2.89 GPA but 90+ PCAT?

[praetorianz]

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Hello, I was just wondering if anyone has actually gotten into any Pharmacy schools with my type of stats.

I currently have a 2.89 GPA (ugh, I know, bad freshman year). But on my final Kaplan exam I got an 85. I'm studying and aiming for a 90+ on the real PCAT this coming week.

Would a school seriously consider me with a 90+ PCAT even with such a sub par GPA of 2.89? Would that be enough to compensate?

Some more background:

I'm applying to Midwestern and Mercer Universities.

I've been working as a Certified Pharm Tech at Walgreen's for over a year now (got a customer service award recently, woo!) and have 2 good LORs, 1 from my Pharmacist (who is a grad from Midwestern) and 1 from my Physics teacher.

How would that application look?

Thoughts? Stories? 😳

 

[Transformer]

If you get a score above 80 percentile on your PCAT composite, you will get at least one interview invite or possibly, admissions.

Realistically, I would aim for 90+ and be content with 80+ on at least 3 sections of the exam.

My recommendation is to apply only if you score higher than mid 70s composite.

good luck. lets bring our "A game" this Saturday.

step1: showing up on time.

🙂

 

[praetorianz]

👍 Hell yeah, I'm going to nail that exam this Saturday. I'm waking up at 4 am to drive 2 hours to the testing location, hehe.

I didn't know schools really examined invidual sections as much though 😱

My biology is really hurting, I'll have to make sure to work harder on that section. The good news is my Math is incredible, I'll score a 550-600 on it easily and that will boost my overall score to above a 90. My individual Bio section will probably be closer to a 60-70 though.


So should I wait before submitting my Pharmcas application until AFTER I get my PCAT score? I was just going to submit it now and wait for the PCAT scores down the road.

 

[PrepharmKID]

👍 Hell yeah, I'm going to nail that exam this Saturday. I'm waking up at 4 am to drive 2 hours to the testing location, hehe.

I didn't know schools really examined invidual sections as much though 😱

My biology is really hurting, I'll have to make sure to work harder on that section. The good news is my Math is incredible, I'll score a 550-600 on it easily and that will boost my overall score to above a 90. My individual Bio section will probably be closer to a 60-70 though.


So should I wait before submitting my Pharmcas application until AFTER I get my PCAT score? I was just going to submit it now and wait for the PCAT scores down the road.

Apply no matter what. It's only gonna hurt you if you DONT apply. Plenty of people get in with less than standard stats. PLus you have the opportunity to say why your GPA was low in your PS.

 

[52PharmD]

My friend got accepted by 4 schools with 2.86 and 82 pcat

Don't worry

 

[PistonFan531]

My friend got accepted by 4 schools with 2.86 and 82 pcat

Don't worry

What were his/her ec activities and work experience like?

 

[praetorianz]

My friend got accepted by 4 schools with 2.86 and 82 pcat

Don't worry

Wow 😀 What schools did he apply to? I need to apply to the same ones!

 

[52PharmD]

Wow 😀 What schools did he apply to? I need to apply to the same ones!

She worked as pharm tech for more than half year, volunteered in private pharmacy, and worked as a QA...

She got into UK, new mexico, Nova and Appalachia

 

[praetorianz]

Nice. I also have close to 2 years of pharm tech experience and a little volunteer work, so that makes me feel better.

Wow, guess I should expand the number of universities I apply to.

So far I have:

Midwestern
South University
Creighton - Online
Mercer

I chose those because they accept my current pre-req classes. After looking over the ones your friend got into, I would have to do some additional classes for the pre-reqs, but if it means getting into pharm school or not at all, it'll be worth taking an extra class or two.

The only downside would be having to move my family to a state I'm not familiar with and we have no family in.

 

[Sparda29]

Apply to it, the PCAT is good enough to get you an interview invite.

 

[Tygacil]

Just a heads up. One of my best friends applied with a 99, yes 99 percentile on the PCAT, and ~ 3.0 GPA.. did not get in. Applied again the next year, and was waitlisted. Certain schools value GPA highly. Infact, thats exactly what the associate dean said.

 

[YiYaoYue]

Just a heads up. One of my best friends applied with a 99, yes 99 percentile on the PCAT, and ~ 3.0 GPA.. did not get in. Applied again the next year, and was waitlisted. Certain schools value GPA highly. Infact, thats exactly what the associate dean said.

Which is why people need to do research before applying to schools. Also depends on how many schools they applied.

 

[PrepharmKID]

Once again, this depends on what schools you really want to go. Some people may not care and may also have the money to apply to 20 schools. Someone else though may only want into 2 schools or not have the money to apply to many more and so they are willing to wait to get in. I have a friend applying 2nd year to grad school, canada somewhere, and he said he is willing to wait to get in. It's all personal preference.

 

[eddie269]

Good luck on the PCAT. Get the score and then you can start thinking. PCATs can be tricky and vary from testing dates.

Lastly, read my post in my sig, might give you some input.

FYI, I had stats KINDA similar to yours and I got 3 interviews and one acceptance. I had an interview at Midwestern in Chicago if that means anything but got wait listed.

Good luck with PCAT though!

 

[Jahrizzone]

Just a heads up. One of my best friends applied with a 99, yes 99 percentile on the PCAT, and ~ 3.0 GPA.. did not get in. Applied again the next year, and was waitlisted. Certain schools value GPA highly. Infact, thats exactly what the associate dean said.

Well, What schools did she apply to ?

Did she apply to more than one school?

Did those schools weight their candidates mainly on GPA?


I think if she would not have been so picky with which pharmacy schools to go to , she would have got accepted some where.........