Don't Know What Else To Do

[monica949]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

My situation is very frustrating. I have taken many courses and earned a B.A.(with a low overall GPA) prior to developing a strong interest in pursuing a PharmD degree. Since then I've returned to community college and taken every prerequisite science course that was required for application to most pharm schools. My overall gpa is still below a 3.0. I have even considered concealing my Bachelor's transcript when applying since this is where my lowest scores are, but my GPA would still be around a 2.9. I did reasonably okayl in the sciences, but should probably retake Physics and G-Chem 1.

Organic Chem 1 A
Organic Chem 2 B
General Chem 1 C
General Chem 2 B
Physics C
Calculus B
Microbiology B
General Biology B

Being a California resident I am also at a huge disadvantage since it seems that any Pharmacy school that I contact out of California prefers in-state applicants making it unlikely for an out of state applicant to have much of a chance even with a high PCAT score (which I am taking in August). California schools, however, do not give preference to people in California so there is no advantage for me there, and since no PCAT is required, no chance to prove myself in any way other than GPA. At the moment it is not possible to take a full-course load given that I work full-time. I am reluctant to quit everything to go back to school full-time to take more courses when I still won't know whether this would help me.

I have even gone as far as to consider earning a second degree from an institution that offers the PharmD program and gives preference to internal applicants, so as to allow me to get into their PharmD program given that I do very well in the undergraduate degree program (ex: earning a B.S. in Chemistry), but most of these schools don't prefer internal applicants over external, and the one that I have found does, doesn't have this option available to 2nd Bachelor degree seeking students. The only school that has every accepted me is the University of Manchester in England, which I had applied to prior to realizing that this would not lead to licensure in the United States.

I would like to get some advice from what others would do if they were in my position. I don't want to give up on Pharmacy, but I am contemplating whether I have a choice.

 

[baykillawhale]

Your missing one peice to the puzzle my friend.
Out of state PUBLIC schools deeply favor home state applicants
Out of state PRIVATE schools don't care and I'm guessing that most require PCAT.

 

[ValeRx]

Conceal your bad grades? Worst idea ever.

 

[extra07extra]

My situation is very frustrating. I have taken many courses and earned a B.A.(with a low overall GPA) prior to developing a strong interest in pursuing a PharmD degree. Since then I've returned to community college and taken every prerequisite science course that was required for application to most pharm schools. My overall gpa is still below a 3.0. I have even considered concealing my Bachelor's transcript when applying since this is where my lowest scores are, but my GPA would still be around a 2.9. I did reasonably okayl in the sciences, but should probably retake Physics and G-Chem 1.

Organic Chem 1 A
Organic Chem 2 B
General Chem 1 C
General Chem 2 B
Physics C
Calculus B
Microbiology B
General Biology B

Being a California resident I am also at a huge disadvantage since it seems that any Pharmacy school that I contact out of California prefers in-state applicants making it unlikely for an out of state applicant to have much of a chance even with a high PCAT score (which I am taking in August). California schools, however, do not give preference to people in California so there is no advantage for me there, and since no PCAT is required, no chance to prove myself in any way other than GPA. At the moment it is not possible to take a full-course load given that I work full-time. I am reluctant to quit everything to go back to school full-time to take more courses when I still won't know whether this would help me.

I have even gone as far as to consider earning a second degree from an institution that offers the PharmD program and gives preference to internal applicants, so as to allow me to get into their PharmD program given that I do very well in the undergraduate degree program (ex: earning a B.S. in Chemistry), but most of these schools don't prefer internal applicants over external, and the one that I have found does, doesn't have this option available to 2nd Bachelor degree seeking students. The only school that has every accepted me is the University of Manchester in England, which I had applied to prior to realizing that this would not lead to licensure in the United States.

I would like to get some advice from what others would do if they were in my position. I don't want to give up on Pharmacy, but I am contemplating whether I have a choice.

Sorry to hear about your situation. But my advice is to not be discouraged just because of a sub-average GPA. My profile is proof that one can still get into good pharmacy schools like UCSF and UCSD with a GPA not too different from yours (mine was 3.0/2.9). I am also located in CA and never attempted the PCAT. It's the total package that counts. Get some volunteer experience (preferably pharmacy related but if not, don't worry about it as I had no pharmacy experience either) and try to get involved in your community and school extracurriculars (even if whatever you're doing has nothing to do with healthcare).

Most importantly (and I think this is what really got me the interviews and into the schools), look up the schools that you are interested in and try to develop connections with some of their professors by showing interest in their work/program as these connections will give you a huge leg up (more than most people realize) during the interview/admissions process. It also helps to get to know people (your school's faculty members) that are reputable or have good relationships with faculty members at your target school and try to get these people to speak highly of you to faculty members at the school you are applying to. Remember, the world of science/healthcare academia is very small and you'd be surprised who know who and how much information is passed between them.

There are many ways to get into pharmacy school. You just need to find one that works for your situation! Good luck!

 

[monica949]

Sorry to hear about your situation. But my advice is to not be discouraged just because of a sub-average GPA. My profile is proof that one can still get into good pharmacy schools like UCSF and UCSD with a GPA not too different from yours (mine was 3.0/2.9). I am also located in CA and never attempted the PCAT. It's the total package that counts. Get some volunteer experience (preferably pharmacy related but if not, don't worry about it as I had no pharmacy experience either) and try to get involved in your community and school extracurriculars (even if whatever you're doing has nothing to do with healthcare).

Most importantly (and I think this is what really got me the interviews and into the schools), look up the schools that you are interested in and try to develop connections with some of their professors by showing interest in their work/program as these connections will give you a huge leg up (more than most people realize) during the interview/admissions process. It also helps to get to know people (your school's faculty members) that are reputable or have good relationships with faculty members at your target school and try to get these people to speak highly of you to faculty members at the school you are applying to. Remember, the world of science/healthcare academia is very small and you'd be surprised who know who and how much information is passed between them.

There are many ways to get into pharmacy school. You just need to find one that works for your situation! Good luck!

Thank you for your encouraging words. I admire your persistence and good attitude. I certainly hope to find a way into pharmacy school that will suit my situation. I wish I was slightly more social and outgoing, and knew how to develop and establish relationships with professors from schools that I don't currently attend, such as UCSD or UCSF, or even Touro or out of state Pharmacy schools, since I'm taking the PCAT in August. I hope that eventually, and sooner than later, I too am able to find a way to make my dream come true.

 

[charfdorn]

Conceal your bad grades? Worst idea ever.

+1. If you can show an upward recent trend and find the right schools to apply to with a strong PCAT score (look at new, private, out-of-state schools, and schools that offer academic forgiveness) you have a chance, albeit not a strong one. If you hide a transcript and get found out at any point in the process (including the last week of P4! ), you could find yourself out a lot of money and several years of your life with NO CHANCE to get back in. Be honest with the schools and you may get rewarded with an opportunity.

 

[triumphbr]

I think your worrying too much personally. Do average or better on the PCAT (70's) Apply to the schools you want to go to and a few others for safety. Then get ready for interviews.

Everybody acts like getting accepted to pharm school is like finding the holy grail...

There are tons and tons of people that have the same situation (or worse) than yours that are either in pharm school now or will start next year.

 

[Ibemoe]

Apply to the Lebanese american university in Lebanon. they have a pharmacy program that is accredited by the acpe. they offer a b.s. in pharmacy and a pharm d. They are still taking applications till july for the fall 09 semester

 

[ellepharm]

Try making a personal connection with an academic advisor at the school of your choice. This person would be the best one to advise you on how to address the gpa issue.

 

[monica949]

Apply to the Lebanese american university in Lebanon. they have a pharmacy program that is accredited by the acpe. they offer a b.s. in pharmacy and a pharm d. They are still taking applications till july for the fall 09 semester

I wonder if that would be an option for someone who does not speak Arabic.

 

[monica949]

+1. If you can show an upward recent trend and find the right schools to apply to with a strong PCAT score (look at new, private, out-of-state schools, and schools that offer academic forgiveness) you have a chance, albeit not a strong one. If you hide a transcript and get found out at any point in the process (including the last week of P4! ), you could find yourself out a lot of money and several years of your life with NO CHANCE to get back in. Be honest with the schools and you may get rewarded with an opportunity.

wow that is pretty scary!

 

[monica949]

I think your worrying too much personally. Do average or better on the PCAT (70's) Apply to the schools you want to go to and a few others for safety. Then get ready for interviews.

Everybody acts like getting accepted to pharm school is like finding the holy grail...

There are tons and tons of people that have the same situation (or worse) than yours that are either in pharm school now or will start next year.

thank you, Triumph. That is encouraging. I guess I will continue my attempts by doing well on the PCAT that I will take in August, and acing the couses I am currently enrolled in (Biochemistry and Calculus). The thought of giving up is not something that I can live with.