About to Start Applying, Looking for Advice

[kvpharmacy]

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Hi you guys, this may be a bit of a long post but maybe some other people can find it informative as well.

Anyways, I am entering my last year of college at CSULB for Biochemistry BS / Physio minor and I think its time to think about applying soon ! I just am a bit overwhelmed/anxious/excited with the whole process and have so many questions that I hope some of you with experience could give some advice.

So here's my rough scenario/statistics entering the applicant pool:

GOOD
= I will probably graduate with a slightly above a 3.5 gpa
= My last 4 semesters (with the harder upper division classes) I will probably average a 3.8-3.9 gpa
= I am the recipient of the 2015-2016 Organic Chemistry Award for my school
= I hope to have a good LOR from my Biochem professor and Organic Professor

BAD
= I have failed and retaken many classes due losing focus, life problems, and just being irresponsible. BUT every class I have retaken I have become top of the class and received an A (organic, inorganic, speech, history, biology, physics...)
= I worked as a pharmacy technician about a year ago for 4 months but stopped showing up due to just being overwhelmed (same time that I failed many of my classes)
= I have little volunteer experience

So how do you guys think I can raise my chances at getting in to a school?
I would really love to get into a California school, is it really tough?
I don't know many out of state schools, any recommendations (west coast) ?
I am planning to take the PCAT this July in hopes to impress CA schools (I know its not necessarily required) but do they even take it into consideration at all?
I want to volunteer for something this year, what do you guys think is the best type of volunteer?
And if you guys have any other advice on what I should do.

Thank you so much to anyone who replies to this thread !

 

[doubletwenty]

I would try to get some leadership experiences and get back to working as a pharmacy technician as soon as you can. I think in terms of academics, you should be okay. UCSF will require PCAT starting this upcoming July. Volunteering in a pharmacy can be good too. But I want to say working as a pharm tech is better.

Btw I applied just last year and I might have to reapply. But I am waitlisted at 3 schools in CA right now. So, you have a good chance to get interviews since your gpa is slightly higher than mine. More importantly, after you finish your primary and secondary applications for pharmacy school, I would also practice your interviews too. And ofc, start on your personal statement as soon as possible. Make sure you explain thoroughly in both your interview and your personal statement on those failed classes and the life problems that you experienced which also led to quitting your pharm tech job. That is the best advice I can give you. Other people might give better advice than me haha. Hopefully it's not one of those pharmacy haters that I see all over this thread lol. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[PharmtoCS]

Take the PCAT and apply to out of state schools. You're going to get hosed on tuition + living costs if you go to school in California even at the state schools .

There are much better professions, i.e. computer programming, engineering, finance, etc. that do not require you to take out an additional $200k+ loans and spend another 4 years in school. This is especially so in California where it is very easy to land something in high tech due to the shortage of workers, but it is very difficult to land a pharmacist position despite having a professional degree. Going to a coding bootcamp is a much better investment than getting a PharmD right now.

 

[kvpharmacy]

Thank you guys for the input! Ill make sure to pm you @doubletwenty if something comes up. The money investment seems a little daunting but i guess ill just try my best.