Need Feedback on my goals & stats.

[Hirenbp9362]

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Well im new here on the forums and already have read through most of the threads which answer some of my questions.

My background info: This is my second year in a local community college in NJ and will be taking the June PCAT for the first time. Im will be applying this fall for the 2009 class. I will take first PCAT in JUNE, then second in August, third time in October to get a better score.

About when should I start applying? I apply to PharmCAS first, right, and the pharmcas system then sends all the stuff I submitted to them to the pharmacy schools I apply, right?
Im going to be applying all the pharmacy schools in my neighboring states, PA, and NY.Im currently living in NJ.

All courses taken so far:
Human Sexuality & Family Life B+
Introduction to Sociology A
Introductory Psychology B
English Composition I B
English Composition II B+
Computer Applications & System A
General Chemistry I C
General Chemistry II C+
Analytic Geom & CalcI B part 1 *2 part course
Analytic Geom & CalcI A part 2
Biology I B
General Biology I B
General Biology II B

Total Earned Credits

38.00

Total Grade Points87.00

Cumulative GPA3.346

Currently taking:
Philosophy predicting...A
Statistics predicting....A
History: Western CivilizationI predicting...A
Physics---but will be dropping it because of the bad international professor. LOL. I will then take it in the fall.

Im taking Organic Chem I & II over the summer this year. I will be almost done with Organic Chem I when I take my first PCAT test.
Im currently taking Physics I but will be dropping it because of the bad international professor. LOL. I will then take it in the fall.

Well the only way to increase my sciences gpa now is to excel my Organic Chem classes, right?

What else do you guys recommend to better my chances in getting into a pharmacy school in my area of choice: NY, and PA?? I still have the Fall 08 and Spring 09 semesters, but I dont think they will help since I will be applying with my current gpa this fall.

Thanks alot guys,, these forums have provided me with very helpful info.

 

[IWang]

Well im new here on the forums and already have read through most of the threads which answer some of my questions.

My background info: This is my second year in a local community college in NJ and will be taking the June PCAT for the first time. Im will be applying this fall for the 2009 class. I will take first PCAT in JUNE, then second in August, third time in October to get a better score.

About when should I start applying? I apply to PharmCAS first, right, and the pharmcas system then sends all the stuff I submitted to them to the pharmacy schools I apply, right?
Im going to be applying all the pharmacy schools in my neighboring states, PA, and NY.Im currently living in NJ.

Grades in sciences/math:
Chem I C+
Chem II C+
Bio I B+
Bio II B+
Calculus A
Current gpa on transcript 3.39 (including other class like SCY, PSY...etc.)

Im taking Organic Chem I & II over the summer this year. I will be almost done with Organic Chem I when I take my first PCAT test.
Im currently taking Physics I but will be dropping it because of the bad international professor. LOL. I will then take it in the fall.

Well the only way to increase my sciences gpa now is to excel my Organic Chem classes, right?

What else do you guys recommend to better my chances in getting into a pharmacy school in my area of choice: NY, and PA?? I still have the Fall 08 and Spring 09 semesters, but I dont think they will help since I will be applying with my current gpa this fall.

Thanks alot guys,, these forums have provided me with very helpful info.

I'm sure you probably already know this, but just don't forget to get some community service and volunteers (either in a pharmacy setting or not) 🙂 those are important

 

[UES Girl]

This is my absolutely honest opinion so please do not get offended:

I think you need solid LORs, PS and lots of great ECs'. You grades are average to be honest and you have only taken the most basic classes so far. Most people compensate for the average grades by taking lots of upper division classes and acing them in order to show an upward trend. That's not an option for you as you haven't even finished your pre-reqs yet. You need to try really hard to show to adcoms in your application that you can handle pharmacy school. Good luck !

 

[SCCpharm]

You need to apply as early as possible! Submit your pharmCAS in August 2008, even if your PCAT score hasn't come in yet. The earlier you apply, the better chances you have to get in!


You can also raise your science GPA by retaking the C+ classes. But it would be much better if you got A's in orgo.

 

[Hirenbp9362]

This is my absolutely honest opinion so please do not get offended:

I think you need solid LORs, PS and lots of great ECs'. You grades are average to be honest and you have only taken the most basic classes so far. Most people compensate for the average grades by taking lots of upper division classes and acing them in order to show an upward trend. That's not an option for you as you haven't even finished your pre-reqs yet. You need to try really hard to show to adcoms in your application that you can handle pharmacy school. Good luck !

I have done some other required pre-reqs, but i only posted the most looked at pre-reqs like the sciences.
All courses taken so far:
Human Sexuality & Family Life B+
Introduction to Sociology A
Introductory Psychology B
English Composition I B
English Composition II B+
Computer Applications & System A
General Chemistry I C
General Chemistry II C+
Analytic Geom & CalcI B part 1
Analytic Geom & CalcI A part 2
Biology I B
General Biology I B
General Biology II B

Total Earned Credits

38.00

Total Grade Points87.00

Cumulative GPA3.346



Currently taking:
Philosophy predicting...A
Statistics predicting....A
History: Western CivilizationI predicting...A
Physics---but will be dropping it because of the bad international professor. LOL. I will then take it in the fall.

 

[Hirenbp9362]

bump*

 

[mrblah]

I have done some other required pre-reqs, but i only posted the most looked at pre-reqs like the sciences.
All courses taken so far:

English Composition I B
English Composition II B+

General Chemistry I C
General Chemistry II C+

Analytic Geom & CalcI B part 1
Analytic Geom & CalcI A part 2

Biology I B
General Biology I B
General Biology II B

Total Earned Credits

38.00

Total Grade Points87.00

Cumulative GPA3.346



.

from looking at your stats, your science/math gpa will be lower than your cumulative. Pharmacy schools look at both your cumulative and your science/math gpa.

You haven't hit the majority of the harder bio/chem classes, so there is alot of room for you to improve your grades.

btw, you need to tell us what bio classes you took (i.e. anatomy/physio/genetics/microbio/biochem/molec. bio). Telling us you took bio 1 isn't going to tell us anything. I also edited all the classes that aren't going to be included in your scie/math gpa. keep in mind, if you were to apply right now, many schools require a certain number of units, and/or a number of pre-req core classes completed before you apply (it will depend on the schools you apply to).

Also, you may want to look at the schools you want to apply to, and look up the pre-requ. required to get accepted. No point taking classes that won't count towards the pre-req, or isn't required for you to graduate from undergrad (unless of course you have to take it to graduate). You do not want to assume what classes to take.

 

[UES Girl]

bump*

I personally think you are applying a year too pre-maturely but that depends on the schools you are applying too. If you are applying to schools that are extremely competitive it would be better if you have taken more upper division science classes ( by upper I mean microbio, physio, cell or molecular bio, biochemistry, genetics ) to make up for the average grades in your basic pre-reqs and to show the upward improvement trend. But even if you are applying to schools that are so-so competitive you will still need solid LORs and great PS to make up for your grades. Remember you are going to be competing for admissions with people who have degrees in sciences and are two or three years ahead of you in their education - you have to show to the adcoms that are ready for pharmacy school curriculum. If you have the money and time though maybe you should still apply - I applied last year knowing I was a mediocre candidate. It was an incredibly 👍 informative learning experience and I can't describe how much exactly I learned.👍🙂

 

[Hirenbp9362]

Thanks alot for this information guys.
I am currently in the fourth semester of college, do you guys think im applying too soon? I thought most colleges require 2 years or pre-pharmacy. I still have 1 year before I even enter a pharmacy school, I will be applying this fall? Do you guys think im applying too soon? if so, do you guys recommend me to transfer from my current community college to a 4year college to take some upper division courses? My current community offers some upper division science courses, such as, microbio, genetics, anatomy & physiology. Can i continue here in my current community college,, or do pharmacy schools prefer 4year college courses over community college courses?...

THANKS ALOT AGAIN GUYS FOR SOME GREAT INFO.🙂

 

[Hirenbp9362]

bump*

 

[UES Girl]

bump*

If you have the money and time perhaps you should still apply. You'd have to work extra hard on the rest of your application though as remember you will be competiting with people who not only have taken upper division classes but even finished their degrees. But still give it a try. 👍

 

[phuang06]

I plan on applying for Fall 2009 with only 2 years under my belt (End of Spring 2009, I will have finished 3 years of undergrad). If you think you're a competitive applicant, then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't try applying. After all, if you don't get in this year, you'll still have another year, and in the meantime you can take upper level courses to be more competitive and raise your GPA too. I say go for it.

Personally, for me, my downfall would probably be that I don't have pharmacy experience. Hopefully I won't get denied just because of that. haha

 

[Hirenbp9362]

I plan on applying for Fall 2009 with only 2 years under my belt (End of Spring 2009, I will have finished 3 years of undergrad). If you think you're a competitive applicant, then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't try applying. After all, if you don't get in this year, you'll still have another year, and in the meantime you can take upper level courses to be more competitive and raise your GPA too. I say go for it.

Personally, for me, my downfall would probably be that I don't have pharmacy experience. Hopefully I won't get denied just because of that. haha

If you dont mind, can you post your stats such as gpa and pcat scores?
Thanks, Im in the same seat as you, but i dont think i have a great gpa, my cummulative gpa is 3.3 but my sciences is way below that because I have C's in both chemistrys and B's in both biologys. I will be taking organic chemistry over the summer, but by the time I start applying i wont be able to send in my transcripts with the organic grades, because I will still be in the process of taking it.

 

[phuang06]

If you dont mind, can you post your stats such as gpa and pcat scores?
Thanks, Im in the same seat as you, but i dont think i have a great gpa, my cummulative gpa is 3.3 but my sciences is way below that because I have C's in both chemistrys and B's in both biologys. I will be taking organic chemistry over the summer, but by the time I start applying i wont be able to send in my transcripts with the organic grades, because I will still be in the process of taking it.

my GPA is in my signature. it's a 3.92. My science GPA is probably slightly lower, around a 3.86? not exactly sure. I am going to take the June PCAT for the first time as well, so good luck to you 🙂

 

[Hirenbp9362]

After finishing my fall 08 and spring 09 semester, I will be having an associates degree in both bio and chem. So is there a way I can let the adcoms know that on the applications i send in? will that help me?
Or do you guy suggest that I actually complete my final few classes, obtain the degrees, and then apply to schools?

Does any one know about on average how many students apply with only 2years completed?

And finally I want to ask, according to my stats what do you guys think, can I get accepted to any of the schools im looking at,, any in NY,and PA. I dont mind NO as an answer. Just tell me what you guys really think.

thanks

 

[meowmeow]

Hirenbp#####, I agree with some other ppl here saying u should wait another year or so to apply. Mainly because u need more classes. U shouldnt take the pcat if u havent finished ochem yet. Maybe u should take physio first too.

Also there is no need to take the pcat every 2-3 months! Are u rich or something???

 

[Achilleus]

Hirenbp#####, I agree with some other ppl here saying u should wait another year or so to apply. Mainly because u need more classes. U shouldnt take the pcat if u havent finished ochem yet. Maybe u should take physio first too.

Also there is no need to take the pcat every 2-3 months! Are u rich or something???

i'd take one just for practice or take a free one through kaplan. this kid i knew in my microbio lab took the pcat his freshman year and got a 90 😡 pissed me off!!! he then decided to go into pre-med. you just never know what can happen i guess. but it won't hurt to take it once for practice (or a free practice test at least). at least you'll get a feel for the test before you take the one that you study ur buns off for!!! as far as taking it every 2-3 months... i wouldn't recommend that. UH looks at all your pcat scores and takes them all into consideration. but some schools don't do that. i'd recommend checking before taking the pcat like 10 times. but yea taking it every 2-3 months is just a waste of time and money. each tests costs about $125 or so. and u also build the mentality that if u don't do good this time... you always have next time

 

[Hirenbp9362]

After finishing my fall 08 and spring 09 semester, I will be having an associates degree in both bio and chem. So is there a way I can let the adcoms know that on the applications i send in? will that help me?
Or do you guy suggest that I actually complete my final few classes, obtain the degrees, and then apply to schools?

Does any one know about on average how many students apply with only 2years completed?

And finally I want to ask, according to my stats what do you guys think, can I get accepted to any of the schools im looking at,, any in NY,and PA. I dont mind NO as an answer. Just tell me what you guys really think.

thanks

Any answers for this^^^ guys.

 

[Hirenbp9362]

bump* ^^^^^😕

 

[Steroids]

Can I also get some feedback?

BS in Biology (2003-2007)

 

[Chill Pill]

So I will admit that my math/science grades are not as high as they should be:

Calculus/statistics........A
General Chem 1 and II....A
Biology I....C
Physics I....B-
Organic I and lab.....B

My cumulative is 3.77

I am going to get my BS in chemistry so I think it's possible to show I can handle upper division classes.

I am asking: how would it look if I retook those classes I got C's after I graduate while working as a tech? Should I move on and simply get more work experience then reapply or should I bother raising my pre-req GPA?

 

[Hirenbp9362]

Can I also get some feedback?

BS in Biology (2003-2007); some courses include:
Bio I---------B
Bio II--------A-
Chem I------A-
Chem II-----A
Orgo I------C-
Orgo II------D-
Biochem-----D-
Mol Bio------A-
Microbio-----A-
Genetics----A-
Metabolism--B+
Enzymology--B
Biotech------B
Mol Biotech--C?
Calc I-------A
Calc II------A
Stats-------A
Physics I---C+
Physics II--C
Anatomy---C+
Physio I----C?
Physio II----A-
Histology---C+?

Overall GPA ~ 3.1?
Master of Public Health (2007-Present, 4.0)

Good Lab/Research/Leadership Experiences, Teaching Assistant, etc. No relevant Pharm Experience.

I will obviously retake Orgo courses (at the same time as my Master's--tough/expensive).

Is pursuing Pharm still realistic for me?

Any advice is appreciated (please be honest - my feelings won't be hurt).

So I will admit that my math/science grades are not as high as they should be:

Calculus/statistics........A
General Chem 1 and II....A
Biology I....C
Physics I....B-
Organic I and lab.....B

My cumulative is 3.77

I am going to get my BS in chemistry so I think it's possible to show I can handle upper division classes.

I am asking: how would it look if I retook those classes I got C's after I graduate while working as a tech? Should I move on and simply get more work experience then reapply or should I bother raising my pre-req GPA?

You guys can make your own thread. Stop hijacking mine plz.😉

 

[phuang06]

You guys can make your own thread. Stop hijacking mine plz.😉

Stop bumping your own thread please. Thank you.

 

[Achilleus]

stop asking about ur stats!! no one here knows if you're going to get in or not!! you hear ppl getting in with 2.7s and low pcats and i know tons of ppl with 4.0s/99 pcats who haven't gotten in anywhere. if you want to ask anyone... ask the advisors at the schools you're planning on applying to. that's what i did and i saved myself a lot of time and money. no one here knows what ur chances are because ANYTHING is possible.

 

[SCCpharm]

After finishing my fall 08 and spring 09 semester, I will be having an associates degree in both bio and chem. So is there a way I can let the adcoms know that on the applications i send in? will that help me?
Or do you guy suggest that I actually complete my final few classes, obtain the degrees, and then apply to schools?

Does any one know about on average how many students apply with only 2years completed?

And finally I want to ask, according to my stats what do you guys think, can I get accepted to any of the schools im looking at,, any in NY,and PA. I dont mind NO as an answer. Just tell me what you guys really think.

thanks

Yes, there's a spot on the pharmCAS where you can enter that you will be obtaining degrees. This will help your application. There is also spots in the application forms for schools that are non pharmCAS

I HIGHLY recommend that you apply BEFORE you complete your degree. That way, you won't get stuck with 1 year of non-school. Sure, you could apply after you finish all your Pre-Reqs, but I think thats a waste of time. Some people might recommend finishing a bachelor's degree in 6 years and have an easier time, while others recommend finishing a bachelor's degree in 4 years. This is similiar. If you want to save time, apply such that you will go straight to pharmacy school right after you finish your pre-reqs. You will be out and working as a pharmacist sooner, making ~$50/hr.

The worst that could happen is they say no, which would be the same thing as not applying at all.

In our class about half the class have only 2 years of schooling (they applied after their 1st year) and most of them have been doing well compared to the bachelor degree students. Just apply, if you get in, you just made an extra $100k (since you will be graduating one year earlier and be able to work as a pharmacist)!

I think you definately have a chance, just apply early!

 

[Transformer]

Lets just say most students who took o chem in summer, and its their first time taking o chem relatively perform worse than if they had taken it during the regular school year.

My conclusion: Avoid taking Organic Chemistry in the summer.


Admission Committees know organic chemistry and human anatomy and physiology classes are difficult classes. They usually judge an applicant's ability to handle pharmacy school curriculum based on classes on the same level as organic chem. and anatomy.

With that said, Take a year off and retake your organic chemistry and if needed, also retake human anatomy and physiology.

Just remember to get all As. (I know its easier said than done but not impossible)

Good Luck!

 

[Hirenbp9362]

Yes, there's a spot on the pharmCAS where you can enter that you will be obtaining degrees. This will help your application. There is also spots in the application forms for schools that are non pharmCAS

I HIGHLY recommend that you apply BEFORE you complete your degree. That way, you won't get stuck with 1 year of non-school. Sure, you could apply after you finish all your Pre-Reqs, but I think thats a waste of time. Some people might recommend finishing a bachelor's degree in 6 years and have an easier time, while others recommend finishing a bachelor's degree in 4 years. This is similiar. If you want to save time, apply such that you will go straight to pharmacy school right after you finish your pre-reqs. You will be out and working as a pharmacist sooner, making ~$50/hr.

The worst that could happen is they say no, which would be the same thing as not applying at all.

In our class about half the class have only 2 years of schooling (they applied after their 1st year) and most of them have been doing well compared to the bachelor degree students. Just apply, if you get in, you just made an extra $100k (since you will be graduating one year earlier and be able to work as a pharmacist)!

I think you definately have a chance, just apply early!

Thanks for the motivation🙂 I have decided to apply this fall. There is nothing to loose, if I dont get in this for the 09fall class, i will do one year of upperdivsion courses and apply next year..
Thanks everybody for the quick and helpful feedbacks..

 

[inquirer89]

Off topic question, but it kind of relates to this topic:

I also have not taken the upper level classes and my current grades are average. I plan on taking the PCAT this summer and I am applying to pharm schools for Fall next year.

My first choice school has Early Decision due August 31. Should I aim for this? My 2 worries is that I may want to retake the PCAT in late 08 or early 09 and that my grades for Fall 08 will not show (I'm hoping it'll help raise my GPA). And I can't reapply for regular admissions (I'm assuming).

What do you all think...apply for Early Decision of apply later for regular admissions?

 

[Hirenbp9362]

Off topic question, but it kind of relates to this topic:

I also have not taken the upper level classes and my current grades are average. I plan on taking the PCAT this summer and I am applying to pharm schools for Fall next year.

My first choice school has Early Decision due August 31. Should I aim for this? My 2 worries is that I may want to retake the PCAT in late 08 or early 09 and that my grades for Fall 08 will not show (I'm hoping it'll help raise my GPA). And I can't reapply for regular admissions (I'm assuming).

What do you all think...apply for Early Decision of apply later for regular admissions?

GO FOR IT!
Im going through the same situation. If i get into one of the schools I apply this year thats good, if not, I will take one more year of college to take upperdivision courses to improve gpa. Lets both cross our fingers and apply! 🙂