Concerns HighSchool -> Pharmacist Course

[Zeliums]

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I'm a Junior in a California Highschool. I recently ended my semester and really disappointed at my GPA. All throughout Freshman and Sophmore year I recieved a GPA of 3.8, but this first semester in Junior Year, it subsequently dropped to 3.1. I'm wondering if this will affect my chances of getting into a Pharmacist school. The schools I'm considering at the moment at UCSD/UOP. ( aiming towards UCSD more. ) I'm planning on taking the SAT's during the Summer and also raising my GPA to a 3.5.

I was also wondering what years they use to determine your cumlitive GPA. I averaged my GPA from Sophmore year to Junior year, and it's at a 3.5 atm, but I don't know if they use that or Senior year.

Also, for the prerequistes, is it possile to take all of that in UCSD along with PharmD classes or do I have to do that in another school then transfer? I'd like to go straight to a UC rather than transferring all over the place.

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

Prerequisite classes must be completed before you begin taking classes that are part of the Pharm.D. curriculum. Yes you can take your pre-reqs at UCSD as they are simply math and science courses that you can take at any school. When I was in hs they told me that the schools you apply to only typically see 6 semesters of grades (junior year). I know nothing about UOP or UCSD so I will let someone else handle that part of your question.

 

[sdn1977]

My daughter graduated from UCSD last June, so I can give you info, but I would encourage you to get the publication from UC which gives this info in detail (Application for Undergraduate Admission & Scholarships). Your high school counselor has a copy or you can get one from a UC campus by mail. If you want to attend a UC as a freshman, you must meet the UC qualifications. It is a simple math calculation of your composite ACT or total score of your SATI, plus what you earned on your SATII subject tests plus your "a-f" GPA. Only the courses you took in the 10th, 11th & 12th grades are used to calculate your GPA (but know, your application goes in Nov of your senior year, so they will really only see your 10-first semester 12th grades). For CA residents, the top tier UC's (UCSD, UCLA, UCB) have a cut-off of this math calculation - UC admissions counselors will tell you what last year's cut off was. If you get above the cut off for the year, you are admitted on "examination alone" which means they don't read your application or essay. If below, then all other factors come into play. Now, for graduate programs, like medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, law you must make a separate application to that program and they have their own pre-requisites and weighting of each factor. I applied to UCSF pharmacy school too long ago to have any of my info be applicable, but there are other folks who can give current info for UCSD pharmacy school specifically. However, you must be accepted to the university FIRST before you are accepted to the graduate program. However, you don't have to attend a UC to apply to the graduate program - so all is not lost if you attend a community college or Cal State for whatever # of years you need to complete your pre-requisites. But..you have to keep pushing with your grades through the first sememster of your senior year then do well in your prerequisites while in college.

 

[Zeliums]

The thing about taking prerequistes classes is that I want to take everything all in one area or school if possible. I'm not much of a person who wants to transfer from place to place. So if I do choose or get accepted to UCSD, I'd want to make myself comfortable in that area and rather not jump around too much.

Also, does anyone know if UOP is any good?

 

[sdn1977]

Yeah - UOP is good too. I've worked with pharmacists from both programs and they've been excellent clinicians. I'd encourage you to think about why you don't want to move. Have you moved around a lot up to this point? If so, going to college and moving is not the same as being in jr high or high school and moving. Your friends are as important, but you all realize you are there for a short time to obtain an education and the reasons that brought you together are the same reasons which will ultimately send you apart - your careers. IMO - for your career, it is beneficial to expand yourself and experience other places. It is broadening and enlightening to see what others are doing professionally..which is why you might consider going to another state for a residency. All of this becomes more problematic when you have an SO or family (spouse, children) to factor in. But, good luck with your decision...I don't think you can make a bad one with either school!