Need Advice!!!

[PharmD316]

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I've been recently debating about pushing school back another year. Honestly i feel like if i apply even by september my application will not be strong enough... this is what I have... My undergrad GPA is terrible (less than a 2.5, i was a marketing major)... I've only taken 3 science classes, Chem 1 (B, taken 5yrs ago), Bio 1 (A), Physics 1 (C 🙁) I am scheduled to take Chem 2 starting tomorrow for summ 2 which i am sure I will do well in but here is my dilemma... I am going on vacation next week which means I will miss a whole weeks worth of classes...there is no way that I can get out of this vacation it was booked last year and there are others depending on me. I recently discovered that I did not do as well as I had hoped in the first summer session where i took Physics so now I am very concerned that me missing a whole weeks worth of summer classes may not be the smartest thing. If i drop this class I will have to push pharm school back a year. The thought of this makes me cringe but I honestly feel that it may be the better thing to do... ths way i can apply early in june 09 i'll have a few more classes in and hopefully my PCAT. I am scared b/c as it stands now my gpa may not be at a 3.0...my overall def wont be.
Do you think I should just keep pushing on go ahead and get thru chem 2 and apply in September? Or just wait until next year?

 

[Bre926]

I think you should just wait till next year. This way you can go on your vacation, you wont stress yourself out, you can build up your GPA, and have a better chance to get in. I know to wait an extra year sucks, but I think its a better decision. I'm taking an extra year in college so that I can hopefully get better grades, instead of just taking too many hard classes together in one semester and risking the chance of struggling and not doing so well.

 

[mochiko]

^ I agree. To be honest, your application doesn't sound like it will be strong at all. If your GPA is already sub 3.0 from your non-science undergraduate degree and you apply without having finished a lot of your pre-reqs, the adcoms won't think highly of your ability to do well on them. Additionally, you haven't even mentioned anything about pharmacy experience. If your GPA isn't stellar, you'll want to beef up your application more outside of academics.

 

[ffpickle]

stick with chem 2 but don't apply until next yr. don't go on any more vacations, you still have a lot of pre reqs to do.

 

[tellsarah]

To add to OP, you need to show commitment to the profession by volunteering, working, shadowing, involved in pre-pharm activites, etc. Make sure adcoms know you are dedicated to pharmacy.

 

[PharmD316]

Thanks guys for all of your advice. Yea i definitely think I am going to wait...i actually worked in a pharmacy for 6 months in 2001 (verrry long time ago) Im also volunteering now at a hospital ( I just started a week ago) along with that I am working full time and taking courses at Kaplan to prepare for PCAT. My entire week is filled up LITERALLY so the commitment is definitely there. Question someone said I should stick it out with chem 2, I am curious to know why you think i should?

 

[Chemchick]

Hi,

If you must go on vacation, I wouldn't take Chem 2, especially if you are going to miss a week's worth of classes. That's like missing 3 weeks during a regular semester if the the second summer session is ~5 weeks. But you and I are two different people, and you know your abilities and strengths more than anyone else. If you decide to stay in Chem 2, get in touch with the professor and find out what the assignments are. Then you could read, study and do the assignments during your vacation. It's really up to you.

 

[mrblah]

I've been recently debating about pushing school back another year. Honestly i feel like if i apply even by september my application will not be strong enough... this is what I have... My undergrad GPA is terrible (less than a 2.5, i was a marketing major)... I've only taken 3 science classes, Chem 1 (B, taken 5yrs ago), Bio 1 (A), Physics 1 (C 🙁) I am scheduled to take Chem 2 starting tomorrow for summ 2 which i am sure I will do well in but here is my dilemma... I am going on vacation next week which means I will miss a whole weeks worth of classes...there is no way that I can get out of this vacation it was booked last year and there are others depending on me. I recently discovered that I did not do as well as I had hoped in the first summer session where i took Physics so now I am very concerned that me missing a whole weeks worth of summer classes may not be the smartest thing. If i drop this class I will have to push pharm school back a year. The thought of this makes me cringe but I honestly feel that it may be the better thing to do... ths way i can apply early in june 09 i'll have a few more classes in and hopefully my PCAT. I am scared b/c as it stands now my gpa may not be at a 3.0...my overall def wont be.
Do you think I should just keep pushing on go ahead and get thru chem 2 and apply in September? Or just wait until next year?

It seems like you need to get your priorities straight. Getting into pharm school will require sacrifice and dedication. If you need a vacation to clear your mind then do so, but take advantage of this situation and think about what you need to do to accomplish your academic goals. Too many people try to do too much, and the problem is that once you realize this its too late (like what happen to you).

Whether or not you want to continue in this class is up to you. Just remember there is no point in continuing in a class that will hurt your gpa, not improve your gpa, or you have to retake on a later date. I would drop the class and retake it if the grade will hurt you. When you retake it, make sure you plan your life around your educational goals, and not the other way around.

So re-evaluate your situation and good luck.

 

[PharmD316]

Yea I'm not going through with the class. I definitely have my priorities in order and I guess you dont know me so you would draw that conclusion with the very little bit of info i gave you🙂 But I have been definitely taking on a full load since I decided to go through with Pharm school. I've even turned down a job offering me 60k+ almost double the salary that I am now b/c it would mean setting me back for my academic goals. I'm doing above and beyond the call TRRUUSST ME, i dont know how im making it through but I am...It is my lifelong dream to become a Pharmacist and I'll do whatever it takes to get there.
This vacation situation was booked before anyone had any idea that it would conflict and I would even forgo the 1500 buxs but I have others who are depending on me. Its fine its not the end of the world. I can actually take chem 2 in the fall so that makes me feel better. Others are telling me I should still try to shoot and apply this yr...I guess it wont hurt but idk we'll see....THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS GUYS!

 

[laimyours]

Yea I'm not going through with the class. I definitely have my priorities in order and I guess you dont know me so you would draw that conclusion with the very little bit of info i gave you🙂 But I have been definitely taking on a full load since I decided to go through with Pharm school. I've even turned down a job offering me 60k+ almost double the salary that I am now b/c it would mean setting me back for my academic goals. I'm doing above and beyond the call TRRUUSST ME, i dont know how im making it through but I am...It is my lifelong dream to become a Pharmacist and I'll do whatever it takes to get there.
This vacation situation was booked before anyone had any idea that it would conflict and I would even forgo the 1500 buxs but I have others who are depending on me. Its fine its not the end of the world. I can actually take chem 2 in the fall so that makes me feel better. Others are telling me I should still try to shoot and apply this yr...I guess it wont hurt but idk we'll see....THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS GUYS!

Don't get cranky, he was just offering advice based on the information you gave him. I have a question, If being a pharmacist is your life long dream then why were you a marketing major?

 

[PharmD316]

Don't get cranky, he was just offering advice based on the information you gave him. I have a question, If being a pharmacist is your life long dream then why were you a marketing major?

Cranky...not in the least... i was just clearing up any misconceptions thats all...i heavily apologize if my comment seemed unappreciative 🙂 I am very grateful thanks alot! I've got nuthing but love for SDN 😍

To answer your question...i was a pharmaceutical marketing major most of the major prepared you for the pharma industry as a whole very little science...I initially wanted to be a rep for a little while and then go back to pharmacy school...but im getting older and less motivated to do that kind of work.

 

[mrblah]

no offence taken. I come off like a A-hole online and give out alot of "tough love", and some people get defensive. Its okay though, I rather see people get defensive and get the message.

good luck.