schools applying to: University of Kentucky (primary choice, and honestly my only choice. I don't want to move away but will if it's required), Sullivan, Belmont, Cincinatti, South Carolina, possibily Midway which is opening, but again, don't want to.
b. Overall GPA- 3.08 (all at the University of Kentucky)
c. Math/Science GPA - roughly the same as overall
d. GPA in last one or two school years- estimated 3.15-3.2
e. Complete PCAT scores (or just composite)-
-Verbal-68
-Biology-87
-Reading Comprehension-48 (yeah, that surprised me too)
-Quantitative-70
-Chemistry-85
-Composite-77
-Writing: Conventions of Language and Problem Solving- 3.0
***Recently took the June 2010 PCAT, and I share the collective assessment that it was incredibly difficult compared to my prior examination. However, it's not how well you do on the test, it's how well everyone else did compared to you, so I guess I will have to wait and see...but I'm not counting on any noticable improvement***
f. Pharmacy experience obtained -
-10 months as a volunteer pharmacy tech in a hospital setting, accumulating roughly 1000 hours. I actually was just hired on today for a flex position! Horray!
- Faith Pharmacy volunteer (3 hours, local pharmacy that serves customers free of charge, and the University of Kentucky Pharmacy advisor highly recommends this as apparently the adcoms eat it up)
-Kroger Pharmacy shadowing (roughly 20 hours)
h. Number of LORs and source of LORs- 3
1. Biochem proffessor, probably the most prestigious prof on UK's campus which I am hoping pulls some weight
2. Pharmacy Director at the hospital
3. Staff Pharmacist at the hospital
i. Non-pharmacy work and/or volunteer experience -
-peer tuturoing for Biochemistry this past spring (roughly 2-3 hours per week)
j. Self-perception of interview skills- Honestly, if I get an interview, I am confident that I will get accepted. It's just that little problem about getting an interview
. My communication skills, aside from what the PCAT scores may indicate are excellent. I am a likable guy while engaged in a conversation and I feel confident that I can sell myself well and defend my horrendous blemishes.
k. Overall impression of personal statement quality- in the process of doing this now, but it is quite difficult as I'm halfway through, and I feel like a convicted fellon looking at my resume with no possibility for parol. I'm sure it will be solid once completed, it's just it's a tough task.
Any help is appreciated, but put simply, I know my chances are not good as I have litterally lost hundreds of hours of sleep over the past 6 months, stressing over the uncertainty of my future for the next 4 years. It is going to take an act of God to get me into UK, but I plan on applying via early admission as soon as I get my last letter in which should happen within the next week. This Fall I am taking Psychology (should be cake), Graduate level Immunology, Graduate Level Physiology, and Organic 2. If I pulled a 3.5 GPA for the semester I would be thrilled. According to my Biochem proffessor who has set on the board of admissions for UK, I have 2 things going against me. First, my embarrassing GPA. Second, I'm a guy, which to me didn't make much sense because I thought that would be something that would to my advantage. At any rate, the next few months are going to be hell, and I just hope someone will give me a chance.
PS: another thing going against me: time. I just turned 23 and would like to get a jump start on my career sooner rather than later, adding to the already insurmountable stress level.