How do you feel about being an alternate?

[MichaelJames]

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Hi everyone,

As most of you know, each and every school of pharmacy maintains a list of alternate canidates. These are the people who applied and went for an interview but where moreless told that they weren't good enough. 🙁 These are the people with 3.2 gpas who were passed over for canidates with 3.3+ gpas. 😡 Does this mean that the 3.3 gpa will be a better student and pharmacist? 😕 No, not hardly.😀 Does it mean that the 3.3 gpa student knows biology, chemistry, and math better than the 3.2 gpa student? No, it doesn't. Unfortunately for us 3.2 gpa folks, this is about all the admission committee is concerned with though. With these things in mind, I can't help but have mixed feelings about the application process! How do you feel about being an alternate?😛 Look forward to hearing from you!


MJ😎

 

[andrewattheU]

I'm sure if you apply early to schools with rolling admissions you won't be an alternate plus I have heard of people with less than 3.2 getting into pharm school so keep your hopes up

 

[MichaelJames]

I'm sure if you apply early to schools with rolling admissions you won't be an alternate plus I have heard of people with less than 3.2 getting into pharm school so keep your hopes up

Andrew,😀

Thanks for the encouragement!🙂 Don't be a stranger and stay in touch!😀
Talk to you later!

MJ😎

 

[TheHillCrew]

How do you know that you were not picked solely based on your G.P.A? Did you call the admissions office and ask them? There are many other factors that could have resulted in a rejection; bad interview, late application, low PCAT, etc.. G.P.A isnt everything.

 

[aboveliquidice]

I can say with confidence that my spot on the Alt. list was not because of GPA. My GPA is 3.66 Science, 3.6 overall - Beyond that - I know for a fact that someone with a GPA below 3.0 was accepted WAY before me. Was does that mean? GPA is NOT everything.

My particular school cares about how prepared you are for pharm school. My lack of a bachelor was a huge factor. To answer your question - it sucks - but there is little you can do but wait - be patient - be hopeful. Finally, if in doubt, prepare to reapply.

~above~

 

[fmbzp5]

The whole application process is subjective on the schools part. They get applications and compare numbers which again depending on a school courses taken at one time etc can not be considered equal. The importance of one job or volunteer work to another subjective and a short 30 minute interview is not enough to really know a person.

But in the end what would be a better process? You can't get to know each applicant more personally, it would take too much time and money.

I was told that where I did my undergraduate degree has had students go through their school before and looked favorably on myself because of their preparedness and abilities. Talk about subjective but in a good way to myself.

 

[TheHillCrew]

and one more thing, Never underestimate the importance of Connections. Like they always say, its not what you know. As long as you arent a complete weirdo and you have some connections you can get in.