Should I take more science classes or pursue another degree?

[ce0000]

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I'm deciding what to do to increase my GPA so I have a better chance to get into pharm school. Right now my overall GPA is 2.73 with 161 hours and my math/science GPA is a 2.32. Starting from my second semester of junior year I really screwed up my GPA by failing 4 upper division bios, and never really tried hard enough to bring my gpa back up. I recently just graduated with a bachelor of arts in biology and am currently studying for my PCATs. I plan on applying for entering class of 2011 and wanted to know what I should do to increase my chances for pharm school. I never failed any pre-req courses for pharm school, but my pre-req gpa is still only a 3.19. I considered going into a masters program, but realized I didn't want to do that. I'm debating whether or not to go back to school and get a degree in engineering, and reapply for pharmacy school then. Ultimately I want to go to pharmacy school, but with a degree in engineering it gives me a better fall back plan rather than my BA in biology. I've been working as pharm tech with walgreens for about a year and a half now and am working on getting a job as a pharm tech in a hospital. I've done a summer of research and have plenty of volunteering experiences to boost my app. I'm still working on taking my PCAT and am aiming for a 85-95% range. If i can manage to do good on my PCAT, what do you guys suggest I do about my poor gpa?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[kimbebe51]

I suggest retake the pre-reqs that you didn't do well on. Some pharmacy schools replace it with the higher grade.

 

[kidkay]

kimbebe51 is right. Also, you can always try again if you don't get in the first time, if you really want to become a pharmacist then keep trying...

I suggest retake the pre-reqs that you didn't do well on. Some pharmacy schools replace it with the higher grade.

 

[SmKN808]

heyy c ^ ^ well, i've read a ton of threads here and YES there ARE people getting accepted WITH 2.6~2.7 GPAs 😀 so, on THAT note... i'd say just try to ace the PCAT and then go for it. well, you DO have a bachelors for one. your prereq GPA is 3.2~ish 😉 HOPEFULLY you ace the PCAT or atleast 80~85% and as far as ECs??? i'm sure you have alot. but, i think you being an "employed pharm tech", speaks for itself. so yeah, why NOT eh??? YES! your science/ math GPA is low. but, different adcoms have different pet peeves. so, you never know until you try. just be prepared to explain yourself in your interview. other than that... good luck...

 

[Carboxide]

Honestly, I don't even think those stats are good enough for an interview. ESPECIALLY when you look at your math/sci GPA. A 2.32?? To me, that says LOTS of Cs or lower in pre-req science classes....or in higher level science classes, which is just as bad. You need to seriously re-evaluate whether you're smart enough to become a pharmacist, because not everybody is.

 

[pearljam5a1]

Honestly, I don't even think those stats are good enough for an interview. ESPECIALLY when you look at your math/sci GPA. A 2.32?? To me, that says LOTS of Cs or lower in pre-req science classes....or in higher level science classes, which is just as bad. You need to seriously re-evaluate whether you're smart enough to become a pharmacist, because not everybody is.

I'm not sure we can call the OP's intelligence into consideration from a GPA score, but we can infer something about their motivation or lack thereof.

I'm pretty sure you'd have trouble getting accepted into any grad school with a GPA under 2.8 but there are always exeptions. I think your only options if you really want to pursue a degree in pharmacy is to apply and hope for the best or go back to school and try again. The only way applying will hurt you is financially. SmKN is right about the PCAT though, if you get a 90% or above then you'll have some defense for your low GPA.

Keep in mind that PharmCAS averages every grade you've ever had in college courses. So even if you get A's in place of the F's it's going to be an uphill battle.

I wish you the best of luck and don't give up!

 

[phathead]

heyy c ^ ^ well, i've read a ton of threads here and YES there ARE people getting accepted WITH 2.6~2.7 GPAs 😀 so, on THAT note... i'd say just try to ace the PCAT and then go for it. well, you DO have a bachelors for one. your prereq GPA is 3.2~ish 😉 HOPEFULLY you ace the PCAT or atleast 80~85% and as far as ECs??? i'm sure you have alot. but, i think you being an "employed pharm tech", speaks for itself. so yeah, why NOT eh??? YES! your science/ math GPA is low. but, different adcoms have different pet peeves. so, you never know until you try. just be prepared to explain yourself in your interview. other than that... good luck...

The people who generally get in with GPAs had a very strong upward trend over the last two years or so.

If it has gone in the opposite direction, that is usually a huge red flag for the admissions committee.

I would either retake the prereqs or, if you wanted, go back for another degree.

 

[pharm B]

Did you get C's in most of your classes? That's a pretty low GPA for 161 hours.

 

[pharm B]

Did you get C's in most of your classes? That's a pretty low GPA for 161 hours.