UH or TSU in Texas?

[i am lost]

I have a year left to finish up pre reqs and was considering TSU and UH but I need a little bit more detailed info about what they require such as GPA, PCAT, and how much community should be accepted to both schools? I'm currently attending UH and thinking about transfering to TSU... is that a good move? Please comment

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[Dr.Biassi]

I have a year left to finish up pre reqs and was considering TSU and UH but I need a little bit more detailed info about what they require such as GPA, PCAT, and how much community should be accepted to both schools? I'm currently attending UH and thinking about transfering to TSU... is that a good move? Please comment

Why don't you go to both school website and read a little bit about each schools and their requirements. then you can go to the american association of colleges of pharmacy ( www.aacp.org) and then to www.pharmcas.org ? You will then satisfy your curiosity and not panicking!!!

 

[i am lost]

I've read all the requirements but considering the difference between how many from organic chem at UH being 6 hr labs and 3 hr labs at TSU. Is it slightly more difficult at UH? I'm currently volunteering at a place where pharmacy is not needed. Should I volunteer somewhere else that deals w/ pharmacy? Can you volunteer at the hospital in the pharmacy area?

 

[KellyBean]

Why don't you just apply for a pharmacy job? I dont think you can volunteer in hospital pharmacy. You can volunteer in the hospital though. If you can't find a job, you can shadow a pharmacist, but I dont think it is considered as volunteer work.

 

[i am lost]

I should apply but I'm currently working at the bank which works perfect w/ my schedule. So ppls advice would be to volunteer in a hospital and pharm tech for a job. Do colleges look for more than that?

 

[KellyBean]

You don't have to quit your current job, just find a pharmacy and ask a pharmacist to let you shadow. It looks good because you at least have some pharmacy exposure and second, some schools require LOR from a pharmacist. You can try and shadow a pharmacist once a week. I know a lot of people got accepted without any pharmacy experience, but if your stats are not too high, then it definitely helps. Besides, how would you know pharmacy is right for you if you have never worked a day in a pharmacy? They might ask you that at the interview, how would you answer that?

 

[i am lost]

Thanks. Never thought about shadowing a pharmacist. I heard pharm tech jobs are stressful customer service reps. Pharmacy schools look for grades + exposure but do they stress heavily more on one or the other or both?

 

[pharmacistUH]

Alrighty, for UH, you should join the Pre-Pharmacy Association there (i'm the treasurer). The average gpa for the 2006 pharmacy class was a 3.4 gpa and a 86 pcat. HOWEVER, I personally know a few people who have had 3.0 gpa's with 75 pcats. the interview is really important if your grades are kinda low. I mentioned the PPA because we are a GREAT way to get volunteer experience and extracuricullar activities. if you have any other questions, pm me and i'll give you a more detailed answer. (i just had my interview and all that stuff)

 

[i am lost]

Im attending UH right now and the orgo chem is killin most of my friends, thats why I'm thinking about transfering to TSU. Do you think I should go that approach? I was reading about the PPA and I'm interested cause it really helps. Pharmacy schools calculate the overall GPA and science GPA separately?

 

[pharmacistUH]

yes, they calculate both GPA's and look at them both. If you are REALLY that concerned about orgo chem, sign up for an easy teacher for orgo, but attend Bean's lectures. I know alot of people who are doing that. If the COP see's that you transfered to TSU just because the courses were hard, that would look VERY bad for you.

 

[i am lost]

what is COP? Also, do you know who's a good teacher for microbiology?

 

[nguyenkd]

COP = College of Pharmacy

I took Jurtchuck (I know I totally butchered his name) at UH for Microbio four years ago. I'm not sure if he's still there but he was the only Microbio prof at the time. He is very very old and looks like he's about to keel over.

 

[i am lost]

Yeah, he's still there. Is he a good teacher?

 

[i am lost]

Most of my courses were taken at a community college (sciences + math) except orgo, microbio, labs thats about it. Will this hurt my chances compared to students that started at UH?

 

[pharmacistUH]

i am lost. It depends on what you made in CC. If you were making all A's in CC, then went to UH and made C's, it wouldn't look that good. B's are ok, but if you are making C's in classes that are a little more complicated and advanced than some in CC, then it looks bad.

Jurtshuk is....well.....he has a crappy teaching method.

 

[i am lost]

oh man..... i messed up bbbbbbbaaadddd . I should start thinking of an alternative route

 

[zz215]

oh man..... i messed up bbbbbbbaaadddd . I should start thinking of an alternative route

iamlost, Iv'e been reading your posts and I notice you lack confidence, and I can see that it stems from you not knowing much about the whole pharmacy school admissions process. You need to research school websites extensively, call schools, and make appointments with admissions counselors. One suggestion is to look into Texas Tech, they have a great program, and they only look at your pre-pharmacy GPA. The great thing about them is that if you repeat a course, they only factor in your highest grade. Last year, I applied with a pre-pharmacy GPA of a 3.0, and I did not get in. Over this past year, I have retaken all classes I received a C in at a community college, which gave me a 3.6, and they gave me first round interviews. I also have been accepted to Midwestern-CCP, and had five other interviews. You also need to have pharmacy experience and some good rec letters. If you really want it, you just have to find a way to make it happen.

 

[i am lost]

I was reading about Texas Tech and they adjust the way they calculate the gpa is A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0? I researched most of the TX schools but my only concern is grades cuz I made C in a couple of my science classes. If I made a C at a university, and I retake the course at a community college. Will the COP overlook my coursework because it was reduced down to a community college for a upper level science course? Is it all about grades and the PCAT? I know it should matter but I'm not near a 3.6

 

[zz215]

I was reading about Texas Tech and they adjust the way they calculate the gpa is A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0? I researched most of the TX schools but my only concern is grades cuz I made C in a couple of my science classes. If I made a C at a university, and I retake the course at a community college. Will the COP overlook my coursework because it was reduced down to a community college for a upper level science course? Is it all about grades and the PCAT? I know it should matter but I'm not near a 3.6

Unfortunately, last year I learned the hard way that the way to get the interview most often centers on GPA and PCAT scores. I had okay stats last year: 3.0 GPA & 80 PCAT, and I tried to supplement my less than stellar stats with loads of extracurricular stuff. You name it, I did it. Research, 2 years hospital tech, VP of Health Organizations, and the list continues. I did not get an interview at a single TX school. Over the past year, I retook all classes that I received a C in at the University level, at a community college and received A's, and things have looked up. I focused solely on academics and worked on the side. Also, Tech factors the pre-pharmacy GPA just like any other school does. If you have made a lot of C's, and feel that you can now make A's, I suggest doing what I did, and applying to Tech.

 

[pharmacistUH]

I was reading about Texas Tech and they adjust the way they calculate the gpa is A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0? I researched most of the TX schools but my only concern is grades cuz I made C in a couple of my science classes. If I made a C at a university, and I retake the course at a community college. Will the COP overlook my coursework because it was reduced down to a community college for a upper level science course? Is it all about grades and the PCAT? I know it should matter but I'm not near a 3.6

Ok, sorry for being a little direct. No, it is not ALL about grades and PCAT. I have personally seen and I know quite a few people who are in the college of pharmacy now, or have interviews to the UH college of pharmacy who have a 3.0 GPA and a 70ish PCAT. However, what they lack in grades they make up in extracurricular activities, pharmacy experience, and they make an attempt to get to know the college of pharmacy faculty as best they can. Pharmacy schools around the nation are leaning away from 4.0's and 99 PCATS, and they are looking for more rounded individuals. Texas Tech struck me as a school who looks more on extracurricular stuff than grades the last time they talked to us at UH. There are also new Pharmacy schools in Texas that aren't as competative to get in as UH or UT, mostly because they are not accreditted yet. You have many options, but you have to do your research so you know what is out there.

 

[zz215]

I have spoken with the director of admissions at Tech, he stated that last year, they only invited those with a pre-pharmacy GPA of a 3.4 and above. Hence, why I did not get an interview. I am just trying to give the op my perspective, because I was in denial for a long time, and grades and PCAT scores are the most important factor. I don't think that many people on this forum would disagree.

 

[taken2]

Ok, sorry for being a little direct. No, it is not ALL about grades and PCAT. I have personally seen and I know quite a few people who are in the college of pharmacy now, or have interviews to the UH college of pharmacy who have a 3.0 GPA and a 70ish PCAT. However, what they lack in grades they make up in extracurricular activities, pharmacy experience, and they make an attempt to get to know the college of pharmacy faculty as best they can. Pharmacy schools around the nation are leaning away from 4.0's and 99 PCATS, and they are looking for more rounded individuals. Texas Tech struck me as a school who looks more on extracurricular stuff than grades the last time they talked to us at UH. There are also new Pharmacy schools in Texas that aren't as competative to get in as UH or UT, mostly because they are not accreditted yet. You have many options, but you have to do your research so you know what is out there.

Yes, Texas Tech is accredited

 

[pharmacistUH]

Yes, Texas Tech is accredited

.......😕

when did i ever say TT was not accredited? I mentioned the fact that there are some new schools in texas that aren't as competative, simply because they are not accreddited. FOR EXAMPLE: Texas A&M @ Kingsville, and Incarnate Word Feik College of Pharmacy. Trust me, I've done my research.