Chances?

[kalake says]

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Hi guys, I'll be applying to pharmacy school for fall '08 admissions and was wondering what my chances are that I'll be accepted. I really wanna to go to pharmacy school and will actually be a reapplicant. The first time I applied I had a gpa of around 3.2 after 2 years of undergrad and now as a junior, I have an overall gpa 3.4 🙁 . I will also be getting a degree in biochemistry in May '08.

I'm scared because I feel my gpa is low. It would've been higher, but this past semester was killer - I took all math and science courses in addition to differential equations, which is a math course not needed for biochemistry or pharmacy; I just wanted to challenge myself. All I have on my transcript are A's and B's. The only C I have is in psychology, which I took as a freshman.

In addition to academics, I'm involved in extracurriculars. I'm a member of multiple clubs and held executive positions in some clubs. I've worked as a pharmacy tech at Giant and volunteered at the school's health center pharmacy for a semester. Also, I have been doing undergraduate research for a year now. This past semester I was awarded a research fellowship with Howard Hughes Medical Institute that will last until I graduate in '08.

Even with all of this, what are my chances of getting into pharmacy school? I know it's really competitive nowadays, that's why I'm really scared. Any advice? The one school I really want to get into is Maryland - Baltimore, anyone who got into there... what were you stats, any advice?

Thanks for all the opinions guys, it's greatly appreciated. 🙂

 

[Jessly56]

3.4 isnt really that low...

 

[binghamkid]

Your GPA is fine. Your extracurriculars look terrific. All you need is a PCAT score of 75 to 80%. If you were planning to apply to schools that don't look at the PCAT, your GPA would be a little low for that. Other than that, you have a great chance.

 

[Farmercyst]

What's your sci/cum GPA split. If 3.4 is cum, but sci is higher it'll be a little easier for you. I got in with a 3.50/3.59 (sci/cum) but I also didn't have any experience and my only volunteer work in the last 3 years has been SDN advisor for what 3 months, and my brother's Eagle scout project for a couple hours last year. (Unless teaching at church counts) I'd say your experience and EC's are worth at least 0.1 GPA (in terms of how they'd score your application), probably more. A couple good LORs and chances are at least average if not above.

 

[StringTheorist]

whats ur PCAT? and your prepharm GPA? and apply in state, its easier that way.

 

[volleychica]

Don't worry about the GPA. Just study hard and do well on your PCAT. I was in a similar situation as you when I graduated from college with a 3.49. It's a little different since I went back to school to finish some of the pre-req's, which boosted my GPA to a 3.5/3.6, but I think it was between around a 3.4/3.5 when I first sent in my application. I scored a 92 on my PCAT. I also was very active in extracurriculars and held many leadership positions. So, just work on getting a really good application together and do well on the PCAT and you'll be fine.