Should I even bother applying?

[dude6756]

Hope I'm not bothering anyone. I had a couple of questions. I graduated a year ago with a BS in Chemistry and have a 2.77 cum GPA and about the same science GPA. I got hired as a Quality Control Specialist at a Nuclear Pharmacy after I graduated and have been working there for almost a year. Working with the pharamcists has sparked my interest in pharmacy, and now I want to pursue it. The schools I mainly want to apply to are the CA ones which don't require the PCAT. I'm also gonna probably apply to Idaho State I can get 3 good LoR's from pharmacists and am pretty confident I can write a good personal statement. Will the experience in a Nuclear Pharmacy help me out since they are more rare than retail? Should I mention I'd like to specialize in Nuclear Pharmacy? I was wondering what you think my chances are of getting in to any cali schools, and knowing that theyre probably low, what can I do to get at least get an interview?

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[gldvue]

Hope I'm not bothering anyone. I had a couple of questions. I graduated a year ago with a BS in Chemistry and have a 2.77 cum GPA and about the same science GPA. I got hired as a Quality Control Specialist at a Nuclear Pharmacy after I graduated and have been working there for almost a year. Working with the pharamcists has sparked my interest in pharmacy, and now I want to pursue it. The schools I mainly want to apply to are the CA ones which don't require the PCAT. I'm also gonna probably apply to Idaho State I can get 3 good LoR's from pharmacists and am pretty confident I can write a good personal statement. Will the experience in a Nuclear Pharmacy help me out since they are more rare than retail? Should I mention I'd like to specialize in Nuclear Pharmacy? I was wondering what you think my chances are of getting in to any cali schools, and knowing that theyre probably low, what can I do to get at least get an interview?

If it's what you're interested in then I think you should apply! I have a 3.0 cum from UCLA, 2+ years of pharm, work, and laboratory experience and got pretty good LoRs and didn't even get invited for interviews from any Ca schools. It's sad but so far it seems that other people with similar stats are having the same problems I am... still, this is just my experience. I encourage you to apply to out of state schools for sure-something I should have! You can always come back. good luck!

 

[ANXIOUSnSCARED]

Hope I'm not bothering anyone. I had a couple of questions. I graduated a year ago with a BS in Chemistry and have a 2.77 cum GPA and about the same science GPA. I got hired as a Quality Control Specialist at a Nuclear Pharmacy after I graduated and have been working there for almost a year. Working with the pharamcists has sparked my interest in pharmacy, and now I want to pursue it. The schools I mainly want to apply to are the CA ones which don't require the PCAT. I'm also gonna probably apply to Idaho State I can get 3 good LoR's from pharmacists and am pretty confident I can write a good personal statement. Will the experience in a Nuclear Pharmacy help me out since they are more rare than retail? Should I mention I'd like to specialize in Nuclear Pharmacy? I was wondering what you think my chances are of getting in to any cali schools, and knowing that theyre probably low, what can I do to get at least get an interview?

If you are looking to apply mainly to CA schools, then ur GPA is kinda on the low side. Since they do not require the PCAT they look at ur grades more-so than if u applied at a school that does require the PCAT. I'm not trying to dissuade you from applying, just know that there is tough competition for the CA schools. You need to have an awesome personal statement, killer EC's and great letters of rec. But if you really want to get into pharm school on the first try, then apply out of state as well, and take the PCAT. I applied to 3 CA schools, and only got an interview to UOP. I think i had a great PS, i know i had good LOR's, and i had some decent EC's, but the thing that killed me was my GPA. Even though I pulled it up from my freshman year, which is a good trend to have, it still wasnt enough to land me an acceptance.

 

[Alby]

You should apply to UNM as they have a great nuclear program, therefore your experience and interests should help you. You will need a stellar PCAT score (due to your low GPA) to get an interview. IMO, it is extremely unlikely you will get an interview at a school that does not consider the PCAT. However, if you can pull a 99 on the PCAT this will offset your low GPA (it can be done, I did it and many other on SDN have as well). Start preparing now!

 

[UES Girl]

Hope I'm not bothering anyone. I had a couple of questions. I graduated a year ago with a BS in Chemistry and have a 2.77 cum GPA and about the same science GPA. I got hired as a Quality Control Specialist at a Nuclear Pharmacy after I graduated and have been working there for almost a year. Working with the pharamcists has sparked my interest in pharmacy, and now I want to pursue it. The schools I mainly want to apply to are the CA ones which don't require the PCAT. I'm also gonna probably apply to Idaho State I can get 3 good LoR's from pharmacists and am pretty confident I can write a good personal statement. Will the experience in a Nuclear Pharmacy help me out since they are more rare than retail? Should I mention I'd like to specialize in Nuclear Pharmacy? I was wondering what you think my chances are of getting in to any cali schools, and knowing that theyre probably low, what can I do to get at least get an interview?

For CA schools getting in with your GPA would probably extremely hard if not next to impossible. I think your GPA is slightly below the cutoff threshold of 2.8 for certain schools so if you apply to them with your GPA as is you may be automatically rejected w/out having your application reviewed. I have 3.3 and think I have very little chances because of how many people actually apply with great GPA of 3.5 and above. Last year, I got rejected from both schools I applied to. I think you should widen your options and apply out of state unless you want to lose a year.

 

[RxWildcat]

Your GPA is way low, bring it up then apply.

 

[PharmDstudent]

I have 3.3 and think I have very little chances because of how many people actually apply with great GPA of 3.5 and above. Last year, I got rejected from both schools I applied to. I think you should widen your options and apply out of state unless you want to lose a year.

So what are you going to do this time to make sure that you'll get? You can be indirect or even PM if you want.

 

[dude6756]

Thanks for all your responses, they have been really helpful. I'm gonna study for the June PCAT now, try to get in the 80's, maybe 90's hopefully. Thanks again.

 

[inquirer89]

I'd do some research at the schools that you want to apply to. Just like what cheburashka said, many programs don't even look at people with 2.8 or below.

So either do great on the PCAT and apply to schools that accept your gpa, or take the next year raising up your grades. Good luck!

 

[mrblah]

For cali schools, they won't look at your application unless you have a minimum 2.8 gpa. Its pretty much a requirement (if it isn't already stated as a requirement).

My advice is to take the pcat, and take some remedial classes to bring that gpa up. You shouldn't have too much trouble getting into a out of state school if you get your gpa to a 3.0 gpa with a high pcat score. You just have to ask yourself are you willing to live in boonyville.

For the 3.0 to 3.3 crowd, you just need to take a few classes to become more competitive. I believe a 3.5 is pretty much the average for cali schools. Alot of my friends got into the cali pharmacy school of their choice the second time around (after spending a year at a JC/CC).

good luck

 

[UES Girl]

So what are you going to do this time to make sure that you'll get? You can be indirect or even PM if you want.

I'll definately PM you, be expecting a letter from me possibly shamelessly begging you to proofread my PS. I am just having a couple hectic days, because I'm presenting my research next week.

 

[Transformer]

Applying to CA pharmacy school with 2.77 GPA is not realistic and a waste of your money.

This may sound harsh but completely necessary....If applicants with 3.0 to 3.1 GPA are getting denied at California pharmacy schools, what makes you think they'll seriously consider an applicant with 2.77 GPA for an interview or admissions?!

Your personal statement and letter of recommendations can be one of the best they've ever read yet Cali schools will almost never consider an applicant with 2.77 GPA for an interview.

Bottom line is your chances are better at non-california pharmacy school if you can score over 80 percentile on PCAT.

 

[tylerdurden23]

I'm kinda new to this whole pharmacy thing, just registered today but I'm in the same boat as the guy with the 2.77 GPA. I will say however, my friend last year got into Pacific with a 2.79 GPA. So it is possible, barring your experience, LoR's, personal statement and possible upward GPA trend. I don't see the harm in applying if you have the money. You're probably making bank working graveyard at a nuclear pharmacy so go for it. I believe the only cali schools you shouldnt apply to are UCSF and USC since their minimum GPA requirements are 2.8 and 3.0 respectively. The other ones may consider you, you'll never know until you try.

 

[Fost]

Don't waste your money at Idaho state either they want a 3.6 or higher, and 90% or their 60 seats go to instate applicants. People from out of state with 3.9 gpa's didn't even get interviews this year. I had a 3.7, 4 years pharm tech, and they waitlisted me, plus I am a resident of the state of Idaho.

 

[laimyours]

Have you been to the Idaho State campus? I'm also from California and a pharmacist I work with was accepted to Idaho but went to USC. I have family in Montana so we pass through Pocatello a lot. It's a very STRANGE place. I don't think I could live there. You should retake some classes and try to get in to Ca or another out of state school.