NEED some advice on pre-pharm.

[icetray01]

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Dear readers,

Thank you for reading this post. My name is saief. I would like to attend a Pharmacy school by fall of 2009. I need some professional suggestion(s) in regards to what I should be doing from now on to pursue a career in Pharmacy. Please consider the following:

a) I've an undergrad. degree in chemistry (conc. biochem) in 2006
b) I have a gpa of 2.8 in my undergrad.
c) I am currently working at a ImmunoChemistry/R&D department as a biochemist
d) I have not prepared myself yet to take the PCAT
e) I have not taken any courses (masters) to improve my gpa
f) What do you suggest that I should do???????
g) Do you think it's necessary to do a Masters before I apply to a pharmacy school?? If so, then in what???

Please suggests me as I have very little time before deciding what I should do, because I would like to start taking one or two part-time courses in the end of January of 2009.

Best regards,

Saief.

 

[FLPharm2Be]

If you really want to go for Fall 09, you are going to have to register to take the Jan 09 PCAT, which is the last one accepted at SOME schools (others cut it off at the Oct test). You will have to research which schools that you meet the minimum GPA requirements and which schools accept the Jan PCAT. Also, get started on your applications, most schools use PharmCAS. You can definitely start retaking pre-req courses that you didn't do so well in, but that really won't be counted in a Fall 09 application. I would suggest you do it anyways because you are playing against the odds, it is a little late in the game to just be getting started. But, don't be discouraged because it can and has been done. You just have a lot of work ahead of you. Start looking at the Pre-Pharm FAQ sticky, http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=198059, also find out schools that fit your completed courses, deadlines, last PCAT, and min. GPA. Honestly, I don't think a master's is necessary for Pharm school admission, good numbers is the first cut off, then (in no specific order) it's extracurriculars, volunteering, and pharmacy experience.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

Dear readers,

Thank you for reading this post. My name is saief. I would like to attend a Pharmacy school by fall of 2009. I need some professional suggestion(s) in regards to what I should be doing from now on to pursue a career in Pharmacy. Please consider the following:

a) I've an undergrad. degree in chemistry (conc. biochem) in 2006
b) I have a gpa of 2.8 in my undergrad.
c) I am currently working at a ImmunoChemistry/R&D department as a biochemist
d) I have not prepared myself yet to take the PCAT
e) I have not taken any courses (masters) to improve my gpa
f) What do you suggest that I should do???????
g) Do you think it's necessary to do a Masters before I apply to a pharmacy school?? If so, then in what???

Please suggests me as I have very little time before deciding what I should do, because I would like to start taking one or two part-time courses in the end of January of 2009.

Best regards,

Saief.

Well, I will give you honesty..
1) Low GPA, many schools may not even consider your application because of your GPA, I know my school would not even look at it.
2) No patient care pharmacy experience or pharmacy experience at all?
3) As far as course work goes there really isn't much at all you can do at this point for consideration in the Fall 09 admission cycle.

You can register for the PCAT but even an Amazing PCAT score may not be able to shadow that GPA especially with no patient care/pharmacy experience. A good PCAt score may be tough if you have been out of school for a couple years too.


If you want to be realistic, I would forget about getting into pharmacy school in Fall 2009, very slim chance. Get into a Master's program, like public health or something along those lines and get some pharmacy experience. Another problem you may run into is getting excepted into some Masters programs with a GPA under 3.0.

I would set goals for Fall 2010 or Fall 2011 if you want to be realistic and give yourself a fighting chance.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Well, I will give you honesty..
1) Low GPA, many schools may not even consider your application because of your GPA, I know my school would not even look at it.
2) No patient care pharmacy experience or pharmacy experience at all?
3) As far as course work goes there really isn't much at all you can do at this point for consideration in the Fall 09 admission cycle.

You can register for the PCAT but even an Amazing PCAT score may not be able to shadow that GPA especially with no patient care/pharmacy experience. A good PCAt score may be tough if you have been out of school for a couple years too.


If you want to be realistic, I would forget about getting into pharmacy school in Fall 2009, very slim chance. Get into a Master's program, like public health or something along those lines and get some pharmacy experience. Another problem you may run into is getting excepted into some Masters programs with a GPA under 3.0.

I would set goals for Fall 2010 or Fall 2011 if you want to be realistic and give yourself a fighting chance.

Could not have been said better... You could still apply for this upcoming cycle - but with little preparation - you are setting yourself up for failure. Take the time, put in the effort - either retake your poor grades or further your education (I would consider both) - get into a pharmacy for some hands-on experience. Prep for the PCAT.

Good luck

~above~

 

[Transformer]

Dear readers,

Thank you for reading this post. My name is saief. I would like to attend a Pharmacy school by fall of 2009. I need some professional suggestion(s) in regards to what I should be doing from now on to pursue a career in Pharmacy. Please consider the following:

a) I've an undergrad. degree in chemistry (conc. biochem) in 2006
b) I have a gpa of 2.8 in my undergrad.
c) I am currently working at a ImmunoChemistry/R&D department as a biochemist
d) I have not prepared myself yet to take the PCAT
e) I have not taken any courses (masters) to improve my gpa
f) What do you suggest that I should do???????
g) Do you think it's necessary to do a Masters before I apply to a pharmacy school?? If so, then in what???

Please suggests me as I have very little time before deciding what I should do, because I would like to start taking one or two part-time courses in the end of January of 2009.

Best regards,

Saief.

Saief, I completely understand where you are coming from. I was in a similar situation not too long ago.

I recommend retaking your calculus, and general science classes. Why? because you've been removed from school for quite awhile and might not remember all the concepts tested on the PCAT.

Also, Acing your retakes on Science classes shows pharmacy schools you've got what it takes to handle the rigors of pharmacy school.

So retake college level science and math classes first and then, use the knowledge learned to score high on the PCAT. Trust me, you'll need a high or at least a somewhat competitive PCAT score to compensate for that sub 3.0 GPA.

I also recommend volunteering at a pharmacy because it realistically reaffirms whether pharmacy field is what you truly want to do for the rest of your life.

And if you have time, get a tech license and work as a pharmacy technician.

good luck🙂

 

[icetray01]

i really appreciate your inputs..

i've never worked at a pharmacy before but i think i have the basic knowledge of what goes on in a pharmacy. but you're right, i should def. volunteer at a local pharmacy to gain a better understanding of it. are any of you guys familiar with the University of Albany, NY? One of my coworker takes part time pharmacy courses there and he said it takes ~ several years to complete the pharmacy degree. I haven't talked to him about this yet, but I was wondering if you guys know anything about this??? Is it a good idea to go part time pharmacy school and work full time??

some of you said that i should retake some of the courses that i haven't done well in my undergrad or it's been just too long (~2 years) since i took those courses. I did well in my calculus (I & II), but not so great in Organic II (C+) and I have not taken microbiology (it was not required for my degree). So if I choose to take few of the undergrad courses then which one I should consider???

Best regards,

Saief

Best regards,

Saief

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

i really appreciate your inputs..

i've never worked at a pharmacy before but i think i have the basic knowledge of what goes on in a pharmacy. but you're right, i should def. volunteer at a local pharmacy to gain a better understanding of it. are any of you guys familiar with the University of Albany, NY? One of my coworker takes part time pharmacy courses there and he said it takes ~ several years to complete the pharmacy degree. I haven't talked to him about this yet, but I was wondering if you guys know anything about this??? Is it a good idea to go part time pharmacy school and work full time??

some of you said that i should retake some of the courses that i haven't done well in my undergrad or it's been just too long (~2 years) since i took those courses. I did well in my calculus (I & II), but not so great in Organic II (C+) and I have not taken microbiology (it was not required for my degree). So if I choose to take few of the undergrad courses then which one I should consider???

Best regards,

Saief

Best regards,

Saief

It is obvious that you have done very little research about pharmacy or pharmacy school. Retake undergrad courses you received C grades in and look into a master's program.

You seem misinformed/confused. There is NO part time pharmacy school in the United States. You can take part time undergrad prereq courses but Not pharmacy school courses.

Pharmacy school will take you a minimum of 3-4 years to complete on top of undergrad. Some schools are 3 years and some are 4 years. So you are looking at graduating and being done at the earliest in Spring 2013, 2014 so about 5-6 years from now realistically. It is a long term commitment and it is not easy. Every year it is getting more competitive, you will be competeing with people with higher GPAs, good PCAt scores, pharmacy experience, knowledge of the profession, commitment/involvement in pharmacy organizations and leadership roles. I am not trying to discourage you, I just think it is best you have the facts so you can make the best possible decision for yourself. You need to set yourself a part from other applicants, that means a lot of work on your part, in school and out of school.

Please read FAQ section, it has a lot of great info. You really need to talk to a pharmacy adviser, you seem lost on what you need to do. Schools have different requirements so you have to look that up on your own, figure out what schools you want to apply to.

It sounds like you really need to sit down and make sure you know what you are getting into and make sure it is something that you want to do.

And go talk to an ADVISER!