Should I retake the pcat

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Ochem5

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Okay so here's the story. I got a 91 comp on the pcat 1st time.
Verbal-58
Bio-97
RC-84
Q-85
Chem-88
I get that most of you probably think it's stupid to consider retaking, but heres the thing, my first semester in college I received 2 Fs and the second semester I withdrew from everything except for one class. (My grandpa was diagnosed with terminal cancer). I finished my freshman year with a 1.58. Because of this I was placed on academic probation. Yikes!! The next semester I got my act together and retook the classes I failed and brought my gpa up to a 3.3. I have since continued to improve and my gpa now is a 3.52 with a 3.68 science. I will have my bs in bio next semester. I have great letters recommendation from my calc and ochem professors and a great personal statement. However I only have 50 hours in volunteering and no experience in pharmacy except for a 4 hour shadow. I'm afraid that my lack of ECs and experience, and my placement on academic probation my freshman year will affect my chances of getting into my school of choice so an amazing pcat would make me look much better right?
I know I can improve in the math and chem sections of the pcat. The only reason I didn't score higher is because I ran out of time and had to bubble in random answers (I didn't practice time in these sections as much as I should have and I didn't know that the passages were experimental), but I'm afraid that RC might decrease bc I barely had enough time to finish. My verbal might go down as well as I don't know how to study for this section. I feel that the material in the verbal section is acquired over time.
I just don't know what to do and could use some advice. Thanks.
 
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91 is good enough. You shouldn't retake it. You've exceeded the minimum sections for each section for most, if not all schools.
 
91 is good enough. You shouldn't retake it. You've exceeded the minimum sections for each section for most, if not all schools.
But do you think that is enough to make up for the things I'm lacking and the academic probation freshman year? I just really want to be a pharmacist and want to maximize my chances. I think I can improve my pcat but I don't know if it will matter to them.
 
I would suggest bringing up your circumstances in an interview and essays. A 91% is a solid PCAT score. Even if you were to retake it again and get a 99% composite score, I doubt that extra 8% will make a difference in how they perceive your overall app.
 
Okay so here's the story. I got a 91 comp on the pcat 1st time.
Verbal-58
Bio-97
RC-84
Q-85
Chem-88
I get that most of you probably think it's stupid to consider retaking, but heres the thing, my first semester in college I received 2 Fs and the second semester I withdrew from everything except for one class. (My grandpa was diagnosed with terminal cancer). I finished my freshman year with a 1.58. Because of this I was placed on academic probation. Yikes!! The next semester I got my act together and retook the classes I failed and brought my gpa up to a 3.3. I have since continued to improve and my gpa now is a 3.52 with a 3.68 science. I will have my bs in bio next semester. I have great letters recommendation from my calc and ochem professors and a great personal statement. However I only have 50 hours in volunteering and no experience in pharmacy except for a 4 hour shadow. I'm afraid that my lack of ECs and experience, and my placement on academic probation my freshman year will affect my chances of getting into my school of choice so an amazing pcat would make me look much better right?
I know I can improve in the math and chem sections of the pcat. The only reason I didn't score higher is because I ran out of time and had to bubble in random answers (I didn't practice time in these sections as much as I should have), but I'm afraid that RC might decrease bc I barely had enough time to finish. My verbal might go down as well as I don't know how to study for this section. I feel that the material in the verbal section is acquired over time.
I just don't know what to do and could use some advice. Thanks.
I wouldn't
 
Do not retake.
 
Most people have a rocky freshman year. Pharmacy schools don't care as long as you've done well otherwise.
 
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