I just canceled my interview on the 11th. Hopefully someone will pick up my spot. Good luck to all those who are interviewing!
First of all, unlike many other programs, students begin their rotations during their P2 year. Granted the opportunity to be able to start rotations early is a good thing but because Kingville is so small and desolate, the rotation sites are very limited. Unless you are very lucky to receive a close location, the majority of you will be commuting every Monday for 2 hours to and from your rotation sites.
..Another thing to consider is the amount of community service needed each semester. Texas A&M has by the far the most strenuous amount of mandatory community service hours needed in comparison to any other pharm program. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that community outreach is not important, but that much commitment I feel is not necessary. The time allocated into these activities can be better placed into other areas..
NAPLEX We are graduating the first class in May and yes there is a lot of pressure on them. However, we are not a program that simply teaches to the test. It is also about extending yourself and applying the principles and what is taught. As for accreditation the ACPE is coming to do a review for Full Status in April. This is huge for the college. We have received exemplary marks from the ACPE for the program as it is and I would assume that Full Accreditation would be granted in June. However, we still need to go through the review and graduate a class..Finally, personal questions to those currently attending that read these forums, how well prepared do you guys think you are for the NAPLEX? Having your first graduating class this Spring, you guys will have a lot on the line; one of these being full candidate accreditation status..
.Is attendance not mandatory for certain classes?.
Does it matter if you have the last interview date? Do you still have a good chance of getting in? Is there anyone from previous years who know of anyone who got in who had the last interview date?
Odd question, but do the students have a mascot? TAMUK is the Javelinas, but TAMU is the Aggies, and TAMHSC is up in College Station. So are you Aggies?
For those who are highly considering A&M as one of your top choices, I learned some things during the interview that they don't tell you unless you ask or observe them for yourself. First of all, unlike many other programs, students begin their rotations during their P2 year. Granted the opportunity to be able to start rotations early is a good thing but because Kingville is so small and desolate, the rotation sites are very limited. Unless you are very lucky to receive a close location, the majority of you will be commuting every Monday for 2 hours to and from your rotation sites.
I'm not altogether certain of which pharmacy programs that you are comparing us to, so I can't really speak on that note. I will say that in your P1 year, you are required to perform 30 hours throughout the course of the year (so, usually 15 hours per semester).Another thing to consider is the amount of community service needed each semester. Texas A&M has by the far the most strenuous amount of mandatory community service hours needed in comparison to any other pharm program. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that community outreach is not important, but that much commitment I feel is not necessary. The time allocated into these activities can be better placed into other areas.
Personally, I'm only in my second year, so it may be a bit presumptuous for me to speak on that matter. Although Texas A&M is still a new school, I feel that I've received a strong education. Certainly, I have my favorite professors, and as such I prefer some professors over others. However, I feel like each lecturer knows their stuff, and in that sense, I have no worries.Finally, personal questions to those currently attending that read these forums, how well prepared do you guys think you are for the NAPLEX? Having your first graduating class this Spring, you guys will have a lot on the line; one of these being full candidate accreditation status.
I'm not sure which day you were visiting, but if it was a Thursday afternoon, then you were visiting at a time where students had their electives, especially if you saw that most of the classroom was "missing." Depending on the elective, the class enrollment ranges anywhere from a handful of students to roughly 40 students (and the two smaller classrooms have a capacity of roughly 100 students, whereas the large classroom holds much more).While I was taking a tour, I asked the student who was giving the tour why the classes contained so few people. She told me that not all students attend class everyday; in other words do you guys ditch or are the lectures not as vital as independent study? Is attendance not mandatory for certain classes? I have heard that the professor-student relationship was spectacular but noticed that many of the students were not paying attention to the lecture. Clearly the lectures can't be so interesting where many of the students are enthusiastically smiling and diligently typing on their laptops. Not only were students not focused on what the professor was saying but there was eating and talking during the lecture. I could be harsh to judge because it was just a few minutes of observation but first impressions mean a lot. Because of this, I don't think I will consider A&M as my first choice school (or even a middle choice school) unless convinced otherwise. For any of those who are currently attending A&M please respond to this with what you think about these issues. It's just the impression I received while I was there.
I was assuming there'd be more school spirit than that. That's a shame.
Getting excited about the interview. Who sits on the panel? I think someone mentioned you were being questioned by 4 different people.
I'm kind of surprised. The earlier-mentioned point system indicated that the interview was the biggest factor.
Also, writing exercise - was the same prompt assigned to everyone, or was it different for everyone?
Dr. Robertson called me and I have an interview on the 18th!
That's what I heard. Pretty relaxed environment. Comes with the rural, small-town feel. Masks the professionalism behind it all, which is clever. Get interviewees at their most vulnerable, which was not intended in the first place, but it works well.
Dr. Robertson called me and I have an interview on the 18th!
Yeah, that's exactly why I stated the situation as, after getting info on K-ville. I'm prepared to be cool, confident, and as you put it, have a "gently elevated discretion".Congrats! I know you were waiting on it, so it's good to hear that you received an interview invite.
Haha, I've never looked at it that way, but I suppose there's logic in that. I would say that you don't want to be completely relaxed to the point where you're treating it like a normal day. At the same time, while you want to be on-the-ball, don't take things to the point where you're trying to micromanage all of your actions. I would say that... er, gently elevated discretion is the sweet spot.
Good luck to everyone with interviews tomorrow! Maybe I'll see some of you.
--Garfield3d
30 minutes sounds just fine. That's what I will be doing (not the brickbreaker part lol). Have fun.Is getting there 30 minutes ahead of time too early? Seems like it would be just right. I might just play brickbreaker in my car
Haha, I've never looked at it that way, but I suppose there's logic in that. I would say that you don't want to be completely relaxed to the point where you're treating it like a normal day. At the same time, while you want to be on-the-ball, don't take things to the point where you're trying to micromanage all of your actions. I would say that... er, gently elevated discretion is the sweet spot.
--Garfield3d
I was in the 10:30 group. How about you?
Nah, I'm 100% dude.Hmm... I thought I asked everyone about sdn. Are you a girl? I was in the 1030 group too and kept asking questions at the end.
NopeWere you the one from SA?
Yeah, I think lolAh, you're the one who said his school didn't have much school spirit
So don't be uptight or robotic, eh Garfield? Good advice heheh.
Is that how you remember your interview?
Shadow, when did you interview? It felt like I was the only one in my group that used sdn.
Garfield, it was a pleasure to finally meet you!
I'm kind of surprised. The earlier-mentioned point system indicated that the interview was the biggest factor.
First off, which one were you? (Don't mention name, just mention a defining facial characteristic or something you mentioned that I might remember when I was there lol)
Second, I think it went all right. I would say well, but I don't wanna jinx it. Liked it better than Tech's interview.