Early Decision. How competitive?

[Itsjustme3]

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Recently gone from pre-med to pre-pharm. I have a BS in biology/chem. PharmCAS GPA of 3.15. One year experience as a hospital pharm tech. CPht certification. Taking PCAT in July. I am wanting to know how competitive does one need to be for private pharm schools to get in early decision?

Thanks.

 

[RxStudentatUB]

You are doing a disservice to yourself and the rest of the pharmacy community by applying and enrolling into a private pharmacy school. Go public + state school all the way, you'll be fine with 70s+ on PCAT. 80s+ and you're in. Why the change from pre-med though?

 

[68quebec]

you are the first person I've ever seen that changed path from pre-med to pre-pharm. very very unique esp. in SDN lol. Anyways, early decision is not worth it.

 

[deleted158872]

probably because OP's GPA is not enough to get into med school, anyway,

@OP: dental and PA are still way better deals than pharmacy!

 

[Itsjustme3]

probably because OP's GPA is not enough to get into med school, anyway,

@OP: dental and PA are still way better deals than pharmacy!

Actually I've been working in pharmacy as a tech for quite a while, that's why the change of path. My DO gpa is comptetitive buddy, dont be a SDN douche.

 

[deleted158872]

3.15 is "competitive" for DO? You need a grasp in reality, dude 🙂 http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/average-gpa-for-osteopathic-schools.1111328/#post-15973373

but it's your life; do what you want

 

[Itsjustme3]

DO GPA is computed using "academic forgiveness". Therefore retaking a lot of C grade classes and getting A's really brought it up for DO.

Get the facts straight before you insult someone.

 

[PharmeGirl611]

You are doing a disservice to yourself and the rest of the pharmacy community by applying and enrolling into a private pharmacy school. Go public + state school all the way, you'll be fine with 70s+ on PCAT. 80s+ and you're in. Why the change from pre-med though?

Hey just curious, why do you think public schools are the way to go?

 

[ChiAz]

Hey just curious, why do you think public schools are the way to go?

Private schools are notorious for jacking up tuition, and with MOST (not all) you will be getting a lesser education for about double the price. I say this because most private schools that have a PharmD program are relatively new programs meaning they are still figuring things out, meaning their standards will typically be lower for admitting students. Most of the top ranked PharmD programs are public institutions. With public schools, tuition is set by the state's board of regents. Public schools don't have as much of tuition increases from year to year as private schools do.

 

[RxStudentatUB]

Hey just curious, why do you think public schools are the way to go?

I'm not a pharmacy student, so take my words with a grain of salt! This is my opinion, you are enabling these private pharmacy schools to grow and increase their tuition prices by attending. I actually went to a physician assistant open-house, the way they interpret "demand" of their field is by how many students apply to these programs as opposed to legitimately figuring out demand, so I am guessing pharmacy schools behave the same way. My interviewer from the University of Maryland also mentioned that professors in these very schools are newly minted residency graduates with little experience in the field, so this probably translates into them imparting very little valuable advice to a hopeful pharmacist. Professors from public schools such as the University of Maryland have most likely been around the block much longer, so they have a solid reputation and voice whenever you need a letter of recommendation for that future job.

 

[PharmeGirl611]

Private schools are notorious for jacking up tuition, and with MOST (not all) you will be getting a lesser education for about double the price. I say this because most private schools that have a PharmD program are relatively new programs meaning they are still figuring things out, meaning their standards will typically be lower for admitting students. Most of the top ranked PharmD programs are public institutions. With public schools, tuition is set by the state's board of regents. Public schools don't have as much of tuition increases from year to year as private schools do.

Wow this is great info. Thanks!

 

[PharmeGirl611]

I'm not a pharmacy student, so take my words with a grain of salt! This is my opinion, you are enabling these private pharmacy schools to grow and increase their tuition prices by attending. I actually went to a physician assistant open-house, the way they interpret "demand" of their field is by how many students apply to these programs as opposed to legitimately figuring out demand, so I am guessing pharmacy schools behave the same way. My interviewer from the University of Maryland also mentioned that professors in these very schools are newly minted residency graduates with little experience in the field, so this probably translates into them imparting very little valuable advice to a hopeful pharmacist. Professors from public schools such as the University of Maryland have most likely been around the block much longer, so they have a solid reputation and voice whenever you need a letter of recommendation for that future job.

Sounds like they're more interested in $$ in their pockets rather than providing a quality education. Definitely gives something to think about when considering which schools to apply to. Unfortunately I have awhile until then lol.

 

[kenya23]

I'm currently finishing up my P1 year.. I did early decision - but for a public school. To me, if you know where you want to go I think early decision is totally worth it! I found out late October/early November [i can't remember exactly] that I was accepted then it was just free sailing the last half of my senior year where as a lot of people stress out during finals because they're hearing about interviews or sweating it out waiting until the last minute. Personally, it was totally worth it for me! As for your GPA, if you're well rounded in other areas that will help you out a lot!!! I took the PCAT twice and used Dr. Collins to study for it my second time because it was so much cheaper than Kaplan and I raised my PCAT score 18 points - I recommend it!! As for the comment above about dental and PA are the better way to go....I beg to differ. There's ALOT of opportunities in pharmacy that most people (who aren't in pharmacy) have no idea about.

 

[Itsjustme3]

I'm currently finishing up my P1 year.. I did early decision - but for a public school. To me, if you know where you want to go I think early decision is totally worth it! I found out late October/early November [i can't remember exactly] that I was accepted then it was just free sailing the last half of my senior year where as a lot of people stress out during finals because they're hearing about interviews or sweating it out waiting until the last minute. Personally, it was totally worth it for me! As for your GPA, if you're well rounded in other areas that will help you out a lot!!! I took the PCAT twice and used Dr. Collins to study for it my second time because it was so much cheaper than Kaplan and I raised my PCAT score 18 points - I recommend it!! As for the comment above about dental and PA are the better way to go....I beg to differ. There's ALOT of opportunities in pharmacy that most people (who aren't in pharmacy) have no idea about.

Really apprecaite the advice! Thanks a lot!

 

[MDrxgirl410]

Private schools are notorious for jacking up tuition, and with MOST (not all) you will be getting a lesser education for about double the price. I say this because most private schools that have a PharmD program are relatively new programs meaning they are still figuring things out, meaning their standards will typically be lower for admitting students. Most of the top ranked PharmD programs are public institutions. With public schools, tuition is set by the state's board of regents. Public schools don't have as much of tuition increases from year to year as private schools do.

I'm not a pharmacy student, so take my words with a grain of salt! This is my opinion, you are enabling these private pharmacy schools to grow and increase their tuition prices by attending. I actually went to a physician assistant open-house, the way they interpret "demand" of their field is by how many students apply to these programs as opposed to legitimately figuring out demand, so I am guessing pharmacy schools behave the same way. My interviewer from the University of Maryland also mentioned that professors in these very schools are newly minted residency graduates with little experience in the field, so this probably translates into them imparting very little valuable advice to a hopeful pharmacist. Professors from public schools such as the University of Maryland have most likely been around the block much longer, so they have a solid reputation and voice whenever you need a letter of recommendation for that future job.

^agreed. Most of the new schools will accept ANYONE with a pulse and willing to pay 40k+ a year, and that is definitely reflected in the quality of their faculty (and the students of course). I also interviewed at UMB, and the faculty all seemed very knowledgable and accomplished, and the students were very bright. Also, the established schools have many more connections in terms of rotations/employment opportunities. So far you have good stats and experience, just do well on the PCAT and you'll be set. I also don't think that you should limit yourself to one school by doing early decision unless you REALLY wanna go there.