How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
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How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
No responses
How did you prepare for the interview?
Read the website extensively. At the time, I didn't know about SDN; otherwise I would have read SDN's interview feedback and searched for posts on Temple. I wrote a letter of intent to the dean & admissions staff and submitted it in a folder with a custom cover, along with a current resume (because I was working for so long, I wanted them to know what I was doing besides school when I earned my associates) and an updated, more focused personal statement, to admissions staff during the interview process. I don't know if they ever looked at it, but it helped me feel more prepared.
What impressed you positively?
The straightforwardness of admissions staff. They know they have a product that's in high demand. They do not have to fuss over us, nor did they.
What impressed you negatively?
The revelation that, due to some nastiness in prior admission cycles, we were not permitted to contact admissions - especially not our interviewer - via phone, email, or regular mail. So, no thank you notes.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
The existence of SDN!
I also should have taken advantage of Temple Pharmacy Admission's advising for prospective students. I had gone the traditional route and dealt with advisors in their continuing ed area. Nothing bad happened as a result of that, but I think pharmacy admissions would have picked up that I was driven to succeed and to be admitted. As it turns out, I was admitted anyhow.
I wish I had known about the excruciatingly long wait to find out the adcom's decision. At our interview, we were told "3-4 weeks". That turned into eight weeks. So be prepared, because current students say that they ALWAYS take way longer than they say they will to notify of acceptance/rejection.
What are your general comments?
Some of the interviewees were poorly dressed (not in my group of 5. Some students who were waiting for later interviews needed a lesson in professional attire). The group interview was like the dinner table growing up - we were all vying for the interviewer's attention. I found, after I listened patiently to everyone else's "about me" speeches but was interrupted right at the beginning of mine, that I needed to politely jump back into the conversation so that I didn't blend into the background. All I can say is, prepare by brushing up on interview skills, and by reading up on assertiveness and on "how to deal with interrupters". I'm sure it wasn't intentional, we ALL wanted to make sure our interviewer came away with a positive, lasting impression of us.
I thought I did only so-so in the interview, and was happy to be accepted for fall 2005 (found out 4/27)! I thought my friend from summer classes, who was in my interview group, did really well in her interview...I'm waiting to hear if she gets in.
There is an essay. Our topic was something along the lines of: "Sitting, standing, running around all day: these are potential ways you might spend your workday. What is your least favorite? Justify your answer." You have 30 minutes to complete the essay.
This was the first year they considered the PCAT. I think my scores helped. My GPA was only around a 3.6 but I rocked the PCAT.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
No responses
