electrical engineering to pharmacy school

[thebruin14]

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I am a senior at UCLA who got forced into electrical engineering because of family pressure and I really want to get into pharmacy school. I have solid grades in all classes except classes in my major, electrical engineering. I am taking the biomedical option of electrical engineering which means I take more chem classes and fewer electrical engineering classes.

Major GPA: 2.65
Cumulative GPA: 3.26
science GPA: 3.55
Freshman GPA(did not take engineering classes): 3.5
Sophomore GPA(only took 1 engineering class):3.7
Junior GPA: 2.6
Senior GPA: 2.6

I am returning for a 5th year to raise my gpa and take the remaining prereqs in biochem and microbiology. I know that I choose the wrong major and want to get back on track for pharmacy school. What is the best way to explain the engineering gpa?

 

[Skrumpy]

So, do you have a question.. or are you just sharing your idea with us?

 

[thebruin14]

added the question

 

[Skrumpy]

added the question

The best way is to be honest. If family pressured you into it and after exploring it as an option you found that you weren't suited for it, then say so. You can say you wanted to expand your options and came upon pharmacy as a field that seemed tailor made for your strengths. The more honest you are, the more natural your responses will be if it happens to come up in an interview. I'd be sure to share a short blurb about how you happened upon the pharmacy profession as a choice in your PS as well.

 

[DrDrugs2012]

Absolutely do NOT say you were pressured by your parents. I have on good authority that such failure to accept responsibility for ones own inputs and outcomes is a near certain automatic rejection at many schools. I know how pushy parents can be. My own parents come from an entire culture wrapped up in driving their kids to med school. But regardless of pressure, you are an adult in the eyes of the committee and being an adult you should realize that they are looking for applicants who can divorce themselves from personal feelings and make tough decisions. No one sat there and forced you to do anything - be it signing up for engineering, going to class, or failing to change majors sooner.

Its this simple (and it doesnt get simpler). YOU made a choice. You recognized later that it was a poor choice because choosing a career based on money or prospects is far worse than choices for pursuits of interest. Being passionate about what you do will always carry a person much further in life.

This country rewards excellence like no other. Whether you are a violinist, bricklayer or garbage man; you can always find success if you pour your heart into it. Just ask Michael Corbat. He was an average mortgage broker selling mortgages to ma and pa kettle. He is now the CEO of Citibank - a multinational company worth billions.

"Without apologies nor regret, pursue your dreams with inspired reckless abandon, never failing to grasp for every opportunity for personal growth and advancement by refusing to close your doors to challenges of exponentially increasing difficulty, and you shall meet your true potential at the corner of success and happiness." - trademark drdrugs2012 quote.

 

[Skrumpy]

I think DrDrugs is being a titch bit dramatic there. There is a difference in honesty and blatantly blaming others for your own mistakes. First of all I wouldn't call it a 'mistake' more of a 'learning experience.' A lot of it is how you word it.

For example:

Version #1: My parents forced me to go into electrical engineering. I hated every moment of it and just couldn't disappoint them by dropping out of the program until it was too late.

Version #2: Directly out of high school I was unsure of which area of study to pursue in my college endeavors. My parents strongly encouraged me to go into my electrical engineering, my father's field of expertise. I didn't excel in this area, however, and it wasn't until I explored other areas that I came upon pharmacy....
​

You can make anything sound good. It's all in how you word it. I wouldn't lie. Be honest about it and it will make the writing experience easier.

 

[y0ssarian87]

I think DrDrugs is being a titch bit dramatic there. There is a difference in honesty and blatantly blaming others for your own mistakes. First of all I wouldn't call it a 'mistake' more of a 'learning experience.' A lot of it is how you word it.

For example:

Version #1: My parents forced me to go into electrical engineering. I hated every moment of it and just couldn't disappoint them by dropping out of the program until it was too late.

Version #2: Directly out of high school I was unsure of which area of study to pursue in my college endeavors. My parents strongly encouraged me to go into my electrical engineering, my father's field of expertise. I didn't excel in this area, however, and it wasn't until I explored other areas that I came upon pharmacy....
​

You can make anything sound good. It's all in how you word it. I wouldn't lie. Be honest about it and it will make the writing experience easier.

+1

OP, I had a somewhat similar experience. I actually attended the school across town, and I started out as an Industrial and Systems Engineering major. If you are interested in my experience, I'd be more than happy to tell you about it. Feel free to PM me.

 

[DrDrugs2012]

There is no drama to my statement. I am being extremely serious when I say that blaming others for decisions an applicant made is pretty much an application-killer. And no, the second one doesn't sound any better to an admissions committee. Please, please, please, just trust me on this one.

But yes, do not lie.

 

[Amicable Angora]

I am a senior at UCLA who got forced into electrical engineering because of family pressure and I really want to get into pharmacy school. I have solid grades in all classes except classes in my major, electrical engineering. I am taking the biomedical option of electrical engineering which means I take more chem classes and fewer electrical engineering classes.

Major GPA: 2.65
Cumulative GPA: 3.26
science GPA: 3.55
Freshman GPA(did not take engineering classes): 3.5
Sophomore GPA(only took 1 engineering class):3.7
Junior GPA: 2.6
Senior GPA: 2.6

I am returning for a 5th year to raise my gpa and take the remaining prereqs in biochem and microbiology. I know that I choose the wrong major and want to get back on track for pharmacy school. What is the best way to explain the engineering gpa?

Concentrate on doing well on your pharmacy prerequisites and then explain your situation on the pharmacy applications similar to how you have done so on this forum.

The adcoms should be understanding and sympathetic to your situation. It's commonly known that engineering is extremely difficult (perhaps the hardest undergraduate major) and if you show high marks in pharmacy, it should convince them that you are suited for pharmacy and just chose the wrong undergraduate major. Good luck.