Am I not competitive?

[Qqdog]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I have an associates degree in biology with a 3.96 GPA. Scored 82% composite on PCAT with biology and chemistry both above 90%. I submitted my application in November (school deadline is March). I'm assuming I had good LOR as well as a decent essay.

I do not have any health or pharmacy related experience. The experience I do have is ~4 years as a cashier in 2 seperate jobs.

The only school I applied for (because my pre-reqs only satisfy this school) is LIU. I understand there is only 50 spots for transfer students but from what I know, this is not a prestidious school. They told me their past PCAT acceptance average was 50%.

I imagined I had great chances of getting in or even an interview but it is past the deadlines and way past the period I applied. I have met people who got interviews in January and got accepted as well. The school said interviews are until May. How I see it is if I did not recieve an interview from the starting period in January, and it is March now, I probably won't recieve one in May either.

Am I being too pessimistic? Or am I really not a good enough candidate.

 

[andy994]

what is pharmacy to you?

 

[andy994]

I have an associates degree in biology with a 3.96 GPA. Scored 82% composite on PCAT with biology and chemistry both above 90%. I submitted my application in November (school deadline is March). I'm assuming I had good LOR as well as a decent essay.

I do not have any health or pharmacy related experience. The experience I do have is ~4 years as a cashier in 2 seperate jobs.

The only school I applied for (because my pre-reqs only satisfy this school) is LIU. I understand there is only 50 spots for transfer students but from what I know, this is not a prestidious school. They told me their past PCAT acceptance average was 50%.

I imagined I had great chances of getting in or even an interview but it is past the deadlines and way past the period I applied. I have met people who got interviews in January and got accepted as well. The school said interviews are until May. How I see it is if I did not recieve an interview from the starting period in January, and it is March now, I probably won't recieve one in May either.

Am I being too pessimistic? Or am I really not a good enough candidate.

I'm really curious of what your answer is to my question

 

[Qqdog]

How I feel about pharmacy is not an issue. I know what I want to achieve and I just need the initial step, which is an interview.

 

[andy994]

How I feel about pharmacy is not an issue. I know what I want to achieve and I just need the initial step, which is an interview.

I see... but perhaps what you put is not what the school is looking for? Another question I would have in mind if I were the admissions committee is "how do i know if this applicant knows what it's like to work in a pharmacy?" you said that you don't have any health/pharmacy experience so that could've been a major factor in their decision. OR you just applied late compared to all the other applicants and your interview will come in may.

 

[Sugoi Travis]

You're being too pessimistic, however I would have tried meeting the pre-reqs for other schools and applying to those as well. I did what you're doing right now and it sucks having to hope that you'll get accepted to the only school you fully applied to. Aside from that, your stats are fine and it won't matter too much that you don't have experience in pharmacy. Half of my class (~55) didn't have pharmacy experience when applying.

 

[Qqdog]

I see... but perhaps what you put is not what the school is looking for? Another question I would have in mind if I were the admissions committee is "how do i know if this applicant knows what it's like to work in a pharmacy?" you said that you don't have any health/pharmacy experience so that could've been a major factor in their decision. OR you just applied late compared to all the other applicants and your interview will come in may.

The lack of experience is what I feel is the main factor keeping me from receiving an interview. The people in the same school as me that received interviews had almost identical academic stats and Pcat scores, but they had pharmacy experience. I do have plans to work in a pharmacy but truthfully, it is discouraging knowing that I am not being considered. I did have low expectations for this school, seeing that I know someone attending here entered in with no experience and a much lower pcat score than me. However, they were a student of the school prior to the professional phase so they had an easier selection process.

 

[andy994]

The lack of experience is what I feel is the main factor keeping me from receiving an interview. The people in the same school as me that received interviews had almost identical academic stats and Pcat scores, but they had pharmacy experience. I do have plans to work in a pharmacy but truthfully, it is discouraging knowing that I am not being considered. I did have low expectations for this school, seeing that I know someone attending here entered in with no experience and a much lower pcat score than me. However, they were a student of the school prior to the professional phase so they had an easier selection process.

have you tried contacting the school and asking them?

 

[Qqdog]

I have and unfortunately they just told me to check my status on pharmcas.

 

[Thestrugglez]

Couple of possibilities.

1. Your essay sucked/your recs weren't as good as you thought they were. Your recs are especially important since they give the school an idea of what type of person you are.

2. Your lack of ECs. Other than getting good grades at a CC, you haven't really done anything. No community service and no
health experience raises some red flags.

In hindsight, you should have applied to more schools. I understand LIU was the only school that you met the requirements for. Were there no others that you could have completed requirements for in summer before school starts after you get in?

Edit: although I sound critical, I understand your confusion and confidence. If LIU didn't limit transfer students, I think you would have been fine.

 

[Qqdog]

Couple of possibilities.

1. Your essay sucked/your recs weren't as good as you thought they were. Your recs are especially important since they give the school an idea of what type of person you are.

2. Your lack of ECs. Other than getting good grades at a CC, you haven't really done anything. No community service and no
health experience raises some red flags.

In hindsight, you should have applied to more schools. I understand LIU was the only school that you met the requirements for. Were there no others that you could have completed requirements for in summer before school starts after you get in?

Edit: although I sound critical, I understand your confusion and confidence. If LIU didn't limit transfer students, I think you would have been fine.

Firstly, I appreciate any input and thank you for understanding. I can't be completely sure how my LORs were but I requested it from a professor which thought highly of me and a former manager which I had a close relationship with. I am aware that all I am is a great student on paper and it is completely my fault for not considering working in a pharmacy the second I decided to proceed with pharmacy as a career. I do have plans to gain some experience but of course that will not be shown in this application cycle. Regarding applying to more schools, LIU was the only school that would allow me to stay in the city (which I know is naive and selfish of me to want).

 

[Thestrugglez]

Firstly, I appreciate any input and thank you for understanding. I can't be completely sure how my LORs were but I requested it from a professor which thought highly of me and a former manager which I had a close relationship with. I am aware that all I am is a great student on paper and it is completely my fault for not considering working in a pharmacy the second I decided to proceed with pharmacy as a career. I do have plans to gain some experience but of course that will not be shown in this application cycle. Regarding applying to more schools, LIU was the only school that would allow me to stay in the city (which I know is naive and selfish of me to want).

Working in a pharmacy is always a plus, though not required. Shadowing was enough for me. There is nothing wrong with only applying to one school if that is the only school that you're interested in attending and you understand the risk that comes with it.

As of now, I would recommend considering writing a letter of intent to the school. Honestly, I'm not sure how much that would help, but it might be worth a shot. If you're willing to relocate, there are still schools taking applications. If not, think of ways to build up that EC ASAP.

 

[Lucky One]

From what I've read you applied pretty late to this cycle and sometimes that is crucial especially if the schools are on a rolling admissions basis (accept as they go). Was Pharmacy a late minute decision considering your timeliness?

If so you have to at least have some pharmacy exposure like shadowing someone or even volunteering at a hospital/healthcare setting to see if healthcare is where you see yourself. How do the admissions committee know that you are committed to a career in pharmacy let alone working with people in healthcare.

You know Pharmacy is not what it used to be in terms of job prospects so you should try and research a bit more about pharmacy or other professions if your not 100% sure of your intentions and if they are just. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get in this year. I got accepted to Pharmacy school my 2nd time trying (junior in undergrad) only because I only wanted to stay within my desired locations. I did very well my 2nd time around due to having more experience both leadership and pharmacy/healthcare and got help on my interview/essay. Good luck.

 

[PharmaBound]

I have an associates degree in biology with a 3.96 GPA. Scored 82% composite on PCAT with biology and chemistry both above 90%. I submitted my application in November (school deadline is March). I'm assuming I had good LOR as well as a decent essay.

I do not have any health or pharmacy related experience. The experience I do have is ~4 years as a cashier in 2 seperate jobs.

The only school I applied for (because my pre-reqs only satisfy this school) is LIU. I understand there is only 50 spots for transfer students but from what I know, this is not a prestidious school. They told me their past PCAT acceptance average was 50%.

I imagined I had great chances of getting in or even an interview but it is past the deadlines and way past the period I applied. I have met people who got interviews in January and got accepted as well. The school said interviews are until May. How I see it is if I did not recieve an interview from the starting period in January, and it is March now, I probably won't recieve one in May either.

Am I being too pessimistic? Or am I really not a good enough candidate.

Honestly most schools will always prefer a BS or BA degree student. I am not saying every time, but I believe most. Your retail experience is good, but leadership is most important!. If you dont get in this year just strengthen your app and apply to more schools than one.

 

[Qqdog]

My plans right now are to find work as a pharmacy technician, volunteer at a hospital (for extracurricular activities), and continue attending school in fall. Would this be enough to boost up my application? Should I also retake the PCAT and aim for 90%+?

 

[Lesa123]

Your pcat score is great. Most schools just look for higher then 60 so I don't recommend retaking it.

 

[PharmaBound]

My plans right now are to find work as a pharmacy technician, volunteer at a hospital (for extracurricular activities), and continue attending school in fall. Would this be enough to boost up my application? Should I also retake the PCAT and aim for 90%+?

I also agree that you PCAT is not going to limit you at all. Pharm experience will help and take on any leadership roles you can, even simple ones. Thats really all you can do for now. I would apply to multiple schools, you would be sought out by some for sure.

 

[Lucky One]

Agree with @PharmaBound, just don't apply to those new private/candidate schools. Keep that plan and maybe research other healthcare fields along the way unless your dead set on pharmacy.

 

[pharmnewbie123]

It's possible that they don't like CC grades, since most CC classes aren't as academically rigorous. That combined with your lack of extracurricular killed you.