low gpa

[infinitiiz]

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Due to some personal problems (depression), I screwed up 2 years with a ~2.0 GPA. Now that I am feeling much better, I excel the classes.
In the past 2 semesters, I managed to get ~ 3.6 each. However, the overall GPA is still only 2.78. After this semester, I hope to pull my GPA up to about 2.9.

I am taking the PCAT on Jan 20, and I really hope that PCAT can compensate for my low GPA. Also, I have been doing community services (i have the passion to) and as well being a board member of a nonprofit organization in which I am one of the cofounders. I haven't been doing any pharmacy related work though.

Do you think I have any chance for Pharmacy?
Do you think they care that I've made a tremendous effort to pull myself up?

thanks

 

[TennisBoy78]

Not to be blunt or mean, but it seems like we get this question everyday. (BTW, I am not a mean person)

This type of question should not elicit an absolute answer. Some schools will take your situation at heart and will forgive you, some will not. You simply have to call every school that you are interested in and personally tell them about your situation.

 

[infinitiiz]

no, you are not mean TB. You just gave me a very constructive comment. thank you 🙂

 

[FlippinChink]

Give it a chance? I doesn't hurt to try, but believe me, it hurts when you try to talk to these schools about a personal extenuating circumstance that caused a bad gpa and then they say that there are no exceptions to their gpa requirements. I was turned down by my top two choices cause they wouldn't accept my low gpa. Keep trying, and don't give up. My gpa is in worse condition - a 2.66. And the highest gpa i could get after this year is a 2.8.

Some schools grant grade forgiveness, (i.e. University of Missiouri - Kansas City). And aim high on the PCATs, cause I keep hearing about people who have had gpa's below a 3.0 and getting at least 90's on their pcats getting into pharmacy school. Good luck!

 

[aboveliquidice]

Not to be blunt or mean, but it seems like we get this question everyday. (BTW, I am not a mean person)

This type of question should not elicit an absolute answer. Some schools will take your situation at heart and will forgive you, some will not. You simply have to call every school that you are interested in and personally tell them about your situation.

I agree - no one, with the exception of the ADCOM for a particular school, can answer your question. The fact that you found this forum is a start. Do a couple of searches, and you will quickly find out the major things you need to do to make your situation better. Dont focus on negatives - do so on the things that are positive and those that can be changed.

Good Luck - and give us a shout if you need help.

~above~

 

[TennisBoy78]

Yes, I would imagine that it would hurt to hear that some schools have this "no exception" rule, but didn't you feel better afterwards knowing that you didn't have to waste further time, money, and emotion in trying to get into one of those schools when you received the information that they wouldn't consider you.

My GPA is fine, but PCAT is lower than what most school averages are. I have candidly asked many schools about my chances with a lower PCAT score. I was initially disappointed when some schools told me that my chances were slim to none, but heck, time to move on to the next school! In the end, I will be happy to go to any school.

 

[infinitiiz]

Hi FlippinChink, I am happy to hear/about your case, and that really helps to change my attitutde about my situation. I am alot more positive now. thanks

aboveliquidice
you are absolutely right. "The fact that you found this forum is a start." I have told myself the same thing too. and indeed, I stayed up until 6 AM last night surfing this site. Almost everything I want to know is here! thank you

TB78,
I feel that "no exception" rule. That was one of my fears. But as I learned from you guys that there are schools that do take grade forgiveness into consideration, I am so positive now. I am even more motivated to do well on my classes and the PCAT.

Thank you very much guys. it feels relieved when u have overcome your fear. 🙂

 

[rxlynn]

Good point - I'll second that about PCAT overcoming grades. I know there are some folks in my class (I'm a P1) who had less than stellar grades, but made up for it with PCAT and interview.

 

[beccala33]

i got in with a gpa that was below a 3.0, but it wasn't much below and I had a lot of other things going for me. I had great work experience, a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, good EC stuff, good LORs, and a very good pcat score. All I am saying is, it's not impossible.

 

[mooshoo]

Hey, I'm very moved by these type of threads about low gps but a super PCAT. I am in living proof. FlippinChink, you have turned my thoughts around for the better, and I want to thank you. Hearing about your stories is exactly why I'm reading these threads in the first place. Thanks