Looking for an alternate career

[kew82]

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hello all,

i've been thinking recently about my changing my career options because of how difficult it is for me to raise my science GPA. I want to go to dental school but i heard that the incoming class at UF had a science GPA of 3.8, and i am way out of that league.

My GPA: 2.9
Science GPA: 2.5
DAT scores: Academic Average 16, Total Science 17, PAT 18

I'm at the point where going to dental school seems impossible. I graduated with my B.S. in biology in 2005, and took 2 years off, and spent that time working in a dental lab. I've taken numerous summer minority dental programs, but it seems like all dental schools care about is my GPA. I'm enrolled back in college taking non-degree seeking classes in biology and chemistry, but every "A" is only raising my GPA in the tenths. I've even applied to Medical Masters programs, but i've been denied because i wasn't a "competitive applicant".

Does anyone have any ideas about pharmacy school?

 

[PharmApp2008]

You need a good science GPA for pharmacy also. I will be attending UF in the Fall and my GPA is about a 3.8 just like you say it is for Dental.

 

[Amanda C]

I don't know, right now I am at a 3.3 gpa and still trying to raise it because I feel that it's not competitive enough. Luckily I have 1.5 years left to raise it...

Have you considered going to grad school for biology/molecular/biotech/etc..?

If you pursue a master's in a molecular bio or chem program and get a great GPA, and if you still want to go to dental/pharm school, you might be able to get in...

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

hey there kew, you're in quite the predicament.


first of all, i'm not sure where pre-health students get the idea that getting into pharmacy school is easier than dental school, this is far from true, the average incoming pharmacy student GPA was 0.12 above the average dental student.

second of all, you lack any kind of pharmacy experience, this is even more detrimental than your GPA, if you had at least 2-5 years of some kind of pharmacy experience you would definitely be more qualified.

lastly, you haven't taken the PCAT and the science sections of the PCAT are very comparable with the DAT, although PCAT has more OCHEM and GCHEM, so if you didn't do well (and your DAT score is very average) you probably wouldn't do all that great.


my suggestion: have you tried other respectable careers? maybe go to law school, get a master's in business administration? get a master's in public health? I really don't think pharmacy is for you, especially if you think it's a profession that you can just fall back on, it's far from that, pharmacy school is DAMN COMPETITIVE!


Good luck to you friend!👍

 

[RxShazzie]

thank you AbsoluteEthanol!

 

[Medicaljunkie]

Pharmacists have doctorates just as MDs, dentists, and any other health professionals do. They put in the work and the time and should receive just as much respect.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

hello all,

i've been thinking recently about my changing my career options because of how difficult it is for me to raise my science GPA. I want to go to dental school but i heard that the incoming class at UF had a science GPA of 3.8, and i am way out of that league.

My GPA: 2.9
Science GPA: 2.5
DAT scores: Academic Average 16, Total Science 17, PAT 18

I'm at the point where going to dental school seems impossible. I graduated with my B.S. in biology in 2005, and took 2 years off, and spent that time working in a dental lab. I've taken numerous summer minority dental programs, but it seems like all dental schools care about is my GPA. I'm enrolled back in college taking non-degree seeking classes in biology and chemistry, but every "A" is only raising my GPA in the tenths. I've even applied to Medical Masters programs, but i've been denied because i wasn't a "competitive applicant".

Does anyone have any ideas about pharmacy school?

That GPA is in on the very bottom end of pharmacy GPAs also. That GPA mixed with no pharmacy experience will make for an uncompetitive application. You are going to have to put in a lot of credits to raise it or find a masters program that will accept you so you can get a fresh GPA, because the truth is 2.5 science GPA is not competitive for any health professional programs.

 

[UES Girl]

hey there kew, you're in quite the predicament.


first of all, i'm not sure where pre-health students get the idea that getting into pharmacy school is easier than dental school, this is far from true, the average incoming pharmacy student GPA was 0.12 above the average dental student.

second of all, you lack any kind of pharmacy experience, this is even more detrimental than your GPA, if you had at least 2-5 years of some kind of pharmacy experience you would definitely be more qualified.

lastly, you haven't taken the PCAT and the science sections of the PCAT are very comparable with the DAT, although PCAT has more OCHEM and GCHEM, so if you didn't do well (and your DAT score is very average) you probably wouldn't do all that great.


my suggestion: have you tried other respectable careers? maybe go to law school, get a master's in business administration? get a master's in public health? I really don't think pharmacy is for you, especially if you think it's a profession that you can just fall back on, it's far from that, pharmacy school is DAMN COMPETITIVE!


Good luck to you friend!👍

Excellent post my Russian friend !👍🙂

 

[tharper14]

You're awesome AbsoluteEthanol!

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

thank you, i do what i can... i was actually worried that you guys were going to flame me for being "insensitive!"


i just think it's really laughable that these kids think that getting a pharmD is so unbelievably easy. getting into pharamcy school isn't a joke and it's definitely not something that people do if they fail to get into MD/DDS schools. we are very accomplished and passionate individuals and many of us are brighter than our MD/DDS counterparts.


---vent over!

 

[kew82]

yeah i actually think you were quite insensitive. I guess i should have also mentioned that i excell in ALL of my chemistry courses, and i do have experience working in a pharmacy. my sister is also a pharmacist, so i have a good idea of what to expect in a pharmacy program. the only problem with my science gpa is that i don't do well in biology classes like physiology and genetics.

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thank you, i do what i can... i was actually worried that you guys were going to flame me for being "insensitive!"


i just think it's really laughable that these kids think that getting a pharmD is so unbelievably easy. getting into pharamcy school isn't a joke and it's definitely not something that people do if they fail to get into MD/DDS schools. we are very accomplished and passionate individuals and many of us are brighter than our MD/DDS counterparts.


---vent over!

 

[Moxxie]

yeah i actually think you were quite insensitive. I guess i should have also mentioned that i excell in ALL of my chemistry courses, and i do have experience working in a pharmacy. my sister is also a pharmacist, so i have a good idea of what to expect in a pharmacy program. the only problem with my science gpa is that i don't do well in biology classes like physiology and genetics.

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I don't know what your sister has told you, but pharmacy school is really not about chemistry. It's about the way that drugs act on the body - it's actually MOSTLY physiology. There's med chem of course, but if you struggle with your biology courses you're going to struggle in pharmacy school. THAT'S A FACT.

The average GPA of the last 3 classes at my school has been ~3.7. You need to bring up your GPA to be considered for any program, be it dentistry or pharmacy.

Sorry if that's insensitive.

Oh, and I thought that AbsoluteEthanol was NOT rude - just telling it like it is. How would you like it if someone had been trying to apply to pharmacy school for a while, figured they couldn't cut it, then went on the pre-dental boards and said, "Well, I'll just try to get into dental school. It sounds easier."

 

[UES Girl]

yeah i actually think you were quite insensitive. I guess i should have also mentioned that i excell in ALL of my chemistry courses, and i do have experience working in a pharmacy. my sister is also a pharmacist, so i have a good idea of what to expect in a pharmacy program. the only problem with my science gpa is that i don't do well in biology classes like physiology and genetics.

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You know there is a difference between being insenstive and being honest. I don't think Absolute Ethanol tred to offend you or hurt your feelings (He is a great guy), instead I think he gave you the truth w/out any sugar coating.I am genuinely 🙂 sorry you feel offended - but a 2.9 GPA is just as bad for pharmacy as it is for dental.🙁

I don't know why you thought that switching to pre-pharmacy would make you a better applcant - pharmacy schools are no less competitive than dental schools.People with average, even high GPA ger rejected right and left - so what do you expect us to say to you considering your stats?

It's awesome you are doing well in chemistry, but lots of people are - most of us here are chemistry and biochemistry majors (including me and Absolute Ethanol, who actually already graduated with a biochem degree.) Ultimately you need to bring a little more to the table. I wish you good luck and not to get discouraged - however, instead of getting offended maybe you should take the advice you have been given into consderation and think on how to improve your application.

 

[Sushiboi53]

yeah i actually think you were quite insensitive. I guess i should have also mentioned that i excell in ALL of my chemistry courses, and i do have experience working in a pharmacy. my sister is also a pharmacist, so i have a good idea of what to expect in a pharmacy program. the only problem with my science gpa is that i don't do well in biology classes like physiology and genetics.

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It sounds as though you feel you are competitive enough for pharmacy school. I'd say most of my friends who have been accepted or even considered for pharm schools on the west coast had a science GPA of ~3.4-3.9. But, as always, GPA is never the whole story.

If you truly have significant pharmacy experience and a strong aptitude for chemistry as well as phys, molec, biochem, etc (as others have mentioned) then you SHOULD consider applying pharmacy school. You know yourself better than anyone, and getting in is never just about stats.

However, you should really DESIRE to get into pharmacy. If the discipline appeals to you and you feel you can handle the academics and practice then you should by all means pursue it. But if it really is a "fall back" from dental school, then I'm afraid you may want to consider another field. Ultimately, even if you get in and graduate, you may be unhappy with your career and that would be a tragedy. Passion and drive are key in all professional health fields, make certain you possess these before you dive in you owe it to yourself and to the field.

Also, don't be discouraged by the slightly abrasive replies you've received on this thread. Pharmacy students and prospectives may get rubbed the wrong way when we hear even the slightest vestige of condescension of pharmacy. We mean no antagonism, but we may, at times, lose our grasp of "fluffy" vernacular lol.

Best of luck in your future pursuits, I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[Farmer83]

hello all,

i've been thinking recently about my changing my career options because of how difficult it is for me to raise my science GPA. I want to go to dental school but i heard that the incoming class at UF had a science GPA of 3.8, and i am way out of that league.

My GPA: 2.9
Science GPA: 2.5
DAT scores: Academic Average 16, Total Science 17, PAT 18

I'm at the point where going to dental school seems impossible. I graduated with my B.S. in biology in 2005, and took 2 years off, and spent that time working in a dental lab. I've taken numerous summer minority dental programs, but it seems like all dental schools care about is my GPA. I'm enrolled back in college taking non-degree seeking classes in biology and chemistry, but every "A" is only raising my GPA in the tenths. I've even applied to Medical Masters programs, but i've been denied because i wasn't a "competitive applicant".

Does anyone have any ideas about pharmacy school?

Though there are some truths to the previous posts, I don't think that you should stop considering pharmacy yet. Yeah, it's true that your stats are way below average, but if it's something that you really want to do, go for it. I have a 2.8 GPA, 2.4 SGPA, and a 85 PCAT, and I got into pharmacy school. I barely had any pharmacy experience (6 months volunteering at a clinic). I knew the chances of pharmacy school admission were very slim, but I had the hope of at least getting an interview. Yet, I got in. I understand the hardships with bringing up the GPA, each A barely brought up my GPA by the hundredths. If you need any advice or encouragement feel free to PM me.

 

[confettiflyer]

There's a threat on alternate careers in the pharmacy subforum.

How about HVAC tech? You make baaaaank.