MCPHS-Worcester Class of 2020

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I have not done a summer semester yet, it is coming up after this semester. I am not working because it would be more than impossible. What labs do you like at MCPHS? We only have one lab - where they cycle students because we all can't fit. The workload here is not bad, but its POORLY ORGANIZED. It is not set up correctly, causing mayhem + chaos.

Yes, the curriculum is changing due to their poor naplex scores.

Thank you for all the input! :)

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Congrats to those accepted. I plan to submit my app today.

Anyone of you knows about the curriculum change and what might the attrition rate be at this school? Anyone attending from NY? Thank you.
 
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Thank you JimLahey for telling me about your interview. It helped a lot. My interview went well. Hopefully we get accepted. Thank you everyone for the posts.

I submitted my application on March 1st right before their initial deadline and waiting to hear back. How long did it take for you to hear back after submitting your application? Did you do a skype interview? Is there a writing portion if you do the skype interview?
 
I submitted my application on March 1st right before their initial deadline and waiting to hear back. How long did it take for you to hear back after submitting your application? Did you do a skype interview? Is there a writing portion if you do the skype interview?

Hey I submitted my Pharmcas App : 1/24/17
and MCPHS received my App for review: 2/6/17
Got selected for an interview: 2/15/17
Interviewed through skype: 3/2/17
Accepeted: 3/10/17

I would say it took about a month for me with Phamcas and MCPHS to receive my application and everything. It was a skype interview with one faculty. It was not bad as I thought. It was actually very conversational. There is a written portion after the interview but it was easy. They give you a list of topics to write about. Like should grade be the only factor we look at? or How was it like when you worked in groups that are different from you? and Etc. You will do fine. Anymore questions let me know. GOOD LUCK!
 
Hey I submitted my Pharmcas App : 1/24/17
and MCPHS received my App for review: 2/6/17
Got selected for an interview: 2/15/17
Interviewed through skype: 3/2/17
Accepeted: 3/10/17

I would say it took about a month for me with Phamcas and MCPHS to receive my application and everything. It was a skype interview with one faculty. It was not bad as I thought. It was actually very conversational. There is a written portion after the interview but it was easy. They give you a list of topics to write about. Like should grade be the only factor we look at? or How was it like when you worked in groups that are different from you? and Etc. You will do fine. Anymore questions let me know. GOOD LUCK!

Thank you for the info. I still have a question with regards to the written portion. Is it after the interview? Do they email you the list of topics? Is it timed and is the interviewer present? I'm sorry, this is the first time I'll be interviewing thru Skype.
 
Thank you for the info. I still have a question with regards to the written portion. Is it after the interview? Do they email you the list of topics? Is it timed and is the interviewer present? I'm sorry, this is the first time I'll be interviewing thru Skype.

Yes, the written portion is right after the interview. The faculty will send you an email. And in the email there is a link that you click on and it will bring you to a page to fill out your information and then you click next then it will bring you to the page with the list of topics. It is timed. You have 30 minutes, and it's doable! You will have enough time. No the interviewer won't be present. It'll be relaxing and great! The faculty are nice. It didn't feel like an interview for me. It felt like I was skyping a friend. Hope that help. :)
 
The written portion is very easy and I'm not sure if they look at it because I remember spelling several words wrong and using incorrect grammar (Jet lag does weird things) and they accepted me right away. Your interviewer will be your professor one day, so get to know them now. We have tons of professors even for just one class so you will encounter the same people on numerous occasions throughout your time here.
 
Is it mandatory to attend?
nope and its probably not worth it unless you haven't seen the city/school before. You'll spend every weekday for almost 5-7 hours a day for the next two years with these same people so you have plenty of time to get to know everyone
 
nope and its probably not worth it unless you haven't seen the city/school before. You'll spend every weekday for almost 5-7 hours a day for the next two years with these same people so you have plenty of time to get to know everyone
Hello Nutripharma,
May I ask how do you manage to paid for school/intuition? Including books, rent, and etc? The numbers are overwhelming. Thank you. $_$:dead:
 
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I'm going on April 1st. I have a feeling the event isn't tailored solely for Pharm.D - the agenda says April 1st is a day for admitted students across all MCPHS programs like DPT, nursing, etc. Why not, free lunch hehe.

But seriously, talking to some faculty about the new curriculum and how it affects our class is one of the reasons why I'm going.
 
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Greetings future Pharmacists. My name is Dylan. I'm a practicing Pharmacist, graduated from MCPHS-Worcester in 2015. I live in Worcester almost my whole life. Would it be helpful for you guys if I jot down a few things about the city itself and the Pharmacy curriculum? If so, let me know. I was thinking of doing a blog/video blog but wasn't sure who would be interested. But I'll tell you this, I would've liked it if I were coming from out of state. Let me know!
 
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Greetings future Pharmacists. My name is Dylan. I'm a practicing Pharmacist, graduated from MCPHS-Worcester in 2015. I live in Worcester almost my whole life. Would it be helpful for you guys if I jot down a few things about the city itself and the Pharmacy curriculum? If so, let me know. I was thinking of doing a blog/video blog but wasn't sure who would be interested. But I'll tell you this, I would've liked it if I were coming from out of state. Let me know!

Hello Dylan!

That would be great! I would definitely be interested! Can you talk about school tuition, on how you paid for the rest of the tuition that loans or scholarship did not cover. Where do you recommend to rent a place with decent price? Do I need a car my P1 year? I have so much to ask...
 
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Hello Nutripharma,
May I ask how do you manage to paid for school/intuition? Including books, rent, and etc? The numbers are overwhelming. Thank you. $_$:dead:
Grad Plus loans or private loans
the school gives everyone the same budget and you get a refund check so you can pay rent and etc. There is on campus housing that will be paid directly to the school if you choose to and although its an easier option, it may not be the best unless you live in FOSTER which is across from the building we have all our classes in. If you choose to do off campus, shoot for something nearby. The refund check amount depends on whether or not you're living on campus. If you live off campus, you will get a bigger refund (borrowed money of course)

Basically everyone gets the same amt of money in loans but what comes back to you depends on your housing. So if you live on campus, you'll still receive a good chunk per semester. If you live off campus, you'll receive A LOT (don't spend it because you need to pay rent lol).

DON'T WORRY ABOUT PURCHASING BOOKS. Our class should help your class out with the books part. The numbers are overwhelming but if you have to pay cash that is when it becomes an issue. If you can get loans to cover it, it should be a breeze.
 
Also, needing your car for P1 year depends on you. We did have service learning the first semester (20 hours) and so you might need it if you get a site that is far away. If you need to buy groceries and etc, you need a car unless you use Peapod which is a deliver service. If you live in the building that doesn't have a stove, don't even bother buying that much haha because you only get a microwave and a mini fridge. If you like to explore, you may need your car. We have uber and lyft just started but lyft isn't as functional as uber at the moment but it might pick up soon. The flat rate for uber right now is 6.05 but we do get a lot of surges especially around 8 -10 am and 3-6pm. I thought i needed my car, so I brought it but it sits in the lot for weeks at a time because I don't really need to use it as much. I haven't used public transportation because I don't want to learn a new system (coming from NY/NJ).

Other than that, if you have any more questions I'm free. TBH a lot has changed especially within our year compared to the previous years so I can only expect your year changing more as well. If you choose to accept, please visit the area NOT JUST "DOWNTOWN" and look at everything. Look at housing, look at how far it would be from your place to class in terms of walking or driving. Look at the food choices, look at the places you would like to go, look at EVERYTHING. Take a tour of 25 and 40 foster. Look at Lincoln Sq. Go past the school down main st towards the other sides of worcester and look around (drive don't walk PLEASE for your safety)

FYI we don't have a shuttle right now. the school is "working on one". I have been one of those to advocate heavily for a shuttle so hopefully our voice matters. We have public safety escorts BUT they always make random rules and stipulations and the vans often "break down".

Do you need tons of money to live comfortably out here? Not really and the refund checks help if you can budget wisely. There is not much required that you need to buy besides a clicker which is about $80 and if you want to buy a second white coat ($35). When you get to lab you only need to buy goggles. Not much school supplies needed because all of the notes are given. Invest in a tablet AND a solid computer. I have a tablet and a mac.

Best way to save money is to meal prep if you have time, you won't but its nice thinking you will :D.

I'm rambling at this point but I think I covered most of it. Also, if you get housing in a that requires you to pay electricity PLEASE BUDGET FOR AT LEAST 200 A MONTH during the winter months. I have a roomie so we split the bill obviously, but for those who don't - I feel their pain. If you get an apt in salisbury (they're really huge) just know that your bill for heating/ac will be very high.
 
I'm going on April 1st. I have a feeling the event isn't tailored solely for Pharm.D - the agenda says April 1st is a day for admitted students across all MCPHS programs like DPT, nursing, etc. Why not, free lunch hehe.

But seriously, talking to some faculty about the new curriculum and how it affects our class is one of the reasons why I'm going.
You won't get much say from them because they can only tell you so much. The changes won't be seen until you start and compare your material to our material.

However, it is good to visit the city and look around.
 
To those who have submitted their app recently, the only disadvantage you face is selecting housing on campus if you plan to do so because P2s pick first, then we pick (today) then you guys pick way later. Also, once you guys are accepted PLEASE look out for your class facebook page. EVERYTHING you need will be posted on there and in your emails. If you don't have facebook, please make a page. You don't have to spiff it up or anything just make sure its all appropriate. If you current have a facebook page, THE SCHOOL CAN FIND YOU BY YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED AND/OR PHONE NUMBER. So just because you made yourself private and etc doesn't mean they can't find you. I'm not sure if they looked at pages in terms of admission decisions but I know they were able to find 200+ students with just the info from your application. But you shouldn't be worried :D.
 
Greetings future Pharmacists. My name is Dylan. I'm a practicing Pharmacist, graduated from MCPHS-Worcester in 2015. I live in Worcester almost my whole life. Would it be helpful for you guys if I jot down a few things about the city itself and the Pharmacy curriculum? If so, let me know. I was thinking of doing a blog/video blog but wasn't sure who would be interested. But I'll tell you this, I would've liked it if I were coming from out of state. Let me know!
I would love to see/read this as well. Its interesting seeing how much things have changed.
 
@nutripharma Thanks for your time.

Can you please talk a bit about how the school is going handle the low naplex avg of 64 for the 2016 class? I guess the curriculum is changing but will that help? Also, how high is the attrition rate? If you put in the hours, it is possible to have 3.0+ gpa? Thank you!
 
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@nutripharma Thanks for your time.

Can you please talk a bit about how the school is going handle the low naplex avg of 64 for the 2016 class? I guess the curriculum is changing but will that help? Also, how high is the attrition rate? If you put in the hours, it is possible to have 3.0+ gpa? Thank you!

I don't think the school is handling it well. Our professors told us that they might roll back on the points. I'm pretty sure there is a new agenda to get those who aren't "naturally smart" out . They might start testing us in a way that represents our naplex testing. Ex: If you can't guess well on a ceutics exam (regardless of knowing the material or not). They already try to do naplex type questions but at this point I think our class won't feel the full extent of what the next class would.
 
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@nutripharma Thanks for your time.

Can you please talk a bit about how the school is going handle the low naplex avg of 64 for the 2016 class? I guess the curriculum is changing but will that help? Also, how high is the attrition rate? If you put in the hours, it is possible to have 3.0+ gpa? Thank you!
Also, our dean's list is way shorter than last year's. For some reason, it isn't all about putting in the hours. It is more of a combination of extra time put in + knowing the right people + testing well. A lot of our classes are set up where the final is ~40% of our grade. Meaning you can get a good grade on every exam/assignment so far but you have a 40% chance of failing the course.

Final say and this goes for any school really: Don't put all of your eggs in one basket. Don't apply here just because it is a non-pcat school. Don't accept based off of a scholarship. Apply to other schools as well, look at what people are saying, visit places, do what is best for you!

At the end of the day, only you can get yourself to pass and make it.
 
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Thank you @nutipharma for all the inputs.

Does anyone know where is the best place to rent apartments/rooms? I need help. I am looking for a place near MCPHS. If anyone are looking for roommates please let me know. Thank you.
 
Thank you @nutipharma for all the inputs.

Does anyone know where is the best place to rent apartments/rooms? I need help. I am looking for a place near MCPHS. If anyone are looking for roommates please let me know. Thank you.
379 main is 975-1100 for a really nice studio, look it up. Other than that, rent is SUPER expensive. I know there is not so bad building right by our school up a really steep hill. Once I get the name of the street, i'll get back to you. They rent out 3bd room apts like $600 a room.
 
379 main is 975-1100 for a really nice studio, look it up. Other than that, rent is SUPER expensive. I know there is not so bad building right by our school up a really steep hill. Once I get the name of the street, i'll get back to you. They rent out 3bd room apts like $600 a room.

@nutripharma yeah I was looking at that place also. It looks very nice. I called them and left a voicemail. Hopefully they give me a call back. Have you ever been inside? Or did you rent a place there? Thank you.
379 Main St Unit 000
Worcester, MA 01608
Central Business District
 
I've been inside and I was looking into leasing there, but I was able to get the room I wanted in Foster. It is 2nd best to living in foster in terms of distance but it is the best over all in terms of price and privacy.
 
What were some of your stats before getting accepted to this school?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
graduated cum laude
Took a 5 credit orgo that boosted my grades
got an A.S. before my B.A.
worked as pharm tech and a job on campus for a year
president of two honor societies, chartered a chapter
apart of 3 other organizations
inducted into Who's Who Among Students in American Universities
service awards
PCAT as 61 but they don't look at PCAT here
 
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Hi, FYI MCPHS will create a FB incoming page for you guys but keep the one that has already been made because the one that MCPHS creates will be shut down.

also VERY important - WATCH WHAT YOU DO ON on the mcphs created page, also watch what you do on any of the school related pages. Although students should be for each other, sometimes the upperclassmen will take offense or report your posts. (first hand experience)
 
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You can request to join your group.
Do you know if Borysek Living Center multi person room cost that is shown on the website is for one person or for 4 people? Its kind of confusing. The way I see it its more expensive to live with room mates than on your own and usually its supposed to be the other way around.
 
New to these forums, although I have been following them for years. I want to give my spill on MCPHS and why you shouldn't ignore that 64% NAPLEX pass rate. I have been researching this school for a few years now and I have ignored most of the negative posts in regards to their school. Firstly class sizes of 250 is absolutely insane and almost unheard of, the retention rate is the second highest of any other established pharmacy school. The pass rate last year for the NAPLEX was the third worst of all pharmacy schools and all scores will likely be worse this year, due to the new changes made to the test. I have interviewed there and been accepted with scholarship and I'm choosing a smaller school in the midwest. They do a great job pitching the school, but you cant help but feel like they're selling you a lemon. Don't discredit all these forums and posts guys, it might save you a bit of money/grief in the long haul.


Cheers
how much scholarship do they give? that is awesome
 
My experience has been disheartening and a struggle. I am in the group of students (there are more than at least 60 out of the 300) who are struggling to keep that marvelous 10k scholarship even with the low GPA requirement (2.2 to stay out of academic probation and 2.5 to keep scholarship). Believe me, the low GPA should be a warning sign. Yes we are allowed to get D's but trust me you'll be fighting for that D. We have lost many students after the 1st semester, I believe around 50.
Our professors have mentioned the fact that the group who just took the naplex practically bombed the stats. So they are trying to become more "strict" with giving out points. We get curves but they aren't enough to cushion you in anyway. I was a cum laude, 2 honor society student working two jobs in undergrad while in a biology program. This school has changed my entire life in a negative way. However, I will stay and make it out in a timely fashion.

I'm sure the warning posts have scared everyone away but then you get sucked in with that beautiful scholarship and a quick view of the "city". That was me :D. Worcester is not a fun area even though they say its a "college town" because there are 12 colleges. The food choices are below subprime - if that even exists. The fun activities/nightlife is non existent due to the residents who don't want change to come to their town. They have shut down all the fun things on Main St. and moved them to Water St. Even with that improvement, many call Worcester a ghost town because after 5pm - everyone leaves and goes to their own town.

I was accepted to multiple schools including the nearest 3 year program - University of Saint Joseph and I do regret not attending USJ. My stats were okay - i was a pharm tech and I worked another job as well. I was on eboard and active on campus during undergrad. My PCAT was mid range. I did research in undergrad.
A few suggestions:
1. look at the stats of the school (the stats that actually matter for getting a career once you graduate)
2. visit Worcester, drive around a bit, find places you like and write them down because the city won't change
3. Check out the housing options - most of us want to live in Foster but we can't get in because its in such high demand. 379 main is a good option but nothing out here is cheap. There are apartments for $500/room with 3 rooms that are about 10 minutes away but its up a very steep hill and during the winter it gets worse.
4. Understand that the work you put in will be at least 5 times more than you have expected.
LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS FOR SCHOOLS. DO NOT APPLY TO THIS SCHOOL JUST BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T TAKE THE PCAT.
5. If you do decide to attend this school.... take a piece of advice and learn ALL of the top 200 drugs w/ generics and indications. (it will save you a ton of time and heart ache for one our your classes)
6. prepare yourself in the summer, or even now if you can, for the workload. Ask people if they know subjects and topics.
7. become friends with the upperclassmen because they will be your "mentors".
Side note about the "mentors": our school does not have a tutoring system like other schools where you can schedule an appointment online with various tutors and meet at a time in a tutoring center. We have mentors who are the upperclassmen (P2). Just like us, they will be studying/cramming and scrambling around to survive. Sometimes they do neglect us, as the previous classes have told us that they would help their underclassmen tremendously. We haven't received that special treatment I guess.
8. If you are of a certain ethnic or cultural background, you can certainly make friends and study groups a lot easier. We have a VERY diverse class which is great.
9. We have a new Dean and I was told the curriculum and other things are changing rapidly so your class may not be the same as ours.
10. Look at the curriculum now and look at the credit load - compare it to a normal undergrad credit load. Example: Our biochemistry is 2 credits but it feels like 4 credit work because it is and it is crammed into a 15 week semester.
11. THIS IS IMPORTANT - know that you will have at least 2 exams every week, most often back to back. Sometimes you will have 3 exams. You cannot neglect any material.
12. Once you are behind in the work, you are behind forever unless you a. pull a couple of all nighters b. forget acing that exam and focus on the new material being taught or c. you miraculously find another option like creating a 36 hour day or stopping time.
13. Not everyone is friendly and willing to give advice, once you get in, know who you are working and dealing with.
14. The organizations are obviously great for your resume but please choose wisely and know what you want to do before you start. If you don't know what type of pharmacist you would like to become - DO YOUR RESEARCH NOW (like now, like yesterday)
15. We take exams like robots, be prepared for the stress. If you have anxiety and/or etc - you should seek options of coping with your doctor before starting so you are prepared.
16. Flood my inbox with (reasonable) questions. No I cannot give you answers to the exams. No I don't have material for you. No I cannot tutor you because I honestly can't keep up myself. BUT I will be honest and I understand where everyone is right now because I was once there.

Hope this helps and sorry it was so long.
if they give me 10K scholarship a year, so total of 30 k. I think I will work hard for it
 
Do you know if Borysek Living Center multi person room cost that is shown on the website is for one person or for 4 people? Its kind of confusing. The way I see it its more expensive to live with room mates than on your own and usually its supposed to be the other way around.
There isn't a room available to live in BLLC on your own at the moment. It is actually 7k more to live in a single than it is to have a roommate in BLLC.
 
That 10k scholarship will mean nothing to you once you get into the program. It disappears into the tuition like it never existed and you become used to struggling to keep it. To be quite honest, they use it as a selling point. In reality, if this is the reason you are planning to attend CHOOSE ANOTHER SCHOOL. There are schools that will serve you better. Peace of mind is better than struggling for 10k that can be ripped from you after one year. If you don't maintain the GPA by end of summer, you can never get it back.
 
That 10k scholarship will mean nothing to you once you get into the program. It disappears into the tuition like it never existed and you become used to struggling to keep it. To be quite honest, they use it as a selling point. In reality, if this is the reason you are planning to attend CHOOSE ANOTHER SCHOOL. There are schools that will serve you better. Peace of mind is better than struggling for 10k that can be ripped from you after one year. If you don't maintain the GPA by end of summer, you can never get it back.
How would you compare the pharmd program at worcester with the one at the manchester, NH campus. What courses and texts would you suggest an incoming P1 to study.Also would you really pass mcphs to attend an expensive four year school.
 
Although its for the boston campus, if you want some great humorous insight - look at mcphslifehack on tumblr not on reddit. They are pretty accurate when it comes to year 3&4 (our 1st and 2nd year). Someone in our class brought it up and we've been laughing at the honesty because its a parallel to our lives. Also, look up mcphs worcester pharmacy reviews. There's a page dedicated specifically for venting.
 
Although its for the boston campus, if you want some great humorous insight - look at mcphslifehack on tumblr not on reddit. They are pretty accurate when it comes to year 3&4 (our 1st and 2nd year). Someone in our class brought it up and we've been laughing at the honesty because its a parallel to our lives. Also, look up mcphs worcester pharmacy reviews. There's a page dedicated specifically for venting.
I'm about to begin this fall at the manchester ,NH campus and I might be pulled off a wailtlist from a four year pharmacy school in the midwest but I would'nt want to stay far away from home.Is the manchester campus still as toxic as worcester
 
I'm about to begin this fall at the manchester ,NH campus and I might be pulled off a wailtlist from a four year pharmacy school in the midwest but I would'nt want to stay far away from home.Is the manchester campus still as toxic as worcester
You are apart of the worcester campus, you do Distance education (learning through live TV with our campus). So sometimes professors might be at your campus or they might be at ours. Manchester has one known advantage, REAL DESKS. You guys are a smaller class ~60 with real tables and chairs! So you might feel better. I think Manchester may be better because you guys can become a family. Our class is too big to be one happy family. and yes - I WOULD PASS UP MCP TO GO TO AN EXPENSIVE 4 YEAR! Any day, if I could go back, I would change my decisions.
 
How would you compare the pharmd program at worcester with the one at the manchester, NH campus. What courses and texts would you suggest an incoming P1 to study.Also would you really pass mcphs to attend an expensive four year school.
To ALL P1s, learn the top 200 drugs (google our set). Learn them by brand name, generic name, and indication (pain, hypertension, etc). Learn them now! you have enough time to learn 4 a day. trust me, it is one less yet stressful thing to worry about. As for as books and etc, don't buy any yet unless you know for sure you need paper versions. our class should be helping you out on the facebook page. You will get more information as you go along.
Maybe brush up on some medical terminology. Go over some orgo/biochem if you have that much free time (you don't). You will get your class schedule if you haven't already, use an planner such as Mystudylife and add the classes. Schedule your life out completely. If you are working, talk to your employer NOW about arrangements. Especially if you're a tech, talk to them about becoming an intern and what the hour requirements will be. Essentially, gather all the loose ends now so that you can cruise into September without dealing with extracurricular things. Not sure if theyre asking for it yet, but buy your clicker. Buy the required calculator. Got a backpack? figure out your note-taking style and set it in stone now. Buy all those cute highlighters/pens if you like those. Got a laptop/tablet? Download the security software so that when you try to get on the wifi, you won't be like the other 800 of us jamming the system
 
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