Ok PCAT, low GPA

[VOsidao]

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So I just got my PCAT and scored a composite 84%. But my GPA is real low... 2.8. I worked too much cause I'm poor plus my study skills were bad during my early years... and middle...😀 I got better since, hence my higher PCAT score. I just graduated with a BS in biology and currently working at a hospital as a pharmacy technician. I am applying this year for pharmacy school, but do I have a chance? Which schools would look at me as a whole? its hard to research which schools prefer what 🙁

 

[delight]

new schools are easier

 

[FlippinChink]

I'm in a similar situtation. How's your science GPA? Because I know the schools around here want at least a 2.5 science GPA. And I'm trying my best to bring up my science GPA and cumulative GPA now by taking classes at a community college. I have a 2.72 GPA, 2.34 Science GPA, and a 85% on my PCAT. I graduated with a BS in Biology last May and I'm currently volunteering as a pharm tech at a community clinic.

As for applying to schools, try applying to private schools. They seem to be a little more lenient about GPA.

I know for my case, it's been really difficult to bring up my GPA because I've taken so many hours already (after this semester I'll be at 201 semester hours). In order for me to bring up my cum. GPA to a 3.0 it would take another two years of all A's. So don't give up. I'm sure there's alot of people with a similar situation trying to get into pharmacy school. 🙂

 

[firstgeneration]

So I just got my PCAT and scored a composite 84%. But my GPA is real low... 2.8. I worked too much cause I'm poor plus my study skills were bad during my early years... and middle...😀 I got better since, hence my higher PCAT score. I just graduated with a BS in biology and currently working at a hospital as a pharmacy technician. I am applying this year for pharmacy school, but do I have a chance? Which schools would look at me as a whole? its hard to research which schools prefer what 🙁

Same situation too..O MY GOD...I am so happy I am not alone...I am trying my best...again so many credits...go good luck to you...yeah...private college is better....

 

[bigdogc]

A 2.8 GPA? Good luck getting in with that...

 

[confettiflyer]

Pacific U formally looks at the final 60 (or something like that)...so they'll have that aspect of you instead of schools that just look at overall.

Retake classes and apply to schools that have forgiveness (ie USN, Western, or others) for the original grade.

 

[WhiteSnows]

So I just got my PCAT and scored a composite 84%. But my GPA is real low... 2.8. I worked too much cause I'm poor plus my study skills were bad during my early years... and middle...😀 I got better since, hence my higher PCAT score. I just graduated with a BS in biology and currently working at a hospital as a pharmacy technician. I am applying this year for pharmacy school, but do I have a chance? Which schools would look at me as a whole? its hard to research which schools prefer what 🙁

Mine was 3.89 and I had 84 credits. Pcat is only 80%.

 

[0709]

I am in sort of the same boat im a sophmore and will be done with all my pre reqs for pharmacy school even though i am retaking my gen chem lab 2, are there any chances of me getting into pharmacy shools? I have not taken the pcat and have a pretty gutter type gpa of 2.5 and am on the verge of giving up.

 

[jspwinter]

I am in sort of the same boat im a sophmore and will be done with all my pre reqs for pharmacy school even though i am retaking my gen chem lab 2, are there any chances of me getting into pharmacy shools? I have not taken the pcat and have a pretty gutter type gpa of 2.5 and am on the verge of giving up.

Bring your gpa up. No matter how good your ec's, lors, whatever, if you gpa is that low, you can forget pharmacy school

 

[binghamkid]

I am in sort of the same boat im a sophmore and will be done with all my pre reqs for pharmacy school even though i am retaking my gen chem lab 2, are there any chances of me getting into pharmacy shools? I have not taken the pcat and have a pretty gutter type gpa of 2.5 and am on the verge of giving up.

First, I think you need to evaluate why you have a 2.5 GPA. Is the curriculum too hard? Are you not prioritizing schoolwork above fun/work/play? Are you taking courses you're just not interested in? It's very very hard to actually stick witha 2.5 GPA unless your particular program has a reputation for being that tough.

Don't give up. I finished my undergrad work with a 2.6 GPA (according to pharmCAS), but with a lot of hard work and a 99 on my PCAT, i managed to get three interview offers out of the four schools I applied to, and accepted into my top choice =) (I did of course do major remedial work during my fifth year of school to make sure my gpa got up to a 2.6 after the retakes were included) So there's always a chance. If you prove yourself and you're willing to put in the effort, there's no reason there's no chance. The only time you don't have a chance, is when you give up.

 

[rx27563]

First, I think you need to evaluate why you have a 2.5 GPA. Is the curriculum too hard? Are you not prioritizing schoolwork above fun/work/play? Are you taking courses you're just not interested in? It's very very hard to actually stick witha 2.5 GPA unless your particular program has a reputation for being that tough.

Don't give up. I finished my undergrad work with a 2.6 GPA (according to pharmCAS), but with a lot of hard work and a 99 on my PCAT, i managed to get three interview offers out of the four schools I applied to, and accepted into my top choice =) (I did of course do major remedial work during my fifth year of school to make sure my gpa got up to a 2.6 after the retakes were included) So there's always a chance. If you prove yourself and you're willing to put in the effort, there's no reason there's no chance. The only time you don't have a chance, is when you give up.

These are undoubtedly the wisest words ever spoken on SDN. You are an inspiration to me and others with blemishes to explain on our transcript. I know I'll get there, I just really want to get there now!

 

[0709]

thanks for all the advice. I mean I guess I had a 3.0 gpa the first semester and then it dropped to a 2.5 the end of second semester cause i took on bio 1 + gen chem 2 and i kind of didnt have to work to get the 3.0 my first semester with about 14 credit hours. So stupidly I guess I thought I would just do what i did first semester and my gpa went down. Now I think its going to be pretty much a marathon just to get my gpa up this semester, I just hope that i dont get discouraged. Thanks!

 

[0709]

And no I think its about time management. i need to actually start studying. ( which sounds stupid as I write it ) I barely go out and I just get discouraged when I dont get something and give up on the rest.

 

[RxShazzie]

it's comforting to know theres more of us out there and if we work hard at it we stand a fighting chance. the way it looks from my end is that the competition is getting pretty cut throat. just gotta remember to retake! we need to compile a list of schools with academic forgiveness. =]

 

[FlippinChink]

I know that UMKC does grant academic forgiveness for application purposes. But the average applicant gpa is around a 3.565 (of those admitted Fall 2006). I tried applying there when my GPA after academic forgiveness was a 3.1, but i didn't get in. 🙁

I think there are only a few others that grant academic forgiveness, but I can't recall on the top of my head.

If you check out the Univ. of Michigan website, from what I saw, there isn't any minimum GPA requirement. I feel in that case they really see how you're well-rounded and look beyond the GPA and the PCAT scores. But too bad their Immunology/Medical Microbiology requirement is annoying. In my area, there are only two universities that have that class. And honestly, I'm not sure if I'd wanna pay close to $2000-2500 for one class for one school that I might not even have a chance getting into.

 

[mac1530]

I also have a low gpa. I was just reading on sdn, the interviews they have with pharmacists, and one interview that had was with a pharmacist that is the dean of Sullivan University College of Pharmacy, a new school. Has anyone heard anything about this school? It only has three years instead of 4. I haven't really seen any schools like that.

 

[binghamkid]

And no I think its about time management. i need to actually start studying. ( which sounds stupid as I write it ) I barely go out and I just get discouraged when I dont get something and give up on the rest.

No, it's not really about time management. You mentioned you get discouraged when you don't get something and give up on the rest. That's study habits and study attitudes negatively impacting your ability to succeed. When you don't get something, ask for help. Ask your professors, your TAs, your peers...heck you can even post here on SDN and I'm sure some kind soul will help you understand it. Many of us have tutored on the side (either for money or to volunteer) and so I'm sure we've covered the same material you're having trouble with. Use your support network wisely. No one can get through this alone. A pharmacist can't give up when there's a situation in his/her pharmacy. That same attitude is what you will need for your future profession. If you want to be a pharmacist that badly, you'll do whatever it takes to get there.

Studying smart and well is much more important than spending lots of time studying. Of course, if you study smart and well AND you spend a lot of time....well then it's the best thing that can happen =)

The amount of studying you do in undergrad is nothing compared to what you have in pharmacy school (I'll vouch for that). We have on average three exams every week. You don't have a choice but to learn it. Giving up means you give up for the rest of the year because the material is cumulative, and it adds up fast. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's what the reality is. If you decide to opt for a 3-year program (like Sullivan or UOP), it's even more intense. You will fall behind in pharmacy school (unless you're like me and dedicates 60 hours a week to studying, and I kid you not.) Giving up just isn't an option.

 

[dxb8307]

I was going to say the same thing

 

[0709]

Yeah thats true I did just like give up which is really bad. I guess I need to check my self even when i completely was sufferignthrough gen chem 2 I didnt ask for help, cause I seriuosly did not have a habit of asking for help and now as my gpa has crumbled and its sophmore year I realize that I do need to really put in a lot of effort and work and if im struggling ask for helpor study smarter. Thanks !!!!!!!!