UF is unreal

[jemc2000]

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Even though the pcat changed last year, for admittance to the fall 2006 class they are requiring a pcat dated june 2005 - Jan 2006. I really did not plan on having to retake the pcat when I scheduled 3 science classes, calculus and a literature class, while working, for this semester.

I am furious. 😡

 

[gablet]

🙁 That is ridiculous! Have you contacted the office of admissions and asked them if they might exempt someone whom is applying for the 2nd time?

 

[Glycerin]

I personally wouldn't waste my time with them, then. Your PCAT score is very good, if I remember correctly, and you're working very hard to get extra classes in to show that you can handle rigorous coursework, ON TOP of the fact that you have a husband and kids...

If they won't budge, I'd say screw 'em and just apply to Creighton.

However, according to this, they are accepting scores from the last 5 years. Where did you read/hear that they were only accepting scores from this past June to this coming January? Those are the dates listed on the UF website, but I believe they are just informing those students who have not yet taken PCAT of the dates of the test.

 

[jemc2000]

I personally wouldn't waste my time with them, then. Your PCAT score is very good, if I remember correctly, and you're working very hard to get extra classes in to show that you can handle rigorous coursework, ON TOP of the fact that you have a husband and kids...

If they won't budge, I'd say screw 'em and just apply to Creighton.

I am seriously leaning toward that. Other than the fact that I spent all summer retaking Physics for them and I just started Calculus. Very frustrating.

 

[Glycerin]

Reread my post. I edited it.

 

[jemc2000]

Reread my post. I edited it.

I just emailed you the email they sent me. It was too long to post here. But here is the relevent part:

PCAT—Pharmacy College Admissions Test. If you take the test multiple times, only the highest score is considered. PCAT scores must be current as there have been recent changes that affect scoring. In other words, applicants for Fall 2006 admission must submit scores from tests taken between June 2005 and January 2006. We use the composite percentile score which is a comparatively scored number, where 99 is the highest score possible. It is advisable to take the PCAT after completing the majority of the prepharmacy courses for best preparation for the PCAT. At the minimum, you should have completed General Chemistry I & II, Biology I & II, and Calculus I before taking the PCAT, and you should at least be enrolled in Organic Chemistry I when you take the PCAT. The average PCAT score for the admitted Fall 2005 class was 88; the range was about 70 to 99. Although the minimum required PCAT score is 50, that is not competitive. Visit www.pcatweb.info for more information about the PCAT.

 

[Glycerin]

I just emailed you the email they sent me. It was too long to post here. But here is the relevent part:

PCAT—Pharmacy College Admissions Test. If you take the test multiple times, only the highest score is considered. PCAT scores must be current as there have been recent changes that affect scoring. In other words, applicants for Fall 2006 admission must submit scores from tests taken between June 2005 and January 2006. We use the composite percentile score which is a comparatively scored number, where 99 is the highest score possible. It is advisable to take the PCAT after completing the majority of the prepharmacy courses for best preparation for the PCAT. At the minimum, you should have completed General Chemistry I & II, Biology I & II, and Calculus I before taking the PCAT, and you should at least be enrolled in Organic Chemistry I when you take the PCAT. The average PCAT score for the admitted Fall 2005 class was 88; the range was about 70 to 99. Although the minimum required PCAT score is 50, that is not competitive. Visit www.pcatweb.info for more information about the PCAT.

That bites. 🙁

 

[Caverject]

It bites, but UF is using Darwin to perfection. They have so many applicants that this is a much much much easier weed out for them. It doesn't surprise me at all.

If you had to retake physics for UF, chances are you would have to retake it for other schools too, correct? I wouldn't consider that wasted time since other schools, like mine at South University, require physics. Keep your chin up and explore your options.

 

[Glycerin]

Keep your chin up and explore your options.

That's easy for one of us to say when we have no limitations on where we can move for school. She, however, only has UF and Creighton, since it isn't feasible to relocate her entire family.

 

[jemc2000]

If you had to retake physics for UF, chances are you would have to retake it for other schools too, correct? I wouldn't consider that wasted time since other schools, like mine at South University, require physics. Keep your chin up and explore your options.

I retook physics and am retaking calculus because UF said they would replace the grade if I take a different sequence. Creighton does not do that. I have the credits already for those classes, so it was a waste of time if I do not reapply to UF.

I wish I had other options, but I don't.

 

[Caverject]

You do have other options...it just depends on how much you want to sacrifice. I know you have kids and a family. I have 4 married classmates in my class that left their families to come to school. It is a huge sacrifice, but it can be done. Don't forget, at an accelerated school, you will only be gone for 2 years.

I'm not trying to be an ass, like usual 😱, but if you want to be a pharmacist bad enough, in the words of Duce Bigalow YOU CAN DO IT!!!

 

[jemc2000]

You do have other options...it just depends on how much you want to sacrifice. I know you have kids and a family. I have 4 married classmates in my class that left their families to come to school. It is a huge sacrifice, but it can be done. Don't forget, at an accelerated school, you will only be gone for 2 years.

lol Leaving my 4 kids for 2 - 4 years is not an option. My youngest just started kindergarten. I don't think he would be too happy to be without his mom.

But I do understand. I don't want it bad enough to make THAT much of a sacrifice.

 

[Caverject]

lol Leaving my 4 kids for 2 - 4 years is not an option. My youngest just started kindergarten. I don't think he would be too happy to be without his mom.

But I do understand. I don't want it bad enough to make THAT much of a sacrifice.

One of the classmates I speak of has a child entering 1st grade this year and a 4 year old and a kid entering middle school and a kid entering high school! 😱 Thank God we got one quarter left in Savannah!

 

[dgroulx]

Is UF the only school that is doing this? Have you checked with Creighton?

With UF, you are on campus quite a bit. I am on campus every day except for Thursdays. I have some exams and things on Thursday, but they are not every week. When I start rotations in March, I will be going 48 weeks straight including summer. During this time, I will be working 40 hours a week, plus doing projects in the evening. For some rotations, I will have to live away from home. Not everything is available in the Tampa Bay area.

Other than watching some lectures online, UF isn't really a traditional distance learning program. Creighton may be a better match if you truly need to stay at home.

 

[jemc2000]

Other than watching some lectures online, UF isn't really a traditional distance learning program. Creighton may be a better match if you truly need to stay at home.

I won't have a problem commuting, I don't think. As it is now, I work from 230-11pm MWF, go to class every day, but I'm home Tuesday and Thursday nights, and I get to take the kids to school everyday. I just can't image not seeing them except for an occasional weekend. That wouldn't work.

 

[MattPharmD]

I won't have a problem commuting, I don't think. As it is now, I work from 230-11pm MWF, go to class every day, but I'm home Tuesday and Thursday nights, and I get to take the kids to school everyday. I just can't image not seeing them except for an occasional weekend. That wouldn't work.

You are hardcore. I admire such dedication.
Good luck.

 

[tricia]

on the pharmcas website for UF it says "PCAT must be taken between June 2005 and January 2006." I am reapplying this year and I've already taken the PCAT twice last year (Nov 04 and Jan 05). I scored pretty good, so I wasnt planning on retaking it. Does this mean i have to????

 

[Glycerin]

Moving this to the PCAT forum and merging it with an existing thread on this topic. 🙂

 

[BlondieRX]

They have added a new part to the PCAT. Actually, just taken the experimental essay and graded it. And that grade shows on your PCAT score report along with your composite score...so that's why you have to have taken the test from June 2005 on because June was the first test they actually scored the essay. I know UAMS is requiring this as well UF, not sure about the other schools.

Roll with the punches...

 

[tricia]

I really can't believe this. It seems like I always find this stuff out at the last minute. My application is almost complete and then I discover this. By now, most of the locations are full. Good thing i didnt find out 10 days from now, or it would have been too late to take the october pcat. i was planning on having my application completely submitted by the end of september. now this prevents me from applying early and having more of a chance. not to mention, I scored very well on the last pcat. What if I don't do as well? They take the highest score, but not if it's before june 05?? That really isnt fair. Could they maybe take my scores from my old pcat and then just combine it with my essay score this time around? does it work that way? i certainly hope so.