Official Rejection Thread!

[manutdmax]

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No, I am from California and hope to get into schools in state or out of state schools that do not require PCAT.

Very strange though, I just re-read the notice MCPHS sent me and it says I have been put on a wait list and to check with them about my wait list position... the wording made it sound like I was interviewed and put on the wait list. I dunno, may be I should call to see my "wait list" position? 😕

However, all I know is I have a 4.00 for the last 50 hours so far... Maybe I'm just not what they are looking for.

So what M.S. program are you going for?

am doing my Ms in biotechnology and chemical sciences ...hope to get me in into pharmacy one day

 

[TTprepharm]

what...am now doing my masters too and applying for this school in fall of 2009, what is your masters in ? how much is your GPA in the master ?

My master is in Biomedical Lab science and my master GPA is 3.46 but my undergraduate was 2.91. What is your master in?

 

[manutdmax]

My master is in Biomedical Lab science and my master GPA is 3.46 but my undergraduate was 2.91. What is your master in?

it is in biotechnology , why u think they rejected you..do you have pharmacy experience...

 

[charlesx73]

stats:
1)94% on pcat
2) college-3.75gpa
science-3.85gpa
3)four years of medical school-2.98gpa-left to treat rare spinal tumor
4)accepted into utmemphis in august 2007.

I have good stats, but I have previously attended uga college of pharmacy for a semester before having to go on medical leave with a heart condition.
Anyway, I" start utmemphis in the fall. Those are my stats, but not my most relevant points.

1) Uga had a very diverse population with pcats ranging from 70 to 98. Gpas were significantly unique with good and not so good gpA.
2)most students are undergrads without a bs, so a degree even without looking the best, demonstrates drive and determination.
3)SCHOOLS are completely different and some are easier to get into. So do not overload your school designations with unlikely choices. Be informed, visit all the school websites, and forums like this.
4)When doing the supplemental apps. know about school specifics. Do not regurgitate the info from the web sites, but be familiar with the schools mission, facilities,etc.
5) EACH CLASS WILL HAVE SEVERAL "X FACTOR" STUDENTS THAT WERE DIFCIENT IN SOME AREAS, BUT MORE THAN MADE UP IN OTHERS. SELL YOURSELF WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

 

[Gracie93402]

I've already been rejected from Touro and Campbell. . . Touro didn't even want to look at a supplemental. Oh well, they weren't that high on the list if you know what I mean. I recently got back from Chicago, interviewed at Midwestern CCP and am interviewing at Creighton (my first choice) in January. Boo on Touro and Campbell, but especially on Touro!!! 👎

 

[manutdmax]

I've already been rejected from Touro and Campbell. . . Touro didn't even want to look at a supplemental. Oh well, they weren't that high on the list if you know what I mean. I recently got back from Chicago, interviewed at Midwestern CCP and am interviewing at Creighton (my first choice) in January. Boo on Touro and Campbell, but especially on Touro!!! 👎

Good luck for the chicago one..can you share your stats plzz

 

[typharm]

I've already been rejected from Touro and Campbell. . . Touro didn't even want to look at a supplemental. Oh well, they weren't that high on the list if you know what I mean. I recently got back from Chicago, interviewed at Midwestern CCP and am interviewing at Creighton (my first choice) in January. Boo on Touro and Campbell, but especially on Touro!!! 👎

Do you mean that Touro did not invite you to send the supp??

 

[Xenrich]

So I'm totally bummed for being rejected from the schools in California (the only ones I applied to since I didn't feel I had a strong app), but no surprised. I know I need a lot of work to do, but am graduating this quarter (my last undergrad final is the 14th of Dec). Now, I was wondering what the best course is to bring strengthen my application? So far this me:

-GPA 2.80 (from a 2.3 after figuring out that I wanted to be a Pharmacist at the start of my senior year).
-Pretty much worked all through college (not at a pharmacy)
-Assuming good letters of rec.
-Volunteered at Student Health (Campus) pharmacy for about 6 months.
-Some extracurricular activities to help round me out.
-No PCAT, haven't had time to take it.

I know I have to raise my GPA, but neither myself nor my family can pay for post-bacc courses and I'm trying to find a job in a pharmacy to better those areas. Is there any advice anyone can give me or point me in the right direction? Can I take classes at community college to bolster my GPA? Is there anything I can do to help me reach my goal?
Anyway, I hope people's answers to my questions will help others.

Thank you in advance.

 

[jojo7]

which ca schools did you get rejected from? i didnt think ca was doing rejections yet...sorry to hear this. i recommend community college classes.

 

[PharmDnPhD]

I was rejected from Creighton (distance program)....I am assuming because my PCAT score is not good....my husband was diagnosed with cancer 🙁....above all, I am retaking in January and I still have hope for schools that do not require the PCAT!! 😀

 

[Gracie93402]

I was rejected from Creighton (distance program)....I am assuming because my PCAT score is not good....my husband was diagnosed with cancer 🙁....above all, I am retaking in January and I still have hope for schools that do not require the PCAT!! 😀

Ooh, really sorry to hear about your husband. Props on the follow through though, if my hubby were sick I would be a big pile of emotion, no way I could even get through the application process much less a pharm program. My advice is to get a study book or something for the pcat and to focus on the areas that were your weakest. The only schools I know of off the top of my head that don't require pcat are the cali schools, which are also the most competitive. There are a lot of schools out there that will accept the Jan pcat tho so don't give up on them. 😉

 

[Gracie93402]

Good luck for the chicago one..can you share your stats plzz

Overall: 2.95
Science: 2.7

These are both as PharmCas calculates them which is slightly lower than how my university did, but none the less not enviable. 🙁

Senior Year GPA: 3.52 😀Brought it up tho. . .
BS in Biology
1.5 yr experience as pharmacy tech.
Amazing LOR's (1 prof and my Pharmacy mgr let me read them!!)
TONS of extracurriculars along with a lot of different types of work experience in college. Prob what helped drag down the gpa tho. . .

So far I've been denied from Campbell and Touro. Touro didn't even offer a supplemental.
I've interviewed at Midwestern CCP and have interviews lined up in January for both Mercer and Creighton.
I just got the letter from Midwestern yesterday informing me of my alternate list status. Those letters are usually quite dreaded but I was actually kind of relieved. I'm hoping to get into Creighton after my interview there and I would hate to blow $1000 on Midwestern's hefty deposit.😱

 

[Gracie93402]

Got an 88 on the PCAT first time

91 second time 😀

 

[PharmDnPhD]

Ooh, really sorry to hear about your husband. Props on the follow through though, if my hubby were sick I would be a big pile of emotion, no way I could even get through the application process much less a pharm program. My advice is to get a study book or something for the pcat and to focus on the areas that were your weakest. The only schools I know of off the top of my head that don't require pcat are the cali schools, which are also the most competitive. There are a lot of schools out there that will accept the Jan pcat tho so don't give up on them. 😉

Thanks....I am finishing up finals this week and then I am going to study extra hard for the PCAT!!! I am definitely not giving up in any sense....I was able to finish this semester and I am graduating with my B.S. in Microbiology...FRIDAY YEAH!!!!! Now, I am just going to have to try harder to get the PCAT score I want and need!! 😀 I have a lot of other things going for me...just not my PCAT score...! 😀

 

[BelmontUSOP2]

A rejection letter is not

• a rejection of YOU!
• a rejection of YOUR DREAMS!
• the opinion of ALL schools of pharmacy

A rejection letter is

• a managerial reality
• a necessary evil in the land of high demand and fierce competition
• one school's response...only 1

This means that there are over 100 other schools that you should explore. If you are serious about pursuing pharmacy education, there is a school out there for you...one that is LOOKING FOR YOU.

Go back and find the schools with later application deadlines. Some, like my school (Belmont University) keep their application process open until late March.

Final Rule: DON'T GIVE UP!

Eric H. Hobson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Belmont University School of Pharmacy

 

[StopSpam111]

A rejection letter is not

• a rejection of YOU!
• a rejection of YOUR DREAMS!
• the opinion of ALL schools of pharmacy

A rejection letter is

• a managerial reality
• a necessary evil in the land of high demand and fierce competition
• one school's response...only 1

This means that there are over 100 other schools that you should explore. If you are serious about pursuing pharmacy education, there is a school out there for you...one that is LOOKING FOR YOU.

Go back and find the schools with later application deadlines. Some, like my school (Belmont University) keep their application process open until late March.

Final Rule: DON'T GIVE UP!

Eric H. Hobson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Belmont University School of Pharmacy

Who is "Eric H. Hobson"??? Some Ph.D guy...

 

[Gracie93402]

A rejection letter is not

• a rejection of YOU!
• a rejection of YOUR DREAMS!
• the opinion of ALL schools of pharmacy

A rejection letter is

• a managerial reality
• a necessary evil in the land of high demand and fierce competition
• one school's response...only 1

This means that there are over 100 other schools that you should explore. If you are serious about pursuing pharmacy education, there is a school out there for you...one that is LOOKING FOR YOU.

Go back and find the schools with later application deadlines. Some, like my school (Belmont University) keep their application process open until late March.

Final Rule: DON'T GIVE UP!

Eric H. Hobson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Belmont University School of Pharmacy

Could this be an open invite to all of us here on the thread. . . AWESOME

 

[RxHopeful]

Just adding my first rejection 🙁 from Shenandoah

 

[UncertainRx]

UCSF, UCSD with no interviews.
UTennessee with interview.

A rejection letter is not

• a rejection of YOU!
• a rejection of YOUR DREAMS!
• the opinion of ALL schools of pharmacy

A rejection letter is

• a managerial reality
• a necessary evil in the land of high demand and fierce competition
• one school's response...only 1

This means that there are over 100 other schools that you should explore. If you are serious about pursuing pharmacy education, there is a school out there for you...one that is LOOKING FOR YOU.

Go back and find the schools with later application deadlines. Some, like my school (Belmont University) keep their application process open until late March.

Final Rule: DON'T GIVE UP!

Eric H. Hobson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Belmont University School of Pharmacy

/cough So ummm GPA: 3.5, Composite PCAT: 99, No health-care related experience (ouch I know) doing anything for you? 😀

 

[UES Girl]

This is a pretty depressing post for a pretty depressing thread. I only applied to two schools this year and got rejected from both of them - UCSF and UCSD. UCSD I didn't really care for, but UCSF has been my dream school for years. The fact that I live a few blocks away and am on campus practically every day, studying at UCSF library and watching UCSF students walk by didn't help either. I am heart-broken, crushed and severely depressed. I haven't set a foot there in the past couple weeks. I feel as if I have been dumped by a boyfriend only amplified about a thousand times. 🙁I couldn't even get out of bed for the first three days after I got my rejection letter, it just hurt soooooooo much. I've dedicated 4 years of my life to community service volunteering hours a week and thought this would be noted since UCSF alwas has been known as the school that likes people commited to helping the community. I feel like I lost purpose in life and have nothing to live for. :cry::cry::cry:

 

[Chokita]

Hey Cheb and other guys, don’t let depression overtake you. I want to support you all. Burdens are lighter when shared. BelmontUSOP2 said a smart thing above. I just want to add that this is YOUR decision to be a pharmacist and YOU WILL be. No matter what the school thinks, this silly letter is not going to stop you. If you don’t have time to apply to other places, improve your statistics, get some experience and reapply next year. Many schools encourage reapplicants, this shows a strong motivation. I know it is a big stress; sometimes life just throws us a lemon. But you have to fight it, find good things that makes you happy. Good luck. 🙂

 

[rjean83]

My overall GPA is a 3.5
My PCAT score is only a 58%🙁
B.S in Molecular Biology and Microbiology

I have had one interview at LECOM in FL (Last Tuesday) and patiently waiting to hear from them.

It is getting late in the game, anyone have any suggestions on where else I should apply.

So Far...
LECOM, FAMU, Touro, MidWestern, Albany, Howard, Southern Nevada

 

[1908PharmD]

This is a pretty depressing post for a pretty depressing thread. I only applied to two schools this year and got rejected from both of them - UCSF and UCSD. .... :cry::cry::cry:

You still have time to apply to schools with deadline in February and March. Dont put all your eggs in one basket. Look up the school deadlines and apply to those other schools. ... QUICK! 😉

 

[oink2655]

This is a pretty depressing post for a pretty depressing thread. I only applied to two schools this year and got rejected from both of them - UCSF and UCSD. UCSD I didn't really care for, but UCSF has been my dream school for years. The fact that I live a few blocks away and am on campus practically every day, studying at UCSF library and watching UCSF students walk by didn't help either. I am heart-broken, crushed and severely depressed. I haven't set a foot there in the past couple weeks. I feel as if I have been dumped by a boyfriend only amplified about a thousand times. 🙁I couldn't even get out of bed for the first three days after I got my rejection letter, it just hurt soooooooo much. I've dedicated 4 years of my life to community service volunteering hours a week and thought this would be noted since UCSF alwas has been known as the school that likes people commited to helping the community. I feel like I lost purpose in life and have nothing to live for. :cry::cry::cry:

Hey,
I remember you from the UCSF student panel. You are the one that is taking P-chem right? How come you didn't apply to other schools? You should have always have a backup plan in case your dream school don't fall thru. It's not too late to apply to other schools. I have just checked for you on pharmcas and it seems that if you want to stay in CA, Touro have their deadline on Feb 1. There's still time to apply there since you have all your information set up on pharmcas. Why not give that school a try instead of going thru the application process all over again.

I was in your shoes once. Well, I have had my fair share of rejection letter and of course the first rejection letter hurts a lot. I didn't want to see anyone either for the longest time and would just cry. But then I realize that crying will get me nowhere and i have to be more proactive and figure out what went wrong and reapplied again and I finally got in this year. You just have to pull yourself together to get thru this difficult and stand on your feet and apply elsewhere. LECOM don't require Pcat so you can look at applying to the 2 LECOM branches. G'luck

 

[oladejow7]

dropped pretty hard by shenandoah, I had 47 comp n figured why. I didn't bother supplemental for Midwestern but Nova might consider if i boost Jan 08 PCAT significantly.
Science GPA is 3.56, few extra-curriculars, 109 hrs of volunteer at an Hospital inpatient pharmacy, Great LORs i believe(i always waive to access them).
Interview coming up for MCPHS, hopeful with NEU, i am desperate but honest with my career pursuit.

 

[gldvue]

I've already been rejected from Touro and Campbell. . . Touro didn't even want to look at a supplemental. Oh well, they weren't that high on the list if you know what I mean. I recently got back from Chicago, interviewed at Midwestern CCP and am interviewing at Creighton (my first choice) in January. Boo on Touro and Campbell, but especially on Touro!!! 👎

Seriously for a school that's new and not even fully accredited they sure are picky!!

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

Got rejected from Tuoro too!

 

[mletter]

Got rejected from Tuoro too!

pre or post secondary?

 

[Boop2002]

Ill add to this Mercer(Guess I wasnt "right" for them), shenandoah(Man they are pickey), and SUNY Buffalo(They were real sincere about it so didnt hurt that bad)

 

[RNtoPharmD]

deleted

 

[RNtoPharmD]

....

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

pre or post secondary?

Pre-Secondary🙁

 

[ScarlettDarke]

This is a pretty depressing post for a pretty depressing thread. I only applied to two schools this year and got rejected from both of them - UCSF and UCSD. UCSD I didn't really care for, but UCSF has been my dream school for years. The fact that I live a few blocks away and am on campus practically every day, studying at UCSF library and watching UCSF students walk by didn't help either. I am heart-broken, crushed and severely depressed. I haven't set a foot there in the past couple weeks. I feel as if I have been dumped by a boyfriend only amplified about a thousand times. 🙁I couldn't even get out of bed for the first three days after I got my rejection letter, it just hurt soooooooo much. I've dedicated 4 years of my life to community service volunteering hours a week and thought this would be noted since UCSF alwas has been known as the school that likes people commited to helping the community. I feel like I lost purpose in life and have nothing to live for. :cry::cry::cry:

hey Cheburashka, you don't know me but i've been following this forum for awhile now & remember seeing your posts a few times. from what i've read, you seem like a helpful, positive, outgoing, have a sense of humor, etc person.... all the things that would make a great pharmacist. DON'T LET THIS GET YOU DOWN! i too was rejected from UCSD & UCSF... UCSD i wasn't surprised about bc my gpa isn't stellar (3.1 sci, 3.3 cum) but i also thought i could've had a chance at an interview at UCSF bc i know they like well-rounded ppl who're active in the community. Like you, I had many years of various volunteer experiences, 1 year research, pharm exp., etc and even though I told myself not to get my hopes up, it still really hurt getting the rejection letter. Afterwards, I was confused as to what UCSF was looking for in a candidate since i'm pretty sure i also had excellent, detailed LOR's and strong essays (spent 3 months thinking about and writing them, and had them critiqued by friends and counselors). I finally came to these conclusions after pondering a while though:

1. Keep doing what you're doing w/classes and EC's bc it sounds like you're definitely on the right track. Call up these schools in May and ask where your application was weakest, so you have a better idea what they're looking for.

2. UCSF seems to like ppl who not only volunteer but are also leaders in their organizations, therefore leaders who may shape the direction of pharmacy one day. This just isn't me--some are natural born leaders but this has never been a role i've felt comfortable with. If UCSF is looking for ppl who'll be in upper management at large companies or working on new legislature one day, I know I dont' have it in me so maybe it's best it worked out this way.

3. Like someone famous once said, "Every failure brings an opportunity" (or something like that)😀 If I don't get into pharm school this year, I'm going to take the opportunity to volunteer abroad for a year. We still have next year, and the year after... heck, an unlimited time in which to reach our goals (though of course I hope it WON'T take that long)

4. There was nothing else I could've done in my power to improve my app, and if it's the same case w/you--no need to beat ourselves up unnecessarily 🙂

SDN has been a big help in getting me thru this process. Good luck EVERYBODY!

 

[choylifut]

hey Cheburashka, you don't know me but i've been following this forum for awhile now & remember seeing your posts a few times. from what i've read, you seem like a helpful, positive, outgoing, have a sense of humor, etc person.... all the things that would make a great pharmacist. DON'T LET THIS GET YOU DOWN! i too was rejected from UCSD & UCSF... UCSD i wasn't surprised about bc my gpa isn't stellar (3.1 sci, 3.3 cum) but i also thought i could've had a chance at an interview at UCSF bc i know they like well-rounded ppl who're active in the community. Like you, I had many years of various volunteer experiences, 1 year research, pharm exp., etc and even though I told myself not to get my hopes up, it still really hurt getting the rejection letter. Afterwards, I was confused as to what UCSF was looking for in a candidate since i'm pretty sure i also had excellent, detailed LOR's and strong essays (spent 3 months thinking about and writing them, and had them critiqued by friends and counselors). I finally came to these conclusions after pondering a while though:

1. Keep doing what you're doing w/classes and EC's bc it sounds like you're definitely on the right track. Call up these schools in May and ask where your application was weakest, so you have a better idea what they're looking for.

2. UCSF seems to like ppl who not only volunteer but are also leaders in their organizations, therefore leaders who may shape the direction of pharmacy one day. This just isn't me--some are natural born leaders but this has never been a role i've felt comfortable with. If UCSF is looking for ppl who'll be in upper management at large companies or working on new legislature one day, I know I dont' have it in me so maybe it's best it worked out this way.

3. Like someone famous once said, "Every failure brings an opportunity" (or something like that)😀 If I don't get into pharm school this year, I'm going to take the opportunity to volunteer abroad for a year. We still have next year, and the year after... heck, an unlimited time in which to reach our goals (though of course I hope it WON'T take that long)

4. There was nothing else I could've done in my power to improve my app, and if it's the same case w/you--no need to beat ourselves up unnecessarily 🙂

SDN has been a big help in getting me thru this process. Good luck EVERYBODY!

Hi ScarlettDarke and Cheburashka,

My heart goes out to you two and those who received that disappointing letter from UCSF. I think Scarlett made a lot of good points. However, I do want to comment on one thing. I highly recommend you step up to the plate, challenge YOURSELF, and take upon a leadership role that you can learn and grow from. UCSF is not the only school who is looking for leadership. Every school is, to some degree. Imagine if you're the only pharmacist at XYZ pharmacy or the graveyard pharmacist. People - customers, pharm techs, nurses, doctors, are going to come to you for help, search for answers, and expect you to LEAD. Right now, pharmacy schools aren't expecting you to lead something big, just something meaningful to you.

Here's an excerpt from UCSF's website:

"We educate PharmD students to be leaders and effective team members in health care and to be lifelong experts in the safe and effective use of medicines. "


Keep your chin up guys.

Take care.

 

[RAA4PharmD]

Not too surprised by my rejection list. I got them all in one weekend
Mercer(Fri.), Campbell(Sat), and UT Memphis (the following Mon.)

I don't have great stats either:
PCAT- 47%
GPA- 2.69
Graduated w/ BS in Microbiology
Experience-4 years at a Retail Pharmacy

I love everything about Pharmacy, but I think that "rejection" weekend put me into a complete Reality Check! I asked Campbell & UT Memphis why I didn't get in and what I could have improved to become more competitve.
Campbell- "Take some graduate level courses to prove that you can handle Pharmacy School"👎
UT Memphis- "Too many applicants this year. Just not competitve enough."

I could take UT Memphis, but Campbell... boo!! I struggled to get where I am today and I feel like my undergraduate GPA is going to haunt me forever. I don't want to be a certified tech for the rest of my life but I don't want to leave and end up at a job I hate either. I just want to be a Pharmacist. I wish someone would just take a chance on me... it's really hard not to feel hopeless.🙁

 

[oink2655]

Not too surprised by my rejection list. I got them all in one weekend
Mercer(Fri.), Campbell(Sat), and UT Memphis (the following Mon.)

I don't have great stats either:
PCAT- 47%
GPA- 2.69
Graduated w/ BS in Microbiology
Experience-4 years at a Retail Pharmacy

I love everything about Pharmacy, but I think that "rejection" weekend put me into a complete Reality Check! I asked Campbell & UT Memphis why I didn't get in and what I could have improved to become more competitve.
Campbell- "Take some graduate level courses to prove that you can handle Pharmacy School"👎
UT Memphis- "Too many applicants this year. Just not competitve enough."

I could take UT Memphis, but Campbell... boo!! I struggled to get where I am today and I feel like my undergraduate GPA is going to haunt me forever. I don't want to be a certified tech for the rest of my life but I don't want to leave and end up at a job I hate either. I just want to be a Pharmacist. I wish someone would just take a chance on me... it's really hard not to feel hopeless.🙁

Wow, that is a mighty awlful weekend. Hope there's better news in store for you. What school did you apply this yr? This may sound redundant but you just have to keep on taking classes and working as a tech until you receive that all mighty acceptance letter in the mail. G'luck to you.

 

[RXpanther]

Not too surprised by my rejection list. I got them all in one weekend
Mercer(Fri.), Campbell(Sat), and UT Memphis (the following Mon.)

I don't have great stats either:
PCAT- 47%
GPA- 2.69
Graduated w/ BS in Microbiology
Experience-4 years at a Retail Pharmacy

I love everything about Pharmacy, but I think that "rejection" weekend put me into a complete Reality Check! I asked Campbell & UT Memphis why I didn't get in and what I could have improved to become more competitve.
Campbell- "Take some graduate level courses to prove that you can handle Pharmacy School"👎
UT Memphis- "Too many applicants this year. Just not competitve enough."

I could take UT Memphis, but Campbell... boo!! I struggled to get where I am today and I feel like my undergraduate GPA is going to haunt me forever. I don't want to be a certified tech for the rest of my life but I don't want to leave and end up at a job I hate either. I just want to be a Pharmacist. I wish someone would just take a chance on me... it's really hard not to feel hopeless.🙁

Yeah my undergrad GPA isn't so great either so I am kinda in the same boat. I am waiting to hear from Mercer as well... when did you get your app in? I thought they would wait until they had gotten through all the apps before they started declining people.

 

[prepharm77]

rejected from UCSD. but wasn't too surprised..

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

Not too surprised by my rejection list. I got them all in one weekend
Mercer(Fri.), Campbell(Sat), and UT Memphis (the following Mon.)

I don't have great stats either:
PCAT- 47%
GPA- 2.69
Graduated w/ BS in Microbiology
Experience-4 years at a Retail Pharmacy

I love everything about Pharmacy, but I think that "rejection" weekend put me into a complete Reality Check! I asked Campbell & UT Memphis why I didn't get in and what I could have improved to become more competitve.
Campbell- "Take some graduate level courses to prove that you can handle Pharmacy School"👎
UT Memphis- "Too many applicants this year. Just not competitve enough."

I could take UT Memphis, but Campbell... boo!! I struggled to get where I am today and I feel like my undergraduate GPA is going to haunt me forever. I don't want to be a certified tech for the rest of my life but I don't want to leave and end up at a job I hate either. I just want to be a Pharmacist. I wish someone would just take a chance on me... it's really hard not to feel hopeless.🙁

well because you have your degree already it would take at least a year or 2 of being a full time student to bring that gpa up significantly. so if i were you I would study HARD for the PCAT and get into the 95%-99% range. maybe work on the E.C's, volunteer in a clinical or research settings. You'll be fine, keep your chin up and reapply next year!!!

 

[saradempsey]

This is a pretty depressing post for a pretty depressing thread. I only applied to two schools this year and got rejected from both of them - UCSF and UCSD. UCSD I didn't really care for, but UCSF has been my dream school for years. The fact that I live a few blocks away and am on campus practically every day, studying at UCSF library and watching UCSF students walk by didn't help either. I am heart-broken, crushed and severely depressed. I haven't set a foot there in the past couple weeks. I feel as if I have been dumped by a boyfriend only amplified about a thousand times. 🙁I couldn't even get out of bed for the first three days after I got my rejection letter, it just hurt soooooooo much. I've dedicated 4 years of my life to community service volunteering hours a week and thought this would be noted since UCSF alwas has been known as the school that likes people commited to helping the community. I feel like I lost purpose in life and have nothing to live for. :cry::cry::cry:

Don't feel bad.......last year I applied to 7 schools, had 1 interview, and was rejected from everybody. I raised my PCAT, started working towards my BS and am applying again.

 

[Pharmpills]

Not too surprised by my rejection list. I got them all in one weekend
Mercer(Fri.), Campbell(Sat), and UT Memphis (the following Mon.)

I don't have great stats either:
PCAT- 47%
GPA- 2.69
Graduated w/ BS in Microbiology
Experience-4 years at a Retail Pharmacy

I love everything about Pharmacy, but I think that "rejection" weekend put me into a complete Reality Check! I asked Campbell & UT Memphis why I didn't get in and what I could have improved to become more competitve.
Campbell- "Take some graduate level courses to prove that you can handle Pharmacy School"👎
UT Memphis- "Too many applicants this year. Just not competitve enough."

I could take UT Memphis, but Campbell... boo!! I struggled to get where I am today and I feel like my undergraduate GPA is going to haunt me forever. I don't want to be a certified tech for the rest of my life but I don't want to leave and end up at a job I hate either. I just want to be a Pharmacist. I wish someone would just take a chance on me... it's really hard not to feel hopeless.🙁

i admire ur desire alot and how u ask what u couldve done to be better. u need to get a better PCAT score. ur gpa is set bc u graduated it wouldve been better if u took some easy classes and boost it but too late but u can take some graduate classes not alot just a good amount then retake pcat and do much better. or just look into something else than pharmacy i mean pharmacy has its problems too u know. most retails are insane bc they are so busy just find something that makes u happy if u cant get into pharm school. gl

 

[RAA4PharmD]

Yeah my undergrad GPA isn't so great either so I am kinda in the same boat. I am waiting to hear from Mercer as well... when did you get your app in? I thought they would wait until they had gotten through all the apps before they started declining people.

I went to open house in September. Took the PCAT in October. I had everything in by the 1st of November (I was waiting on a letter of reccomendation). They sent me an e-mail around the 2nd week of November stating that my application was complete and I recieved my rejection letter in the mail December 14th. So it took them about a month to say "no thanks"
Mercer was originally my first choice, but I actually consider my rejection a blessing for other reasons.

 

[RAA4PharmD]

i admire ur desire alot and how u ask what u couldve done to be better. u need to get a better PCAT score. ur gpa is set bc u graduated it wouldve been better if u took some easy classes and boost it but too late but u can take some graduate classes not alot just a good amount then retake pcat and do much better. or just look into something else than pharmacy i mean pharmacy has its problems too u know. most retails are insane bc they are so busy just find something that makes u happy if u cant get into pharm school. gl

Well I've worked in a Pharmacy for 4 years now and I love it (Even now, when its insane dealing with new insurance & co-pays, Medicare Part D, etc.).
Its what I know, its what I do and its what makes me happy.
For me, once you fall into that bracket of 120+ credit hours, it's extremly hard to raise your GPA a significant amount without (I hate to say wasting but..) wasting a lot of money. This also ties into graduate hours which are VERY expensive to take for the hopes that one school will finally notice my desire $5,000 later. If one door doesn't open by April, I'll probally just study VERY HARD & possibly scrounge up money to take the Kaplan Course and re-take the PCAT later this year and shoot for the 90's.
I have a lot of extracurricular thats "impresive" in my own way. I don't like to pat my own back unless i want you to see a show I'm doing or I'd like you to volunteer with me. I enjoy everything I do. I was raised to always give back to the community So extracurricular & awards are set.
On a side note- I don't know anyone else who deals with this but I know many pharmacy students and pharmacist who HATE pharmacy... and I always have to remind them "Do you know what I would give to be in your shoes?"
And for the people who cheated their way through school and did decent in other areas... I know that everyone has there day of judgement but when will honesty and true desire pay?!? These people aren't being weeded out b/c they made smart decisions on where they wanted to complete their PharmD (I won't name these popular colleges but they don't have an extenisive pre-Req. like UT Memphis does).
Just ranting a little 🙄

 

[RAA4PharmD]

Wow, that is a mighty awlful weekend. Hope there's better news in store for you. What school did you apply this yr? This may sound redundant but you just have to keep on taking classes and working as a tech until you receive that all mighty acceptance letter in the mail. G'luck to you.

Those 3, Maryland and MCPHS

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

Those 3, Maryland and MCPHS

well MCPHS is very difficult to get into for any applicant... but i do know someone on this thread who had a 2.6 and 99 on the PCAT and got into Maryland!

i got a 99 on the PCAT just by studying textbooks from all the science classes i took and worked really hard to improve my vocab. I say study your butt off for the PCAT, if you get into the 95+ range i think schools would at least be interested in meeting you!

p.s. 5000 dollars in the long run, when you're talking about pursuing a lifetime goal, is absolutely a drop in the bucket!

 

[UES Girl]

Well, I just want to thank everybody who replied to my post. 🙂🙂🙂All your posts touched me very much😍 and made me feel so much better. A lot of good karma is definately going to come your way, I know I am just some stranger on SDN but I don't have much friends and I really didn't have anybody to comfort me, so this is exactly what I needed. 🙂Thanks for all your great advice too, I am definately going to use it when i apply next year.

 

[1908PharmD]

Well, I just want to thank everybody who replied to my post. 🙂🙂🙂All your posts touched me very much😍 and made me feel so much better. A lot of good karma is definately going to come your way, I know I am just some stranger on SDN but I don't have much friends and I really didn't have anybody to comfort me, so this is exactly what I needed. 🙂Thanks for all your great advice too, I am definately going to use it when i apply next year.

NEXT YEAR! 😱 its not even too late for THIS YEAR! apply to other schools where the deadline is not until march or february! go ahead, you have time.

 

[UES Girl]

NEXT YEAR! 😱 its not even too late for THIS YEAR! apply to other schools where the deadline is not until march or february! go ahead, you have time.

Thanks but I haven't taken anatomy or physiology lab, and it seems that most of the schools require either or. Also i haven't taken PCAT so i can't really apply out of state.🙁

 

[Alby]

Hey RAA4PharmD. You can raise your GPA... you need to raise your GPA. It will take a lot of hard work and a bit of money but it will pay off (no pun intended). I recommend taking some undergrad (post-bac) classes (get A's)that will help you on your PCAT score (i.e. Biology I, II, A&P I & II, Ochem I & II) to kill two birds with one stone. Over the past 2.5 semesters, I have raised my overall 0.3 points(while working full time as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry) and I have 157 semester hours. I also scored a 99% (see you at UNM absoluteethanol!) but have only received one interview offer from 7 applications so far. This goes to show you how competitive the process is these days... you HAVE to do something to improve your app. The sacrifices you make now will impress the adcom next year. Whatever you do... don't give up. Keep on chuggin'! 😉

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

Hey RAA4PharmD. You can raise your GPA... you need to raise your GPA. It will take a lot of hard work and a bit of money but it will pay off (no pun intended). I recommend taking some undergrad (post-bac) classes (get A's)that will help you on your PCAT score (i.e. Biology I, II, A&P I & II, Ochem I & II) to kill two birds with one stone. Over the past 2.5 semesters, I have raised my overall from a 2.99 to a 3.17 (while working full time as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry) and I have 157 semester hours. I also scored a 99% (see you at UNM absoluteethanol!) but have only received one interview offer from 7 applications so far. This goes to show you how competitive the process is these days... you HAVE to do something to improve your app. The sacrifices you make now will impress the adcom next year. Whatever you do... don't give up. Keep on chuggin'! 😉

oh no! only 1 interview? my GPA is lower than your GPA 🙁