Nervous!!

[jenbl89]

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Hi everybody!!

So this is my first time posting on any type of forum so I'm a little unsure how to work this fully.. hopefully I get the hang of it soon! My time is coming up to apply for pharmacy school in fall, and as its getting closer I am getting a little doubtful.. My number one choice is Midwestern in Glendale, and then possibly Pacific U in Oregon.. I am taking my prereqs at a community college, my first year wasn't too great (I was going for nursing, but I didn't really think I would be happy doing that), so I didn't apply myself as I should have. Once I figured out that I wanted to pursue pharmacy, my grades have shown an upward trend, all A's and B's the past 2 years. I also am a certified pharmacy technician and did the certification on my own (I did not enroll in any courses). I am also a member of the Pre Pharmacy Club at my school, and volunteer from time to time at a daycare, and then annual church events.. So my question for everyone is.. do these schools take into account that my grades have gone up, and that I am already working in pharmaceuticals? Like I said, time is coming up, and I am getting extremely anxious, and also have to take my Pcat this summer as well.. any tips would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks ! 🙂

 

[Sugoi Travis]

Hey welcome to SDN my friend.

Of course pharmacy schools will take into account your upward trend in grades as well as your extracurriculars. It's a hell of a lot better to start out low then end high rather than the other way around, although starting high and ending high is preferred haha! Being a tech is also a positive on your application.

In regards to the PCAT, studying for it began when you first entered college. How much you study for the test will greatly depend on how much time you took to understand what was being taught in your college classes. The PCAT can either be a total beast to some, or a cakewalk for others. Definitely check out the PCAT section of these forums to get a better angle on how you should tackle the test.

Good luck.

 

[jenbl89]

Thank you so much!! I don't think I am so much worried about the sciences on the Pcat, just the analogies, everyone I know said they are hard to tackle!

 

[Digsbe]

An upward trend in your GPA is better than a downward. Keep your GPA higher and do well on the PCAT (particularly in areas that you may have some bad grades in).

 

[xtsukiyox]

Hi jenbl89, welcome to SDN! 🙂

I am a first-year student at MWU-CPG, so feel free to ask me any questions. (This next quarter will be busy, so try PM'ing me if you don't see a response.) I am also a community college person - I never went to a 4-year school before pharma school.

Yes, schools generally do take into account that your grades are going up. Keep in mind - the later in your prereqs you are, the harder the classes are supposed to be. The prereq classes most people consider the most difficult are organic chemistry, anatomy & physiology, and biochemistry (if required - not required for MWU). On your application, they will see that you were taking nursing classes alongside your general ed classes (at least, I think that's how the community college nursing program works?). Not everyone jumps right into college and does outstandingly; there is usually an adjustment period. Try to make sure you do outstandingly on your remaining classes, and it should balance out. The average GPA of the 2012 matriculating class was 3.36, although in previous years it's been closer to 3.2 (http://www.midwestern.edu/programs-and-admission/az-pharmacy.html). Aim for that range or higher with a good PCAT score.

Also, when you get there - apply EARLY, since MWU-CPG does rolling admissions (try to have your application done in September).

Working in a pharmacy will be a bonus for your application! Schools like to make sure their students know what pharmacy's about before they get into pharma school (and possibly decide they don't like it, or whatever). Plus, you'll have interesting things to talk about during your interview and your essays. 🙂

Best of luck! You've set yourself up for success starting early.

 

[jenbl89]

Hi jenbl89, welcome to SDN! 🙂

I am a first-year student at MWU-CPG, so feel free to ask me any questions. (This next quarter will be busy, so try PM'ing me if you don't see a response.) I am also a community college person - I never went to a 4-year school before pharma school.

Yes, schools generally do take into account that your grades are going up. Keep in mind - the later in your prereqs you are, the harder the classes are supposed to be. The prereq classes most people consider the most difficult are organic chemistry, anatomy & physiology, and biochemistry (if required - not required for MWU). On your application, they will see that you were taking nursing classes alongside your general ed classes (at least, I think that's how the community college nursing program works?). Not everyone jumps right into college and does outstandingly; there is usually an adjustment period. Try to make sure you do outstandingly on your remaining classes, and it should balance out. The average GPA of the 2012 matriculating class was 3.36, although in previous years it's been closer to 3.2 (http://www.midwestern.edu/programs-and-admission/az-pharmacy.html). Aim for that range or higher with a good PCAT score.

Also, when you get there - apply EARLY, since MWU-CPG does rolling admissions (try to have your application done in September).

Working in a pharmacy will be a bonus for your application! Schools like to make sure their students know what pharmacy's about before they get into pharma school (and possibly decide they don't like it, or whatever). Plus, you'll have interesting things to talk about during your interview and your essays. 🙂

Best of luck! You've set yourself up for success starting early.

Thank you so much! I've always had my head in the books, when i finished high school my gpa was 3.8... since high school I have wanted to go for pharmacy. But... when I moved to Arizona, my sister had talked me into nursing (less schooling, less of a cost, good pay) so I agreed with her, as I didn't know any better and was only 19 at the time. But as time went on, I realized that nursing wasn't what I really wanted to do, I wanted to go to pharmacy school.. as I mentioned my grades have been nothing but A's and B's in the past 2 years, and I've been able to keep them up although I work fulltime right now as a tech.

As I mentioned, my main worry is that many pharmacy schools will overlook my application because of my not so bright beginning.

What were your stats? And what was the interview process like? And I definitely plan on submitting my application as soon as I am able to 🙂

 

[The Recoverer]

To OP, my only and most important advice I can give you.

START on your Pharmcas Personal Statement EARLY!! Don't wait until the application window opens to start working on your PS. it took me 6 whole months of non stop revising and rewriting to hammer out a well polished and concise personal statement. This may sound like a no brainer but the PS is your chance to really shine infront of the adcoms.

The application window is not open yet so Ill post the prompt here,

Your Personal Essay should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals. The personal essay is an important part of your application for admission and provides you with an opportunity for you to clearly and effectively express your ideas.

The reason you want to work on your PS early is so you can submit your application as soon as possible once it opens. Applying very early tremendously increases your chances of getting accepted.

My GPA was below a 3.0. I got in due to my LORs and PS! Good luck!

 

[JPD36]

Hi everybody!!

So this is my first time forum so I'm a little unsure how to work this fully.. hopefully I get the hang of it soon! My time is coming up to apply for pharmacy school in fall, and as its getting closer I am getting a little doubtful.. My number one choice is Midwestern in Glendale, and then possibly Pacific U in Oregon.. I am taking my prereqs at a community college, my first year wasn't too great (I was going for nursing, but I didn't really think I would be happy doing that), so I didn't apply myself as I should have. Once I figured out that I wanted to pursue pharmacy, my grades have shown an upward trend, all A's and B's the past 2 years. I also am a certified pharmacy technician and did the certification on my own (I did not enroll in any courses). I am also a member of the Pre Pharmacy Club at my school, and volunteer from time to time at a daycare, and then annual church events.. So my question for everyone is.. do these schools take into account that my grades have gone up, and that I am already working in pharmaceuticals? Like I said, time is coming up, and I am getting extremely anxious, and also have to take my Pcat this summer as well.. any tips would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks ! 🙂

Apply early since most schools have rolling admissions. Be sure to apply to a few extra schools, just in case.

Take the PCAT asap and dont be discouraged if you dont perform as well as youd hoped. My first time taking it was a sort of a feeler and I did horrible. Took it a month later, knowing what to expect and improved drastically, although it wasnt the best score. Next to understanding the broad array of material, I feel time management is the next important factor. Also, make sure you perform well in the section you're good at to compensate for your weak point. I.e, I made sure to do well on the math section to make up for my anticipated low reading score.

Also, being a CPht helps a great deal. My friend is an ambassador at a local pharmacy school and mentions that the admissions comittee loves students with experience.

 

[xtsukiyox]

As I mentioned, my main worry is that many pharmacy schools will overlook my application because of my not so bright beginning.

What were your stats? And what was the interview process like? And I definitely plan on submitting my application as soon as I am able to 🙂

I think that community college nursing program is a double-edged sword... I know a half-dozen people in the same boat (although none in pharmacy yet - helped talk one friend into being a pharm tech tho!).

One of my classmates flat out failed out of college the first time around because he hated it (simplified story), then turned it around to the tune of about a 3-point. Not all of us know what we want to do with our lives right out of high school. Just focus & do outstandingly now, and nobody will question whether you can "hack it" in pharmacy school.

You will submit PharmCAS, then a supplemental application, then you'll get an interview invite, assuming everything goes well. The interview itself at MWU-CPG isn't bad. It's you & two of your fellow applicants sitting across a table from three interviewees (usually two faculty and one student, but I had all faculty). It's lower key than you'd expect. You can prepare by checking out the interview feedback info (under the reference materials menu at the top of the page). You have an address by the dean and a tour of the campus, and they have current students to talk to before the day gets started at 8:00am and then again at lunch.