Any advice

[sabbath1981]

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I am attempting to apply to pharmacy school which will be a major uphill battle. I'd appreciate any input and thoughts from the people of this board.

About me:
* Graduated with a major in finance in 2003. I have been working for a couple finance companies since that time
* I have always thought of going into pharmacy but have just started to take steps to make it happen.
* I have a low gpa. Cumulative its a 2.74.
* A little volunteer experience but nothing that is hospital or pharmacy related
* I have taken two science classes. I got a B in Biology I and an A in Chemistry I
* I plan on taking the rest of my required science classes (organic, physics, etc) over the next year and apply in 2011.
* Plan to take PCAT next year. While I will study hard I doubt I'll knock it out of the ballpark as I have always have been an average test taker.
* I'm taking night classes while continuing to work 40 hours and my regular finance job
* I have no Pharm Tech experience.

I suppose my question is do I have any chance of getting into a school or am I just clutching straws? I know this is a thread that probably deserves to be viciously flammed. But I'm deciding whether to take two science classes for the winter semester and I just like to hear people's thoughts as to whether I should continue....

 

[themulya]

Come back after you've done most of your pre reqs, have a PCAT score, and maybe have gotten some experience. As of now there is no way anyone can tell if you have a shot or not.

But at least you have a plan. Now all you need to do is execute it. However, one things for sure, you need to do better than a 2.74 in your prereqs if you want to get into pharmacy.

 

[siltears]

You should try to find a school that focuses more on your pre-req marks, than your overall GPA. Like, in Canada UBC only counts your pre-reqs so it doesn't matter how your cGPA looks like. Try to see if you can find a school like that in the States. Other wise, if you can raise your cGPA to at least a 3.0, you will have a fighting chance, especially if you score in the 90+ percentile on the PCAT.

 

[calisoca]

Aim for perfection. With only two science courses under your belt you still have many classes ahead of you in which you can show your abilities. With a 2.74 cgpa, acing ALL of them would be a very wise decision. Getting some A's, some B's, and some C's will pretty much be the kiss of death--you need to show the ability to excel and excel consistently. Your background experience is entriguing and will benefit you if you shine the right lights on it.

Good luck soldier

 

[inquirer89]

+1 on all the advice here. Definitely get the pharmacy experience, either by volunteering or working. A glimpse will help you confirm your desire to become a pharmacist (otherwise, how do you really know this is for you?) and give evidence to the Admissions as to why you are switching careers.

 

[diastole]

Your grades are old enough that you could qualify for academic forgiveness at Southern Nevada if you retake all of the prereqs within five years of your application. You will have to get nearly all As and this year they require the PCAT but your old GPA won't count against you so you definitely have a chance.

 

[rhythmspirit]

Getting A's in all the remaining prereqs will probably raise your gpa to a 2.9-3.0 depending on how many units you currently have. I think with that kind of GPA and a 80%-85%+ PCAT AND pharmacy related work experience, you definately have a chance. GO for it!

 

[rphfan2009]

I am attempting to apply to pharmacy school which will be a major uphill battle. I'd appreciate any input and thoughts from the people of this board.

About me:
* Graduated with a major in finance in 2003. I have been working for a couple finance companies since that time
* I have always thought of going into pharmacy but have just started to take steps to make it happen.
* I have a low gpa. Cumulative its a 2.74.
* A little volunteer experience but nothing that is hospital or pharmacy related
* I have taken two science classes. I got a B in Biology I and an A in Chemistry I
* I plan on taking the rest of my required science classes (organic, physics, etc) over the next year and apply in 2011.
* Plan to take PCAT next year. While I will study hard I doubt I'll knock it out of the ballpark as I have always have been an average test taker.
* I'm taking night classes while continuing to work 40 hours and my regular finance job
* I have no Pharm Tech experience.

I suppose my question is do I have any chance of getting into a school or am I just clutching straws? I know this is a thread that probably deserves to be viciously flammed. But I'm deciding whether to take two science classes for the winter semester and I just like to hear people's thoughts as to whether I should continue....

You have a shot...don't count yourself out. Get a tech job and high grades.

 

[CHOPKINSCaFe]

Yeah, You definitely have a shot especially if you apply to schools with academic forgiveness, like diastole said... USN is a 3-year program with blocked schedule, they have the bare bones pre-reqs and have never used the PCAT scores before this year; You get extra points for having a batchlors - but it's not required - go for it!! Oh and btw take OCHEM ASAP 'cause it's a weeder class.

http://www.usn.edu/pharmacy/

 

[letsEAToranges]

hey sabbath,

i say... go for it! if it makes you feel better, i am actually in the same boat as you. i recently graduated with a business degree too and is currently taking pre-reqs for pharmacy school. 🙂