To all the "Can I get in with a bad GPA" threads

[RX2020]

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Honestly, you have a lot more classes to retake.

It looks like your first attempt at all of these classes were marginal, at best. (Nothing above a C+) You have to, at the very least, retake Organic 2 because a D+ won't count towards pre-reqs. Have you thought about getting a degree because your current track record, even after retakes, is quite weak.

I have taken Biology 1 and Biology 2 which I never took before. Do I need to retake molecular biology. Also, I am registered to take Organic 1 and Organic 2

 

[chemguy79]

Thanks
I already have my bachelor's degree.
What classes do you recommend that I should take besides that one I have taken already???

1) The biggest problem, as I see it, is that you won't even come close to the GPA cutoffs even after the retakes. Some schools offer academic forgiveness. What schools are you applying to?

2) Have you taken the PCAT? I would say that you need to do EXTREMELY well on the PCAT to show that you can master material without having to retake it again.

3) It's a very poor sign that you can't get above a C+ in any of the pre-reqs on your first attempt. Furthermore, you're not taking a full course load when you're doing the retakes. (If you're working full-time, I understand, but it's something that an ad com will be aware of when they peruse your application.) I would ALMOST recommend taking graduate level courses to show that you can handle the material because right now, I could see an ad com easily questioning that.

I'm at a bit of a loss about advice for future classes because you've already attempted each of the pre-reqs once. Do you have any pharmacy experience? I would think that an applicant in your position MUST have pharmacy experience to have much of a chance at admission.

 

[RX2020]

1) The biggest problem, as I see it, is that you won't even come close to the GPA cutoffs even after the retakes. Some schools offer academic forgiveness. What schools are you applying to?

2) Have you taken the PCAT? I would say that you need to do EXTREMELY well on the PCAT to show that you can master material without having to retake it again.

3) It's a very poor sign that you can't get above a C+ in any of the pre-reqs on your first attempt. Furthermore, you're not taking a full course load when you're doing the retakes. (If you're working full-time, I understand, but it's something that an ad com will be aware of when they peruse your application.) I would ALMOST recommend taking graduate level courses to show that you can handle the material because right now, I could see an ad com easily questioning that.

I'm at a bit of a loss about advice for future classes because you've already attempted each of the pre-reqs once. Do you have any pharmacy experience? I would think that an applicant in your position MUST have pharmacy experience to have much of a chance at admission.

I am planning PCAT's in January - I have so far Touro College NY, LIU, Buffalo, Nevada (they offer academice forgiveness - I heard).
I have taken Fall 2010 (18 credits) plus full time work - Spring was 12 Credits plus work and summer 1 and summer 2 (8 in total). I have worked at a pharmacy for about 5 years.

 

[RX2020]

Fall 2010 Credits Attempted: 18.0Credits Earned: 18.0Term GPA: 3.883Evening SessionHigher TuitionSecond Degree UnElectrical Eng Tech Dean's ListCourseDescriptionGradeCreditsEquated CreditsHoursSPE - 1330 Effective Speaking B+ 3.0 3.0 3.0 MAT - 1475 Calculus I A 4.0 4.0 4.0 ECON - 1401 Micro Economics A 3.0 3.0 3.0 BIO - 1101 Biology I A 4.0 4.0 3.0 BIO - 1101L Biology 1 Lab 0.0 0.0 3.0 BIO - 2311 Anat & Physio 1 A 4.0 4.0 3.0 BIO - 2311L Anat & Physio 1 Lab 0.0 0.0 3.0
Spring 2011 Credits Attempted: 12.0Credits Earned: 12.0Term GPA: 3.900Evening SessionHigher TuitionSecond Degree UnLiberal Arts & Sci Dean's ListCourseDescriptionGradeCreditsEquated CreditsHoursBIO - 1201 Biology 2 A- 4.0 4.0 3.0 BIO - 1201L Biology 2 Lab 0.0 0.0 3.0 BIO - 2312 Anat & Physio 2 A 4.0 4.0 3.0 BIO - 2312L Anat & Physio 2 Lab 0.0 0.0 3.0 CHEM - 1110L General Chem 1 Lab 0.0 0.0 3.0 CHEM - 1110 General Chemistry 1 A 4.0 4.0 3.0
Summer 2011 Credits Attempted: 8.0Credits Earned: 4.0Term GPA: 3.300Evening SessionHigher TuitionSecond Degree UnLiberal Arts & Sci CourseDescriptionGradeCreditsEquated CreditsHoursCHEM - 1210 General Chemistry 2 4.0 4.0 3.0 CHEM - 1210L General Chem2 Lab 0.0 0.0 3.0 BIO - 3302 Microbiology 1 B+ 4.0 4.0 2.0 BIO - 3302L Microbiology 1 Lab 0.0 0.0 4.0
Fall 2011 Credits Attempted: Credits Earned: Term GPA: Evening SessionHigher TuitionSecond Degree UnLiberal Arts & Sci CourseDescriptionGradeCreditsEquated CreditsHoursCHEM - 2223 Organic Chemistry 5.0 5.0 4.0 CHEM - 2223L Organic Chem 1 Lab 0.0 0.0 3.0 PHYS - 1433 Physics 1.2 4.0 4.0 4.0 PHYS - 1433L Physics 1.2 Lab 0.0 0.0 2.0

 

[RX2020]

Would Adcoms consider special circumstances - I went to school away from home, then a fear & pressure from the family - financial problems everything fell on me in these 4 years. do they consider any of these things?

 

[chemguy79]

Would Adcoms consider special circumstances - I went to school away from home, then a fear & pressure from the family - financial problems everything fell on me in these 4 years. do they consider any of these things?

All of this is conjecture, but given more of the picture ... I think that you're in better shape than I had originally thought. Sure, an ad com will consider those things ... However, you will need to be able to clearly explain how you've matured from that experience and they need to know all of this information well before your interview.

Furthermore, be incredibly aware that you are going to be asked many questions about your academic history, so you'll need to explain it clearly in your personal statement, supplemental application, and at your interview. Your PCAT is going to be a big deal, IMO.

 

[RX2020]

All of this is conjecture, but given more of the picture ... I think that you're in better shape than I had originally thought. Sure, an ad com will consider those things ... However, you will need to be able to clearly explain how you've matured from that experience and they need to know all of this information well before your interview.

Furthermore, be incredibly aware that you are going to be asked many questions about your academic history, so you'll need to explain it clearly in your personal statement, supplemental application, and at your interview. Your PCAT is going to be a big deal, IMO.

Thanks for all your help! I have been told that they look at the work done more recently. By 2012 most of the classes/screw ups were 5 years prior. Ofcourse, I cannot erase that but can that soften them up a little if my PCAT score is good as well my PS?
Again, all your time and help is appreciated

 

[xtsukiyox]

I have taken Fall 2010 (18 credits) plus full time work

Wow, that's a tough schedule. The classes you took weren't all cake either. Nice job.

In my uneducated opinion, 5 years pharmacy experience, a strong personal statement, and a strong PCAT score are going to be where you hang your hat. No advice on the retakes / grades situation - it would be little better than guessing on my part.

 

[RX2020]

Wow, that's a tough schedule. The classes you took weren't all cake either. Nice job.

In my uneducated opinion, 5 years pharmacy experience, a strong personal statement, and a strong PCAT score are going to be where you hang your hat. No advice on the retakes / grades situation - it would be little better than guessing on my part.

It was like hell. work to school to home to work to school everyday and weekends
Anatomy was a killer but I was motivated
Calculus, Economics and biology weren't as bad.

Thanks!