Applying to Pharmacy school

[lolasdf-12]

Hello I am a current senior graduating with a B.S. in biological sciences.
After a few years of searching, I concluded that my passion is to help others in a pharmaceutical setting.
There is so much more to becoming a pharmacist behind a drug store counter. I hope to gain more insight into the pharmaceutical industry or even specialize in related areas.
However, the major problem is my gpa (graduating with ~2.9 and science gpa will be lower) I have had problems motivating myself to study in my third year due to personal problems and was hopelessly lost. I used to have an average of 3.5 but during my third year, my grades dropped to Cs and Ds. However, I recovered and brought myself up with Bs and As. Within the past year, I have been involved in research for Huntington Disease and participated in a mentorship program that deals with underprivileged High school students. I also plan to take a year off and pursue working in retail pharmacy after I graduate.
I understand that gpa is a major factor in admission to a Cali-pharmacy school and since this is a limiting factor for me, I am in dire need of sincere direction.
Should I take the PCAT; study hard to score in the 80+? Should I give up on Cali schools which have very competitive scores (don't want to waste money)?
Also, any advice on raising my grades up after I graduate?

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[Hot Pharmacist]

Go where u like, where u feel right, where cost, dont listen to people who only say cost-cheapest-go! these decisions (s) many variables. this is very simple question answer. take pcat man , u don't qualify amongst those asians in CA, i don't too. had i known, i would have gotten 3.6-4.0 science gpa. man....i would have gotten into my top choice.

man are u asian? if u are wats up with yr game daw. lol u got too americanized

but u know, CA might value extracurricular or letters recommend/ personal statement over perfect gpas. may look for diversity? but for me, my schools care about gpa pcat. doesnt matter extracurr eventhough they say

but thats being optimistic, i think if u want go CA, u need 3.4-3.8 gpa, so take pcat buddy boi 🙂

 

[khoanguyen1512]

Hello I am a current senior graduating with a B.S. in biological sciences.
After a few years of searching, I concluded that my passion is to help others in a pharmaceutical setting.
There is so much more to becoming a pharmacist behind a drug store counter. I hope to gain more insight into the pharmaceutical industry or even specialize in related areas.
However, the major problem is my gpa (graduating with ~2.9 and science gpa will be lower) I have had problems motivating myself to study in my third year due to personal problems and was hopelessly lost. I used to have an average of 3.5 but during my third year, my grades dropped to Cs and Ds. However, I recovered and brought myself up with Bs and As. Within the past year, I have been involved in research for Huntington Disease and participated in a mentorship program that deals with underprivileged High school students. I also plan to take a year off and pursue working in retail pharmacy after I graduate.
I understand that gpa is a major factor in admission to a Cali-pharmacy school and since this is a limiting factor for me, I am in dire need of sincere direction.
Should I take the PCAT; study hard to score in the 80+? Should I give up on Cali schools which have very competitive scores (don't want to waste money)?
Also, any advice on raising my grades up after I graduate?

Hi,
First, I think you should reach out to your mentor/counselor for direction since they are the one who know your story both academically and personal. There are other professions that relate to pharmaceutical industry, not just pharmacy. You should try to get a volunteer experience/ become pharmacy tech and get a feel for the profession before you decide to be a pharmacist.
Second, PCAT and a good personal statement plus recommendation letters (preferably from a pharmacist, hence my first suggestion) would be your saving grace. It was the PCAT score that land me 5 acceptance letters from pharmacy schools because my pharmcas GPAs is lower than your. Study at least 2 months ahead with constant exposure to long hours since PCAT is 4 hours long. Try practice in the same time as your PCAT test time to train yourself for test day.
Last, try some fully accredited California schools but do not have high hope because it is super saturated. I am from California but my out of state tuition is cheaper than California school. In addition, I want to have time to focus on school so staying away from friends would help me focus more.
Message me if you have any questions and good luck on your future endeavor of pharmacy school

 

[bulldog1123]

GPA sub 3.0 = Student suddenly discovers passion for pharmaceutical "stuff".

Man PharmD = phake Doctor is rubbing off on me.

 

[khoanguyen1512]

GPA sub 3.0 = Student suddenly discovers passion for pharmaceutical "stuff".

Man PharmD = phake Doctor is rubbing off on me.

Lol those who have higher gpa would already know what they are doing therefore they won't post questions asking what they should do. They could just contact directly to the school or read some posts knowing what they need to do. Most of the common posts here will be low gpa students seeking out helps and advices. Just because you see many of us here doesn't mean every low gpa students wants to go pharmacy. Low gpa students who goes to other forum to seek help also please try to respect others in their career choice. Thank you

 

[bulldog1123]

Lol those who have higher gpa would already know what they are doing therefore they won't post questions asking what they should do. They could just contact directly to the school or read some posts knowing what they need to do. Most of the common posts here will be low gpa students seeking out helps and advices. Just because you see many of us here doesn't mean every low gpa students wants to go pharmacy. Low gpa students who goes to other forum to seek help also please try to respect others in their career choice. Thank you

You have seen the trends in the stats of entering classes in pharmacy school right? I mean I'm an upcoming P1 and even I don't believe what you're saying.

 

[khoanguyen1512]

You have seen the trends in the stats of entering classes in pharmacy school right? I mean I'm an upcoming P1 and even I don't believe what you're saying.

Let me explain to you the trend you see. Every profession has sub 3.0 students applying to. I even know a 2.0 gpa student trying to apply dental schools. It happens to every profession not just pharmacy. But the number of pharmacy students applying to pharmacy schools are decreasing with every year. Pharmacy schools, in turn, have to lower their requirement to fill up all their seats. You are trying to blame on the students who try to apply, but the fact is that pharmacy schools are the ones that allow this to happen. Now, we can complain all we want, but pharmacy schools will do what is best for their business. What I think we should do is try to adapt to the situation, help people to make the right decision. I tried to help other to make the RIGHT choice, whether or not it is pharmacy or other profession. The OP tries to get an honest opinion and not mockery or sacarism, so if you can say something honesty to help him then please do so.

 

[PharmtoCS]

It's undeniable that admission standards have dropped significantly within the last 5 years, partly due to the large number of schools having opened. With the number of applicants falling and number of pharmacy schools increasing, it is inevitable that schools will have to lower their standards to fill seats. Many of the schools only care that you pass the prerequisites and are willing to sign away $200k+ in loans.

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

GPA sub 3.0 = Student suddenly discovers passion for pharmaceutical "stuff".

Man PharmD = phake Doctor is rubbing off on me.

You're welcome

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

Lol those who have higher gpa would already know what they are doing therefore they won't post questions asking what they should do. They could just contact directly to the school or read some posts knowing what they need to do. Most of the common posts here will be low gpa students seeking out helps and advices. Just because you see many of us here doesn't mean every low gpa students wants to go pharmacy. Low gpa students who goes to other forum to seek help also please try to respect others in their career choice. Thank you

Slightly incorrect.

Ten years ago, students with 3.5 ~ 4.0 were fighting each other to get into pharmacy school. The job prospects were good, and the competition was fierce. However, as saturation has taken hold, pharmacy has become less attractive to high achievers. Many students I know switched from pre-pharmacy to pursue MD/DO, PA, and even Nursing school (to eventually become a CRNA or NP).

Add to this the *****ic ASHP who wants to make residency mandatory, many students with high grades have chosen to avoid pharmacy school. What's the point of going to 4 years of professional school + X years of residency for pharmacy if you can get more money, privileges, and prestige by going to medical school.

Pharmacy school stats have plummeted as a result. Even if there were less schools, I doubt that it would improve the GPA stats of people matriculating into pharmacy school. The saturation and education creep has made pharmacy an unattractive field.

 

[Rukn]

Slightly incorrect.

Ten years ago, students with 3.5 ~ 4.0 were fighting each other to get into pharmacy school. The job prospects were good, and the competition was fierce. However, as saturation has taken hold, pharmacy has become less attractive to high achievers. Many students I know switched from pre-pharmacy to pursue MD/DO, PA, and even Nursing school (to eventually become a CRNA or NP).

Add to this the *****ic ASHP who wants to make residency mandatory, many students with high grades have chosen to avoid pharmacy school. What's the point of going to 4 years of professional school + X years of residency for pharmacy if you can get more money, privileges, and prestige by going to medical school.

Pharmacy school stats have plummeted as a result. Even if there were less schools, I doubt that it would improve the GPA stats of people matriculating into pharmacy school. The saturation and education creep has made pharmacy an unattractive field.

lol pharmacy school was never as competitive as medical school

I have no idea what kind of person with a 3.5 - 4.0 GPA would prefer pharmacy over medical school

The appeal of pharmacy has always been 6 years 6 figure salary

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

lol pharmacy school was never as competitive as medical school

I have no idea what kind of person with a 3.5 - 4.0 GPA would prefer pharmacy over medical school

LOL. When did you go to pharmacy school?

I never said pharmacy school was as competitive as medical school. I said it was competitive. And in the years 2000 to 2006, a lot more students with 3.5~4.0 went to pharmacy school in 2+4 year programs out of high school or applied during sophomore year of college. It was a really big deal then. There were only 82 schools of pharmacy in the year 2000. A lot of people (especially college kids) saw it as an achievement to get accepted into pharmacy school. You didn't get paid as much as a doctor, but you didn't have to spend 11+ years in school and training to get a job.

Also, jobs were plentiful back in the year 2000.

Fast forward 16 years later, and there are more than 50 schools that have opened. Honors students and high-achievers no longer even think about touching pharmacy school.
It's the healthcare world's version of Law school.