A sure shot?

[28657]

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What is everyone's opinion on my situation:

I originally wanted to go to pharmacy school, but I received a C in Calculus I (which is required by my first choice of school)...so I started having doubts about the possibility of being accepted.

Then in October 02 I took the PCAT and I received a 99th percentile score. I looked at the results and I couldn't believe it...I thought "Yay, I'm for sure getting into my school now!"

My GPA for pre-pharm is 3.3 (because of my low Calc I grade, but I redeemed myself in Calc II with an A). My overall GPA was 3.6.

I had an excellent personal statement because I had ten people review it. The only thing that I don't know how to evaluate was my school interview.

Anyway...I ended up being the 3rd alternate for the school...and now I'm standing at the top of the alternate list...just one more to go by August 20.

I also found out that the secretary typed in my Microbiology grade as a C instead of an A...which lowered my pre-pharm GPA. By the time I found this out, the two people above me on the alternate list had been accepted. So it worries me as well that someone else may have taken my spot because of the miscalculation. Do you think this is a valid feeling or am I being stupid about the whole thing?

So what do you all think...does it seem weird that I haven't been accepted? I know my GPA is average for the school, but I thought my PCAT was a sure thing.

Thanks a lot for your future advice.

 

[LVPharm]

Originally posted by AmandaRxs
What is everyone's opinion on my situation:
I originally wanted to go to pharmacy school, but I received a C in Calculus I (which is required by my first choice of school)...so I started having doubts about the possibility of being accepted....

Hey Amanda...am I missing something here? I thought you got accepted to Midwestern-Glendale's pharm program...are you worried cuz you're one slot away from acceptance at Utah's program? Are you considering NOT going to Midwestern, and applying next year to try and get your first-choice school again?

Please, enlighten me! 😀

 

[28657]

Yeh I did get accepted to Midwestern...and I will go there if the U doesn't accept me. There are things that I like about both schools...but the proximity to the U of U makes it the school of choice.

I've just been thinking a lot about the high probability of not being accepted to the U and I have no one to talk to that may have been in a similar situation.

My post wasn't meant to sound like I don't want to go to Midwestern...I am just curious as to why I didn't get into the U and I want to know what you guys think.

 

[jdpharmd?]

Are you still considering both schools? My plans were to go where I wanted to go AND was accepted, and to make a "for sure" cut-off date for any waitlists. I wasn't going to get all set at one school with my deposit, transcripts, place to live, shots, loans, etc and then have to move to some other school and do it all over again. I set my cut-off for June, and stuck to it.

Classes at Midwestern start on August 27th. What is your situation like with regards to living, deposits, etc? I'm not familiar with U of U, but do they have a 3 or 4 year option (compared to Midwestern's 3-year only)? I don't really think that anyone can tell you why you were placed on the alternate list except the U of U ADCOM. Too bad about the typo though, that does seem a little weird. How big is their pharmacy class?

Good Luck with whatever you do!

 

[28657]

I'm lucky because my sister lives in Peoria...15 min from campus. So if on August 20 the U doesnt call, then I drive down and live with her for a while until my husband finds a new job. Whatever happens will work and I believe that life leads you to where you are supposed to be...again all I wanted to know is if you guys would have thought a 99th perc. would have guaranteed your spot at your school of choice.

 

[LVPharm]

Amanda, I don't know how U of U weighs PCAT relative to your interview(s), personal statements, prereq and overall GPAs, etc. Obviously, it's either "not much", or there were other factors in your profile that (and I really don't mean to be "harsh" here, just honest 😉 ) worked against you. Did you attempt, if given the opportunity, to explain your deficiencies (the "C" grades) in the interview or personal statements? It's difficult to read the minds of the ADCOM, as this is a school I'm not too familiar with.

 

[jdpharmd?]

Originally posted by AmandaRxs
I'm lucky because my sister lives in Peoria...15 min from campus. So if on August 20 the U doesnt call, then I drive down and live with her for a while until my husband finds a new job. Whatever happens will work and I believe that life leads you to where you are supposed to be...again all I wanted to know is if you guys would have thought a 99th perc. would have guaranteed your spot at your school of choice.

Like LV said, I guess they don't weigh it enough. I had a 96th percentile and I was waitlisted at one school and completely rejected at another (and accepted at the other 2). PCAT is weighed differently at different schools, and at some it doesn't count at all (see: California). Sounds like you might have some big changes to deal with! Good luck with everything!

I hesitate to say anything about U of U because I don't know anything about the school or their policies, but if that was just about any MI school, you'd be pretty much assured of getting in if you are #1 on the waitlist. There always seem to be people who don't show up on the first day of class or just can't come for other reasons. I know that last year we had several students who were accepted to other pharmacy schools AFTER they had started class at another. They didn't switch. Best of luck! 🙂

 

[jdpharmd?]

Any news on where you're going to end up, Amanda? We start in two weeks! 😱

 

[28657]

Nope...I haven't heard anything yet. People keep telling me that there is always someone who doesn't show up...but the school only accepts 43 so that's not a high number = lower probability of someone not showing up...
Aaack!!! I'm trying not to think about it...I don't deal well with stress and not knowing

que sera sera

 

[Heyyyyy]

amanda, does utah accept transfer students? Maybe, you could transfer after the first year.

 

[28657]

I'm coming to Arizona...watch out! I'm excited to just know where I'm going and get on with it. My husband is a computer programmer...do any of you that have lived in AZ recently know if the market for programmers is good?

 

[jdpharmd?]

Originally posted by AmandaRxs
I'm coming to Arizona...watch out! I'm excited to just know where I'm going and get on with it. My husband is a computer programmer...do any of you that have lived in AZ recently know if the market for programmers is good?

Did you enjoy our orientation today?

 

[28657]

That orientation thing was sure exciting...but I'm really excited for tomorrow! j/k

The schedule says...we're gonna eat breakfast then talk a little, then eat lunch, then talk a little, then eat a picnic...that's a lot of eating! Why can't they just talk really fast and then we can go home?! Boy...I'm already complaining...

Actually, I'm such a dork that I wish they would tell us what books to buy so that I can start reading up on some things.

How did you like orientation?

 

[jdpharmd?]

Originally posted by AmandaRxs
That orientation thing was sure exciting...but I'm really excited for tomorrow! j/k

The schedule says...we're gonna eat breakfast then talk a little, then eat lunch, then talk a little, then eat a picnic...that's a lot of eating! Why can't they just talk really fast and then we can go home?! Boy...I'm already complaining...

Actually, I'm such a dork that I wish they would tell us what books to buy so that I can start reading up on some things.

How did you like orientation?

Amanda,

I had an eye out for you, but I was busy enough trying to finish up and go eat. 😉 I know that you just moved down here, and I've got some friends in the class if you're looking to meet some people (both boys and girls). Tomorrow looks like the "long day" of orientation, but Friday is short . I can't PM you for whatever reason, but if you turn them on I'll be a little more detailed about orientation.

Justin