Pre-Pharmacy in Buffalo,, Question

[wsbkp08]

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Hello,
First semester I got
B --- Bio
A- --- Chem
c+ --- English
B - Socio

C+ in English...
is that okay...?

Not only I am going to apply Early Assurance, but I might have to apply for other schools..
would they really care about my English grade?
Thanks

 

[Praziquantel86]

Early assurance at UB is contingent in maintaining both a 3.5 overall and 3.5 science/math GPA, with no grades lower than a C at any point. You're just squeaking by after the first semester, so you'll have to step up your game.

Speaking from experience, I'd say you should plan on taking the PCAT and fulfilling pre-reqs for other schools, as well as UB. You're not out of the running yet, but it certainly doesn't get easier.

As far as the C+ goes, it shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as it doesn't become a habit.

Good luck to you! And as a handy word of advice, use ratemyprofessor when you're signing up for classes...it'll make your life a lot easier.

 

[desmoulins45179]

Also about early assurance - they are VERY strict about the 3.5 gpa hing.

I know someone who missed the gpa cutoff by 0.03 or something like that and lost his eligibility.

 

[speciald]

Praz, I don't see any requirement for an overall gpa of 3.5 for the current class of freshmen....maybe it's changed since you were admitted? Cindy has repeatedly told us not to worry about getting C's in the gen eds but to keep our math/sci above 3.5.

Don't feel too bad, it's only our first semester and we have time...I hope! I got A's in my Psych and World Civ, but B's in Bio and Chem 😱 Looking forward to redeeming myself next semester! What are you taking for gen eds this spring?

 

[KristaMPH]

speaking from experience, take what admissions at UB say with a grain of salt- esp. cindy. I would try and stay above the 3.5 and not get any C's in any of my classes if I were you. also make sure you apply to other schools besides UB. good luck!

 

[speciald]

Krista, I think those are words to live by! Cindy also told me and at least two others that our class will have the option of doing pre-reqs over 3 years. I can see that is offered for next year's freshman on the SOPPS website, but no mention of that option for 2009! She did confirm this by email before I registered for spring semester but I'm wondering whether to seek confirmation from Jennifer Hess since it would greatly impact my scheduling choices for this summer and next year. What do you think?

 

[Praziquantel86]

Praz, I don't see any requirement for an overall gpa of 3.5 for the current class of freshmen....maybe it's changed since you were admitted? Cindy has repeatedly told us not to worry about getting C's in the gen eds but to keep our math/sci above 3.5.

Sorry about that, I think I confused the the pharmacy requirements with the scholars program requirements (I just knew what I needed to do).

Again, you are able to get C's in classes, but there are a few problems with that. On top of the obvious problem if the C's are in math/science classes, you also have to worry about the state of your application if you apply elsewhere or to UB through the traditional pathway. A bunch of C's just don't look too pretty.

As far as having the options of completing pre-reqs over three years, that is something that is new for your application year. The school is in the process of significantly overhauling the curriculum (both pre-pharm and pharmacy), so there will be quite a few changes in what is required of the early assurance program. I'd periodically check in with the admissions office to be sure you're completing all the requirements as needed (bring your DARS report with you). If you're just talking about gen-ed requirements, you're able to complete those up until the last semester of P3 year. I have friends who took UGC111 immediately after pharmacogenomics. I wouldn't recommend that route, it's a big pain for scheduling and time management (plus, do you want to sit in a freshman class after you've been at UB for five years?)

And finally, give Cindy a break. She genuinely cares and is one of the most dedicated people I've ever seen. I see her almost every night in her office answering e-mails from people until well past 11 PM. You're lucky to have her around.

 

[speciald]

Sorry about that, I think I confused the the pharmacy requirements with the scholars program requirements (I just knew what I needed to do).

Again, you are able to get C's in classes, but there are a few problems with that. On top of the obvious problem if the C's are in math/science classes, you also have to worry about the state of your application if you apply elsewhere or to UB through the traditional pathway. A bunch of C's just don't look too pretty.

As far as having the options of completing pre-reqs over three years, that is something that is new for your application year. The school is in the process of significantly overhauling the curriculum (both pre-pharm and pharmacy), so there will be quite a few changes in what is required of the early assurance program. I'd periodically check in with the admissions office to be sure you're completing all the requirements as needed (bring your DARS report with you). If you're just talking about gen-ed requirements, you're able to complete those up until the last semester of P3 year. I have friends who took UGC111 immediately after pharmacogenomics. I wouldn't recommend that route, it's a big pain for scheduling and time management (plus, do you want to sit in a freshman class after you've been at UB for five years?)

And finally, give Cindy a break. She genuinely cares and is one of the most dedicated people I've ever seen. I see her almost every night in her office answering e-mails from people until well past 11 PM. You're lucky to have her around.

Thanks, I actually like Cindy alot - it's just a little disconcerting not to have the 3-year offer in writing and my AA and a few of the P1s have cautioned me not to believe anything that's not been made "official"! I don't mean any disrespect toward Cindy, but it's puzzling why this wouldn't be updated in the official EA requirements. Do you know when it will be made official? I was thinking of spreading my prereqs over 3 years, as well as a few of the gen eds, so that I could take some other classes that I'm interested in or would be required pre-reqs for many pharmacy schools (ie. econ, public speaking, ethics). If I don't get accepted through EA, I'd like to have other options and a competitive GPA/PCAT so I only have to endure one application cycle!

 

[Praziquantel86]

Thanks, I actually like Cindy alot - it's just a little disconcerting not to have the 3-year offer in writing and my AA and a few of the P1s have cautioned me not to believe anything that's not been made "official"! I don't mean any disrespect toward Cindy, but it's puzzling why this wouldn't be updated in the official EA requirements. Do you know when it will be made official? I was thinking of spreading my prereqs over 3 years, as well as a few of the gen eds, so that I could take some other classes that I'm interested in or would be required pre-reqs for many pharmacy schools (ie. econ, public speaking, ethics). If I don't get accepted through EA, I'd like to have other options and a competitive GPA/PCAT so I only have to endure one application cycle!

I agree with that caution...I would finish off the pre-reqs (and gen-eds, if you can) within two years. If you're able to get a written statement telling you that you're able to take three years, then go for it (if you want to spend the extra year).

I know they're still hammering out the details regarding which classes must be taken at UB and how the scheduling will work, so that would be my guess as to why it hasn't been finalized yet. I'm under the impression that students who entered in Fall of 2009 are still subject to the old requirements, not the set that entering students in Fall 2010 will have to abide by.

 

[speciald]

^ Yes, that's where the confusion lies...the OP and I are currently freshmen but Cindy has told some of us that the new 3-year option will be available to us as well. Do you have any advice on getting confirmation of that before it's time to register for summer and fall classes?
I decided to play it safe for spring semester and registered for 2 sciences, math and stats. But, under the 2 year plan, that still leaves me with 8 pre-pharm classes (33 credit hours, without "optional" micro and physics labs) plus advanced writing and a humanities which are required to be finished by the end of the fourth semester. Out of those 10 classes, 6 of them are designated "limited enrollment" and fill up very quickly. So, "finish in two years" may be easier said than done - unless the scheduling gods are very good to me or I can locate local or online courses to take this summer.

Btw, wsbk, sorry for hijacking your thread! Hopefully we can both learn something from our "elders"!🙂

 

[KristaMPH]

Krista, I think those are words to live by! Cindy also told me and at least two others that our class will have the option of doing pre-reqs over 3 years. I can see that is offered for next year's freshman on the SOPPS website, but no mention of that option for 2009! She did confirm this by email before I registered for spring semester but I'm wondering whether to seek confirmation from Jennifer Hess since it would greatly impact my scheduling choices for this summer and next year. What do you think?

I'm not sure what you mean here, are you early admission? So you want to do your pre-reqs over the course of 3 years? I don't see why that would be a problem unless you were early admission. From what I understand you need to finish them in the first 2 years for early admission. Right? I don't know much about those requirements- I transferred from another school so I wasn't early admission.

I didn't have the greatest experience with Cindy. When I met with Cindy, she referred me to Dr. Hess because she couldn't answer a lot of my questions. I think Cindy used to have a bigger role in admissions than she does now, which is why she sent me to Dr. Hess. Either way I would recommend contacting Jennifer Hess, she was very helpful and gave me an honest opinion, which was what I was looking for.
Hope this helps! good luck!

 

[speciald]

Yes, right now I do have early assurance as I'm a freshman and declared pre-pharm as my major. Until this year all math science pre-reqs and certain gen eds had to be finished by the end of sophomore year. For the class entering in 2010, there is a three year option and Biochem must be taken as a pre-req.

I asked CK for an update in November and she sent me an email to "schedule as if the 3 year option is in effect" . I think I'll email her again this month and see what she says since it will affect my summer/fall scheduling. If it doesn't sound definite, I'll follow up with J Hess. Thanks for your help!

 

[Praziquantel86]

Yes, right now I do have early assurance as I'm a freshman and declared pre-pharm as my major. Until this year all math science pre-reqs and certain gen eds had to be finished by the end of sophomore year. For the class entering in 2010, there is a three year option and Biochem must be taken as a pre-req.

I asked CK for an update in November and she sent me an email to "schedule as if the 3 year option is in effect" . I think I'll email her again this month and see what she says since it will affect my summer/fall scheduling. If it doesn't sound definite, I'll follow up with J Hess. Thanks for your help!

That sounds like a good enough confirmation, but it can't hurt to double-check. Just make sure you hold on to those e-mails, in case it becomes an issue. You don't have to worry about scheduling for a few more months, so hopefully they'll have some more information about the program by the time you need it.

Good luck!