Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hi there.
I'm hoping to apply Early Decision to the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy this upcoming cycle.
Biochemistry major not from Colorado (don't go to school there either)
GPA: 3.67; my science GPA is around a 3.54 if I remember correctly and my non-science GPA is over a 3.8
PCAT: Planning to take it in July
Experiences:
Research
My biggest concern is my lack of direct pharmacy experiences. While volunteering in the hospitals, I got to see the pharmacists go in and out of rooms talking to patients and doctors about treatments. My other concern is how focused my CV is on research. Research is something I enjoy doing, but I don't want it to be my livelihood. I'm just not that passionate about it. I've been told that I'm a much stronger candidate for PhD programs than I am for health related programs, but that's just not what I want to do. I'm also not that interested in pursuing an MD. For a few years now I've been in between getting my PharmD or my MD, but I think the PharmD is more in tune with what I want to do. I get to be more focused on biochemistry/chemistry (my major after all) while still having some clinical care responsibilities with patients. It's also a much better lifestyle choice for me. An MD just won't fit for my life.
SO! After this long drawn out message, what are your thoughts on my chances for Colorado early decision? What PCAT score should I shoot for? I was reading on their site that the average is 70% and up so I was thinking I'd probably aim for around an 80% to just keep my chances strong. Thanks so much for your time!
I'm hoping to apply Early Decision to the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy this upcoming cycle.
Biochemistry major not from Colorado (don't go to school there either)
GPA: 3.67; my science GPA is around a 3.54 if I remember correctly and my non-science GPA is over a 3.8
PCAT: Planning to take it in July
Experiences:
Research
- I've been working in an undergraduate molecular biology lab for the past 3.5 years for about 15 hrs/week.
- I've done a 6 month full time co-op/internship (40 hrs/week paid) at an analytical chemistry lab in a small start-up company.
- Spent 7 months conducting field biology research in a secluded location (don't want to disclose where)
- This research helped me create a name for myself with the university, so if you Google my name you'd get a bunch of hits on my project....not sure if that matters at all to pharmacy schools
- Spent a summer (about 4 months) volunteering on the floors of a local community hospital doing audits for Occupational Health (6 hrs/week)
- 1 year volunteering in an inner city hospital's outpatient pediatrics floor just entertaining the kids (3-6 hours/week)
- 1 summer (4 month) volunteering as a patient helper at a hospice (3 hrs/week)
- 6-8 months of tutoring inner city kids in an after school program (3 hrs/week)
My biggest concern is my lack of direct pharmacy experiences. While volunteering in the hospitals, I got to see the pharmacists go in and out of rooms talking to patients and doctors about treatments. My other concern is how focused my CV is on research. Research is something I enjoy doing, but I don't want it to be my livelihood. I'm just not that passionate about it. I've been told that I'm a much stronger candidate for PhD programs than I am for health related programs, but that's just not what I want to do. I'm also not that interested in pursuing an MD. For a few years now I've been in between getting my PharmD or my MD, but I think the PharmD is more in tune with what I want to do. I get to be more focused on biochemistry/chemistry (my major after all) while still having some clinical care responsibilities with patients. It's also a much better lifestyle choice for me. An MD just won't fit for my life.
SO! After this long drawn out message, what are your thoughts on my chances for Colorado early decision? What PCAT score should I shoot for? I was reading on their site that the average is 70% and up so I was thinking I'd probably aim for around an 80% to just keep my chances strong. Thanks so much for your time!
