Please give advice on my current situation

[ReJected577]

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Hello to all... ok I am wondering what my chances are.. My overall pharmcas GPA is a 3.06... with a science 3.13 and non-science of 3.15... I will have A bachelors in biology and graduate in May...I have interned at Drexel University doing research with pharmacology and fungi.. I have been a pharmacy tech for 5 years(retail & hospital)... As far as the pcat goes🙁 my highest score was a 47 and am retaking in Oct hopefully can get a 70 on it... But i am applying to those schools who don't require pcat as well as those that do.

What are my chances with pharmacy?
Can anyone offer an alternative backup plans? (i.g. Medical, Dental......)

Thanks for taking time and reading this guys I appreciate it

 

[IrishOats]

If pharmacy is what you really want to do (I assume it is)...really study hard to bring up your PCAT score. With your GPA, I would say that the chances of getting into any non-PCAT schools are slim. Try taking the two PCAT practice tests from Pearson (they actually write the PCAT). I took the first test as a diagnostic to see what I needed to work on...then studied those weak areas especially and took the second practice test a few days before the PCAT. I took the PCAT on Aug. 23rd, so I still have a few weeks to wait before I learn if that strategy worked as well as I hoped.
You might also want to consider retaking classes that you got a C in...that would help bring up your GPA at least a little bit. I know that you probably have a lot of credits, since you almost have a B.S., so you would probably only be able to raise your GPA slightly, but at least retaking and acing a few classes would show an upward trend and a drive to do better. Remember that most schools don't accept courses in which you got a C-. I think the fact that you are getting a B.S. degree is good and will help you, as it shows you can handle upper division courses (assuming you did well in them).
Beefing up the other parts of your application, like getting even more pharmacy work/volunteering experience and adding any more extracurriculars will also help you stand out. A very strong personal statement would be crucial as well.
Hope this helps.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Moved to pre-pharm because of topic.

 

[ReJected577]

If pharmacy is what you really want to do (I assume it is)...really study hard to bring up your PCAT score. With your GPA, I would say that the chances of getting into any non-PCAT schools are slim. Try taking the two PCAT practice tests from Pearson (they actually write the PCAT). I took the first test as a diagnostic to see what I needed to work on...then studied those weak areas especially and took the second practice test a few days before the PCAT. I took the PCAT on Aug. 23rd, so I still have a few weeks to wait before I learn if that strategy worked as well as I hoped.
You might also want to consider retaking classes that you got a C in...that would help bring up your GPA at least a little bit. I know that you probably have a lot of credits, since you almost have a B.S., so you would probably only be able to raise your GPA slightly, but at least retaking and acing a few classes would show an upward trend and a drive to do better. Remember that most schools don't accept courses in which you got a C-. I think the fact that you are getting a B.S. degree is good and will help you, as it shows you can handle upper division courses (assuming you did well in them).
Beefing up the other parts of your application, like getting even more pharmacy work/volunteering experience and adding any more extracurriculars will also help you stand out. A very strong personal statement would be crucial as well.
Hope this helps.

well in my school it kind of sucks b.c. we have no minus so its A B+ B C+ C an 89-to a 93 is a B+ so if i went to a school with a minus system my GPA would be near 3.5 3.4 and my school will not let you retake any class unless they are below a C.

 

[kagera]

my school will not let you retake any class unless they are below a C.

Perhaps you could try to retake them in another school?

 

[ReJected577]

Perhaps you could try to retake them in another school?

yea im looking into to that but i would have to take a year off school Im a senior and will graduate in May 09. If I don't get into pharmacy school I will either work for a year and take/ retake class or try another graduate school.

 

[Majic]

I like that idea. Try this year and if it doesn't work out, work/ go to school part time next year.