Should I give it one more shot?

[bamabcs]

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Hey everybody. Well.. I just finished off this semester and I did awful. I failed chemistry and now my CGPA is a 2.5... I truly think that the problem lies in my study habits and that this semester went by so fast that I didn't adjust them efficiently. Anyway, with Pharmacy still on my mind I plan to apply to a school where the average gpa for an admitted candidate is 3.6. I did my calculations and the most I can realistically bring my GPA but the time im through with undergrad is 3.5 and that is with 63 credits of a 4 GPA. I may only be able to reach a 3.4 gpa with 47 credits of 4.00 and 56 credits of a 3.9. Anyway, what im trying to figure out is should if it makes sense to keep pursuing Pharmacy with the long road I have ahead with hard hitting classes such as O-Chem and Physics (Which I have to ace...); who else has had to battle their freshman GPA?

*Would my screw ups only being in Freshman year factor into anything?

 

[chemguy79]

Hey everybody. Well.. I just finished off this semester and I did awful. I failed chemistry and now my CGPA is a 2.5... I truly think that the problem lies in my study habits and that this semester went by so fast that I didn't adjust them efficiently. Anyway, with Pharmacy still on my mind I plan to apply to a school where the average gpa for an admitted candidate is 3.6. I did my calculations and the most I can realistically bring my GPA but the time im through with undergrad is 3.5 and that is with 63 credits of a 4 GPA. I may only be able to reach a 3.4 gpa with 47 credits of 4.00 and 56 credits of a 3.9. Anyway, what im trying to figure out is should if it makes sense to keep pursuing Pharmacy with the long road I have ahead with hard hitting classes such as O-Chem and Physics (Which I have to ace...); who else has had to battle their freshman GPA?

*Side note I just finished my Freshman year- Would this factor into anything?

Is it possible? Yes.

However, unless you are going to make major changes to your study habits, I wouldn't waste my time or money.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Hey everybody. Well.. I just finished off this semester and I did awful. I failed chemistry and now my CGPA is a 2.5...

It's your freshman year. Almost everyone has an "upward trend" after their acclimation to college life. It's expected... relax.

I truly think that the problem lies in my study habits and that this semester went by so fast that I didn't adjust them efficiently.

And there you go. Problem & solution.

Anyway, with Pharmacy still on my mind I plan to apply to a school where the average gpa for an admitted candidate is 3.6. I did my calculations and the most I can realistically bring my GPA but the time im through with undergrad is 3.5 and that is with 63 credits of a 4 GPA. I may only be able to reach a 3.4 gpa with 47 credits of 4.00 and 56 credits of a 3.9. Anyway, what im trying to figure out is should if it makes sense to keep pursuing Pharmacy with the long road I have ahead with hard hitting classes such as O-Chem and Physics (Which I have to ace...); who else has had to battle their freshman GPA?

I had to battle a pretty rough freshman year and I'm sure many other forum-goers have as well. It's not an insurmountable mistake and I think if you're level-headed about it and make the appropriate lifestyle changes emphasizing the long term over the short, you'll be fine. Many people have trouble with Gen Chem but then excel in O Chem. For many folks I tutored, it seemed like if someone was good at Gen, they were bad at O, and vice versa. Obviously just anecdote but it was a strong enough pattern that it really caught my attention.

One thing you really gotta be careful of though is not to OVER pressure yourself. By doing so you might actually do yourself a disservice. Yes, it's very important to have good grades, but you don't need a 3.6 to get in if the average is a 3.6.

*Side note I just finished my Freshman year- Would this factor into anything?

Yea. As I noted above, AdComs look for upward trends. If you significantly improve your grades (not even talking straight A's from here on it - just an improvement) then you'll be absolutely fine.

 

[Notecard]

Yes you can do it. My cGPA was a 2.6 after my freshman year and I brought it to a 3.47 over the next two years. Make school the only priority for a semester and and you'll see results.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I'm sure a good amount mess up the 1-2 semesters right into college. A lot bounce back and get accepted. As long as you show dedication, and upwards trend in GPA, and good EC's, you will be competitive. Also, don't forget about the PCAT.

 

[GatorPrePharm]

I was in a worse boat then you. After my second year of undergrad I had a low gpa and I had used all of my withdrawals (I think it was 4 total) and even used a medical withdrawal for an entire summer semester. The reality of the situation hit me pretty hard and I realized at that rate I wasn't going to make it into pharm school. So, I lived at the library and got straight A's for the next 2 years except for a B+ in Ochem2. But I think the important part was it showed that I was improving and maturing. So, it could easily look better than someone who simply got mediocre grades all along. With that being said you also have to remember that unless you plan to take a year off before applying that your last semester GPA won't factor into the equation (At leas that is how it was when I applied). Also, if you can take summer classes I think it would help as well to show how serious you are. Anyways that coupled with a solid PCAT and you could definitely be alright. However, you have to be the one that wants it bad enough! I went 110%, gave up drinking and the whole nine and it has paid off more than I could have imagined! Good Luck, and if you need any more advice feel free to PM anytime.

 

[ttpharm]

I had horrible study habits in my 1st year of college. I partied every weekend. I got C's in my intro chem and intro bio. Got my priorities back and developed pretty good study habits. My science grades have never been under a B+ ever since, and I've only gotten 3 B+ and the rest are A's. Just do well from now on. Have your priorities straight. If you put off studying because you love partying then its gonna be tough for you. I'm telling you from experience.

 

[bamabcs]

Thanks guys. Im going to take what everyone said here to mind and make serious adjustments.

 

[ttpharm]

removeddddddd

 

[RobSter33]

I had 3.2 during my first year, then 2.5 my 2nd year. I improved dramatically during my 3rd and 4th year and I got accepted. It is not too late but you have to get your act together or dont even bother trying.

 

[pharmschooler]

Like everybody else has strongly insinuated, to do well, you've got to make school your top priority. Significant others, parties, etc will have to be number two, or further down the line! Put your studying first and your grades will get better with time. 👍