bluemonday

Jeanette73, I pretty much received the same response from everyone as well, but when I was at HJD table, I was asking questions to a woman at the table who was unable to answer them, but told me I should speak to the recruiter, who was sitting down speaking with other individuals. I noticed the recruiter was actually looking at people's resumes, so when I stopped by, I gave her a quick introduction (Bachelor's in Nursing, an additional Bachelors, etc, etc) and proceeded to hand her my cover letter/resume. I also did some research and found out her name in advance, and wrote the cover letter addressed to her. She seemed impressed that I already knew her name. She then briefly looked over my cover letter and seemed impressed with that, asking me about my study abroad in Africa. We chatted for a bit and that's when she pulled out her business card and asked me to contact her in November to take a Pharm test. I don't know if she does this normally or only specific candidates. I imagine it's a good sign. Anyway, I emailed her a thank you letter a few hours after the career fair, and that was that. I do not know if she read it, as she did not reply. Anyway, I hope that helps. If you ever know the name of a recruiter in advance, I suggest you write a cover letter addressed to the individual. It never hurts, even if in the end, it gets you nowhere. Most of the people at the career fair were new graduates, so there's just little luck for us out there. Anyway, I wish you luck...believe me, I know it's tough, I've been looking since March, and I graduated Dec 09. I just interviewed at another hospital a few days ago, and have to go in for a second interview soon. *crossing my fingers* I'm ready to end my job search already! Coco13, So did something similar happen to you at the career fair as well? Did you get to speak with the recruiter directly? I think if you do well on the Pharm exam, you will continue onto the interview process. I find it a bit strange as it is usually the other way around...interview, then pharm test, so it baffled me a bit. Anyway, I have not taken the exam, as I've yet to contact the recruiter. She told me contact her at the end on November and we aren't quite there yet. If I do get this other job (which I just interviewed for on Mon - see above), I won't be contacting her at all. To be honest, I have not been studying, but if you have notes or index cards from your Pharm class, I would definitely review those. That's what I would do. Also, if you find that there are drugs more commonly used among orthopedic / rheumatology patients, I would focus on those as well. As far as increasing your chances at getting into that facility, I don't have any information on that, but no matter what, just show a strong interest in orthopedics (don't just say you love it, make sure to have a good reason to back it up), and study your butt off for that pharm exam!! Also, if you get as far as an interview, don't forget how important it is to prepare for that, it truly makes a difference in how comfortable you are during the interview. I really think I'm terrible at interviews, I get nightmares and anxiety days before the interview! Always practice behaviors questions - they love those as much as we hate them!! I was asked a question about conflict on my recent interview and I froze for a second because I didn't prepare an answer to that question. Ok..I'm rambling now. Good luck on your test! Do you have a scheduled date yet?

Hi mochamocha, I know this post is a few months old but I was wondering if you ever did get the job at HJD? I went to a career fair recently and the recruiter asked me to contact her in the next month to schedule my pharmacology exam. From what I hear, usually candidates have their interviews first, and if that goes well, a pharmacology test is given and must be passed in order to start work. I'm just not sure if her asking me to take a pharm test is a positive sign. If I pass the test, does that mean I'll get the job? or I'll just move on to the interview process, since I haven't had one yet. I only spoke with her briefly at the career fair and I think I made a good impression. Did you pass the pharm test? Were you interviewed before or after your test? I hope that you can answer my questions...I'm just really nervous about this because I'm a new grad looking since March, and still questioning if I should be excited about this opportunity. In the past, I've sort of been "led on" to believe I'll get a certain job or at least an interview only to be let down. I would greatly appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks mochamocha.

I will be attending the career fair this Thursday. I don't actually expect anything to come from it as this will be my 4th career fair attendance since March! I'd rather go than not give it a shot even though I know all the recruiters will pretty much say what everyone else said at the last career fair - "we do hire new grads, just not right now." Grreeaat! Anyway, I just go to collect business cards, get recruiter names and try my best in contacting them, which of course never gets me anywhere anyway. No one answers their phone, no one responds to voicemails, and no one responds to emails. *sigh* It's not just ADN's that can't find jobs...I have 2 Bachelor's and I still can't get a job! Anyway, I wish everyone luck on thursday! We'll all need it, especially the new grads!

Hi, Here are my grades: 1st Bachelor's Degree GPA: 3.2 (not that great) AP I: A AP II: A Micro: B+ Chem, Psych: in progress Stats: C+ MAT score: 409 (a bit less than average, according to the MAT website) Also, I have no hospital experience, so if you don't either, don't be discouraged, just write an outstanding essay (proofread) and get your resume professionally edited. If this is your top school, do everything you can to spruce up your application, I definitely think that's what gave me an "edge" because my grades aren't that spectacular. They request 2-3 recommendations, I sent 3. Not sure what was the deciding factor in my acceptance, but whatever I did, it worked! I decided not to take the GRE's because I believe it is similar to the SAT's but much harder, or so I heard. That frightens me since I did terrible on my SAT's and I cannot stand studying for Math just to take this exam. So anyway, not to say the MAT's are any easier, it is definitely NOT easy, but I can tell you that I guessed on tons of questions and managed to get above 400, which was my goal. I borrowed 2 MAT study guides from my library and did 10 practice exams and studied some of the material for about 3-4 weeks, however, I did not study Vocab because I knew it would take a lifetime to learn them. Turns out, my actual MAT had absolutely nothing that I studied for, it had mostly Vocab people don't use on a daily basis. Can't guarantee this will happen to you, but it definitely happened to me!! I had to just run with it, and I thought I totally bombed it. Anyway, taking the MAT or GRE is entirely what you think you are better at. Take GRE if you are good in Math and English. Take MAT's if you are better at Humanities. Either way, they are both really hard and requires lots of study time!! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!

I personally handed in my application on Oct 13th, very close to the deadline. I took the MAT's, not the GRE's, and I took that exam on Oct 7th (I got a 409, which is just about average or maybe a bit below avg) and they did not receive my scores until the 29th and I received an email notfication of acceptance 2 days later. I believe they just began notifying people starting about 1-2 weeks ago. I was also very impatient even though I sent it in late, so I can imagine how horrible you feel!! Anyway, if you have any other questions, let me know. Otherwise, I wish you the best of luck!

CONGRATS to you too!! I'm new on here and still don't quite know how to use it, I clicked on your profile, but did not see your email... am i missing something??? Did they send you notification by email also? I was in shock and read it over 15 times...asking everyone if I was accepted. I think I was in denial...haha. Anyway, is my email posted??? maybe you can email me? I feel so silly.:trout:

I went to the Nursing session on 9/16, maybe I saw you there. Anyway, I was accepted last week. I'm not sure what is considered "good enough" to get in but if it helps, here are my grades: 1st Bachelor's Degree GPA: 3.2 (not that great) AP I: A AP II: A Micro: B+ Chem, Psych: in progress Stats: C+ MAT score: 409 (a bit less than average, according to the MAT website) What I think helped me a lot was my essay and resume, which I got professionally edited. Pace was my top choice because it's a one year program so I decided that it was worth it - I got accepted so it was DEFINITELY worth it! They also request 2-3 recommendations, I sent in 3 hoping that it would give me an extra edge. I tried everything I could to spruce up my application since I thought my undergrad GPA was too low and assumed that my MAT scores would be low too. Also, I have no hospital experience whatsoever (so for those who feel discouraged, like me, don't be..I never worked in one before). However, I did have some great traveling/study abroad experiences (Africa & China) from my undergrad that might've looked attractive. Anyway, hope that helps. Good Luck!

Hi - I just applied to the program and received notification of acceptance at the end of Oct! I'm really excited and I can't wait til January. I was already looking into other schools cause I thought I wouldn't get in. Anyway, good luck everyone!

I applied to the Accelerated program at Pace. I took my MAT's in the beginning of Oct and 2 days after they received my scores, they notified me by email regarding acceptance!! I'm so excited! Have you heard yet? I've been dying to talk to someone about the program!