Complaining too much?

[SYPHARMACY]

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Wondering if i write in my PharmCAS essay that i worked 40+ hours and went to school full time resulted in a low GPA (<3.0) is too much complaining. at least i graduated right?

i write about my pharmacy experience. how the working made me more mature. i think 1/2 of my essay is about the job and its physical, mental, emotional toll it had on me.

 

[calisoca]

Wondering if i write in my PharmCAS essay that i worked 40+ hours and went to school full time resulted in a low GPA (<3.0) is too much complaining. at least i graduated right?

i write about my pharmacy experience. how the working made me more mature. i think 1/2 of my essay is about the job and its physical, mental, emotional toll it had on me.

I don't think that's complaining too much; however, make sure you avoid coming off as embarassed of your GPA to the point where you need to provide excuses. This tends to sounds pessimistic and to be a downer to the reader. Keep a positive spin on that rough scenario throughout.

What if the reader wasn't even aware of your low GPA until you shed all kinds of light on it.

 

[diastole]

You could ask an admissions guy in this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=642970

 

[Kaiter]

Wondering if i write in my PharmCAS essay that i worked 40+ hours and went to school full time resulted in a low GPA (<3.0) is too much complaining. at least i graduated right?

i write about my pharmacy experience. how the working made me more mature. i think 1/2 of my essay is about the job and its physical, mental, emotional toll it had on me.

Don't make it an excuse. I think its good that you explained how it took a toll on you. Like an above poster said, don't make it sound pessimistic. Explaining the necessity of keeping your job as well as explaining how hard it was on you is more than enough to explain it. Does it explain a whole undergrad worth? Up to you to decide. If you can't explain and prove why your job was a necessity during your entire undergrad then you're looking at the possibilities of tough interviews in the future.

 

[ValeRx]

at least i graduated right?

Sorry but pharmacy is not for people who barely graduated. Graduation does not entitle you to get into pharmacy school nor does it mean you will be successful in pharmacy school.

 

[Carboxide]

Sorry but pharmacy is not for people who barely graduated. Graduation does not entitle you to get into pharmacy school nor does it mean you will be successful in pharmacy school.

👍

 

[sakigt]

Coming from someone who has been working 40 hours a week and got a GPA >3.0 ....

You should list your experience, and let them make their own decision. To me, it seems you placed them emphasis on work, rather than school. What can you say to them to make them think you would not do this in pharmacy school?

 

[sungieality]

I just want to quote one of the members here that made good points about the PharmCAS essay:

- Have you answered the prompt?
- Did you answer in every paragraph, WHY you want to become a pharmacist, or answer what your short/long term goals are?
- Did you remove all paragraphs and/or sentences that talk about your characteristics, your skills that makes you a good pharmacist? (yes, they are good to have, but that doesn't help answer your prompt!!)
- Did you remove all the paragraphs and/or sentences about your weaknesses, your semester/class that were especially poor? (they are important too, but not for this prompt!)

I think that the supplemental applications for each individual school will provide you with certain prompts that will allow you to elaborate on why your achievements might be overshadowed by your GPA. For the PharmCAS essay, you should simply stick to the prompt as best you can on your short and long term goals.

 

[triumphbr]

why not talk about how much you worked and etc. and then say "... and still maintained a 3.x gpa."

sounds a lot more positive that way.

anything >3 is better than average is it not... as far as GPA's in general go.

 

[calisoca]

why not talk about how much you worked and etc. and then say "... and still maintained a 3.x gpa."

sounds a lot more positive that way.

anything >3 is better than average is it not... as far as GPA's in general go.

The OP is sub 3.0.

 

[pharm B]

Coming from someone who has been working 40 hours a week and got a GPA >3.0 ....

You should list your experience, and let them make their own decision. To me, it seems you placed them emphasis on work, rather than school. What can you say to them to make them think you would not do this in pharmacy school?

As I understand it, pharmD students receive "cost of living" financial aid in addition to help with tuition. Correct me if I'm wrong.

If that is the case, then OP can make the case he had to work to make it through undergrad but, once in pharm school, can focus on just school.

 

[cycloketocaine]

Wondering if i write in my PharmCAS essay that i worked 40+ hours and went to school full time resulted in a low GPA (<3.0) is too much complaining. at least i graduated right?

i write about my pharmacy experience. how the working made me more mature. i think 1/2 of my essay is about the job and its physical, mental, emotional toll it had on me.

Yes, it would be too much complaining. Lots of people, including myself, have worked full time, went to school full time, and had small children and families to take care of. Don't blame your low GPA on that, it won't fly. Instead, focus on more positive aspects, like your experience and if you have an upward trend in your GPA, highlight that instead.