Raise that GPA w/post-bac?

[paper_tsuru]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I'm a fourth-year UCLA student who recently decided to pursue a career in pharmacy. I spent the past three years floundering about wanting to do medicine, but after some hard thinking (reading the forums, going to pharmacy info days, working at a pharmacy), I realized pharmacy was a better career for me after all.

My 3.1 GPA isn't fantastic, especially when so many classmates have way higher GPAs and are applying to school in California like me.

Question: Do you believe enrolling and doing well in post-bacalaureate programs, such as the 2nd bac program at San Francisco State University may increase my chances of getting into a pharmacy school? Or would simply taking classes at a community college have the same effect?


Thanks everyone, best of luck.

 

[KUMoose]

First, talk to advisors at schools. All the ones I have contacted have spent time with me and discussed options over the phone.

If the science and related courses to pharmacy have low grades (C and below), I'd look at retaking them at a Community College and hope the pharmacy school replaces the grade. 😉 That will show that your 'core' classes are strengths and not liabilities.

I would suggest working really hard at obtaining an higher the average PCAT and very persausive letters of recommendations. And finally practice interviewing, so that it becomes second nature. These should allow for a lower GPA and still gain admission.

 

[crossjb]

Your 3.1 from UCLA should be looked at as highly as a 4.0 from a lesser institution. Quality of university matters. Also, don't focus on how "better" other students may be. It's counterproductive and an easy way to let yourself be discouraged. The PCAT probably won't be an issue in California. If you can afford a post-bacalaureate program, and it interests you, that might be a direction to go in. But personally, I'd focus on excelling in all pre reqs.

Ace everything you can!

 

[starsweet]

First, talk to advisors at schools. All the ones I have contacted have spent time with me and discussed options over the phone.

If the science and related courses to pharmacy have low grades (C and below), I'd look at retaking them at a Community College and hope the pharmacy school replaces the grade. 😉 That will show that your 'core' classes are strengths and not liabilities.

I would suggest working really hard at obtaining an higher the average PCAT and very persausive letters of recommendations. And finally practice interviewing, so that it becomes second nature. These should allow for a lower GPA and still gain admission.

Just a thought, but I don't think the grades for classes you retake "replace" the older grade, but they will take an average instead. They will still take into account the older grade to calculate your GPA.

Also, your major is also very important, as well as the school, when it comes to your GPA. A lower GPA is not necessarily bad if you had a tough major and went to a rigorous school.

Good luck 🙂

 

[cheesygal]

Hi everyone,

I'm a fourth-year UCLA student who recently decided to pursue a career in pharmacy. I spent the past three years floundering about wanting to do medicine, but after some hard thinking (reading the forums, going to pharmacy info days, working at a pharmacy), I realized pharmacy was a better career for me after all.

My 3.1 GPA isn't fantastic, especially when so many classmates have way higher GPAs and are applying to school in California like me.

Question: Do you believe enrolling and doing well in post-bacalaureate programs, such as the 2nd bac program at San Francisco State University may increase my chances of getting into a pharmacy school? Or would simply taking classes at a community college have the same effect?


Thanks everyone, best of luck.

hahaha, I'm from UCLA too! Actually, I was feeling pretty cruddy until I saw your post- I thought I was the only one going through this. But it does feel nicer that someone is in the same boat as you are cus then you know you're not alone. =) I just graduated this June w/ also a pretty almost cruddy GPA (also a 3.1). I think taking classses at a cc is ok- that's what i'm doing. my friend did it and got into USC and UCSF, but maybe she was stellar in other areas (I really don't know). Anywho, I really don't think it makes that big of a difference where you retake your classes. As for grades, some schools take the average, but some take the higher grade or the most recent one. You should call and ask them. So in anycase, just do well in the classes you retake. good luck!