Advice Needed. Please.

[pharmacyrx90]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I need everyone's advice. I recently graduated with a biology degree. I had applied to pharmacy school this past year and I didn't get accepted anywhere. My worry is that if I get rejected again this coming cycle, what is my next choice? I can't do anything with a biology degree. Not many options out there. I thought about look into Physician Assistant or Optometry but my thinking is that if I can't get into pharmacy school then how can I possibly get into any other school? I want to stay in the medical field some way. I don't know, I am just worried about if I don't get into pharmacy school this coming cycle then what I should do. I don't want to have to go back to school and work on a completely new degree. That will take up alot of time.

I guess also cause I am worried about not getting into pharmacy school this coming cycle because of my low stats. Does anyone know of people that have gotten into pharmacy school with stats similar to mine or does anyone have similar stats?

Overall GPA: 3.0
Math/Science GPA: 2.8
PCAT: Took it 5 times. Highest that I ever got was 68. Lowest I got which was the PCAT I took last week was 61.

I just feel like with my low stats that there is no hope for me to ever get into pharmacy school.

 

[Sugoi Travis]

How did you study for the PCAT?

 

[Carboxide]

How many schools did you apply to? What are the schools?

 

[saladbar]

youre not gona get in dood. sorry but your stats are way too low

 

[pharmacyrx90]

How did you study for the PCAT?

Dr. Collins and Kaplan.

 

[pharmacyrx90]

youre not gona get in dood. sorry but your stats are way too low

I guess.. Thanks..

 

[pharmacyrx90]

Last year I applied to Texas Southern University, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and University of Houston.

This year I am applying to Samford University, West Coast University, South University (GA), University of Hawaii at Hilo, Chicago State University, Manchester University, Roseman University, South College (TN), East Tennessee State University, Belmont University, Union University, Shenandoah University, University of Charleston, Xavier University, Sullivan University, FAMU, Idaho State University, Ohio Northern University, Rutgers University, South Dakota State University, Texas Southern University, University of the Incarnate Ward, University of North Texas, Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, University of Houston. Most likely applying to more schools.

 

[pharmdx92]

I think y0ssarian87 said it best in the other thread that you posted up last week. My opinion is that not everyone is accepted on their first try like most people are led to believe. You should definitely try again if you feel up to the challenge, but if you have this much doubt about yourself, then it is time to say quits and choose a new career path.

I don't want to be a Negative Nancy, but you're in a tough situation. I think if I were in your shoes, I would take a long, hard look at my motivations for pharmacy school and my abilities. This isn't something that should be taken lightly. If you stubbornly pursue admission into pharmacy school, you could be wasting several years and lots of money applying and taking classes without any guarantee of a payoff.

What is preventing you from doing well, both on the PCAT and gradewise? Until you address that, nothing is going to change.

I have a few questions:

1) Do you have any working experience? If so, doing what?

2) What classes did you do well in during undergrad?

3) Do you have a bachelors degree?

4) Are you well-rounded? Do you have passions that you engage in that aren't pharmacy related?

Your path to pharmacy school doesn't have to be over, but you are at a point where I recommend some serious reflection.

Best of luck.

 

[Sugoi Travis]

Dr. Collins and Kaplan.

I was actually referring to exactly how you studied. What did you do to study for the test? Memorize stuff? Understand concepts?

Also one more thing; forget about applying to 20+ schools. It's not practical to do so. I had a 2.9 GPA, but a monstrous PCAT score and I applied to only 6 schools (3 of which I didn't even bother to turn in the supplemental). That's going balls deep (and something you shouldn't do) but the maximum number of schools I was considering was 14. Shooting upwards of 20 schools and higher is something you really shouldn't do.

 

[Jessica1992]

With a low science/math GPA and PCAT, you also have to consider if you'll be able to handle pharmacy school classes. They might also look at your individual bio/chem scores on your PCAT, but I don't know what your individual section scores were.

 

[88888888]

You don't have horrible stats you can definitely get into somewhere with those stats. You need to apply broadly. I think you can get into like Chicago state lecom and many others. California schools are too competitive. West coast looks lame dont apply there..

 

[pharmacyrx90]

I guess I will just reapply this cycle and hope for the best. If I don't get in then I will just pursue a different career. My whole life I have wanted to do pharmacy but I guess it's not for everyone. Idk, I hope that i get into pharmacy school.

Thanks for everyone's honesty. I see there are more negative comments then positive but i appreciate that. I would rather have honesty. I know I post a lot and can get really annoying by posting the same stuff. Sorry for annoying you all. I will try stop posting things or at least limit my posts.

Take Care Everyone.

Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[Foxxed]

I know of 2 people who got into separate Pharmacy schools with a 50 PCAT PR and a 52 PCAT PR (both lower than yours) and with GPA of 2.8 and 2.5 respectfully.

Hope is not lost my friend, you have way better stats than them. You will get in somewhere, and when you do, work your ass off to be in the top of your class to be very impressive to employers and you will end up no different than those people who got all A's in their undergrad.

Also, if you can get some work experience (or even shadowing experience) that will help a lot! Both of those people mentioned above had about 50 hours of experience shadowing each.

 

[68quebec]

nobody in this forum is god of pharmacy. nobody can give you a perfect advice. go for it. you can only have this life once. go for whatever you want to do. do not listen to negative comments. just be yourself.

 

[RN2RPh]

I honestly think that you should give up pharmacy. You take PCAT 5 times and you can't even get above 70. It shows that either you are not smart enough or you didn't work hard enough.

Your plan of applying to 20+ schools this year won't get you anywhere unless you can write an unique personal statement for each school.

You have to realize that what you have been doing in the last couples years (the way you study, the way you prepare your application) obviously does not work (low GPA, consistently low PCAT). So if you continue to do the same thing, do you think that you would get a different result? Probably not !!!

 

[pharmacyrx90]

I honestly think that you should give up pharmacy. You take PCAT 5 times and you can't even get above 70. It shows that either you are not smart enough or you didn't work hard enough.

Your plan of applying to 20+ schools this year won't get you anywhere unless you can write an unique personal statement for each school.

You have to realize that what you have been doing in the last couples years (the way you study, the way you prepare your application) obviously does not work (low GPA, consistently low PCAT). So if you continue to do the same thing, do you think that you would get a different result? Probably not !!!

Yeah I am not smart....Thanks....

 

[y0ssarian87]

Last year I applied to Texas Southern University, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and University of Houston.

This year I am applying to Samford University, West Coast University, South University (GA), University of Hawaii at Hilo, Chicago State University, Manchester University, Roseman University, South College (TN), East Tennessee State University, Belmont University, Union University, Shenandoah University, University of Charleston, Xavier University, Sullivan University, FAMU, Idaho State University, Ohio Northern University, Rutgers University, South Dakota State University, Texas Southern University, University of the Incarnate Ward, University of North Texas, Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, University of Houston. Most likely applying to more schools.

Did you ever get a chance to speak with Mr. Schwettmann from TTUHSC or any of the other pharmacy advisors about how you could strengthen your application? Mr. Schwettmann is very helpful. Also, Liz Hernandez from UIW is very helpful. Send her your stats and experience and talk to her about your competitiveness. That's what the advisors are there for!

As long as you're applying, go all out. Contact the advisors and try to establish some rapport with them. Best of luck.

 

[y0ssarian87]

I need everyone's advice. I recently graduated with a biology degree. I had applied to pharmacy school this past year and I didn't get accepted anywhere. My worry is that if I get rejected again this coming cycle, what is my next choice? I can't do anything with a biology degree. Not many options out there. I thought about look into Physician Assistant or Optometry but my thinking is that if I can't get into pharmacy school then how can I possibly get into any other school? I want to stay in the medical field some way. I don't know, I am just worried about if I don't get into pharmacy school this coming cycle then what I should do. I don't want to have to go back to school and work on a completely new degree. That will take up alot of time.

I guess also cause I am worried about not getting into pharmacy school this coming cycle because of my low stats. Does anyone know of people that have gotten into pharmacy school with stats similar to mine or does anyone have similar stats?

Overall GPA: 3.0
Math/Science GPA: 2.8
PCAT: Took it 5 times. Highest that I ever got was 68. Lowest I got which was the PCAT I took last week was 61.

I just feel like with my low stats that there is no hope for me to ever get into pharmacy school.

Also, you didn't answer my questions in your other thread, but here's some advice. Feel free to take it with a grain of salt. I am only an incoming P1, so my experience is limited.

You say you have a degree in biology. Is it an associates or bachelors degree? If it's an AS, try transferring to a 4-year college and getting a broader depth of knowledge in the field. It'll be pretty tough with your GPA, but that's definitely an option.

If it's a BS degree, try taking post-bacc classes, ideally at your same school or at a local CC, if you can't afford that. This gives you the option to raise your GPA and do better in the prerequisites. My personal recommendation is to take the classes part-time while working full-time, preferably working in a pharmacy or doing research. This will help you make some money while gaining real-world experience, but it also shows you can handle a busy schedule.

Alternatively, you could try pursuing a masters. If you have an increasing GPA trend, some schools will accept individuals with a 3.0 in the last 60 units into their masters programs. This could be a good opportunity to "start fresh" academically. Of course your low GPA will still follow you, but it gave you the opportunity to prove yourself, particularly in graduate-level courses.

Do you have pharmacy and/or work experience? I suggest you get some, if you don't. In fact, I think that's the most worthwhile thing you could do for yourself. Working teaches you about what you want out of a life and a job. And working in a pharmacy will show you if becoming a pharmacist is appropriate for you. If you don't work in a pharmacy I strongly suggest getting frequent, regular volunteer experience in a pharmacy.

Lastly, what's the deal with the PCAT scores? Were your section percentiles as consistent as your overall percentile? Is any of the material new to you? Have you considered taking an MCAT prep course? Do you have test anxiety? Try contacting a tutoring company to see if they can help you with your testing issues. You can always appeal to Pearson to take the test a 6th time. It looks like they just don't want people taking the test multiple times and giving the testing information away. The reason I say that is that the documentation that Pearson requires to be able to register for a 6th sitting of the PCAT is documentation that you're in the process of applying to pharmacy school. Check out the PCAT Candidate Information Booklet.

Again, best of luck and please take time to reflect on your situation.

 

[RN2RPh]

Yeah I am not smart....Thanks....

I am glad that you realize that. Now you have to work much harder to compensate for that.

If you wanna stay in medical field then maybe Pharmacy Tech or Medical Assistant is more appropriate for you.

 

[68quebec]

Did you ever get a chance to speak with Mr. Schwettmann from TTUHSC or any of the other pharmacy advisors about how you could strengthen your application? Mr. Schwettmann is very helpful. Also, Liz Hernandez from UIW is very helpful. Send her your stats and experience and talk to her about your competitiveness. That's what the advisors are there for!

As long as you're applying, go all out. Contact the advisors and try to establish some rapport with them. Best of luck.

strengthening applicaion is so simple to say.. raise GPA, do better on PCAT, and having more experiences in pharmacy.

 

[PearlGirl]

I was actually referring to exactly how you studied. What did you do to study for the test? Memorize stuff? Understand concepts?

Also one more thing; forget about applying to 20+ schools. It's not practical to do so. I had a 2.9 GPA, but a monstrous PCAT score and I applied to only 6 schools (3 of which I didn't even bother to turn in the supplemental). That's going balls deep (and something you shouldn't do) but the maximum number of schools I was considering was 14. Shooting upwards of 20 schools and higher is something you really shouldn't do.

Sugoi Travis:

Where did you apply? And what constitutes "monstrous?' 90? 95? 99? lol

I only ask because I am in a similar GPA range as you were with an unofficial 96 PCAT (1st and only taken July 18, 2013), and obviously insecure with stats lol.

How was your experience? I'm at about 5 years between retail and organ transplant hospital-based specialty.

 

[68quebec]

Sugoi Travis:

Where did you apply? And what constitutes "monstrous?' 90? 95? 99? lol

I only ask because I am in a similar GPA range as you were with an unofficial 96 PCAT (1st and only taken July 18, 2013), and obviously insecure with stats lol.

How was your experience? I'm at about 5 years between retail and organ transplant hospital-based specialty.

you are having monstrous pcat score too... do not worry about it.

 

[ForumHangout]

nothing here.

 

[pharmacyrx90]

Sugoi Travis:

Where did you apply? And what constitutes "monstrous?' 90? 95? 99? lol

I only ask because I am in a similar GPA range as you were with an unofficial 96 PCAT (1st and only taken July 18, 2013), and obviously insecure with stats lol.

How was your experience? I'm at about 5 years between retail and organ transplant hospital-based specialty.

You will get in for sure. Your PCAT is incredible. You have nothing to worry about. You will get into many schools.

 

[Carboxide]

Sugoi Travis:

Where did you apply? And what constitutes "monstrous?' 90? 95? 99? lol

I only ask because I am in a similar GPA range as you were with an unofficial 96 PCAT (1st and only taken July 18, 2013), and obviously insecure with stats lol.

How was your experience? I'm at about 5 years between retail and organ transplant hospital-based specialty.

Lol...unofficial? How do you know already? Or is there some newfangled thing where you get your score immediately, nowadays? I took mine...oh, 5 years ago? So I might be behind the times...we had to wait weeks for our scores in the mail! 😱

 

[pharmacyrx90]

Lol...unofficial? How do you know already? Or is there some newfangled thing where you get your score immediately, nowadays? I took mine...oh, 5 years ago? So I might be behind the times...we had to wait weeks for our scores in the mail! 😱

You get your scores as soon as the test ends.

 

[Carboxide]

Aww man, that's so cool. I wish they had that back in my day, when we had to park our dinosaurs instead of cars... 😀

 

[Jibby321]

Aww man, that's so cool. I wish they had that back in my day, when we had to park our dinosaurs instead of cars... 😀

So does that mean you took your test on pen and paper? *GASP* lol

 

[cdhoward]

I honestly think that you should give up pharmacy. You take PCAT 5 times and you can't even get above 70. It shows that either you are not smart enough or you didn't work hard enough.

Your plan of applying to 20+ schools this year won't get you anywhere unless you can write an unique personal statement for each school.

You have to realize that what you have been doing in the last couples years (the way you study, the way you prepare your application) obviously does not work (low GPA, consistently low PCAT). So if you continue to do the same thing, do you think that you would get a different result? Probably not !!!

I guess by unique, you mean poor grammar as you demonstrate here? It should be ...a unique... and ...last couple of...

I am glad that you realize that. Now you have to work much harder to compensate for that.

If you wanna stay in medical field then maybe Pharmacy Tech or Medical Assistant is more appropriate for you.

Again, your grammar is pathetic, and you do not understand sarcastic remarks. You'll get a lot further in life once you grow up.


OP: Do not listen to this nurse. Your stats are not horribly low. While they aren't top notch, they are still somewhat competitive. You will have a hard time getting interviews at state schools as an out-of-state student. You do have a good plan of attack by casting a huge net, though it may be too big. You're going to have to stay on top of it with all the supplemental applications. Do not procrastinate. Apply early, especially to schools who utilize rolling admissions. I don't remember all of these schools, but I do recognize Sullivan University on your list. Midwestern University - DG uses rolling admissions as well. Not sure if their AZ location does or not. I'd recommend considering them. I'd also recommend Wingate University.

Make sure you have strong recommendation letters and if you don't already, start getting some pharmacy experience.

Best of luck.

 

[Carboxide]

So does that mean you took your test on pen and paper? *GASP* lol

Yes...yes it does...and you weren't allowed to use mechanical pencils, either.

 

[Sugoi Travis]

Sugoi Travis:

Where did you apply? And what constitutes "monstrous?' 90? 95? 99? lol

I only ask because I am in a similar GPA range as you were with an unofficial 96 PCAT (1st and only taken July 18, 2013), and obviously insecure with stats lol.

How was your experience? I'm at about 5 years between retail and organ transplant hospital-based specialty.

IMO a monstrous PCAT is 90+. From my point of view, your low GPA, but high PCAT shows me that you were up against some very difficult competition during undergrad. You know the material and put effort into successfully understanding, not memorizing, the concepts despite receiving low grades.

As for experience, I only have 100 hours in a retail pharmacy. However, those hours revolutionized my career decision. I was a bit pissed that I didn't consider pharmacy sooner lol.

Edit - I applied to 6 schools, which is extremely bold for stats like mine. I sent in supplemental applications for only 2 though. Got accepted to University of South Florida and am going there. My application cycle was...extremely weird, to say the least.

 

[cdhoward]

Yes...yes it does...and you weren't allowed to use mechanical pencils, either.

And no instant results, either. Kids these days have it so easy! lol

 

[troponin2012]

I need everyone's advice. I recently graduated with a biology degree. I had applied to pharmacy school this past year and I didn't get accepted anywhere. My worry is that if I get rejected again this coming cycle, what is my next choice? I can't do anything with a biology degree. Not many options out there. I thought about look into Physician Assistant or Optometry but my thinking is that if I can't get into pharmacy school then how can I possibly get into any other school? I want to stay in the medical field some way. I don't know, I am just worried about if I don't get into pharmacy school this coming cycle then what I should do. I don't want to have to go back to school and work on a completely new degree. That will take up alot of time.

I guess also cause I am worried about not getting into pharmacy school this coming cycle because of my low stats. Does anyone know of people that have gotten into pharmacy school with stats similar to mine or does anyone have similar stats?

Overall GPA: 3.0
Math/Science GPA: 2.8
PCAT: Took it 5 times. Highest that I ever got was 68. Lowest I got which was the PCAT I took last week was 61.

I just feel like with my low stats that there is no hope for me to ever get into pharmacy school.

My stats weren't much better than yours.

Overall GPA was something like a 3.2 or 3.3.
Math/Science GPA was a 3.0
PCAT: Got a 70 or 75 the only time I took it

I got in the first time I applied and graduated last year form pharm school.

**FYI: Make sure this is what you absolutely want to do with your life because I won't lie, I really regret choosing this as my career. The schedule at my hospital SUCKS! I have no social life and lately I'm having time justifying everything I'm sacrificing for this job. I'm going to miss 4-6 weeks of work and it's something I'm really looking forward too! Its been a little over a year since graduating and I'm considering going back to school for something I'm more passionate about.

 

[owlegrad]

Aww man, that's so cool. I wish they had that back in my day, when we had to park our dinosaurs instead of cars... 😀

Yeah, me 2! Man I still remember waiting around to get my results. Of course back then we didn't have all the cool things youngsters do now. Sometimes we had to wait DAYS for results!

Do they tell you if you get into a COP at the end of the interviews now? 😉

 

[Carboxide]

Yeah, me 2! Man I still remember waiting around to get my results. Of course back then we didn't have all the cool things youngsters do now. Sometimes we had to wait DAYS for results!

Do they tell you if you get into a COP at the end of the interviews now? 😉

Oh they always did that...for those of us who were, well, exceptional 😀

 

[Guitarmacy]

I honestly think that you should give up pharmacy. You take PCAT 5 times and you can't even get above 70. It shows that either you are not smart enough or you didn't work hard enough.

Your plan of applying to 20+ schools this year won't get you anywhere unless you can write an unique personal statement for each school.

You have to realize that what you have been doing in the last couples years (the way you study, the way you prepare your application) obviously does not work (low GPA, consistently low PCAT). So if you continue to do the same thing, do you think that you would get a different result? Probably not !!!

I'm sorry but you're wrong on SOOOOO many levels. Number 1, there are schools that will take the OP with those stats. Number 2, some people simply don't test well regardless of how "smart" or "hard-working" they are. Number 3, PharmCAS specifically states NOT to write a unique personal statement to each school. There is only supposed to be one generic PS.

PharmacyRX90: I'm not sure if this is true, but I think Pearson gives testing accommodations under certain approved circumstances. Just a thought. It could be that you have test-anxiety?

Also, try applying to new programs if you are okay with the financial risk. If you want to do whatever it takes to become a pharmacist, that is probably your best option. Regis in Colorado just graduated their first class and will take as low as 30 PCAT and 2.5 GPA. Not saying that that is a good thing, but it's an option. They also have a really unique program (team-based learning). It sounds cool, and way different than traditional learning.

Anyways.. Don't give up! But keep finances in the back of your mind. And determine if you truly believe you can get through pharmacy school. Good luck!

 

[68quebec]

I'm sorry but you're wrong on SOOOOO many levels. Number 1, there are schools that will take the OP with those stats. Number 2, some people simply don't test well regardless of how "smart" or "hard-working" they are. Number 3, PharmCAS specifically states NOT to write a unique personal statement to each school. There is only supposed to be one generic PS.

PharmacyRX90: I'm not sure if this is true, but I think Pearson gives testing accommodations under certain approved circumstances. Just a thought. It could be that you have test-anxiety?

Also, try applying to new programs if you are okay with the financial risk. If you want to do whatever it takes to become a pharmacist, that is probably your best option. Regis in Colorado just graduated their first class and will take as low as 30 PCAT and 2.5 GPA. Not saying that that is a good thing, but it's an option. They also have a really unique program (team-based learning). It sounds cool, and way different than traditional learning.

Anyways.. Don't give up! But keep finances in the back of your mind. And determine if you truly believe you can get through pharmacy school. Good luck!

I strongly agree.
PCAT and GPA.. these two seems king of pre-pharmacy. Well, it's not. It's only 50% of what many pharmacy schools are looking at. I'm pretty sure you've learned from previous year. You have applied many schools which definitely increase your chance of getting in (whoever oppose of this, go take statistic class again). Also, I see you have an enthusiasm of field of pharmacy. As long as you express that clearly to board members of each school, you will still have plenty of chance. Last thing you want to do is give up. Only losers suggest others to give up. Please encourage yourself.

 

[corey407woc]

Dude don't listen to these people on here, all debbie downers it seems for the most part. I just recently got accepted into pharmacy school on my first try into 4 schools. Had 2.98 gpa, 52 composite pcat, 3 years pharmacy experience and applied on last day of deadline 2/28/13. applied to 12 got 8 interviews and only went on 4 and got all 4 accepted. Belmont, Regis, Shenandoah, and Lipscomb. Just kill it on your interview and personal statement and youll get in. Just be yourself on the interviews and tell them exactly what your situation is and why you want to be there. I wouldn't apply to public schools with your stats but private.

 

[samoky]

The Chinese have a saying that failure is the mother of success. While feeling discouraged as in your case is perfectly okay, do not let all the negative thoughts consume your mind. I think you already have the answers to improving yourself to become a better applicant for this next time around, whether you realized it or not. You now have the experience from having completed an application cycle. If anything, use it to your advantage. So take a step back to do something that cheers you up, takes your mind off the negativity, and ultimately allows you to regroup yourself. You have us here rooting for you. 🙂

 

[bananaface]

The PCAT score shows what you retained from your basic science and liberal arts education. Study programs help you be ready in terms of getting comfortable with the firmat and types of questions to be answered. But, they are not a substitute for the educational foundations which you could have established while in school. You have established that you are just above average for those testing for the PCAT. There is no need to take the test more than twice unless you had a major addition to your educational background.

Getting in is a long shot with your stats. You already applied to some easier admission schools. I would be wary of throwing more time and money at the admissions process without a strategy for making yourself more competitive.

I am not trying to be mean, just realistic. In your case, you should think about what you can change. If you have any prereqs with less than a B you could consider retaking. You could also try and get some experience as a technician. Academic changes will have a bigger impact, since that is your biggest barrier right now.

 

[chemguy79]

The PCAT score shows what you retained from your basic science and liberal arts education. Study programs help you be ready in terms of getting comfortable with the firmat and types of questions to be answered. But, they are not a substitute for the educational foundations which you could have established while in school. You have established that you are just above average for those testing for the PCAT. There is no need to take the test more than twice unless you had a major addition to your educational background.

Getting in is a long shot with your stats. You already applied to some easier admission schools. I would be wary of throwing more time and money at the admissions process without a strategy for making yourself more competitive.

I am not trying to be mean, just realistic. In your case, you should think about what you can change. If you have any prereqs with less than a B you could consider retaking. You could also try and get some experience as a technician. Academic changes will have a bigger impact, since that is your biggest barrier right now.

+1

I think that you are making a smart move by applying to more private schools this year since you didn't get accepted to Texas (presumably your home state) schools last year. I think that your stats are just too low for state schools.

Unlike the previous poster, I think that you could get in somewhere. However, I would be concerned if you haven't done much to improve your application this year. Your PCAT scores are slightly above average, your GPA is slightly above average, and the flatline trend for your PCAT scores would concern me a bit as well. Apply broadly and you should get accepted ... although if you're also thinking about other programs like PA or Optometry (programs which require a higher GPA), how serious are you about pharmacy?

 

[mcpworc2017]

I need everyone's advice. I recently graduated with a biology degree. I had applied to pharmacy school this past year and I didn't get accepted anywhere. My worry is that if I get rejected again this coming cycle, what is my next choice? I can't do anything with a biology degree. Not many options out there. I thought about look into Physician Assistant or Optometry but my thinking is that if I can't get into pharmacy school then how can I possibly get into any other school? I want to stay in the medical field some way. I don't know, I am just worried about if I don't get into pharmacy school this coming cycle then what I should do. I don't want to have to go back to school and work on a completely new degree. That will take up alot of time.

I guess also cause I am worried about not getting into pharmacy school this coming cycle because of my low stats. Does anyone know of people that have gotten into pharmacy school with stats similar to mine or does anyone have similar stats?

Overall GPA: 3.0
Math/Science GPA: 2.8
PCAT: Took it 5 times. Highest that I ever got was 68. Lowest I got which was the PCAT I took last week was 61.

I just feel like with my low stats that there is no hope for me to ever get into pharmacy school.

YOOOOOO.... **** WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS SAYING. YOU CAN GET INTO PHARM SCHOOL!!!! BUT, u cant just wait n see what happens...if u have a bs then apply for a masters degree n get ur gpa up.... getmore experience n build ur extracurricular activities list. For the pcat i would advice studying off of the mcat books since its harder and then use the pcatbooks... u gotta study for a few months everyday tho. Its all about discipline n motivation. Last thing man is to apply broadly! Good luck. With those stats u should definitely get in somewhere, just be confident in ur interviews

 

[pharmdx92]

I hope OP updates us on his progress sometime soon.

 

[88888888]

i hope op updates us on his progress sometime soon.

+1

 

[68quebec]

i hope op updates us on his progress sometime soon.

+2

 

[africanpharmd14]

I honestly think that you should give up pharmacy. You take PCAT 5 times and you can't even get above 70. It shows that either you are not smart enough or you didn't work hard enough.

Your plan of applying to 20+ schools this year won't get you anywhere unless you can write an unique personal statement for each school.

You have to realize that what you have been doing in the last couples years (the way you study, the way you prepare your application) obviously does not work (low GPA, consistently low PCAT). So if you continue to do the same thing, do you think that you would get a different result? Probably not !!!

Great advice, but personally, you need to do some serious reflection. Just looking at the monetary aspect here; first, you spent $1000 bucks just for the PCAT. And secondly, you want to apply to 20+ schools (Im still here hoping that you are joking about that ), thats almost $2,000 bucks or so. I mean, lets get serious here.....