Need advice....PLEASE HELP

[SB1991]

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Here is some background info:

-I am an undergrad (going into my 2nd year) at the University at Buffalo. So far my math/science gpa at UB is a 3.0.

-I volunteered at an inpatient pharmacy and a retail pharmacy for a total of 150 hours this summer.

-I took Orgo I this summer and got a C- at UB and I want to retake it next summer, as well as improve my GPA in general by the end of my sophomore year.

-UB hit me hard and all its classes are 10x harder (seems like a weed out process here) than what I expected and it seems as if everyone I know doing pre-pharmacy in other "easier" schools are in the 3.5-4.0 range and in a much better situation.

What should i do????

REALISTICALLY i know I wont make any pharmacy school with those stats after my 2nd year. I already started my PharmCAS application (essay and I'm pending LOR's from 2 pharmacists and a professor). The only school i can apply to this year is UB, since I wont be able to complete all the prerequisites of the other NY area pharmacy schools by their deadline of spring/summer 2011.

1. Should i transfer to a CUNY or some other school and start over. Take easier classes there get the 3.5-4.0 and apply to pharmacy schools after another 2 years?

2. Stay at UB and not apply to any pharmacy schools this year and try to increase my GPA as much as possible here. And eventually apply to all the NY area schools my 3rd year (since most likely i'll have all the prerequisites even for those schools completed by then).

Pharmacy is the only thing I want to do. I HAVE NO BACKUP, as painfully as it makes me say this. So please help....

 

[mcalabr3]

First off I'd highly recommend re-taking Orgo I. Many schools require that all coursework must be above 2.0 which means C- will not be accepted.

Not responding to your two questions:
1) Pharmacy schools (PharmCAS especially) look at all coursework/transcripts so pharmacy schools would still see your grades at Buffalo. So starting over frankly does not exist... :-(

2) If you believe that you wouldn't be admitted this coming application cycle then I'd suggest waiting a year to apply. AdComs look highly on an improvement in GPAs. Demonstrate in the coming year that you can handle upperlevel undergraduate coursework, especially advanced science coursework. This could possibly prove to AdComs that you can handle pharmacy school coursework.

 

[delano2000]

First off I'd highly recommend re-taking Orgo I. Many schools require that all coursework must be above 2.0 which means C- will not be accepted.

Not responding to your two questions:
1) Pharmacy schools (PharmCAS especially) look at all coursework/transcripts so pharmacy schools would still see your grades at Buffalo. So starting over frankly does not exist... :-(

2) If you believe that you wouldn't be admitted this coming application cycle then I'd suggest waiting a year to apply. AdComs look highly on an improvement in GPAs. Demonstrate in the coming year that you can handle upperlevel undergraduate coursework, especially advanced science coursework. This could possibly prove to AdComs that you can handle pharmacy school coursework.

👍

 

[phathead]

First, it was a very poor choice on your part to attempt to take Orgo during the summer so soon. Most people struggle with it in a regular semester format and this is magnified when you're so young in your college career. I did not have proper study techniques nailed until midway through my third semester.

Second, there idea that there are 'easier' schools is not a crutch. I have never had a curved class, while there are others that have. Does it suck? Yes, but you learn to deal with it. We are all learning the same material. If you start referring to that as the reason for your academic struggles, you will continue to struggle. Learn that perhaps it was your fault for your grades and not the school. The transition to college coursework is very difficult for some (I know, I was one of them) and can catch you off guard. Blaming others instead of yourself is not the way to go.

That being said you are VERY early in your college career. Plan on getting a 4 year degree. Most schools don't accept students after two years and more and more prefer at least four years of undergrad under their belt.

As I continue to tell people here, quality over quantity. Don't speed through the process. You have nearly fifty years of working ahead of you, make sure you do well now so you end up doing the job you truly want to do.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Pharmacy is the only thing I want to do. I HAVE NO BACKUP, as painfully as it makes me say this. So please help....

A lot of things in your post bother me, but the above statement does the most. Care to elaborate?

 

[pharm B]

Like the above posters said, you're going to have to live with what you have so far. You can't just switch schools and make it all better. PharmCAS specifically averages all attempts at a course. If you got a C in O-Chem I at one school and an A elsewhere, you'll still have a B for that course overall.

Doesn't UB have some kind of internship/shadowing program for pre-pharms? I'd look into that and other EC's to bolster your app. But you've definitely identified a weakness. Time to figure out how to go up from here!

 

[SB1991]

Thanks for the feedback.

First, I am in no way blaming on the school and take fully responsibility for my grades. I did not post here to complain just wanted to get feedback from others to see if anyone was/is in my situation. Thanks for teh advice and criticism though 👍

The only reason i took Orgo I in the summer was because I was unable to get registered or even force registered into it for Fall 2010. My advisor said there is a chance to get in during the summer or even during the first week of classes since students tend to change majors, drop classes, etc but the chances are small. I did not want to take that risk and wait for an open spot not taking Orgo I (since if I missed it in Fall 2010 i'd have to wait for Summer 2011 or Fall 2011 to take it).

As for as having no back up plan, I can't or do not see myself spending the rest of my life doing anything else 😳. I've thought about it changing my major, but just cant find something else i want to do for the rest of my life.

So would my best bet be to not apply to UB this year, boost my GPA as much as possible + take all the remaining prerequisites for other schools, and apply my 3rd year?

 

[SB1991]

bump

 

[b1234]

Nowadays not all that many people get accepted without degrees - even fewer with only two years of school. There are multiple reasons for this. In the long run, going to undergrad for an extra year or two will not hurt you...

 

[ADN1226]

I agree with the other posters and say that you should wait another year. Being only able to apply to UB is limiting your choices and seems to be a waste of money unless you're sure you can get in. With a 3.0 GPA its unlikely. You should definitely try to improve your GPA, take the PCAT to open more options of possible schools and improve your resume. (Look into applying to schools outside of NY?)

If you do decide to wait, make sure to notify your LORs and ask them to hold onto the LOR for you next year. Also to better your chances next year, submit your application early!

 

[SB1991]

I decided i'm gonna apply to UB this year (take this Fall semester to see if i can improve my GPA to the ~3.1-3.3 range) and really bank on my LORs and personal statement. I mean its a long shot, but worth a try.

If i dont make it, its definitely because of my GPA, and i have my entire 3rd year to retake classes, and complete the prerequisites for other schools to boost my GPA as much as possible.

Btw, the UB deadline is March 1st, when would it be best to hand everything in? I was thinking around September....

 

[b1234]

In almost all cases you are better off taking advanced classes and doing well in them than you are re-taking courses - especially if you don't already have a degree.