It is the summer before my senior year of high school and I am freaking out! I really want to get into a pharmacy program and be a pharmacist but I just don't feel like I am smart enough anymore! My top two choices are University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Wilkes University b/c of their proximity to my hometown. My SATs are horrible: 1680 (570 CR, 550 M, 560 W) is my highest 🙁 and my ACT isn't any better: 25 comp (30 E, 26 M, 21 R, 21 S). I just don't get it...I do well in school taking honors and AP classes and have a decent GPA of 94.53/100 (don't know 4.0 scale) and a class rank in the top 10% but when it comes to these tests, I'm like the village idiot! In the next two weeks, I'll be shadowing pharmacists. One is a clinical pharmacist at Thomas Jefferson University hospital and the other is a pharmacist at a small, family owned pharmacy. Do you think these opportunities will improve my chances of getting into USP?! I just visited 2 days ago and I fell in love with it... Also, if you can, could you recommend other pharm programs/majors for me? Thanks so much for reading all of this. sorry it's so long
Chances for pharmacy programs?
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Don't you have to go through undergrad and then apply to a PharmD program? Just try your best to get into your top college but if you don't, don't fret because you can go to the "crappiest" college and get into an Ivy grad school. And never say you are not smart enough! HS stuff doesn't really matter, just be sure that when you start your college courses, bust your @$$ every single day to keep your GPA up and content fresh. Good luck OP.
CLASS OF 2014 FTW.
CLASS OF 2014 FTW.
^ The University of the Sciences has a direct-entry program for students. The duration of the program is six years.
Your SAT score is fine, so relax. You're are over the 1500 national average and my score. Please don't complain, you didn't get a 1290 like I did. If you're so worried about your score, the best advice I or any of us can give is to work harder the next time. You are a good student, and you've worked really hard to get to the place you're at now. Work hard senior year, get those applications in early and hope for the best. It's good that you're shadowing pharmacist because it shows dedication to the profession which is awesome.
Your SAT score is fine, so relax. You're are over the 1500 national average and my score. Please don't complain, you didn't get a 1290 like I did. If you're so worried about your score, the best advice I or any of us can give is to work harder the next time. You are a good student, and you've worked really hard to get to the place you're at now. Work hard senior year, get those applications in early and hope for the best. It's good that you're shadowing pharmacist because it shows dedication to the profession which is awesome.
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Just saying, your class rank and GPA are great, so congrats on that 👍 but your test scores aren't terrible. You can get into a decent college with those scores, and some ec's. Also, study and re-take the ACT! Studying will help a lot, and most colleges take the top scores so it doesn't matter that you took it multiple times. Don't worry so much and you'll do fine. Good luck 🙂
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Oh I totally didn't know that! My bad OP.
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Yes. I wish you the best! My cousin is a senior this year too. 
Anyway. Back on topic. In terms of these scores, it will work. Apply to SEVERAL colleges. It does not matter what college you get into. They all are equal. Instead, do as much EC activities. THOSE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AN APPLICATION. Don't fret too much on it now. Just make use of whatever resources you have (EC, shadowing other physicians, etc).
Anyway. Back on topic. In terms of these scores, it will work. Apply to SEVERAL colleges. It does not matter what college you get into. They all are equal. Instead, do as much EC activities. THOSE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AN APPLICATION. Don't fret too much on it now. Just make use of whatever resources you have (EC, shadowing other physicians, etc).
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Don't worry too much! Some people just don't do well with standardized tests. If you have the money, I would suggest getting a SAT tutor for the next couple of months. If that's not an option, get a review book and practice, practice, practice. The test becomes really easy once you figure out how it's structured and what to expect.
As for USP, I think you have a good chance of getting in even with your current scores. That being said, I would think twice about applying there. I toured the school awhile back when I was visiting a friend at UPenn. I thought the school was very nice and something worth considering, but I saw a bunch of reviews online that were horrible....I know online reviews aren't everything, but it's just something to think about. In any case, I would suggest applying to more 0-6 programs just so you have some more options. Good luck!
As for USP, I think you have a good chance of getting in even with your current scores. That being said, I would think twice about applying there. I toured the school awhile back when I was visiting a friend at UPenn. I thought the school was very nice and something worth considering, but I saw a bunch of reviews online that were horrible....I know online reviews aren't everything, but it's just something to think about. In any case, I would suggest applying to more 0-6 programs just so you have some more options. Good luck!
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It's a bit late in the game for you to really improve your application. Retaking the SATs would be a good idea, you have all summer to study. You can also consider taking a science SAT II depending on what classes you have taken. I just checked this list. and there are 5 other pharmacy schools in your state alone. They may not be direct entry but are viable options if you don't get into USP or Wilkes. Check neighboring states as well if that is an option.
Do not only apply to those two schools. If you must stay in a particular geographic area then apply to local undergrads and do a science major (any since you won't be completing it anyway). You can apply to 4 year pharmacy programs after 2 years of undergrad. I would personally recommend applying to at least 2-4 other undergrads.
Do not only apply to those two schools. If you must stay in a particular geographic area then apply to local undergrads and do a science major (any since you won't be completing it anyway). You can apply to 4 year pharmacy programs after 2 years of undergrad. I would personally recommend applying to at least 2-4 other undergrads.
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Those stats will get you in SOMEWHERE, no doubt in my mind.
MCPHS for sure
Pretty good chance at USP and St.Johns
Apply to MCPHS for backup, then USP as you were planning on
MCPHS for sure
Pretty good chance at USP and St.Johns
Apply to MCPHS for backup, then USP as you were planning on
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Cheer up! My wife is a practicing pharmacist that was terrible at standardized tests. She had a 26 on her ACT.
Your standardized test scores are good enough for undergrad, and that is all that matters. No point in freaking out like you've lost the race right now when, in reality, you haven't even begun stretching.
If USP doesn't work out, lots of pharmacy schools just require 2 years of undergrad work + PCAT. That puts you in a 6-year program. Or you could do what most pharmacists do - grab a 4 year undergrad degree as a back-up (PCAT gets easier with more education too) and then go to pharmacy school.
Your standardized test scores are good enough for undergrad, and that is all that matters. No point in freaking out like you've lost the race right now when, in reality, you haven't even begun stretching.
If USP doesn't work out, lots of pharmacy schools just require 2 years of undergrad work + PCAT. That puts you in a 6-year program. Or you could do what most pharmacists do - grab a 4 year undergrad degree as a back-up (PCAT gets easier with more education too) and then go to pharmacy school.
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I want to be a pharmacist too! Oh and I am a senior as well 🙂 Relax though 🙂 Sounds like to me you might be getting cold feet! Uh well your test scores seem fine but if you want to improve get an ACT/SAT study book and go through it! That's what helped me! I'm taking the ACT in September. Also, your grades are awesome too so don't worry. And shadowing Pharmacists is a great idea you will learn a lot! Best of luck to you!
Thank you so much for all your comments! 🙂 I recently wrote the first draft of my essay; it would be greatly appreciated if you guys read it and gave me feedback.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=1024674
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=1024674
