Low stats

[amp08]

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I know this has probably been addressed somewhere...but I can't find it.

Has anyone gotten accepted/interviewed with lower than normal stats? I am pretty much on the border of what most schools will consider and am starting to get nervous.

 

[iwannabpharmer]

If you have lower than normal stats, then as long as your experience, etc. make up for it. I had lower stats. My GPA barely made the 3.0 mark, and my PCAT was in the 80th percentile. However, I have work experience in retail and corporate setting. And I am now a student at UIC. Being on the other side of the fence, I can honestly tell you it's not just about the numbers. Good luck!

 

[amp08]

Thanks...I have seven years pharm tech experience and good LORs from practicing pharmacists (at least i think they're good).

I'm just being impatient...which I am sure many of us are.

 

[52PharmD]

what's yr stats?
Don't worry. my friend got in w/ 2.86
Good luck

 

[52PharmD]

Is someone here got in this year w/ low stats
Please post your stats here if you don't mind,and give us some reassurance
Cheers

 

[Knickerbocker]

What is considered normal? Don't forget that when you see that a school has an average PCAT of 80, you could (extreme case) have half the students with a 65 and the other half with a 95. The same applies to GPA.

Just make sure that you have good letters of recommendation, some pharmacy experience, and write good essays to get yourself in the door. After that, the interview is what will make or break you. Be sure that you can properly "sell" yourself to your interviewers. Make sure that you are comfortable with doing interviews so that nervousness doesn't keep you from showing what a good candidate that you are.

 

[pharmacy ey]

I hope this helps.. my cGPA is 2.88, sGPA 3.22 (calculated by PharmCAS), PCAT 91, some months of volunteer at the VA out-pt pharmacy, 6 months of volunteer at home health pharmacy. And I got into Midwestern CCP. I guess my stats are not all below normal but hang in there, if you really want this.. it will happen. Good luck to all!

 

[Pharmpills]

umm GPA 3.0, science 2.7-2.8 ish 🙁 math 3.5 🙂
Degree Expected
95 PCAT 🙂
3 years exper.
Accepted but waiting on number one choice

Second time applying, first time i had a 55 PCAT but 70 later on after denials. Denied by all schools applied to 🙁 Reapplied this year got 2 interviews, I denied one interview and await my number one pick. May God have mercy.

How much is a prayer worth!

 

[amp08]

My PCAT is killing me...58%
cGPA 3.0
sGPA 2.9

I also have a Bachelor's degree and seven years pharmacy experience.

I'm taking some more classes now.
I guess I'll be taking the PCAT again in the summer and apply early for next fall.
I've had one interview, one waitlist, four rejections and still waiting on about 8 schools.
So there is still hope...I wish I knew what I know now when I started college maybe I would have actually went to class. Oh well...everthing happens when the time is right.

Congrats to all those who got in with lower stats🙂
Hard work does pay off...along with persistence.

 

[Pharmpills]

My PCAT is killing me...58%
cGPA 3.0
sGPA 2.9

I also have a Bachelor's degree and seven years pharmacy experience.

I'm taking some more classes now.
I guess I'll be taking the PCAT again in the summer and apply early for next fall.
I've had one interview, one waitlist, four rejections and still waiting on about 8 schools.
So there is still hope...I wish I knew what I know now when I started college maybe I would have actually went to class. Oh well...everthing happens when the time is right.

Congrats to all those who got in with lower stats🙂
Hard work does pay off...along with persistence.

i tell myself that alot, but u have a year to correct alot of things. U said u have a degree which might actually be a little bad bc u cant boost ur gpa and science gpa unless u go to grad school but that might be too much work. My advice is to apply early and look at schools with low number of applications bc they exist. Not all schools recieve 1000-2000 applications. Try to raise ur pcat to at least 70. Also, u can look into other great paying careers like PA, physical therapist and so on but at the same time apply to pharm school so u will have multiple options. best of luck

 

[inquirer89]

How old are you guys? I hope to get in after 2-3 years (I'm a freshman). I don't think my GPA is really bad, but I am curious in case my grades aren't stellar in the long run. I understand if someone with a 2.8 gets in after a BS and several years of work experience...but what about someone who hasn't graduated yet? What is the set bar for them?

 

[Manque26]

I know this has probably been addressed somewhere...but I can't find it.

Has anyone gotten accepted/interviewed with lower than normal stats? I am pretty much on the border of what most schools will consider and am starting to get nervous.

Thank God I thought we (with low stats) were few...I myself have a fairly low GPA and tons of pharmacy experience in both retail and clinical...Its my second year applying...I'll let yall know if I even get an interview..GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!

 

[Manque26]

i tell myself that alot, but u have a year to correct alot of things. U said u have a degree which might actually be a little bad bc u cant boost ur gpa and science gpa unless u go to grad school but that might be too much work. My advice is to apply early and look at schools with low number of applications bc they exist. Not all schools recieve 1000-2000 applications. Try to raise ur pcat to at least 70. Also, u can look into other great paying careers like PA, physical therapist and so on but at the same time apply to pharm school so u will have multiple options. best of luck

Those other schools are just as hard to get into...I was actually interested in applying for PA school but they only accept about 70 (+-) out of 600-700 applicants...Its alot harder and more competitive..I'm not giving up, I get super discouraged from time to time, and the last 1 1/2 has been a real roller coaster ride but it will pay off once I get there..TO ALL!! If pharmacy is your thing and you KNOW this is what you want to do with your life DON'T GIVE UP!!!!! Where theres a will theres a way!

 

[DoughGirlx88]

How old are you guys? I hope to get in after 2-3 years (I'm a freshman). I don't think my GPA is really bad, but I am curious in case my grades aren't stellar in the long run. I understand if someone with a 2.8 gets in after a BS and several years of work experience...but what about someone who hasn't graduated yet? What is the set bar for them?

i think you can definitely do anything you put your mind to! as long as you have a dedication for it and are truly serious about it, u can get in 2 yrs. i'm a sophomore this yr and i applied about a month ago. i've gotten a couple interviews, so i'm half way there! i think u will have to definitely worked a lot harder than a person with a degree just because being this young is definitely a disadvantage, i've notice. Many people seem to think you're immature and inexperienced. For me, i just made sure that i made the best grades i could and shot for higher than the standard bar. definitely become a pharm tech ASAP if you're not yet! Good luck, i was there last year!

 

[pharmacist5870]

Thank God I thought we (with low stats) were few...I myself have a fairly low GPA and tons of pharmacy experience in both retail and clinical...Its my second year applying...I'll let yall know if I even get an interview..GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!

I just got accepted to a school and my stats are as follows:

cGPA was around 3.4
sGPA was around 2.8 (I think, Pharmcas won't let me see my stats anymore since the cycle for fall 2008 is closed now)
PCAT-59

5 years retail pharmacy

21 years old.

There's hope for everyone, guaranteed! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

 

[GT500]

I am also having trouble with this application process. I currently have a 3.73 cumulative GPA and 3.64 sGPA but my PCAT score is in the 59 percentile. I also do not have any pharmacy experience. I am retaking the PCAT in June. Hopefully, a BS will help boost my application for this round.

 

[SoccerCoach10]

I am also having trouble with this application process. I currently have a 3.73 cumulative GPA and 3.64 sGPA but my PCAT score is in the 59 percentile. I also do not have any pharmacy experience. I am retaking the PCAT in June. Hopefully, a BS will help boost my application for this round.

A BS will definitely help along with a good PCAT score. As long as you increase that PCAT score you should be good to go. Did you get all around mid-scores or were you lower in some areas of the PCAT than others?

 

[pharmacist5870]

Thank God I thought we (with low stats) were few...I myself have a fairly low GPA and tons of pharmacy experience in both retail and clinical...Its my second year applying...I'll let yall know if I even get an interview..GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!

A BS will definitely help along with a good PCAT score. As long as you increase that PCAT score you should be good to go. Did you get all around mid-scores or were you lower in some areas of the PCAT than others?

I know you're not asking me, but we both got in the 59th percentile, so I'll answer that too.

Verbal: 58
Bio: 61
Reading: 43
Quantitative: 68
Chemistry: 61
Composite : 59

so I received mid-scores on all. Glad I never have to take this test again.

I took the PCAT previously, and got a 47.

In that test I had a 85 in quantitative, and a 69 in Chemistry. That test was before they added the second writing section, so therefore I had more time in the math part. So my Chemistry and Math scores decreased but my composite rose mainly because I had a 16 in Biology (wow, is that possible, lol).

 

[SoccerCoach10]

I know you're not asking me, but we both got in the 59th percentile, so I'll answer that too.

Verbal: 58
Bio: 61
Reading: 43
Quantitative: 68
Chemistry: 61
Composite : 59

so I received mid-scores on all. Glad I never have to take this test again.

I took the PCAT previously, and got a 47.

In that test I had a 85 in quantitative, and a 69 in Chemistry. That test was before they added the second writing section, so therefore I had more time in the math part. So my Chemistry and Math scores decreased but my composite rose mainly because I had a 16 in Biology (wow, is that possible, lol).

Congrats on your acceptance!!!!

 

[GT500]

SoccerCoach10, it seems I have the most difficulty in reading comprehension and verbal ability.

Percentile Rank
Verbal ability-->35
Biology-------->71
Reading Comprehension-->44
Quantitative Ability------->83
Chemistry--------->54
Composite--------->59

Writing Scores both were 3

I do not know how much I need to increase the reading comprehension and verbal ability sections to obtain a presentable score.

 

[SoccerCoach10]

SoccerCoach10, it seems I have the most difficulty in reading comprehension and verbal ability.

Percentile Rank
Verbal ability-->35
Biology-------->71
Reading Comprehension-->44
Quantitative Ability------->83
Chemistry--------->54
Composite--------->59

Writing Scores both were 3

I do not know how much I need to increase the reading comprehension and verbal ability sections to obtain a presentable score.

Try freerice.com to increase your vocab. It's really easy AND it helps people. I would also suggest reading more (newspapers, etc). Your chemistry section could use a little boost too. Review chemistry and your score will improve. What schools are you trying to get in to?

 

[SoccerCoach10]

Oh I forgot to mention... The key to doing well on the verbal section is knowing the root of words. You might not know what a word means, but if you can recognize the root, you can narrow down to the right answer.

 

[Drug Doc]

I am also having trouble with this application process. I currently have a 3.73 cumulative GPA and 3.64 sGPA but my PCAT score is in the 59 percentile. I also do not have any pharmacy experience. I am retaking the PCAT in June. Hopefully, a BS will help boost my application for this round.

Hey GT, your gpa's look like they will be more than enough to carry you through (assuming you have done at least some ec stuff), and although I wouldn't exactly call having a BS a "boost" it will be imperative in keeping you at a level playing field with all the other applicants. As far as the pharmacy experience goes just try to get a volunteer or clerical position at a pharmacy as soon as you can. I know most people have like 50yrs of experience when they apply but don't worry, if you only have a few months of experience before you apply thats ok too. I got into several schools with a cgpa 3.1 and sgpa 3.2 and had barely started volunteering in a pharmacy during august of the year i was applying.

oh yes and make sure you get that pcat score to no less than the 70th percentile. IMO raising your reading and verbal scores the 50th percentile will help a lot. however, if I were you i'd be more worried about raising my chemistry score cause thats a pretty low score and a very relevant section.

best of luck

 

[GT500]

I hardly have any ECs so I guess I have to improve my PCAT score to at least 70 in June. I have taken the PCAT before and the chemistry score was around 86. The score report I showed you was the first time I have taken it so it dramatically improved the second time. Unfortunately, my verbal and reading comprehension stayed the same while quantitative section dropped to like 62 and the biology to 50. My composite turned out to be the same coincidently.

The hospital near my house put me on a waitlist to volunteer in the pharmacy. Other hospitals are only looking for people who are certified. I am thinking of doing clerical work in the hospital as a volunteer for the moment.

SoccerCoach10, I will be applying to UIC and Midwestern CCP. Both schools I hear are very competitive but CCP is a rolling school so applying early might help my situation slightly. I only said that my BS would be a boost is because UIC seems to favor applicants with BS degrees. Their website says that about 70% of people who were accepted had degree. Anyways, I am crossing my fingers and hoping my plan gets me an interview and accepted this year.

 

[SoccerCoach10]

I hardly have any ECs so I guess I have to improve my PCAT score to at least 70 in June. I have taken the PCAT before and the chemistry score was around 86. The score report I showed you was the first time I have taken it so it dramatically improved the second time. Unfortunately, my verbal and reading comprehension stayed the same while quantitative section dropped to like 62 and the biology to 50. My composite turned out to be the same coincidently.

The hospital near my house put me on a waitlist to volunteer in the pharmacy. Other hospitals are only looking for people who are certified. I am thinking of doing clerical work in the hospital as a volunteer for the moment.

SoccerCoach10, I will be applying to UIC and Midwestern CCP. Both schools I hear are very competitive but CCP is a rolling school so applying early might help my situation slightly. I only said that my BS would be a boost is because UIC seems to favor applicants with BS degrees. Their website says that about 70% of people who were accepted had degree. Anyways, I am crossing my fingers and hoping my plan gets me an interview and accepted this year.

Applying early to Midwestern will help. With UIC, you really need to have a higher PCAT score. When your app is evaluated there, you get points for certain portions of your app (GPA, PCAT score, ECs, etc). I would suggest casting your net a little wider w/ schools as well (some other midwest pharmacy schools).

 

[StringTheorist]

when i applied, i was 2.99 prepharm gpa (3.45 overall), 92 PCAT and 2.5 yrs experience in retail

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

3.2 sci gpa, 2.8 overall (screwed me for in-state schools).

PCAT:

Verbal: 93
Bio: 99
Reading: 99
Quantitative: 99
Chemistry: 99
Composite : 99


6 years of research, 1 year retail, 1 year clinical volunteer, 6 years of healthcare related work. 24 year old, caucasian male, born in Russia.

I was disgusted that California schools could not look past my poor academic performance during my freshman and sophomore years. I know there's no excuse for having a sub- 2.0 GPA when you're taking piece of cake, general education courses, but still, i think i more than made up for it by nailing my last 2.5 years and by having outstanding E.C's and well, I think my PCAT speaks for itself...