Academics is affect by social problems

[greenpills]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I wonder if many of you guys have troubled with your academics and have EXPLANABLE reasons why you did so poor during your coursework. Here's my story:

• (2004) I took a year off before heading to the university because of financial reasons (my parents was putting 3 kids into a university that year).
• (Dec 2005) My first semester back, our long-time family friend passed away during chemo. This happened during finals in December. My gpa was at a 2.3
• (March 2006) My second semester, my uncle collapsed and died due to cirrhosis. This happened late March.
• (April 2006) One month later, my granny passes away due to pneumonia. This too happened during finals. My gpa fell to 2.1.
• (April 2007) After 1 year later, I received news that a fellow friend and Marine was horrifically blowed up by proximity mines in Iraq.

During those times, I retaken ALL the courses I made C's on, and still managed to get a C. Retook it for a 3rd time and made a B+, unfortunately the university averages it all. I also requested Academic Appeals and most got approved, one got denied.

I stopped worrying about thoe classes I retook, and took filler classes and advanced science courses to compensate for the basics. This is my last year, and after what I've been through, I busted my ass and managed to get an overall 2.98. I don't know if I should be disappointed or proud of myself. I've also taken the PCAT and earned an overall 84%.

And yet, I am still grieving. All these tragedies happened unexpectably and in a short period of time. But one thing is for sure - life is short.

 

[IrishRxMan]

My advice would be to see if there is a free counseling service on your campus and see if you can use them to help deal with the emotions surrounding all the turmoil you have experienced. Believe me, you won't be able to successfully go through pharmacy school if you still have these things eating at you in the back of your mind. If you get an interview you can explain all of these things to the people interviewing you, but you need to show that you have dealt with things and have moved past them.

Your GPA is a little low, but you should be able to get an interview with your PCAT score which is fairly high. You are right, life is short but you need to deal with the tragedy that you have experienced because life IS short.

 

[Chem Geek]

I am very sorry to hear about your circumstances, certainly second Irish's advice about counseling service on your campus, and maybe I can offer a bit of hope myself. I am waitlisted at MN, the only school I applied to, and my number is coming up soon, so I am optimistic, though realistic, about admission. Last fall I started to feel rather fatigued, but diagnosed myself with "applying to pharmacy school fatigue." I struggled academically for the first time in my life, but respect my profs that they gave me the grades I earned. It was not until three weeks ago that I learned my natural pacemaker had failed, probably last fall, and I was implanted with an artificial pacemaker (at the age of 25). Though this is a difficulty I am learning to cope with, I believe it will allow me to relate to a different demographic of my patients one day, as your circumstances will for you. In the meantime, good luck with your pursuit!

 

[futurepharmer]

You don't seem competitive. I don't want to make light of your situation, but it seems like a pattern of excuses. Where's your resilience? You have let all these situations have a dramatic affect on your academics -- yet when you re-took the courses, you didn't do that much better.

I'll probably get flamed on here by people who don't want to tell you the truth, but I just find it really difficult to see how you will be a competitive applicant. You have "red flags" all over and it's unlikely that a school would take a chance on you. There are too many strong applicants that come to the table with solid academic backgrounds. Good luck, though! 🙂

 

[notafraid87]

Wow, you went through a lot. Sorry to hear about that 🙁

Anyways, your overall gpa is 2.98 and PCAT is 84. I would say that your score is competitive; you'll probably get several interview offers. As long as you explain your low gpa (which isn't that horrible) and show that you're committed, you will get accepted.

 

[tk1tpod]

Hey greenpills.. Many applications have a section where it allows you to explain something you would like to the admission committee to consider while reviewing your application. You can tell them why you did poorly in many of your classes and how you tried retaking it to prove you can do better.

I got affected by many unexpected deaths in my family that affected my studies but I did the same as you and retook all the classes and I got in this year. So don't listen to all the negative things people say, just apply and see what happens. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[cystapharm]

part of being a successful pharmacy student is not letting too many external factors interefere with your education. ever heard the expression..."leave all your troubles behind the minute you walk through the door?" when you are a pharmacist you wouldn't want your worries to affect the optimal care you should be providing your patients.


you're right. life is short. then why are you still grieving?

🙂

 

[mrblah]

Everyone has had negative experiences, and we all deal with it differently. You need to find a way to move past these experience in a way where it won't negatively affect your life.

I've experienced death, but I've come to realize its part of life. It doesn't hit me so hard anymore, because I know my friends and family who have passed away lived a good life, and would want me to live a good life also.

However, I've also seen people use tragic events as excuses for their own personal failure (as futurepharmer pointed out). I'm not saying the OP is one of those, but it raises red flags because it questions the OP to handle tough situations.

 

[greenpills]

part of being a successful pharmacy student is not letting too many external factors interefere with your education......................
you're right. life is short. then why are you still grieving?

🙂

I can understand why people may believe that I use these tragic events as mere "excuses" or that I couldn't handle any tough situations, but as most people will say, it takes time to heal.

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to heal. Once I believe I was ready to accept the truth and move on, someone else passed away. I had 4 people important to me who died in less than 2 years (3 of which was in a 5 month range) - I think this "too many external factors" would interfere with just about ANY body.

...... I don't want to make light of your situation, but it seems like a pattern of excuses. Where's your resilience? You have let all these situations have a dramatic affect on your academics -- yet when you re-took the courses, you didn't do that much better.

I'm sorry, but I don't expect deaths in my family to happen so often, I did not plan this "pattern of excuses". The first death happened during finals, I struggled, but made a C. I retook the course again the following semester, but never realize that I would be suffering from another death just months later. Then 3 weeks later, I received news that my granny passed away. The professors were anal because they didn't allow any rescheduling finals under ANY circumstances, even with written documentation. So there goes my C again.

I retook it for the 3rd time and made a B+ (was 0.7 points away from an A.)

 

[laimyours]

I think you will get interviews. You have a good PCAT score and your GPA is almost at a 3.0. I have a question though, Do your grades show an upward trend? Because I think if there is no improvement they might look at it like you can't deal with stress. Either way I think you should still apply. Good luck.

 

[Transformer]

Like many have already stated, your PCAT score and GPA will get you interviews (depending on what schools you apply to)

At the interview, you have to sell yourself. You have to connect with the pharmacy schools and give them something to believe you are ready to handle the rigors of their curriculum and that you are mentally ready and passionate about the field of pharmacy.

Yes, do bring up the tragic events that make who you are today. Bring it up in a positive manner. Tell them how you've grown, matured, and strengthen yourself through tragic experiences. Focus on how your losses make you a better candidate for pharmacy school than everyone the school has interviewed, and will interview this year.

Stay positive
Stay confident

You've gone this far. Its time to finish what you started.

good luck

 

[PharmHopeful08]

Like many have already stated, your PCAT score and GPA will get you interviews (depending on what schools you apply to)

At the interview, you have to sell yourself. You have to connect with the pharmacy schools and give them something to believe you are ready to handle the rigors of their curriculum and that you are mentally ready and passionate about the field of pharmacy.

Yes, do bring up the tragic events that make who you are today. Bring it up in a positive manner. Tell them how you've grown, matured, and strengthen yourself through tragic experiences. Focus on how your losses make you a better candidate for pharmacy school than everyone the school has interviewed, and will interview this year.

Stay positive
Stay confident

You've gone this far. Its time to finish what you started.

good luck

Well said, Transformer. 👍 I couldn't have said it better. Greenpills, keep plugging along and staying positively confident. I'm sure good things are going to come your way!

 

[timbutt2]

Greenpills,

How far are you away from earning a degree?

Your PCAT scores are good, so obviously you have the potential to be earning a higher GPA. If you haven't earned a degree yet i would just keep that as your main focus, and work toward improving your GPA with your upper level courses.

You'll have a much better chance of getting into pharmacy school if you have a BS anyway.

Just keep applying! And if 2009 doesn't work out for you there's always 2010.👍