GPA Question

[xtsukiyox]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi all - new member. Just found this forum today, and it's wonderful!

I have a question that's been weighing on me for a while.

A little background: I am one of those people who had no idea what the big wide world was all about when I graduated high school, so I've changed focuses a couple times as I found out what suits me. I've taken all my classes at local community colleges, since I have always had to work and go to school. (Also, it seemed kind of silly to rack up debt for a degree to work in a field I wasn't sure I'd like.) As you can imagine, I've taken a number of classes that have nothing to do with Pre-Pharm.

A couple years ago, I took Calc III, decided it was too much for me to take on and get a decent grade, and attempted to drop in February or March. Apparently, there was a misunderstanding between me and the instructor - Imagine my surprise when I look up my transcript and, alongside my 3.8+ GPA, there is an "F"!!

By the time I realized what had happened, it was too late for the grade to be fixed to an "incomplete" or "withdraw" grade, according to both the teacher (who happened to be the department chair) and several other people in different departments I spoke to (including Student Affairs). Of course, I didn't have a copy of the e-mail exchange in which I confirmed that the course would be dropped.

Here's my question: Since Calc III is not a Pre-pharm requirement, will Pharmacy schools consider the Calc III as part of my GPA? Or can I chalk it up to "Lesson Learned"?

And the follow-up: Would it be worth it to muck through it (UGH) to get a good grade prior to applying for Pharmacy school, or can I just explain what happened? I am confident that I can take it and do well, but it would be tough (considering I took Calc I & II a couple years ago), and I am loathe to take it if I don't absolutely have to.

EDIT: Egads, sorry for the essay!

 

[tommyVoltage]

i don't know if pharmacy schools would believe your story. i'm surprised the teacher didn't drop it for you still even when you probably didn't show up for 2 months and he knows that. i would try to retake it if you don't have above a 3.5gpa. bringing that grade up to a B or C would greatly increase you GPA.

 

[iBeast]

What classes did you take to get that 3.8+ GPA?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Welcome to SDN!

Since it's not a pre-requisite, the single "F" next to a 3.8 GPA (Is that your sGPA or cGPA btw?) will mean pretty much nothing, besides "something weird happened". Easy to explain and I really don't think it will tarnish your PharmCAS GPA all too terribly much. Have you calculated your GPA w/ the "F" in it?

There are students at UCSF, UCSD, LECOM, UF and other top notch schools with a couple of "F" grades, Ws, you name it. If your academic record is otherwise stellar, which is it sounds like the case may be, you'll be fine.

How are your actual pre-requisite grades?

 

[ADN1226]

Pharm schools look at your pre-req gpa and your cumm. gpa.
Calc III will be counted in your cumm. gpa. I think it comes down to... With the F on your transcript... what is your cumm gpa? If its still around 3.3 and above, I think you'd be okay, be prepared to talk about why you received that grade... just in case but since its not part of your pharmacy pre-req, I wouldn't waste time and money retaking it. But then if you're gpa is low... perhaps you might have to.

 

[trailrider400]

You could try retaking it in the summer so you have more time to focus on it. One F isn't too bad but if you show that you are willing to retake it rather than quit that might look a little better.

 

[tprice108]

Calc III is a doozy. I got a C wanted to retake it b/c it was killing my gpa; my prepharm advisor advised me not to. None of the interviews I went to asked about my courses outside of the pre-pharm curriculum where I did sub-par in so I don't think it's an issue.

 

[charfdorn]

You don't need Calc III for pharm school, so I would leave it alone. Did you get As in Calc I and II?

Anyway, your GPA is killer if it's still a 3.8, and even if it dropped because of the F it's still good. It might get included in your science GPA but you should still be OK.

Be prepared to answer the question "What's up with this one F?" at your interview, but that's about all the effort I would put into it.

 

[IrishRxMan]

Learn from this. Any email exchanges you have with anyone like that PRINT THEM OUT! This way, you have hard copy proof that the exchange took place. Also, talk to the registrar's office when it comes to grades. The professors don't always know what can and can't be done, but the registrar's office staff will. It's their job to know. Outside of that, what has been stated already is sound advice.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Wow, thanks for the quick and thoughtful responses! I tried to respond to everybody below, and it turned into a novel. Some responses I appended to try and answer the questions - I did also appreciate the advice.

I have a correction to make... The class is actually Differential Equations that I have an "F" showing in! Definitely don't want to have to take that if I don't have to.

I have a "W" showing for Calc III (which I tried to take with a simply horrible instructor the previous semester to Diff EQ) and for a humanities class I tried to take over summer.

What classes did you take to get that 3.8+ GPA?

Let's see... The short answer is, everything else, including Pre-pharm prereqs, as well as stuff for electrical engineering & computer programming.

The long answer is - besides the "general education" type stuff required for my Associate's, including a year of English (As) & Macroeconomics (B) & various humanities / social sciences (all As) - here are the applicable courses I've taken:
Calc I & Calc II: B/B
Gen Chem I & Lab: A/A
Gen Chem II & Lab: B/B (I'm considering retaking this with the boyfriend if he gets there before I'm accepted)
University Physics (Calc required) I & II: A/A
Biology I & II (w/Lab): A/A
O Chem I & Lab: A/A
O Chem II & Lab: A/A

Have you calculated your GPA w/ the "F" in it? [...] How are your actual pre-requisite grades?

My total cumulative GPA is 3.63. As I'm calculating it now, I have a 3.75 GPA in only Pre-pharm, although I have Microbiology and A&P to go, and I plan on taking a semester of Biochem and Statistics to get into my school of choice. Assuming A's in all these courses (and I don't forsee any problems), I would finish with just over 3.8.

I would consider retaking Gen Chem II and Micro or Macro economics.

be prepared to talk about why you received that grade... just in case but since its not part of your pharmacy pre-req, I wouldn't waste time and money retaking it. But then if you're gpa is low... perhaps you might have to.

Besides the Calc courses, the F and Bs are all clustered in one semester, during which I frankly burned out... I also had some personal stuff going on. Other than that, all As. These classes are also strung out from 2003 to present, although the first couple semesters didn't have any applicable courses (I have several semesters that I had a 15-16 credit hour course load while working 30 hours a week, so I think I've proven "I can do it").

I can make sure I have thought out a good response to that semester, framed as "overcoming personal adversity." Good advice.

You could try retaking it in the summer so you have more time to focus on it. One F isn't too bad but if you show that you are willing to retake it rather than quit that might look a little better.

I'm not sure I can put the time into it over summer to take it (3-4 hours a day at school then several hours at night to keep up... Plus working 40 hours a week). I might be able to pull it off during a normal semester.

Calc III is a doozy. I got a C wanted to retake it b/c it was killing my gpa; my prepharm advisor advised me not to. None of the interviews I went to asked about my courses outside of the pre-pharm curriculum where I did sub-par in so I don't think it's an issue.

This is what I'm hoping! I'm going to call the colleges I really want to go to and see what their people say. The community colleges have a pre-pharm club, but not really an advisor, per se.

... Did you get As in Calc I and II? [...] Be prepared to answer the question "What's up with this one F?" at your interview, but that's about all the effort I would put into it.

No, I got Bs. One of the reasons I switched from Electrical Engineering... Ha. I'm sure I can get As if I really apply myself and were to retake. I think I'm not really a "pure math" type person - the As in University Physics w/Calc proves that I can apply the math I learned, though.

Good advice on the interview.

Learn from this. Any email exchanges you have with anyone like that PRINT THEM OUT! This way, you have hard copy proof that the exchange took place. Also, talk to the registrar's office when it comes to grades. The professors don't always know what can and can't be done, but the registrar's office staff will. It's their job to know. Outside of that, what has been stated already is sound advice.

I tried talking to the registrar's office, and they essentially told me I was foolish to have not walked the form over myself, which is definitely the case. They said once the final grade was posted by the instructor, too late to change to a "W." That's the same thing Student Affairs told me. Good advice - I will be sure to follow it in the future. Them's the breaks, I suppose.

 

[Passion4Sci]

O Chem I & Lab: A/A
O Chem II & Lab: A/A

And you're worried about this?

I may be out of line here and my fellow SDNers can slap me in the face, but I think you have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to worry about, at all, about any school. Your cumulative GPA and pre-pharm classes (3.75!) are superb, and the W/F will be overshadowed easily by your other credentials. This especially if in tandem with an excellent PCAT and you will be in a very enviable position.

Don't worry about taking Gen Chem over again, a B/B is just fine given your other grades. Do well in MCB and A&P (Doubt you will have any trouble there) and blow up the PCAT, and the pharmacy world will be your oyster.

your PharmCAS GPA will be superb, your pre-pharm class GPA will be superb, you probably won't even need a lot of EC (Like several SDNers here who got into pharmacy school sans hardly any, if any at all, volunteer/work exp in pharmacy).

Best of luck to you, your hard work and dedication to academics is very commendable.

 

[IrishRxMan]

your PharmCAS GPA will be superb, your pre-pharm class GPA will be superb, you probably won't even need a lot of EC (Like several SDNers here who got into pharmacy school sans hardly any, if any at all, volunteer/work exp in pharmacy).

That being said, I would still get some experience volunteering at least in a pharmacy. The more the better and you don't want to have a short spoke. You don't need to spend your life in one, but over the summer you can get some good time in for volunteering. It's just another thing that looks good.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Passion4Sci, thank you for the kind words!

To both Passion4Sci and IrishRXMan, I have had my CPhT for 2 1/2 years, but I currently work in Banking. I will definitely look into some volunteer experience over the summer - I hadn't even really considered it!

Here is my current plan:
Fall 2009 - Biochem, A&P I
Spring 2010 - A&P II, MCB (thanks for the new acronym)

Rest of 2009 - 2010 - Study for PCAT... Take PCAT at the latest in August 2010
Apply for Pharm schools by September 2010 at the latest
Career change to CPhT during Spring / Summer 2010. (Hoping the economy is at least starting to turn by then and I can find a decent entry-level position - otherwise, I will stick with my current job and pick up as much volunteer experience as possible.)

Fall 2010 - Statistics - This is subject to change. Depending on how hard A&P proves to be for me, and assuming there are no schedule conflicts, I may take it in Spring 2010. I am a real concept learner, although O Chem II proved to me that I can memorize well if the situation requires... I'm a little worried about how much time A&P is going to require, so I don't want to overload.

I'm also leaving myself one class in Fall 2010 and at least two classes in Spring 2011 I can take to make up any Pre-pharm or any retakes that might be required by the school I get accepted to.

What do you guys think?

 

[xtsukiyox]

Also - I will try hunting around on these forums, but - does anyone have a suggestion for how to get into volunteering in a pharmacy? I'm not even sure I know how start, or a game plan on figuring that out. I'm in Phoenix, AZ, if that helps.

 

[255942]

Also - I will try hunting around on these forums, but - does anyone have a suggestion for how to get into volunteering in a pharmacy? I'm not even sure I know how start, or a game plan on figuring that out. I'm in Phoenix, AZ, if that helps.

This question has come up a couple of times already today. Send me an email and I will try to help you out. [email protected]

 

[xtsukiyox]

Thank you! I just sent you an e-mail. 🙂

 

[diastole]

Also - I will try hunting around on these forums, but - does anyone have a suggestion for how to get into volunteering in a pharmacy? I'm not even sure I know how start, or a game plan on figuring that out. I'm in Phoenix, AZ, if that helps.

How far are you from Luke Air Force Base? I volunteer there and I believe they still need people. They only need them from 8-5 M to F though. One thing is that they don't really let you do anything. I sit in a window and hand out the prescriptions and that is about it. I use the experience to practice my people skills because I'm not exactly learning tons about pharmacy there.

I also hear that there are some volunteer hours available in some of the local hospitals but sometimes you need to wait for a spot to open up. Call around and you can find out which ones take volunteers in the pharmacy.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Have you calculated your GPA w/ the "F" in it?

I just realized I never really answered this question. With the F calculated, it drops it to a 3.5. This is owing to the fact that I have taken 100 credits at junior college (including the 5 for Diff EQ with an "F"). It might be skewed if they only look at the "applicable" classes, then decide that Diff EQ is "applicable" but my humanities, etc, are not.

350 "grade credits" (credit * grade) / 100 credits = 3.5 cGPA, right?

Would I just add up all the "science" classes similarly for the sGPA? Does this include math and soft sciences (i.e., Sociology, Macro Economics)?

(Most of the 100 credits I took apply to an Associate's, which I have all the credits for - and, incidentally a 3.9 GPA - but I haven't put in for graduation yet so I can keep applying for tuition reimbursement. My boss is pretty cool. 😀)

Sorry to keep writing so much! It's exciting to have found a community that demystifies the process, and in which people are having similar experiences and frustrations to my own. I'm finding I'm feeling much more optomistic about it!

 

[xtsukiyox]

How far are you from Luke Air Force Base? I volunteer there and I believe they still need people. They only need them from 8-5 M to F though. One thing is that they don't really let you do anything. I sit in a window and hand out the prescriptions and that is about it. I use the experience to practice my people skills because I'm not exactly learning tons about pharmacy there.

I also hear that there are some volunteer hours available in some of the local hospitals but sometimes you need to wait for a spot to open up. Call around and you can find out which ones take volunteers in the pharmacy.

I will call around to the hospitals. Thanks for the suggestions! I'm starting to get ideas - VA Hospital isn't too far, and there are several private hospitals nearby.

I am near 1-17 & Peoria, so it would be a bit of a drive, but I will try calling Luke. Maybe they'd have suggestions of someone to contact who can use me on the weekends or evenings. Who would you suggest talking to?

 

[IrishRxMan]

You can also look to do volunteering at an independent pharmacy. They are usually easier to get in for something like that. Chains are less willing to help because they have to conform to company policy. Independents are the boss so what they say and do is policy.

 

[xiggy99]

No offense but the topic creator seems to be bragging >_>

Why on earth are you crying about your grades and worrying when your GPA is still very high??? you know you are smart but just decide to come here and show off and brag...please..I know people like you....just want attention, when you already know the answers...

And you also said that you took all these classes in a community college? is that even allowed? From my experience taking science classes in 4 year colleges tend to be more intense that CColleges.......

 

[IrishRxMan]

No offense but the topic creator seems to be bragging >_>

Why on earth are you crying about your grades and worrying when your GPA is still very high??? you know you are smart but just decide to come here and show off and brag...please..I know people like you....just want attention, when you already know the answers...

And you also said that you took all these classes in a community college? is that even allowed? From my experience taking science classes in 4 year colleges tend to be more intense that CColleges.......

For being a new member, you definitely are trying to start fights in a few threads. Some people out there believe that if they have even a C on their transcripts it will destroy their chances of getting into pharmacy school. Try not to be such a troll by inciting arguments.

 

[IrishRxMan]

To both Passion4Sci and IrishRXMan, I have had my CPhT for 2 1/2 years, but I currently work in Banking. I will definitely look into some volunteer experience over the summer - I hadn't even really considered it!

Check that your license is still current. You will most likely have to get some CE completed and submitted to whatever state you live in and pay a fee if you hope to get a job in a pharmacy. Also, depending on your state you may have to register as a CPhT through the state's board of pharmacy.

 

[diastole]

I will call around to the hospitals. Thanks for the suggestions! I'm starting to get ideas - VA Hospital isn't too far, and there are several private hospitals nearby.

I am near 1-17 & Peoria, so it would be a bit of a drive, but I will try calling Luke. Maybe they'd have suggestions of someone to contact who can use me on the weekends or evenings. Who would you suggest talking to?

Here is a link for the Medical Group.

http://www.luke.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5059

There is a phone number at the bottom. You typically work just one four to five hour shift so if you can't find anything closer and you can spare one morning or afternoon, it is a way to at least say you have pharmacy experience.

I also remember hearing that Banner Thunderbird has pharmacy volunteers but I think they have a waitlist.

 

[diastole]

No offense but the topic creator seems to be bragging >_>

Why on earth are you crying about your grades and worrying when your GPA is still very high??? you know you are smart but just decide to come here and show off and brag...please..I know people like you....just want attention, when you already know the answers...

And you also said that you took all these classes in a community college? is that even allowed? From my experience taking science classes in 4 year colleges tend to be more intense that CColleges.......

Lots of people get a little freaked out with an F on their transcript. They don't always know that there are quite a few students who got into pharmacy school with them on their transcripts too (like me 😎). Also lots of people take their pre-reqs in CC and get into pharmacy school. Some schools don't care where you take the classes and others do. I hope you aren't planning on starting another CC vs university debate because it has been done to death.

 

[IrishRxMan]

Diastole, the poster above has written an inflammatory post in another thread. I think they are becoming a troll.

 

[Passion4Sci]

No offense but the topic creator seems to be bragging >_>

Why on earth are you crying about your grades and worrying when your GPA is still very high??? you know you are smart but just decide to come here and show off and brag...please..I know people like you....just want attention, when you already know the answers...

And you also said that you took all these classes in a community college? is that even allowed? From my experience taking science classes in 4 year colleges tend to be more intense that CColleges.......

I do not agree with you... I believe OP to be a genuine person in search of answers. OP did not start rattling off her credentials in a bid for attention, and has been active in several threads that have not necessarily emphasized a desire for attention.

The entire pre-pharmacy process can be very mystifying and flummoxing, and OP is obviously thrilled that there is a forum like this. I know I was very, very excited when I first found SDN! We always encourage honesty in grades, ECs, etc... So why be so hostile when someone is honest? You know, just because someone is academically gifted or studies hard to get a 3.8 does not automatically mean that they have all of the answers to questions. Such a presumption is silly, really, because if you think about it, people who have walked the walk already embody this forum and make it what it is... And information that people like Liquidice, Medicalcpa, WVUPharm and others is indispensable!

I think you're really off the mark here.

 

[xiggy99]

umm NO..I am NOT a troll..I am just frustrated that some people can easily get into such schools with okay grades and help from college profs and I struggle so hard and dont even get a shred of mercy..my school SUCKS!!!! I already have a c- Orgo 1😡 even though I tried so hard and that bastard old hag lied to me and now i need to take that over again...Also had a C+ from freshmen year Chem 102.....my chances are probably low!! my GPA isnt even a 3.0 because of those damn grades!!!!!

 

[Passion4Sci]

umm NO..I am NOT a troll..I am just frustrated that some people can easily get into such schools with okay grades and help from college profs and I struggle so hard and dont even get a shred of mercy..my school SUCKS!!!! I already have a c- Orgo 1😡 even though I tried so hard and that bastard old hag lied to me and now i need to take that over again...Also had a C+ from freshmen year Chem 102.....my chances are probably low!! my GPA isnt even a 3.0 because of those damn grades!!!!!

Clearly none of this your fault, you have impeccable study habits, everyone's out to get you and OP gets everything handed to her.

You've been dealt a tough hand perhaps, but are you listening to yourself?
Where's your personal responsibility here? You mean to tell me everything contributing to that <3.0 GPA is completely someone else's fault? (E.g., the school, the 'old hag' OChem teacher). Come on...

 

[xtsukiyox]

Check that your license is still current. You will most likely have to get some CE completed and submitted to whatever state you live in and pay a fee if you hope to get a job in a pharmacy. Also, depending on your state you may have to register as a CPhT through the state's board of pharmacy.

I have my license through the AZ board of pharmacy, and I did my CEs last November (they're up every 2 years). The boyfriend has been a Pharm Tech for about 10 years, so he has been invaluable helping me get the license & certification and keep it. They also count applicable college courses as CEs here, so I have my next CE covered.

Good advice! I would have never even known you had to do CEs to keep that stuff current.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Some schools don't care where you take the classes and others do. I hope you aren't planning on starting another CC vs university debate because it has been done to death.

Thank heavens. Some schools also will understand the whole "I could only take evening classes" situation. (My #1 would be Midwestern - Glendale, since I'm like a 20 minute drive from it, and one of my classmates was accepted there with CC prereqs... Although, I'm fairly sure he didn't have any Fs to explain!)

If you don't mind me asking, what was your "F" in? Also, where did you end up getting accepted to? Did you have any offers you turned down?

 

[xtsukiyox]

umm NO..I am NOT a troll..I am just frustrated that some people can easily get into such schools with okay grades and help from college profs and I struggle so hard and dont even get a shred of mercy..my school SUCKS!!!! I already have a c- Orgo 1😡 even though I tried so hard and that bastard old hag lied to me and now i need to take that over again...Also had a C+ from freshmen year Chem 102.....my chances are probably low!! my GPA isnt even a 3.0 because of those damn grades!!!!!

I was going to respond to xiggy99's original post, but I think this one speaks for itself. No worries - when you're talking among undergrads, some are fresh out of high school or have just not had to face "real life" yet. I don't mean that condescendingly, xiggy, I wish I were in your shoes - it's a lot easier.

Are you looking for advice? If you're going to take a class next semester, hang around outside the classroom right after a session of that class has gotten out this semester. Poll the people coming out as to whether they like the teacher, do they think the teacher is fair, how hard is the subject, etc. I have done that in the past (when I worked nights and had my choice of instructors) - although for the past few years I've been stuck with whomever teaches the class I can go to! 🙄 Maybe you can avoid some bad teachers that way.

If you have the summer free and can find a way to finance it, maybe you should try CHM102 again this summer, then take O Chem I again in Fall? In my experience, O Chem II requires a pretty good understanding of O Chem I, and the people who pulled a C in I didn't do any better in II. I wouldn't wish O Chem I on anybody in Summer semester - it goes too quickly for me to keep up!

Good luck, xiggy, I'm sure with some hard work you can get where you want to go.

EDIT: By the by, thank you Passion4Sci, IrishRXMan, and diastole, for not only defending me (the concern is legitimate - the only thing I may be bragging about is my performance on the O Chem II final, but I think that was in a different thread 😉 ), but for continuing to offer great advice.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Here is a link for the Medical Group.

http://www.luke.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5059

There is a phone number at the bottom. You typically work just one four to five hour shift so if you can't find anything closer and you can spare one morning or afternoon, it is a way to at least say you have pharmacy experience.

I also remember hearing that Banner Thunderbird has pharmacy volunteers but I think they have a waitlist.

Wow, that's great! I'll try giving them a call post-haste. It says they have some Saturday shifts even. I may be able to talk to my boss and see if I can't work 9s and come in early or something to work an afternoon shift. Maybe I'll even see YOU there. 😀

 

[diastole]

Thank heavens. Some schools also will understand the whole "I could only take evening classes" situation. (My #1 would be Midwestern - Glendale, since I'm like a 20 minute drive from it, and one of my classmates was accepted there with CC prereqs... Although, I'm fairly sure he didn't have any Fs to explain!)

If you don't mind me asking, what was your "F" in? Also, where did you end up getting accepted to? Did you have any offers you turned down?

You assume I only have one F. Actually I have five and I don't even remember what they were all in. I know there was a physics class, and a couple chemistry classes I think. My school had a grade replacement policy and an early drop deadline. I used Fs like people do with Ws and would just retake the class if I had a C going into the final and didn't feel like pulling an allnighter. I have no idea what I was thinking but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I applied to just USN this year and they have academic forgiveness if your troubles were more than five years ago and you retake all the pre-reqs.
I was going to apply to more schools in the next cycle but I got in there so I'm going. I have no idea how all those Fs would affect my chances at other schools. I can't undo the past but I made the most of my second chance with a recent 4.0 and a 99 PCAT. I'm guessing that is good enough for some schools without the forgiveness option but I'll never know for sure.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Instead of making a new thread, I figured I'd update this one.

I took the advice above and cold-called around to the independent pharmacies and asked to speak to the pharmacy managers. Butterflies in my stomach, seriously. I limited my range to pharmacies open evenings / weekends or with unlisted hours -- I accidentally called one mail order pharmacy and confused the hell out of the customer service chick who answered the phone (oops). 🙄

I called three other pharmacies and spoke with two pharmacy managers (the other I need to call back this week, because she was out of the office). They echoed pretty much the same thing - summer, just rehired some students back in town over break, slow, etc.

Then I said that I wouldn't necessarily need to be paid, that I was really looking for hands-on experience as a pre-pharm student. I walked my resume in to one on Thursday (wish me luck, it's a block from my house) and had sort of a mini-impromptu interview... He's going to even give my resume to his partner to see if she needs me on Saturday. It was really encouraging. The other guy asked me to fax in my resume to him (which I'm going to do as soon as I can get a cover letter together) and call him at the beginning of August. He said he can't keep people busy during the summer, but he might have something in the winter. 🙂

I'm not putting my eggs all in one basket - I have a clinic and a hospital I have contacted about volunteering. Although the clinic said they already usually have enough people in the dispensory, I'm still going to go scope 'em out and see what my chances are on Thursday. The hospital may be a scheduling issue with my 9-5, but the volunteer coordinator has graciously offered to go over the orientation material with me at a different time (I couldn't make it to their official orientation) - I just need to work it out with my boss.

Yeah, I didn't really let anyone tell me no.

 

[desmoulins45179]

Pharm schools look at your pre-req gpa and your cumm. gpa.
Calc III will be counted in your cumm. gpa. I think it comes down to... With the F on your transcript... what is your cumm gpa? If its still around 3.3 and above, I think you'd be okay, be prepared to talk about why you received that grade... just in case but since its not part of your pharmacy pre-req, I wouldn't waste time and money retaking it. But then if you're gpa is low... perhaps you might have to.

I know that UB (Buffalo) will include it into your pre-pharm gpa. Someone from their office told me that they include all biology, chemistry, physics and math classes you ever took, along with other things (like statistics - but psychology/sociology and economics are not). Though this was a couple years ago and they might have changed their policy (though I doubt it). You might want to call the school

 

[AKN16]

I wouldn't worry too much about it.. In fact, you could turn this into a personal statement essay if you wanted to. But, when it's all said and done, the adcom will most likely just look at your overall and math/science gpa, not your classes. If you've done well in your other classes then this one class shouldn't be a make-or-break..

 

[xtsukiyox]

Thanks for the responses guys - I was really more resurrecting the thread as a "here's an update on that volunteer stuff," but I appreciate the feedback on the original question as well. 👍

I know that UB (Buffalo) will include it into your pre-pharm gpa. Someone from their office told me that they include all biology, chemistry, physics and math classes you ever took, along with other things (like statistics - but psychology/sociology and economics are not). Though this was a couple years ago and they might have changed their policy (though I doubt it). You might want to call the school

I'm worried about them including it as pre-pharm (like you said UB does), but if they do a total cumulative, I have a 3.6 GPA. I will definitely call my schools of choice to ask what they'd do - good advice. 🙂

I wouldn't worry too much about it.. In fact, you could turn this into a personal statement essay if you wanted to. But, when it's all said and done, the adcom will most likely just look at your overall and math/science gpa, not your classes. If you've done well in your other classes then this one class shouldn't be a make-or-break..

I'm starting to think about my personal statement essay, and I'm not sure I follow as to how to make "I thought the instructor dropped me from the class but I got an F instead" into part of the personal statement. I should have an OK science/math GPA (I will need to calculate it, but it would still be over a 3. I think). I also need to do some looking to figure out what exactly a personal statement should be so I don't go too far off the mark... I'll probably understand what you're driving at at that point.