions?
PILLS 8th General Meeting
Pharmacy guest speakerTUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013
FROM 7:00-8:30PM, LOCATION TBD