I had a 3.7 Pre-PHR GPA (pre-reqs), 86 composite, 95 chem, 86 Biology, 85 Quant, and terrible verbal, reading, and writing scores on the PCAT. I had no pharmacy technician experience, but did have some very marginal pharmacy shadowing experience (which was hardly brought up in my interview) and got accepted to Texas Tech.
However, when I was asked about my health-related experience, I turned a potential negative into a positive. I said something along the lines of "many current pharmacy students and almost every pharmacist I've encountered, tell me that they believe pharmacy technician experience is not necessary at all when considering a career in pharmacy. These individuals highlight the fact that this shows candidates the wrong side of pharmacy since most technicians only learn some drug names and laws. Furthermore, I have to agree with their idea that many of the qualities and attributes of a community pharmacist are part of most retail jobs, and I've had the opportunity to develop a number of skills salient to the practice of community pharmacy..."
Then I brought the conversation around to mention other marketable features of my file: My retail and management experience - I've made work skeds, dealt with irate customers, and have been promoted quickly at every job I've had. I've worked full-time for most of my undergraduate studies so I had developed excellent time management.
Also, what may have helped a lot is having solid and well thought-out answers for my interviewers when it came to questions about PlanB contraceptive dispensing and how I felt about the ethical delima. This helped demonstrate that what I lacked in direct experience in pharmacy, I made up for by having working knowledge of a pharmacy and was aware of current events in, and the future of, pharmacy.
Every school is different. I just did the best I could do on the PCAT with a reasonable amount of studying, got my pre-phr GPA as high as possible before submitting my application, worked and reworked my essays and personal statement, learned as much about the school as possible (took a tour of the facilities a month before my interview which may/may not have helped my image for the AdCom, but I did take it with someone on the admissions staff), and I had something more insightful to say for why I wanted to be a pharmacist other than the standard "Well... I want to help people, and uhh... yeah, I mean, it's a stable career, ya know?"
Probably the most important thing to mention: Tech seems to really care about extracurricular and non-empirical measurements of a candidate for the purpose of diversifying the school. Although I did not have a fraternity affiliation or even an official tutor program (like you) to put on my resume, I did have some volunteer activities in high school with the special ed department at my high school (which my mother worked for) and on Friday nights at a "boys and girls club" type of establishment. Regrettably, I really have not had time for such activities since HS, and I mentioned that... Basically you've got more extracurricular activities in college on your application than I did.
Stay confident and remember: Grades, scores, and writing ability can get you to the interview. From there, you are probably on an equal playing field (you definitely are at Texas Tech). You should have an idea of what a good pharmacist is. You have given them evidence that you've got what it takes in the classroom, just show them you can do it in real life. Good luck...
