Potential Pharm Student

[PharmDPotential]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone can give me any feedback about how likely it is that I'll get into pharmacy school in California and outside of California?

I currently have a 2.8 GPA, I've volunteered as a pharmacy clerk, pharmacy tech at a pharmacy, and was also able to volunteer at my school's pharmacy for a quarter. I only have about 30 hours of hospital volunteering, done some research (but only inputting numbers in Excel) with a colleague of a professor who teaches at Skaggs. And I'm not sure if this is related, but I also shadowed a physician assistant for two months to see what kind of medications were usually prescribed and such.

I'm trying to figure out how I can make myself stand out, but I'm really worried about my low GPA.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Pojman]

It seems that the best way to offset a bad GPA is to do very well on the PCAT.

 

[Lid04pp1]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone can give me any feedback about how likely it is that I'll get into pharmacy school in California and outside of California?

I currently have a 2.8 GPA, I've volunteered as a pharmacy clerk, pharmacy tech at a pharmacy, and was also able to volunteer at my school's pharmacy for a quarter. I only have about 30 hours of hospital volunteering, done some research (but only inputting numbers in Excel) with a colleague of a professor who teaches at Skaggs. And I'm not sure if this is related, but I also shadowed a physician assistant for two months to see what kind of medications were usually prescribed and such.

I'm trying to figure out how I can make myself stand out, but I'm really worried about my low GPA.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

To be honest, your chance in CA is very low because they don't look at PCAT. I have 3.08 GPA, I still did not get an interview in the low end CA school. To improve your application, make sure you score at least 75 or higher on your PCAT. In my opinion, you will have a better chance to get in out of state. Did you finish all your pre-req? If not, make sure getting all A's! If you have a pharm tech license, then that will be a plus! I have couple friend that has low GPA, but they still get into pharm school. Just try your best! I believe that if this is what you want, then you will try your best to do what it takes to get in! GPA is not everything, they look at the whole picture! I barely have 3.00 and very low PCAT score, yet I got accepted to one of the school. I also got invited to 5 interviews. One last tip, APPLY EARLY!!! Most of the school do rolling admission! Good luck and hope this help!

 

[bw6]

It seems that the best way to offset a bad GPA is to do very well on the PCAT.

This is good advice. No other advice needed. If you don't apply to schools which consider PCAT scores, your chances are very low. Apply to schools that consider the PCATs (most of them) and do well (80+ composite) and you should get in to at least one.

 

[iceman132]

How heavily do they weigh the PCAT compared to the GPA anyways? Can anyone put it in perspective?

 

[PharmacyWarrior]

I don't think you will have a chance in CA at all. You need 3.5+ in GPA to be considered in CA schools. I suggest you take the PCAT and try to do really really well. If you want to go to a pharmacy school, then your best bet is to apply out of state. Good luck to you.

 

[pharm B]

How heavily do they weigh the PCAT compared to the GPA anyways? Can anyone put it in perspective?

Every school is different, so there is no hard and fast answer to a question this general. Your best bet is to research each school in which you have an interest.

 

[PharmDPotential]

If I take some extra classes and online classes at a community college and get some more A's, do you think that would help boost my GPA? Or will the admissions people just not really consider community college classes?

 

[xXRAYNEXx]

Try get all As from now on. Hold leadership positions (can be historian, secretary in clubs), get tech cert, license, work exp. get above 80 on pcat. Do medical mission overseas. Do research and publish. Do more community service. Get great LORs. Apply very broadly to many new schools, like at least 15 with low avg gpa. Do well on interviews.

Do all the above, I can gauranteeee u will get in at least one for sure. U will still have a great chance if u do the majority. Cali schools like northstate, AUHS, and 3+ new planned schools will seriously consider u.

Sent from my PC36100

 

[kopperlis123]

Try get all As from now on. Hold leadership positions (can be historian, secretary in clubs), get tech cert, license, work exp.

 

[Buzz12]

If I take some extra classes and online classes at a community college and get some more A's, do you think that would help boost my GPA? Or will the admissions people just not really consider community college classes?

community college classes are fine, just don't take online classes b/c I don't think schools consider online classes. Continue getting more volunteering hours. Do well on the pcat (75+), apply broadly (11+ schools, remember to add pre-candidate schools as well), and you'll get in somewhere !

 

[Buzz12]

Try get all As from now on. Hold leadership positions (can be historian, secretary in clubs), get tech cert, license, work exp. get above 80 on pcat. Do medical mission overseas. Do research and publish. Do more community service. Get great LORs. Apply very broadly to many new schools, like at least 15 with low avg gpa. Do well on interviews.

Do all the above, I can gauranteeee u will get in at least one for sure. U will still have a great chance if u do the majority. Cali schools like northstate, AUHS, and 3+ new planned schools will seriously consider u.

Sent from my PC36100

maybe AUHS and other new schools, but I don't think northstate will. It's getting pretty competitive now and people with gpa in the lower end of 3.0 are not even getting interviews at northstate (most ppl I heard getting interviews/getting accepted have had 3.2 + gpa) .

 

[xtsukiyox]

I think 15 schools is overkill. Assuming you don't care where, you just want to get in somewhere: Start with an early acceptance school, then rolling admissions schools, then apply as schools' deadlines are coming up. Don't drop all the money at the beginning, because you might just get in early in the cycle somewhere you'd be perfectly happy going. By all means, if you really want to go somewhere, apply, but if you're just doing it to cast a wide net, be smart about it. Unless you own stock in PharmCAS, that is...

 

[rlai1985]

I just completed applying this cycle for CA pharmacy schools, and I have to agree with the other posters that the competition is tougher than years past. 3.3+ is the minimum GPA in CA to have a fighting chance. Is your major particularly difficult? Perhaps you can still change to something easier but still allows you to complete your pharmacy prereqs. But definitely, score high on the PCAT, find a leadership position in any club or organization, and maybe even travel! Admission committees, like UCSF, love it when applicants are willing to expand their horizons. They are looking for interesting people.

If you happen to be in the Northern California region for school, UC Berkeley is holding their 6th annual pre-pharmacy symposium. There will be a lot of pharmacy school reps, pharmacy students, and pharmacists to answer any of your questions. Better to know for sure if you ask in person, right? It's on April 7th! http://www.tinyurl.com/ncpps2012 (yes... shameless plug, i know )

 

[PharmDPotential]

Can you explain how to apply like that? I thought once you apply, you have to be ready and apply to all the schools that you want. How would you apply to early admissions first, then rolling, and then to other schools as the deadline comes up?

 

[PharmDPotential]

I think 15 schools is overkill. Assuming you don't care where, you just want to get in somewhere: Start with an early acceptance school, then rolling admissions schools, then apply as schools' deadlines are coming up. Don't drop all the money at the beginning, because you might just get in early in the cycle somewhere you'd be perfectly happy going. By all means, if you really want to go somewhere, apply, but if you're just doing it to cast a wide net, be smart about it. Unless you own stock in PharmCAS, that is...

I was referring to this comment.

 

[Twentytwelve2]

I don't think you will have a chance in CA at all. You need 3.5+ in GPA to be considered in CA schools. I suggest you take the PCAT and try to do really really well. If you want to go to a pharmacy school, then your best bet is to apply out of state. Good luck to you.

To be honest, your chance in CA is very low because they don't look at PCAT. I have 3.08 GPA, I still did not get an interview in the low end CA school. To improve your application, make sure you score at least 75 or higher on your PCAT. In my opinion, you will have a better chance to get in out of state. Did you finish all your pre-req? If not, make sure getting all A's! If you have a pharm tech license, then that will be a plus! I have couple friend that has low GPA, but they still get into pharm school. Just try your best! I believe that if this is what you want, then you will try your best to do what it takes to get in! GPA is not everything, they look at the whole picture! I barely have 3.00 and very low PCAT score, yet I got accepted to one of the school. I also got invited to 5 interviews. One last tip, APPLY EARLY!!! Most of the school do rolling admission! Good luck and hope this help!

I am repeating myself many times but I know someone with a sub 3.0 GPA who got interviews at 2 schools in CA and was accepted to UOP.

So I dont know what to say about these comments. I think anyone has a chance at a CA school if they have an excellent well-rounded application.

 

[oliviaalta123]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone can give me any feedback about how likely it is that I'll get into pharmacy school in California and outside of California?

I currently have a 2.8 GPA, I've volunteered as a pharmacy clerk, pharmacy tech at a pharmacy, and was also able to volunteer at my school's pharmacy for a quarter. I only have about 30 hours of hospital volunteering, done some research (but only inputting numbers in Excel) with a colleague of a professor who teaches at Skaggs. And I'm not sure if this is related, but I also shadowed a physician assistant for two months to see what kind of medications were usually prescribed and such.

I'm trying to figure out how I can make myself stand out, but I'm really worried about my low GPA.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Your experience might help you. Your GPA isn't devastating and most schools only "require" a 2.75 for pharmD programs, although they usually accept higher GPA's first, obviously. You just need to apply to as many pharmacy programs as you can and see if you get in. The PCAT is not nearly as important as grades are, but doing well on it doesn't hurt. I took my PCAT my first year of my pre-pharm program and scored a 416 composite and got in. A 416 isn't too impressive, but my GPA being a 3.8 helped a lot. That shows how much more important grades are. I'm sure there are some cases where schools weigh the PCAT more, but in most cases its just not as important. You need amazing letters of recommendation from teachers (preferably in the science area). You will need a decent pcat score. I'm sure the pharmD application will require you to give a page or so about yourself in relation to your goals of pharmacy; do really well on this. If you don't get in, don't fret. I know it will seem terrible if you don't get in, but you can apply again the next year. It's only a year of your life. Take that year to boost your GPA and re-take classes you didn't do well in or take other science classes you will do well in. I'm sure you will find a school to get into though. Good luck.