UW vs WSU early decision application?

[abeautifulday]

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Hi,

I have struggled to determine whether or not I will apply early decision between UW and WSU.

My stats:

GPA and science GPA ~3.5

PCAT: 74th but very low reading and verbal ability, so I decided to retake the PCAT in July if I want to apply early. If so, do I have enough time to study?

I need three more quarter to finish the BA degree in Biochemistry

Pharmacy assistant and undergrad research experiences about 8 months

My questions is

1. Should I retake the PCAT in order to apply early for UW and WSU?

2. With my stats, should I apply to UW or WSU for early decision? What school do I have more chance?

3. UW vs WSU?

Thanks guys

 

[oldstock]

Hi,

I have struggled to determine whether or not I will apply early decision between UW and WSU.

My stats:

GPA and science GPA ~3.5

PCAT: 74th but very low reading and verbal ability, so I decided to retake the PCAT in July if I want to apply early. If so, do I have enough time to study?

I need three more quarter to finish the BA degree in Biochemistry

Pharmacy assistant and undergrad research experiences about 8 months

My questions is

1. Should I retake the PCAT in order to apply early for UW and WSU?

2. With my stats, should I apply to UW or WSU for early decision? What school do I have more chance?

3. UW vs WSU?

Thanks guys

go for your dream one. If denied, you can apply to the other one later.

 

[Chriskahn]

WSU only look at the writing portion of the PCAT and currently have no minimum score to apply. UW however require a minimum of 50 on the PCAT to apply with each section having a percentile of no lower than 35...or 30 I forget. Your stats are more than good enough for WSU so don't bother doing early decision. Do early decision for UW instead.

 

[abeautifulday]

my stats is good enough even though I have 74th for PCAT?

 

[oldstock]

my stats is good enough even though I have 74th for PCAT?

with you background, I feel that you can score high on the PCAT (80-90's percentile). Take it again and aim as high as you can. Seriously !! 🙂

 

[abeautifulday]

My weakness is verbal ability and reading, I only got about 30 for each section. Do you guys think that My stats is ok to apply to UW and WSU?

 

[oldstock]

My weakness is verbal ability and reading, I only got about 30 for each section. Do you guys think that My stats is ok to apply to UW and WSU?

NO. too low imho. Take the PCAT again stat 🙂

 

[Chriskahn]

Not too low for WSU. Like I said WSU only looks at the writing score. I got in with a 68 on the PCAT but I got a 4 out of 5 in writing. I can't get higher than a 10 on reading because English is my second language and have a hard time reading all the passages fast enough to finish the questions in time. That is why I didn't get into UW due to their 30 minimum required in all sections.

 

[HuaFace]

Not too low for WSU. Like I said WSU only looks at the writing score. I got in with a 68 on the PCAT but I got a 4 out of 5 in writing. I can't get higher than a 10 on reading because English is my second language and have a hard time reading all the passages fast enough to finish the questions in time. That is why I didn't get into UW due to their 30 minimum required in all sections.

Just an additional note, if you happen to score under the minimum requirements it isn't the end of the line either,

From the admission criteria for UW "Applicants who have Chemistry PCAT scores greater than or equal to 60th percentile and scores greater than or equal to 25th percentile in the other areas of the PCAT may be given consideration for offer of interview. However, these minimum thresholds are subject to change."

Mainly, Adcoms is flexible, but hard to say to what extent. I scored under 25 for one section and was still given an opportunity to interview

 

[Chriskahn]

Must have been a really competitive cycle this year at UW. I got a 94 in chem and still didn't get an interview invite. But then again I don't have a bachelors either lol and my PCAT scores is a 68.

@abeautifulday I'm sure you will get in if you score 80 and above like Oldstock said.

 

[cuddlefish78]

If you have all prereqs done and your writing score isnt awful and you are a WA resident you will likely get I to wsu. Uw is much more competitive

 

[oldstock]

sorry to say this guys: anything under 50's percentile on the PCAT is simply too low and unacceptable imho. The fact that even established schools have cutoff line that low (20's) speaks volume about the current state of pharmacy schools and admission.

To the OP: try to retake the PCAT and aim for higher. Even the schools might accept 20's for this cycle, it might be higher for 2015 cycle. Even if it is not higher, you would be an even more competitive applicant. Do not be complacent !!

 

[ignppw]

As far as GPA and PCAT score, your stats are average but still good enough to get accepted, imo (although maybe not for early decision). As other people have already said, WSU doesn't really care about PCAT score, so I assume GPA plays more heavily there. The impression I got is that WSU cares a lot about previous pharmacy experience and possibly research as well. Because you have pharmacy experience and research experience, I think that would likely make up for an average PCAT score.

Remember that if you get accepted to the school you apply to for early decision...you can't apply to any other schools. So if you aren't entirely sure which school you prefer, I wouldn't do early decision. I nearly applied to UW for early decision, but I'm glad I didn't because I ended up liking WSU a lot better! I think you have an equal chance to at least get an interview at both schools.

I applied to UW and WSU, fully intending on ending up at UW. I interviewed at WSU first and was super impressed with everything (I was also accepted same day). UW is definitely a good school, but the building is depressing (that sort of thing matters when you're going to be spending so much time there) and I got the feeling that they don't really care as much about their students as WSU does. Like they said they did but I didn't really believe them. That was just the feeling I got. I chose WSU over UW for a number of reasons (research opportunities, international rotations, brand new facilities, cheaper city, etc) but I personally think that if you aren't sure which school you like best, you should forgo early decision, apply to both, and see which seems like the right choice for you.

Good luck!

 

[abeautifulday]

Thanks all guys for the advice. I just registered to take the PCAT on July. Regarding to the prerequisite, I still need to take Biochem 2, A&P 1 and 2, and one Microbiology Lab. Is that OK to apply early and regular?

 

[cuddlefish78]

Thanks all guys for the advice. I just registered to take the PCAT on July. Regarding to the prerequisite, I still need to take Biochem 2, A&P 1 and 2, and one Microbiology Lab. Is that OK to apply early and regular?

As long as you can get them all done by end of spring.