new pre-pharm applying for fall 2012

[gotgame740]

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Ok so I'm finally posting on here after lurking for a few months. This site has been pretty helpful for me as I made my transition from pre-med to pre-pharmacy.

Here's my situation. I just finished my sophomore year at Washington University (WUSTL). Due to the fact that my parents could not afford the private school tuition there anymore, I had to leave. I am now attending my local community college where I will finish my pre-reqs while I apply this fall. My current overall gpa is a 3.25. I already took gen bio, gen chem, calculus, statistics, english 1, as well as some psych classes at WUSTL. I am currently taking A&P 1 (should get an A) and english 2 (probably gonna get a B). I am taking organic 1, physics 1, a&p 2, econ, and communication in the fall while I will take organic 2, physics 2, microbiology, and maybe something else in the spring. I am also scheduled to take my PCAT on the 27th, and I have been preparing for it with the Dr Collins study guide and the Kaplan book. I have the pearson practice tests too, and when I took a timed test it said I was in the range of 80-99. I have shadowed with a pharmacist and Walgreen's and will get a LOR from him. I should start volunteering at the hospital either this week or next week and I should be able to get a LOR from my supervisor by september. I can still get a LOR from one of my professors from WUSTL.

Does anyone have any advice for me, or maybe has been in a similar situation? I realize that not having my bachelor's degree is gonna hurt me, but hopefully I can get a great PCAT score.

 

[pharmschooler]

Ok so I'm finally posting on here after lurking for a few months. This site has been pretty helpful for me as I made my transition from pre-med to pre-pharmacy.

Here's my situation. I just finished my sophomore year at Washington University (WUSTL). Due to the fact that my parents could not afford the private school tuition there anymore, I had to leave. I am now attending my local community college where I will finish my pre-reqs while I apply this fall. My current overall gpa is a 3.25. I already took gen bio, gen chem, calculus, statistics, english 1, as well as some psych classes at WUSTL. I am currently taking A&P 1 (should get an A) and english 2 (probably gonna get a B). I am taking organic 1, physics 1, a&p 2, econ, and communication in the fall while I will take organic 2, physics 2, microbiology, and maybe something else in the spring. I am also scheduled to take my PCAT on the 27th, and I have been preparing for it with the Dr Collins study guide and the Kaplan book. I have the pearson practice tests too, and when I took a timed test it said I was in the range of 80-99. I have shadowed with a pharmacist and Walgreen's and will get a LOR from him. I should start volunteering at the hospital either this week or next week and I should be able to get a LOR from my supervisor by september. I can still get a LOR from one of my professors from WUSTL.

Does anyone have any advice for me, or maybe has been in a similar situation? I realize that not having my bachelor's degree is gonna hurt me, but hopefully I can get a great PCAT score.

It sounds like you're doing everything right. Try to raise your GPA up this year, if you can.

Apply broadly, and be sure the schools you choose are likely to accept students without a 4 year degree. Practice your interview skills ahead of time...you'll probably be just fine. If you don't get in this year, you can always finish a degree and then apply again. 👍

 

[gotgame740]

It sounds like you're doing everything right. Try to raise your GPA up this year, if you can.

Apply broadly, and be sure the schools you choose are likely to accept students without a 4 year degree. Practice your interview skills ahead of time...you'll probably be just fine. If you don't get in this year, you can always finish a degree and then apply again. 👍

thanks pharmschooler. Do you know of any schools in particular? Also, I should put something in my personal statement about why I am at a CC now, right?

 

[Project2015]

I'd be careful with the wording of the finances because what does it imply about you given that pharmacy school is generally more expensive than undergrad?

 

[pharmschooler]

I'd be careful with the wording of the finances because what does it imply about you given that pharmacy school is generally more expensive than undergrad?

There's no reason to be embarrassed for being thrifty/not wanting to or being able to spend tens of thousands dollars more than necessary on school.

If you feel the need, put something about it in your personal statement; perhaps allude to a change in family finances necessitating the need for you to cut back yourself in order to achieve your final goal of becoming a pharmacist.

I'd look on PharmCAS and see which schools you can meet the prerequisites for the soonest, then narrow your list down by looking at average GPA and PCAT of admitted students and through contact with the schools. If you want to pursue a specific specialty within pharmacy or work in a certain geographic area, find a school that can help you achieve these goals, too.

I'm partial to state schools, myself. I think they tend to have better name-brand recognition nationally. This may or may not matter to you. They can also give you in-state tuition, if you get into your own state's school. Bonus!

 

[Project2015]

Sure. However, it is possible that the reader might think that there is a possibility of the student dropping out of pharm school due to finances if it wasn't accurately expressed. For example, "I am no longer seeking a 4 year degree due to finances and my decision to not take out loans" will 😕 a relatively expensive pharm school. So like you said, it is important to convey the ultimate and definite goal of becoming a pharmacist and that if necessary, finances will be taken care of to obtain the goal. That's just my thought on it. After all, a school also has a budget dependent on tuition to maintain.

 

[owlegrad]

Sure. However, it is possible that the reader might think that there is a possibility of the student dropping out of pharm school due to finances if it wasn't accurately expressed. For example, "I am no longer seeking a 4 year degree due to finances and my decision to not take out loans" will 😕 a relatively expensive pharm school. So like you said, it is important to convey the ultimate and definite goal of becoming a pharmacist and that if necessary, finances will be taken care of to obtain the goal. That's just my thought on it. After all, a school also has a budget dependent on tuition to maintain.

Pharm school admins will assume that you will take out whatever loans you needs to get through pharmacy school - they will not think that you will drop out due to finances. At least that is my opinion.

 

[pharmschooler]

Sure. However, it is possible that the reader might think that there is a possibility of the student dropping out of pharm school due to finances if it wasn't accurately expressed. For example, "I am no longer seeking a 4 year degree due to finances and my decision to not take out loans" will 😕 a relatively expensive pharm school. So like you said, it is important to convey the ultimate and definite goal of becoming a pharmacist and that if necessary, finances will be taken care of to obtain the goal. That's just my thought on it. After all, a school also has a budget dependent on tuition to maintain.

Since something like 93% of pharmacy students accrue loans during pharmacy school, I doubt this would be their concern. I think they'd easily understand if a student was reticent to take out large loans in only their second year of undergrad though, especially considering how large those loans would be by the end of pharmacy school.

 

[armorking]

Gotgame740 I completely understand why you left WUSTL. 40K a year isn't cheap but you are doing everything right to get into pharmacy school. As pharmschooler said, keep improving that GPA and you'll be in good shape. Good luck!

 

[gotgame740]

Gotgame740 I completely understand why you left WUSTL. 40K a year isn't cheap but you are doing everything right to get into pharmacy school. As pharmschooler said, keep improving that GPA and you'll be in good shape. Good luck!

I calculated what my gpa should be after I (hopefully) ace all my classes in the summer and fall. It should go up to a 3.46. And by God's grace I'll be able to get at least an 80 on this PCAT. I figure that should be enough to get me some interviews

 

[gotgame740]

Ok guys so I took my PCAT today and I got a 98 composite. Hopefully I'll be able to get into all of my schools.

Also here is the list of schools that I am applying to if it helps:

UIC
Chicago State
Midwestern (Chicago)
philadelphia college of osteopathic medicine (GA)
south university (GA)
western new england university cop
jefferson school of pharmacy
Lipscomb University

 

[AmyChaser]

Holy moly! Very nice!

 

[Passion4Sci]

Ok guys so I took my PCAT today and I got a 98 composite. Hopefully I'll be able to get into all of my schools.

Also here is the list of schools that I am applying to if it helps:

UIC
Chicago State
Midwestern (Chicago)
philadelphia college of osteopathic medicine (GA)
south university (GA)
western new england university cop
jefferson school of pharmacy
Lipscomb University

Congratulations on that score!

 

[gotgame740]

Holy moly! Very nice!

Thanks.

I really wonder if anyone has gotten rejected with a 98 PCAT. My friend that's about to be a P1 at UIC this fall said I should be able to get in anywhere I apply with that score. I hope that's the case.

 

[lilsweetpea01]

Thanks.

I really wonder if anyone has gotten rejected with a 98 PCAT. My friend that's about to be a P1 at UIC this fall said I should be able to get in anywhere I apply with that score. I hope that's the case.

On the contrary, people have gotten rejected with a 99 composite. Schools don't look as heavily at the PCAT as they do with both science and overall GPA and extracirriculars [especially UIC, IMO]. Try to raise your GPA. A 3.2 is good but if you can raise it to a 3.5+ it'll make a big difference.

Through my experiences addcomm wants people who stand out not just stellar grades.

Good luck!

 

[gotgame740]

On the contrary, people have gotten rejected with a 99 composite. Schools don't look as heavily at the PCAT as they do with both science and overall GPA and extracirriculars [especially UIC, IMO]. Try to raise your GPA. A 3.2 is good but if you can raise it to a 3.5+ it'll make a big difference.

Through my experiences addcomm wants people who stand out not just stellar grades.

Good luck!

Ok thanks. UIC is my #1 choice. After the fall, I should be able to raise my GPA to a 3.46, with my science GPA being a little bit higher. My GPA should come up even more in the spring, but they really can't take those grades into consideration can they?

Also I have pretty decent extracurriculars and I do a lot of volunteer work with my church. I also started volunteering at the hospital this month, and I am shadowing in a retail and hospital pharmacy this summer. Assuming I have a good PS and good LORs, I should be pretty competitive right??

 

[lilsweetpea01]

Ok thanks. UIC is my #1 choice. After the fall, I should be able to raise my GPA to a 3.46, with my science GPA being a little bit higher. My GPA should come up even more in the spring, but they really can't take those grades into consideration can they?

Also I have pretty decent extracurriculars and I do a lot of volunteer work with my church. I also started volunteering at the hospital this month, and I am shadowing in a retail and hospital pharmacy this summer. Assuming I have a good PS and good LORs, I should be pretty competitive right??

Well, they do take spring grades into consideration if you have pre-requisites that'll be completed by the spring. It depends on when you apply. And yes, you stand competitive from my perspective given the information. Just practice your interviewing skills and you'll be good to go.

 

[gotgame740]

Well, they do take spring grades into consideration if you have pre-requisites that'll be completed by the spring. It depends on when you apply. And yes, you stand competitive from my perspective given the information. Just practice your interviewing skills and you'll be good to go.

Thanks!

And you basically mean that you can't get lower than a C in any of your pre-reqs once you get admitted correct? Like when they see your final transcript

 

[gotgame740]

I just wanted to update this thread by saying one of my recommenders (science prof) finally completed his recommendation!! I'm really happy now cuz I just need one more LOR from my volunteer coordinator, my PS, and send my last transcript to PharmCAS. 😀 Things are coming together. I guess I'll be finishing my application before I thought.

I also went to see an admissions counselor at UIC, and said that I should be a really competitive applicant, especially because of my PCAT score. And my current pre-pharm GPA is right around their average (3.35), and I'm still taking 19 credits of pre-reqs right now. So according to her, all I have to do is get A's and B's this semester and I should have no problem getting in 🙂

 

[RX2020]

How did you study for the PCAT - I am taking mine in January and have dr. collins material

Ok guys so I took my PCAT today and I got a 98 composite. Hopefully I'll be able to get into all of my schools.

Also here is the list of schools that I am applying to if it helps:

UIC
Chicago State
Midwestern (Chicago)
philadelphia college of osteopathic medicine (GA)
south university (GA)
western new england university cop
jefferson school of pharmacy
Lipscomb University

 

[gotgame740]

How did you study for the PCAT - I am taking mine in January and have dr. collins material

It says you're a pharmacy student so I'm not sure why you're taking the PCAT in January...








...unless you're lying!!!

But I just used Dr Collins and the Pearson practice tests, making sure to always time myself and go over the questions I got wrong

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

It says you're a pharmacy student so I'm not sure why you're taking the PCAT in January...

...unless you're lying!!!

But I just used Dr Collins and the Pearson practice tests, making sure to always time myself and go over the questions I got wrong

There are actually a few schools that allow you to use the Jan PCAT as long as you have your app in by the early deadline (usually mid - late Nov or Dec sometime).

I wouldnt do it though. That is cutting it WAY too close for comfort in my book.

 

[xtsukiyox]

There are actually a few schools that allow you to use the Jan PCAT as long as you have your app in by the early deadline (usually mid - late Nov or Dec sometime).

Wouldn't that still be Pre-Pharm at this stage instead of "Pharmacy Student"?

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

Wouldn't that still be Pre-Pharm at this stage instead of "Pharmacy Student"?

I didnt even catch that. Someone doesnt know where they are at in the process...