Another "What are my chances" thread...

[EM3W]

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Stats: Male, 30 yo (will be 32 when applying)

School history: BS in Computer Science (‘95 – ‘00), worked for about 3 years then started taking prereqs for a PharmD program. Was accepted in ’05, and currently starting the 3rd year of that program.

GPA: Undergrad is about 2.95 (yuck), that is with about 6-7 F’s, and about 7-8 W’s. I have some excuses for my dismal performance in undergrad, or not really excuses, but some reasons I can give…. After two years of my PharmD my GPA is about 3.8, deans list twice.

Extra curricular: absolutely nothing in undergrad, now that I am in this program I am fairly active. Various random volunteering through a pharmacy frat that I joined. Vice President of the honor society, Treasurer of the Schools student counsel. With the rotations needed for the PharmD program, I will be going on a ton of rounds with doctors and clinical pharmacists.

I haven’t taken the MCATs yet, but I test fairly well (99% on the PCAT), so I am hoping to get at least a 30.

So, how big a deal is my poor GPA from undergrad and the fact that I will have jumped careers twice? Yes, I know that I should probably just drop-out now and work on getting into medical school, but ignore that for the time being, because I really feel like I need to finish what I started with the pharmacy program…

Advice?

 

[relentless11]

I have no clue what your chances are but I do know:

(1) Med schools tend to weigh more on undergrad classes. Mainly because most people apply with just undergrad coursework. However clinical coursework will also be looked upon, and how they view it is up to them.

(2) MCAT does not equal PCAT. I took the PCAT for fun, and IMO, it was a suped up SAT. Challenging yes, but different from the MCAT. Same applies to MCAT vs. DAT. I'd move away from inferring success from such things. Do a practice MCAT and get a more definitive answer.

(3) Finish the pharm program. Looks better if you stick it out, and it will probably help you in terms of clinical knowledge. However if you're going to go into bankruptcy or something paying tuition, then i'd discuss this with the med schools you are interested in.

 

[emquiksilver]

So, how big a deal is...the fact that I will have jumped careers twice?

I think it's big enough that you might want to address it in your personal statement when the time comes. Most nontraditional applicants have changed careers so it's not the end of the world.