Question about GPA vs. Course load?

[Sefowa04]

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I am hoping to get some perspective on this topic that has been worrying me as far as my chances of getting into pharmacy school go. I have a 4.0 GPA, cumulative (sciences included of course), however, I don't take a heavy course load...is that bad?

 

[KUMoose]

At some level, they will probably wonder if you can handle 20+ hours a semester. I had two people during the UMB interview comment on that during the interview, but it's the only interview I had. I also had that question come up when talking with other schools that I did not apply to (pre-reqs).

To compensate, I'd recommend joining every organization you can reasonably get in and look at picking up a volunteering gig or p/t job.

 

[patmcd]

I would certainly look into find some sort of extra curricular activity or a job.

 

[Sefowa04]

Well, I have this place that I have been volunteering at since I was a freshman in high school and I did that throughout my first year. Starting my second year, in addition to that I got a part time job as a pharmacy technician and also started volunteering at a hospital. The problem is, I just applied for Fall 2006, so there isn't much I can do now but sit back and wait. I guess I am in pretty crappy shape then?

 

[bananaface]

In your case you got a 4.0 regardless of load. That says that you know how to get A's. It implies nothing about not being capable of a higher course load.

 

[JWirawan]

The interviewer asked me what my gpa is and how many credits I usually take every semester or quarter... When I told them my current GPA is and that I usually take 16 quarter credits, they're pretty much indifferent. However, they're very impressed when I told them that I am taking 22 quarter credits right now, in addition to interview invitation and volunteer work. I think the number of credits you took affects their decision but that won't be the only thing that adcom consider, of course.

However, looking at your current situation, I'm not gonna worry too much. Considering that you were a running start student (which I think is your strong point), and you will finish your prerequisites by Spring 2007.

 

[Sefowa04]

Lol, 😳

 

[freshbeatschris]

I am hoping to get some perspective on this topic that has been worrying me as far as my chances of getting into pharmacy school go. I have a 4.0 GPA, cumulative (sciences included of course), however, since my first year in college I took the following:
Fall 2004-12 Credits
Winter 2005-13 Credits
Spring/Summer 2005-8 Credits
Fall 2005-12 Credits
Currently (Winter 06)-14 (My most yet!)

So basically I was just taking the minimum to be considered a full time student. But the thing was, I did not have to load up my schedule because during high school I took a few classes at a community college and I had AP credit for Biology, English, Chemistry and Math. So going into my first year I think I had about 32 credit hours. Anyways, how do you think that looks to the admission committee? Do you think they will say "Well she has a 4.0 but look at how many classes she was taking."? And no, I did not have a job 🙁

For my pre-pharm curriculum, I took one or two classes per semester, but went year round with summers included. I too, have a 4.0 and wondered about this subject. During my one class semesters, I did hold down three jobs and volunteer my time with tai chi. I got into Midwestern CCP, no questions asked. I will let you know if UIC mentions anything about it.

I mostly did it for financial reasons, as I received tuition waivers every semester that I worked at the community college. It ended up making my education there very, very affordable.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Chris

 

[bananaface]

The interviewer asked me what my gpa is and how many credits I usually take every semester or quarter... When I told them my current GPA is and that I usually take 16 quarter credits, they're pretty much indifferent. However, they're very impressed when I told them that I am taking 22 quarter credits right now, in addition to interview invitation and volunteer work. I think the number of credits you took affects their decision but that won't be the only thing that adcom consider, of course.

However, looking at your current situation, I'm not gonna worry too much. Considering that you were a running start student (which I think is your strong point), and you will finish your prerequisites by Spring 2007.

What a cute kitty!

I bet alot of people did their prereqs p/t and worked.

 

[cosmicstarr]

I'd rather take the 4.0 GPA and light course load than a 3.0 GPA while taking 20 units a semester.

 

[voskoboy]

Same here...this is my breakdown: 12 cr fall , 12 cr winter, 6 cr summer, 13 cr fall, 13 cr winter, 14 cr fall, and now a 16 cr winter(My most yet). The past has been relatively light but it allowed me to maintain a 4.0. Received 5 invitations so you should be set like me. As cosmicstarr said, a heavy 3.0 is not as good as a light 4.0.
Good luck

 

[Tarutaru]

You want to get a High GPA but also at some point want to do a high course load. They want to accept students with a higher GPA for their statistics but on one hand want to know that you are capable of handling pharmacy school. I would not advise sacrificing your GPA to prove that you took rigorous courses and a high work load. Some schools will look at your GPA first thing before anything else and make a decision from there whether to look at your application or not.

 

[Sefowa04]

Same here...this is my breakdown: 12 cr fall , 12 cr winter, 6 cr summer, 13 cr fall, 13 cr winter, 14 cr fall, and now a 16 cr winter(My most yet). The past has been relatively light but it allowed me to maintain a 4.0. Received 5 invitations so you should be set like me. As cosmicstarr said, a heavy 3.0 is not as good as a light 4.0.
Good luck

Thats awesome!! Well, I really hope that they do not automatically assume that just because I took a light course load that I cannot handle the heavy course load of pharmacy school. Honestly, I didn't take that many classes because I didn't really have to. For example, this semester, I took more credits because I wanted to finish all my classes for pre-pharm by spring. I am confident that I could handle the demands of pharmacy school...I just wish the pharmacy school I applied to knew that. Oh well 😳