Questions from a High School Student

[Tyrius]

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Hello everyone, I am currently a HS Junior about to enter my second semester. I have some questions about going to a Pharmacy School. I'm looking at 0-6 programs. I'm not 100% sure i want to study pharmacy but next week thursday i'll start work at the Hospital Pharmacy and i think that will cement my commitment to pharmacy. But eitherway. I have some general questions. My GPA isn't the best atm but i've been working on it and have met some shortfalls. I have taken AP Physics C and AP Gov't and got C's in both. Next semester i'm Taking AP English and will aim for a B. My GPA is about a 2.9 i think by the end of my junior year i can get to a 3.0. I'm wondering wether good SAT scores can makeup for my lack of a good GPA? Senior year I am planning to take AP Chemistry and AP Biology (I've already taken the regualr courses and have B's in both). Are there any other things i should be looking at towards my search or other things i can do to increase my chances? Thanks alot

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

Since I attend a school that takes its student body largely from high school by means of a 0+6 program, perhaps I can help you. At Butler the average student accepted into the 0+6 program was in the top 10% of their high school class, had cum. GPA of around a 3.8 and an ACT average of a 28. My personal advice is to stop focusing on taking AP classes, although everyone you talk may say that AP is the way to go, if you continue to get C's you'll be getting yourself into a pickle. My advice is to just continue to work on improving your GPA and I think you made an excellent decision in terms of getting exposure to pharmacy early on. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at jegel at butler dot edu and I'd be happy to help you out.

 

[ilovepharmacy]

I agree with ButlerPharm.D.

I remember from way back when when I was in HS... we had several program tracks students could go in.. IB, AP, honors, and "regular." Its great that you can take AP's, etc. but which is better: Getting a C in an AP course or an A in an honors or regular course? Too often have I seen kids being pushed to take AP courses or pushed to stay in IB programs because it "looks good" but they do mediocre in the courses. In the end it hurts them more. Getting an excellent SAT score will help you, but you really need to work on the GPA. Unfortunately, numbers are what the schools will look at first. Getting exposure in pharmacy will help in reinforcing your serious interest in the profession though - I'm glad that you are going to be working at a hospital pharmacy!

so, for now try your hardest are getting those grades up and score well on your SATs! Good lucks

 

[Tyrius]

Thanks alot guys. I will take your advice to heart. Any other suggestions, recommendations on schools, course selection would be great.

 

[dgroulx]

Also, some pharmacy schools don't accept AP classes for college credit. I agree with the other posters, just take the "normal" classes.

 

[Kyra]

Also, some pharmacy schools don't accept AP classes for college credit. I agree with the other posters, just take the "normal" classes.

How about CLEP tests for electives like Spanish, Psychology, English. Will they accept that?

 

[ultracet]

one thing to keep in mind is the weight of the AP classes... If you think you can make an A in the AP class that would be fantastic and help out your GPA a TON.

Even a B in an AP class will help it out..

Or at least it would have at my school as they are weighted on a 5 point scale

 

[dgroulx]

How about CLEP tests for electives like Spanish, Psychology, English. Will they accept that?

I think all schools accept CLEP scores for credit. It didn't do me any good, though. I clepped all my math and sciences which would have been great if I wasn't a science major. I still had to take Bio I, Chem I, etc. for pharmacy school.