Shot at UCSF?

[cosmicstarr]

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It is my understanding that UCSF and UCSD are probably the most difficult Pharm. schools in Cali to gain admittance. I cannot apply to UCSD because they do not accept any science prereq. older than 5 years old, but UCSF does not have a time limit (go figure...)

Since a lot of my science coursework was taken some time ago, I'm going to self review and take some additional bio. sci. courses before applying.

Currently, I calculate my stats per PharmCAS as
Overall GPA: 3.48
Science (& other Science): 3.35
UCSF Prereq. GPA: 3.32
My degree is in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine from 1994.

Would the PCAT make a difference when applying? Their webpage shows that it isn't required. Also, does anyone know if being a URM makes any difference?

It seems a lot of programs are becoming increasingly difficult to get into.

Thanks.

 

[starl1gh7]

hey cosmicstarr,

where did you read/hear about UCSD not accepting science prereqs older than 5 years?

 

[cosmicstarr]

hey cosmicstarr,

where did you read/hear about UCSD not accepting science prereqs older than 5 years?

Hi starl1gh7,

I e-mailed UCSD's admissions office and received the following reply, "We will accept prerequisites if they were taken during the last 10 years. The exception to this are the sciences classes. Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biology courses need to be taken within the last 5 years."

This policy seems unfortunate for students who do not directly apply to pharmacy school after undergrad, as science classes taken during freshman year run the risk of "expiring" if you don't apply to UCSD pharmacy school within 1 year after graduation (assuming you take 4 years to graduate).

I know that USC's policy is 9 years for any class.

Oddly enough, UCSF does not have an expiration policy, but I suspect they, too, would like to see some recent coursework. This is still much better than retaking every single prerequisite, which is what I would have to do before I can apply to UCSD or USC.

 

[starl1gh7]

Hey cosmicstarr,

I emailed UCSD to verify. I am a non-traditional applicant, and I just applied to UCSD, so I wanted to make sure before I continue completing my supplemental.

UCSD replied with this, "We strongly recommend that you take your chemistry, organic chemistry and biology within the last five years."

I emailed them again to see if there was an expiration for science courses because it seems like it is just a recommendation and not a requirement.

I'll write back as soon as I hear from UCSD again.

 

[cosmicstarr]

Hey cosmicstarr,

I emailed UCSD to verify. I am a non-traditional applicant, and I just applied to UCSD, so I wanted to make sure before I continue completing my supplemental.

UCSD replied with this, "We strongly recommend that you take your chemistry, organic chemistry and biology within the last five years."

I emailed them again to see if there was an expiration for science courses because it seems like it is just a recommendation and not a requirement.

I'll write back as soon as I hear from UCSD again.

Hi starl1gh7,

How old are your science courses? Because UCSD so "strongly" recommends that the courses be taken within the last 5 years, it might be looked upon as a negative if the classes are too old, even though there may be no official policy on this.

I'm looking forward to finding out what you hear.

 

[starl1gh7]

Hi cosmicstarr,

I just heard back from UCSD. They replied with, "We will accept the courses because they were taken in the last 10 years, but we do recommend they be taken wthin the past 5 years."

I hope this information helps. If you have any more information, I suggest you ask someone on this forum who's from UCSD.

Oh, and I graduated in 2002, and took my chemistry courses my freshman year in 1998. So, I'm well past 5 years but still w/n 10 years.

 

[starl1gh7]

cosmicstarr,

I just read ur first post over, and realized you graduated in 94. I'm not sure if your prereqs still qualify, but I strongly suggest you email UCSD and tell them your situation.

best wishes!

 

[cosmicstarr]

cosmicstarr,

I just read ur first post over, and realized you graduated in 94. I'm not sure if your prereqs still qualify, but I strongly suggest you email UCSD and tell them your situation.

best wishes!

Hi star1gh7,

Good luck with your UCSD app!

I will be retaking some classes, but not all of them, esp. physics and calculus! I will just do a self review and maybe take the PCAT. I will just have to apply to schools that don't have an "expiration date" on science courses. Otherwise, I would have to spend another 2-3 years retaking classes. I may as well get another Biology degree!

 

[Bluhappy102]

Taking the PCAT will NOT help you get into UCSF so don't even bother unless you plan on applying to schools that require it. Your work/life experiences, however, will make you stand out and can definetly boost your chances.

 

[Portman]

gpa seems pretty low for ucsf 😱

 

[ICA]

If you don't want to repeat the courses you took in 1994, why don't you take some upper division classes in related subjects (ie, instead of O. Chem or General Biology, take biochem or Molecular Biology...)? This will show the adcom that you are ready for the rigors of pharmacy school (considering you do well).

 

[crying moo]

Darn, I thought this thread was reporting a crime on UCSF campus or something. Well I guess it's good that no one was shot.

 

[ForgetMeNot]

Darn, I thought this thread was reporting a crime on UCSF campus or something. Well I guess it's good that no one was shot.

That's exactly what I thought when I read the title too!

 

[biturbomunkie]

It is my understanding that UCSF and UCSD are probably the most difficult Pharm. schools in Cali to gain admittance. I cannot apply to UCSD because they do not accept any science prereq. older than 5 years old, but UCSF does not have a time limit (go figure...)

Since a lot of my science coursework was taken some time ago, I'm going to self review and take some additional bio. sci. courses before applying.

Currently, I calculate my stats per PharmCAS as
Overall GPA: 3.48
Science (& other Science): 3.35
UCSF Prereq. GPA: 3.32
My degree is in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine from 1994.

Would the PCAT make a difference when applying? Their webpage shows that it isn't required. Also, does anyone know if being a URM makes any difference?

It seems a lot of programs are becoming increasingly difficult to get into.

Thanks.

the pcat won't make a difference, ucsf will simply disregard your pcat score.

also, i'm pretty sure that ucsf will recommend you to retake some of the science courses since you received your degree in 1994.

 

[biturbomunkie]

gpa seems pretty low for ucsf 😱

not true.

 

[rxforlife2004]

The PCAT won't make a difference when you apply for UCSF or UCSD. However, since you better off to apply at other phamacy schools elsewhere, especially on East Coast, too. If that is that case, then just take the PCAT exam. It is not that bad as you thought.

 

[Oneday_9]

It is my understanding that UCSF and UCSD are probably the most difficult Pharm. schools in Cali to gain admittance. I cannot apply to UCSD because they do not accept any science prereq. older than 5 years old, but UCSF does not have a time limit (go figure...)

Since a lot of my science coursework was taken some time ago, I'm going to self review and take some additional bio. sci. courses before applying.

Currently, I calculate my stats per PharmCAS as
Overall GPA: 3.48
Science (& other Science): 3.35
UCSF Prereq. GPA: 3.32
My degree is in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine from 1994.

Would the PCAT make a difference when applying? Their webpage shows that it isn't required. Also, does anyone know if being a URM makes any difference?

It seems a lot of programs are becoming increasingly difficult to get into.

Thanks.

Don't need the PCAT. I recommend still applying just come up with an aggressive schedule on completing all the pre-reqs before matriculation. You have this fall, spring, and next summer to cram it in. I know a few students who did this in my class. It's feasible, just go for it and don't look back. Making the necessary executive decisions and a will to succeed should carry you through any adversity, you can get in. The GPA thing, again, it isn't low, our lowest was like 2.8 or something. GPA isn't all there is for our school, so to those that think they don't have a chance, just try, you'll never know if you don't.

 

[cosmicstarr]

Don't need the PCAT. I recommend still applying just come up with an aggressive schedule on completing all the pre-reqs before matriculation. You have this fall, spring, and next summer to cram it in. I know a few students who did this in my class. It's feasible, just go for it and don't look back. Making the necessary executive decisions and a will to succeed should carry you through any adversity, you can get in. The GPA thing, again, it isn't low, our lowest was like 2.8 or something. GPA isn't all there is for our school, so to those that think they don't have a chance, just try, you'll never know if you don't.

Thanks Oneday and everyone for their advice. I have actually completed all the prereqs, but they were from my B.S. from 1994. I'm in school taking additional science classes, none of which are actually required by UCSF, but I figure I should get used to being in school again, especially in a science class setting. I also need some recent coursework to try to get LORs. I would think it would be odd asking my professors from 12+ years ago for LORs. They would probably wonder who I am.

I'm also slightly concerened that if I get any grade lower than an A- in these additional courses, I would be losing ground on my overall GPA (3.48) and would possibly lose ground on my science/prereq. GPA (3.3ish) if the grade is lower than a B+. I guess it puts a bit of extra pressure on me to do well.