First time applicant vs. Reapplying ?

[jeffries]

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Hello everyone🙂,​

I'm new to the forum and am very glad to have learned about your website. I'm a pre-pharm student seeking to apply this year but have been hesitant about applying due to my desire to strengthen my PCAT scores. I have been shadowing a pharmacist for two years, have about a year clinical lab experience, worked as a retail pharm tech for a few months, am a member of various volunteer organizations, and have recently obtained a degree in Biology. I know that pharmacy is the career I would like to pursue. However I've been hesitant about applying because a pre-health advisor earlier this year stressed to me that an applicant's greatest chance of getting into pharmacy school is only their first time applying. And so I have put off a year applying in order to try to complete my pre-pharm courses. Yet it seems by the threads that I've been reading that reapplying may show your determination and increase your chances of getting in. Based upon your experiences is this the more likely result? I currently have a 3.3 GPA and scored a 68 on the PCAT, with Bio and Chem percentages within the 80s and 90s. Yet I am worried about my pretty low math score which relatively pulled my cumulative score down. My calculus grades were Bs. I'm also aware that getting into pharmacy school becomes more competitive each year. I have already begun most of my application yet am working on my personal statement.But I have not yet submitted due to my school advisor's advice and my current scores. Is there anyone who has knows whether this is true or has been in a similar situation? I really appreciate any advice you can provide.​

I was also informed by a couple of the schools I'm applying to that January scores will not count towards '09 applications and so I would have to wait to apply again in order to use those scores for 2010.​

 

[UNMorBUST]

Hello everyone🙂,​

I'm new to the forum and am very glad to have learned about your website. I'm a pre-pharm student seeking to apply this year but have been hesitant about applying due to my desire to strengthen my PCAT scores. I have been shadowing a pharmacist for two years, have about a year clinical lab experience, worked as a retail pharm tech for a few months, am a member of various volunteer organizations, and have recently obtained a degree in Biology. I know that pharmacy is the career I would like to pursue. However I've been hesitant about applying because a pre-health advisor earlier this year stressed to me that an applicant's greatest chance of getting into pharmacy school is only their first time applying. And so I have put off a year applying in order to try to complete my pre-pharm courses. Yet it seems by the threads that I've been reading that reapplying may show your determination and increase your chances of getting in. Based upon your experiences is this the more likely result? I currently have a 3.3 GPA and scored a 68 on the PCAT, with Bio and Chem percentages within the 80s and 90s. Yet I am worried about my pretty low math score which relatively pulled my cumulative score down. My calculus grades were Bs. I'm also aware that getting into pharmacy school becomes more competitive each year. I have already begun most of my application yet am working on my personal statement.But I have not yet submitted due to my school advisor's advice and my current scores. Is there anyone who has knows whether this is true or has been in a similar situation? I really appreciate any advice you can provide.​

I was also informed by a couple of the schools I'm applying to that January scores will not count towards '09 applications and so I would have to wait to apply again in order to use those scores for 2010.​

In my opinion i believe it does not matter 1st time applying or second or third. I do not get why your advisor said your first time is basically your last time. That is just ludicrous. If you look at forums or ask people there are many people that apply second third times and get accepted. You may think that it shows determination and in a way it does. But the real reason many people get in the second time is due to the fact when they are turned down, they strenghten their applications for the next year. It gives them time to volenter or get pharmacy experience, as well as strenghten their gpa. I say apply if you dont get in this year take that year to strenghten your application. my 2 cents

 

[goinkhead]

Hello everyone🙂,​

I'm new to the forum and am very glad to have learned about your website. I'm a pre-pharm student seeking to apply this year but have been hesitant about applying due to my desire to strengthen my PCAT scores. I have been shadowing a pharmacist for two years, have about a year clinical lab experience, worked as a retail pharm tech for a few months, am a member of various volunteer organizations, and have recently obtained a degree in Biology. I know that pharmacy is the career I would like to pursue. However I've been hesitant about applying because a pre-health advisor earlier this year stressed to me that an applicant's greatest chance of getting into pharmacy school is only their first time applying. And so I have put off a year applying in order to try to complete my pre-pharm courses. Yet it seems by the threads that I've been reading that reapplying may show your determination and increase your chances of getting in. Based upon your experiences is this the more likely result? I currently have a 3.3 GPA and scored a 68 on the PCAT, with Bio and Chem percentages within the 80s and 90s. Yet I am worried about my pretty low math score which relatively pulled my cumulative score down. My calculus grades were Bs. I'm also aware that getting into pharmacy school becomes more competitive each year. I have already begun most of my application yet am working on my personal statement.But I have not yet submitted due to my school advisor's advice and my current scores. Is there anyone who has knows whether this is true or has been in a similar situation? I really appreciate any advice you can provide.​

I was also informed by a couple of the schools I'm applying to that January scores will not count towards '09 applications and so I would have to wait to apply again in order to use those scores for 2010.​

Your advisor shouldn't be an advisor.

Most of the students in pharmacy school (that i know) are second, even third time applicants. Also, (and i know im going to get some heat about this), but from my experience, reapplicants tend to be older and thus a little more mature than first time applicants....this is strictly anecdotal, just speaking from my experience, and i know it has nothing to do with the post...but just throwing it out there.

I think there is a SLIGHT advantage for re-applicants...but only if there has been a significant improvement between applications (gpa increase, more EC's,..etc.)


im a reapplicant. Last year, i received 1 interview.
This year, I have 3 interviews so far. I re-took and aced most of the prereqs.

 

[wolfpackhal]

I think the most qualified applicants will get in the first time they apply, so that may be what your advisor means. It's kind of a misleading stat if you ask me...just take a minute to think about it. I do not think your individual chances go down any at all the second time that you apply, if anything they will go up because you will have improved parts of your application.

 

[SHC1984]

Your highest chance of getting accepted is actually your 2nd time applying. First time you get a certain percentage. Second time you IMPROVE your application and have a higher chance. However afer your 2nd time your chances will go down....(since you already try improving your application and you still didn't get in your second time) thats what my advisor told me at least.

 

[Jaded03]

I do not get why your advisor said your first time is basically your last time.

I can tell you why. If it's just a general counselor, it is because it is technically true for medical school. It is very important to impress on the first round because for a few schools, they discourage applying after the second time. Should you require a second round, you should be amazing: published, outstanding MCAT, and/or some activity that would make you re-write your personal statement.

 

[Storm90]

Hello everyone🙂,​

I'm new to the forum and am very glad to have learned about your website. I'm a pre-pharm student seeking to apply this year but have been hesitant about applying due to my desire to strengthen my PCAT scores. I have been shadowing a pharmacist for two years, have about a year clinical lab experience, worked as a retail pharm tech for a few months, am a member of various volunteer organizations, and have recently obtained a degree in Biology. I know that pharmacy is the career I would like to pursue. However I've been hesitant about applying because a pre-health advisor earlier this year stressed to me that an applicant's greatest chance of getting into pharmacy school is only their first time applying. And so I have put off a year applying in order to try to complete my pre-pharm courses. Yet it seems by the threads that I've been reading that reapplying may show your determination and increase your chances of getting in. Based upon your experiences is this the more likely result? I currently have a 3.3 GPA and scored a 68 on the PCAT, with Bio and Chem percentages within the 80s and 90s. Yet I am worried about my pretty low math score which relatively pulled my cumulative score down. My calculus grades were Bs. I'm also aware that getting into pharmacy school becomes more competitive each year. I have already begun most of my application yet am working on my personal statement.But I have not yet submitted due to my school advisor's advice and my current scores. Is there anyone who has knows whether this is true or has been in a similar situation? I really appreciate any advice you can provide.​

I was also informed by a couple of the schools I'm applying to that January scores will not count towards '09 applications and so I would have to wait to apply again in order to use those scores for 2010.​

I applied several years before I got an acceptance. Perseverance pays off. And if you're worried about PCAT scores, have you looked at schools that don't consider them?

 

[199778]

This is my 3rd year applying, every year I learned from my mistakes and improved on getting further in the interview process until I am accepted.

Do not worry that you only get one chance to apply, because it's not true. If you get in the 1st time you apply, that's great. But, keep on improving your grades and you will get in! GOOD LUCK TO ALL.

 

[tommyle]

Your highest chance of getting accepted is actually your 2nd time applying. First time you get a certain percentage. Second time you IMPROVE your application and have a higher chance. However afer your 2nd time your chances will go down....(since you already try improving your application and you still didn't get in your second time) thats what my advisor told me at least.

agreed

 

[abenton5000]

I am a third time applicant. Only got one interview my first two years applying. I worked on some things,applied to more schools, and this cycle I've already gotten 3 interview invites (Mercer, South, Univ. of Tenn.) and an acceptance (Mercer). It just takes knowing what you want and not giving up after something doesn't go exactly to plan.