Am I f*cked?

[sterling40]

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Hey. Long time reader, first time poster. I just wanted your opinion on my situation please. I am a second year undergrad. I plan to start working as a pharm tech. this spring, until graduation hopefully. Freshmen year, first semester I got a 2.4 gpa, second semester 2.8, this semester I will end up with a 3.5 probably. I am concerned because I ended up with a lot of Cs last year, I took a few hardcourses (bio, stats., psych., etc.). I am a few clubs, and volunteer at a hospital in my hometown. I've talked with some advisors and they said it's a good idea to have a Plan B ready incase pharmacy doesn't work out for me, but to still try. Do any of you have any suggestions or comments on what I can do to get out of the hole I've created?

 

[omnione]

Is your overall GPA a 3.5? If so, then you are far from being f*cked. Cs aren't the kiss of death unless you get a lot of them or show a pattern of laziness and/or poor performance.

The best counter to a potentially questionable GPA is a high PCAT, so do prepare yourself for that. Also, you should retake any courses in which you earned a C- or below. I would only retake Cs if your school allows it and you have the time and money; your other prereqs and requirements come first.

When do you plan to apply to pharmacy school? You mentioned that you want to work as a pharm tech until graduation but you sound like you are in your sophomore year. If you plan to be apply in your third or fourth year, then you have time to boost your GPA. Are you in the admissions process now?

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

Hey. Long time reader, first time poster. I just wanted your opinion on my situation please. I am a second year undergrad. I plan to start working as a pharm tech. this spring, until graduation hopefully. Freshmen year, first semester I got a 2.4 gpa, second semester 2.8, this semester I will end up with a 3.5 probably. I am concerned because I ended up with a lot of Cs last year, I took a few hardcourses (bio, stats., psych., etc.). I am a few clubs, and volunteer at a hospital in my hometown. I've talked with some advisors and they said it's a good idea to have a Plan B ready incase pharmacy doesn't work out for me, but to still try. Do any of you have any suggestions or comments on what I can do to get out of the hole I've created?

Cheer up, you are only in your second year, plenty of time to bring that GPA up if you are going the 4 year undergrad route before applying. Getting a pharm tech job sounds like a good idea and volunteering looks good. Just remember that if the job and volunteering are getting in the way of doing well in school you may want to cut back. To be honest you should reevaluate the way you study also, if you are having a hard time in lower level undergrad classes it is only going to get that much tougher for you once you reach Biochem, Ochem, Immunology, Microbiology, Cell and Molec, Pchem, calculus and all that fun stuff. If you think you are up for the challenge and can turn your grades around and have a job at the same time then more power to you but be careful you do not bury yourself.

 

[sterling40]

Thanks for the replies.
omnione, no that is what my current semester will probably end up being. I plan to apply in August/Sept. 2009(my senior year). I was thinking about retaking some classes, but I will definitely find out if I can. I don't have any C-s, just 4 🙂eek🙂 Cs and 1 C+ from freshmen year. I already got my future schedule planned out, and there are two hardcore classes each semester starting with spring 08.
I think, as long as I can stay out of C land for my remaining courses, I should be in a good position. I know that I should write in why I had a poor performance that year once I start applying, since some schools have a section for that.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

Thanks for the replies.
omnione, no that is what my current semester will probably end up being. I plan to apply in August/Sept. 2009(my senior year). I was thinking about retaking some classes, but I will definitely find out if I can. I don't have any C-s, just 4 🙂eek🙂 Cs and 1 C+ from freshmen year. I already got my future schedule planned out, and there are two hardcore classes each semester starting with spring 08.
I think, as long as I can stay out of C land for my remaining courses, I should be in a good position. I know that I should write in why I had a poor performance that year once I start applying, since some schools have a section for that.

Since you already have 4 Cs your goal right now should be to stay out of C and B range. Just ace everything and you will make up for those Cs. Bs are alright but after a low GPA and some Cs in prereqs you should show that you can truely master the material in the courses by getting As.

 

[hello18]

Thanks for the replies.
omnione, no that is what my current semester will probably end up being. I plan to apply in August/Sept. 2009(my senior year). I was thinking about retaking some classes, but I will definitely find out if I can. I don't have any C-s, just 4 🙂eek🙂 Cs and 1 C+ from freshmen year. I already got my future schedule planned out, and there are two hardcore classes each semester starting with spring 08.
I think, as long as I can stay out of C land for my remaining courses, I should be in a good position. I know that I should write in why I had a poor performance that year once I start applying, since some schools have a section for that.

Hmmm lets see how many Cs I got...

I got 8 C's in my undergrad career including 2 C-'s, which I later retook and got a B+.... Like you... I did horrible my freshman year mainly because I was an engineer and was still searching for a "real" major, however, I kept persistent in my classes and raised my grades up eventually to a 2.96 overall by the time I graduated... however my pre-req had suffered tremendously as those classes are the ones I got a C on... My pre-req GPA is 2.76 however my PCAT score is 82 comp... My advice to you is to APPLY EARLY!!!! I cannot stress this enough... If you want to stand a chance against the high GPA people with tons of extracurriculars you must apply early... Also get a high PCAT score, this will offset a poor GPA... This is my 2nd year applying to pharmacy school....

I have gotten 7 interviews (canceled some interviews b/c they were back up schools) so far and Acceptance to 1 school... so keep your head up... "If you first don't succeed, try again...."

 

[pharwanabe]

Hmmm lets see how many Cs I got...

I got 8 C's in my undergrad career including 2 C-'s, which I later retook and got a B+.... Like you... I did horrible my freshman year mainly because I was an engineer and was still searching for a "real" major, however, I kept persistent in my classes and raised my grades up eventually to a 2.96 overall by the time I graduated... however my pre-req had suffered tremendously as those classes are the ones I got a C on... My pre-req GPA is 2.76 however my PCAT score is 82 comp... My advice to you is to APPLY EARLY!!!! I cannot stress this enough... If you want to stand a chance against the high GPA people with tons of extracurriculars you must apply early... Also get a high PCAT score, this will offset a poor GPA... This is my 2nd year applying to pharmacy school....

I have gotten 7 interviews (canceled some interviews b/c they were back up schools) so far and Acceptance to 1 school... so keep your head up... "If you first don't succeed, try again...."

you totally made my day. im in sort of that situation where i ened up doing bad cuz of work and all but i am planning on retaking some of the classes.
just a quick question for u. did u retake those classes with c's after u graduated?? cuz my school doesn't allow u to retake them if u got a c
thanks in advance

 

[hello18]

you totally made my day. im in sort of that situation where i ened up doing bad cuz of work and all but i am planning on retaking some of the classes.
just a quick question for u. did u retake those classes with c's after u graduated?? cuz my school doesn't allow u to retake them if u got a c
thanks in advance

I only retook classes that I got C-'s on... calc and physics... I was thinking about retaking the other classes but I felt my extracurricular and PCAT score would get me in... If I were to be waitlisted again this year, I would've retaken all those courses I got a C on... Luckily I don't have to... Good luck with your apps...

 

[pharwanabe]

I only retook classes that I got C-'s on... calc and physics... I was thinking about retaking the other classes but I felt my extracurricular and PCAT score would get me in... If I were to be waitlisted again this year, I would've retaken all those courses I got a C on... Luckily I don't have to... Good luck with your apps...

hey thanks, and another quick question, sorry for buggin u too much
how did u study for the pcat if u dont mind me asking.
i m using kaplan book right now and im getting so many difference answers from people, especially the vocab part cuz i suck at it
thanks

 

[hello18]

hey thanks, and another quick question, sorry for buggin u too much
how did u study for the pcat if u dont mind me asking.
i m using kaplan book right now and im getting so many difference answers from people, especially the vocab part cuz i suck at it
thanks

Well, I had a BS in chemistry so I kinda knew my stuff for that section... for bio I just used the kaplan book... vocab I really suffered on, I didn't bother studyin' for this section as a result I got (20%... yes 20 percent which brought my entire composite down... if you want to study for it I would consider getting flash cards and memorizing words (prefix, roots etc..) the reading section you can practice through kaplan, reading isn't too difficult if you know what your looking for... I tend to underline important key facts and read the questions before hand so I know what to look for... math I just knew because I had to take so many calc classes so I pretty much aced that section... don't rely on kaplan for chem and math because they dont' cover too much orgo or calc in it... I would definitely brush up on those concepts before going into the exam... hope that helps...

 

[wbrown]

Before you start retaking classes, talk to an admissions person at the school(s) you're interested in. At my school, I was actually advised not to retake classes I made a C in, and instead continue to progress to advanced level classes, so instead of retaking Bio1, take and upper division bio class and do well in it. They said that would show more progress and advancement than just retaking the first class since everyone does better the second time.

 

[sterling40]

Well, I had a BS in chemistry so I kinda knew my stuff for that section... for bio I just used the kaplan book... vocab I really suffered on, I didn't bother studyin' for this section as a result I got (20%... yes 20 percent which brought my entire composite down... if you want to study for it I would consider getting flash cards and memorizing words (prefix, roots etc..) the reading section you can practice through kaplan, reading isn't too difficult if you know what your looking for... I tend to underline important key facts and read the questions before hand so I know what to look for... math I just knew because I had to take so many calc classes so I pretty much aced that section... don't rely on kaplan for chem and math because they dont' cover too much orgo or calc in it... I would definitely brush up on those concepts before going into the exam... hope that helps...

Question, you are talking about the book right? Or that you took their pharmacy class? Would you recommend this?
http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-PCAT-2008-2009-Pharmacy-Admission/dp/1419551558

wbrown, I looked up the policy on retaking classes here. You can take a MAX. of two classes over again, and have the first grade excluded. If more than that, the two grades are averaged. However, I am already planning to take another class this summer, so I will probably wait until the 2009 summer if I choose to repeat any class.

 

[hello18]

Question, you are talking about the book right? Or that you took their pharmacy class? Would you recommend this?
http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-PCAT-2008-2009-Pharmacy-Admission/dp/1419551558

wbrown, I looked up the policy on retaking classes here. You can take a MAX. of two classes over again, and have the first grade excluded. If more than that, the two grades are averaged. However, I am already planning to take another class this summer, so I will probably wait until the 2009 summer if I choose to repeat any class.

Yes, I had an older edition, however they have the same information... that book will work...

 

[CaliCPhT]

wbrown, I looked up the policy on retaking classes here. You can take a MAX. of two classes over again, and have the first grade excluded. If more than that, the two grades are averaged. However, I am already planning to take another class this summer, so I will probably wait until the 2009 summer if I choose to repeat any class.

First of all, welcome!

At my school you were able to replace 2 (or was it 3) grades with retakes, and have the first not apply toward your university GPA. However, PharmCAS counts EVERYTHING, and you're required to report everything, including the retakes. Other than that, I don't think there is necessarily a limit to the classes you can retake.

My advice to you: there is still hope for you. You realize where you messed up, now it's time to buckle down and get serious about your grades and getting into pharmacy school. Otherwise, it will come back to bite you in the butt later on. (trust me here!!!) Do well in your classes, READ THE BOOK (no matter what anyone else tells you), for your chemistrys - do all of the homework problems in the back, use professors' office hours. Don't worry about looking like a suck-up -- you may be able to score a quality letter of recommendation. As long as you can get mostly A's and a few B's, you probably will not need to worry about retaking any C classes.

Other advice: take a look at 5 or 6 pharmacy schools you're interested and check out what their pre-reqs are. Most will have similar pre-requisites. Make sure that you do really well in the pre-reqs, and just be prepared. I'm sure that you can get into pharmacy school. Good luck, and use this website for any questions or research. Oh, and listen to omnione. he has great advice. i have much respect for that guy.