pre-requisite GPA emphasis?

[littlestarjlj]

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I'm planning on applying this year (about halfway through the application process) but I'm wondering what my chances of getting in are. Right now, my overall GPA is a 2.86 (bad semester last year because I had to have foot surgery) but my science GPA is around a 3.5. All of my science and other pre-requisite classes have been an A or B (with the exception of a C in microeconomics) and I'm also working my butt off this semester to make up for last semester's falling out. Do you think my science GPA would outweigh my overall GPA (planning on bringing that up this fall to at least a 3.0) and look better?

Also, I haven't been able to find any pharmacy experience and no one will let me volunteer. Would passing the PTCB exam help out at least some in that area since you have to learn quite a bit about the pharmacy profession to pass it?

Thanks a lot!

 

[minhtos]

why won't anyone let you volunteer? 🙁 it's free labor for them lol. anyways... best of luck and you seem to be trying very hard and hopefully the admissions committee can overlook one bad semester. unfortunately, I'm in no position to give any one advice other than good luck!

 

[StandardProcess]

Littlestar- apply to volunteer at hospitals. It is a great was to get experience and great for your application.

The best way to approach it is to physically go to each hospital in your area to their respective volutneer offices and fill out applications in person (versus online if that is an option) and if they do not jump at the chance to put you to work as a volunteer in the pharmacy, stop by the actual pharmacy and ask to speak to whoever runs it. Introduce yourself and let them know you put a volunteer application on file.

Then stop in physically once a week and 'check in' with those you have met. You will get scooped up in no time.

I know of many students who 'want' the experience, but expect to apply and have the opportunity come to them. Make yourself more than sheet of paper.

Good Luck!

 

[Alkylholic]

Look into each school's GPA requirements. Some schools look at overall GPA, some look at just math/science, and some look at the GPA for just the pre-reqs. Also from what I've heard they like to see upward trends, so if you did poorly a while back, but have been consistently getting better grades, that is a plus.

A good PCAT score will always help to compensate for bad grades as well.