help

[arkgal]

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I was telling my parents today that I am interested in pharmacy school. My mom's reponse was pharmacy school is extremely competitive and that without a 4.0 I won't get in. That is extremely discouraging. Someone please tell me if that's true. I should have a 3.3 to a 3.4 by the time I graduate.

Ryan

 

[rush1210]

Well your mom was right about one thing...pharmacy is extremely competitive but you don't have to have a 4.0 to get in. You also have PCATs, LORs and ECs to support your application. My GPA is 3.3 too and I hope to get in somewhere this year.

 

[arkgal]

Well your mom was right about one thing...pharmacy is extremely competitive but you don't have to have a 4.0 to get in. You also have PCATs, LORs and ECs to support your application. My GPA is 3.3 too and I hope to get in somewhere this year.

Does being involved in a student ministry on campus count as an EC? I'm also in the Biology Club and the Students for Constitutional Rights orginization.

 

[Happy Hounds]

Hey Ryan,

Depending on where you plan on applying, different schools have different levels of rigidity as far as GPAs and PCAT scores. Yes, you'll have a better chance at getting in if you have a high GPA, but many schools now look at a range of students all the way down to 2.8 or so -- it all depends on the REASONS why the grades are what they are. Do you do a ton of volunteer work and don't have time to study? Do you work to pay your way through school?

All these things should count, and if your school doesn't consider it, then it's not a place you want to be. Imagine if you're being judged in black and white at the application level--how will it be once you're in? That's not to say a school shouldn't judge academic work, but a GOOD school (and there are MANY out there) will take many factors of an applicant's history into account: experience, education, volunteer work, compassion shown in your work or other activities, diligence, work longevity, personality (are you a grade snob or a real person with a life and other interests?), and oh yeah, grades and standardized test scores.

For example, what can you say about yourself in your personal statements that show who you really are, not just a GPA driven student? What kind of activities do you do that show your compassion for other people? After all, as a pharmacist you are there to serve others. So take a look at your breakdown of work and activities and play up your strongest points and you'll be much better off in the applicatio process.

 

[arkgal]

Hey Ryan,

Depending on where you plan on applying, different schools have different levels of rigidity as far as GPAs and PCAT scores. Yes, you'll have a better chance at getting in if you have a high GPA, but many schools now look at a range of students all the way down to 2.8 or so -- it all depends on the REASONS why the grades are what they are. Do you do a ton of volunteer work and don't have time to study? Do you work to pay your way through school?

All these things should count, and if your school doesn't consider it, then it's not a place you want to be. Imagine if you're being judged in black and white at the application level--how will it be once you're in? That's not to say a school shouldn't judge academic work, but a GOOD school (and there are MANY out there) will take many factors of an applicant's history into account: experience, education, volunteer work, compassion shown in your work or other activities, diligence, work longevity, personality (are you a grade snob or a real person with a life and other interests?), and oh yeah, grades and standardized test scores.

For example, what can you say about yourself in your personal statements that show who you really are, not just a GPA driven student? What kind of activities do you do that show your compassion for other people? After all, as a pharmacist you are there to serve others. So take a look at your breakdown of work and activities and play up your strongest points and you'll be much better off in the applicatio process.

I now have a 2.57 GPA. The reason my GPA is so low is because when I first tried college, I was not serious and i goofed off. I didn't take it seriously, got myself into more debt than I could handle, at the same time dealing with a fiance that I got pregnant unexpectadly. Suffice it to say that relationsihp did not work out and that is for best. I am very involved in my son's life. But that is neither here nor there. After I dropped out of college I went and became a truck driver, going from state to state. It was on the road where I found myself. I learned who I was and that I was capable of doing anything I wanted to. I saw the world for what it really was. Driving an 80,000 pound semi has a way of making you grow up real quick. It's an incredible amount of responsibility, including being responsible for other people's lifes, as a professional driver. Driving a truck gave me the discipline and maturity I needed to succeed in college. It also make me realize that I didn't want to do this for the rest of my life, I realized the value of my education, and I decided to go back and finish college. I started back this Fall. I don't miss truck driving one bit. But it taught me so many life lessons. I am now well on my way to having a 4.0 this semester, and I'm working 30 hours a week. I just aced my first organic chemistry test. I failed organic twice the first time I was in college. What's the difference? I'm applying myself, and it's paying off. I know I have what it takes. I only hope the the admissions folks at pharmacy schools will read my story, see the changes I've made in my life and believe that I have what it takes too.

 

[cycloketocaine]

I now have a 2.57 GPA. The reason my GPA is so low is because when I first tried college, I was not serious and i goofed off. I didn't take it seriously, got myself into more debt than I could handle, at the same time dealing with a fiance that I got pregnant unexpectadly. Suffice it to say that relationsihp did not work out and that is for best. I am very involved in my son's life. But that is neither here nor there. After I dropped out of college I went and became a truck driver, going from state to state. It was on the road where I found myself. I learned who I was and that I was capable of doing anything I wanted to. I saw the world for what it really was. Driving an 80,000 pound semi has a way of making you grow up real quick. It's an incredible amount of responsibility, including being responsible for other people's lifes, as a professional driver. Driving a truck gave me the discipline and maturity I needed to succeed in college. It also make me realize that I didn't want to do this for the rest of my life, I realized the value of my education, and I decided to go back and finish college. I started back this Fall. I don't miss truck driving one bit. But it taught me so many life lessons. I am now well on my way to having a 4.0 this semester, and I'm working 30 hours a week. I just aced my first organic chemistry test. I failed organic twice the first time I was in college. What's the difference? I'm applying myself, and it's paying off. I know I have what it takes. I only hope the the admissions folks at pharmacy schools will read my story, see the changes I've made in my life and believe that I have what it takes too.

Nice PS.

 

[starrfishes]

I now have a 2.57 GPA. The reason my GPA is so low is because when I first tried college, I was not serious and i goofed off. I didn't take it seriously, got myself into more debt than I could handle, at the same time dealing with a fiance that I got pregnant unexpectadly. Suffice it to say that relationsihp did not work out and that is for best. I am very involved in my son's life. But that is neither here nor there. After I dropped out of college I went and became a truck driver, going from state to state. It was on the road where I found myself. I learned who I was and that I was capable of doing anything I wanted to. I saw the world for what it really was. Driving an 80,000 pound semi has a way of making you grow up real quick. It's an incredible amount of responsibility, including being responsible for other people's lifes, as a professional driver. Driving a truck gave me the discipline and maturity I needed to succeed in college. It also make me realize that I didn't want to do this for the rest of my life, I realized the value of my education, and I decided to go back and finish college. I started back this Fall. I don't miss truck driving one bit. But it taught me so many life lessons. I am now well on my way to having a 4.0 this semester, and I'm working 30 hours a week. I just aced my first organic chemistry test. I failed organic twice the first time I was in college. What's the difference? I'm applying myself, and it's paying off. I know I have what it takes. I only hope the the admissions folks at pharmacy schools will read my story, see the changes I've made in my life and believe that I have what it takes too.

So happy for you! 😀 🙂

 

[arkgal]

So happy for you! 😀 🙂

I am not trying to gloat, but I just got my org chem test back today. I was totally stoked. I knew I did well on it, but I made a 95 and I had the highest score in the class! That's a far cry from the F I had before. It is so awesome to see my hard work pay off. It's very rewarding. I also made a 94 on my world lit exam. I'm well on my way to having a 4.0. Life is good folks. Real good.🙂

 

[CMA]

Ryan,

In regard to your thread - never let anyone tell you that something can't be done (within reason of course).

Are your parents pharamacists? If not, they simply don't know.

I am a pharmacist and I also take PharmD students during their final rotations. I can tell you one thing: I have had good and bad students just as I have seen good and bad pharmacists.

Grades often have nothing to do with how good of a pharmacist someone can be...and the schools are well aware of this.

That's not to say that grades don't matter. They do, but...they are not the be all and end all of school. After recent events that placed the profession in a bad light schools are well aware they need well-rounded individuals and not just book-smart people without ethics, morality or the like.

BTW - I'm proud of your accomplishments. Keep it up and be ready to address them in a straightforward manner when the time comes. Your honesty shows thru in your response. The application board will sense that. Also - they be able to see that yes, you screwed up before but you've grown up, applied yourself, and would be an asset to their program.

That's what they are looking for...

Best,
Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.