Pharm rookie.

[Robotjim]

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So ..
Recently one of my best friends got accepted to U of Oklahoma Pharm school and it really got me to start considering pharmacy as a career. Needless to say, I am not familiar with the application process. I was hoping that you guys/gals can help me out with a few questions that I have:

1) If I take the PCAT in oct. can I still apply for Fall'09?
2) Is it possible to get in without pharmacy experience? I have over 5 years of clinical experience in the hospital setting (phlebotomist, labtech, er tech) but no pharm.
3) I have a low gpa(~3.1 overall ~2.8 sci)... Do I even stand a chance?

Thank you so much for your help.

 

[^=^]

1. I'm not sure about this one.
2. Yes. At least you have some experience and five years seems to be a lot.
3. Yes, you stand a chance. They look at other things as well, besides your gpa. A good way to make up for a low gpa is to do well on the pcat. Or you can re-take some of the science classes and get higher grades. Just search sdn.

 

[TTUMike]

1. you can it just depends on what school you apply to. Some schools take the october pcat for early decision.

 

[Robotjim]

thanks for the replies...

I am also trying to find out about shadowing a pharmacist(preferably a specialist...infectious disease or critical care)...

I have been able to achieve this in other fields of medicine just not sure how to do so in pharmacy... I tried calling the inpatient pharmacy at my work and they couldnt even set me up with anyone... I live in southern Ca.(orange county) .. Can anyone suggest a way that I could get some shadowing experience. Thanks again

 

[TTUMike]

Just keep calling. You may find it hard to even find a pharmacist to shadow in retail because of space unless you know someone. Volunteering in an ER might allow you an opportunity to shadow an ER pharmacist. That is what I am doing right now along with working in a pharmacy. Good luck.

 

[sciencequeen]

Why don't you wait and apply for Fall of 2010. That way you can have some time to study for the PCAT and do extra good...and it gives you time to re-take some science class that you got lower scores in. From what I remember, I think that the October 2008 scores are the last that they will consider for fall 09. But check just to make sure.

 

[RxWildcat]

Your GPA is going to be on the lower end of people applying and still having a shot of getting accepted, so if you could retake those pre-req classes you made Cs in that would increase your chances of acceptance a lot. Here is a link to the pre-pharm FAQ

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=198059