Help me put together a timeline/plan for applying

[iggles]

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Hey guys, so I'm graduating spring semester but still have to take physio over summer (ending july). I will begin studying for the PCAT over summer. Now I'm graduating at 20/almost 21 so time isn't a concern for me; I'm willing to take a year off if I have to and am open to all suggestions. I do not care where I have to move to as long as i get accepted into a program. I'm open to going to grad school before pharmacy also. Here are my stats:

sgpa: 2.7 (Got a D+ in gen chem my freshman year, 2.8 if grade forgiveness)
cgpa: 3.1

still have 16 units remaining, 12 of which will effect my sgpa. I've had a positive trend in my GPA and haven't had to repeat a class since freshman year

exp: 150 hours at walgreens pharmacy, 8 hours at hospital pharmacy. 1 year volunteering at a hospital emergency room. I ordered a book to pass the PTCB and plan on taking the exam by summer.

I consider my self a good interviewer and can write well so neither the interview or the PS should be a problem for me. Without sounding pretentious, I'm sure if I put my mind to it I could score atleast a 75 on the PCAT.

So considering everything I said what is my best option? Dont hold back, give it to my straight. Thanks in advance.

 

[smercer]

-Retake pre-req courses with grades of less than B.

-Sign up for summer or fall PCAT. Based on score you can take it in Jan again if you want/need to.

-Get more experience in a pharmacy.

-If you cannot get more pharm exp, then get some more volunteering exp.

 

[Bleep66]

All of the above is good. Make sure you get an excellent PCAT score (80+ at least, 90 ideal), I cannot emphasize this enough: it can boost you into interview territory extremely easily even with a low GPA.

Most importantly, make sure you APPLY EARLY. By this I mean have your LORs, personal statements and supplemental applications (that are available before applying) ready to go BEFORE PharmCAS even begins the cycle. Since so many programs are rolling admissions this will also help immensely.

 

[The Recoverer]

I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!: Start on your PS NOW! or at least start brainstorming and writing roughs. It took me 6 to 7 months to finish my pharmcas PS. i have to revise it over and over again. Even though you can never be satisfied, it's better to have a polished one than one you put together on the fly. I am speaking from experience. DO NOT underestimate your PS. I honestly think my Ps is what has gotten me interviews. It's a chance to personalize your application and tell the adcoms about your passion

Trust me, it's harder to toss out someone's passion than a generic application with a classic "ive wanted to be pharmacist since I was 2" PS.

Also have people revise revise revise. Write a draft, set it aside for a week. then come back and read it. Youll find mistakes. The Pharmcas prompt gives you enough questions to really show your determination for this field. between your PS and PCAT, I would say although not all school look at your PCAT, they all look at your PS. Good luck!

 

[iggles]

-Retake pre-req courses with grades of less than B.

-Sign up for summer or fall PCAT. Based on score you can take it in Jan again if you want/need to.

-Get more experience in a pharmacy.

-If you cannot get more pharm exp, then get some more volunteering exp.

now does this need to be at the same university? I'm not sure what my schools policy for retaking courses is but I've heard they're pretty strict about it

 

[frabu04]

now does this need to be at the same university? I'm not sure what my schools policy for retaking courses is but I've heard they're pretty strict about it

Doesn't have to be. I retook courses I got C/C+ in at a local CC. My university wouldn't allow retakes for anything C or higher so I retook it at CC.

 

[riggylou]

Also have people revise revise revise. Write a draft, set it aside for a week. then come back and read it. Youll find mistakes.

This is true. I took out a sentence due to word count thinking that the following sentence stood on its own...nope! and the offending sentence is at the very beginning of my PS. 😱 Thankfully I have still been getting interviews and acceptances, but yes..proofread!, especially right before you click submit.

 

[iggles]

thanks for the replies guys ill start working on my PS asap. Any other suggestions?

 

[kcha90]

thanks for the replies guys ill start working on my PS asap. Any other suggestions?

Have people who will criticize your PS and your answer to "why pharmacy?" If you have the right motivation for pharmacy, you can get into any school.