Does a excellent GPA offset A mediocre PCAT Score?

[AmericaAlive]

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I want to know what any of you think about how much weight these pharmacy schools put on the PCAT. I am not a naturally good test taker, therefore my PCAT scores were not so good; at a 59 composite in June 07. However, my GPA is not bad at a 3.99. What will the average pharmacy school look at this and say. I sure hope they look at the fact I got practically all A's and at least give me an interview. What do you think?

 

[Omegadramon]

I'm going to be blunt; that PCAT score is not mediocre, it's bad. Mediocre is in the high 60s - 70s. With a GPA that high, you certainly have the aptitude to do better.

 

[cassiegal21]

You may just want to retake the Pcat, 59 i feel would make the adcom wonder what kind of school you went to, how difficult was the school, did you cheat your way through school? it leaves to much room for question even if you only got a 70 when you took it again it would look a lot better than a 59. Retake it

 

[BackeyWackey]

Well, to be honest, my pcat was a bit "worse" per say then yours. My gpa was a 3.86 and I still got accepted with those stats. Just apply to schools taht look at your whole package, and you may be okay.

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

I'm going to be blunt; that PCAT score is not mediocre, it's bad. Mediocre is in the high 60s - 70s. With a GPA that high, you certainly have the aptitude to do better.

I agree. Adcoms might look at somebody who has low GPA and high PCAT score more favorably than they would you. You might have a good GPA but they might wonder about your retentive ability. With that high GPA you would not want to give adcoms any reason to pass you over for somebody else. Take the PCAT again and try to score to at least a 70 (if possible, try to score at least a 50 in each subsection). It's not too late to take it again if you want to apply during the '08 cycle. Good luck.

 

[twester]

Leave the poor OP alone. None of you people sit on an adcom, yet three out of four of you have projected what an adcom will do with the application FOR CYRIN' OUT LOUD!

AmericaAlive, go talk to an adcom and see what they think. I would suggest that you take the PCAT again and try to do better just to improve the situation (unless an adcom tells you don't need to). You'll probably do better on it now that you know what to expect, no?

 

[Ethyl Methyl]

Leave the poor OP alone. None of you people sit on an adcom, yet three out of four of you have projected what an adcom will do with the application FOR CYRIN' OUT LOUD!

AmericaAlive, go talk to an adcom and see what they think. I would suggest that you take the PCAT again and try to do better just to improve the situation (unless an adcom tells you don't need to). You'll probably do better on it now that you know what to expect, no?

If the OP didn't want anybody's opinion but the adcom's why do you think he/she posted her dilemma here?
Why suggest that she take the PCAT again? Isn't that what we were trying to say?

 

[twester]

If the OP didn't want anybody's opinion but the adcom's why do you think he/she posted her dilemma here?

She believes she has a dilemma, which you yahoos were all to0 quick to jump on. I think she should find out from a credible source how she should proceed. You are, sorry to tell you, not credible.

Why suggest that she take the PCAT again? Isn't that what we were trying to say?

Read it again. I think you missed the parenthetical statement.

 

[cy19861126]

Be smart! Just don't apply to schools that require the PCAT.

 

[MeHungryRx]

Be smart! Just don't apply to schools that require the PCAT.

Sounds like a good idea to me. 👍

 

[117296]

Be smart! Just don't apply to schools that require the PCAT.

Lol, sweeping it under the rug...per se?

 

[nerv12345]

not necessarily. a test shouldn't decide if you get accepted to a school or not...it's 4 years of hard work, the supplementals, and the interview

 

[leoproductionz]

not necessarily. a test shouldn't decide if you get accepted to a school or not...it's 4 years of hard work, the supplementals, and the interview

i agree. .

 

[nehe87]

From what I've heard from others that have gotten accepted, you're not necessarily doomed. Of course, you're not as secure as you could be with a better PCAT score, but you're not doomed either. If the rest of your application looks good, I don't see why you wouldn't still have a chance. That would have to be a REALLY good application, though. Like some of the other posters are saying, I think it would be a smart idea to take the PCAT again and raise your score a little bit.
And to other posters--don't you guys think these forums are getting a little a-holish, for lack of a better word, lately? I mean, it's great to express your opinion, especially when others are asking, but a lot of people (like me) come to these forums for support and reassurance, and it's really unappreciated when someone acts like a total jerk in response to a simple question. I'm not saying to sugar-coat everything, but I think some people need to be a little more tactful than they've been lately, especially to newer posters.
Sorry for the off-topic rant, it's just been getting to me lately! 🙂