I'm currently a freshman at UT and I'm planning to apply to UT CoP this year. What are my chances of getting in? I'm very uncertain about whether or not I should wait another year to apply.
My GPA is above average, but I don't have any pharmacy experience and I can't think of anyone that would write me letters of recommendations. When do people usually get their LoR? I'm a licensed pharmacy technician and I'm planning to get a job this summer and hopefully volunteer at various clinics also. Is it a bad idea that I'm cramming all of my pharmacy experiences into one summer and also taking the PCAT at once? Should I wait another year?
From all I've been reading on this thread, it seems that most of the applicants usually apply after getting their bachelors or apply during their junior or senior year.
Most applicants do apply as Juniors, Seniors, and Graduates, but that makes sense. For one, many of us didn't know what we wanted to do our Freshmen year. Then, even if you do know, being focused and determined on getting the challenging courses taken care of by the end of Sophomore year is a difficult task (not to mention taking the PCAT during such a heavy workload). Good lord, my first two years at UT were spent having a blast, as it was the first time I was out on my own. Some of the top schools are really leaning towards wanting a degree, but UT was basically 50%, which is one of the lower percentages I've seen at such a high ranking school, so good news ... they just want the best, no matter what the age.
Now, on to whether you should wait ... why wait? Even if you don't get in, strengthen and apply again. You get that experience and will know what to work on if you don't make it the first time. I hear Dr. Wilcox is very forthcoming about what they felt was lacking and will help you. If anything, cramming all of your experiences into one summer and studying/taking the PCAT will help show that you are very serious and are excited to get your pharmacy career launched. Sophomores are at a disadvantage, and it makes sense. The rest of us have had more time to put together a stellar application. We may have worked for years, done research, taken a full summer to study for the PCAT (as opposed to cramming it in with work, etc.), etc. In general, we're considered more mature, but you can try and offset that by showing how determined you are. Volunteer opportunities can be difficult to find in the pharmacy profession. Do any volunteer work, however, as it all helps. Then you don't have to say "I want to help people," which doesn't prove that you do. Instead, you have shown it and don't even need to mention it. BTW, I would never say that in an interview. It's pretty obvious you do ... be unique! Why do you really want to be a pharmacist? Make a connection, show some real thought, and appeal to their emotions. Make sure you lock down a job quickly. You will get to know the pharmacists and they can write you recommendations. LORs from pharmacists you have worked with are a big key. They can attest to your desire and abilities in a pharmacy setting. Many schools require them even.
dpdominguez went through the situation you are discussing, so I would recommend getting in touch through private message. It can be done, but it is difficult. You have till November to make those connections in the world of pharmacy. Really try to ace your courses, b/c a strong GPA is necessary, especially when only bringing two years of coursework to the table. Read interview books and prepare loose answers (points you want to discuss). Study the UT student doctor network interview page (and for every school you want to go to) ... they're asking the same questions from years past and the interview was like none I had faced (threw in some ethical questions). You can do it ... but you need to strap in and dominate this coming year.
Good luck! Hang tough! Always remember to cut yourself a break and make sure to make time for fun.
Would anyone do the same thing?
