Should I apply for early decision!?

[Buk Lau]

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Hello!

So I'm taking the pcat in July and I am going to apply to Howard and Maryland the next application term, or simply, as soon as I get my pcat test scores. So my question is, would they see me favorably as applying soon, or would my application not be competitive enough, basically, forcing me to apply during the regular application cycle? Here are my stats (I'm currently a sophomore at a CC)

I plan on applying at the end of this year because I haven't taken my pcat yet (taking it in July). I also have several courses I have to finish, so I am going to predict what my resume is going to look like around july. And by the way, I'm going to a community college because of money issues and I'm working about 30 hours per week. My grades show improvement, especially if I get straight "A"s this semester. I just really want to know about someone who got in with well-rounded grades. I mean 3.6 gpa is good, I plan on getting at least a 70% on the pcat, I volunteer..I mean I'm trying hard, so I hope the colleges notice that. Thank you

a. Schools you are applying to
UM, Howard, LECOM Erie, Pitt, Thomas Jefferson

b. Overall GPA
3.6 (not the pharmcas gpa)

c. Math/Science GPA

Calculus (5 credits) - A
Pre-Calculus (5 credits) - A
General Chem 1 - B
General Chem 2 - C
Org. Chem 1 - B
Org. Chem 2 - A or B (haven't completed it yet)
Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 - A
Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 - A (prediction)

d. GPA in last one or two school years

3.6
e. Complete PCAT scores (or just composite)

Not taken it yet, but on my Kaplan practice tests I score something around 70

f. Pharmacy experience obtained

None yet, should have AT LEAST hospital volunteer experience by the time I'm applying

g. Date of application submission (PharmCAS/primary and secondary)

After July

Additionally, the following will help us gauge your chances but are more optional:
h. Number of LORs and source of LORs

Probably gonna be great LORs because I have great relations with these professors: Org. Chem professor, Human Anatomy professor, English professor, and/or hospital boss

i. Non-pharmacy work and/or volunteer experience

Biology Club

j. Self-perception of interview skills

Good at the least.

k. Overall impression of personal statement quality

I haven't written it yet, but I have a lot on my mind.

 

[R2pharmD2]

There is no downside to applying as early as possible. That said, you can only apply to one school if you apply early decision. If you are denied early decision you can apply to other schools after. If you have one school in mind that is your clear cut favorite, you could apply for early decision there, and if denied, submit your app for the rest of the schools you're interested in as a regular decision applicant.

Edit: If you're applying to any non-PharmCAS schools, you can apply to those in addition to your one early decision school too.

 

[Buk Lau]

There is no downside to applying as early as possible. That said, you can only apply to one school if you apply early decision. If you are denied early decision you can apply to other schools after. If you have one school in mind that is your clear cut favorite, you could apply for early decision there, and if denied, submit your app for the rest of the schools you're interested in as a regular decision applicant.

Edit: If you're applying to any non-PharmCAS schools, you can apply to those in addition to your one early decision school too.

Okay, thankyou for the advice, and if I did apply for early decision, I would apply at the university of maryland. They don't care if you took your pre req at a CC or not, and they don't care if you have a bachelors degree or not either. So, as a sophomore at a CC, I'm not so sure I have a great chance of getting into any other schools. BUT I don't want to apply for early decision and get rejected and not be able to apply there again for another year. Basically, would I have a better chance of getting in if I applied regular admission cycle rather than early decision if my application isn't regarded as "competitive"? I mean, I expect only people with like 3.7 or more gpa's with tons of extracurriculars and high pcat scores to apply during early decision. I just think I would look like a better candidate in comparison to the regular decision applicants rather than early decision applicants, giving me a higher chance to get in.

 

[R2pharmD2]

Okay, thankyou for the advice, and if I did apply for early decision, I would apply at the university of maryland. They don't care if you took your pre req at a CC or not, and they don't care if you have a bachelors degree or not either. So, as a sophomore at a CC, I'm not so sure I have a great chance of getting into any other schools. BUT I don't want to apply for early decision and get rejected and not be able to apply there again for another year. Basically, would I have a better chance of getting in if I applied regular admission cycle rather than early decision if my application isn't regarded as "competitive"? I mean, I expect only people with like 3.7 or more gpa's with tons of extracurriculars and high pcat scores to apply during early decision. I just think I would look like a better candidate in comparison to the regular decision applicants rather than early decision applicants, giving me a higher chance to get in.

From Maryland's website:
"All applicants are considered at the same time. There is no advantage in submitting your PharmCAS application earlier than other applicants."

So it's pointless to apply for early decision here.

 

[Buk Lau]

From Maryland's website:
"All applicants are considered at the same time. There is no advantage in submitting your PharmCAS application earlier than other applicants."

So it's pointless to apply for early decision here.

You're right. I think the only thing different is that early decision applicants get interviewed earlier that regular decision applicants. Now, obviously, if I get a bad score on my July pcat then I'm going to have to apply regular decision in order for them to consider my september pcat. So now my only question is, if I apply for early decision, I don't think they're going to see my fall semester grades, are they? I think if I get "A"s during fall semester, they can enhance my application, but only if I apply regular decision.

 

[owlegrad]

From Maryland's website:
"All applicants are considered at the same time. There is no advantage in submitting your PharmCAS application earlier than other applicants."

So it's pointless to apply for early decision here.

If they consider all applications at the same time, how is that early decision? It's not. 😕

 

[Buk Lau]

If they consider all applications at the same time, how is that early decision? It's not. 😕

They say that, but I definitely know from their website that early decision applicants get earlier interviews (around October)

 

[owlegrad]

They say that, but I definitely know from their website that early decision applicants get earlier interviews (around October)

I suspect what it means is all regular applications get reviewed at the same time. Early decision applications must get looked at before regular admission applications. If not, it is not early decision.