Need advice

[trying4apharmd]

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I need some advice and honest opinions. When I was 24 years old I suffered a stroke, the 2 semesters prior to my stroke I was having TIA's (not diagnosed until after the stroke, because I just thought I was having migraines). Durring those 2 semesters I didn't do so well in genchem or physics. I retook physics and still only got C's 😡 even though I tried so hard. I got C's in gen chem as well 😕 My probelm wasn't understanding the material, but having to miss classes due to what I thought were aura's and migraine pain (the TIA's).

So my question is....How do I make myself stand out to an admission committee if my GPA is not stellar? My pcat is in the 75% and I'm retaking it again. I have pretty good extra curriculars (sorority (when I was younger), missions trips with church to Brazil, XEM, FRG with my husbands military unit, etc.), and my grades in my classes since my stroke (2 years ago) have been all A's and B's (B's in organic, ugh)! Do I mention my stroke in my PS or do I wait to see if I get an interview and if they ask why my grades were poor at that time and then tell them? Should I retake those classes I got C's in??

BTW I'm doing great now, my neurologist is thouroughly impressed with my recovery 😎

 

[trying4apharmd]

I forgot to mention that I also have 5 years experience as a CPhT and 3 years as a Senior Tech at walgreens.

 

[Lasche]

I think the fact that you have so much tech experience is a "big" plus. I read a thread by someone that got in with a 3.1 overall and 5 yrs tech experience, so it can happen. GPA isn't everything. Volunteering, joining clubs and research are good ways to boost your chances of getting in. If it were me, I would write briefly about my previous health condition, and be prepared to talk about it at an interview, I think it shows that you were dedicated to learning, despite the odds. I'm sure that they will look at what you've achieved recently and consider what you went through in the past. Your circumstances make you unique and prehaps stronger then the rest of us.
I would apply as early as you can, that helps from what I hear. Go for it!

 

[mbc230]

In your essay you should mention all your medical difficulties because they may explain your low grades. The admissions committe looks at your essay for things like that. If they see that you weren't doing well for two semesters they want to know why. I think you really need to write a good personal statement explaining everything because all of your hard times make you a stronger person. Good luck!!!! 😉

 

[aboveliquidice]

In your essay you should mention all your medical difficulties because they may explain your low grades. The admissions committe looks at your essay for things like that. If they see that you weren't doing well for two semesters they want to know why. I think you really need to write a good personal statement explaining everything because all of your hard times make you a stronger person. Good luck!!!! 😉

NOT IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT!!!!!!!!! never ever mention anything negative in your PS - Your PS is your intro and a time to sell yourself. Its like going to buy a pickup and the sales guy is talking about its ****ty handling and gas mileage. We get to find out that later - in the section designated for it on the supplemental - dont shoot yourself in the foot and give a bad impression before you even get looked at.

Let your personality shine in your PS - talk about your rough spots later

~above~

 

[sdn1977]

I need some advice and honest opinions. When I was 24 years old I suffered a stroke, the 2 semesters prior to my stroke I was having TIA's (not diagnosed until after the stroke, because I just thought I was having migraines). Durring those 2 semesters I didn't do so well in genchem or physics. I retook physics and still only got C's 😡 even though I tried so hard. I got C's in gen chem as well 😕 My probelm wasn't understanding the material, but having to miss classes due to what I thought were aura's and migraine pain (the TIA's).

So my question is....How do I make myself stand out to an admission committee if my GPA is not stellar? My pcat is in the 75% and I'm retaking it again. I have pretty good extra curriculars (sorority (when I was younger), missions trips with church to Brazil, XEM, FRG with my husbands military unit, etc.), and my grades in my classes since my stroke (2 years ago) have been all A's and B's (B's in organic, ugh)! Do I mention my stroke in my PS or do I wait to see if I get an interview and if they ask why my grades were poor at that time and then tell them? Should I retake those classes I got C's in??

BTW I'm doing great now, my neurologist is thouroughly impressed with my recovery 😎

OK - you were 24 when you had your stroke - difficult for sure! You were past the time you'd be an undergrad. You suffered low grades in the 2 semesters prior - age 23...what did you do between 18-23 when most people would be in undergrad? You need to explain that well!

Now...you've taken gen chem twice - the last time gotten a C - no I wouldn't retake it. And you retook the physics & got a C - passing. So, yes - I'd explain that & why you've improved & why you're a good academic "risk". You've done better since then, so you can document that while explaining your medical situation.

However...I'd reconsider your extracurriculars. As a 26 yo - a sorority is no longer an influence. In addition...your other extracurriculars were not of your own "initiative" - church activities are assumed to be those which are "easily" encompassing of anyone who wants to join - it doesn't necessarily show your own initiative. I don't know what an XEM or an FRG with your husband is about, but I'd say - you need to show your own desire to do something.....seek out something which can set you apart - individually.

As for your medical issues - yes...you can mention it, but mention it in the context of understanding & relating to those who might be presenting to you with life threatening illnesses & being able to provide education & empathy in equal measure.

 

[pharmd4me@510]

NOT IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT!!!!!!!!! never ever mention anything negative in your PS - Your PS is your intro and a time to sell yourself. Its like going to buy a pickup and the sales guy is talking about its ****ty handling and gas mileage. We get to find out that later - in the section designated for it on the supplemental - dont shoot yourself in the foot and give a bad impression before you even get looked at.

Let your personality shine in your PS - talk about your rough spots later

~above~

I agree with this. You should never ever mention anything negative in your PS. Concentrate on why you choose pharmacy as your career choice and your passion for it. You can mention your medical conditions on the supplemental app if asked. Alot of supp apps have a section that asks you about this kind of stuff. Good luck

 

[doublehh03]

I agree with this. You should never ever mention anything negative in your PS. Concentrate on why you choose pharmacy as your career choice and your passion for it. You can mention your medical conditions on the supplemental app if asked. Alot of supp apps have a section that asks you about this kind of stuff. Good luck

not necessarily. sure, if you sound negative, it's a bad thing. but if you use those experience to say your motivation for a particular field, then it's all good. i use my brother's mental illness as an affirmation for why i chose the healthcare field in general b/c now i know the care and patience that is necessary to deal with an ill person.

but if you sound like oh man, these experiences are the reasons my grades suck blah blah blah, then yea, it's detrimental.

 

[ZpackSux]

You should definitely mention your stroke. You can so easily spin this to a positive outcome. It will show your strength as a stroke survival and at the same time your understanding as a stroke patient will help you become a better pharmacist if you're involved with a stroke team at a comprehensive stroke center.

Congrats on your recovery.

I'm working on stroke protocols right now...trying to get our hospital certified as a stroke center.

 

[doublehh03]

You should definitely mention your stroke. You can so easily spin this to a positive outcome. It will show your strength as a stroke survival and at the same time your understanding as a stroke patient will help you become a better pharmacist if you're involved with a stroke team at a comprehensive stroke center.

Congrats on your recovery.

I'm working on stroke protocols right now...trying to get our hospital certified as a stroke center.

yea, turn that experience into something that you learn.

 

[trying4apharmd]

Thanks for all of the advice!

"Durring those 2 semesters I didn't do so well in genchem or physics. I retook physics and still only got C's even though I tried so hard. I got C's in gen chem as well"

Sorry i guess I didn't make it that clear...I only took gen chem once, I only retook physics. As for my undergrad when i was younger, I was in nursing school and decided it wasn't for me. I didn't have that much prior experience with nursing and once I went to school I really didn't like it. That is why I worked in a pharmacy before I decided I wanted to go into pharmacy.
As for XEM it is a chemistry club (nationally recognized) and FRG is Family Readiness Group...I volunteer my time to help raise money for my husbands units families for when they are in a bind, i give emotional support to the other wives while the men are deployed overseas, I set up activities for the children, we set up community drives to get boxes of goodies to the soldiers. Is this a good extracurricular or should I look into investing time into something else?

 

[cycloketocaine]

Thanks for all of the advice!

"Durring those 2 semesters I didn't do so well in genchem or physics. I retook physics and still only got C's even though I tried so hard. I got C's in gen chem as well"

Sorry i guess I didn't make it that clear...I only took gen chem once, I only retook physics. As for my undergrad when i was younger, I was in nursing school and decided it wasn't for me. I didn't have that much prior experience with nursing and once I went to school I really didn't like it. That is why I worked in a pharmacy before I decided I wanted to go into pharmacy.
As for XEM it is a chemistry club (nationally recognized) and FRG is Family Readiness Group...I volunteer my time to help raise money for my husbands units families for when they are in a bind, i give emotional support to the other wives while the men are deployed overseas, I set up activities for the children, we set up community drives to get boxes of goodies to the soldiers. Is this a good extracurricular or should I look into investing time into something else?

I guess were kinda in the same boat. I have an autoimmune disease which has afflicted me for about a year and a half. And, I also was in nursing school but also decided it wasn't for me. 👍 👍