is Extracurriculum that important?

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skazyjae

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I just wondered if ECs are really important to be a competitive applicant.
My sGPA is 3.83. cGPA is 3.56

ECs I did are
Korean Undergrad society.(member)
Anybody's crew(dance team. Vice-leader)
Chemistry undergrad association (member)
Pre Pharm undergrad assoc. (member)

Pharm experiences are
2 years of pharm tech.

Volunteer hours are appox. 200 hours.

My advisor said that these are not enough to get in to the COP. I just wondered how much should I do more.
 
skazyjae said:
I just wondered if ECs are really important to be a competitive applicant.
My sGPA is 3.83. cGPA is 3.56

ECs I did are
Korean Undergrad society.(member)
Anybody's crew(dance team. Vice-leader)
Chemistry undergrad association (member)
Pre Pharm undergrad assoc. (member)

Pharm experiences are
2 years of pharm tech.

Volunteer hours are appox. 200 hours.

My advisor said that these are not enough to get in to the COP. I just wondered how much should I do more.
Click to expand...

Don't forget to list some of the things you did in those associations. If you helped out with volunteer activities and such, you could describe if you were in charge of anything.

Have you completed all of the pre-requisites? What upper level courses have you taken? Have you declared a major?

Where have you volunteered so far? How often do you volunteer?
 
Which COP? Also, what is your PCAT score? BTW Anything can happen. I have one friend that got into Sullivan(Louisville, KY) with a 21 composite PCAT score.
 
Just like the member said above...on paper you can list a million societies, associations, clubs you have been a part of...but it doesn't matter if you didn't do anything in them. When you get interviews some questions they ask are about your EC activities, especially if its an open file interview.

if you just respond with "i went to meeting..." thats obviously not going to cut it.

my advice: EC is extremely important because it shows future leadership skills. if you have time left... go out there and do stuff!

good luck
 
chakapow said:
Which COP? Also, what is your PCAT score? BTW Anything can happen. I have one friend that got into Sullivan(Louisville, KY) with a 21 composite PCAT score.
Click to expand...

The PCAT is optional for Sullivan...

People get into every school in California with a zero PCAT composite all the time, zomg!!!!!!!!!!
 
Re: The OP

EC is important but I disagree with your counselor's statement that you've got no chance to get into any CoP with your GPA provided a decent PCAT score...

IMo, you're every bit as competitive as anyone I sit next to in my classes.

I mean... you have 200 hrs. of volunteering, 2 years of technician experience, and club membership/participation and a nearly A- cGPA.

I think your counselor/advisor was looking at someone else's transcript / CV.
 
Quality over quantity when it comes to your extracurricular involvement. Your time is better spent in one organization where you progress from a general member to an executive board member than in five where you merely help to fill the quorum.
 
Rockinacoustic said:
Quality over quantity when it comes to your extracurricular involvement. Your time is better spent in one organization where you progress from a general member to an executive board member than in five where you merely help to fill the quorum.
Click to expand...

👍
 
It really just varies. In my own case, I had next to no real ECs - I didn't even bother listing them, they were so flimsy. I was able to sell myself by having 2 years of tech experience, plus already having an undergrad degree, along with an 'okay' GPA and a strong PCAT.

With your stats, I can't imagine you having a problem.
 
Passion4Sci said:
The PCAT is optional for Sullivan...

People get into every school in California with a zero PCAT composite all the time, zomg!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Sullivan didn't seem to care about my good PCAT score either. So they really don't care either way, good or bad. I imagine many of the schools that don't require it are the same way. So whenever you hear these "OMG I know somebody who got in with X PCAT" stories, that's just one more reason to take them with a grain of salt.

Back on topic: Academics >> than ECs when it comes to getting an interview. But once you get that interview, having those other things to talk about gives you an advantage. One of the schools I interviewed at did closed file interviews where they don't know your GPA or PCAT scores, and it's important in that case to have something else to differentiate yourself with.

Sounds like you're in good shape to me though.
 
My guidance counselor told me the same. However I received 5 interviews, and only applied to 5 schools. Got accepted after the first interview and canceled all others.

For a tier one school you may not get in, however there are many schools that you take you as a first pick, assuming your PCAT is a 70+ (80+ for sure).

I had 2 years as a tech/ and about 100 volunteer hours at a hospital as a tech.

Only did pre-pharm club
 
My major is Chemistry. I took Gen Chem I,II Ochem I, Biology I,II with the lab. Statistics(calc based) Calc I, and Physics :Mechanics.
I volunteered at Korean Verbal school as a teacher assistance for three years straight.
I havent got certified, but my pharmacy did not require for me to take the PTCB exam.(I only have trainee)

I didn't take the PCAT yet, but based on the practice one I was 75+
 
skazyjae said:
My major is Chemistry. I took Gen Chem I,II Ochem I, Biology I,II with the lab. Statistics(calc based) Calc I, and Physics :Mechanics.
I volunteered at Korean Verbal school as a teacher assistance for three years straight.
I havent got certified, but my pharmacy did not require for me to take the PTCB exam.(I only have trainee)

I didn't take the PCAT yet, but based on the practice one I was 75+
Click to expand...

You're doing it right. IMO, don't listen to the underpaid counselor who told you that you don't have your crap together b/c by what you're telling us, you should have absolutely no problem.
 
OMG! I know someone that got into ___(any COP)___ with ___(any subpar variable)____.
These stories don't require dissection because they are meant to promote optimism. Also, Sullivan required a 50 on the PCAT prior to their most recent cycle. So please, Passion4Sci, file that into your miscellany of "I know everything and everyone is my subordinate."
 
chakapow said:
Also, Sullivan required a 50 on the PCAT prior to their most recent cycle.
Click to expand...
Quoting, from Sullivan's Pharmacy Website:

"PCAT The PCAT is OPTIONAL."

Source: http://www.sullivan.edu/pharmacy/OSA-admissions_requirements.asp

So in 2010-2011, they required the PCAT. *shrug* They don't now, so what I said was factually correct.

So please, Passion4Sci, file that into your miscellany of "I know everything and everyone is my subordinate."
Click to expand...
It was a factually correct statement. I'm not seeing the problem here. I am right, Sullivan does not require the PCAT, and that's what I said. I don't "think I know everything" - Quite the contrary. I always look things up if I am unsure, and when I looked that up, Sullivan's own website stated that they do not require the PCAT. I invite you to prove to me how my statement as written is incorrect.

And not everyone is my subordinate. Lea, for example. She rox0rz my b0x0rz. I have a very firm grasp of chain of command and who wears the stripes.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
@Passion: Your interjection is a current fact. I just think it is intrusive how you inserted/asserted yourself. You are negating that most Sullivan students had to submit a PCAT score.
 
chakapow said:
@Passion: Your interjection is a current fact. I just think it is intrusive how you inserted/asserted yourself. You are negating that most Sullivan students had to submit a PCAT score.
Click to expand...

But the point is that OP will not have to submit a PCAT score to attend Sullivan, not what Tom, Dick, or Harry had to do to get into Sullivan.

Ya dig?
 
Passion4Sci said:
But the point is that OP will not have to submit a PCAT score to attend Sullivan, not what Tom, Dick, or Harry had to do to get into Sullivan.

Ya dig?
Click to expand...

You should have been a lawyer. 1) I make an encouraging statement. 2) You make a correction based on this cycle of admissions. 3) I show another perspective, get snide and omit to the accuracy of your claim. 4) Now I think you are arguing just fun and to be right no matter what the original intent of the conversation was. 5) I bet you talk a lot in class. 6) I'm not revisiting this thread. 7) There are two ways to settle this: a) soapbox derby b) paper, rock, scissors.
 
chakapow said:
@Passion: Your interjection is a current fact. I just think it is intrusive how you inserted/asserted yourself. You are negating that most Sullivan students had to submit a PCAT score.
Click to expand...


Maybe the inaugural class had to submit PCAT scores but since we are talking about this current app cycle, they don't require it. Also, speaking as someone who applied there this app cycle, I was told that the PCAT was optional. There is nothing incorrect in what he said.
 
Do I need need to go ahead and take the CPhT test or would I be okay with these stats?
BS in Bio and Chem minor
GPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.4
PCAT: Taking in July
ECs: 50 hours in Emergency Room (plan on having more)
30 hours of shadowing
 
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