Questions Regarding GPA

[frotterismU]

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I wasn't sure if I should put this in the WAMC thread, but since I haven't applied for any schools (won't be applying for another 2 years or so) and just looking for advice, I made a new thread.

How is the math/science GPA calculated? Do they include all science/math courses you took or just the prereq? Also, if you retake a course, do they normally average the grades together or take the last one only?

Originally, I was a chemistry major and was considering going into either pharmacy or chemE, but I screwed up my sophomore year. I failed ochem twice, failed chemE, W in physics, C in Calc 2 and some other random classes, all due to sheer laziness. I didn't go to class or study and even skipped some of the exams! That year was such a mess. Ended up going into psychology after that.

So here I am, about to graduate with a BS in psychology, and now realizing that it's not what I want to do. I want to go back into pharmacy, but my sophomore is coming back to bite me in the ass.

I'm not too worried about my overall GPA; It's just failing ochem twice that's bothering me since some schools only take the 2nd grade and I'm not sure how those would be averaged into the math/science GPA. Anyways, here are my current GPA's:

Overall GPA: 3.2 (I can bump it up to 3.3 if I make straight A's this semester)
Last 2 years GPA: 3.8
Prereq GPA: 3.4 (Including the fails. I can definitely bump this up to 3.5+ once I finish the prereq)
Math/science GPA: 2.65 (fails + nonprereq classes. Can be bumped up to 3.2 only if I make straight A's in the rest of the science prereq)

Also, are there any schools that grant academic forgiveness? I do have a small list of schools that have 7-10 year policies, and would like to add some more to the list if anyone has any recommendations.

Xavier - 5 years
University of Monroe - 7 years
University of New Mexico - 7 years
University of Colorado - 7 years
Regis University - 7 years

One last question. How recent do ECs have to be? I have ECs from 2005-2008 mostly, but I won't be applying until maybe 2012-2013.

Thanks! tl;dr I know.

 

[cheesetom]

Wow, you are my academic twin! I'd like to know the answers to your questions as well.
As for schools, St. Johns offers a 6 year pharm.D degree for freshmen, but I hear that you can crowbar your way in as a transfer student. Unfortunately, none of the credits (at least the ones that matter) transfer over with you.

 

[Passion4Sci]

USN offers academic forgiveness, and there is one other that I always forget.

Before delving into answering some of those questions, I have a question for you.

What makes you think you're any different now than you were in the sophomore year when you pretty much screwed the pooch on every important pre-requisite for pharmacy? What is attracting you to pharmacy as a profession?

I'm not the big gate keeper of pharmacy land, but those questions will be on the forefront of anyone's mind that will eventually be evaluating you as a possible applicant in the near future.

Academic forgiveness is almost your only option at this point, but you'll need to repeat, essentially, all of your pre-requisite coursework, to do it. And USN has a staggeringly high admit GPA due to the fact that everyone who applies for A.F. has taken their pre-req's and kicked major ass... 3.8+.

To answer specific questions;

How is the math/science GPA calculated? Do they include all science/math courses you took or just the prereq? Also, if you retake a course, do they normally average the grades together or take the last one only?

You're talking about PharmCAS, right? PharmCAS computes math/science GPA in the way you'd think: They add all math/science grades from all the courses you input in that genre and voila... your math/science GPA. If you re-take a course, it will indeed be averaged into the PharmCAS GPA. Now, your schools might exclude some repeated coursework (Like for example, take only the 2nd grade like you said, in which case the first F would not be taken, only the 2nd [and in your Orgo case not really a good thing]) and such and that'd change their calculations for your m/s GPA... But, for PharmCAS, it'll all be tossed into the pot and calculated.

It's just failing ochem twice that's bothering me since some schools only take the 2nd grade and I'm not sure how those would be averaged into the math/science GPA. Anyways, here are my current GPA's:

Indeed, 2 Failures in Orgo is pretty atrocious. However, Sparda also failed Orgo twice and is now at Touro-NY, so obviously it won't be the end of the world. I covered the GPA usage in my above paragraph.

Recent ECs are always, always better. Why? Primarily because if they're recent, you'll be remembered, and as such, your participation can be verified. It also looks more cogent, more salient, like you're definitely interested in field X and that's why you're doing it.


All in all, your GPA is not bad. Combined with a great PCAT score and some fresher ECs and you might get into a school. Your PharmCAS gpa will probably be complete trash, though, and if you go <2.5 you're going to be in trouble.

 

[frotterismU]

Thanks for the info!

What makes you think you're any different now than you were in the sophomore year when you pretty much screwed the pooch on every important pre-requisite for pharmacy? What is attracting you to pharmacy as a profession?

Well, I'm much more dedicated to school now (3.8 past 2 years on Dean's/Chancellor's list most semesters). And I wouldn't say 1 class is "every important prereq." =P I pretty much made straight A's my freshman year in science and math except biol2 (B), as well as mostly straight A's on GE prereqs.
As for pharmacy as a profession, I've always liked science and math, but I was just never sure of what I wanted to do. I didn't have any real career goals back then other than just to graduate. I've taken a few psyc courses related to pharmacology (drugs/brain/behavior, neuropharmacology, physio etc) which is what I'm most interested in. I just can't see myself in a research/clinical setting for the rest of my life if I stayed in psychology. I do think that pharmacy would suit me better and that it's something I would enjoy.

I'm not the big gate keeper of pharmacy land, but those questions will be on the forefront of anyone's mind that will eventually be evaluating you as a possible applicant in the near future.

Oh, I understand. An F and D in organic are HUGE red flags. I just hope as long as I keep improving and nail the rest of my prereq, I'll have a shot.

Academic forgiveness is almost your only option at this point, but you'll need to repeat, essentially, all of your pre-requisite coursework, to do it. And USN has a staggeringly high admit GPA due to the fact that everyone who applies for A.F. has taken their pre-req's and kicked major ass... 3.8+.

Well at least most of the schools I looked at so far only require math/science courses to be retaken if they're too old. Haven't looked into USN yet though. Thanks for the suggestion.

You're talking about PharmCAS, right? PharmCAS computes math/science GPA in the way you'd think: They add all math/science grades from all the courses you input in that genre and voila... your math/science GPA. If you re-take a course, it will indeed be averaged into the PharmCAS GPA. Now, your schools might exclude some repeated coursework (Like for example, take only the 2nd grade like you said, in which case the first F would not be taken, only the 2nd [and in your Orgo case not really a good thing]) and such and that'd change their calculations for your m/s GPA... But, for PharmCAS, it'll all be tossed into the pot and calculated.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was asking for. Are chemical engineering and computer science considered math/science?

Recent ECs are always, always better. Why? Primarily because if they're recent, you'll be remembered, and as such, your participation can be verified. It also looks more cogent, more salient, like you're definitely interested in field X and that's why you're doing it.

Should I include the older ECs at all? I've done marching band, and when I graduate I'd like keep playing by doing community band and/or play in a church.

Also, would having a psyc degree put me at a disadvantage compared to someone with a bio/chem degree?