Im so lost please help!

[ilovepharm510]

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Hi everyone!!

Im a biology student about to finish my AA at my community college. i thought i wanted to go in to the Dental field but i realized that my passion is really in pharmacy. Since i started out thinking that i was going down in to a career path that i was interested in, i was really discouraged and not motivated. I got good grades like a's and b's for english speech computer etc. but my science classes werent the case. i withdrew many times from them and eneded up with a F in bio1010 and lab, F in anatomyI and lab, and an F im chem 1040 and a c in college algebra. my college has grade forgiveness so i made up those credits and got b's in all of them. My current GPA is 2.63 but will go up at the end of this summer. im totally lost about when i should apply and what i need to do after i finish my AA.and what pharmacy schools look at and if i even have any hopes of getting in. PLEASE i really need some advice im a first generation college student and no one can help..my advisors all give me different responses so if anyone can save me the run around that they give me i would really really apreciate it!

thanks to everyone!!👍

 

[OTFuturePharmD]

I feel your pain. Take a couple of deep breaths. If this is what you really want to do then it will happen. It won't always be easy, but it seems from your post you have a passion for pharmacy and are willing to work hard. Get out a notebook to start making lists of all of the things you need to do inorder to make it to the point you can apply for Pharm school.

1. Go to this great sticky at the top of the forum page.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=198059

2. Add this link to your website favorites.
http://www.aacp.org/RESOURCES/STUDENT/Pages/default.aspx-- all kinds of info about pharmacy, ie. careers, schools, PCAT, etc.

3. Look at the admission requirements for those schools you are interested in. Make a list of all of the pre-requisites you need to take. See how long it will take you to complete all of these classes. If I interpreted what you said, those science classes you have taken and failed you re-took and got B's. That's a good first step. But STOP DROPING SCIENCE CLASSES unless it's the begining of a semester and it won't show up on your transcript. Make sure that you have a good explanation of what happened. This is something you will have to address on your application once you apply. Guarenteed they will ask you about it in the interview. If you are struggling at all in the science classes, go to the professor for extra help, get together with a study group, and/or sign up for a tutor. Do what you need to do to get B's or better in the sciences.

You should be aiming for a 3.2 or higher overall GPA. Try really had to get a 3.2 science GPA. A 3.0 GPA in science is ok, but you will need some good PCAT scores and work/volunteer experience to really stand out. Also, taking some higher level science courses, such as Biochem, genetics, micobiology, immunology, etc. they will look good on your pharm application (get a B or higher in these classes).

Here's a link comparing pre-req requirements:
http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions/Pages/PSAR.aspx

4. Consider going for a bachelor's degree. This will make you more competitive. You can still apply to school and get in with just an associates degree/2 years of college courses. Some people still get in with only 2 years of schooling. Consider that for the P1 class starting this year about 75%-80% (more at some schools) had bachelor's degree.

5. Take your general bio, general chem, and calculus classes first. Then take Organic Chem 1/II. Probably some where after Organic Chem is the best time to take the PCAT. Aim for 80% or higher to be very competitive on the PCAT. 70% is considered solid. Check out the threads on the PCAT forum. Here's another link for you.
http://pearsonassess.com/haiweb/Cul...nity/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm

6. Start now with volunteering doing something you really like to do. Additionally it will give you a strong application if you become a Pharmacy Tech, Volunteer in a hospital pharmacy, or volunteer or work in the hospital in general.

7. By the time you have taken the PCAT you should be about ready to apply to school.

8. The volunteer and work experience will give you some good people to get letters of recommendations from. Be sure to aim for a professor and a pharmacist. It would be really good for you if you can find a professor or pharmacist that will mentor you. Remember that when you are applying give those that will be writting your LOR plenty of time. 2 months is good. Ask them right after the end of the Spring semester the year you plan to apply.


I've run out of steam. 😴 Just remember this is a long term commitment. It will take time and money. While you are going through the begining steps, make sure you are saving money for the application process and PCAT. Also, sometimes students don't get in the first time. Don't give up. There are plenty on the boards who have applied more than once to Pharmacy school.

PM me if you have any more questions.

Good Luck!