need help deciding between grades and schools

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RaradX

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i currently have a 3.9 gpa and have completed 56 of pre-pharmacy units. im applying to csun, ucla and usc for fall of 2009 due to the fact that i was 20 units shy of applying to pharmacy school for fall 2009. i am also applying to western pharmacy school for fall 2010. if i dont get into pharmacy school straight, should i go to a harder school like ucla and get a lower gpa or a mediocre school like csun and have a high gpa?i want to be competitive when applying to pharmacy school......also consider the fact that my major is chemistry and im in a jc.
 
Why do you think you'll have a lower GPA at UCLA? You have a really good GPA at a junior college; that probably means you'd do well at either school.

Personally, I'd go to whatever school you think you'd get a better education at and better prepared for a career in pharmacy. Which school would it be easier to get pharmacy experience? Does either have a pre-pharmacy club? Would it be easier to get internships/volunteer positions at one versus the other?
 
I was just trying to point out that different schools might have more pre-pharmacy students than others, which might make it easier to get a pharmacy experience. If you have access to a pre-pharmacy club, you are exposed to pharmacists in different positions, pharmacy students, volunteer opportunities, etc.

I'm in the pre-pharmacy club on my campus, and I find it useful.
 
my whole point of question was if pharmacy schools like western or usc consider where you graduate from and/or your grades.
 
My point is I think grades, a good education, and pharmacy experience are more important than where you go to school. I'm in grad school, and people from all sorts of schools (including a California state school) got into my program. Those with better chances had good grades and research experience.

If you can show you really want to go to pharmacy school, have good grades, and a good PCAT score, I don't think it matters much where you go to school.

I also don't understand why you think you'd have a worse GPA at UCLA. That's setting yourself up for failure. Go to whichever school you want, and do your absolute best. You'll most likely do fine at either school, with a 3.9 gpa at a junior college. Are you worried you won't have as much teacher involvement at UCLA, which would hurt your GPA? Then don't go there. Talk to students at both schools and see which would be better for you.
 
I had a 3.9 at a CC and I transferred to a CSU, though I did get in to every UC school I applied to. I think it's better to go to the school you think you will enjoy the most. Getting better grades sealed the deal for me.
 
I believe that the school does not matter; the person does. Even Ivies produce crap graduates. If admissions committees heavily considered the school an applicant went to, community college graduates would not stand a chance in pharmacy school admissions. This is not the case.
 
i currently have a 3.9 gpa and have completed 56 of pre-pharmacy units. im applying to csun, ucla and usc for fall of 2009 due to the fact that i was 20 units shy of applying to pharmacy school for fall 2009. i am also applying to western pharmacy school for fall 2010. if i dont get into pharmacy school straight, should i go to a harder school like ucla and get a lower gpa or a mediocre school like csun and have a high gpa?i want to be competitive when applying to pharmacy school......also consider the fact that my major is chemistry and im in a jc.

They don't care where you went, just your GPA. I personally know people that had lower GPAs at UCLA and were rejected to USC and people with about .2 GPA higher from CSULB that got in. I'd say, go where it's cheaper and make sure to have ECs.
 
My point is I think grades, a good education, and pharmacy experience are more important than where you go to school. I'm in grad school, and people from all sorts of schools (including a California state school) got into my program. Those with better chances had good grades and research experience.

If you can show you really want to go to pharmacy school, have good grades, and a good PCAT score, I don't think it matters much where you go to school.

I also don't understand why you think you'd have a worse GPA at UCLA. That's setting yourself up for failure. Go to whichever school you want, and do your absolute best. You'll most likely do fine at either school, with a 3.9 gpa at a junior college. Are you worried you won't have as much teacher involvement at UCLA, which would hurt your GPA? Then don't go there. Talk to students at both schools and see which would be better for you.


take it eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasy...




To the Other Person, you know what my opinion is since we talked about it on the way to OCHEMII the other day.

just drop out man. bikhial sho. 3.9 is too low like I told you. you need at least a 4.8 to get in anywhere. USC is a diff story. youll need a 7.4 for that bro.


see you on monday. LOL
 
I had a 3.9 at a CC and I transferred to a CSU, though I did get in to every UC school I applied to. I think it's better to go to the school you think you will enjoy the most. Getting better grades sealed the deal for me.


You didn't like University of Colorado at Denver? or Boulder? Boulder is awesome and how come you didn't go there? Whats the difference between CSU and CU?
 
I think he is talking about the univ. of calif. schools
 
You didn't like University of Colorado at Denver? or Boulder? Boulder is awesome and how come you didn't go there? Whats the difference between CSU and CU?


he's talking about CSU.. California state University
 
They don't care where you went, just your GPA. I personally know people that had lower GPAs at UCLA and were rejected to USC and people with about .2 GPA higher from CSULB that got in. I'd say, go where it's cheaper and make sure to have ECs.
I fully agree with this. I have to pay for school so i am happy going to my CC instead of a 4 year. I pay about 1/5 the price and get the same classes. plus you are going to take on hugh loans in pharm school i would like to not take any out before i have to. Anyways go where you feel comfortable if that dont matter than go for the cheapest.
 
i currently have a 3.9 gpa and have completed 56 of pre-pharmacy units. im applying to csun, ucla and usc for fall of 2009 due to the fact that i was 20 units shy of applying to pharmacy school for fall 2009. i am also applying to western pharmacy school for fall 2010. if i dont get into pharmacy school straight, should i go to a harder school like ucla and get a lower gpa or a mediocre school like csun and have a high gpa?i want to be competitive when applying to pharmacy school......also consider the fact that my major is chemistry and im in a jc.
Hey RadradX,

I was in the same exact position as you a year ago. I had a 3.9 at CC and got accepted to Berkeley for undergrad as well as a less pretigious school. I chose the less prestigious school because it was close to home. I didn't want to be saddled with student debt, and saw more EC opportunities at the less prestigious school.

I have a 3.8 at this new school, so GPA wise, I guess the decision of mine worked. Would I get this at Berkeley? I really cannot say. I'd think probably not. But with that being said, here I just started a community health club, and we're going to do community health projects. At Berkeley, I wouldn't be able to do that because I'd likely have to take a part time job to help pay for costs.

I have no idea if my choice will help me get into Pharm school. I hope it will, but I can't be sure for now. Anyways, good luck with whatever decision you made. I know I didn't give much advice, but hopefully you feel a little better knowing somebody was in a similar position as you🙂
 
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