Unusual question

[CyperPunk]

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Hey,
I know this is out of the blue, but I need some input on this...

I always wanted to be a pharmacist, but it happened that I ran into some trouble few years ago in college and my GPA is totally ruined, to raise it to competitive level would take me years.
I was wonering if I were to start fresh at a different college and get my pre-pharm done the right way the second time, do pharmacy colleges see where you been before or they only use the info you submit to them? Another thing is that I already applied to one of the colleges and I didn't get accepted because of my not so great GPA. They probably would keep my old application on file?
I'm not trying to fraud the system or something.. i just wish I can have a second change.

Thanks.

 

[ADN1226]

They can only see what you've submit to them (i'm not sure about the background check though) howeverrrrrrrrrr, its completely dishonest not to supply them with all the colleges you've attended since they do ask for those transcripts. I suggest you try starting over; take pre-pharm classes, take higher level classes, show them that you can do well with graduate level classes --- they will look at your transcript so they'll def look more into the recent work and the trends you've made.

 

[CyperPunk]

They can only see what you've submit to them (i'm not sure about the background check though) howeverrrrrrrrrr, its completely dishonest not to supply them with all the colleges you've attended since they do ask for those transcripts. I suggest you try starting over; take pre-pharm classes, take higher level classes, show them that you can do well with graduate level classes --- they will look at your transcript so they'll def look more into the recent work and the trends you've made.

I won't lie, I agree it's dishonest, I'm just in a dead end. The thing is I already took all pre-pharm classes; as a back up option I will be getting my BA in Chemistry in a year but those courses alone won't be enough to get to the average level. I don't know if it's worth applying again because my gpa still will be below Pharmacy College admission average.
After I graduate with the degree I dont think I will be able to take anymore classes. I try very hard right now, but how I screwed my self over few years back has a long term affect... So I don't know.. I don't really wanna work in a lab with that Chem degree..

Any advice is welcome

 

[rx22]

how low is ur gpa? you mention its below the average of the students accepted.. the average isnt necessarily the cut off.. it just means people lower than that gpa were also accepted.. and even if u have taken the chem classes..and performed poorly in them, if u retake them and get straight As the admissions committee will see that trend also..and you have the pcat to do well on too..

 

[jun99]

I would not withhold any information because on both pharmCAS and the supplemental apps they specifically ask you to state ALL colleges you've ever attended, and they have your social security number to check.

That being said, it's definitely a good idea to take more classes, not just to bring up your average, but to show admissions people that you are serious about pursuing pharmacy. I think if they see that after a certain point you started doing really well in school, you can explain your prior transgressions and convince them that you are totally dedicated and willing to put in the work. With a little careful thought on your essays, explaining your circumstances, I think you can turn your situation into a positive. The key is to show significant improvement and newly found commitment. Let them know you really want this, and explain that your past record is no indication of your present or future self.

Good luck!

 

[nightcrawleRx]

The first thing I would suggest is to contact some schools and talk with someone in the admissions department. They’re getting paid to help potential students and most would be glad to help as best they can. Be straightforward with them; tell them you’ve matured, learned a lot, etc.

From there you may have to retake a lot of classes and it won’t be easy. In my opinion the toughest part about that would be making such a big commitment and spending the extra money without really having anything guaranteed…but hell, the only guarantee in life is that nothing is guaranteed. That being said, if you can make this commitment and want it badly enough then start taking classes and keep the gpa up, get pharmacy experience and prepare for the PCAT. I personally wouldn’t hide transcripts, you’ll have to retake courses anyways if you have a low gpa right now and the determination and improvements you show may go a long way in whether or not an adcom accepts you. Best of luck with everything.

 

[futuredruggist]

What if you get accepted after not submitting transcripts from school X? In addition to being dishonest, do you want the stress of always wondering if your acceptance will be revoked if they find out along the way?

 

[anh80]

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[CyperPunk]

how low is ur gpa? you mention its below the average of the students accepted.. the average isnt necessarily the cut off.. it just means people lower than that gpa were also accepted.. and even if u have taken the chem classes..and performed poorly in them, if u retake them and get straight As the admissions committee will see that trend also..and you have the pcat to do well on too..

Eh.. it's low. At the minimum ~ 2.5. I can try retaking some classes I guess. I talked to an advisor at pharmacy college, he told me keep taking science classes instead of retaking all the classes...PCAT i don't have a problem with. I did good, but I can also do better. There aren't many science classes left for me to take (for the BA at least), so maybe I should still try to retake few of them.

Thank you for good advice guys. I really appreciate it, maybe I can turn my situation around somehow.

You think if I would need more time to work on my grades, I should't give my college intent to graduate? I don't know if they will come down at me for that lol

 

[CyperPunk]

question guys.... do the committees really look for trend or is that just a myth? i mean they do have a lot of applicants and all, so do they really have time to nick pick every applicant's transcript or just look at the gross gpa that pharmcas provides them?

That's one of my worries as well. Yes, I can improve right now, but my earlier years in college are pretty bad. I might get accepted and I might not. That's a risk...

 

[Me+PharmD]

Here's the thing, I messed up at my first go around in college almost 7 years ago; a biology class that old is nearly obsolete. I joined active duty military and decided to go with PharmD. However, if you disregard my grades 7 years back then I would have a 3.92, but with those grades included, which is BS, then I only have a 3.27 with a 3.64 pre-req G.P.A. Now to the point, I know for a fact that people with lower stats have been accepted into school X and it pisses me off. I have a PCAT score of 83 (93 in CHEM), 100 hrs of exp. (while on active duty), and I'm still on the deferred list. Am I telling you to lie? Not necessarily, but under extreme circumstances one must do what is best for them. I think it's pathetic how schools still hold an applicant accountable for grades that are over 5 years old even though remarkable, consistent improvement has been made. I also don't understand the double standard when sciences that are over five years old can't be applied to your G.P.A unless of course the grade is a failure. Do what is best for you, but don't make decisions that you may regret. Good luck!

 

[anh80]

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[FlippinChink]

Eh.. it's low. At the minimum ~ 2.5. I can try retaking some classes I guess. I talked to an advisor at pharmacy college, he told me keep taking science classes instead of retaking all the classes...PCAT i don't have a problem with. I did good, but I can also do better. There aren't many science classes left for me to take (for the BA at least), so maybe I should still try to retake few of them.

Thank you for good advice guys. I really appreciate it, maybe I can turn my situation around somehow.

You think if I would need more time to work on my grades, I should't give my college intent to graduate? I don't know if they will come down at me for that lol

I'm in a similar situation. My GPA is 2.6 (well if all things go well this semester i'll be graduating with a 2.7), and I did good on the PCAT, and I was able to apply to UMKC this year only they take the higher grade for retaken classes (which for their admission purposes brings my GPA to a 3.1). I realized that it was take me another 2-4 years of college to bring up my GPA back to a 3.0, which if I had the money it'd be worth it since I want to get in to pharmacy school. The top two schools I wanted to apply to said they weren't lenient on the minimum GPA requirements, no matter what the circumstance. Maybe I just talked to the wrong people. But don't give up, you aren't the only one struggling with this situation.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

If you withhold grades and they find out your application will be thrown out and if you are already in school you might be dismissed from school. I disagree, it is bad idea to start your pharmacy career out by withholding the truth and cheating. I started my college career out in engineering and didn't get the best grades, I was lazy and unmotivated. Your past is part of who you are, you can't blame them for taking it into consideration. With admissions getting more and more competitive they have to set minimums to judge applicants because they don't personally know you.

If you search this forum you can find schools with academic forgiveness.

I hope you reach your goal and get into Pharmacy School, but start school with integrity and show them what you have learned from your past, by kicking ass in recent classes, showing a passion for the field and by doing even more extracurriculars.
😀

 

[CyperPunk]

I'm in a similar situation. My GPA is 2.6 (well if all things go well this semester i'll be graduating with a 2.7), and I did good on the PCAT, and I was able to apply to UMKC this year only they take the higher grade for retaken classes (which for their admission purposes brings my GPA to a 3.1). I realized that it was take me another 2-4 years of college to bring up my GPA back to a 3.0, which if I had the money it'd be worth it since I want to get in to pharmacy school. The top two schools I wanted to apply to said they weren't lenient on the minimum GPA requirements, no matter what the circumstance. Maybe I just talked to the wrong people. But don't give up, you aren't the only one struggling with this situation.

Thanks for the reply. Schools around here take PharmCAS grades, which means they average out repeated classe, they don't take the highest grade unfrotunatelly. After reading all the replies, I'm more encouraged to keep going. Better get in later than never!

 

[CyperPunk]

If you withhold grades and they find out your application will be thrown out and if you are already in school you might be dismissed from school

I wasn't really seriously considering starting at the different college. I understand it's not the best way to improve the situation. It was just a thought.

 

[Lurkerkat]

Try applying to USN. They have a policy where they're willing to overlook grades that over 5 or 6 years old. I don't know of any other school that has this policy but it could help you.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

I would take a look at Pacific University in Oregon, Cyberpunk. The school is really about the individual and not so much the grades. They want to make sure you can handle the pharmacy curriculum but they are put a lot of importance on the person and if you would fit in at the school, also your knowledge of the profession and pharmacy experience. If you have good amount of experience this may be a great school for you to apply to.
www.pacificu.edu

They do not participate in Pharmcas and work on rolling admission. So if you got your application in this summer, you would have a chance at the October interview spots next year, competing against less applicants. Applying early to schools with rolling admission is the best advice for your situation!

 

[CyperPunk]

I would take a look at Pacific University in Oregon, Cyberpunk. The school is really about the individual and not so much the grades. They want to make sure you can handle the pharmacy curriculum but they are put a lot of importance on the person and if you would fit in at the school, also your knowledge of the profession and pharmacy experience. If you have good amount of experience this may be a great school for you to apply to.
www.pacificu.edu

They do not participate in Pharmcas and work on rolling admission. So if you got your application in this summer, you would have a chance at the October interview spots next year, competing against less applicants. Applying early to schools with rolling admission is the best advice for your situation!

Thank you, I'm gonna look into it.

 

[KellyBean]

Someone in the register office once told me that they cannot see your transcripts if you haven't given them the permission to do so. But I also heard that they have a system to check to see where you've attended, but they cannot see what you've taken and your grades.

I'm just wondering...do they really check it? Because I took some courses somewhere else over the summer and I didn't have my transcript sent over until a year later. They didn't even know about it. I guess they just didn't care enough to check and it was my responsibility to get it in to them.