Easiest schools to get into?

[Coverdale]

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I have a 3.02 GPA and I graduated from OSU with a Biology degree in 2004.

I was on a sports team and traveled alot, so that may have been part of the reason my GPA was so low.

I've gotten tired of my current job and I'm considering applying to a few Pharmacy schools, as I already have the prerequisites out of the way.

What schools are the easiest to get into?

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Basically, there aren't any.

 

[Coverdale]

Basically, there aren't any.

Surely, some schools must be easier to get into than others?

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I suppose, but, you know...Warren Buffet isn't as rich as Bill Gates....does that really mean anything?

No matter where you apply, the avg GPA will be at the very least 3.4. And that will likely be at a newer, unaccredited institution that scares off some potential applicants. If you want to get into an established school (Pitt, OSU, U Cincy, Duquesne, Lake Erie, WVU, U Kentucky) you're likely going to face competition where the average GPA for acceptance is over 3.5....probably 3.6.

I'm just trying to help here...but your best bet doesn't lie within trying to find the backdoor into the profession....because everyone in the damned country has already thought of that...and they apply to every other school in their region as a backup. With PharmCAS, there really aren't schools with less exposure where you can slip in as a less than qualified applicant anymore.

Your best bet is to make yourself a more desirable candidate and play the game. The extracurricular athletics thing may appeal to some adcoms, I don't know. But if I were you, I'd start trying to find a job in a pharmacy somewhere if you don't have one already. Practical experience is something many look for in candidates. Also, start studying for the PCAT like your life depends on it. If you can get over an 80, you will look like a much more qualified applicant. You may also consider taking more classes (especially because now you have your full attention as there are no athletics to distract you) to boost your GPA. Do what you have to do to get an interview. Hell, go in and schmooze it up with the dean, marry a professor's ugly daughter, whatever. Once you get that interview, you just have to come off as the most articulate, intelligent, driven, knowledgeable candidate on the face of the planet.

Do that stuff and you'll get in. Good luck!

 

[Falokis]

I have a 3.02 GPA and I graduated from OSU with a Biology degree in 2004.

I was on a sports team and traveled alot, so that may have been part of the reason my GPA was so low.

I've gotten tired of my current job and I'm considering applying to a few Pharmacy schools, as I already have the prerequisites out of the way.

What schools are the easiest to get into?

My advice is to not make excuses. Your grades are what you made them. Adcoms have heard every sob story and excuse out there. I would guess they can smell the BS before they open some people's files. Owning up to it and showing maturity are a good indication that you deserve a shot. Maturity is a selling point for alot of ADCOMs.

 

[AshleyCPhT]

There are 3 schools I found that have mean entrance GPA of 3.1, which means many are higher and many are lower than that. Touro, Appalachia, and Xavier university all have 3.1 mean entrance GPA's. There are a few others with 3.2 listed, which with other strong points (xtra currics, pharmacy experience, etc) you could probably get into. I would said that in general these schools are easier to get into based on there stats. And once you have that Pharm.D, no one is really going to care where its from or what your gpa was.

 

[Farmercyst]

I have a 3.02 GPA and I graduated from OSU with a Biology degree in 2004.

I was on a sports team and traveled alot, so that may have been part of the reason my GPA was so low.

I've gotten tired of my current job and I'm considering applying to a few Pharmacy schools, as I already have the prerequisites out of the way.

What schools are the easiest to get into?

I like Ashley's input, but which OSU? Oregon, Ohio, Oklahoma? Just in case geography is a consideration.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

We are OS now, a school not and operating system.

 

[PharmDstudent]

There are 3 schools I found that have mean entrance GPA of 3.1, which means many are higher and many are lower than that. Touro, Appalachia, and Xavier university all have 3.1 mean entrance GPA's. There are a few others with 3.2 listed, which with other strong points (xtra currics, pharmacy experience, etc) you could probably get into. I would said that in general these schools are easier to get into based on there stats. And once you have that Pharm.D, no one is really going to care where its from or what your gpa was.

I go to one of those pharmacy schools. Trust me, it's not easy to get in there. I know of soooooo many students who were rejected. One person, who had stats which were close to mine, had applied three times but never got in.
There have been threads about the school before, so I would read up on it before assuming anything about it.

 

[firstgeneration]

I suppose, but, you know...Warren Buffet isn't as rich as Bill Gates....does that really mean anything?

No matter where you apply, the avg GPA will be at the very least 3.4. And that will likely be at a newer, unaccredited institution that scares off some potential applicants. If you want to get into an established school (Pitt, OSU, U Cincy, Duquesne, Lake Erie, WVU, U Kentucky) you're likely going to face competition where the average GPA for acceptance is over 3.5....probably 3.6.

I'm just trying to help here...but your best bet doesn't lie within trying to find the backdoor into the profession....because everyone in the damned country has already thought of that...and they apply to every other school in their region as a backup. With PharmCAS, there really aren't schools with less exposure where you can slip in as a less than qualified applicant anymore.

Your best bet is to make yourself a more desirable candidate and play the game. The extracurricular athletics thing may appeal to some adcoms, I don't know. But if I were you, I'd start trying to find a job in a pharmacy somewhere if you don't have one already. Practical experience is something many look for in candidates. Also, start studying for the PCAT like your life depends on it. If you can get over an 80, you will look like a much more qualified applicant. You may also consider taking more classes (especially because now you have your full attention as there are no athletics to distract you) to boost your GPA. Do what you have to do to get an interview. Hell, go in and schmooze it up with the dean, marry a professor's ugly daughter, whatever. Once you get that interview, you just have to come off as the most articulate, intelligent, driven, knowledgeable candidate on the face of the planet.

Do that stuff and you'll get in. Good luck!

So with that in mind..You give so little hope for people with lower GPA, I mean, I thought that 3.02 is pretty decent. So if I have a GPA of 2.82 then there is not even a chance of me getting to any pharm school. I have been volunteering for a year now as a pharm aid and trying to boost my GPA. I have taken the PCAT but have not recieved the scores yet. Also hoping to work as a pharm tech soon.

 

[PharmDstudent]

So with that in mind..You give so little hope for people with lower GPA, I mean, I thought that 3.02 is pretty decent. So if I have a GPA of 2.82 then there is not even a chance of me getting to any pharm school. I have been volunteering for a year now as a pharm aid and trying to boost my GPA. I have taken the PCAT but have not recieved the scores yet. Also hoping to work as a pharm tech soon.

The question now is...who do you know?

 

[soyroger]

There are 3 schools I found that have mean entrance GPA of 3.1, which means many are higher and many are lower than that. Touro, Appalachia, and Xavier university all have 3.1 mean entrance GPA's. There are a few others with 3.2 listed, which with other strong points (xtra currics, pharmacy experience, etc) you could probably get into. I would said that in general these schools are easier to get into based on there stats. And once you have that Pharm.D, no one is really going to care where its from or what your gpa was.

As for Touro, that 3.1 (really 3.11) figure applies to the inaugural class of 2009, while the class of 2010 had an average 3.22 and my class of 2011 has an average of 3.33. This exact pattern of a 0.11 increase per year can only hold for so long, but it's evident that new schools with a qualified dean and faculty and well designed program don't take long to attract competitive applicants. When I applied I was one of around 2,500 seeking 100 seats, so the competition is only getting tougher. Make sure you have some qualities that stand out.

Another thing to consider when looking for the easiest way into a school is that meeting the minimum application requirements doesn't mean you're a competitive applicant. For instance, Touro didn't require a BS or BA to apply for my class, but 100% of us have an undergraduate degree. The faculty felt that achieving that degree was important in preparation for professional education. With that, good luck in your application and do everything you can to go above and beyond.

 

[firstgeneration]

The question now is...who do you know?

You mean who do I know that gone in with a low GPA?? or ????

 

[michelle_is_me]

You mean who do I know that gone in with a low GPA?? or ????

i think he means...get in through connections 😛 *shake fists in anger at unfairness*

 

[steveysmith54]

most definitely try newer non accredited schools.

 

[PharmDstudent]

i think he means...get in through connections 😛 *shake fists in anger at unfairness*

Exactly. They need a connection.

 

[AshleyCPhT]

I go to one of those pharmacy schools. Trust me, it's not easy to get in there. I know of soooooo many students who were rejected. One person, who had stats which were close to mine, had applied three times but never got in.
There have been threads about the school before, so I would read up on it before assuming anything about it.

I wasn't assuming anything. I was just sugesting that with his low GPA there was still hope if he/she had stong points in other areas (PCAT, Extracurrics, Expereince) I have done my reasearch, trust me. and I don't beleive there are ANY pharmacy schools that are easy to get into. But as far as GPA goes, some may be more forgiving than others with the right extras.😉

 

[PharmDstudent]

I wasn't assuming anything. I was just sugesting that with his low GPA there was still hope if he/she had stong points in other areas (PCAT, Extracurrics, Expereince) I have done my reasearch, trust me. and I don't beleive there are ANY pharmacy schools that are easy to get into. But as far as GPA goes, some may be more forgiving than others with the right extras.😉

FYI: I attend a COP that doesn't require the PCAT yet, so there are always +1,000 applicants. If you were applying as a transfer student here, your GPA and academic profile would have to be superb, because their students' applications are reviewed a month earlier than the transfer students. It sounds unfair, but at least they accept transfer students.
There are ways to get into the COP, obviously, but you would need the right strategy.
Your strategy is significant no matter where you are applying!

 

[pharmd4me@510]

As for Touro, that 3.1 (really 3.11) figure applies to the inaugural class of 2009, while the class of 2010 had an average 3.22 and my class of 2011 has an average of 3.33. This exact pattern of a 0.11 increase per year can only hold for so long, but it's evident that new schools with a qualified dean and faculty and well designed program don't take long to attract competitive applicants. When I applied I was one of around 2,500 seeking 100 seats, so the competition is only getting tougher. Make sure you have some qualities that stand out.

Another thing to consider when looking for the easiest way into a school is that meeting the minimum application requirements doesn't mean you're a competitive applicant. For instance, Touro didn't require a BS or BA to apply for my class, but 100% of us have an undergraduate degree. The faculty felt that achieving that degree was important in preparation for professional education. With that, good luck in your application and do everything you can to go above and beyond.

What's up,Roger? Bluff daddy here (does that ring a bell?)

 

[WVUPharm2007]

So with that in mind..You give so little hope for people with lower GPA, I mean, I thought that 3.02 is pretty decent. So if I have a GPA of 2.82 then there is not even a chance of me getting to any pharm school. I have been volunteering for a year now as a pharm aid and trying to boost my GPA. I have taken the PCAT but have not recieved the scores yet. Also hoping to work as a pharm tech soon.

Ace the interview, PCAT, have impressive auxillary qualities and you have a shot. Bluntly, that GPA is definitely on the lower end of the scale...but GPA isn't everything. The key is getting the interview. I know. My GPA was only 3.27 when the average was 3.6+....but I got the highest score in my class on the interview, got an 80-something on my PCAT, and had pharmacy experience. Those things go a long way...obviously.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Ace the interview, PCAT, have impressive auxillary qualities and you have a shot. Bluntly, that GPA is definitely on the lower end of the scale...but GPA isn't everything. The key is getting the interview. I know. My GPA was only 3.27 when the average was 3.6+....but I got the highest score in my class on the interview, got an 80-something on my PCAT, and had pharmacy experience. Those things go a long way...obviously.

WVU, a 3.27GPA is very different from a 2.8. That's like comparing a 3.2 with a 3.67. I'm not trying to be the spoiler, but a 2.8 is a LOW GPA for pre-pharmacy. The OP needs to get it up to at least a 3.0 so that they can have a chance, because I'm sure some schools have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.
All this GPA talk...I guess I just like talking about numbers 😀.

 

[evilolive]

Michigan seems to be forgiving of low GPAs. I think our lowest entering student was around a 2.8? But then again everyone here seems to have a 97+ on their PCAT who had a low GPA.

 

[anh80]

man ...if ur gpa is that low (2.8) for undergrad....u're going to get ur butt kicked in pharm school.

but the key for me was to apply EXTREMELY EARLY!!!

 

[PharmDstudent]

man ...if ur gpa is that low (2.8) for undergrad....u're going to get ur butt kicked in pharm school.

but the key for me was to apply EXTREMELY EARLY!!!

I know who you are...you just got EXTREMELY LUCKY!!! Who gets called to interview a year early? You and only you- actually someone else was interviewed, but let's keep it simple. Only YOU!

 

[mkassir]

everyone is saying " do good in the interview " , isnt getting the interview hard anyway ? and whats a "decent" pcat score ? is there a range where you would surely get in, say 90+ ? or does it depend on other stuff..

 

[mkassir]

I know who you are...you just got EXTREMELY LUCKY!!! Who gets called to interview a year early? You and only you- actually someone else was interviewed, but let's keep it simple. Only YOU!

dont be a hater dude...

 

[anh80]

I know who you are...you just got EXTREMELY LUCKY!!! Who gets called to interview a year early? You and only you- actually someone else was interviewed, but let's keep it simple. Only YOU!

u r right. i am extremely lucky. no doubt about it, but if i didnt turned my app in early then i would've never gotten the invite. right? would u give me that???

u need all the advantages u can get when u apply.

 

[PharmDstudent]

dont be a hater dude...

I'm not a hater. I applied to one school on the last day of their extended deadline 😀 and was accepted after being waitlisted. I like to call it: pharmacy school roulette. Like anh80, I was EXTREMELY LUCKY!!!
Sometimes people need to be lucky. Everyone wants to get into pharmacy school, but it's not always performance based.
Just don't apply on a full moon .

 

[PharmDstudent]

u r right. i am extremely lucky. no doubt about it, but if i didnt turned my app in early then i would've never gotten the invite. right? would u give me that???

u need all the advantages u can get when u apply.

Yes, I'll definitely give you that! Like my British Pathophysiology professor, Barry Potter, always says, "Don't panic, beat the rush. The early bird gets the worm."

 

[AmericanDesi]

LOL, I love the name of this thread.

Like they said, try Xavier, Hampton, TSU..wait, not TSU, I'm applying there..ur GPA isn't terrible..you just better have EXTREMELY GOOD KARMA!!

 

[bananaface]

It's hard everywhere b/c at schools with a lower avg entering GPA everyone and their brother applies, driving the app:admission ratio up above 10:1.

How were your science and prereq grades?

 

[PrePharmacyDude]

The following professions are easier to get into. You should look into these professions if you do not get into your desired Pharmacy school...


Physician Assistant
Registered Nurse
Chiropractor
Anesthesiology


I personally would go for Anesthesiology, except all my friends are doing Pharmacy. So I said, why not, let's all do Pharmacy and be friends forever.

 

[AmericanDesi]

Yeah nursing is easy, i got into all the schools i applied, but none of the pharm schools 😡
anesthesiology,lol I dont know, thats a tough field..unless ur talking about nurse anesthesia..still might be hard.
You could be a teacher.

 

[airen]

LOL!

I personally would go for Anesthesiology, except all my friends are doing Pharmacy. So I said, why not, let's all do Pharmacy and be friends forever.[/QUOTE]

 

[cycloketocaine]

Yeah nursing is easy, i got into all the schools i applied, but none of the pharm schools 😡
anesthesiology,lol I dont know, thats a tough field..unless ur talking about nurse anesthesia..still might be hard.
You could be a teacher.

I tried nursing, and hated it.

Here's a piece of advice.... if you don't like touching/smelling/looking at/picking up other people's body fluids/excretions, then don't go into nursing.