I think I'm weird.

[nervoushabits]

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So this is a "suggestions?" thread, and if you are one of those people who have recently been bashing those people who are trying to get into pharmacy school with a sub par GPA, please don't bruise my ego any more than what it has been by your posts.

My GPA is a 2.97. I just took my PCAT in August, and feel pretty good about it. My personal statement rocks, I have 4+years of pharmacy experience, and my letters of rec are very strong. I have a lot of volunteer work and leadership experience on my application (thus the lower GPA, and other circumstances that I don't care to discuss). The issue I have right now is trying to decide what schools I can apply to. I've only sent out one application, but I feel that I can't apply really anywhere with a 2.97 (which mind you, is just .03 below a lot of schools' cutoffs....it sucks. A lot.) Are there any suggestions?

 

[delano2000]

Well there are a lot of new pharmacy schools opening up so I am sure you can find something. Just do your homework.

 

[tahi193]

I was just at a pre-pharm club meeting this evening and a woman from admissions said that the lowest GPA they've accepted at the school of pharmacy at UNC was a 2.8 or 2.9. However, that person apparently had a REALLY good personal statement and PCAT, extensive community service, etc.

The point is we all know people get in with lower GPAs so if you're still taking classes try to do great (A) in those. You said you have good ECs and your 4 years of pharmacy experience will really help you. Try to figure out why your GPA is so low. If it's work or illness, etc. then it might be worth sharing when you get interviews or perhaps in your personal statement if you can turn it around into something positive.

This is the generic advice I guess, but apply to a wide range of schools. Like delano says, make sure to apply to several newer schools as they tend to accept those with lower GPAs. Just use Google and find out the average GPA for the schools you're (even remotely) interested in. It seems like the average GPA for the top tier schools is in the 3.5-3.7 range so if you see schools with average GPAs below 3.5 then they obviously accept people with lower GPAs.

 

[xxxhotstuffxxx]

don't let the people who have been bashing low GPAs get you down. they obviously don't understand that there are many people out there who are just as smart as them and try just as hard as them, yet due to other circumstances, just cannot get the same grades as they do. you shouldn't care what they think cause in the whole scope of things, they don't matter.

just worry about yourself. do your best on your applications. nail the interview, and soon enough you'll be in the same pharmacy class as those who put you down due to your lower GPA. And those same people will never know what your GPA was, what you had to go through to get your application done, or all the obstacles you had to overcome to get accepted. But you'll know...and thats all what matters.

 

[gdo0001]

don't let the people who have been bashing low GPAs get you down. they obviously don't understand that there are many people out there who are just as smart as them and try just as hard as them, yet due to other circumstances, just cannot get the same grades as they do. you shouldn't care what they think cause in the whole scope of things, they don't matter.

just worry about yourself. do your best on your applications. nail the interview, and soon enough you'll be in the same pharmacy class as those who put you down due to your lower GPA. And those same people will never know what your GPA was, what you had to go through to get your application done, or all the obstacles you had to overcome to get accepted. But you'll know...and thats all what matters.

+1
Look at my stats in my signature. There a bunch of us who might not have done so well when it comes to GPA but actually learned something in school and were not lazy party animals.

 

[nervoushabits]

I'm thinking about applying to Midwestern (Glendale), Lipscomb, LECOM, and Shenandoah. I've sent out an app to Sullivan too. I'm looking for accredited schools to apply to (mainly because I'm terrified of going to a school that's not accredited and end up not getting my PharmD...so I'm limiting those a bit). What do you guys think? I've been freaking out about this all week. I was so excited, because I have PharmCAS finished, but when I got to picking my schools I was like "Oh No." because I can't apply to Purdue this year, and I had no idea what schools I wanted to apply to. 😕

 

[Carboxide]

I'm thinking about applying to Midwestern (Glendale), Lipscomb, LECOM, and Shenandoah. I've sent out an app to Sullivan too. I'm looking for accredited schools to apply to (mainly because I'm terrified of going to a school that's not accredited and end up not getting my PharmD...so I'm limiting those a bit). What do you guys think? I've been freaking out about this all week. I was so excited, because I have PharmCAS finished, but when I got to picking my schools I was like "Oh No." because I can't apply to Purdue this year, and I had no idea what schools I wanted to apply to. 😕

You need to apply to a LOT more schools than that. With under a 3.0, you should be applying to several schools.

Don't even bother with Purdue, anyways. They don't take the PCAT so your GAP is doubly unacceptable there.

 

[atticus27]

Try Campbell, Wingate, and Regis.

 

[diastole]

Have you figured out how many classes you need to take to raise your GPA that extra 0.03 points? Maybe it is possible to get it up to that point after the fall semester? I know some schools have really late deadlines and if you can get it up just a bit, maybe more options will open up for you.

Will you be getting your degree this year?

 

[desmoulins45179]

Have you figured out how many classes you need to take to raise your GPA that extra 0.03 points? Maybe it is possible to get it up to that point after the fall semester? I know some schools have really late deadlines and if you can get it up just a bit, maybe more options will open up for you.

Will you be getting your degree this year?

Yeah if you can get As in your classes right now to raise your gpa to a 3.0 that will help.

Are you taking classes right now?

Hell- take bull**** classes that you know you will get A's in to raise it if you have to. Some people may not like this advice (people in the sub 3.0 gpa thread) but if you get to a 3.0, they will at least consider your app.

 

[nervoushabits]

Oh, I will for sure have above a 3.0GPA after this semester, especially since I'm retaking two classes that I got a C and D in. My GPA is so low, because I goofed in two classes. However, I'm retaking the courses I got C's in to help my understanding of the material. And I'm taking a few 100 level courses and am a TA for freshman Bio, so those are all 3 easy credits at an A. I'm also a double major, so I wouldn't graduate until next Dec. at the earliest with a degree.

I don't have enough money to apply to more than 4 or 5 schools. I come from a lower middle class family, and I'm paying for college by myself. I have to use the money that I get from working to help with these applications, and it gets really expensive after a while. 🙁 That's why its so hard to do this. I had a list of 10 schools I wanted to apply too, but now I'm so freaking lost.

 

[infinitiiz]

How about retaking some of the bad grades classes .. Some schools have the grade-forgiveness policy, so if you replace that F w/ A .. It really means GPA minus 4points (reverse from the F) and adding 4 more (from the A) .. that's a double .. I raised my GPA from 1.67 to exactly at 3.0 mark. lol. Some schools do look into our growth and positive development, so keep the head up

 

[nervoushabits]

I think I've got 7 schools that I would like to apply to, and any/all feedback is welcome (Just in case I'm applying to a school I have no chance at getting into):

Sullivan
Midwestern (Can't decide which campus)
LECOM-Erie
Lipscomb
Union
Shenandoah
Appalachian

 

[wes011]

I think I've got 7 schools that I would like to apply to, and any/all feedback is welcome (Just in case I'm applying to a school I have no chance at getting into):

Sullivan
Midwestern (Can't decide which campus)
LECOM-Erie
Lipscomb
Union
Shenandoah
Appalachian

Apply to all, the worst they can say is no, but if money is tight try a newer school or ask any pharmacist you know for advice on where to apply. FYI - Sullivan's average GPAs for their first and second classes for students admitted are 3.29 and 3.39 respectively. If someone that had a 3.61 was accepted that means your 2.97 averages to the 3.29. Minimum gpa for most pharmacy schools that I have seen is a 2.5, though most acknowledge it is competitive and most students have a higher GPA. GPA and PCAT scores are just a little piece of information about a person. I think your goal should be to get a face to face interview, and then show your passionate about the field and sell yourself.

 

[Forrest Gump]

Based on my research, here are some schools that have lower minimum gpa requirements:

Nova 2.75
University of New Mexico 2.5
University of Hawaii 2.8
South Carolina COP 2.5
Sullivan 2.5
University of Cincinnati 2.75
University of Southern Nevada 2.8

I was going to apply to Appalachia too but my pharmcas science GPA was calculated below their 2.75 minimum science requirement. Check yours to make sure it qualifies.

If you don't get in this time around you can finish your double major and apply for the next round. Good luck!

 

[nervoushabits]

Actually, I just got an email back from U of Cincinnati....it's a 3.0.

 

[Forrest Gump]

Sorry about Cincinnati - I got that GPA info. from two sources but I guess they adjusted their requirements.

 

[nervoushabits]

So, I've decided that I'm in the most sadly hilarious position possible for a prepharm to be in. My science GPA is a 2.48....and my GPA is a 2.97. 🙁 Maybe its a sign from God?

How much do schools look at science GPA?

 

[Forrest Gump]

Here are a few others you could check out that I eliminated from my prospects due to the following reasons: (the GPA info is to the best of my knowledge...)

University of Colorado 2.5 - I didn't take biochemistry and they don't accept CLEP credits.

LECOM 2.7 - they don't accept CLEP credits

University of Michigan 2.5 - they require Statistics w/lab, biochemistry & immunology

Hampton University 2.75 - they require 80 hours of pharmacy experience - which you have (I'm just shy of 40 hours).

P.S. I know you are already considering LECOM but I listed it because I was surprised they didn't accept CLEP and I wanted to make sure you knew. Glad I found out before I spent the $$ applying. I've spent over $600 so far and that is before airfare and travel expenses for interviews. I know you have to watch your expenses so I had an idea - you could tell any relatives you have (such as grandparents, uncles, etc) that all you want for xmas is $$ towards your interview expenses. That's all I'm putting on my list this year...

 

[nervoushabits]

I've been looking at some of those schools, but there are very few schools that I'm able to apply too now. I need one more letter of rec for Lipscomb, because they require two letters from a prof if you don't have a prepharm committee, which Purdue doesn't have, so I'm trying really really hard to find someone to write one for me. But other than Lipscomb, I've found that I can apply to:

Belmont
Campbell
Nova
ETSU
Sullivan

Maybe you can benefit from my list. lol

 

[Forrest Gump]

Ok, I must admit I did not know about Belmont. Do you mind sharing their admission requirements?

Campbell is not on my list because I don't meet their PCAT score requirement and I don't have a religion credit.

I had ETSU on my radar but eliminated it due to fact they accept 85 - 95% of their students from KY, TN, VA, and NC. As I'm from Florida I thought my chances were too slim.

Thanks for the info - it helps to compare!

 

[nervoushabits]

I live in Indiana, so I thought I'd have an ok chance since I'm really not that far away. Plus, one of the advisors there has been EXTREMELY helpful, and has actually told me what all I need to change to be competitive there.

Belmont: GPA 2.7
Uncertain of PCAT, but here's the link: http://www.belmont.edu/pharmacy/applying/admission_criteria.html

 

[atticus27]

University of Southern Nevada 2.8

haha, USN's avg matriculating GPA is like a 3.7-3.8

 

[Forrest Gump]

atticus,

So you apparently have a sense of humor! I was referring to USN's minimum admission requirements which applying pharmacy students must consider. Depending on the statistics of the applying applicants their accepted statistics will vary but I don't see it as any excuse to ridicule those who are applying. Though I don't know you, it appears from your post that you are just another example of someone who likes to belittle those on the lower spectrum of the GPA/PCAT scale as a way of bolstering your own accomplishments. Are you trying to make up for any shortcomings in other areas? Just wondering...

 

[diastole]

atticus,

So you apparently have a sense of humor! I was referring to USN's minimum admission requirements which applying pharmacy students must consider. Depending on the statistics of the applying applicants their accepted statistics will vary but I don't see it as any excuse to ridicule those who are applying. Though I don't know you, it appears from your post that you are just another example of someone who likes to belittle those on the lower spectrum of the GPA/PCAT scale as a way of bolstering your own accomplishments. Are you trying to make up for any shortcomings in other areas? Just wondering...

Or maybe the poster was just trying to not raise false hopes. USN may have a low minimum but seems to value GPA over almost any other stat. They added the PCAT to the requirements this year so that may change somewhat but I would advise anyone with a lower GPA to not get their hopes up.

 

[Forrest Gump]

diastole,

I appreciate you giving atticus the benefit of the doubt because that is usually the way I operate. I just didn't appreciate his mocking tone. As a rule I try to be positive and I come to this forum for help and to help others so it is frustrating when some here like to beat up on others. There is no good reason to do that, in my opinion, and we'd all be better off if they would just not comment at all if they can't do it in a respectful manner. Stepping off the soapbox now...

 

[Forrest Gump]

nervous habits,

I checked out Belmont and unfortunately I am missing the literature pre-req. I appreciate the lead though!

 

[mindfixation]

I think I've got 7 schools that I would like to apply to, and any/all feedback is welcome (Just in case I'm applying to a school I have no chance at getting into):

Sullivan
Midwestern (Can't decide which campus)
LECOM-Erie
Lipscomb
Union
Shenandoah
Appalachian

You had mentioned not applying to accredited schools - - Lipscomb is not yet accredited.

 

[nervoushabits]

I'm putting in a mixture of both accredited and non. I would feel more comfortable going to a school that is, but I can't afford to be picky at this point int time.

Anyone know of any schools that don't have rolling admissions? I'm thinking about apply to a few this semester and then after my GPA is up (hopefully above a 3.0), I may apply to a few more, depending on my situation at that time.

 

[Carboxide]

So, I've decided that I'm in the most sadly hilarious position possible for a prepharm to be in. My science GPA is a 2.48....and my GPA is a 2.97. 🙁 Maybe its a sign from God?

How much do schools look at science GPA?

Pretty seriously. I hope you have a GREAT (90+) PCAT or you are looking at taking a year off.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Meh, you don't need that skiens stuff to be a farmasist.

 

[KMIMSM]

at first I thought this thread pertained to social awkardism of some sort!

 

[cinnamoroll12]

I guess you can try to apply to Midwestern University at the Chicago campus, since the minimum overall GPA considered is a 2.5. Hopefully you did well on the PCAT in August, so you can use that to pull it off. We actually have a number of students from Indiana, so the school isn't too far from home for you. Make sure you apply early though! Last year, they conducted the first interview at the beginning of October.