Welcome to today’s episode with our guest Ellie Twedt, a P4 at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, where we’re diving into a smarter, science-backed way to prepare for the NAPLEX while navigating your APPE rotations. Instead of cramming or waiting until the last minute, we’ll explore how to blend real-world learning with proven study techniques from Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. This book highlights three powerful methods for long-term mastery—spaced practice, retrieval practice, and interleaving. We’ll focus especially on spaced practice and how it can transform your approach to studying.

Imagine using your RxPrep book not as a giant wall of content, but as a map. As you move through each APPE, you’ll connect the rotation experience to the RxPrep chapters that match what you’re seeing in the real world. This method turns APPEs into a natural structure for preparing for the NAPLEX, with built-in review and reinforcement along the way. We’ll talk about how to link chapters to rotations, create a rotation-based study schedule, and build habits that make your knowledge stick.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material or wondered how to balance NAPLEX prep with the demands of your APPEs, this episode is for you. By the end, you’ll have a strategy that transforms studying from a last-minute scramble into a continuous, confident process—one that leverages both your rotations and the science of successful learning.

You can find the free materials she talks about in the interview under "Free General Resources" here:

https://residency.teachable.com/p/extremeloi

TLDR: Skip the grief process for now, take on Phase II, and email me if you want some quick advice tonythepharmacist@gmail.com

Here’s a list of the top reasons students get turned down for pharmacy residency programs, not necessarily ordered by most common to least common based on why you in particular did not match:

1. Weak or Unfocused Letters of Intent
   A poorly written or generic letter of intent is one of the most common reasons candidates are overlooked. Programs want to see clear, specific reasons for your interest in their residency and how your experiences align.

2. Poor Interview Performance
   Even strong candidates can falter in interviews if they fail to communicate their skills, goals, and personality effectively.

3. Inadequate Clinical Experience
   Limited exposure to diverse rotations or insufficient patient care experience can make you seem unprepared for the demands of a residency.

4. Weak CV or Resume
   Even with solid experience, a poorly formatted CV or lack of emphasis on accomplishments can weaken your application.

5. Lack of Strong References or a Poor Recommendation
   Residency directors heavily rely on references. If your letters are vague or uninspiring, it can raise concerns about your performance or professionalism.

6. Poor Professionalism or Attitude
   Residency directors look for candidates who are adaptable, humble, and collaborative. Arrogance, lack of teamwork, or failing to follow up can severely hurt your chances.

7. Low or Unbalanced GPA
   While GPA isn’t always a dealbreaker, a poor academic record may suggest you’ll struggle with the demands of residency.

8. Limited Leadership and Involvement
   Programs often seek candidates who demonstrate initiative, collaboration, and leadership through involvement in student organizations or volunteer work.

9. Weak Research or Project Involvement
   While research experience isn't always mandatory, a lack of engagement in presentations, posters, or projects can make your application less competitive.

10. Not Ranking Programs Strategically
    This mistake is common but avoidable. Candidates may undermine themselves by ranking too few programs or focusing only on highly competitive sites without backup options.

Key Takeaway: Focus most on crafting a compelling letter of intent, preparing thoroughly for interviews, and maximizing clinical experience. Strengthen your CV, build strong mentor relationships for references, and demonstrate professionalism throughout the process, but get back on the horse and start emailing programs . . . now.

Here's the website for the Interview Materials https://residency.teachable.com/p/interview

1. Research the Program

   Dive deep into the residency program's structure, goals, and key rotations. Understand their mission statement and identify what makes them unique. This will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest. Use the Excel file to match your APPEs to other residency rotations and offerings. Make sure you talk about PGY-2 if it's available.

2. Review Your Application

   Familiarize yourself with your CV and personal statement. Be prepared to discuss any experiences or projects you mentioned in detail. Highlight your achievements and how they align with the program’s strengths. Again, it's the match, don't highlight your achievements as look at what I did, but look at how we are similar.

3. Practice Behavioral Questions

   Expect questions like, “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge.” Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and concisely. There is much more detail in the course about the ROCK STAR and RACE START questions and answers, you can also use those techniques on the supplemental questions.

4. Prepare Questions for Them

   Thoughtful questions show interest and engagement. Ask about mentorship opportunities, unique rotations, or the program’s approach to professional development. Avoid questions you could easily find online. The best questions keep the conversation going.

5. Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge

   Be ready to answer clinical scenarios or demonstrate your thought process in solving problems. Review key disease states, drug interactions, and treatment guidelines relevant to the program's focus. You can find the list of links to TLDR clinical reviews here: https://residency.teachable.com/p/interview