High Schooler appyling for PharmD Programs

[misskaedy]

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I am a high schooler who is applying for 0-6 or 2+4 PharmD programs. So far, I am a senior and I have a 3.8 unweighted GPA. I am an underrepresented minority and both of my parents are doctors. My problem is that I have an ACT score of 22. I scored very well on practice tests but I practically bombed the real test. My problem was timing. I did not have a timer to time myself adequately throughout the test. Also, I was only able to read and answer questions to the first passage of the reading section. The reading section really brought my score down. My highest score on the ACT was math. Math is probably my best subject in school. I know that I can improve and I am taking the ACT again, but do GOOD colleges who have the PharmD program reject students who have average standarized test scores despite having a standard unweighted GPA?

 

[awval999]

Why don't you just retake the ACT?

I mean you'll probably get into one of the newer pharmacy schools, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Different schools have different admission procedures. Some are 0+6 and you apply as a high school student. Some are 2+4 and you apply during your 2nd year and your high school grades/test scores don't mean anything.

 

[rph3664]

Before you put yourself and/or your parents into six figures of debt, get a job in a pharmacy! It can be any kind of pharmacy - retail, hospital, long term care (they service nursing and group homes), etc. If there's a free clinic in your area, you might be able to volunteer there as well, or work in the pharmacy as a volunteer too. You may have to be 18 to do this.

This way, you will know if it's really what you want to do for a living, and also put you at an advantage over people with no experience. What interests you about being a pharmacist?

 

[misskaedy]

Before you put yourself and/or your parents into six figures of debt, get a job in a pharmacy! It can be any kind of pharmacy - retail, hospital, long term care (they service nursing and group homes), etc. If there's a free clinic in your area, you might be able to volunteer there as well, or work in the pharmacy as a volunteer too. You may have to be 18 to do this.

This way, you will know if it's really what you want to do for a living, and also put you at an advantage over people with no experience. What interests you about being a pharmacist?

My parents are doctors and I have an aunt who is a pharmacist. I practically grew up around doctors. I have always been interested in how a drug can save someone life. A small drug can make a big difference. I have always thought science was very challenging yet it was challenging enough to make me interested. Math has always been my strongest subject in school.

 

[wucool33]

Go to a 2+4 school... Ur ACT score won't matter and you get a chance to explore other options during those 2 years. You still have a lot of time... Don't really need to make a decision this quick.

 

[BidingMyTime]

The 0 - 6 scores are pretty competitive, your ACT is low. Whether or not it is too low depends on so many other factors in your application. I would definitely try to take it again, if you can bring it up to 25, it would make a huge difference. From what you've said, it sounds like you could probably bring your score up if you try again. If you don't get accepted into a 0 - 6 school, as others have said, you can still get 2 - 4 years college and then apply to pharmacy school.

 

[kendrick lamar]

Go to a 2+4 school... Ur ACT score won't matter and you get a chance to explore other options during those 2 years. You still have a lot of time... Don't really need to make a decision this quick.

I concur. I got into a 0-6 program. I know a couple of the kids in my class who got in with prob a good GPA/low test scores or vice versa. I think the kids who worked in a pharmacy before getting in also got good preference. I have friends who reapplied after 2 years and got into a pharmacy program having a job in a pharmacy and all. But I think 2+4 year programs are good bc imo it's good to wait a while to think about what you want to do bc high school doesn't prepare you to seriously think about what you want to have as a career; that only comes with experience and college insight. I got into a pharmacy program and stuck with it but there are other things I wish I did like public health or anthropology classes. My school doesn't offer public health so I'm really considering it after graduating if I don't get a residency maybe

 

[Ackj]

Do 2+4, if during those 2 years you want to do something else (MD, PhD, PA, NP, RN, etc) you didn't miss anything, since those first two years are core for everything in the medical field.

 

[Travex]

Do 2+4, if during those 2 years you want to do something else (MD, PhD, PA, NP, RN, etc) you didn't miss anything, since those first two years are core for everything in the medical field.

The classes in the first 2 years would be similar if not identical in an 0-6... Anyway I think we have a HS section here where this topic might be better suited.