My First Post

[dmiller88]

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Ive been a long time visitor to this site but this is my first post.

I want to go into pharmacy school but here is my situation:

I graduated with a BS in Psychology but barely. I went to undergrad and did extremely poorly. In high school I had a 4.0 but as soon as i entered college, my mother had been battling a life threatening disease which reduced my focus in school. Anyways, i graduated with a 2.02 gpa and a terrible 1.55 science gpa. Ive been out of school for a year and have been working. I want to get into pharmacy school so my plan is to take 20+ credits of pre reqs the fall semester of 2012 and spring of 2013 at a local community college. I have already taken the pcats and scored a 90%. Im hoping to get all A's. Im gonna quit my job and study full time. If all goes well, how do my chances look?

Thanks guys

 

[wannagetinsobad]

I don't know about all schools, but ALL of the schools that I'm applying to have minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5/2.75 some with minimum science of 2.5/2.75 as well..

 

[bw6]

I don't know about all schools, but ALL of the schools that I'm applying to have minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5/2.75 some with minimum science of 2.5/2.75 as well..

Correct.

Most schools will not look at an applicant under 2.5 and some require as much as a 3.0. Unless you have amazing extracurriculars or a great PCAT, you really do need at least a 3.0 to be competitive for a decent school.

 

[474671]

Unfortunately, it will take two years at the very least, not one, to rebuild your GPA and a stand-out resume. I understand your situation- I was affected by a parent's illness too (but less so- ~3.0 overall GPA/ one failed science class, now passed ), but pharmacy requires a lot of dedication. The lowest I've heard of getting in was a 2.6, and that was someone who had 5+ yrs between their last bad grades and their decision to go into pharmacy after years working, and their pre-req GPA (since they did something completely different prior) was >3.75. I'm not saying that it's impossible, but you have many hurdles to overcome. You have to be able to handle stress and a large workload to make it through pharmacy school because you never know what might happen in life.

 

[dmiller88]

Will it be okay if I do all of this at a community college? or will that not be in my favor. I really cant afford to take it at my university.

 

[474671]

Does the community college offer leadership, service and research opportunities that will help build your application? In general it is okay to take classes at a CC- but is your app going to be strong without the aid of non-academic things like those?

 

[dmiller88]

Does the community college offer leadership, service and research opportunities that will help build your application? In general it is okay to take classes at a CC- but is your app going to be strong without the aid of non-academic things like those?

I have worked as a research assistant at a cancer center for two years while at undergrad. Ive had over 300 hrs volunteering at hospitals.
and I have had a bunch of extra ciriculars. The only bad thing about my application is my terrible gpa, honestly. This is why I am very concerned since that is the most important aspect.

 

[kcwang]

I believe as long you have upward trend of gpa, you should be fine. Others have pointed out your not over the 2.5 gpa requirement. My thought on that issue is that you should contact the school. Make appointment with deans tell them your situation. As long you are doing well right now and future courses, I believe you will have a shot at pharmacy school. When you are applying, send a formal letter or email to the school explaning why they should make it an exception for you to apply ( You better have good record to back up your claim).

Continue with your EC activities. If possible, I suggest you start up a community project. Show some leadership and compassion.

Good Luck