For all pharmacy students

[bballa99]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey, im kinda freaking out right now but I know I shouldn't be. Ive always wanted to do pharmacy, and im finding my 1st semester of prereqs not to easy. I only have about a 3.0 GPA, its my first semester at university, and im only 18 years old. I will be writing the PCAT in January for the first time. I'm just curious, for those in pharmacy school, or are licenced pharmacists, I have some questions if you don't mind answering:

How old were you when you got accepted to pharm school, did you have a BSc ?

What was your PCAT score(s) and prereq/overall GPA?

How many times did you apply?

What kind of EC's and LOR's did you have?

Thanks, I've been down lately because I feel like I might of done poorly on some of my finals for this semester. Should I still apply with a 3.0 GPA? The university I am applying for is taking the Jan 2010 pcat score so no worries about that. Also, I plan to get a high gpa for my 2nd semester; will schools look at the overall gpa if you apply in the same year but haven't finished your prereqs? (Note: Im a canadian student, and I have to take 1 year of pre-reqs for pharmacy).

Thanks!

 

[type b pharmD]

Hey, im kinda freaking out right now but I know I shouldn't be. Ive always wanted to do pharmacy, and im finding my 1st semester of prereqs not to easy. I only have about a 3.0 GPA, its my first semester at university, and im only 18 years old. I will be writing the PCAT in January for the first time. I'm just curious, for those in pharmacy school, or are licenced pharmacists, I have some questions if you don't mind answering:

How old were you when you got accepted to pharm school, did you have a BSc ?

What was your PCAT score(s) and prereq/overall GPA?

How many times did you apply?

What kind of EC's and LOR's did you have?

Thanks, I've been down lately because I feel like I might of done poorly on some of my finals for this semester. Should I still apply with a 3.0 GPA? The university I am applying for is taking the Jan 2010 pcat score so no worries about that. Also, I plan to get a high gpa for my 2nd semester; will schools look at the overall gpa if you apply in the same year but haven't finished your prereqs? (Note: Im a canadian student, and I have to take 1 year of pre-reqs for pharmacy).

Thanks!

The questions you asked can be answered by a thorough search of the pre-pharmacy forum. I dont know what it is like applying to canadian schools personally, so i cant help.

But i can say, a 3.0 GPA for your first semester of college at age 18 is great.. A lot of people struggle their first semesters , you're just getting used to college after all!! You'll get better and more efficient with your studying as time goes on and all ya gotta do is get one semester with all A's and you're sitting pretty.

 

[crazybob]

Hey, im kinda freaking out right now but I know I shouldn't be. Ive always wanted to do pharmacy, and im finding my 1st semester of prereqs not to easy. I only have about a 3.0 GPA, its my first semester at university, and im only 18 years old. I will be writing the PCAT in January for the first time. I'm just curious, for those in pharmacy school, or are licenced pharmacists, I have some questions if you don't mind answering:

How old were you when you got accepted to pharm school, did you have a BSc ?

It was about 6 months after I turned 21. I didn't have a degree. I would have had one if I were still in college for this school year. I would have graduated form college in May '10 with a degree in Chemistry.

What was your PCAT score(s) and prereq/overall GPA?

In october I had 77 and in January I had 74. I had 90's on Quant and Chem. My Bio went from 30's to 60's.

My GPA was 3.32 before I started school. My science GPA was 3.45.

How many times did you apply?

Just once, and only to one school. I would have applied to more, but I hadn't done enough pre-requisites for other schools.

What kind of EC's and LOR's did you have?

LORs

• Chemistry professor and also Department Chair of Chemistry
• Biochemistry professor and also faculty advisor of the Pre-Pharmacy club
• Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice Home Care

ECs

• Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for about a year - Went to about 7 building sites, including 2 of which were mission trips for a week
• Volunteer for Hospice Home Care for about a year
• Big Brother in BigBrothersBigSisters for about a year
• Member of Chemistry club for three years (ACS) - Secretary for for one year
• Member of Biology club for two years (BBB)
• Member of Pre-medicine club for two years (AED)
• Member of Pre-pharmacy club for three years - Historian/Publicist for on year, Vice President for one year

Thanks, I've been down lately because I feel like I might of done poorly on some of my finals for this semester. Should I still apply with a 3.0 GPA? The university I am applying for is taking the Jan 2010 pcat score so no worries about that. Also, I plan to get a high gpa for my 2nd semester; will schools look at the overall gpa if you apply in the same year but haven't finished your prereqs? (Note: Im a canadian student, and I have to take 1 year of pre-reqs for pharmacy).

You can still apply and get accepted somewhere. If you don't apply, then you have a 0% chance of getting accepted. Good luck!

 

[Quiksilver]

Hey, im kinda freaking out right now but I know I shouldn't be. Ive always wanted to do pharmacy, and im finding my 1st semester of prereqs not to easy. I only have about a 3.0 GPA, its my first semester at university, and im only 18 years old. I will be writing the PCAT in January for the first time. I'm just curious, for those in pharmacy school, or are licenced pharmacists, I have some questions if you don't mind answering:

How old were you when you got accepted to pharm school, did you have a BSc ?

What was your PCAT score(s) and prereq/overall GPA?

How many times did you apply?

What kind of EC's and LOR's did you have?

Thanks, I've been down lately because I feel like I might of done poorly on some of my finals for this semester. Should I still apply with a 3.0 GPA? The university I am applying for is taking the Jan 2010 pcat score so no worries about that. Also, I plan to get a high gpa for my 2nd semester; will schools look at the overall gpa if you apply in the same year but haven't finished your prereqs? (Note: Im a canadian student, and I have to take 1 year of pre-reqs for pharmacy).

Thanks!

you know that each year gets tougher and tougher and people get stringent. What happened 3 years ago probably is not relevant to whats going on now. Posting my stats does no good. This is probably addressed ad nauseum in the pre-pharmacy section where this will probably be more relevant and up to date

 

[docss26]

It really bothers me that pharmacy students are being accepted with out a bachelor's and around the age of 18-19. I know a few people accepted in that age range that are not ready to become pharmacists nor do they have the proper experience necessary to start an education in pharmacy. Obviously this does not apply to everyone. There are for sure well qualified younger people. I just think with the competitiveness of pharmacy schools, they should really require students to have a bachelors degree.

 

[bballa99]

Oh my god what a relief. I still have many years ahead of me.. thanks guys 😀

I don't know why, but I can't seem to get any good EC's..I've had an interview for a pharmacy assistant, but my 'availability' was not good because I am a full time student.. I guess it's because im too busy. When did you join the clubs/organizations? Was it during summer or winter break? Were you still in them during your days of pre pharm full time studies? If so, how often?

 

[crazybob]

Oh my god what a relief. I still have many years ahead of me.. thanks guys 😀

I don't know why, but I can't seem to get any good EC's..I've had an interview for a pharmacy assistant, but my 'availability' was not good because I am a full time student.. I guess it's because im too busy. When did you join the clubs/organizations? Was it during summer or winter break? Were you still in them during your days of pre pharm full time studies? If so, how often?

The clubs I joined announced their first meetings in the beginning of the semester (in the last week of august) so I attended the first meetings and joined the clubs. I was still in them when I was taking my pre-pharmacy courses.

 

[docss26]

Oh my god what a relief. I still have many years ahead of me.. thanks guys 😀

I don't know why, but I can't seem to get any good EC's..I've had an interview for a pharmacy assistant, but my 'availability' was not good because I am a full time student.. I guess it's because im too busy. When did you join the clubs/organizations? Was it during summer or winter break? Were you still in them during your days of pre pharm full time studies? If so, how often?

I visited general body meetings for many clubs at my universities. It was only the ones I really enjoyed which I ran for a board positions. I was a part of New Life Volunteering Society, Alchemy Society (Chemistry Club! 👍), United Desi Association. Just three clubs, but I was on the executive board for all three of em. Leadership positions shows a lot about a pharmacy candidate. I suggest you get involved if your grades arent super stellar.

 

[bballa99]

Just three clubs, but I was on the executive board for all three of em. Leadership positions shows a lot about a pharmacy candidate. I suggest you get involved if your grades arent super stellar.

Wow will do for sure, I'll start in the January semester 🙂! Thanks a lot, guys who posted and voted in my poll.. in one day I've never felt my emotions roller coaster like this, but this has definitely boosted my confidence and motivation to pursue pharmacy more than ever!

 

[docss26]

Wow will do for sure, I'll start in the January semester 🙂! Thanks a lot, guys who posted and voted in my poll.. in one day I've never felt my emotions roller coaster like this, but this has definitely boosted my confidence and motivation to pursue pharmacy more than ever!

Thats great! I hope you post more on your progress. Best of luck to you. Feel free to shoot me PM if you need any advice.

 

[Argentium]

It really bothers me that pharmacy students are being accepted with out a bachelor's and around the age of 18-19. I know a few people accepted in that age range that are not ready to become pharmacists nor do they have the proper experience necessary to start an education in pharmacy. Obviously this does not apply to everyone. There are for sure well qualified younger people. I just think with the competitiveness of pharmacy schools, they should really require students to have a bachelors degree.

I'm in one of the more established six year programs. if you arent qualified, you drop out pretty early. ; we lose something like 30-50 people between pp1 and pp2 year out of a class of ~200-230

 

[docss26]

I'm in one of the more established six year programs. if you arent qualified, you drop out pretty early. ; we lose something like 30-50 people between pp1 and pp2 year out of a class of ~200-230

Im glad theyre still making these classes difficult enough to weed out the people that do not belong there. Im glad your not one of them! Good luck to you!

 

[bballa99]

Im glad theyre still making these classes difficult enough to weed out the people that do not belong there. Im glad your not one of them! Good luck to you!

Just wondering, are my first semester stats good? I got my final marks back:

Chem: A
Calc I: B
Biology I :B
Physics: B- 🙁

 

[Argentium]

Just wondering, are my first semester stats good? I got my final marks back:

Chem: A
Calc I: B
Biology I :B
Physics: B- 🙁

No =P Though people tend to do poorly in their first semester because of all the adjustments they have to make coming into college (socially and academically). I'm sure you'll pull it up next semester, you seem like a smart cookie 👍

 

[crazybob]

Just wondering, are my first semester stats good? I got my final marks back:

Chem: A
Calc I: B
Biology I :B
Physics: B- 🙁

It looks better than how I did on my first semester of college. So you'll be ok. Just remember that if you struggle in the beginning, it's difficult to bring up your GPA later on.

 

[docss26]

Just wondering, are my first semester stats good? I got my final marks back:

Chem: A
Calc I: B
Biology I :B
Physics: B- 🙁

I think its great.

 

[bballa99]

Thanks guys, I made a typo though x_x..

Chem: A
Calc: A
Bio: B
Physics: B-

I totally gotta step it up next year!! 😳

 

[SmKN808]

17 😳 though, it's more like 19[pre-pharm years]. i HOPE

 

[SmKN808]

I think its great.

me too...👍

 

[bballa99]

17 😳 though, it's more like 19[pre-pharm years]. i HOPE

Hoping to get accepted at 19? 😛

 

[crazybob]

Hoping to get accepted at 19? 😛

It would be guaranteed acceptance, so starting at 19 would be cool. 👍

 

[SmKN808]

Hoping to get accepted at 19? 😛

heyy bb ^ ^ yeah, the professional years

 

[SmKN808]

It would be guaranteed acceptance, so starting at 19 would be cool. 👍

you're such a sweet heart cb 😀

 

[21PharmD]

Hey, im kinda freaking out right now but I know I shouldn't be. Ive always wanted to do pharmacy, and im finding my 1st semester of prereqs not to easy. I only have about a 3.0 GPA, its my first semester at university, and im only 18 years old. I will be writing the PCAT in January for the first time. I'm just curious, for those in pharmacy school, or are licenced pharmacists, I have some questions if you don't mind answering:

How old were you when you got accepted to pharm school, did you have a BSc ?

What was your PCAT score(s) and prereq/overall GPA?

How many times did you apply?

What kind of EC's and LOR's did you have?

Thanks, I've been down lately because I feel like I might of done poorly on some of my finals for this semester. Should I still apply with a 3.0 GPA? The university I am applying for is taking the Jan 2010 pcat score so no worries about that. Also, I plan to get a high gpa for my 2nd semester; will schools look at the overall gpa if you apply in the same year but haven't finished your prereqs? (Note: Im a canadian student, and I have to take 1 year of pre-reqs for pharmacy).

Thanks!

Hey bballa, its not often that i see a post so compelling that I have to respond. Let me start off by saying that your situation sounds a lot like mine did when I was first starting out in college. I can recall being on the top of the world after graduating high school at the top of my class, but then being thrust into a university where I had little contact with the professor or students in the class as the classes were >300 people. I just felt that there were no clearly defined objectives in my classes, and felt a little overwhelmed with the situation. Eventually, like i suppose will happen to you as well is you learn to be less uptight about it and will be able to sleep at night knowing you are doing the best you can. I can recall thinking that pharmacy school would be the answer to my prayers. But in all honesty, once you overcome the challenges of getting in to pharmacy school new challenges arise. For me it was now about thinking what I was going to do once I get out of pharmacy school. After my first year I was able to get an internship with a retail pharmacy and it went horrible! I ended up quitting which now concerns me because i will be looking for another internship position this summer and if i find one i wonder if it will be as bad an experience as last years. So in short, there will never be a mountain you don't have to climb to reach your goals. Now for your questions.

-accepted at 21 after getting a BS degree
-PCAT 88, but took it several times. GPA 3.27
-technically applied twice but the first time there was an error with the supplemental application which disqualified my application.
-Volunteer experience at 2 hospital pharmacies and LORs from volunteer coordinators and a pharmacy director of a hospital.

Oh and btw I think your stats so far are just fine. But keep in mind it is all relative so you may want to take my opinion with a grain of salt.