USC Info Session - Part 3 - Admissions Part 1

[Quick Note: Before he left, Dr. Baron answered some questions, and one was about acceptance rates.  He said that about 1500 people applied, and 187 were accepted.  That info just seemed to fit better for this post.]

This next session was headed up by Xin Gong, the Admission Coordinator.

-- Do your research - The first thing they look at is academics, but after that, demonstrating your knowledge of the field will become a big factor.

-- Get some experience - Five years ago, maybe half the candidates had some kind of experience, now it is considerably higher than 50%.

-- Check the requirements - They have more required courses than all the other California pharmacy schools.  Starting with the entering class of 2010, a degree is required.  All courses must be completed by mid-August (before orientation.)  It's ok to take a summer class that you need to complete, as long as finals are over by orientation.  They'll allow time for transcripts to arrive, but just make sure that you do turn those transcripts in or you will be kicked out.

-- Minimum 3.0 GPA - That's for both Cumulative and Prerequisite GPA (prerequisite really meaning math and science, and not including classes like economics and psychology).

Many schools have some kind of academic forgiveness program, and that's fine.  USC will take whatever GPA your school says you have for your cumulative, and not what the PharmCAS says (which counts every class no matter what).

For your prerequisite GPA, they will only count the last time you took a course, so it will benefit you to retake classes.  Must have a C or higher.  [Note:  This is what I typed in my notes, and I'm pretty sure it's right.  But always double check everything.]

-- Resume and Two Letters of Recommendation required

-- Send a copy of your official transcripts to the pharmacy office - Do not just send it to PharmCAS, and do not send it to the graduate office.  Send specifically to the pharmacy office.  They are a separate office from the graduate office.

For those of you who realized that you wanted to do pharmacy while you still have a long way to go in your undergrad career.  She encouraged everyone to begin the application process early, even if you still have seven classes to go.  And as each semester finishes, just keep on sending them updated transcripts.  That way they know you're still interested, and they'll adjust your place in the application process accordingly.  (How many classes you've completed will affect how they prioritize you.)

-- No standardized tests required - Meaning no PCAT or anything else.

-- Online/Distance courses are not accepted for prerequisites - If it's for a non-math/science class they may make an exception.

-- Changes this year - Physics has been reduced to one semester (two quarters), as opposed to a full year.  And as a tip, if you did take a full year, put down the one with the higher grade.  [Note: Just to be clear, that was their tip, and not mine.]  There is no more English/communication requirement (unless you're an international student).  Only micro-economics is accepted, and no more macro.

[That's it for now.  There was a lot of info, so I'm going to break here, and continue with the rest of of the admissions info with the next post.]

Next: Admissions continued