Can I apply or not??

[AceofSpades85]

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Hey guys. I have a few questions and I was hoping to get some advice. I graduated last summer with my BS in Nutrition and I am currently pursuing my MS in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy and will be getting my MS in the spring of 2010. The problem I have currently is I want to get my PharmD as well but I received a D+ in Organic 2. I tried to sign up this summer at a CC but the seats were full. I talked to the professor and she said they will open a section in the fall semester. So, my question is, can I still apply to Pharmacy schools in the fall while I am re-taking Organic 2 or do I have to complete the course first? If I have to complete the course, then the next time I could apply is in 2010. But I would like to apply this year just to see if I have any chance. Also, are my undergrad and grad gpa separate according to Pharmcas or are they combined? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[tommyVoltage]

you can still apply without finishing all of your prereq classes, but i don't know if any school will accept you with a D in organic chem 2. pharmcas will update your gpa when you completed organic chem 2 in the fall, but it might be too late by then and the schools already made most of there decisions for interviews. i'm guessing that's why everyone says apply early.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Actually most schools do their interviews and decision making in the spring, after you would have time to update your grade. Go ahead and apply.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

I am currently doing a grad program and applied to pharm school last year.

PharmCAS takes all your grades after high school in whatever post-secondary school you attended and combines them together.

Oh, and another way you might be able to help make up for a poor o-chem grade is doing very well on the chem portion of the PCAT. I don't know if the schools you are looking at require that, but it's something to look into.

 

[255942]

You don't need to worry. Retake Orgo in the fall, do well on your PCAT, and apply to your preferred schools. They will see via PharmCas that you enrolled in Orgo again and hopefully overlook your first grade and wait for your retake before making a decision.

PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

One other thing that may help is that some schools have an optional third essay where you can explain any problems in your application. If you have any good reasons that you did so poorly in that orgo class, you can explain it there.

 

[AceofSpades85]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will definitely apply this year and hopefully I will get somewhere. My stats are not the greatest, sadly to say. My GPA for undergrad was 3.1 and my grad GPA is currently a 3.6. But when you combine them according to Pharmcas, it comes out to 2.77! I was mainly a B student with few C's and of course Orgo doesn't help it either. So, how can I strengthen my application?? I am working as a pharm tech for the past 2 yrs, over 300+ volunteer experience in the hosiptal including the pharmacy dept. and working on a MS. I'm going to start studying for the PCAT as soon as I get the notes I have ordered and start asking for LOR. I reside in Gainesville, FL, so my top schools are UF (I have done my undergrad and current grad from here), NOVA, LECOM and last choice, UH in Hilo. I am willing to apply out of state but I have another question; when I look at the schools from the Pharmcas website, how do I know if that school does grade forgiveness or not?? Thanks.