And if you don't get in?

[njac]

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I know I'm not the only one freaking out about the possibility of not getting inthis year. I only applied to one school this year so I'm trying to figure out what to do if I don't get in (registration for fall semester is before I would find out my acceptance or not).

So far I've got 3 options:
Take 2 classes needed to begin medicaltechnologist program - that only takes 18 months and would give me the opportunity to make $15/hr while in pharmacy school so I could afford to only work 10 hrs/week.

Retake everything I've ever gotten a C in to dosome GPA boosting. Reapply and apply to many other schools next year.

Chem degree. I only need about 3 more semesters to do it - just found out today I already have the classes for a chem minor. This opens up possibilities for grad school in chem or pharmacology (I know there is a good MS/PHD program at UofArizona) since I am interested in the research aspect anyway...

But then again, I have an ever increasing interest in pathology at my new job. I could try to go to medical or veterinary school and go be a pathologist. The way the numbers are, your chances of getting into those schools are better than pharmacy schools (even if the stats of individual applicants are higher. Something like <600 applicants to UofA's med school this year for 100 spots, I've now heard rumors of 3000(? doubtful, the 1300 I heard earlier seems for feasible) applicants to UNMs pharmacy school for the same number of spots is scary!) gah. I hate this crap. I'm running off and joining the circus.

What are everyone else's back up plans just in case?

 

[Jeddevil]

How many places did you apply to? If only one, well, you didn't help yourself. Every pharmacy school is in high demand. If you don't want to waste another year of your life waiting to apply again, you have to apply to multiple schools to help increase your odds. Yes, it costs money, but so does waiting another year to get done (much more). Now that I am done with that rant, I will adress your other questions.

I wouldn't waste 18 months of your life to get a $15/ hr job unless you really want to stick with that job, which at $15/hr, I am betting you don't. As soon as you walk into the door at Pharmacy school, they will wave their magic wand and make you an intern, where you can then make 14-15/hr. The intern wages here in AZ seem to go up about $3 a year as you prgress from p-1, to p-2 etc.

If you really want to be a pharmacist, and you have c's on your transcript, retake them and get A's. In such a high applicant pool environment, the schools have to start cutting through the applicants somehow. Easiest way would seem to be deadlines missed, not correct application material turned in on time. Second easiest way would be grades.

As far as the chem degree, that wouldn't hurt your chances of getting in school, should help them. But not as much as replacing C's on your transcript, IMHO.

The Pathology thing, all I can say is, Do you really want to be a Pharmacist?

 

[rxgal8]

How many places did you apply to? If only one, well, you didn't help yourself. Every pharmacy school is in high demand. If you don't want to waste another year of your life waiting to apply again, you have to apply to multiple schools to help increase your odds. Yes, it costs money, but so does waiting another year to get done (much more). Now that I am done with that rant, I will adress your other questions.

I wouldn't waste 18 months of your life to get a $15/ hr job unless you really want to stick with that job, which at $15/hr, I am betting you don't. As soon as you walk into the door at Pharmacy school, they will wave their magic wand and make you an intern, where you can then make 14-15/hr. The intern wages here in AZ seem to go up about $3 a year as you prgress from p-1, to p-2 etc.

If you really want to be a pharmacist, and you have c's on your transcript, retake them and get A's. In such a high applicant pool environment, the schools have to start cutting through the applicants somehow. Easiest way would seem to be deadlines missed, not correct application material turned in on time. Second easiest way would be grades.

As far as the chem degree, that wouldn't hurt your chances of getting in school, should help them. But not as much as replacing C's on your transcript, IMHO.

The Pathology thing, all I can say is, Do you really want to be a Pharmacist?

whoaa....you covered everything I was going to say to the OP

OP: If you're still interested in Pharmacy, your only goal should be to make your application look better, i.e. re-take classes to boost your GPA and get more pharmacy experience. Then, apply to more schools and you'll get in. Goodluck

 

[njac]

I know I didn't do myself any favors only applying to one school this year, but I just couldn't afford to do any more!

I don't have 2 semesters worth of classes to retake so I guess I'm starting to look at other things to do if I don't get in on this try. I may just try to find some easy science classes to boost the science GPA but I'm at a bit of a crossroads - do I go take some really hard stuff and just finish off a degree or just take the minimum and apply everywhere next year. Too bad they don't just go off of PCAT scores.

 

[jemc2000]

do I go take some really hard stuff and just finish off a degree or just take the minimum and apply everywhere next year. Too bad they don't just go off of PCAT scores.

I completely understand. I am trying to make the same decisions.

 

[rxgal8]

I know I didn't do myself any favors only applying to one school this year, but I just couldn't afford to do any more!

I don't have 2 semesters worth of classes to retake so I guess I'm starting to look at other things to do if I don't get in on this try. I may just try to find some easy science classes to boost the science GPA but I'm at a bit of a crossroads - do I go take some really hard stuff and just finish off a degree or just take the minimum and apply everywhere next year. Too bad they don't just go off of PCAT scores.

If I was you, I wouldn't waste my time and money on another degree (assuming you already have a Bachelor's) because chances are that your GPA might lower and that will definitely not help you the next time you apply.

I suggest re-taking the classes that you didn't do well in and if you have time, taking other easy A science classes. Also, find out from the school (if you don't end up getting in) what they didn't like about your application and improve on that.

I hope you get in this year though. Don't lose hope.

 

[Shanana]

I know I'm not the only one freaking out about the possibility of not getting inthis year. I only applied to one school this year so I'm trying to figure out what to do if I don't get in (registration for fall semester is before I would find out my acceptance or not).

So far I've got 3 options:
Take 2 classes needed to begin medicaltechnologist program - that only takes 18 months and would give me the opportunity to make $15/hr while in pharmacy school so I could afford to only work 10 hrs/week.

Retake everything I've ever gotten a C in to dosome GPA boosting. Reapply and apply to many other schools next year.

Chem degree. I only need about 3 more semesters to do it - just found out today I already have the classes for a chem minor. This opens up possibilities for grad school in chem or pharmacology (I know there is a good MS/PHD program at UofArizona) since I am interested in the research aspect anyway...

But then again, I have an ever increasing interest in pathology at my new job. I could try to go to medical or veterinary school and go be a pathologist. The way the numbers are, your chances of getting into those schools are better than pharmacy schools (even if the stats of individual applicants are higher. Something like <600 applicants to UofA's med school this year for 100 spots, I've now heard rumors of 3000(? doubtful, the 1300 I heard earlier seems for feasible) applicants to UNMs pharmacy school for the same number of spots is scary!) gah. I hate this crap. I'm running off and joining the circus.

What are everyone else's back up plans just in case?

You are not the only one freaking out! I applied for 2004 and 2005 entry to pharmacy school. If I don't get in for the second year in a row, I might just figure it's not really meant to be. Depressing, huh?

My big back-up plan: 1) Apply for jobs in the field I left in Aug 04 (I left my job in pharmaceutical research so that I could go back to school to improve my grades for my application). 2) Research other healthcare jobs, just to learn more about them and see if they might be marginally appealing to me. 3) Take the PCAT again (my old PCAT will be too old to be considered after this year). Maybe apply for 2006, and maybe not.

I think you should go ahead and register for some classes for next year just in case, and reapply! If you don't get in this year, you could retake some of those C classes and work toward a bachelor's degree. Although, you are right, the circus is starting to sound like a good alternative!

 

[RUN DMV]

Well, right now I just got accepted to do summer research at Stony Brook University so if I don't get into phramacy this year, I'll probaby use the experience and become a Chemistry major. If I don't get in, it's probably not my G.P.A. (3.79) or PCAT (83%), so I'll probably do some more volunteering and look for a pharm tech job.

I wouldn't really sweat it. For the past year, I learned a lot about pharmacy and about myself so I feel confident I can get definitely get in next year. It's all about just applying to even more schools and really writing a better personal statement.

By the way, does anyone think I should retake the PCAT again? 83 is pretty good although I feel like I could do better. But I don't want to spend another summer studying for it or pony up another $80.

 

[trishias]

Well, right now I just got accepted to do summer research at Stony Brook University so if I don't get into phramacy this year, I'll probaby use the experience and become a Chemistry major. If I don't get in, it's probably not my G.P.A. (3.79) or PCAT (83%), so I'll probably do some more volunteering and look for a pharm tech job.

I wouldn't really sweat it. For the past year, I learned a lot about pharmacy and about myself so I feel confident I can get definitely get in next year. It's all about just applying to even more schools and really writing a better personal statement.

By the way, does anyone think I should retake the PCAT again? 83 is pretty good although I feel like I could do better. But I don't want to spend another summer studying for it or pony up another $80.

not sure where u are applying but I think your stats are good. I agree u should probably get more pharm tech experience.

 

[jemc2000]

By the way, does anyone think I should retake the PCAT again? 83 is pretty good although I feel like I could do better. But I don't want to spend another summer studying for it or pony up another $80.

If you think you could do better, I think it would be a good idea to retake. It is a rather straightforward way of improve your chances. As would getting a BS, if you do not already have one.

Good luck!

 

[wannabeapharm]

If you think you could do better, I think it would be a good idea to retake. It is a rather straightforward way of improve your chances. As would getting a BS, if you do not already have one.

Good luck!

I have a BBA degree and having major thoughts about what I will do if I dont get into Pharmacy school as well
My gpa when I graduated sucked so i am hoping that I can bring that up.

I guess all things will fall into place for those of us who are having these thoughts abour not getting into pharm school

 

[NYCillini]

Work experience is golden...probably even more so than grades. I know, I know, bold statement but grades are only a small part of the picture. It shows that you can perform well on tests and probably do well in pharm school but jobs show how you apply your knowledge, how you interact with people, and your commitment to helping others. They are looking for people who are a good fit to the career not just human dictionarys and number crunchers.

I recommend finding a job that will give you the most happiness and best experience more so than taking every single class you felt that you did not do well. Then atleast if you do not get in you won't feel as if you wasted you time and money.

Here's my story:
I wasn't the typical Bio and Chem student in college. I majored in what I liked (Human nutrition/dietetics). Right now I work as a nutrition support dietitian in the ICU (deals with feeding tubes, TPNs, etc). My grades and test scores are good but not stellar as some applicants....and I still made it in! Now it is going to be sad leaving a well paying job which I love to pursue my other passion...pharmacy.

Best of luck and keep your head up!