How important is GPA when applying for pharmacist positions?

[BetseyJohnson]

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Is it becoming more important with the increase in students graduating w/ PharmDs?

 

[hornblower]

Don't worry, schools will inflate their grades to meet demand.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

No. Mostly because they are terrible indicators of performance in the real world. Managers know this.

 

[SHC1984]

Don't worry, schools will inflate their grades to meet demand.

Tell me about it. My biochemistry professor curved the exams like crazy. My test average would have still been a 91 without all that useless inflation.

GPA does not matter if you are applying for a retail position. However, if you want to do a residency GPA is used to determine if you get the spot or not. A residency is useful if you are wanting to work at a hospital. Basically if you do NOT mind going into retail pharmacy, then you don't have to worry about your GPA. LOL...But if you are wanting to specialize or do something besides retail then the GPA matters.

 

[pharmstudent09]

Tell me about it. My biochemistry professor curved the exams like crazy. My test average would have still been a 91 without all that useless inflation.

GPA does not matter if you are applying for a retail position. However, if you want to do a residency GPA is used to determine if you get the spot or not. A residency is useful if you are wanting to work at a hospital. Basically if you do NOT mind going into retail pharmacy, then you don't have to worry about your GPA. LOL...But if you are wanting to specialize or do something besides retail then the GPA matters.

GPA doesn't always matter for residencies, however I do agree that it does for most. I just wanted to point out that if you start interning as a P1 for a hospital and work all four years, you are likely to get a clinical position in the future. I just landed a job at Kaiser and my boss essentially told me that Kaiser wants to groom their interns to take future clinical spots, and most intern positions lead to a residency. I'm still keeping the grades up though to keep my options open. The point is that experience is invaluable when it comes to real life situations, and you can be really book smart but not a good worker.

 

[J ROD]

residency is the only place I have heard where grades really matter....

 

[b*rizzle]

Tell me about it. My biochemistry professor curved the exams like crazy. My test average would have still been a 91 without all that useless inflation.

GPA does not matter if you are applying for a retail position. However, if you want to do a residency GPA is used to determine if you get the spot or not. A residency is useful if you are wanting to work at a hospital. Basically if you do NOT mind going into retail pharmacy, then you don't have to worry about your GPA. LOL...But if you are wanting to specialize or do something besides retail then the GPA matters.

I just wanted to note that you can still get a hospital job without a residency...if you're willing to work in a smaller facility. I have two jobs lined up for after graduation, one of which is a 150 bed hospital. They were all but scrambling to get me to sign on the dotted line.

GPA won't get you a job as a pharmacist. But it's something I would modestly point out in interviews when asked about my work ethic...I worked 30+ hrs a week in pharmacy school and still managed to keep my GPA in Rho Chi range. Its the only time I ever mention it, since no one really gives a tinker's toot about GPA, unless as mentioned before, you're competing for a residency. And its the only time I ever mention it. I don't advertise my GPA, since there's a TON of PharmDs out there who graduated with 4.0s and don't have the common sense God gave to a tree stump. I just prefer not to be stigmatized as one of "those" people. If you think you deserve a job strictly on the fact that you made good grades in school, then I feel sorry for the patients you take care of.

In any case, my tactic must have worked, since both jobs I interviewed for all but offered me the position on the spot.

 

[Pharmachic]

I just wanted to note that you can still get a hospital job without a residency...if you're willing to work in a smaller facility. I have two jobs lined up for after graduation, one of which is a 150 bed hospital. They were all but scrambling to get me to sign on the dotted line.

GPA won't get you a job as a pharmacist. But it's something I would modestly point out in interviews when asked about my work ethic...I worked 30+ hrs a week in pharmacy school and still managed to keep my GPA in Rho Chi range. Its the only time I ever mention it, since no one really gives a tinker's toot about GPA, unless as mentioned before, you're competing for a residency. And its the only time I ever mention it. I don't advertise my GPA, since there's a TON of PharmDs out there who graduated with 4.0s and don't have the common sense God gave to a tree stump. I just prefer not to be stigmatized as one of "those" people. If you think you deserve a job strictly on the fact that you made good grades in school, then I feel sorry for the patients you take care of.

In any case, my tactic must have worked, since both jobs I interviewed for all but offered me the position on the spot.

👍

 

[iphetamine]

I just wanted to note that you can still get a hospital job without a residency...if you're willing to work in a smaller facility. I have two jobs lined up for after graduation, one of which is a 150 bed hospital. They were all but scrambling to get me to sign on the dotted line.

GPA won't get you a job as a pharmacist. But it's something I would modestly point out in interviews when asked about my work ethic...I worked 30+ hrs a week in pharmacy school and still managed to keep my GPA in Rho Chi range. Its the only time I ever mention it, since no one really gives a tinker's toot about GPA, unless as mentioned before, you're competing for a residency. And its the only time I ever mention it. I don't advertise my GPA, since there's a TON of PharmDs out there who graduated with 4.0s and don't have the common sense God gave to a tree stump. I just prefer not to be stigmatized as one of "those" people. If you think you deserve a job strictly on the fact that you made good grades in school, then I feel sorry for the patients you take care of.

In any case, my tactic must have worked, since both jobs I interviewed for all but offered me the position on the spot.

how would you feel if a 2.0 GPA, slacker physician or pharmacist was treating you?

 

[Sparda29]

how would you feel if a 2.0 GPA, slacker physician or pharmacist was treating you?

I wouldn't care. I'd count more on their NAPLEX scores.

The problem is that, in most if not all pharmacy schools, exams are multiple choice K-type. What I've found after reviewing my exams is that, in the questions that I got wrong, I often got most of the question correct. But since it's multiple choice, you're either right or you're wrong, which is the problem.

If they used essay type exams, they could much better test the depth of your knowledge and give you partial credit.

 

[SHC1984]

I wouldn't care. I'd count more on their NAPLEX scores.

The problem is that, in most if not all pharmacy schools, exams are multiple choice K-type. What I've found after reviewing my exams is that, in the questions that I got wrong, I often got most of the question correct. But since it's multiple choice, you're either right or you're wrong, which is the problem.

If they used essay type exams, they could much better test the depth of your knowledge and give you partial credit.

The Naplex is multiple choice too isn't it? I don't think you will get much essay type question exams beyond high school. LOL...

 

[SHC1984]

I just wanted to note that you can still get a hospital job without a residency...if you're willing to work in a smaller facility. I have two jobs lined up for after graduation, one of which is a 150 bed hospital. They were all but scrambling to get me to sign on the dotted line.

GPA won't get you a job as a pharmacist. But it's something I would modestly point out in interviews when asked about my work ethic...I worked 30+ hrs a week in pharmacy school and still managed to keep my GPA in Rho Chi range. Its the only time I ever mention it, since no one really gives a tinker's toot about GPA, unless as mentioned before, you're competing for a residency. And its the only time I ever mention it. I don't advertise my GPA, since there's a TON of PharmDs out there who graduated with 4.0s and don't have the common sense God gave to a tree stump. I just prefer not to be stigmatized as one of "those" people. If you think you deserve a job strictly on the fact that you made good grades in school, then I feel sorry for the patients you take care of.

In any case, my tactic must have worked, since both jobs I interviewed for all but offered me the position on the spot.

GPA doesn't always matter for residencies, however I do agree that it does for most. I just wanted to point out that if you start interning as a P1 for a hospital and work all four years, you are likely to get a clinical position in the future. I just landed a job at Kaiser and my boss essentially told me that Kaiser wants to groom their interns to take future clinical spots, and most intern positions lead to a residency. I'm still keeping the grades up though to keep my options open. The point is that experience is invaluable when it comes to real life situations, and you can be really book smart but not a good worker.

Yeah, I understand what you guys are both talking about. I want to find a job that will allow me to work during the summers only. I would love to remain on payroll and not work during the school year if possible. Those jobs are just very hard to find...so I usually get a job in the summers and quit before school starts and get another job next summer etc. did that all thru undergrad. I hope that will give me enough experience...its just such a hassle having to look for a new job at the begining of every summer. LOL...

 

[Sparda29]

The Naplex is multiple choice too isn't it? I don't think you will get much essay type question exams beyond high school. LOL...

Yes, but you spend 4+ years preparing for the NAPLEX VS a few weeks for an exam.

In my example, I have terrible short-term memory (less than 4 weeks), but good long-term memory. If I read something, I won't remember it 2 weeks later, but I'll remember it 2 months later.

 

[Pharmachic]

Yeah, I understand what you guys are both talking about. I want to find a job that will allow me to work during the summers only. I would love to remain on payroll and not work during the school year if possible. Those jobs are just very hard to find...so I usually get a job in the summers and quit before school starts and get another job next summer etc. did that all thru undergrad. I hope that will give me enough experience...its just such a hassle having to look for a new job at the begining of every summer. LOL...

It seems a future employer would look at that pattern of behavior as one who is unable to multitask. It's kinda like, yeah she received good grades, but she had nothing else to do but study. Whereas, maintaining good grades while holding a part time job seems more commendable. Hopefully, you're honest about your intentions upfront. Otherwise, that's selfish. If you stay with a company for a while, I'm sure they'll work around your schedule. For example, I work once a week or sometimes twice a month, depending on my exam schedule. Then, when school breaks come around I can get more hours when needed. I have a friend who works once a month at a hospital. It's possible. You just have to stick around for a while and show you're dependable. The pharmacists understand the need to study and do well in school. They were students too, you know?

 

[SHC1984]

It seems a future employer would look at that pattern of behavior as one who is unable to multitask. It's kinda like, yeah she received good grades, but she had nothing else to do but study. Whereas, maintaining good grades while holding a part time job seems more commendable. Hopefully, you're honest about your intentions upfront. Otherwise, that's selfish. If you stay with a company for a while, I'm sure they'll work around your schedule. For example, I work once a week or sometimes twice a month, depending on my exam schedule. Then, when school breaks come around I can get more hours when needed. I have a friend who works once a month at a hospital. It's possible. You just have to stick around for a while and show you're dependable. The pharmacists understand the need to study and do well in school. They were students too, you know?

The main reason for not working during school isn't to study...its to have more free time to do things like SLEEP or just relaxing. LOL...I like to have days when I have nothing to do but relax, thats why I don't want to have a job during school.

Working once a month would be great. I just need to look harder to find a job like that!

 

[evilolive]

Yes, but you spend 4+ years preparing for the NAPLEX VS a few weeks for an exam.

In my example, I have terrible short-term memory (less than 4 weeks), but good long-term memory. If I read something, I won't remember it 2 weeks later, but I'll remember it 2 months later.

Yeah but the problem is that everyone passes the NAPLEX. It's a basic competency exam; there's no sense of urgency the way medical schools have the Step 1 and 2s. Grades for residency seem to be the only thing that keep people alarmed (other than making it through school of course).

 

[Ackj]

Working once a month would be great. I just need to look harder to find a job like that!

I wish I could find ANY job really; working 20 hours a week would be fine for me now. Unfortunately, it seems that high schoolers make better techs than a P1. 👎

 

[Jenny2009]

GPA is a factor when you are applying for residency but not really important when you are applying for a position.

 

[IrishHammer]

I wish I could find ANY job really; working 20 hours a week would be fine for me now. Unfortunately, it seems that high schoolers make better techs than a P1. 👎

High schoolers that aren't interested in pharmacy, no less. I know five different people who are techs; not one of them is even remotely interested in becoming a pharmacist.

 

[eeyore spice]

High schoolers that aren't interested in pharmacy, no less. I know five different people who are techs; not one of them is even remotely interested in becoming a pharmacist.

None of my fellow techs at the hospital where I worked were interested in it either, except for one who would've made an excellent pharmacist but couldn't get in, apparently because of her grades.

I didn't mind being a tech, but I definitely wouldn't want to do it for 40 more years.

 

[SHC1984]

I wish I could find ANY job really; working 20 hours a week would be fine for me now. Unfortunately, it seems that high schoolers make better techs than a P1. 👎

The only thing I can think of is high schoolers are cheaper and will accept any kind of wage. P1 will not work unless the wage is at least somewhat decent. Interns are expensive, so they pick high schoolers over P1.

I haven't had any trouble finding a job, but all my jobs have been in retail pharmacy...so you might want to look there...Hospital jobs (I heard, never applied before) are near impossible to get b/c everyone wants them!