People who got into pharmacy with 3.0 gpa

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Hey guys,

I was wondering... did you or someone you know get into a pharmacy school with a 3.0 gpa? What was their PCAT and other stats like?

Thanks!

Not personally, but here is one spot to look. http://www.pharmapplicants.com/

I had a 3.26 when applying, though i brought it up to a 3.35. No pharmacy experience and 89th percentile composite on PCAT. I got into every school I applied to including Ohio State which is a top 5 school. Other things that helped: I have a bachelors degree and an upward trend in GPA with a 4.0 my last semester.

I don't say all this to brag, I say it because a year ago I too was worried no school would want me. My PCAT score was a huge help as was my BS degree. I know I didn't have a 3.0, but my point is still valid. If you have a low GPA you have to shine elsewhere.

Originally Posted by iceman132

Hey guys,

I was wondering... did you or someone you know get into a pharmacy school with a 3.0 gpa? What was their PCAT and other stats like?

Thanks!

My wife was accepted c/o 2016 to Univ of CO and Regis. Per Pharmcas her GPA's are:
cum-3.03, Sci-2.75, and math-2.5. PCAT 55.
She has over 300 volunteer hours at the Military pharmacy and 425 volunteer hours at the USO. She was also Vice Pres. of the Science club.
She interviewed at both Univ. of CO and Regis in January and found out in Feb that she was accepted to both programs. It took both schools two weeks to notify her.

I hope this helps. If anything it should serve as a reason to not doubt yourself. I think interview allows you to make up any shortcomings you think your application may have. Good luck!

Iboneal, how would one become a volunteer at a military pharmacy? Are they located at the bases? Sounds interesting!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

military hospitals usually have an area dedicated to assisting volunteers, all you have to do is call them and ask if there are any volunteer opportunities. After you apply, get blood tests, and required shots, you can pick a position to work in. It could be the hospital pharmacy or outpatient pharmacy, or cardiology, anything you want!

Originally Posted by trangalang

Iboneal, how would one become a volunteer at a military pharmacy? Are they located at the bases? Sounds interesting!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

The base pharmacy had volunteer positions available. My wife applied and went through the whole process (do no remember what that entailed) and then she was allowed to be a volunteer. I need to note that I am Active duty Army so she already had base privileges. Being a dependent made the process much easier for her and should make it easier for anyone else w/ base access. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Originally Posted by bw6

I had a 3.26 when applying, though i brought it up to a 3.35. No pharmacy experience and 89th percentile composite on PCAT. I got into every school I applied to including Ohio State which is a top 5 school. Other things that helped: I have a bachelors degree and an upward trend in GPA with a 4.0 my last semester.

I don't say all this to brag, I say it because a year ago I too was worried no school would want me. My PCAT score was a huge help as was my BS degree. I know I didn't have a 3.0, but my point is still valid. If you have a low GPA you have to shine elsewhere.

Same boat as me. I had about a 3.30ish GPA and 90th percentile, but a lot of experience. I was on the fence and quite frankly was incredibly nervous throughout the whole process if I had a real shot. Got in everywhere applied. If you get an interview offer, just walk in there and nail it. That should do it.

Originally Posted by WISBadger

Same boat as me. I had about a 3.30ish GPA and 90th percentile, but a lot of experience. I was on the fence and quite frankly was incredibly nervous throughout the whole process if I had a real shot. Got in everywhere applied. If you get an interview offer, just walk in there and nail it. That should do it.

My best friend had a 3.2 pcat 64 and got into Iowa. But she worked for 4 years in the pharmaceutical industry and a crazy resume!

With a 3.0 you will definitely get interviews, and all you have to do is appeal to just ONE school and you will be in. I really dont think GPAs around 3.0 are that important if you have a degree because everyone can get a 3.8 in their pre-reqs. its when you start picking up those crazy upper level classes that your gpa suffers.

Originally Posted by ws2016

My best friend had a 3.2 pcat 64 and got into Iowa. But she worked for 4 years in the pharmaceutical industry and a crazy resume!

With a 3.0 you will definitely get interviews, and all you have to do is appeal to just ONE school and you will be in. I really dont think GPAs around 3.0 are that important if you have a degree because everyone can get a 3.8 in their pre-reqs. its when you start picking up those crazy upper level classes that your gpa suffers.

Just make sure to apply to some safety schools

Thanks guys. This is really encouraging. Just need to study hard for the PCAT and get some more volunteering in

Yeah, I would agree with the "apply to not only the schools you want to go to, but also to other alternatives as backup plans". 3.0 is not terrible. I think you have a chance if you just nail your PCAT and get those extracurricular in. And I remember when I was early in my application process I would read about a bunch of stories of people with 2.0 GPA's and PCAT 40 scores, but amazing extracurricular and experience still getting into programs. It is not unheard of. Maybe also consider getting your CPhT as well. At the very least it will familiarize you with the different drug classes and the most current top 200 drugs. If you got through you Pre-Pharm okay the PTCB stuff will be a piece of cake. Good Luck and don't get discouraged!

Just wanted to point out that I just applied to SIUE with a 92 PCAT and 2.9 GPA, and I still got waitlisted at rank #28. I have lots of retail experience, but no leadership/healthcare/pharmacy experience. I've also had an upward trend in grades the last year and a half, so I'm not sure where I went wrong. Maybe I didn't impress them enough on the interview. SIUE only takes 80 people out of ~850 applicants though, and greatly favors people who took the pre-reqs at their school. I took the classes at a community college. They also favor southern Illinois residents, and I'm a central Illinois resident.

It probably depends greatly on your school. I'm sure you can get into at least one pharmacy school with a 3.0 GPA and a solid PCAT (80+). But some schools are a lot more selective than others.

Originally Posted by DH1987

Just wanted to point out that I just applied to SIUE with a 92 PCAT and 2.9 GPA, and I still got waitlisted at rank #28. I have lots of retail experience, but no leadership/healthcare/pharmacy experience. I've also had an upward trend in grades the last year and a half, so I'm not sure where I went wrong. Maybe I didn't impress them enough on the interview. SIUE only takes 80 people out of ~850 applicants though, and greatly favors people who took the pre-reqs at their school. I took the classes at a community college. They also favor southern Illinois residents, and I'm a central Illinois resident.

It probably depends greatly on your school. I'm sure you can get into at least one pharmacy school with a 3.0 GPA and a solid PCAT (80+). But some schools are a lot more selective than others.

Hey, at least you got wait listed. I am sure there are people that wish they even got that. And your PCAT is a very competitive score. I think something like volunteer work is something that you should consider to add strength your app. Maybe get your CPhT to gain some informational pharmacy experience on Top 200 Drugs/Drug Classes/Pharmacy Operations if you cannot get in somewhere.

In my situation during my applications and interviews I started getting the impression that if you got to the point of an interview, your stats were fine. You just have to nail the interviews. In my humble opinion I really felt like the interview is what pushed me over the top because STAT-wise I was no different than anyone else. My first interview of the season went admittedly horribly wrong and I am fairly certain that is why I got declined. But after pulling it together all the interviews I attended after I was accepted. I would say maybe contact some school and ask them what types of things could make your application stronger. Depending on who you talk to sometimes they will tell you those types of things. I remember before even PharmCAS started during this cycle I emailed a bunch of schools I was thinking about and introduced myself and gave them my stats and guaged what type of responses I got. Then I used that info when I started my PharmCAS applications.

Unfortunately I think at this point, at least with SUIE there is little you can do but cross your fingers and hope for the best. Good luck and I hope SUIE lets you in and if not I hope one of the other schools you interviewed at does!

Originally Posted by DH1987

Just wanted to point out that I just applied to SIUE with a 92 PCAT and 2.9 GPA, and I still got waitlisted at rank #28. I have lots of retail experience, but no leadership/healthcare/pharmacy experience. I've also had an upward trend in grades the last year and a half, so I'm not sure where I went wrong. Maybe I didn't impress them enough on the interview. SIUE only takes 80 people out of ~850 applicants though, and greatly favors people who took the pre-reqs at their school. I took the classes at a community college. They also favor southern Illinois residents, and I'm a central Illinois resident.

It probably depends greatly on your school. I'm sure you can get into at least one pharmacy school with a 3.0 GPA and a solid PCAT (80+). But some schools are a lot more selective than others.

Did you only apply to one school? If not, how did it go at the other schools?

I got into UH Hilo with a 3.2 GPA and a 79 PCAT score. Don't really have that much pharmacy experience...my resume is on the weaker side imo. But, I'm from Hawaii though so that may have played a big part in getting accepted.

Originally Posted by lboneal

My wife was accepted c/o 2016 to Univ of CO and Regis. Per Pharmcas her GPA's are:
cum-3.03, Sci-2.75, and math-2.5. PCAT 55.
She has over 300 volunteer hours at the Military pharmacy and 425 volunteer hours at the USO. She was also Vice Pres. of the Science club.
She interviewed at both Univ. of CO and Regis in January and found out in Feb that she was accepted to both programs. It took both schools two weeks to notify her.

I hope this helps. If anything it should serve as a reason to not doubt yourself. I think interview allows you to make up any shortcomings you think your application may have. Good luck!

I took the time to register because of this post.

We're assigned at Fort Carson, and when I saw this bit of insight I felt so grateful. I didn't even think to check these avenues, and I know I will be a better candidate because of this!

Thanks!

.

I got accepted at Shenandoah U and waitlisted at Howard with a 2.5 cum GPA but I also got a 95 on the PCAT. No extra curricular activities, but 1 year of work experience with pharmacy informatics.

I got accepted and was granted six interviews with a 2.96 GPA and 86 PCAT. 0 Pharmacy experience but several years worth of volunteer work. I talked to several adcoms and while this varies greatly from school to school I was told a 2.75 is the point at which your GPA can be mitigated by a strong application in other areas. Below that and schools start to have serious concerns about your ability to make it through their program.

Im also kinda in the same boat. I have a 3.7 GPA with BS in Biology (minor Chem.), 65 PCAT, good LORs, volunteering, and 1 year of hospital work experience. My problem is I don't know whether to apply as soon as PharmCAS opens up to have the best chance with UNC's rolling admissions or wait and take the PCAT again...help???

Originally Posted by CJay

Im also kinda in the same boat. I have a 3.7 GPA with BS in Biology (minor Chem.), 65 PCAT, good LORs, volunteering, and 1 year of hospital work experience. My problem is I don't know whether to apply as soon as PharmCAS opens up to have the best chance with UNC's rolling admissions or wait and take the PCAT again...help???

Your PCAT is mediocre at best but your GPA is good. Everyone thinks that their LORs are great (why else would you ask for them to write one?) and you experience is good. I'm not on an adcom or anything, but you should be fine.

When it comes down to it, applications might cost you a grand. Pharm school will be way more expensive. Just apply ASAP and if you don't get in then retake the PCATs.

Originally Posted by bw6

Your PCAT is mediocre at best but your GPA is good. Everyone thinks that their LORs are great (why else would you ask for them to write one?) and you experience is good. I'm not on an adcom or anything, but you should be fine.

When it comes down to it, applications might cost you a grand. Pharm school will be way more expensive. Just apply ASAP and if you don't get in then retake the PCATs.

Thanks for the reply! The reason I say good LORs is because I know all of them very well and don't have a professor or pharmacist that I just met a couple times writing one for me.

My GPA is 2.96 and I have been accepted into pharmacy school. My PCAT was 92nd percentile which is probably what did it.

^ That's almost exactly what I have. I was waitlisted in the upper 20's though. Do you have pharmacy experience or an upper-level degree? And where did you apply?

Maybe I really did mess up the interview...lol. My GPA was also in a community college, so that might have had some effect on it.

I'm also a nontrad My GPA was about 2.7 and PCAT a 69. I volunteered at a hospital pharmacy for 1.5 years, and worked as a server administrator in a healthcare environment for the last 10 years. I also had amazing LOR's (a dean who was good friends with Midwestern's CPG Dean was one), and my interview went really well. I got into my first choice (Midwestern CPG) immediately. It can be done!

Originally Posted by DrExperimento

I'm also a nontrad My GPA was about 2.7 and PCAT a 69. I volunteered at a hospital pharmacy for 1.5 years, and worked as a server administrator in a healthcare environment for the last 10 years. I also had amazing LOR's (a dean who was good friends with Midwestern's CPG Dean was one), and my interview went really well. I got into my first choice (Midwestern CPG) immediately. It can be done!

Wow, you had a lot of experience and networking under your belt
But there are a lot of others that lack the particular networking that you have...

.

Did they ask you about your 3.0 at interviews BTW? WHat was your response?

I have about a 3.0 GPA... 65 PCAT. I applied on pharmcas really early and got 4 interviews back in November. I got accepted at one school and waitlisted at 2. I declined the interview at the 4th school because I already got accepted at that point. Ive worked in a retail pharmacy for 3.5 years. Oh and I went to a community college. My 1st choice school wont tell me my rank on the waitlist though so you guys are lucky that you know!

Good luck everyone!

Hope this gives people hope: I graduated in 2010 with a 3.18 overall and 3.05 math/science. Then I did a year of post-bacc and had only a little improvement (still less then a 3.2). My PCAT composite was a 76 so I applied broadly to a total 15 schools and currently have a total of 10 interview invites, I was accepted to 3 out of the 4 interviews I went to (the fourth school deferred me until April).

Once you do get an interview invite my advice would be to research the school, practice with the SDN interview feedback questions, and be confident (or fake it lol). Ultimately I believe that when the school has offered you an interview they are ok with you on paper and now want to assess your competency in person. Take advantage of this and don't take it lightly...be yourself but be the best version of yourself and you will get acceptances

Originally Posted by gh0lee

Wow, you had a lot of experience and networking under your belt
But there are a lot of others that lack the particular networking that you have...

To be honest, it was unintentional. I didn't understand what networking really was, and without this recommendation, my application wouldn't have been as strong. It's an approach that's often forgotten, and from my experience, it was just as valuable as grades are. Even if you lack everything else, whether it be grades or direct pharmacy experience, I've learned that 'knowing the right people' can help strengthen an otherwise weak application.

I had a 3.0 and a 73% pcat. I was accepted into purdue, cincinnati, charleston (WV), NEOUCOP, and midwestern

However, i have done 2 years of research, worked in a pharmacy for a year, worked in a hospital for 2 years, and had fantastic letters of recommendation.

I have a bs in zoology/neuroscience too.

If all else a strong enough, an average/poor gpa won't hold you back.

Originally Posted by DrExperimento

To be honest, it was unintentional. I didn't understand what networking really was, and without this recommendation, my application wouldn't have been as strong. It's an approach that's often forgotten, and from my experience, it was just as valuable as grades are. Even if you lack everything else, whether it be grades or direct pharmacy experience, I've learned that 'knowing the right people' can help strengthen an otherwise weak application.

I don't think it was ever a secret that knowing the right people can give you a huge advantage. Nepotism is more powerful than credentials and always will be.

Originally Posted by pvashi10

I got accepted at Shenandoah U and waitlisted at Howard with a 2.5 cum GPA but I also got a 95 on the PCAT. No extra curricular activities, but 1 year of work experience with pharmacy informatics.

How did you get exposure to pharm informatic. Most organization will not consider any applicants who are not clinical specialist.

This exact (pharm informatic) is type of work I like to be doing with my pharm d, that is of course when I get it.

-

Originally Posted by iceman132

Hey guys,

I was wondering... did you or someone you know get into a pharmacy school with a 3.0 gpa? What was their PCAT and other stats like?

Thanks!

I got into a pharmacy school with a solid 3.0 GPA. My PCAT was average at best, but what I make up for the badness is working ...A LOT, have good time management, and take up extra curricular. Hope this helps.

I didn't get in to my first choice, but I got into a good school with a 3.0 and 82 PCAT. I had a biology degree, over a year and a half of full-time hospital tech experience, volunteer experience, and great letters of recommendation when I applied though. So it's possible with a 3.0, but the rest of your application better make up for it.

My cGPA is 3.08 and my pcat scored was bad like in the 40's, but I still got 5 interviews and went 2 of them. I got accepted early November. My application: I volunteer at student clinic for a year and did alot of school activities such as joining school clubs and leadership program. I also have 6+ years work experience, but not in pharmacy field. I do have a bachelor in biochemistry. My advise is to apply early meaning get all the recommend letter, personal statement, and PCAT done by June if you can. That way your chance will be better!

I just want to say to each and every one of you who posted here THANK YOU!

It really encourages me to study every day and gives me hope. Hope may be the first step towards disappointment but I'll take my chance with this! A lot of your stories are similar to mine

Originally Posted by Lid04pp1

My advise is to apply early meaning get all the recommend letter, personal statement, and PCAT done by June if you can.

This.

The schools I did get into had a rolling admissions policy, and there's a good chance that had I procrastinated and submitted my stuff close to the deadline, I probably wouldn't be a pharmacy student right now.

When people say "GPA," are they referring to cumulative, math/science, or pre-pharmacy GPA?
(in common..)

Originally Posted by jungjh9001

When people say "GPA," are they referring to cumulative, math/science, or pre-pharmacy GPA?
(in common..)

Some have posted science and cumulative.

I'm guessing that if they didn't specify it would be their cumulative.

I think it has more to do with being a well-rounded applicant. I had a pharmcas gpa of 2.9, BUT the classes that pulled that down were from 10 years ago. I hit 83rd percentile on pcat (hadn't even had ochem or micro yet) and I spent about a good deal of hours at a hospital pharmacy shadowing etc. I have worked full time and went to school and would say I interview pretty well based on my work experiences.


Yes, I believe there is a chance, I received interview invites to every school I applied except one and was accepted into the places I chose to interview at.

I happen to be one of those people. These days, schools are looking for more than just a GPA. They look for other attributes, such as soft skills (i.e. communication, ability to relate to others, display compassion,empathy,maturity,etc). Other factors that play a role: years of experience you have in the field, your intentions for pursuing pharmacy, a decent PCAT, essay, recommendation letters,interview, and volunteer work in the community that is not necessarily pharmacy based. Schools are looking for more well-rounded individuals. The entire field of healthcare is changing and gearing more towards a collaborative approach between medicine,pharmacy and nursing. If you only have a 4.0 GPA, yet you cannot work as a team, or have sociopathic tendencies, then you are a detriment to patients.

Warning: what I'm going to say is extremely controversial ..... so no flaming please.

Your gpa matters, but so does the name of your school. A higher gpa is significantly harder to obtain at a "more prestigious" undergraduate institution.

With that said, I've known a number of people with gpa's close to 3.0 or even below, but then again they come from big-named universities, such as UC Berkeley or UCLA. I'm only mentioning this because of what I personally witness.

Furthermore, adding onto what everyone says, it truly IS about the whole package. I won't disclose my gpa or where I went as an undergraduate, but I too, was very surprised to hear receive interview invites from all 8 schools I applied to.

Hope this helps! (And whether or not you agree with my post, keep the flaming to a minimum, thanks )

Originally Posted by patientlover

Warning: what I'm going to say is extremely controversial ..... so no flaming please.

Your gpa matters, but so does the name of your school. A higher gpa is significantly harder to obtain at a "more prestigious" undergraduate institution.

With that said, I've known a number of people with gpa's close to 3.0 or even below, but then again they come from big-named universities, such as UC Berkeley or UCLA. I'm only mentioning this because of what I personally witness.

Furthermore, adding onto what everyone says, it truly IS about the whole package. I won't disclose my gpa or where I went as an undergraduate, but I too, was very surprised to hear receive interview invites from all 8 schools I applied to.

Hope this helps! (And whether or not you agree with my post, keep the flaming to a minimum, thanks )

I completely agree with this. One of the schools i applied to specifically stated that they love students from my school and give them extra consideration.

I have a 3.2 and doing a bunch of research.

My Pharmcas GPA was 3.01 cumulative and 3.4 science/math. My PCAT was a 71 and I was accepted to both schools that I applied to. Outside of school I am a CPhT for a level one trauma center along with certifications to make sterile compounds and chemotherapy drugs . I have published research in the hospital and have spearheaded (along with a pharmacist) many hospital pharmacy projects. I believe the knowledge of the profession that one brings to the table is detrimental to acceptance .

Culm GPA of 2.94, Sci GPA 2.66, PCAT 94

All of my stats are in the link in my sig