Advice please? :)

[cuponooodles]

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Hi, I'm new to this forum that I stumbled upon.

I have been planning to go to pharmacy school since high school. I am currently a third year undergrad with not the best of GPAs (2.5 cumulative). I'm still on my way to completing my undergrad but I don't feel so "competitive" due to my GPA (not making the cut-off).

I DO plan to take the PCAT but I'm not sure when.

I am thinking of taking a year off to get more experience. I am currently working on my pharmacy technician certificate, but I also currently work in a retail pharmacy shadowing the pharmacist/technicians and have worked there for a year now and still going.

Some questions I have:

Should I still apply with the GPA I have? (even when I finish my 4th year, I don't think it will be a big jump to 3.0)
What should I do if I don't get in?

I have read some threads about raising GPA if I don't get in, I'm just wondering how do I raise my GPA once I finish my undergrad? Do I go to a local community college and take courses?


Sincerely,
A Hopelessly Lost Student 🙁

 

[iceman132]

Hi, I'm new to this forum that I stumbled upon.

I have been planning to go to pharmacy school since high school. I am currently a third year undergrad with not the best of GPAs (2.5 cumulative). I'm still on my way to completing my undergrad but I don't feel so "competitive" due to my GPA (not making the cut-off).

I DO plan to take the PCAT but I'm not sure when.

I am thinking of taking a year off to get more experience. I am currently working on my pharmacy technician certificate, but I also currently work in a retail pharmacy shadowing the pharmacist/technicians and have worked there for a year now and still going.

Some questions I have:

Should I still apply with the GPA I have? (even when I finish my 4th year, I don't think it will be a big jump to 3.0)
What should I do if I don't get in?

I have read some threads about raising GPA if I don't get in, I'm just wondering how do I raise my GPA once I finish my undergrad? Do I go to a local community college and take courses?


Sincerely,
A Hopelessly Lost Student 🙁

Have you considered a masters program?

 

[Ayuka001]

Really try to raise that gpa up to 3.0+ to increase your chances, b/c I believe most schools don't accept gpa under 2.75 or around that number.

 

[cuponooodles]

Have you considered a masters program?

That is a possibility, yes.

I'm also leaning towards the "money-saving" method (volunteer experience, research, etc.) but will resort to masters if that fails.

 

[cuponooodles]

Really try to raise that gpa up to 3.0+ to increase your chances, b/c I believe most schools don't accept gpa under 2.75 or around that number.

What if by the time I graduate, I end up with a 2.65 (or something like that).. do I just give up on pharmacy school?

I am also wondering how do I raise my GPA once I finish undergrad. Do I go to a community college and retake some courses there?

 

[Ayuka001]

What if by the time I graduate, I end up with a 2.65 (or something like that).. do I just give up on pharmacy school?

I am also wondering how do I raise my GPA once I finish undergrad. Do I go to a community college and retake some courses there?

if you don't raise your gpa to at least 2.75 by the time you graduate, then I believe most ppl go to a community college and retake classes that they got bad grades in. Then when you apply you put both grades in (one from university, other from community college) and pharmcas will average both those grades (sucks I know) but some schools will take the better grade. Because honestly, even with a 2.75 your chances are very low since that is the very minimum and pharmacy is very competitive now a days. So you should aim for a 3.0 + unless you do very well on the pcat then a bit lower is okay if you apply broadly.

 

[chemguy79]

That is a possibility, yes.

I'm also leaning towards the "money-saving" method (volunteer experience, research, etc.) but will resort to masters if that fails.

Given your current GPA, I think you should focus on a method which will improve your GPA because regardless of your other exploits, you need to meet the minimum GPA requirement for admissions. Volunteer experience and research are expected, so your GPA will get you in the door and right now, most doors will be closed for you.

BTW, the same thing will likely be said to you regarding your Master's degree since most schools require a 3.0 GPA for admissions.

Point being, your GPA needs to be fixed and the best thing that you can do is start establishing an upward trend with your GPA. Community college classes are nice and upper level Biology classes are even more helpful because they show that you can handle the type of classes that you will see in Pharmacy school.

 

[cuponooodles]

if you don't raise your gpa to at least 2.75 by the time you graduate, then I believe most ppl go to a community college and retake classes that they got bad grades in. Then when you apply you put both grades in (one from university, other from community college) and pharmcas will average both those grades (sucks I know) but some schools will take the better grade. Because honestly, even with a 2.75 your chances are very low since that is the very minimum and pharmacy is very competitive now a days. So you should aim for a 3.0 + unless you do very well on the pcat then a bit lower is okay if you apply broadly.

How will I know/calculate my overall GPA after taking some classes at the community college?

 

[cuponooodles]

Given your current GPA, I think you should focus on a method which will improve your GPA because regardless of your other exploits, you need to meet the minimum GPA requirement for admissions. Volunteer experience and research are expected, so your GPA will get you in the door and right now, most doors will be closed for you.

BTW, the same thing will likely be said to you regarding your Master's degree since most schools require a 3.0 GPA for admissions.

Point being, your GPA needs to be fixed and the best thing that you can do is start establishing an upward trend with your GPA. Community college classes are nice and upper level Biology classes are even more helpful because they show that you can handle the type of classes that you will see in Pharmacy school.

I started looking for other options as my friend and I (we're pretty much in the same standing GPA wise) who, unfortunately, have the same major advisor. She was told that she had no chance at even getting a 3.0 with the time left (3 quarters).

But thank you, do you have a list of these upper level Biology classes? I want to see if they are offered at my local community college.

 

[chemguy79]

I started looking for other options as my friend and I (we're pretty much in the same standing GPA wise) who, unfortunately, have the same major advisor. She was told that she had no chance at even getting a 3.0 with the time left (3 quarters).

But thank you, do you have a list of these upper level Biology classes? I want to see if they are offered at my local community college.

Unfortunately, community colleges do not offer upper-level Biology classes. Therefore, you'll have to take them at a 4-year university. It will cost more $$$, but given your current situation, you'll truly need to show an admissions committee that you can handle the coursework that will be presented in Pharmacy school. If you need 2 attempts at a class to receive solid grades for a pre-req, be aware that you won't be afforded that opportunity in Pharmacy school.

 

[cuponooodles]

Unfortunately, community colleges do not offer upper-level Biology classes. Therefore, you'll have to take them at a 4-year university. It will cost more $$$, but given your current situation, you'll truly need to show an admissions committee that you can handle the coursework that will be presented in Pharmacy school. If you need 2 attempts at a class to receive solid grades for a pre-req, be aware that you won't be afforded that opportunity in Pharmacy school.

Do you recommend that I do that or should I just retake courses at a local community college?

 

[xtsukiyox]

Do you recommend that I do that or should I just retake courses at a local community college?

I think it would depend on which classes you needed to retake. Start with anything sub-C that you haven't already retaken (you need an A on the retake). If they're not specifically pharmacy prereqs, you might be better off with the upper division classes. Reason being, you are trying to answer two questions for the pharma school with your efforts: Have you mastered the prereq material? Can you perform well in advanced academic (science) classes?

Is there any way you can extend at the undergrad? Double major or something?

If pharmacy is really what you want to do, then don't give up on it, but do understand that you have an uphill battle here. Extracurriculars are nice, but you're applying for an academic program, so your academic performance is going to be the main qualifier. The adcom is trying to choose people who will be good pharmacists... but more than that, they're picking people that will be successful in their program.

You mentioned you haven't taken the PCAT yet. You may consider doing so as soon as you can. Knocking the PCAT out of the park (90+) is a good way to show you've mastered the prereq material (and are good at taking tests 😉 ).

 

[cuponooodles]

I think it would depend on which classes you needed to retake. Start with anything sub-C that you haven't already retaken (you need an A on the retake). If they're not specifically pharmacy prereqs, you might be better off with the upper division classes. Reason being, you are trying to answer two questions for the pharma school with your efforts: Have you mastered the prereq material? Can you perform well in advanced academic (science) classes?

Is there any way you can extend at the undergrad? Double major or something?

If pharmacy is really what you want to do, then don't give up on it, but do understand that you have an uphill battle here. Extracurriculars are nice, but you're applying for an academic program, so your academic performance is going to be the main qualifier. The adcom is trying to choose people who will be good pharmacists... but more than that, they're picking people that will be successful in their program.

You mentioned you haven't taken the PCAT yet. You may consider doing so as soon as you can. Knocking the PCAT out of the park (90+) is a good way to show you've mastered the prereq material (and are good at taking tests 😉 ).

There are some pharmacy prereqs not offered at my school, so I'm bound to go to another college anyways (luckily my local community college has it). I'm planning to retake some courses I received a C in.

I also have a question about some pharmacy schools. I plan to go to schools in Southern California (where I currently reside anyways) due to family commitments. I came across a website from this forum on which schools require PCAT. UCSD, UCSF, USC and maybe a few others I forgot, don't require it. If they don't require it, does that mean they won't even look at it?

 

[chemguy79]

There are some pharmacy prereqs not offered at my school, so I'm bound to go to another college anyways (luckily my local community college has it). I'm planning to retake some courses I received a C in.

I also have a question about some pharmacy schools. I plan to go to schools in Southern California (where I currently reside anyways) due to family commitments. I came across a website from this forum on which schools require PCAT. UCSD, UCSF, USC and maybe a few others I forgot, don't require it. If they don't require it, does that mean they won't even look at it?

Since you're applying to CA schools, you have a lot of work to do because they don't look at the PCAT ... AT ALL. Therefore, your GPA is even more important to your application. Frankly, you should finish your degree before applying to Pharmacy school since you will need something to stand out and your poor GPA is going to be a major hindrance. From what I've read on SDN, students with GPA's below 3.0 are not even considered for acceptance and typically, you need a 3.2 to become competitive with strong extracurricular activities. Without a degree and applying only to California schools, I don't believe that you have any chance for acceptance given your current stats if you can't get your GPA above 3.0.

Furthermore, I would strongly consider looking out-of-state regardless of your family because other schools look at your PCAT score, which is something that can help your application. Therefore, you should broaden your horizons.

Good Luck.

 

[ekimed]

Hi, I'm new to this forum that I stumbled upon.

I have been planning to go to pharmacy school since high school. I am currently a third year undergrad with not the best of GPAs (2.5 cumulative). I'm still on my way to completing my undergrad but I don't feel so "competitive" due to my GPA (not making the cut-off).

I DO plan to take the PCAT but I'm not sure when.

I am thinking of taking a year off to get more experience. I am currently working on my pharmacy technician certificate, but I also currently work in a retail pharmacy shadowing the pharmacist/technicians and have worked there for a year now and still going.

Some questions I have:

Should I still apply with the GPA I have? (even when I finish my 4th year, I don't think it will be a big jump to 3.0)
What should I do if I don't get in?

I have read some threads about raising GPA if I don't get in, I'm just wondering how do I raise my GPA once I finish my undergrad? Do I go to a local community college and take courses?


Sincerely,
A Hopelessly Lost Student 🙁

I would suggest you hold off on applying. Applications aren't necessarily cheap, and with your GPA, you're chances are very slim. Going to a CC to retake and take more courses is a definite must. You need to raise your GPA.

Pharmacy experience is good. So you're on the right track there. But in order to be competitive for CA schools, I think you should try to be involved in other things as well (different kinds of community service, research experience, international volunteering experience etc.)

I took 2 years off after undergrad. During that time, I worked, volunteered, shadowed and took the PCAT. Don't rush things. Apply when you feel like you're ready for pharm school...getting in is one of the easier things...getting through it will be harder.

 

[ValeRx]

It's virtually impossible to raise your GPA to above a 3.0 if you're at a 2.5 and have only one more year left.

 

[Nelcovp]

You might have to stick with being a pharmacy tech.

Read the featured article.... see if homeopathy is a possible option for you.

 

[UMterps]

identify schools you want to apply to, speak with THEIR admissions departments and try the following as a potential applicant:
- give an honest account of your current profile
- list your plan for improving your profile
- see if any selected candidates had a similar situation as yours
- ask what you could do to make yourself attractive as an applicant

Obviously, try and call during a downtime (not this time of the year when application reviews and last minute acceptances are ongoing, and processing of those accepting and matriculating this fall).

Regarding your GPA and a plan of attack:
- Ace the PCAT (i mean try and get into the 98/99th percentile).
- Have an upward trend in GPA (so if you had a 2.3 as a freshman, finish strong with a 4.0 your last year)
- Make sure your GPA of foundation courses for pharmacy school is strong (bio, micro, chem, organic chem, calculus, physics, etc.). These are the courses required to even apply to the pharmacy school. Each school has different pre-reqs so you would need to look at each school individually.
- If you have poor grades in the foundation courses, retake them. If possible, identify where most pharmacy students come from (i.e., which undergrad schools current students have attended) as schools know not all As are created equal. If say a school has a ton of students from Ohio State in their pharmacy school, and these students perform well, particularly in certain subjects (like med chem and therapeutics), they can infer that an A in micro and organic chem from Ohio State will bode well for future success in the program.

This is all speaking from experience. Nothing will be handed to you, and it will be on you to work hard. Volunteering or working, especially while retaking courses or improving your GPA, will also exemplify your ability to handle a full plate and still perform. Also, have a really sound explanation for your poor GPA early in your collegiate career and how you have changed since then for the better. Last, write an awesome personal statement. It may not mean much, but you need to stand out as much as you can. You already are working at a disadvantage with your poor GPA so try and excel in the areas you can really make a difference and distinguish yourself.

 

[cuponooodles]

Sorry to bring back an old post!

I was wondering if CA pharmacy schools look at PCAT if you have a low GPA? I have read some schools shred it and some schools will recommend it. Is there a way to persuade them to look at it if you just don't have the GPA?

 

[Oink]

Sorry to bring back an old post!

I was wondering if CA pharmacy schools look at PCAT if you have a low GPA? I have read some schools shred it and some schools will recommend it. Is there a way to persuade them to look at it if you just don't have the GPA?

I've read on many posts and also a post somewhere above in this thread that they don't care for PCAT scores at all.