Full of questions and wanting advice with PCAT scores back

[eatsleepplayscc]

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I just received my PCAT scores yesterday via mail and I'm slightly disappointed with my scores, considering I've taken my Bio's and Chem's and that I studied for the PCAT for 2 months straight.

Verbal 422/81
Biology 398/44👎
Reading Comprehension 402/48👎
Quantitative Ability 447/95👍
Chemistry 405/53👎
Composite 415/73
Writing 3/3

Overall GPA 3.06
Science GPA 3.02
Gen Chem 1 & 2: B+/B+
O chem 1 & 2: B/B+
Gen chem labs 1,2 O chem labs 1,2: A+,A,A+,A+
Biology 1 & 2: C-, B+
Calculus: C+ (I'm currently retaking it, it's a joke. I'm going to get an A for sure)
Physics I & Lab: A+, A+ (both at community college, super easy)
Neuroscience basic and upper-level classes:All A's except one B+
I'm a Neuroscience major, class of '11

I know many people are going to say that my B+'s really screwed me over, and I know they did. I begged my teachers for A-'s, and they wouldn't budge.

I have done research for a year with my neuropharmacology professor, and he has agreed to write me a LOR.
I've worked at CVS pharmacy for exactly 1 year, and I can get a LOR from any three pharmacists.
My friend's dad (a doctor) has offered to write me a LOR.

I've done about 60 hours (roughly) of community service since I've started my undergrad at the University of Texas at Dallas, all at various places.

My questions:
1. I sent my scores to Texas Southern Univ - Houston, and Texas Tech. My friend told me to send my PCAT scores to Pharmcas-Watertown. What good does that do me?
2. Everyone says "apply early" but I haven't gotten my LOR's or my resume completed. Can I apply now and worry about LOR's later, or do they not consider the application as 'submitted' until everything is complete?
3. Given my scores/GPA/volunteer/work experience, Should I apply this year or wait? If I do apply, which TEXAS schools should I apply to? How many schools should I apply to? I don't really care about living conditions or having a school with a good rep: I just want to get in.
4. What are my odds of getting into a Texas school if I apply within a month? (I'm a Texas resident)
5. What are easy (or easier) schools to get admitted to that require a PCAT? Or, what schools do you think I could get into?

 

[phathead]

First off, I have no respect for people who beg for grades. You earn your grades, you don't whine for them.

Second, a lot of schools who use the PCAT, regardless of your grades, are going to have an issue with your scores in Chem and Bio. If you're going to apply this year I'd look for schools who do not require it.

 

[themulya]

1. If those three schools are the schools you're applying to you do not need to send your scores to PharmCas. Most schools in Texas do not use PharmCas, only UIW. If you plan to apply to schools out of state then you will probably need to fill out a PharmCas application and then send your PCAT scores to them.

2. Depends. Texas schools don't really do rolling admissions. From just my knowledge only Texas Tech has early admissions , and they have a set date on when you turn in your app. As long as you turn in your app by the deadline everything will be ok. However, many schools outside of Texas do have rolling admissions and it is an advantage to finish your app as early as possible. Just remember that for Texas schools you do have to turn in everything before the deadline, so asking someone to write an LOR two weeks before deadline is a really bad idea. Of course if you do turn in everything early, it doesn't hurt. It'll be a load off your shoulders and the weight of rushing to finish and turn in your apps while trying to manage school and work will be avoided.

3. Ok, just read questions 3 but I don't feel like editing my info above. About your chances, in my class I don't know anyone who got in with stats like yours. I'm not trying to be mean, just honest. Take into account that I don't know everyone in my class, just saying that those I do know had a higher PCAT and/or GPA. As for which schools you should apply to, theres UT, UH, Texas Tech, TAMU, UIW, and TSU. Apply to whichever ones you want to, but you should at least do some research into each school, kind of figure out what each school is about.

4. How early you apply doesn't really matter to Texas schools, as long as they have your app by the deadline. As for your odds, I have no clue. If the adcoms see something in your app that they like they could invite you to an interview, but to me your stats are below average.

5. I'd say wait a year. Boost your GPA, start lining up LORs, study for the PCAT and rock it. You need to improve in your biology and chemistry because those are scores that carry some importance when schools look at your app. For your chances and where you should apply, I'm not gonna answer. You need to think 'where do I want to go?' instead of "what place is willing to take me?'

Edit: Just wanted to add, I agree with phathead. Don't beg for grades, you earned what you earned and thats just the way the cookie crumbles. I would suggest not bringing that point up in you applications.

 

[eatsleepplayscc]

You know I wouldn't dare tell interviewers I begged for my grades... That's just silly to even say. I'm just saying that I'm not proud of my B+'s and I really wish they were A's.

Anyway thanks for the the help guys