Taking classes at community college

[pharmacy studen]

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Hello everyone!

I just need 3 more credits to graduate with a bachelors in biology, so I'm taking endocrinology to complete my university degree requirement. However, I am also thinking about taking anatomy and physiology, and microbiology at community college in the fall b/c most pharmacy schools I am thinking about applying to require these classes. So, my question is would taking pre-req classes at community college make me less competitive? 😕

Also, I'm debating whether to take PCAT in July or September. Since I am taking summer classes, I won't have enough time to study. So, i really want to take it in September, but my adviser said it would be too late. She suggested me to submit my pharmcas application asap. I did really bad the first time i took my PCAT, my score was lower than 30 😱 I really need to study hard for at least 2 months in order to get decent score.
I am not sure what to do!! 🙁 PLEASE HELP!!

 

[pharmula]

I was in a very similar position to you; I graduated with my BS in biochem from my state college last spring, then realized I wanted to pursue a career in pharmacy that summer after graduating. This was a big concern of mine too while applying. My recommendation to you is to contact the schools you're interested in and tell them your particular situation. The best advice is directly what the schools tell you. Some preferred pre-req's from a college/university, others were totally understanding or didn't have a preference. They understood that we, as students in a terrible economy, are short on cash and it makes sense financially to go to a cc. I took calc (again..lol), public speaking, macroeconomics, chem 1 again due to some school's yr limits, and am currently taking a&p 1 at a local community college. I applied to a total of 9 schools and got into 4, including my top choice 🙂

As for the pcats, take them in july and if you need to, again in sept. September isnt too late. I actually took mine in Jan (of this yr) for the first time. That was very risky and late but thank god everything worked out I should've taken them in july but thought I also wouldnt get enough time to study, and during sept I was working fulltime while taking a class, which was more than enough for me. Looking back in hindsight, taking them in july would have been a smarter decision. Jan is late. If you're taking summer science classes that should also help you significantly and counts as studying. So take it in july. This way, at least if you dont do well on them for whatever reason, you still have sept to redeem yourself.

 

[pharm B]

As long as the schools you're considering will accept the community college credit, I wouldn't hesitate to take the classes.

As far as taking the PCAT, I recommend taking it with enough time to still take it again if you don't like your first scores. Have you identified your weak areas that caused you to score so low the first time?

 

[Farmacologo]

I got into a top ranked school only taking courses at community college. So as long as they accept the credits from community colleges (which they usually will state on their website), you should be fine. I was accepted to every school to which I applied, they didn't seem to care about where the courses were taken. Hope that helps 🙂