Your PharmD Bestie Podcast

Episode 11: Things to Consider for your LOI

In Episode 11 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, shares practical, often-overlooked tips for writing a strong residency Letter of Intent (LOI) or personal statement. Drawing from her experience reviewing over 30 LOIs, Alina walks listeners through each section of the letter—from proper formatting and addressing the Residency Program Director correctly to crafting a compelling statement of interest. She breaks down how to structure body paragraphs using clear, specific examples, why quality matters more than quantity when showcasing experiences, and how to align your skills and goals with what residency programs are truly looking for. Alina also highlights common mistakes to avoid, including personalization errors, space limitations, and formatting pitfalls. Whether you’re drafting your first LOI or refining a final version for residency applications, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance to help you write with confidence and intention. Get your free LOI template here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/s...

Episode 10. Things to Consider for your CV

In Episode 10 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, breaks down the essential elements every pharmacy student and new practitioner should consider when building or updating their CV. From highlighting your strengths with clarity to organizing your experiences for maximum impact, Alina shares practical tips to help your application stand out. Whether you're preparing for residency, applying for your first job, or simply refreshing your professional documents, this episode offers a clear guide to creating a polished, confident, and compelling CV.

Episode 8. The Residency Playbook: Tips, Tricks, and Tales

In Episode 8 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, sits down with Joey Nguyen, PharmD, a current PGY1 resident in Ambulatory Care and HIV at UC Davis Health, to break down the real-world journey into pharmacy residency. From building a standout application and navigating the interview and match process, to transitioning into residency life, Joey shares actionable advice, personal reflections, and practical tools that helped him succeed. Whether you’re just starting to consider residency or are deep in the application process, this episode is packed with candid insights to help you stay organized, confident, and focused throughout your pharmacy residency journey.

Episode 9. A Glimpse at Fellowship

In Episode 8 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, welcomes Keya Patel, PharmD, a third-year pharmacy student at UCSF, to explore the often-misunderstood world of pharmaceutical industry fellowships. Keya shares her journey from initially pursuing a clinical pharmacy path to discovering her passion for medical affairs and strategy—ultimately matching as the inaugural Global Medical Affairs (HIV Prevention) Fellow at Gilead Sciences through the USC Fellowship Program. From breaking down the “dark side” myths of pharma to offering practical guidance on timelines, networking, and interview preparation, Keya provides a transparent look into how to successfully navigate the fellowship process. Whether you’re weighing residency vs. fellowship or curious about careers in industry, this episode delivers actionable advice, personal insights, and encouragement to help you find your own fit in pharmacy.

Episode 7. Residency Process: Choosing the Appropriate Residency Program

In Episode 7 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, dives into the ins and outs of selecting the right residency program. From building a personalized spreadsheet to stay organized to navigating the interview season with confidence, Alina shares practical tips and tried-and-true strategies to help you streamline your residency process. Whether you're just starting your search or preparing for interviews, this episode offers a roadmap for staying focused, making informed decisions, and finding the best fit for your future. 

Episode 6. First Quarter Down: Residency Check-In

In Episode 6 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, sits down with Lydia Shen, PharmD, for a candid residency check-in after the first quarter. They reflect on the highs and lows of transitioning into residency, from adjusting to a new environment to overcoming unexpected challenges. Lydia shares her experience with culture shock, her first impressions of UC Davis, and key takeaways from the past few months. They also discuss personal wins, milestones, and strategies for staying focused in the next quarter. Whether you're in residency or preparing for the journey ahead, this episode offers relatable insights and encouragement to keep pushing forward.

Episode 5. Navigating Residency Applications: Tips, Tricks, and Lessons

In Episode 5 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, walks you through the residency application process step-by-step. From creating your PhORCAS account to requesting transcripts and letters of recommendation, Alina shares practical advice to make this daunting process more manageable. Learn how to organize your CV, craft a strong personal statement, and balance the demands of rotations and applications. Whether you’re just starting your pharmacy school journey or gearing up to apply, this episode is packed with valuable insights to set you up for success.

Episode 4. Pharmacy School Diaries: Memories, Lessons, and Growth

In Episode 4 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, sits down with her former UCSF pharmacy school classmates, Alison Newens, PharmD, and Selena Li, PharmD, to reminisce about their journey through pharmacy school. They share insights on the academic rigor, the transition to residency, and navigating personal growth. From favorite courses and challenging rotations to the power of camaraderie and learning from precepting, this episode is packed with relatable stories, valuable lessons, and advice for pharmacy students and residents alike.
 
00:00 Introduction
02:24 Academic Reflections
10:08 Transition to Rotations
24:46 Precepting Perspectives
36:47 Favorite Pharmacy School Memories
42:10 Navigating Challenges and Growth
48:47 Advice for Pharmacy Students
55:25 Conclusion

Episode 3. Conquering Pharmacy School OSCEs and Exams: Strategies with Valerie Htun, PharmD

In Episode 3 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD is joined by Valerie Htun, PharmD from UCSF to discuss their pharmacy school experience, with a special focus on OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Exams) and exam preparation. They share valuable insights on handling academic challenges, maintaining work-life balance, and navigating the pharmacy school application process. Drawing from their experiences at UCSF, they offer practical advice for current and prospective pharmacy students.
 
00:00 Introduction
03:15 Understanding OSCEs
09:04 Overcoming Exam Nerves
16:09 Pharmacy School Exams
21:17 Handling Academic Challenges
27:24 Pharmacy School Applications
33:00 Advice for second-year undergraduates
38:36 Gap Year Discussion
45:36 Final thoughts

Episode 2. Rx for Success: Navigating the Pharmacy School Application Process

In this episode of Your PharmD Bestie, Alina dives into the essentials of preparing for pharmacy school applications and interviews. Drawing from personal experiences, she shares practical tips on managing stress, setting realistic goals, and crafting a standout application. From understanding application requirements to mastering the STAR method for interviews, this episode is packed with actionable advice for aspiring pharmacy students. Whether you’re applying to pharmacy school or tackling any professional application process, this episode offers insights to help you shine.