in need of advice, or at least sympathy ;)

[jessicaholland1]

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I graduate w/ a BS in biology this semester and I want to apply to pharmacy school this summer to start in fall 2008. HOWEVER, I'm realllllly worried about not getting in and being stuck with no other options. My PCAT score is high, and i have lots of ECs and work experience, but I have Cs in 4 of my pre-pharm reqs....

I applied to grad school as a back up plan and I got into VCU bio grad progam w/ full tuition and a stipend. Essentially I could get my masters for free and then either go to pharmacy school or just get a job.

Do you think having a masters would help me get into pharm school? or do they just care about pharm pre-reqs?

Would re-taking classes in the fall be a better chance for getting in? Do most schools average your grades if you re-take them? or take your best score?

I dunno if anyone will really have an answer to this, but I'm majorly stressing and I cant focus on my homework anyway hahah...

 

[omnione]

What's your overall GPA?

 

[jessicaholland1]

overall is a 3.2
science is a 2.8

 

[wbrown]

I think it will help, that's what I did. My undergrad GPA was on the low side (~3.1) but I have high PCAT scores. My grad school GPA is close to a 3.5 which shows I can handle graduate level work and do well. So far I've interviewed at all 3 schools I applied to with 2 acceptances (still waiting to hear from the 3rd). Apply to pharmacy school and if you don't get in get the master's and reapply.

 

[omnione]

Even for schools like Florida that calculate only the prereq GPA, which is not the case for many schools, your GPA isn't that bad. An 85+ PCAT will compensate for that.

I'd ask schools about a masters. Some schools won't take you until you have finished it, but this varies. I would be an at-large grad student who isn't enrolled for a degree yet. This way, you can take grad courses that work toward a masters, but you have the flexibility of retaking some of your C courses and not have to worry as much about departing a degree program. I'd check your school if it has at-large grad school.

Some schools have grade forgiveness, while some average your two grades and not take the highest. Again, you have to check with each school

If you decide to wait the two years to finish your masters, then a higher masters GPA will certainly help. A similar one to your undergrad will not.

I hope that everything works out well for you!🙂