Just starting out

[twgordon123]

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I am a biology major and a chemistry minor and after doing some work in the microbiology research lab this semester, I decided I wanted to change fields and become a pharmacist. I have a 3.75 GPA and it seems that I have a prereq GPA of 3.70. I just got a job today as a cashier in a Rite Aid pharmacy. I have plenty of hours of volunteering thanks to being a member of the American Chemistry Society. I have been doing research in the microbiology lab for some time now. I have worked my way through undergraduate. I am a server at a restaurant and my communication skills a tremendous because of it. I just bought a pcat book and it seems like I know the material pretty well. I will be graduating this fall. Can anyone give me any advice on where to go from here? Am I a competitive applicant thus far?

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

If you have the pre-reqs done for the specific school you want to go to, then submit your PharmCAS and hop along the waiting process.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I am a biology major and a chemistry minor and after doing some work in the microbiology research lab this semester, I decided I wanted to change fields and become a pharmacist. I have a 3.75 GPA and it seems that I have a prereq GPA of 3.70. I just got a job today as a cashier in a Rite Aid pharmacy. I have plenty of hours of volunteering thanks to being a member of the American Chemistry Society. I have been doing research in the microbiology lab for some time now. I have worked my way through undergraduate. I am a server at a restaurant and my communication skills a tremendous because of it. I just bought a pcat book and it seems like I know the material pretty well. I will be graduating this fall. Can anyone give me any advice on where to go from here? Am I a competitive applicant thus far?

A 3.70 pre-requisite GPA and ECs, sounds like you're going to go pretty far. Mix in a decent PCAT and I think you'll get in pretty much everywhere you apply to be honest.

 

[twgordon123]

Thanks for the advice. ShouldI apply this cycle or should I wait until next cycle?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Thanks for the advice. ShouldI apply this cycle or should I wait until next cycle?

No harm in applying this cycle if you can afford it. You're still not all too late, if you can be diligent and get your PharmCAS together pretty quick you'll be fine.

 

[twgordon123]

No harm in applying this cycle if you can afford it. You're still not all too late, if you can be diligent and get your PharmCAS together pretty quick you'll be fine.

Thank you very much! And one more thing. Would I have a shot at the schools that don't require pcat as well?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Thank you very much! And one more thing. Would I have a shot at the schools that don't require pcat as well?

Well, since you have not even taken the PCAT, it's likely you'll do better than at PCAT-requiring schools. 😉 In all seriousness, your profile is very strong and is as good as, and in MANY cases better, than anyone else sitting beside me in my classes.

Usually there's some nit-picky thing that I or someone else on here can find to advise you on but honestly you're the model candidate. A high GPA and high sGPA, volunteer work, lab work, and a passion for the work. If you can find a good way to substantiate your new-found desire to be a pharmacist (Perhaps something like, working in this microbio lab has given me an urge to learn more about these buggers so we can stop VRSA! or something) you'll be even better.

But yea... The ONLY down side to your application right now is that the rolling admissions process has been...well... rolling, for a while now. But don't let that deter you. I don't know what your financials are, but if you have some spare cash or can scrounge it up, I would throw some apps at non-PCAT schools. Maybe you can avoid the issue of taking it entirely.

 

[twgordon123]

Thank you again for your quick response. The information you have provided has helped me out already. I will take the time and apply
to a few schools. I will even apply to a few schools that require the pcat and
hope to get a conditional acceptance for the January pcat.

 

[PharmyDude]

Yeah and if you have the pre-reqs done, and your sure about pharmacy then why not. Apply. Hopefully your teachers will be quick to write you LoRs. And you can quickly write a good personal statement and after you submit start studying for PCAT. You might feel rushed, but if it pays off it will def be worth it.

 

[twgordon123]

WhAt pcat score should I aim for with a 3.75 gpa?

 

[PharmyDude]

A composite score above 70. Me personally I really wanted above 80 composite. I just think 80 sounds SOOOO much better than 70. haha

 

[Passion4Sci]

WhAt pcat score should I aim for with a 3.75 gpa?

Anywhere in the neighborhood of 70 to 80th percentile would be ideal and anything >70 is generally considered competitive.

 

[twgordon123]

I always strive to be the best so I guess I will aim for somewhere above competitive. Thank you both for your input