Little confused and a bit disheartened

[GuyArcher]

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So, I'm currently attending school and working towards a BA in Biology. I'm not too far from being finished (Need a few senior level classes along with Genetics). I'm holding a 3.7 GPA although over the last 4 years, I have had 7 withdrawals from classes for one reason or another. I've already retaken 3 of the classes and did just fine (I think a B and 2 A's) and the other classes are ones that I don't need for either my degree or pharm school. I can get past that as I expect to do well on my PCAT and my GPA is still pretty good. I don't know my exact math/science GPA but it is likely around 3.85 if not higher.

My issue is work experience/extra curricular/volunteer stuff. I've never worked directly in a pharmacy. I'm 30 and have always had to put myself through school by working full time along with school full time. Without any financial assistance, I've had to focus more on keeping a roof over my head and doing well in school at this moment. I just can't accept an entry level job making less. So how important is previous pharmacy work history? I assume it ranks a bit high but will this absolutely kill my chances? I wouldn't mind doing some volunteer work as long as I could find the time between work and school.

Having some other issues getting the rest of my prereq's for pharm school and my degree (my school limits how often science classes are offered) but I'll figure them out. Just a little worried about my withdrawals and really worried about my lack of work experience. Thanks for any suggestions or tips!

 

[PharmacyNut]

While it's important to be well-rounded, I know many people who get in without EC's or work experience. Most pharmacy schools do place a heavy emphasis on GPA and PCAT; however, between now and whenever you apply, try to find something that'll enrich your interest in pharmacy...

So in my opinion, you're fine. Just make the rest happen if you realize something is missing in your application. A majority of applicants do have experience, although do they have it to pad their application or for genuine reasons? It should be genuine without a question. Quality > Quantity of experience.

Know what I'm getting at or did I lose you?

I don't know your situation with the many withdrawls on your record. If you can provide a reasonable explanation as to why you dropped them, then you'll be ok. Some school will overlook it and some won't. I don't have names...but I think if you have a good GPA and PCAT score, it could override the fact you withdrew from 7 classes. It just depends..

 

[pharm B]

Yeah, pharmacy-related EC's are not mandatory. They look good, but lacking them won't send your app into the trashcan. Besides, having a degree really helps and is more favorably looked upon than not having one.

 

[GuyArcher]

Oh, I definitely understand what you're saying. I will have another few years to worry about as the school I planned on attending (only local one) is stopping 2011 admissions while they move away from a 2+4 program and starting back up in 2012.

I didn't withdrawal from 7 schools, I dropped 7 classes. For the most part, either long term situations arose at work that kept me from classes or I decided the classes weren't for me (in the case of the non-prereq's). I know it's a black mark on my application but I'm hoping my GPA and PCAT will help to smooth that over.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Everyone has skeletons in their closet. While the large number withdrawals may raise some concern, you've shown that you can come back and ace the courses with your mind put to it. Just remember you won't have that luxury in Pharmacy School.

As for experience, I think you should definitely find a few hours a week to work/volunteer in a pharmacy. Shadowing once may be nice, but you'll never know the profession well enough until you see it on a persistent basis. My experience as a tech has given me some great insight on the profession, and for once it feels nice to have a goal to work towards after undergrad instead of feeling at a loss for what I want to do with my life.

Financial hardships are no small thing, and I'm sure admissions committees will understand. School doesn't seem to be a problem for you- just make sure a PharmD is something you 110% want to work towards.

 

[pharm B]

I assume one thing that AdComs look at is your potential ability to complete the pharmacy curriculum. What pre-req classes did you drop and retake?

 

[PharmacyNut]

Oh, I definitely understand what you're saying. I will have another few years to worry about as the school I planned on attending (only local one) is stopping 2011 admissions while they move away from a 2+4 program and starting back up in 2012.

I didn't withdrawal from 7 schools, I dropped 7 classes. For the most part, either long term situations arose at work that kept me from classes or I decided the classes weren't for me (in the case of the non-prereq's). I know it's a black mark on my application but I'm hoping my GPA and PCAT will help to smooth that over.

my bad. that was a typo 🙂. notice the many edits to that post. im having one of those days!

pharm B is on the money too.

 

[pharm B]

Oh, I definitely understand what you're saying. I will have another few years to worry about as the school I planned on attending (only local one) is stopping 2011 admissions while they move away from a 2+4 program and starting back up in 2012.

Sounds like you have some time to get to work in the pharmacy! Hop to!

 

[GuyArcher]

I assume one thing that AdComs look at is your potential ability to complete the pharmacy curriculum. What pre-req classes did you drop and retake?

The only pre-reqs for pharm school that I withdrew to take later was a general bio 2 course and english composition. I've nailed all of the upper level science classes with mostly A's. I think I got a B in one.

I do have some time to keep at it and I will look into some volunteer opportunities in the local pharmacies and perhaps work on landing a pharmacy tech position once I'm closer to applying for school.