No degree w/ Pharmacy School acceptance. Reveal yourself.

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
R

RXsocal

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
236
Reaction score
1
Members do not see this ad.
Hi all you lovely SDN-ers,

Can I see from a "show of hands" (posts), those who made it to Pharmacy School this cycle (matriculation in Fall 09) without a degree.

Just state what Pharmacy schools you made it to, your GPA, PCAT score, and whether you applied from a community college or university(name). Any further information, rants, complaints regarding acceptance/rejections are welcome!

I'm looking forward to hearing from you all!

Because you may be taking time to share info with me and others, I will start off by sharing mine.
GPA: 3.7
PCAT: Will take in June. Goal 80+ percentile.
EC: I have worked and shadowed a hospital pharmacy for 3+ years. I will be mentoring freshmans w/ science majors. I'm also volunteering in a major hospital's extender program.

I just want to see where many of you accepted students w/o a degree have made it so I can make a conscious effort to apply there. THANKS!
 
Jefferson

[deleted stats]

Good Luck! 🙂
 
Last edited:
Lecom
GPA 3.6
PCAT 77
2 years of pharmacy experience
4 years of undergrad, changed majors

good luck!
 
THanks for sharing everyone! can you guys also list WHEN you applied and when you took the PCAT...I am kinda nervous about applying in Dec and taking the PCAT on Jan...anyone got in with only Jan PCAT score?
 
wow. I'm really encouraged by all of your input.

Kirbypuff made it to jefferson with no degree AND a 2.97 gpa? Great Job! I'll look into that school definitely.

Pharmed and taigrl both made it to Lecom? I'm definitely going to apply to both LECOM's.

The great thing about seeing this is that....I thought non-degree students would need 3.8 and upwards as well as high PCATS in the 90's to be accepted.

ARE THERE ANY MORE non-degree acceptances? holla plz! 😀
 
Accepted to both LECOM campuses
Attending LECOM-Erie
Offered interviews at USN, Wingate University, University of Minnesotta, Belmont (canceled all of them).

GPA: 4.0 No degree!!
PCAT: 56 - I am an older student (36 years old, which I think has helped my chances) and haden't taken a timed, standardized test in about 20 years. The math section triped me up. Did great on chemistry and biology. Average on reading comp and vocab

Pharmacy Experience: About 20 hours of shadowing

15 years experience in retail sales/customer service and managment

2.5 years experience working as a physical therapy aid

4 STRONG letters of recomendations

Also, all of my college course work has been at a community college
 
pacific
shenandoah

gpa 3.0
pcat 70
2 yrs pharmacy experience
4 yrs undergrad..will finish in June
 
Last edited:
Accepted: Lipscomb
Interviews: Mercer, UGA
GPA 3.83
PCAT 87th
Pharmacy: Shadowing for about 15 hours
EC: 2 years chemistry research, 2 years of hospice volunteer work, several campus leadership positions for about 2 years

I will have finished my 3rd year of undergrad when I enter school next year. I took my PCAT once in October and sent my applications in by the beginning of December. I finished my coursework at a four year university.
 
Accepted: Howard and Shenandoah
Interview Invites: U of Iowa, U of Charleston (not attending)

Applied in September
GPA: 3.0 (coming from comm college)
PCAT: 75
Pharmacy Experience: 3 yrs tech experience + another full-time job
ECs: over 600 hours of volunteering + several leadership roles
 
Accepted: Shenandoah
Interviewed at: Creighton
Interviews left: Texas, Nova Southeastern, Midwestern
Interviews declined: Notre Dame

GPA 3.25
PCAT 80
little more than 1 year as pharm tech
volunteering at texas school of blind for 4+ years
3 years undergrad, didnt decide on pharmacy until sophomore year
 
Current Sophomore at Lipscomb University

GPA 4.0
PCAT 84%
EXP 1yr+ pharm tech
EC Chemistry Department Summer Job, Service Club, intramurals, private tutoring, lots of other small stuff

Took PCAT in June 08 after ONE year at lipscomb university
Had all app. submitted by Sep/Nov

Applied:
Lipscomb
Belmont

Got Interview:
Lipscomb
Belmont (declined)

Accepted:
Lipscomb (Attending Fall 09)
 
RXsocal said:
wow. I'm really encouraged by all of your input.

Kirbypuff made it to jefferson with no degree AND a 2.97 gpa? Great Job! I'll look into that school definitely.

The great thing about seeing this is that....I thought non-degree students would need 3.8 and upwards as well as high PCATS in the 90's to be accepted.
Click to expand...

Ya, but I noticed that Kirbypuff have a 92 on PCAT, so the school probably looked at her PCAT scores more often than the gpa.

By the way, pharmacy schools would have a lot less students if the requirements were 3.8 gpa and up. I actually did a little research on another school, University of Minnesota. The school has their applicants' data and saw that 40 pre pharmacy students got accepted in 2008 with no degree (Although, it didn't say anything about gpa/PCAT). My point is that you can get accepted without a degree if you just try to apply as many schools as possible.....
 
I got in last year and have a degree, but I have a comment to add. In Texas, most pharmacy school students don't have a degree.
 
I got into U colorado without one!

My stats were real good.
 
I got accepted to UH Hilo College of Pharmacy this year without any degree. I did all my pre-req's at a community college.
 
GPA: 3.45
PCAT: 95
3 years pharmacy experience
all pre-reqs at a CC

I interviewed at Jefferson and Maryland, accepted to the former and waiting to hear back from the latter. Turned down interviews to Creighton and Notre Dame, waitlisted by Shenandoah (no volunteer experience maybe?).

Oh, and no degree here. Not even an associates.
 
Freshman in College.
31 credits.
GPA: 3.6
Will take PCAT in October.
 
University of Southern Nevada =)

Science GPA 4.0
Overall 3.7
No PCAT
No Degree
All Pre req's taken at state college
 
Interviewed: Wayne State University, Midwestern CCP and CPG
Offers: Wayne State, Midwestern CCP and CPG, Notre Dame (declined), and Temple (Declined)
Accepted: Midwestern CPG
Waitlisted: CCP
GPA: 3.3 (low gpa due to being at an Art School in NY, had a change in careers my sophomore year)... though I got a 2.98 last semester alone.
PCAT: 70 in 2007, but 62 last October
Degree: Food and Nutrition Science (Since CPG starts in June, there is no way I can finish over the summer)... if I get accepted anywhere else, I will finish.

Work Experience: Barely. I worked for my Father's clinic when i'm home for summer and winter breaks, I DJ'd for two months for parties in NYC, and worked for a Halloween store in 2004 (which was seasonal).
Pharmacy experience: Two shadowing experiences in two independent pharmacies, summer volunteering for the US Air Force Base pharmacy, mentorship and assisting with small pharmacy related projects with a pharmacist who happens to be a dean of an allied health school. Research and a publication with breast cancer medications.
 
Man it's already February. Six more months until I have to start filling applications. I'm getting nervous! Just a couple of weeks ago, I was so excited and and giggly from hearing everybody's acceptances but now.... eeek =(
 
RXsocal said:
Man it's already February. Six more months until I have to start filling applications. I'm getting nervous! Just a couple of weeks ago, I was so excited and and giggly from hearing everybody's acceptances but now.... eeek =(
Click to expand...

hahah I know im going to feel the same way!!! but i still have 1 year and 6 months lol
 
Texas A&M COP
2.9 GPA
Lamar University
84 PCAT
17 y/o
 
(i actually got in last year and am a P1, just wanted to give some encouragement though!)

Accepted to UT Austin first round, rejected all other Texas school interview offers
gpa: 3.45
PCAT: 91
2 years undergrad, all courses done at UT Austin
6 months pharmacy technician work, other volunteer work in hospital

But this is from a P1: be careful going in without a degree. be ready for a really rough year. you'll have classmates with a lot more science background taking classes that they have basically already taken, and you're taking it for the first time. it can be discouraging, not to mention overwhelming with a higher courseload than many have ever had. just be ready!
 
i have talked with ppl on admissions committee...

apply as early as possible, take PCAT as early as possible... most schools (at least in texas) dont really like the january (is that when the late one is? i don't really remember) one. this is one thing you shouldn't be lazy about!!

(honestly, other than my PCAT, i didn't have much going for me other than i was probably one of the first apps to get in, and i was THE VERY FIRST PERSON interviewed last year lol. i made sure of it hah.) just give yourself every advantage you possibly can!
 
I got accepted last year(2008).

Touro NY

3.1 Overall GPA
2.9 Science GPA
73 PCAT( 96 in Bio, 82 in Chem)
3+ LORs
2+ Years Pharmacy Experience
2 Years Volunteering Red Cross
2 Years Varsity Tennis (High School)

I didn't see anywhere on the application that said you only had list college activities.

For the PCAT, take the one in August or October, just get it out of the way before the deadlines start coming up. It's not that hard of a test, compared to the MCAT and the tests I'm taking in pharmacy school, it was ridiculously easy (science sections) but I found the reading comprehension and verbal ability sections to be tough.
 
GPA: 3.8
PCAT: 69
EC: tutor for chem and biology. Worked with church and volunteered with a local church.
I got in on my first try.
 
3.56 GPA
78 PCAT
2000+ hours pharmacy experience
2 very strong LORs
Applied 2 years, first time waitlisted both schools, applied to more my second time:
Creighton: interview, accepted, declined
University of Wyoming: interview, accepted, accepted
South Dakota State university: interview, waitlisted

I currently am a P1, just encouraging. I did 4 years at South Dakota State and was waitlisted there twice. During that time I did not have a major, however I did get minors in Spanish, Chemistry and Biology. Best advice I can give is to keep at it...I could have switched after my first rejection...I stuck with it and am now in a program.
 
kaseyrenee2012 said:
i have talked with ppl on admissions committee...

apply as early as possible, take PCAT as early as possible... most schools (at least in texas) dont really like the january (is that when the late one is? i don't really remember) one. this is one thing you shouldn't be lazy about!!

(honestly, other than my PCAT, i didn't have much going for me other than i was probably one of the first apps to get in, and i was THE VERY FIRST PERSON interviewed last year lol. i made sure of it hah.) just give yourself every advantage you possibly can!
Click to expand...


My application is already sent out! All I am waiting on now is the PCAT which I did take on Jan...I don't know when it will be ready...😕 R you saying that I have no chance???????? 😱 My GPA is 3.85 with a chem degree, but don't know what my PCAT score is yet....I wish they will grade it FASTER!!!
 
kaseyrenee2012 said:
(i actually got in last year and am a P1,

But this is from a P1: be careful going in without a degree. be ready for a really rough year. you'll have classmates with a lot more science background taking classes that they have basically already taken, and you're taking it for the first time. it can be discouraging, not to mention overwhelming with a higher courseload than many have ever had. just be ready!
Click to expand...


I wondered about this - is there anyone else out there that has completed P1 already and found this is true? I'm just curious - I applied this year but won't have my Bachelors completed until 2010. (have a couple of interview but no final decisions yet) If I can get in early, I'm not going to turn it down, but it's good to know that I will have to put in extra effort to essentially "catch up". :idea:
 
PreciousThings9 said:
I wondered about this - is there anyone else out there that has completed P1 already and found this is true? I'm just curious - I applied this year but won't have my Bachelors completed until 2010. (have a couple of interview but no final decisions yet) If I can get in early, I'm not going to turn it down, but it's good to know that I will have to put in extra effort to essentially "catch up". :idea:
Click to expand...

Well, it is true that going in without your BA or BS might give you an advantage. However, it all depends on what kind of degree that is. On another note, if you are coming in without a degree like I did, you are not necessarily behind the rest of the population. You must be prepare for the workload that they present you since it is a professional program. It is all doable, but it takes a bit of dedication. I think we had about 30 tests last semester, but all schools are different. If you get accepted, you have what it takes to complete the program. Be confident in your abilities! Good luck!
 
Not completed but in the 2nd semester of my P1 year at UF. It is definitely true. The course load is hard to believe but you [must] adjust to it.

I was literally the 1st person interviewed at my satellite campus with just an AA degree and very good pcat & prepharm gpa. I am NOT the star student in this class now - not even close - but i'm staying above a 3.0 so far.

I see better performance from classmates with BS and MS degrees but even more than that, it's the ones who never stopped studying like crazy from the 9th grade straight through to P1 in pharmacy school who are doing well. They are used to not slacking off and not procrastinating and that's good when your most important thing is time management.
 
I'm a junior at Illinois State. I have an associates in general science, but no bachelors.

3.90 GPA
73 PCAT
3 years pharmacy technician experience at CVS
Lots of extra-curricular and volunteer
Strong LOR's

Check my signature for schools.
 
Maryland

I took a risk to drop some of the classes to free up some space to take prereqs...Now I am glad I did!
 
MCPHS
GPA-3.45
PCAT-73
Volunteer wk
4 LOR's
2+years CPhT

You know all these numbers are just numbers and at some point you got to think that the various admissions committees see that as well. My numbers aren't impressive but I dedicated a lot of effort to my letter of intent. That is the only chance you have prior to an interview to let them know who you are. In many cases I think a letter of intent can make you or break you. I know a guy with a 4.0 GPA that couldn't get an interview because he thought his GPA would carry him and didn't take his letter seriously enough. That letter needs to be a concise piece of literature.
 
PreciousThings9 said:
I wondered about this - is there anyone else out there that has completed P1 already and found this is true? I'm just curious - I applied this year but won't have my Bachelors completed until 2010. (have a couple of interview but no final decisions yet) If I can get in early, I'm not going to turn it down, but it's good to know that I will have to put in extra effort to essentially "catch up". :idea:
Click to expand...


Don't get discouraged! i wasn't saying that to say give up. i was just letting ya'll know that you definitely have to be ready, it's a huge adjustment from undergrad. most people in my class have agreed that it's definitely a step up, work wise. most of us went form 14 hour semesters or so to WAY more. i'm staying above a 3.0 and still having some down/chill time, but it's definitely stressful and a lot of work. i'm putting at least twice as much effort into it as i did in undergrad.

there are people, like i saw someone else say, that had 2 years of undergrad and are just so used to studying and have been since they were 12 that it's no big deal to them. i... am not one of them haha. it all depends on you and how you are prepared to handle it, but i will say that it is a totally different ball game. it's not exactly harder material, it's just a LOT thrown at you and really fast. and i sometimes wish that i had learned some of it before, so it was just refreshing my memory instead of trying to cram it all in for the first time along with 8 other classes all at once, if that makes sense...

if you're accepted, you're ready for it! believe me, there have been many nights that i thought "what am i doing here??? i'm clearly not ready for this!!" But the hard work pays off, and most schools work with you and don't want you to fail! they accepted you! they want you to be a pharmacist. good luck guys 🙂
 
I'm a junior at UF.

3.56 GPA
79 PCAT
1.5 years of research in human nutrition with a paper in the process of being published in a national journal
3 strong LOR

I got accepted to LECOM-Bradenton and PBA. Still waiting to hear back from NSU and UF.
 
Age 22

6 years experience at Walgreens

GPA of around 3.1
Science is like 2.9
PCAT-59

Interviews:
UH-Hilo-didn't attend
UACP-hold, accepted
UCSOP-hold, accepted
UW-rejected, can't believe I was offered an interview lol (wrote a great essay I guess lol)

Rejected from 18 schools, 3 years undergrad, class of 2012 @ UC

don't give up hope, my stats can't get much worse....I guess I should've studied in undergrad 😛
 
I do not have any degrees and I attended a community college.

GPA 3.15, PCAT 56, 13 years pharmacy experience (5 years retail, 8 yrs hospital with the past 4 years in informatics)

Keep your head up, you'll be fine.
 
Last edited:
Nobody has yet to answer this, so I will try again....
Had anyone been accepted to any CA schools w/o a bachelors degree?
 
I'm pretty sure nobody makes it to a California Pharmacy school without a BS/BA. That's why I'm applying out of state.

I even called WESTERN university and they said that 8/10 accepted students there have a BS/BA or higher. AND western is one of the easier schools to get into in California. I'd put money on rejection if one didn't have a degree when applying to a CA school.
 
Lotus89 said:
Nobody has yet to answer this, so I will try again....
Had anyone been accepted to any CA schools w/o a bachelors degree?
Click to expand...

Not me, but I've know some people who have gotten accepted without a bachelor's. However, that was back in the past. There's no hope for UCSD, UCSF, and Touro nowadays; therefore I think a person may have a shot (probably slim) at USC and Western. I don't know about Loma Linda though.
 
Well see I am just a few quarters shy of a bachelors when I apply for pharmacy school
Maybe I will get lucky?:luck:
 
I hate the fact that all the public pharmacy schools outside of California specifically target their state's students EVEN if their qualifications are not up to par. It's understandable since they get state funding.

However, HERE in California, UCSD and UCSF seems to accept smart people from just about everywhere. It's not fair! I want cheap tuition too! Damn out of state students are taking our seats!
 
Lecom-B

GPA: 2.75 (UNT, 2+ years of upward progress)
PCAT: 93%, 4 writing
3 Strong LoR's, 2 from pharmacy managers I've spent a year+ with, 1 from my pharmacology professor.
Work Experience: Nearly 3 years as senior cert. pharm tech at walgreen's
ECs: Volunteer work at a hospital pharmacy, Assistant at a vaccination clinic.

I'm of the impression that a solid interview where you establish yourself as a mature candidate with leadership potential is more important than all of that other stuff combined. I mean, the interview and essays are the only thing that can subjectively differentiate yourself from the others, and humans base quite a bit off subjectivity. If someone likes you, they can overlook the flaws, but if they have a bad impression then they start to notice every errant detail.
 
Now that this year's application cycle is coming to a close, I just wanted to refresh this thread one last time for those who got good news recently. PLEASE don't be shy. You're helping a lot of students!

Don't have a degree? Made it to pharmacy school? Share your stat/story! THANNKS
 
3.56 pre-req GPA
60 PCAT
1 year pharmacy tech experience
~200 hours hospital volunteer
3 years spent in undergrad (OU upped their requirements in attempt to better prepare the students, but are now lifting them 😡..Oh well at least I'll already have taken biochemistry and immunology?)



--- I really didn't think I would get anywhere with a 60 on my pcat, but I guess they thought different! 😀
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

WildWing
[Announcement] Virtual Pharmacy School Fair Sept 18 & 19
Replies
1
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
WildWing
[Announcement] Pharmacy School Virtual Fair
Replies
0
Views
1K
WildWing
WildWing
M
Evening Pharmacy School Program?
Replies
2
Views
3K
RxPreceptor
RxPreceptor
Mr.Smile12
[AJPE] Should pharmacy schools continue to participate in USNews & World Report rankings?
Replies
0
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
[AJPE] Pre-Pharmacy Institution (also) Matters
Replies
0
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top