failing some prerequisite course

[cuxl12]

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Hi, I plan to graduate with biochemistry(bs) next semester, and my overall gpa is 3.73.
But two years ago I failed some prerequisite courses (general physics 2, ochem 1 lab, microbiology lab, statistics)and calc 3
I used grade deletion policy of university and retook them to get straight A's. The policy only included the new grade in calculating GPA but shows all failed grades in transcripts. In this case, how would it affect the admission to pharmacy school? would it hurt a lot? would it be possible to get in with really high pcat scores?

 

[jpribilski]

This is why it's pointless to do grade forgiveness. PharmCAS will include those failed courses in the GPA calculations, so your true GPA is a low 3 at best. Your BS would still make you very competitive, though.

 

[Farmacist2011]

Not pointless for the schools because it makes the students take more classes there. They can say their students have a higher average gpa, looks great for them and happy students are less likely to take the classes somewhere else. Yes pointless for students applying through pharmcas though.

 

[Electrode]

Hi, I plan to graduate with biochemistry(bs) next semester, and my overall gpa is 3.73.
But two years ago I failed some prerequisite courses (general physics 2, ochem 1 lab, microbiology lab, statistics)and calc 3
I used grade deletion policy of university and retook them to get straight A's. The policy only included the new grade in calculating GPA but shows all failed grades in transcripts. In this case, how would it affect the admission to pharmacy school? would it hurt a lot? would it be possible to get in with really high pcat scores?

Whether it would hurt you or not varies from school to school. But it shouldn't have much of a negative effect since you got an A on your second go. What you should worry about is having a good reason behind those F's.

However, with your current GPA + degree, you're a very competitive applicant already. If you somehow net out a PCAT of 70, then you should spend more time on other application components such as your essay/personal statement & interview skills. You have a good shot...at least, for an interview.

 

[pharm B]

This is why it's pointless to do grade forgiveness. PharmCAS will include those failed courses in the GPA calculations, so your true GPA is a low 3 at best. Your BS would still make you very competitive, though.

I disagree. Several pharmacy schools out there don't use PharmCAS, and do include grade forgiveness in their GPA calculations. If you feel that your PharmCAS GPA isn't as competitive as you'd like it to be, you might start investigating non-PharmCAS schools.

My first time around in undergrad, I had a few F's due to not showing up to class. Joined the Nav, came back, and rocked the kasbah. Grade forgiveness definitely bumped my GPA up by a few tenths of a point. Hell, if I'd come back a few years later, Texas would have let me had a "fresh" start where the previous classes were just wiped. 😱

 

[rxlea]

I agree with B. I retook an entire semester of failing grades, got A's and even with the PharmCAS calculation, got accepted. It does matter if you retake them because it shows that 1) you are dedicated to success and 2) you are capable of understanding and mastering the material

 

[curt656]

This is a subject which has me pretty worried. I will start by saying that I am 37 yrs old and due to the economy basically destroying my career, I am starting over completely by going back to school. Almost 20 years ago, I took 3 semesters at a community college. The first semester I withdrew completely, the second I got a B, C, and an F. The last semester, I moved back home and did not withdraw from my classes resulting in four F's. I am going to a community college that has a program called academic amnesty, and the classes that I took so long ago do not count toward my gpa (currently 3.7) at the school I am going to now.

My number one choice is University of Florida, and they do not recognize these amnesty programs. As such, those 4 F's could kill me. The good thing is that I understand that UF only looks at your science gpa, and none of those classes were science classes, but if UF does not accept me I could have problems elsewhere. People have told me that admissions boards will take into consideration how long ago those classes were and will concentrate on my current record, but like I said, I am 37 years old and don't have time to mess around.

I guess I am looking for some reassurance.

 

[myouk]

I agree with B. I retook an entire semester of failing grades, got A's and even with the PharmCAS calculation, got accepted. It does matter if you retake them because it shows that 1) you are dedicated to success and 2) you are capable of understanding and mastering the material

what was your major gpa when u got accepted?