I'm currently a senior at a fairly prestigious university, but due to some poor decision making on a final, it looks like I'll be failing a non-prerequisite class (Conservation Biology, to be exact). Including the failed class, my GPA will be a 3.25, and I've never made below a B- in any prerequisite classes. Just wondering how much this will affect my chances of getting accepted into pharmacy school, and if non prerequisite classes are considered in admissions decisions.
Failed non-prereq class
- Thread starter gooner28
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From what I've heard/read, the adcoms look mainly at your pre-requisite gpa.
I am new to this forum and hopefully I am posting at the right place. I am really confused about this whole GPA thing.
*For example, Midwestern only requires 3 semester/4 quarter units of physics, but I took the full series required for undergrad that was more than 12 quarter units. How is the GPA calculated this way? Do they use the highest grade or just the first 3 semester/4 quarter units taken?
*I also have some very bad grades for non-prereq courses. How do they affect the entire GPA calculation?
*What if I have some courses replaced and how does that affect the GPA?
Sorry, I have a lot of questions, but it will be greatly appreciated if anyone can clarify these for me.
*For example, Midwestern only requires 3 semester/4 quarter units of physics, but I took the full series required for undergrad that was more than 12 quarter units. How is the GPA calculated this way? Do they use the highest grade or just the first 3 semester/4 quarter units taken?
*I also have some very bad grades for non-prereq courses. How do they affect the entire GPA calculation?
*What if I have some courses replaced and how does that affect the GPA?
Sorry, I have a lot of questions, but it will be greatly appreciated if anyone can clarify these for me.
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Fish, Adcoms and Pharmcas take into account all of your science class, including of your 12 units (by units I assume you mean credits. For example, I needed Phy 1 & 2 for my pre-req, but I also took intro to physics and that was included in my Science GPA and my overall as well. Anything and everything that is science related will be used to calculate the science GPA, (along with the science credits) will be used to calculate the overall GPA.
This means that your bad non-req grades will definitely lower your overall GPA and if they were science related courses (even if they're not a pre-req) they will affect your science GPA. This does not mean its the end of the road for you, but you should take this into account when you wish to re-take some classes, if that's what you want to do.
As far as replacing (by replacing I assume you mean retaking a course), Pharmcas doesn't not grant grade forgiveness. This means that the bad grade and the good (replaced) grade will be included. So if you earned a F the first time and an A in the retake you average out to a C for that one course.
Gooner, I think you will be ok. Make sure the rest of your app is somewhat strong. That means experience, essay, LOR's, etc.
Thanks for the clarifications, but do Adcoms really care about science GPA or pre-reqs GPA? because I have a class that cannot be retaken, so that is going to lower my overall GPA. Also, is there anywhere I can try to explain why I ended up with a bad grade on the application? Please help!
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First of all excuse the typos on my previous post, it was early in the morning and I was getting ready for work.
Anyway, the adcoms will definitely want to see the best grades go to their pre-reqs. However, that doesn't mean a bad grade will not be noticed. If the class that you mention you cannot retake is not a science course and isn't even a pre-req then I wouldn't worry THAT much. It will affect your GPA and it be noticed, but if you play your cards right you will be ok.
Bust your ass in the PCAT to show them you have what it takes but that grade blemish was just immaturity, inexperience, bad time in your life etc. Work hard on polishing your personal essay by taking a few weeks to really think about it and write something that is worth their while. Make sure you get it proof read a few times by a couple of honest people. GET EXPERIENCE if you haven't already, become a tech, work in a pharmacy. All this is just to land an interview. If you do then practice your interview and do your research on the school.
Good luck.
Anyway, the adcoms will definitely want to see the best grades go to their pre-reqs. However, that doesn't mean a bad grade will not be noticed. If the class that you mention you cannot retake is not a science course and isn't even a pre-req then I wouldn't worry THAT much. It will affect your GPA and it be noticed, but if you play your cards right you will be ok.
Bust your ass in the PCAT to show them you have what it takes but that grade blemish was just immaturity, inexperience, bad time in your life etc. Work hard on polishing your personal essay by taking a few weeks to really think about it and write something that is worth their while. Make sure you get it proof read a few times by a couple of honest people. GET EXPERIENCE if you haven't already, become a tech, work in a pharmacy. All this is just to land an interview. If you do then practice your interview and do your research on the school.
Good luck.
Thanks for the advise! Unfortunately, that class I cannot retake happens to be a science class but not a prer-req. I am already a tech and have been working for more than 2 years. I will work hard on my PS and PCAT as you mentioned. Thanks again.
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