Best way to boost GPA?

[manne02]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm wait listed at 2 schools right now (both of which I may not hear back until fall semester starts), but I am preparing myself for reapplying in case I do not get in. My GPA is 2.90, which I know is low for pharmacy school. I want to boost my GPA, but I'm not sure if I should just retake prereq classes that I got a C in or take upper division science courses. I'm just trying to think of which option will make a better case for me that I can handle a doctorate program.

I would like to reapply for this next cycle, so would boosting it up to at least a 3.0 over summer increase my chances?

 

[Verduchi]

I would retake the science classes you got C's in. Upper division Bio. and Chem. courses can get into some pretty heavy stuff both in lab and lecture. Retake those classes and shoot for A's you will be golden.

 

[Kelp103]

I would ask the admissions office of both of these schools (assuming they are the ones you actually want to go to) what they would suggest. Also, I think reapplying to the same schools shows you really want to go there and that may help your chances. I would just call and ask, "How can I be a better candidate next year?"

 

[oldstock]

I'm wait listed at 2 schools right now (both of which I may not hear back until fall semester starts), but I am preparing myself for reapplying in case I do not get in. My GPA is 2.90, which I know is low for pharmacy school. I want to boost my GPA, but I'm not sure if I should just retake prereq classes that I got a C in or take upper division science courses. I'm just trying to think of which option will make a better case for me that I can handle a doctorate program.

I would like to reapply for this next cycle, so would boosting it up to at least a 3.0 over summer increase my chances?

As long as you could show an upward trend, you would be fine in the eyes of ADCOMs. The higher your new GPA, the more favorable you look in the eyes of ADCOMs.

imho you should only retake if you got D's or F's in those prereqs. PHARMCAS science GPA counts all science courses you took. You should continue move forward. If you could take upper division science courses and get A, do it. This will help to bring your GPA up.

If you retake those C's and get A's, your PHARMCAS sGPA will still be the average of those C's and A. The new A's of the retakes do not replace those C's. So why not getting A's in new science classes and earn more credits toward your undergraduate or master degree ?? I am not in favor to see multiple retakes on one's transcript.

I think, retaking those C's is silly as that shows that you are only spinning your wheels at the same place trying to gain some traction. Look at those post-bac programs for premeds, those programs are designed with upper level courses, e.g. at master or medical school level. If those pre-meds could show that they could handle and ace those difficult courses, they are considered favorably for medical admission. Would it be better for those premeds to retake / repeat their undergrad courses / prereqs instead of taking classes for those post-bac programs ?? No.

Taking those upper science courses and got A's in them would give you a similar effect for your pharmacy application. And you could actually use those credits to fulfill and acquire a bachelor degree or master degree which would give you more options and flexibility than retaking those C's.

Anyway, I do not know if your school would let you to repeat the courses which you got C's in. In my experience, usually they only let you if you got D's or F's. If you really think to retake those C's, you might have to do in at a different school. Check with your school.

last thing, do not forget to ace the PCAT (e.g. try for 80-90's percentile). If you scored low, this is the one you should retake !! The PCAT can act as the great equalizer and help your application greatly !!

GL 🙂

 

[Verduchi]

Oldstock I think you have OCD. Judging not only from this post, but from your many other responses to numerous threads as well. Why does every response with you require a Shakespeare novel length like reply? It's kind of silly in the sad clown kind of way.

Why should he risk getting average grades in upper division science courses when he can retake science courses with a higher chance of a higher grade second time around? Yes these grades will be averaged in, but say he retakes two general chem. classes in which he received grades C's replaces them with A's. His Pharmcas gen. chem GPA has gone up 1 point alone.

Best bet is to speak to an admissions person at the Pharmacy school(s) you are interested before doing anything. Because some of them only care about Pre-req grades. My advice to you is with respect to how close you are (being wait-listed 2.90 gpa) IMO taking upper division science courses is hard enough, and will put a lot more pressure on you, especially when the stakes are so high and yet you are so close.

 

[oldstock]

Oldstock I think you have OCD. Judging not only from this post, but from your many other responses to numerous threads as well. Why does every response with you require a Shakespeare novel length like reply? It's kind of silly in the sad clown kind of way.

Why should he risk getting average grades in upper division science courses when he can retake science courses with a higher chance of a higher grade second time around? Yes these grades will be averaged in, but say he retakes two general chem. classes in which he received grades C's replaces them with A's. His Pharmcas gen. chem GPA has gone up 1 point alone.

Best bet is to speak to an admissions person at the Pharmacy school(s) you are interested before doing anything. Because some of them only care about Pre-req grades. My advice to you is with respect to how close you are (being wait-listed 2.90 gpa) IMO taking upper division science courses is hard enough, and will put a lot more pressure on you, especially when the stakes are so high and yet you are so close.

First off, I am not going to play your game here. I am trying to be professional and a better person whenever I can, V 🙂

This is the 1st time I responded to the OP who has had only 2 posts so far. I am trying to be thorough every time I post . That is all.

I did say these,

If you could take upper division science courses and get A, do it.

and

Anyway, I do not know if your school would let you to repeat the courses which you got C's in. In my experience, usually they only let you if you got D's or F's. If you really think to retake those C's, you might have to do in at a different school. Check with your school.

Now, I agree w Kelp103 above too that the OP should call the schools the OP got waitlisted at to find out what they want him/her to do to get accepted. However, I am thinking of a bigger picture, i.e. broadening the horizon and applying to more schools next time to enhace the chance of getting in. Most pharmacy schools are favoring applicants with a prior degree such as bachelor degree or higher. If I could, I would show the pharmacy schools that I got waitlisted clear evidence that I am a great candidate for their schools and they should admit me because I am. Taking upper level courses will give them this kind of evidence.

 

[NejixRockS]

I agree with @oldstock , He should take upper division science classes. It will truly show if he/she can handle pharmacy school. I did really bad in a few science classes when I was a sophomore, I decided to start taking upper division biology classes to see if I could make it into pharmacy school. I raised my GPA from 2.96 to 3.41 in 2 years. Upper division classes made me study harder, but it was worth it, I haven't gotten a C in years.

 

[oldstock]

I agree with @oldstock , He should take upper division science classes. It will truly show if he/she can handle pharmacy school. I did really bad in a few science classes when I was a sophomore, I decided to start taking upper division biology classes to see if I could make it into pharmacy school. I raised my GPA from 2.96 to 3.41 in 2 years. Upper division classes made me study harder, but it was worth it, I haven't gotten a C in years.

Thanks man for agreeing with me! 🙂

I also think that it is safer to assume that the admission process / competition is only getting harder in the next application cycle. Even if you are admitted to a pharmacy school this year, there is no gaurantee that you could get in next year at the same school if you declined this year's admission. So imho it is better to up the ante and give your application a new edge / advantages when you have to reaaply.

 

[Kelp103]

I think taking new courses would better also. I am not an admissions person, but if I was would the fact that you can get an A on a class after taking twice does not impress me. I would hope you could make an A after seeing all the material twice.
Taking higher courses and doing well shows me those other classes may have been a fluke and you can do well the FIRST time. Pharmacy school is not going to give you second chances.
Just my two cents, but checking with the school is always the best option and shows your continued interest. 🙂

 

[Verduchi]

First off, I am not going to play your game here. I am trying to be professional and a better person whenever I can, V 🙂

This is the 1st time I responded to the OP who has had only 2 posts so far. I am trying to be thorough every time I post . That is all.

I did say these,



and




Now, I agree w Kelp103 above too that the OP should call the schools the OP got waitlisted at to find out what they want him/her to do to get accepted. However, I am thinking of a bigger picture, i.e. broadening the horizon and applying to more schools next time to enhace the chance of getting in. Most pharmacy schools are favoring applicants with a prior degree such as bachelor degree or higher. If I could, I would show the pharmacy schools that I got waitlisted clear evidence that I am a great candidate for their schools and they should admit me because I am. Taking upper level courses will give them this kind of evidence.

I find it absolutely laughable that you encourage this person to take upper division science courses coming from someone who has been out of school since the mid 90's or however long (from your other thread) A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN!!

 

[88888888]

Don't bother boosting your GPA. You're GPA is good enough to get top PCAT schools. Focus on PCAT cause that's the easiest to improve. Then pharmacy experience and extracurriculars.

I don't know if you have bachelor's or not, if you don't, maybe get that.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME RETAKING CLASSES...I have over 5 C's in my pre-reqs and only couple of A's. It's a waste of money and time. Only retake it if you failed it. It's one of the worst advice one can give. You can go work/do extracurriculars + study for PCAT.

If you get 90+ on PCAT, you'll get into pretty much any school you want. Given you can do a decent interview.

 

[oldstock]

I find it absolutely laughable that you encourage this person to take upper division science courses coming from someone who has been out of school since the mid 90's or however long (from your other thread) A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN!!

It does not take a PhD from 2014 to say the same things I said above to the OP. It is all common sense.
(V, fyi, in case you did not read all my posts which I did mention that my most recent degree was from 2010 (GPA ~ 3.7). Also I did mention that my prereqs were old and did not meet the age restrictions / limit of some schools. But I did not repeat them (and I even got a few C's in my prereqs). Instead I went on to do another degree and obtain a good score (mid 80s+) on the PCAT. Out of 9 schools I applied for this application cycle (Class of 2018), I did get 8 interview offers (had to decline 2) which resulted in 2 acceptance (1 top-tier, 1 mid-tier), 2 waitlist, 2 remaining interviews-one of which I did just last week and another is scheduled for next week, and only 1 school has not decided to interview or reject me. Nobody at the pharmacy schools I applied to cares about how old my prereqs were when they look at my recent stuffs. Laugh all you want, but I am really happy with the result of my application. With that result, I think I am qualified and relevant enough to say something here.)

Here, the age of my prereqs or me being out of school since whenever has nothing to do with my advice to the OP. It is the validity / reasoning of my advice that is all that matters.

Anyhoo, you have already seen above that many are saying the same advice I gave the OP. Why do you feel the need to attack me only ?? I dare you to take on all of them and I will salute you for courage if you do that. BTW probably somebody forgot tell somebody that it is not good to bully the elderly. Tsk Tsk Tsk 😛

All kidding aside, probably this is my last reply to you if you continue this type of personal attack posting, which I will not engage. You can question my advice / argument / reasoning anytime and I will answer. But imho personal attack is not professional and not helpful in any discussion as it is distracting and derailing the whole original discussion. I think you are better than that.

Have a good weekend V !! 🙂

 

[Verduchi]

Let me just share some stats from my current cell bio. class just to remind everyone in this post how hard it is to get A's in upper division courses. Notice a very small percentage of the students got A's on the last exam? Many students who BS'ed their way through gen. Bio are struggling in this class. Look all I am saying is it will be a harder road traveled to increase grades through Upper division courses.

 

[88888888]

Let me just share some stats from my current cell bio. class just to remind everyone in this post how hard it is to get A's in upper division courses. Notice a very small percentage of the students got A's on the last exam? Many students who BS'ed their way through gen. Bio are struggling in this class. Look all I am saying is it will be a harder road traveled to increase grades through Upper division courses.

Every school is different.

 

[Kelp103]

Sucks your tests appear to be so far from a bell curve. My teacher told be once the perfect test is suppose to have an average of 78. Don't know where he got that from though.
I'm just curious, why are there E's? Are those F's? I've never heard of an E before 😛 It looks like almost a third of your class failed! :O
I mean, I've taken Cell Bio and that's just ridiculous.
As 88888888 (I hope that's enough 8's...) said though, every school is different. Also, if you can't do well in these classes in undergrad (when you hopefully have more time) I would worry about pharmacy school.
Regardless, we are are all just arguing about a small point. The important thing is to do well in whatever classes you choose to take. Personal attacks aren't needed we are all just giving our advice (and unless one of us is an adcom at the school manne02 is hoping to attend) all our opinions are equally valid.

 

[Verduchi]

I think one of the Deans incorporated it at our school for shock value. But yes they are the same as an F. All classes at our school use this lettering system.

Our professor is an IVY-Leaguer, who actively engages in research on cancer and fat cells at a local university hospital where she did her PHD. This is why I think she makes her tests so hard.

 

[Amicable Angora]

I think taking new courses would better also. I am not an admissions person, but if I was would the fact that you can get an A on a class after taking twice does not impress me. I would hope you could make an A after seeing all the material twice.
Taking higher courses and doing well shows me those other classes may have been a fluke and you can do well the FIRST time. Pharmacy school is not going to give you second chances.
Just my two cents, but checking with the school is always the best option and shows your continued interest. 🙂

So true.

 

[sanovin]

Take upper level courses and adjust your study habits/study harder. If you can show them that you are now able to handle tougher course loads (with an A preferably), it'll make a much bigger statement than simply retaking two classes and doing well. Don't let Verduchi's posts antagonize you or scare you. As long as you give yourself ample time to study ahead of time you'll be fine, even in upper division classes. Cell bio was easy anyway.