gpa stats/transcript request question

[MilkTea101]

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Hey guys,

I'm sure this question has been addressed many times, but I wanted to address my situation. If there have been posts directly related to this, could you link me there? Sorry for the extraneous post =oP.

1) Last year, I took two difficult sciences courses with two labs (one required prepharmacy course for bio and one not required upper div course). I didn't schedule well/study enough and I ended up with C's in both courses. Because I have done fairly well in math, english, and a few other science courses, my pre-pharmacy gpa is still about a 3.35, with my overall gpa being 3.25. How does this look to the admissions committee? Should I retake the bio course at a community college? Meanwhile, I am working to improve my grades.

Btw addressing taking courses at a community college, I've taken econ and psych at a community college..are these grades factored into your gpa or not? I could see them not being as they are not taken at a 4 year university..

2) Regarding sending transcripts to pharmcas..would you suggest doing the rush transcripts or standard transcripts? I just don't want this process to be a super long thing. Standard takes about 10 days, while pharmcas processing probably takes 3-5 days for a total of 15 days.

3) Anatomy is not offered at my university, and I probably will not take it by the time I finish applying to schools. But I want to apply to Western U in CA..should I just risk sending my application in and see what they say about it? Would they let me take it the summer before pharm school starts (Or is this just wishful thinking?)


*MilkTea101*
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~Just a pre-pharmacy student wanting to make it through admissions~

 

[SoCalGirl]

With regard to Western, I don't think they let you take courses in the summer so you have to find a way to take the class during the year.

 

[vafcarrot]

Just in case anyone was interested:

I submitted my pharmcas application on Friday afternoon and it's Tuesday afternoon and they already have my new GPA up. It's only .09 off from my college transcripts. Too bad they don't round up 🙁

 

[MilkTea101]

VafCarrot,

Did you take courses at a community college?
If so, did pharmcas calculate that into your GPA? (I'm assuming yes)
Do pharmacy school count grades from a community college? (This one I'm not so sure about)

*MilkTea101*

 

[imperial frog]

Yes, CC grades are factored into your GPA. However, the weight that an admissions committee gives to CC grades can vary depending on on the University and the reputation of the CC. Also, if you took a full load and got a C, but then retake the class by itself and get a better grade, it will improve your GPA, but maybe not be looked on as favorably by the committee...they do want to see if you can handle an intense schedule. Your first year is going to be something like 18 hours of heavy-duty classes and they want to be sure that you can handle the level of stress that is going to come with it.

 

[Oneday_9]

VafCarrot,
Do pharmacy school count grades from a community college? (This one I'm not so sure about)

*MilkTea101*

It depends on whether it meets their pre-reqs, if it is approved by, in your case, Western U, then you can...check with Western U. I know I always tried to take my classes at 4 year Uni's just in case, but I don't think it matters too much. I know a girl who is matriculating with me at UCSF this fall who is takin physio and chem at comm colleges no problem.

As far as labs are concerned, I wouldn't fret too much, my labs weren't the hottest, never a C, but still. You might want to just in case. I thought most schools simply wanted all pre-reqs by the start of classes, but I may be wrong.

Good Luck!

 

[vafcarrot]

I didn't take any classes at a community college and I have all my credits from one undergraduate school.

My GPA calculated from my college is 3.539, while the GPA pharmcas calculated it to be 3.53. It wasn't 3.530... so it may just be they go out two decimal places and drop any numbers of that regardless of what it is.

Hell, I'll just tell you all my GPAs. I've never ask because some people are all uptight about saying it, but I don't really care. Now, I HAVE NOT made it into pharmacy school yet, so you don't really have anything to compare grades with, but if it makes you feel better because your grades are higher, then more power to you. If it makes you feel worse, then sorry. I personally like to have perspective of what I'm going up against because I'm obessive compulsive like that 🙂

Pharmcas calculations:
Science 3.32
Non Science 3.69
Math 4.00

 

[Glycerin]

2) Regarding sending transcripts to pharmcas..would you suggest doing the rush transcripts or standard transcripts? I just don't want this process to be a super long thing. Standard takes about 10 days, while pharmcas processing probably takes 3-5 days for a total of 15 days.

MilkTea, I sent off for my transcripts last week, and PharmCAS has already posted that they've been received. I have attended 6 colleges/universities in all, and 4 of them were out-of-state. I'd just send off for them now by regular mail. If you can beat the rush (i.e., apply early) then I wouldn't worry about sending them express.

 

[UCPharm]

I am in a similar situation.

I graduated from a UC w/ a low GPA 2.638
However, I've been taking courses at a Community College and have a GPA 3.5 I retook some science courses (i.e. Physics at UC =C-, Physics at CC= A)
I worked hard this time around and understood the concepts.


1) Does this look bad? Should I be taking course at a Cal State or even back at a UC? The reason for me taking courses at the CC level is that its very convenient (night classes) and cost effective (12 bucks a unit).

I owe about 37K in loans (spent 5 years at a UC) and now I work full time. I don't want to accumulate more dept (at least keep it to a minimum), thus that's why I haven't tried to go to a private post bacc program (27K a year). My goal is to eventually get to Pharm school or PA school. However, I know my GPA sucks. My time at the UC was more exploring than competing for grades. Hence I didn't care and just wanted to learn different things.

2) Should I forget about my undergrad GPA and try for a masters?
This is suppose to show that you got your act together.

3) What?s the best route to from here?
I want to be efficient with my time and money for both are limited resources to me since I'm on my own. (No parents to help)

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.