help!

[bubblyh]

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hey guys.

GPA : 3.1, I might possibly have a 3.2 once I apply to pharmacy school. Do you guys think thats too low? I don't have any backgrounds for volunteer.. what should I volunteer for in order to have a good background? I know that GPA and PCAT are important but its not really all about grades right?

 

[Passion4Sci]

GPA : 3.1, I might possibly have a 3.2 once I apply to pharmacy school. Do you guys think thats too low?

What's your science GPA? What classes have you taken so far (a 3.1 with Orgo I and II, Physics, Calculus, etc under your belt is a lot different than a 3.2 with just GE/Humanities)?

I don't have any backgrounds for volunteer.. what should I volunteer for in order to have a good background?

This has been covered ad nauseum by myself and many other posters, I suggest a search on the topic.

I know that GPA and PCAT are important but its not really all about grades right?

It isn't all about grades, no, but they're a large component. If you're otherwise a vanilla applicant, a 3.2 cGPA won't knock anyone out of their seats (but it isn't horrible either). You need to get a very competitive PCAT composite (80+ percentile IMHO)and flesh out your app. a little bit.

Have any leadership? Any club membership? What separates you from applicant X with a 3.5 cGPA and 100 hours of volunteering in a pharmacy? Do you have a 3.1/3.2 at a top 10 university? Etc...

 

[bubblyh]

hi!

i've finished all my chemistry classes except for biochem. im planning to take physic, calculus, and a&p this semester. i know..so many more classes to take -__-. as for biology, im done with genetics and micro.

im also planning to take my PCAT this summer so im pretty nervous about that. i really hope ill do well.

im in the pre-pharmacy student association.. i should run for a position if that helps anything. im trying to do everything this year to make my application stand out more! but i have no idea what to do yet.

What's your science GPA? What classes have you taken so far (a 3.1 with Orgo I and II, Physics, Calculus, etc under your belt is a lot different than a 3.2 with just GE/Humanities)?



This has been covered ad nauseum by myself and many other posters, I suggest a search on the topic.



It isn't all about grades, no, but they're a large component. If you're otherwise a vanilla applicant, a 3.2 cGPA won't knock anyone out of their seats (but it isn't horrible either). You need to get a very competitive PCAT composite (80+ percentile IMHO)and flesh out your app. a little bit.

Have any leadership? Any club membership? What separates you from applicant X with a 3.5 cGPA and 100 hours of volunteering in a pharmacy? Do you have a 3.1/3.2 at a top 10 university? Etc...

 

[Passion4Sci]

i've finished all my chemistry classes except for biochem. im planning to take physic, calculus, and a&p this semester. i know..so many more classes to take -__-. as for biology, im done with genetics and micro.

Make sure you get top marks in those classes this semester.

im also planning to take my PCAT this summer so im pretty nervous about that. i really hope ill do well.

Hoping's not enough. You need to train like you fight. First thing you should do is fix all of your spelling and syntax issues in your typed word. Yeah, I know it's a forum, but if you get into bad habits, they will betray you when you go to sit for the PCAT and/or the interview essays at schools. Don't be an obstinate fool and claim that because it's the internet it's OK to type like you're a 3rd grader. It's not. Train like you fight.

im in the pre-pharmacy student association.. i should run for a position if that helps anything. im trying to do everything this year to make my application stand out more! but i have no idea what to do yet.

Yeah, running for leadership would help tremendously. It's one thing to be a card-carrying member of a club... Anyone can pay dues and make that happen, right? Show some extra involvement, go the extra mile, and have something worth the ink on your PS. I suggest looking into Red Cross and Salvation Army chapters in your area, as they often need extra hands for any number of things. Soup kitchens are also a great place to help the community and, of course, pad the application.

There are awesome ideas on this forum as to what you can do to clean up your application and make it a shoo-in, so I suggest you use the search function and check 'em out. Lots, and lots, and lots of students have come before you on SDN and there is a wealth of knowledge here. Soak it up like a sponge, and who knows, maybe you'll be able to help someone else later?

 

[Tinkerbell22]

hi!

i've finished all my chemistry classes except for biochem. im planning to take physic, calculus, and a&p this semester. i know..so many more classes to take -__-. as for biology, im done with genetics and micro.

im also planning to take my PCAT this summer so im pretty nervous about that. i really hope ill do well.

im in the pre-pharmacy student association.. i should run for a position if that helps anything. im trying to do everything this year to make my application stand out more! but i have no idea what to do yet.

When it comes to extracurricular activities quality is always better than quantity... so yes... in my opinion you should take time out to get more involved with that club and run for a leadership position. Pharmacy schools are looking for leadership qualities.

About your GPA... when are you applying? Will you have your bachelor's degree? Do you go to a community college or to a highly ranked university? These are things that they pharmacy school might take into consideration.

Depending on when you apply, you still have a chance to bring up your GPA. Try to make mostly A's because if you make mostly B's then your GPA won't change much.

As far as pharmacy experience... try to volunteer at a hospital or something. If they don't allow volunteers in the pharmacy you might have a harder time trying to get a job in retail depending on where you live, but you should keep trying. If you do land a job it's a double benefit because you can save money for pharmacy school and get experience.

 

[bubblyh]

Thanks for all the advice! =)

I'm planning to come in Fall 2011, because I want to get my bachelor. Btw, I'm not in a highly ranked university. 🙁

Yes I'm trying to get all A's! And I will try to volunteer as much as I can. Also, I'm still looking for a job as a pharm tech. I don't know if that's a good idea, because I have no experience and it sucks that I should have done everything way way earlier =(.

When it comes to extracurricular activities quality is always better than quantity... so yes... in my opinion you should take time out to get more involved with that club and run for a leadership position. Pharmacy schools are looking for leadership qualities.

About your GPA... when are you applying? Will you have your bachelor's degree? Do you go to a community college or to a highly ranked university? These are things that they pharmacy school might take into consideration.

Depending on when you apply, you still have a chance to bring up your GPA. Try to make mostly A's because if you make mostly B's then your GPA won't change much.

As far as pharmacy experience... try to volunteer at a hospital or something. If they don't allow volunteers in the pharmacy you might have a harder time trying to get a job in retail depending on where you live, but you should keep trying. If you do land a job it's a double benefit because you can save money for pharmacy school and get experience.

 

[bubblyh]

Thank you so much for all the advice! =)

I will start volunteering in the Salvation Army or Red Cross ASAP!

Make sure you get top marks in those classes this semester.



Hoping's not enough. You need to train like you fight. First thing you should do is fix all of your spelling and syntax issues in your typed word. Yeah, I know it's a forum, but if you get into bad habits, they will betray you when you go to sit for the PCAT and/or the interview essays at schools. Don't be an obstinate fool and claim that because it's the internet it's OK to type like you're a 3rd grader. It's not. Train like you fight.



Yeah, running for leadership would help tremendously. It's one thing to be a card-carrying member of a club... Anyone can pay dues and make that happen, right? Show some extra involvement, go the extra mile, and have something worth the ink on your PS. I suggest looking into Red Cross and Salvation Army chapters in your area, as they often need extra hands for any number of things. Soup kitchens are also a great place to help the community and, of course, pad the application.

There are awesome ideas on this forum as to what you can do to clean up your application and make it a shoo-in, so I suggest you use the search function and check 'em out. Lots, and lots, and lots of students have come before you on SDN and there is a wealth of knowledge here. Soak it up like a sponge, and who knows, maybe you'll be able to help someone else later?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Thank you so much for all the advice! =)

I will start volunteering in the Salvation Army or Red Cross ASAP!

Ah, already a marked improvement in your typing. So it was just internet laziness. Very well. 😉