Help with my Future in Pharmacy!

[sg25]

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[Starshipp]

Long story short...
I have a 2.7-ish GPA with a Low PCAT score in the 20s/30s
Pharmacy Experience: 4 years as Pharm Tech in Major Retail. Good Letters of Recs, Working on my PStatement

What are my chance of getting into a Pharmacy School?

I really love Pharmacy but didn't give pre-pharm much seriousness. I want to change the mind of the interviewer and the pharmacy school. I know once I apply myself in Pharmacy I will give it my all. I have regrets about the decisions I made in Pre-Pharm but don't want to have ANY if I get in.

Anybody you know that got into pharmacy school with low scores but a lot of experience??

Thanks SDN!

I've seen people get in with a 2.7 gpa but they have really high PCAT. 20-30 pcat score is really low and I would suggest retaking it over and aim for 70+. Retake classes that you got Cs in. Keep in mind that pharmcas may butcher your gpa even lower when they recalculate your gpa before you apply. If u don't like taking the pcat then apply at none pcat schools but keep in mind that there aren't many of those schools. Mainly Cali schools don't require pcat and some others like Pacific U and MCPHS. However, those schools go after higher GPAs since they don't look at pcat scores. Your pharm tech experience will help you in that they will know that you are interested in pharmacy, but from what I've learned during my interviews, they want to see if you have the knowledge and ability to get through the rigors of pharmacy school. By that, they judge off your scores and gpa. So dont be discouraged. You just have to work a little extra harder and you will eventually get there. I've been there. Worse comes to worse, apply at lower pharm schools like Cali Northstate. In my opinion, they offer interviews to pretty much anyone that meets their minimum. No pcat needed there. Sorry for being so brutal, but I hope this helps in some ways.





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[The Recoverer]

Long story short...
I have a 2.7-ish GPA with a Low PCAT score in the 20s/30s
Pharmacy Experience: 4 years as Pharm Tech in Major Retail. Good Letters of Recs, Working on my PStatement

What are my chance of getting into a Pharmacy School?

I really love Pharmacy but didn't give pre-pharm much seriousness. I want to change the mind of the interviewer and the pharmacy school. I know once I apply myself in Pharmacy I will give it my all. I have regrets about the decisions I made in Pre-Pharm but don't want to have ANY if I get in.

Anybody you know that got into pharmacy school with low scores but a lot of experience??

Thanks SDN!

The PCAT usually isn't important and is just a cut off tool, but it is important for you since your GPA is in the lower end. A pcat in the 30s is a no go. You need to retake them. I know it sounds easier done than said but I would shoot for at least a 70+ like what previous poster said. Good luckl!

 

[sg25]

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[frabu04]

Hi this is the Original Poster of this thread,

Thanks so much to the previous two responders. I forgot to mention that I have a Bachelors degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. Although I've taken the pcat multiple times before, I never got time to study for it like I wanted to. Since the last pcat I can take is in January 2013, should I still do this? Are the restrictions if u take the pcat multiple times? Are there any schools that take January pacts in the same year they enroll new students?

Even though my gpa and pcat don't show it, I love my work as a pharm tech and read up on drugs/ memorize top 200, etc. I really admire the job my pharmacist does. I really liked that you mentioned some schools to apply to, and by chance do you or anyone else know of other schools that take applicants with my stats?

I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S REPLY AND HONESTY!
THANKS SDN!

The PCAT is important. It isn't the be all end all, but there is a minimum required (aside from non-PCAT schools). Schools throw out applications that don't meet GPA/PCAT minimums, so find the time to study. It's not impossible, you just have to be committed to it.

 

[owlegrad]

Yeah the PCAT is pretty much a screening tool and a 30 is going to be lower than the minimum at any school that has a minimum PCAT score. So retake and do better! 😉

 

[AlPacino]

The PCAT usually isn't important and is just a cut off tool, but it is important for you since your GPA is in the lower end. A pcat in the 30s is a no go. You need to retake them. I know it sounds easier done than said but I would shoot for at least a 70+ like what previous poster said. Good luckl!

This right here. A low GPA can be overlooked if you get a high score on the PCAT. If you had scored on your PCAT 70+ then you have a good chance of getting some interviews. But a GPA of 2.7 and PCAT in the 30s doesnt show adcoms that you are more motivated and committed to do well in pharmacy school then you are academically performing now.

You still have a chance to get accepted somewhere, but you need to kick the **** out of the PCAT. Get more focused, rethink your priorities, do whatever you need to do, but that PCAT score needs to be 70-80+ minimum.

 

[futureisnear]

Was someone on here that I read had a 40 on the PCAT and got accepted to UK. You'll have to search for this, but yeah... I read it once.

 

[Starshipp]

Was someone on here that I read had a 40 on the PCAT and got accepted to UK. You'll have to search for this, but yeah... I read it once.

Some people get accepted to UH Hilo in the 40s too. No pcat minimum there. Not sure of their gpa tho but I'm guessing not many people want to go there since its far.





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