Rejection pretty eminent

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kmims

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I know I'm new to the site, but I've been going through the forum all day and I'm starting to realize that I'm probably pretty boned when it comes to getting accepted into a pharm school.

My gpa is below the minimum requirements for most schools (its a 2.5) and at this point I'm pretty much banking on pre-candidate schools. But even then, anything can happen. The first few years of my undergrad career I didn't have any real direction or focus and couldn't find anything that I liked until my 3rd year. I'm on track to graduate in June with a degree in microbiology and was planning on taking the PCAT in August, so I guess I just have to rock it out.

My extracurriculars are pretty slim. I worked almost all throughout undergrad, I did research for a few quarters, but I didn't stay in a lab longer than a quarter or two. (Again, nothing interested me.) I've been a lab instructor twice and I'm a tutor for minority students currently. I'm pretty sure I can get some awesome LORs and was planning on volunteering/working at a pharmacy after graduation.

Other than retaking my pre-reqs and doing really well on the PCAT is there anything I can do to be more competitive?
 
hey you stole my screenname! how is it we have nearly the exact same sn?

😱

:laugh:
 
I just used my first initial and last name....weird.
 
kmims said:
I know I'm new to the site, but I've been going through the forum all day and I'm starting to realize that I'm probably pretty boned when it comes to getting accepted into a pharm school.

My gpa is below the minimum requirements for most schools (its a 2.5) and at this point I'm pretty much banking on pre-candidate schools. But even then, anything can happen. The first few years of my undergrad career I didn't have any real direction or focus and couldn't find anything that I liked until my 3rd year. I'm on track to graduate in June with a degree in microbiology and was planning on taking the PCAT in August, so I guess I just have to rock it out.

My extracurriculars are pretty slim. I worked almost all throughout undergrad, I did research for a few quarters, but I didn't stay in a lab longer than a quarter or two. (Again, nothing interested me.) I've been a lab instructor twice and I'm a tutor for minority students currently. I'm pretty sure I can get some awesome LORs and was planning on volunteering/working at a pharmacy after graduation.

Other than retaking my pre-reqs and doing really well on the PCAT is there anything I can do to be more competitive?
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If you Ace the PCAT(80composite and above) and bring up your gpa to at least a 3.0,, trust me you have a shot! I'm speaking from experience.
 
It is a good thing that you are going to graduate with a degree in microbiology, but yeah the gpa isn't the best around. I would recommend getting a job in a lab with your microbiology degree, which will probably earn you a decent income. Take pre-req classes part-time to bring up your gpa. Or maybe consider clinical lab scientist...I think the gpa requirements are lower.
 
When do you want to get into pharm school?? did you apply for next fall, cause if so then there is not much you can do....but if you are going to apply next year then go get experience. Apply to every retail pharmacy around you, get a job, then shadow at a hospital---the more experience the better you are. I only had a chance to shadow, but they asked a lot of questions about my one day of shadowing. I would also look into maybe retaking a class that may help boost your gpa.
 
Just wondering how well pharmacy students, with GPA's around 2.5 and PCAT scores sub 60, do in pharmacy school. I'd like to think pharmacy school is going to be much harder than the pre-reqs.
 
CK8652 said:
Just wondering how well pharmacy students, with GPA's around 2.5 and PCAT scores sub 60, do in pharmacy school. I'd like to think pharmacy school is going to be much harder than the pre-reqs.
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I don't think I'd do too badly if I got into pharm school. My undergrad university's grading scale is pretty ridiculous and the curves are set to fail most of the classes. I'm not stupid, I just don't test the way my university wants me to.
 
You will be fine, you have good credentials other than your gpa. Study for the pcat and do your best. My word of advice is to put a lot of time and effort into your supplementals and personal statement. Don't believe all the hype that your PCAT has to be extraordinary..I got a 69 and was granted an interview to every school I applied for (accepted to all of the interviews I went on - including a top 5) and have a gpa of 3.3 with a toxicology major. I didn't work until after i graduated (i work with CVS now as a tech - which is another thing id highly recommend! a lot of schools love to see that and may just interview you based on that fact). Make sure you mention all of those extracurriculars you have, regardless of how long you were involved in them. I think you have an excellent shot all around though.. do well in your classes your last semester, maybe look into some post-baccleurate programs to get your gpa up....thats the only thing you need to focus on
 
I second to what Sessy said. I received a really low score on my PCAT, but what sets me apart is my GPA as well as my experience as a military pharmacy technician. I also have tons of ECs with me being in the military. I applied to one pharmacy school and received an interview invite (first time applying). Try to raise your GPA and study for the PCAT. I am pretty sure that your luck will come in due time and your hard work will pay off. I wish you the best!
 
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In both of the above cases, your GPA helped counter-balance your low PCAT score. OP, to be competitive you would have to really flesh out your app.

A 2.5 GPA is bare-minimum, so I think you have to excel in areas like pharmacy experience and volunteering to be competitive, in addition to doing well on the PCAT (as you mentioned).

Are you certified as a Tech? It's a cheap step that opens a few doors. I'd really play up your lab experience and maybe even see if you can get some more.

When are you hoping to matriculate, Fall of 2011? If so, that's plenty of time to get some good experience (and hopefully a great LOR from a working pharmacist).
 
kmims said:
I know I'm new to the site, but I've been going through the forum all day and I'm starting to realize that I'm probably pretty boned when it comes to getting accepted into a pharm school.

My gpa is below the minimum requirements for most schools (its a 2.5) and at this point I'm pretty much banking on pre-candidate schools. But even then, anything can happen. The first few years of my undergrad career I didn't have any real direction or focus and couldn't find anything that I liked until my 3rd year. I'm on track to graduate in June with a degree in microbiology and was planning on taking the PCAT in August, so I guess I just have to rock it out.

My extracurriculars are pretty slim. I worked almost all throughout undergrad, I did research for a few quarters, but I didn't stay in a lab longer than a quarter or two. (Again, nothing interested me.) I've been a lab instructor twice and I'm a tutor for minority students currently. I'm pretty sure I can get some awesome LORs and was planning on volunteering/working at a pharmacy after graduation.

Other than retaking my pre-reqs and doing really well on the PCAT is there anything I can do to be more competitive?
Click to expand...

How long ago was your worst quarter? School's such as USN, have academic forgiveness, which means you have the option to only count the last 5 years towards your GPA. Even if you apply to a school without academic forgiveness, just make sure you keep an upward trend in your grades. And as the other's have stated, try to do well in your PCAT to offset your GPA. Just remember that once you get that interview, it's pretty much a level playing field for all stats...well, pretty close. Good luck!
 
I have a pharm asst license but I don't really have the money to get tech certified. I've only been in school for 5 years and my major is really competitive here at the U of Wash. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but my major is under the school of medicine and most of the courses are full of grad students who only shift the curve upwards.
 
phathead said:
I was in a very similar boat as you. My GPAs, especially my science GPA, greatly limited where I was able to apply. I did, however, get 5 interviews from the 5 schools I applied to.

Here are my stats if you want to compare - http://www.iwanttobeapharmacist.com/2009/08/my-pharmacy-school-admissions-stats.html
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may i ask where did u apply to? how high was urs pcat score? sorry im in a similar boat, so i need to know in order to reapply for next year. thank you.
 
bozeefus said:
Hey, I love your blog and enjoy reading your pharmacy experiences. Did you get accepted to any schools or are you still in the waiting game?
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No acceptances yet

missHuynh07 said:
may i ask where did u apply to? how high was urs pcat score? sorry im in a similar boat, so i need to know in order to reapply for next year. thank you.
Click to expand...

My PCAT scores are linked on the page I posted
 
Don't lose hope! I have a similar although slightly better GPA but I have some pretty awesome extracurriculars. This was my first time applying and I applied to 8 schools and interviewed at 5. You'll never know, if you never try.:scared::scared::scared:
 
i took my PCAT several months ago and i did horrible. I mean the main reason for that was because I did not prepare for it at all. I was too busy studying for my stupid OChem and some other science classes. I want to retake the test again this year. What do you think I should do to prepare for the PCAT? Your PCAT stats are very high, I don't think I can do as well as you even if I study for 2 yrs lol.
 
missHuynh07 said:
i took my PCAT several months ago and i did horrible. I mean the main reason for that was because I did not prepare for it at all. I was too busy studying for my stupid OChem and some other science classes. I want to retake the test again this year. What do you think I should do to prepare for the PCAT? Your PCAT stats are very high, I don't think I can do as well as you even if I study for 2 yrs lol.
Click to expand...

The term "horrible" is loosely used on these forums haha. I had a composite score of 64 and have had 3 interviews and one acceptance so far. I'm not sure what your score is, but don't think it has to be at the extreme high end of the spectrum to have a chance to get into a school.
 
Ive had three interviews so far, excepted to one, wait listed to one and waiting on one, with PCAT comp 30% and that was my highest of three takes,embarrassinglyenough. I wasted my time and money, didnt study and it showed. But still got in to school so it's possible🙂
 
Almost feels like troll... unless "excepted" wasn't a mistake 😉
 
Good thing a spelling bee wasn't part of the app process..i would fail miserably😳
 
I'm sorry, and I really don't mean to be rude or mean, but a 30 composite? You must have had a stellar GPA or amazing ECs. What schools did you apply to?
 
phathead said:
No acceptances yet



My PCAT scores are linked on the page I posted
Click to expand...

Wow, you really pulled yourself together on the 2nd PCAT. 👍 I took the PCAT because only one school that I was applying to required it. My PCAT scores got delayed for PharmCAS anyway, and when that school (Hawai'i Hilo) finally got it, they had already stopped sending interview invites (rolling admissions). Darn!
 
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