Low GPA

[humtum]

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hey everyone

I need to find out what are my chances of getting in pharm school in fall 2005 with gpa 2.7, I have applied to new schools too. Everyone I speak to is scaring me and saying tht they only take ppl with 3.0 gpa or above.
I don't know if some schools believe in giving 2nd chance. I am reading all these posts about how everyone got interview and getting accepted, i feel very upset b/c i didn't hear anything froma anywhere yet? So i just wanted to ask you guys what do you think, what are my chances?

I''ll appreciate any reply, thank you so much in advance.

 

[goheel]

Do you have a 4-year degree? If you don't, I would advise you to go ahead and complete your degree. If you do, go take some class at community college to bring your GPA up. Your GPA is a low for pharmacy school. I believe that you gotta have at least above a 3.0 to be competitive.

 

[ultracet]

did you do your undergrad at a place with a pharmacy school? if so apply there... sometimes they favor their own students.....

 

[pharmDNC]

The 4 year I think is very important if your overall GPA is under 3.0. What are you science and math grades like? Also it is very important to show that you have improved and matured over the years. My freshman year and soph. years of undergraduate were not the greatest but the last two years of undergraduate got my head out of my $%@ and did very well. I got numerous interviews and every one said they were proud of the way I turned around my grades.

Gain some work experience in the diverse fields of pharmacy as well. They like that too!

Another important aspect is to get good letters of recommendations. Seek letters from profs. especially ones that can say you are a very bright individual but maybe are just missing that extra push. Dont just go for a letter from the head of the department, but find someone who can about YOU!, not just speak about your resume he may have.

I dont know where you applied, but private schools are more likely to accept a wider range of diverse grades and students. State schools tend to bring in their undergrads, state residents, and the higher GPA students first. This is atleast what I found out in my search.

Also if you dont get in the first time, apply again! To the same schools! I got in on my 2 try and at the interview they told me that they liked my determination and the fact I did not get in the first time around.

Good luck!

 

[tetra327]

What are your pcat scores like...if they are awesome then you still might have a chance. The way I see it is if your just above the GPA cutoff of 2.5 and your pcat scores are just average then you probably just want to focus on what you can do to get in to schools next year. Remember that there are so many people that want to get into pharmacy schools that you need to be above average to make yourself stand out. I can give you some hope though...my GPA was only a 3.1, but my PCAT was an 87%, and with a good interview I got in so dont loose hope. 😉

 

[Jeddevil]

I am betting that if you want to make sure you get in somewhere, apply to the Hawaii school having all the problems right now. They will get things together and get accredidation for their students. They seem to be having problems since they tried to get things done their own way, instead of the ACPE standard way. Time should get the situation fixed.

I wouldn't look at it as my first choice, but you could use it as your back-up to your back-up, back-up plan. Sorry to JohnHICP, as I don't want to bash your school. But the facts are that with the problems going on there, and investors still wanting to make money, they will probably be accepting non-traditional GPA's, which a 2.7 is in this day.

Or you could always go retake any science classes and make sure they are A's. Schools seems to look at Science GPA over overall GPA, which makes sense. If you could get your science GPA up real high it will offset the 2.7. Good luck.

 

[hopeful05]

humtum...what pharmacy schools have you applied to? because each has their ownway of looking at the application regarding what they consider most important...if you have a good justification for your GPA...extracurriculars...or jobs...it would certainly help.... I would try to prepare well for the PCAT and prove myself with that if you haven't already taken it...but if you wait for next year and meanwhile bring your GPA up, do community service and get pharmacy experience...next year you can have a better list of colleges to consider...and if you have time constraints....you can apply for a 3 year accelerated program next year

 

[humtum]

hey guys

you guys have been very helpfull. I really appreciate your reply.

I had almost lost hope to get in pharmacy school, b/c everyone had put me down so much. I messed up on my gpa b/c i was working two full time jobs and full time student. But i really want to become a pharmacist, i currenlty work at a hospital as a certified technician, I have been working there for about three years.

You guys have no idea how badly i want to become a pharmacist. I have been worrying about it so much tht sometimes i can not sleep at nite and sometimes i wake up in the middle of the nite and start crying. Just knowing tht my stats are so bad and i don't have so much chance makes me go in depression mood. I really want to become a pharmacist, I was also put down by a professor at Rutgers Univeristy. I went to this professor who advice pre-pharmacy students, and i asked him I would like to get in pharmacy school of Rutgers and he told me tht " I guarantee you, YOu will not get in pharmacy school and end up graduating with chem or bio degree from rutgers" ever since tht i was very scare and kept on saying i'll never get in. anyways i have learned so much from this website, thank god for this website and nice ppl in this forum.
I took my pcat and still waiting for results, lets hope i did good.
I had applied to Applachia pharmacy school,TEMPLE, USP,FINDLAY,LIU,PITTSBURGH,MERCER,MARYLAND.

I don't knwo wuts going to happen, but if i don't get in i will be so depressed.

But thank you so much guys

 

[OoShimmeroO]

You should retake at least three core science classes that you got a C in and take three easy A science courses.

 

[BESTPHARMACY]

humtum,

sorry to be the grim reaper here, but your chances do not look good at all. If I was on the admissions committee, I would not even look at your application. 2.7? Wow! What university are you currently attending?

 

[ultracet]

Well according to Appalachia's website they require a 2.5 for admission.....
Depending on how many people know about it/apply you may get lucky. i know people in that area are definitely trying to get in there but perhaps their pool is smaller...

if you don't get in this time just take some classes, work towards a degree, and reapply next year.

don't let the "grim reaper" here get you too down... after all they say IF they are on an admiss comm not SINCE

 

[humtum]

Well according to Appalachia's website they require a 2.5 for admission.....
Depending on how many people know about it/apply you may get lucky. i know people in that area are definitely trying to get in there but perhaps their pool is smaller...

if you don't get in this time just take some classes, work towards a degree, and reapply next year.

don't let the "grim reaper" here get you too down... after all they say IF they are on an admiss comm not SINCE

Thank you BBMUFFIN, for your sweet words, i will try again n again until they take me. I don't know i just wish i get in this year.

 

[wwwlongcom]

would you guys retake your classes at a state university or a community college? what do admissions favor more? i'm graduating this year, but taking some time off to retake some classes that i did poorly in. any comments will be appreciated! =D

 

[tetra327]

would you guys retake your classes at a state university or a community college? what do admissions favor more? i'm graduating this year, but taking some time off to retake some classes that i did poorly in. any comments will be appreciated! =D

I dont think it matters, as long as you can get the grades. 🙂

 

[TCB]

Don't loose hope , you never know. Not everybody who got in or who is in pharmacy school right now had a 3.50 GPA and above.

 

[afablej]

dear humtum,

I talked to that dean from Rutgers too.....he pretty much just told me a bunch of BS, when the truth is, it's pretty much hopeless to get into RU unless u have like a 4.0 gpa. But, don't worry, if you have really really strong letters of recs , and a sincere interest in pharmacy, which you obviously have then i think you might have a chance for other schools. For Maryland, all you really need is a high PCAT Score 90 or above and you'll have a good chance. I just got a letter from Pittsburgh ( I didn't apply there though ) saying something about a brand new program for people with Bachelor degrees, something like that, have you heard of it? ...And the fact that you have lots of pharm experience is a definite plus, I would try to get experience in another aspect of pharmacy, just to give more diversity to your application. For LIU, considering their application is so simple, they get a lot of applications, and it is based mostly on GPA according to their very rude admissions people haha 😎 ..As for USP, I also applied there, but since it is one of the top schools in the country, and they keep sending me like notices/letters that their seats in the program are very limited, I have very little expectation in that. I don't know anything else about the other schools....Anyway, Good luck, I really think you should finish your degree in RU what are you majoring in? Just to let you know, you are NOT ALONE, I have another friend at RU who has a 2.8 and he wants to finish his degree and apply to pharm school, plus, I was in your situation, 2 years ago I had a 2.9. 🙄 So don't give up, it'll be a lot of work, and you just need to make yourself stand out from the other apps to make up for your GPA, let me know if you need anything n gluck wit ur pcats😉

hey guys

you guys have been very helpfull. I really appreciate your reply.

I had almost lost hope to get in pharmacy school, b/c everyone had put me down so much. I messed up on my gpa b/c i was working two full time jobs and full time student. But i really want to become a pharmacist, i currenlty work at a hospital as a certified technician, I have been working there for about three years.

You guys have no idea how badly i want to become a pharmacist. I have been worrying about it so much tht sometimes i can not sleep at nite and sometimes i wake up in the middle of the nite and start crying. Just knowing tht my stats are so bad and i don't have so much chance makes me go in depression mood. I really want to become a pharmacist, I was also put down by a professor at Rutgers Univeristy. I went to this professor who advice pre-pharmacy students, and i asked him I would like to get in pharmacy school of Rutgers and he told me tht " I guarantee you, YOu will not get in pharmacy school and end up graduating with chem or bio degree from rutgers" ever since tht i was very scare and kept on saying i'll never get in. anyways i have learned so much from this website, thank god for this website and nice ppl in this forum.
I took my pcat and still waiting for results, lets hope i did good.
I had applied to Applachia pharmacy school,TEMPLE, USP,FINDLAY,LIU,PITTSBURGH,MERCER,MARYLAND.

I don't knwo wuts going to happen, but if i don't get in i will be so depressed.

But thank you so much guys

 

[BESTPHARMACY]

Well according to Appalachia's website they require a 2.5 for admission.....
Depending on how many people know about it/apply you may get lucky. i know people in that area are definitely trying to get in there but perhaps their pool is smaller...

if you don't get in this time just take some classes, work towards a degree, and reapply next year.

don't let the "grim reaper" here get you too down... after all they say IF they are on an admiss comm not SINCE

LOL, good one bbmuffin,

In today's application era, getting a HIGH GPA is IMHO the #1 factor in admissions and then pharmacy experience. Although there are schools out there that won't look at the GPA as extensively but in today's application times, this has all changed. If you compare the GPA of schools from 2 years ago to this year, the GPA is quite high. So to OP with a 2.7, it is best if do what others has told you, by taking more classes to boost GPA. 👍

Happy V-Day!

 

[eslboy2005]

Hello Humtum,

I had two friends who compeleted their gen requirement at Community college with 3.3 GPA and 50 percentile on their PCAT , got in pharmacy school. It shocked me when they said "VCU accepted me" Do you know why? they volumteered to work in the hosptial and they have worked at Rite Aid for 3 years. If you GPA is low, then you GPA needs to be at least 80%. You are not alone, i have a lot of friends who has below 3.0. Also, My GPA is only 2.8 hihiihihi we can be friend...u know 🙂 i have been in the US only 3 years. 🙄 🙄 🙄

In summer, I will volumteer to work in the Hospital hihihii. It helps out a lot on your application

 

[freshbeatschris]

If you have your health, then all of this, the whole bit - school, science, grades, PCAT scores, interviews, applications, internships, experience... ALL of it is A DROP IN THE BUCKET. In the end, when you are lying in your casket, NONE of this will matter. Look at the big picture and rest in the fact that life has a funny way of working out. You are here, right now, wherever you are because of all the events that led you to this place. If you were meant to go to pharmacy school then it will happen, if you weren't maybe there is something else right around the corner that is your calling that you don't even know about yet.

Regret and worry. Two of the biggest wastes of energy and time. They accomplish nothing, yet are such an ingrained part of the human condition.

Chris

 

[jemc2000]

Look at the big picture and rest in the fact that life has a funny way of working out. You are here, right now, wherever you are because of all the events that led you to this place. If you were meant to go to pharmacy school then it will happen, if you weren't maybe there is something else right around the corner that is your calling that you don't even know about yet.

Chris

👍 My philosophy exactly. I am not resting on my laurels while I wait, but I am trying hard not to miss the forest for the trees.

 

[humtum]

thank you so much all of you guys, atleast I know I am not the only one who is going through whole bunch of **** in life. You guys are so right,If I ment to become a pharmacist then I will. I hope there is God,
I guess i'll just waint n see what happenes.

and good luck to all my friends who are in same boat as me, I'll pray for each and everyone of you.

 

[MayaRx]

hey guys

you guys have been very helpfull. I really appreciate your reply.

I had almost lost hope to get in pharmacy school, b/c everyone had put me down so much. I messed up on my gpa b/c i was working two full time jobs and full time student. But i really want to become a pharmacist, i currenlty work at a hospital as a certified technician, I have been working there for about three years.

You guys have no idea how badly i want to become a pharmacist. I have been worrying about it so much tht sometimes i can not sleep at nite and sometimes i wake up in the middle of the nite and start crying. Just knowing tht my stats are so bad and i don't have so much chance makes me go in depression mood. I really want to become a pharmacist, I was also put down by a professor at Rutgers Univeristy. I went to this professor who advice pre-pharmacy students, and i asked him I would like to get in pharmacy school of Rutgers and he told me tht " I guarantee you, YOu will not get in pharmacy school and end up graduating with chem or bio degree from rutgers" ever since tht i was very scare and kept on saying i'll never get in. anyways i have learned so much from this website, thank god for this website and nice ppl in this forum.
I took my pcat and still waiting for results, lets hope i did good.
I had applied to Applachia pharmacy school,TEMPLE, USP,FINDLAY,LIU,PITTSBURGH,MERCER,MARYLAND.

I don't knwo wuts going to happen, but if i don't get in i will be so depressed.

But thank you so much guys

Hey
You shouldnt get upset. THe key is not to give up. I have a 3.0 math science gpa, but i took a couple classes over and now at some schools because they take the new grade I have a 3.4. I took my pcats over and scored in the 90th percentile. I wont lie its hard, its not my first time applying. I suggest talking to some Deans, if you do not hear anything, on what you should do. I belive that helped me in getting an interview the next year. I have had 3 interviews so far, and im still waiting on hearing. Trust me, I was in the same position and I thought I would never hear anything. Take some classes over, get A's in them. Also finish your degree, one thing i mnetioned to the interviewee about my gpa, was that maybe i didnt do so well in the pre reqs, but in my last two years I have kept above a 3.5 gpa. So just hang in there, something will come, and don't listen to that Rutgers professor your just probably meant to go somewhere else.

 

[AmyShyu]

I had a bad GPA(2.5) when I started my undergrad. I transferred from Taiwan and we had a different grading system and some school don't even evaluate the foreign transcript. I didn't give up because if this is what I want, I will get it. I have spend three years to get my BS in Biological Sciences in a State University (overal GPA=3.2, Science GPA=3.4, and math GPA=3.5, according to the pharmCAS system.) I messed up my verbal in PCAT(9%..believe me it was that bad) but still managed to get a com at 85%...well things happen but sometimes you have to accept what you have to know what to work on. I worked two jobs too with a full time student status, but I never got a chance to work in a pharmacy. And...now we know this is not the way to get good GPA...maybe you can think about working less for one or two semesters and spend more time on your classes (I know working takes a lot of time but try not to skip any classes even you know you can get an easy A b/c that is the best way to impress the profs.) By the way...make use of your knowledge as a pharmTech...I think it is a valuable experience compared to my food service management. I am still waiting for the letters from some of the schools I applied...but they only got my material on March 9th b/c the PCAT system is so slow on processing the grades...(man ...it's scantron....feed into the computer and you get the result...what takes so long??? I just don't get it. 😡 )

well....take it easy...I got lots of rejection letters two years ago..But you know...you might still get a chance..don't give up just yet.

 

[daretodream]

Hey
I have a 3.0 math science gpa, but i took a couple classes over and now at some schools because they take the new grade I have a 3.4.

Hi MayaRx,
If you don't mind me asking, which schools take the new grade if you repeat a class? I have the absolute worst science GPA, so if there are schools that only take newer grades for repeated courses I think that knowledge would be very valuable to some people. Thanks in advance!

 

[DrPharm]

hey everyone

I need to find out what are my chances of getting in pharm school in fall 2005 with gpa 2.7, I have applied to new schools too. Everyone I speak to is scaring me and saying tht they only take ppl with 3.0 gpa or above.
I don't know if some schools believe in giving 2nd chance. I am reading all these posts about how everyone got interview and getting accepted, i feel very upset b/c i didn't hear anything froma anywhere yet? So i just wanted to ask you guys what do you think, what are my chances?

I''ll appreciate any reply, thank you so much in advance.

I believe in second chances but with the increase in numbers of applications 2nd chances are hard. Let's think about it this way:

Do you think it's fair to reject someone that has a 3.0 or higher (and has worked hard for their grades) to accept someone with below 3.0? That's just wrong to think about. You must be someone very special or with extreme circumstances for them to chose you over someone who's more qualified (grade wise). So I my advice is to work on your grades... Both you and everyone else will feel better once you're in. Accepting someone with a 2.7 will just decrease the standards of pharmacy admissions.

 

[trishias]

While I think it is important for applicants to have a good gpa and good pcat scores, the whole point of the application process is to see who will make a good pharmacist and your gpa is just one indicator. Having a love of pharmacy and wanting to make a difference in lives of your future patients is just as important. If you really want to do pharmacy and you wake up crying, then you need to convey this in your personal statement. Your personal statement gives the admission committees a glimpse of who you are, not just your stats. While it is true that grades make a difference and whether they look at your application, but if you can stand out in your personal statement then I think that helps too. Good luck!!

 

[PharmDster]

hey humtum!! if you are a girl i would say "AWWW" if u are a guy, i would say, "Hey stop whining!" but anyway seriously...i have 3.8GPA right now and i am worried as much as everybody man about not gettin in..i am going to apply to 35 schools..i dont have that much money but i work TWO JOBS and FULL TIME STUDENT @ Community College..its crazy man ..and one of my job is PharmTEch @ Rite Aid for 7 months now but the other job cant tell you..."dont be noisy now people =)" ...also i am going to volunteer in Hopistal....whatever i am doing you should copy me that what my pharmacy's cousins said...VOLUNTEER!!!PHARMACY EXPERIENCE!!!NEED A GOOD GPA, PCAT..DOESNT CARE THAT MUCH...but try to get at least 70% ..go read Kaplan..that what people said it helps i havent taken it yet...anyway man hope you listen to me

 

[BIOLOGIST8]

Well according to Appalachia's website they require a 2.5 for admission.....
Depending on how many people know about it/apply you may get lucky. i know people in that area are definitely trying to get in there but perhaps their pool is smaller...

if you don't get in this time just take some classes, work towards a degree, and reapply next year.

don't let the "grim reaper" here get you too down... after all they say IF they are on an admiss comm not SINCE

Humtum,
Buddy dont worry!! Its not good to get all depressed over this. You will be successful, it just takes time, please dont beat yourself up! My gpa is 3.2 and my pcat scores were low. If I were you I would possible get a 4-yr degree in a science , purchase the kaplan "PCAT Review" and read it cover to cover and u will do fine. I hate reading these posts sometimes, b/c people get so upset over this. I know its tough but we all have to hang in there, TRUST ME U WILL GET THERE. If you need to take additional advanced Biology courses, colleges love this because you are taking an initiative to improve yourself and show that you are capable of handling the Pharm.D. program. Im not trying to bash the Medical school students but it really upsets me that they apply to Pharm school as their backup plan in addition to med school. So these people are tying up both ends here and it sucks for some people that really want to be pharmacists b/c they have to compete with these people who have these high med school GPA!!!! A friend of mine back in 2000 got into UT Austin with a 2.98 and pcat composite of 72! You cant do that anymore!!!! u must have like a composite of 99 and gpa of 4.2!!
HANG IN THERE BUD!!! It will get better, When u become a Pharmacist slap that bastard professor in the face with ur degree!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kayjay]

Write an exceptional personal statement..it's your opportunity to set yourself apart from everyone else, and it's a chance to show them who you really are aside from the grades and the test scores. Your intentions for wanting to become a pharmacist seem very sincere, and I'm sure this will reflect in your personal statement.

 

[humtum]

hey guys,

thankx everyone, as you guys said to hang on, I am still hanging on there. I have not heard anything from any schools yet. I am scare and worreid my stomach out!!! I am doing pretty good this semester in all my classes, so hopefully it will improve my GPA. I hope I get in somewhere guys.

If i don't get in anywhere, I have no idea what I am going to do, I guess I will get my four year degree. All I see is darkness in my life, I hate this life guys.

But thnkx again and good luck to everyone who got in pharmacy school. You guys deserve to be there.

 

[jemc2000]

hey guys,

thankx everyone, as you guys said to hang on, I am still hanging on there. I have not heard anything from any schools yet. I am scare and worreid my stomach out!!! I am doing pretty good this semester in all my classes, so hopefully it will improve my GPA. I hope I get in somewhere guys.

If i don't get in anywhere, I have no idea what I am going to do, I guess I will get my four year degree. All I see is darkness in my life, I hate this life guys.

But thnkx again and good luck to everyone who got in pharmacy school. You guys deserve to be there.

I'm right there with you. I'm planning on researching other career paths this weekend. 🙁

 

[VCU07]

Based upon your GPA alone I have to agree with BESTPHARMACY. A 2.7 is pretty low. Try retaking some classes to raise your GPA. How did you do on the PCAT? If you did really well then you have something. Also, have you worked in pharmacy before? I know of people who had low GPA in the high 2s, but they also had really high PCAT scores and tons of experience. So, work hard and I am sure you will get in.

humtum,

sorry to be the grim reaper here, but your chances do not look good at all. If I was on the admissions committee, I would not even look at your application. 2.7? Wow! What university are you currently attending?

 

[VCU07]

I disagree with the PCAT not mattering that much. When I first applied 3 yrs ago I wasn't even interviewed due to my poor PCAT score, even though my GPA was 3.98 at the time.

hey humtum!! if you are a girl i would say "AWWW" if u are a guy, i would say, "Hey stop whining!" but anyway seriously...i have 3.8GPA right now and i am worried as much as everybody man about not gettin in..i am going to apply to 35 schools..i dont have that much money but i work TWO JOBS and FULL TIME STUDENT @ Community College..its crazy man ..and one of my job is PharmTEch @ Rite Aid for 7 months now but the other job cant tell you..."dont be noisy now people =)" ...also i am going to volunteer in Hopistal....whatever i am doing you should copy me that what my pharmacy's cousins said...VOLUNTEER!!!PHARMACY EXPERIENCE!!!NEED A GOOD GPA, PCAT..DOESNT CARE THAT MUCH...but try to get at least 70% ..go read Kaplan..that what people said it helps i havent taken it yet...anyway man hope you listen to me

 

[Apple]

I can totally relate to anyone out there with a low GPA. I screwed up big time back then, working more than I did went to class. I'll probably end up graduating with a Cumulative GPA of 2.8 and Math/Science GPA of 3.5. And I'm worried sick each day that when I apply for 2006-2007 school year, I won't get in. It gets depressing, having to invest all the time I'm taking to finish up the pre-reqs with such a great probability that I won't get in, and I'm not getting any younger!!

BUT, this is something that I really want to do, and I'm going to try and do whatever it takes. If you can retake classes to improve your GPA, do that. Improve in all the areas that you still can, such as EC activities, volunteer, experience, LOR, Personal Statement, PCAT etc.... Different schools look for different things in an applicant as well, and some calculate their gpa's differently. And if you don't get in the first time, you can always apply the next year!!

Although it's nice to hear more sub 3.0 success stories (from previous thread) for comfort and hope, but those few have proven that it's possible!

I wish you all the best! Gluck!

 

[Pharmalli]

Hi VCU07

Some schools actually have a min. PCAT score. My friend's GPA was very similar to yours but she was rejected. Her reading score was super low even though she was in the 90s and 80s for the math and science sections.

Good luck everyone 🙂