Can I make it to a pharmacy program with my low GPA?

[hello77]

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Hi, I have a current cumulative GPA of 2.5, with first year biology, chemistry, english and statistics. I have yet to do first year math, physics, one more english and organic chemistry. I am really hoping I can pull off a minimum B in these courses. Do you think I can get a good GPA?

 

[FlavyFlav]

Look GPA doesn't means the quality of a student.It is just the over view of your subject knowledge.As you little bit learn you GPA will little.Pharmacy is serious subject you know.To learn pharmacy you should be serious student.

wat?


I don't know how anyone is going to answer this question for you. 2.5 is a bad GPA. It sounds like you've just started your college though which means it will be easy to bring this up if you decide to hunker down and do your studying. Basically, you're too early in the pre-reqs for anyone to be able to make a decent guess on your chances.

 

[xtsukiyox]

GPA = weighted grade total / total credits

Example:
Biology 1 w/lab B 4 credit hours
Chemistry 1 w/lab C 4 credit hours
English 101 B 3 credit hours
Statistics C 3 credit hours

Total hours = 14

B = 3.0 on a 4 point scale
C = 2.0 on a 4 point scale

Biology 1 = 3.0 * 4 hours = 12 "grade points"
Chemistry 1 = 2.0 * 4 hours = 8 "grade points"
English = 3.0 * 3 hours = 9 "grade points"
Statistics = 2.0 * 3 hours = 6 "grade points"

Total "grade points" = 35

GPA = 35 / 14 = 2.5

Extrapolate to the total credit hours you are going to take for pre-pharm to figure out the average grade you will need to pull on the rest of your classes to get the GPA you want.

Example, assuming 66 pre-pharm credits & desired 3.5 GPA:

dGPA = 3.5 = x / 66
x = 231 "grade points" (in 66 hours)

Remaining credit hours: 66 - 14 = 52

231 / 66 = (35 + x) / (14 + 52)
x = 196 "grade points"

In this example, you would need to score 196 "grade points" in the 52 remaining credit hours to score a 3.5 GPA. 196 / 52 = 3.77 average grade for remaining classes. That's almost all As.

Plug in numbers for your own situation & your own GPA goal.

 

[hello77]

Alright thanks.. Anyone else have anymore suggestions?

 

[yukaiyuri]

Hey, if I can get in with a 2.7 cumulative, I'm sure you can too. It sounds like you still have a lot of classes to take, so just work harder! It helps to have leadership and work experience too. Good luck!

 

[MSSimpson12]

Hey, if I can get in with a 2.7 cumulative, I'm sure you can too. It sounds like you still have a lot of classes to take, so just work harder! It helps to have leadership and work experience too. Good luck!

I have a 2.7 as well 😀 what other stats do you have if you don't mind, I am applying at the moment too hoping desperately that my cum 2.7 doesn't keep me from getting an interview.

 

[yukaiyuri]

I have a 2.7 as well 😀 what other stats do you have if you don't mind, I am applying at the moment too hoping desperately that my cum 2.7 doesn't keep me from getting an interview.

I applied to schools with really low GPA requirements. 🙂

PCAT: 80-ish
5 years pharmacy technician experience
Leadership roles in several organizations and volunteer experience
Letters of recommendation were all from current pharmacists in the company I worked for: 1 Pharmacy District Supervisor, 1 Pharmacy Manager, 1 Staff Pharmacist

I think my Science GPA was slightly higher... 3.2 or something.
I did graduate with a B.S. in Microbiology so that may have helped.
I feel like getting an interview is the hardest part with a low GPA... I had my fair share of rejections... but once you get it, just make that interview count!
Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck!

 

[deleted390966]

Take extra classes (but don't do master's or formal postbacc) to bring it up to at least 3.0!!!

 

[ValeRx]

I didn't realize that Colorado was a scrub school now.

 

[yukaiyuri]

I didn't realize that Colorado was a scrub school now.

So professional.

 

[kino79]

Take psychology classes and a whole bunch of them. They are considered science classes and are averaged into your science gpa. They are usually easy so they will help bring up your science gpa. I personally did not need them because my science gpa was good without them but i was surprised by how much they raised my gpa.

 

[hello77]

Thanks for the boost guys! However, I live In Canada so I've herd its more competitive here.

 

[ValeRx]

So professional.

Kinda like bragging about a sub-par GPA.

 

[owlegrad]

I have not figured out how scrubs is an insult. 😕

 

[yukaiyuri]

Kinda like bragging about a sub-par GPA.

More like giving hope.

 

[xtsukiyox]

I have not figured out how scrubs is an insult. 😕

Well, either the insult compares someone to:
a) A low growing scraggly bush that sometimes provides fuel for wildfires or
b) Comfy clothes that come in a variety of colors & patterns and cling to hot nurses

I'ma go with the insult pointed out University of Colorado's propensity for producing wildfires? 😕

Because I can't make an insult out of something that gets to be that close to hot nurses.

 

[owlegrad]

Well, either the insult compares someone to:
a) A low growing scraggly bush that sometimes provides fuel for wildfires or
b) Comfy clothes that come in a variety of colors & patterns and cling to hot nurses

I'ma go with the insult pointed out University of Colorado's propensity for producing wildfires? 😕

Because I can't make an insult out of something that gets to be that close to hot nurses.

No matter how I cut it, scrubs are awesome. It's like wearing pajamas to work. How can calling someone something awesome be an insult? It would be like calling someone a Hulu or something.

 

[Krnluve24]

Cumulative gpa is one thing but what is your prerequisite gpa? Math and science?

 

[HelloPanda22]

Hi, I have a current cumulative GPA of 2.5, with first year biology, chemistry, english and statistics. I have yet to do first year math, physics, one more english and organic chemistry. I am really hoping I can pull off a minimum B in these courses. Do you think I can get a good GPA?

By the end of my freshman year, I had a 2.5 as well. Even by the end of my Sophomore year, it was only a 2.8. However, I started getting my act together and had a cumulative GPA of 3.3 by Senior year. I then scored a 93% composite on the PCAT. Yes, it's entirely possible to end up with a good GPA despite starting off bad. All it takes is your will power! 🙂 Start fixing your studying habits now and you'll end up with a better cumulative GPA than I did.

 

[veyep]

Hi, I have a current cumulative GPA of 2.5, with first year biology, chemistry, english and statistics. I have yet to do first year math, physics, one more english and organic chemistry. I am really hoping I can pull off a minimum B in these courses. Do you think I can get a good GPA?

you might have a good chance at new schools opening up...

 

[jungjh9001]

Take psychology classes and a whole bunch of them. They are considered science classes and are averaged into your science gpa. They are usually easy so they will help bring up your science gpa. I personally did not need them because my science gpa was good without them but i was surprised by how much they raised my gpa.

I didn't know about this.. psychology classes are averaged into your science/math GPA? (I included math because I think people usually calculate science/math GPA.. not just science..)

 

[xtsukiyox]

I didn't know about this.. psychology classes are averaged into your science/math GPA? (I included math because I think people usually calculate science/math GPA.. not just science..)

Good catch. Psychology (and other Social/Behavioral Science classes) are not included in PharmCAS's Science GPA calculation, based on the numbers posted for my application.

 

[JamezLit]

You guys need to stop sugar-coating your answers and giving him/her false hope. The fact that he/she has a 2.5 at this point and not even completed his/her other courses is really bad. Either pull your GPA up or I would suggest NOT applying to save you hundreds to thousands of dollars on applications.

I'm not a big fan of considering GPA as the only means of a qualified applicant, but in this case, it is.

PS. you've only done your first year of classes, you have a lot of time to bring it up. Start now or give up.