Should I apply early or wait later?

[gravitygirl88]

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I've been lurking around in this forum for the past months or so and have to sincerely thank all the members for providing such valuable advice. I'm myself seeking for some advice.

I've seen many posts on this forum to apply early for pharmacy schools, as usually you have a higher chance of being interviewed. However, with that being said, I'm seriously wondering if I should apply as soon as possible or wait until October. My situation is a little messed up... I have only completed a year of prereqs (~40 credits) all at a community college and done fairly well (3.9G GPA), unfortunately for me, I've just taken the PCAT and scored rather mediocre. Composite of 74%...with a low reading comprehension score (20%) and poor biology (60%). I did do well in Chemistry, Math and Verbal. I plan on retaking the PCAT on September. The question now is....Should I apply now anyways or wait until my September scores or out? I feel that the other aspects of my application are well-rounded, I will get strong letter of recommendations. I'm currently volunteering at the pharmacy in the hospital and at a free clinic. I am also a certified pharm tech. The only thing that bugs me is my PCAT. Another question is that, should I ask for a letter of recommendation from a calculus teacher or an english teacher. Both know me very well but I beleive that my english teacher would write me a very unique letter, contrary to my calculus teacher. BTW I plan on applying to Texas schools (Texas A&M, UH, UT). What to do? Thanks...

 

[Notecard]

Apply now. Your score is good enough to be competitive and waiting two months isn't worth it, imo. Some PCAT diehards will probably disagree with me but since the rest of your application is solid your PCAT isn't as big of a deal.

Use the English teacher for the letter but also use the calc teacher as a back up letter writer. My back up letter writer saved my *** last year.

 

[gravitygirl88]

Thanks for your reply...my concern was that if i apply now with these scores, perhaps the universities would reject me right away. If I apply with my september scores (givent that I do improve)...I would be granted an interview instead. Is that right?

 

[dballa1]

Thanks for your reply...my concern was that if i apply now with these scores, perhaps the universities would reject me right away. If I apply with my september scores (givent that I do improve)...I would be granted an interview instead. Is that right?

I would say apply now as well. The PCAT score is only one component of your entire application. From what you said, it sounds like you have a pretty well-rounded application. Since pharmacy schools use rolling admissions, the longer you wait the less likely there will be seats available in the class if you wait until you get your september PCAT scores.

 

[R2pharmD2]

Thanks for your reply...my concern was that if i apply now with these scores, perhaps the universities would reject me right away. If I apply with my september scores (givent that I do improve)...I would be granted an interview instead. Is that right?

A 74th percentile is competitive, so I don't think you have anything to be worried about there. If anything, I think the fact that you've only completed a year of college level coursework hurts you more than your PCAT score. A 3.9 GPA is definitely reassuring, but some schools might want to see your fall grades too before giving you an interview. You're in great shape though. Apply now, keep doing what you're doing and I'm guessing you'll get interviews most everywhere you apply.

 

[DrDrugs2012]

I've been lurking around in this forum for the past months or so and have to sincerely thank all the members for providing such valuable advice. I'm myself seeking for some advice.

I've seen many posts on this forum to apply early for pharmacy schools, as usually you have a higher chance of being interviewed. However, with that being said, I'm seriously wondering if I should apply as soon as possible or wait until October. My situation is a little messed up... I have only completed a year of prereqs (~40 credits) all at a community college and done fairly well (3.9G GPA), unfortunately for me, I've just taken the PCAT and scored rather mediocre. Composite of 74%...with a low reading comprehension score (20%) and poor biology (60%). I did do well in Chemistry, Math and Verbal. I plan on retaking the PCAT on September. The question now is....Should I apply now anyways or wait until my September scores or out? I feel that the other aspects of my application are well-rounded, I will get strong letter of recommendations. I'm currently volunteering at the pharmacy in the hospital and at a free clinic. I am also a certified pharm tech. The only thing that bugs me is my PCAT. Another question is that, should I ask for a letter of recommendation from a calculus teacher or an english teacher. Both know me very well but I beleive that my english teacher would write me a very unique letter, contrary to my calculus teacher. BTW I plan on applying to Texas schools (Texas A&M, UH, UT). What to do? Thanks...

I dont know about those Texas schools and their admissions process, but it is always beneficial to apply early. It is also always useful to do early decision at your top choice school.

With respect to letters of recommendation, typically it seems most schools require three, in which case I would get one math/science reference, a supervior (if you have work experience) and one non-traditional reference which may be an english professor, an advisor for a student group that you are very involved in, etc.

The general gist of the strategy behind letters of recommendation is to 1) make sure that it will be positive (you'd be surprised how many LoRs schools get from people who flat out refuse to recommend the student) and 2) make sure the LoR is from someone who can attest to your strength in an area which on paper may be your weakness. For example, if your biology score is low, getting a LoR from your biology professor stating that you are hard working, understand the material, etc etc is always a good thing because it balances out your weakness without you directly addressing it in the application (and calling yourself out on it).

 

[gravitygirl88]

Thanks for the replies! I'll be asking for my letter of recommendations and starting the application process next week. Hopefully, I'll get an intervew. I will still retake the PCAT in september, just in case.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Since the "real" answer has already been given...

Wait until next year! When I'm not applying! (One less competative applicant = better chances for me! )

Oh, wait, you're not applying to my school anyway... /trollpost 😉