The dilemma...

[apteryx]

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I just got my grades for the June 08 PCAT today, and here's what I got:

Mult. Choice:

Verbal : 95
Bio : 79
Reading Comp: 92
Quantitative : 26 <----------BLARGH
Chem : 78

Composite : 84

Writing:
Conventions of language : 4.0 (mean 2.90)
Problem Solving : 4.0 (mean 2.93)

So here's the problem. Obviously, the math is atrocious. My GPA is low (below 3.0 overall). So if you were me, which of these options would you do:

1) Call this PCAT good, and apply to a bunch of schools right away so as to be one of the "first" applicants and take the chance on a crappy GPA and competitive PCAT score.

or

2) Retake the August PCAT for a 90th percentile or higher score, and apply to schools in the beginning of october, giving other potential applicants a head start at taking "my" spot.

I'm seriously confused about this one, any help would be appreciated!

 

[homeslice]

I just got my grades for the June 08 PCAT today, and here's what I got:

Mult. Choice:

Verbal : 95
Bio : 79
Reading Comp: 92
Quantitative : 26 <----------BLARGH
Chem : 78

Composite : 84

Writing:
Conventions of language : 4.0 (mean 2.90)
Problem Solving : 4.0 (mean 2.93)

So here's the problem. Obviously, the math is atrocious. My GPA is low (below 3.0 overall). So if you were me, which of these options would you do:

1) Call this PCAT good, and apply to a bunch of schools right away so as to be one of the "first" applicants and take the chance on a crappy GPA and competitive PCAT score.

or

2) Retake the August PCAT for a 90th percentile or higher score, and apply to schools in the beginning of october, giving other potential applicants a head start at taking "my" spot.

I'm seriously confused about this one, any help would be appreciated!

You're definately in a tough spot. I would first find out if the schools you are applying to look at only the composite score, or look at the subscores also. If they only look at composite you might be ok applying now, but if they look at subscores you really have no choice but to take it again and try to raise your quant. score.

As far as other applicants "taking your spot", this only applies to rolling admissions schools. If the schools aren't rolling admissions then the person applying in June has no advantage over the person applying in November.

 

[Farcus]

that score is good what are you? if you're second year just spend all next year doing well on school pull up that GPA and apply on your 3rd year to get in the 4th.

 

[apteryx]

That's the problem. I didn't start out pre-pharm, I bounced around aimlessly until I finally figured out what to do. Now in my fifth year, even after taking these next 5 courses and getting all A's, I probably can raise it a little above a 3.0. I have all these mediocre grades from my past. I need to prove to the adcoms that I have really changed academically, and what better way to show than with a high 90's PCAT? Even people with 3.5 GPAs and an 84 PCAT don't get accepted. Not that even a 99 would guarantee acceptance, but hey, I need all the help I can get.

But even if it took me 5 more years, I'm going to do this.

 

[Transformer]

That's the problem. I didn't start out pre-pharm, I bounced around aimlessly until I finally figured out what to do. Now in my fifth year, even after taking these next 5 courses and getting all A's, I probably can raise it a little above a 3.0. I have all these mediocre grades from my past. I need to prove to the adcoms that I have really changed academically, and what better way to show than with a high 90's PCAT? Even people with 3.5 GPAs and an 84 PCAT don't get accepted. Not that even a 99 would guarantee acceptance, but hey, I need all the help I can get.

But even if it took me 5 more years, I'm going to do this.

As a pharmacist you need to have excellent math skills. There is no doubt your 26 quantitative score will raise some eyebrows.

Stay safe and retake the PCAT for an above 70 quantitative score.

On the positive side, your high scores in verbal, reading comprehension, and writing are skills I consider gifted. It takes a lot longer to improve literary aspect of one's knowledge than to improve math and science.

I recommend retaking a college level Calculus course and then retake the PCAT.

At the same time, I would still apply to schools that don't have a minimum quantitative score. (You should call each school of interest and ask if they have a minimum score for each sub-section to apply)

nonetheless, 84 is a terrific composite score. good job

good luck🙂

 

[apteryx]

Ok, I think I have it figured out. I'm going to find schools that may or may not have rolling admissions yet do not break down each category and/or do not have a minimum pcat requirement, and apply to those soon. I will also retake the test in August, and apply to some more schools after I get those grades. God willing, I'll get a few interviews out of all this.

Man, I wish I went pre-pharm right out of the gate. You kids are saving yourselves so much trouble just staying focused. I mean, I'm only 22, but coming out of high school with a 3.45 GPA and a clean slate for a college grade would have been so much better for pharm. I'll invent that time machine one day.