What are my chances at some of the top-tier programs?

[Girlinthewindow]

I just took my PCAT this evening and I will be applying for the Fall 2015. I know that my grades scores are good enough to get me into a pharmacy school, but I was wondering what are my chances at something top-tier (like UC San Fran, UNC, U of Michigan). Here's what I will be applying with:

Grades:

B.S. Biochemistry: 3.0 GPA
Post-Bac: 3.5 GPA
Master of Public Health(1 of 2 years completed - expected graduation May 2015): 3.7 GPA​

Test Scores:
PCAT:

Verbal: 412 68%
Biology: 435 92%
Reading: 409 68%
Quant: 420 82%
Chem 438 93%
Composite: 423 89%​

GRE:

1120 (690Q / 430V)​

EC:

• Worked in patient care as a nursing assistant at a prominent hospital for 7+ years
• Conducted research in chemistry for one year as an undergrad
• Conducted clinical research at a busy hospital ED for 5 months
• Currently doing a practicum as part of my MPH program at a physician organization to improve quality measures for preventative care at affiliated clinics (work with physicians and PGY1&2 physician residents on a daily basis).
• Currently a graduate research assistant working on a project that has to do with eating disorders -- (with two expected publications by mid-2015)
• Tutored calculus and chem for a semester during undergrad, to other undergrads
• Held several officer positions (VP, Treasurer) for 3 student organizations during undergrad and grad school

(Side note -- mom is a pharmacist and she is seeing about getting me a pharmacy tech position in retail so I could familiarize myself with the drugs and such before pharmacy school -- even though retail pharmacy is not something I want to get into at all. Is this necessary to get into a good program?)

I would really like to get into a program that focuses on clinical pharmacy and research, and I have the highest interest in both areas due to my clinical and research background.

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[Diamond1]

Oh wow....girl! You are overly qualified! Go for it! You'll get in on bet ya! I'm not even close to all these qualifications you have and I'm applying too

 

[RxEvileye]

Your experiences sound awesome! Don't be afraid to apply.

UCSF and other CA schools will not consider your PCAT score.

Pharmacy tech experience is usually not specifically required by schools, however a letter of recommendation from a pharmacist is a common requirement. You haven't mentioned much specific pharmacy experience so a strong LOR from one and/or your writing may help to justify more of your passion for pharmacy in particular (vs just public health, research, and science).

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Your experiences sound awesome! Don't be afraid to apply.

UCSF and other CA schools will not consider your PCAT score.

Pharmacy tech experience is usually not specifically required by schools, however a letter of recommendation from a pharmacist is a common requirement. You haven't mentioned much specific pharmacy experience so a strong LOR from one and/or your writing may help to justify more of your passion for pharmacy in particular (vs just public health, research, and science).

Regarding your comment to the letter of recommendation from a pharmacist, most schools want only two LORs, one from an employer and one from a professor. How do I get around that to get a pharmacist to write me a good LOR?

 

[blueheron]

Undergrad GPA is a little low, and 89 is not gonna impress UNC that much since their average is 85. Average applicant there. Go down a few spots on the rankings and you will be a strong applicant.

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Undergrad GPA is a little low, and 89 is not gonna impress UNC that much since their average is 85. Average applicant there. Go down a few spots on the rankings and you will be a strong applicant.

So UNC and UCSF are out for me then. How about U of M?

 

[blueheron]

I didn't say they were out. You could very well get in. I'm just saying I would have a backup. You should be fine for U of M.

 

[oldstock]

one word: excellent stats.

Apply to all the schools of your dream + some real backup = 100% you will get in.

Forget Cali schools. I hate their no-PCAT. Plus they are super expensive anyway.

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Thanks guys. Feeling nervous because I wish that 89%ile was a 90.. I was so close.. I know a 90 opens up more doors.

What other schools besides UNC and U of M do you think I should apply to? I'm looking to apply to 6-8 schools, but want to have the schools that are clinical and research focused, more so than retail.

 

[blueheron]

Go for PharmD/PhD, It is only one year longer than 2 residencies. Best way to get into research.

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Go for PharmD/PhD, It is only one year longer than 2 residencies. Best way to get into research.

I should clarify, my interest goes first into clinical pharmacy and then research. I still would like to do residencies though, and 9 years to do the PharmD and PhD plus two residencies is a bit too long for me.

Also, an important question, what are some schools that I should be pretty much guaranteed to get into, in the midwest area (Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana) where I will send in my application just to have as a back up to these other big name schools.

 

[RxEvileye]

Regarding your comment to the letter of recommendation from a pharmacist, most schools want only two LORs, one from an employer and one from a professor. How do I get around that to get a pharmacist to write me a good LOR?

I know it was a common requirement for other CA schools (not UCSF), but I'm not familiar with the other schools' requirements you were talking about. If it's not required where you apply and won't be strong, don't get one from a pharmacist. But do spend some thought justifying the "why pharmacy" part in your application if you don't have other direct pharmacy work/volunteering/shadowing. Lots of people get in without direct pharmacy experience.

Don't be discouraged from applying based on your undergrad GPA. Schools will see that you did a post-bacc and masters when they look at your academic history. They don't open your file, look at your undergrad GPA only, read the first line of your personal statement, then deny you.

 

[Amicable Angora]

I just took my PCAT this evening and I will be applying for the Fall 2015. I know that my grades scores are good enough to get me into a pharmacy school, but I was wondering what are my chances at something top-tier (like UC San Fran, UNC, U of Michigan). Here's what I will be applying with:

Grades:

B.S. Biochemistry: 3.0 GPA
Post-Bac: 3.5 GPA
Master of Public Health(1 of 2 years completed - expected graduation May 2015): 3.7 GPA​

Test Scores:
PCAT:

Verbal: 412 68%
Biology: 435 92%
Reading: 409 68%
Quant: 420 82%
Chem 438 93%
Composite: 423 89%​

GRE:

1120 (690Q / 430V)​

EC:

• Worked in patient care as a nursing assistant at a prominent hospital for 7+ years
• Conducted research in chemistry for one year as an undergrad
• Conducted clinical research at a busy hospital ED for 5 months
• Currently doing a practicum as part of my MPH program at a physician organization to improve quality measures for preventative care at affiliated clinics (work with physicians and PGY1&2 physician residents on a daily basis).
• Currently a graduate research assistant working on a project that has to do with eating disorders -- (with two expected publications by mid-2015)
• Tutored calculus and chem for a semester during undergrad, to other undergrads
• Held several officer positions (VP, Treasurer) for 3 student organizations during undergrad and grad school

(Side note -- mom is a pharmacist and she is seeing about getting me a pharmacy tech position in retail so I could familiarize myself with the drugs and such before pharmacy school -- even though retail pharmacy is not something I want to get into at all. Is this necessary to get into a good program?)

I would really like to get into a program that focuses on clinical pharmacy and research, and I have the highest interest in both areas due to my clinical and research background.

How did everyone not catch this?

Question for you, OP, why are you going into pharmacy if you have no interest in the main field (even your mother works in retail)?

 

[oldstock]

How did everyone not catch this?

Question for you, OP, why are you going into pharmacy if you have no interest in the main field (even your mother works in retail)?

yeah pre-pharm/pharm students must prepare to accept a retail pharmacist job as that is a must. Heck, they will be lucky to get any job at all in the future lol

good job catching that one Amicable Angora

oh, just saw in your signature that you will review/coach/proofread pharmacy applications for a fee. How much is your fee bro ?? Dang here I have been doing everything for free... I should start charging.... hmmm

 

[oldstock]

watch out bro, there is a similar service called OldStock's Pharmacy Application Service which is doing the same thing if not better for 1/2 a price. Yup, all for a super lo low price of $59.99. Esp. with my recent record that I got interviews/accepted at ALL the schools I applied including top 15 and mid-tier and low-tier schools.

watch out bro !! jk

 

[Amicable Angora]

watch out bro, there is a similar service called OldStock's Pharmacy Application Service which is doing the same thing if not better for 1/2 a price. Yup, all for a super lo low price of $59.99. Esp. with my recent record that I got interviews/accepted at ALL the schools I applied including top 15 and mid-tier and low-tier schools.

watch out bro !! jk

I heard there's another similar service that's coming out for $19.99, I'm thinking about using that one.

 

[oldstock]

I heard there's another similar service that's coming out for $19.99, I'm thinking about using that one.

dang you're lowering your price already.... damn competition LOL

 

[Girlinthewindow]

How did everyone not catch this?

Question for you, OP, why are you going into pharmacy if you have no interest in the main field (even your mother works in retail)?

I'm not interested in working retail because it seems mundane and not at all exciting for me.

I would like to become an oncology pharmacy specialist, and work with physicians, nurses, and patients on getting the right chemo for the specific cancer and such. Or work as an ED pharmacist, and work with the ED team on figuring out drug reactions and such quickly in a high stress trauma situation.

Anyway, I mean if all that's available is retail, then cool I'll do that. I like the science behind it of course, I really like bio and chemistry, and I'd like giving patients/customers advice on use of meds -- and of course the health field in general.

I would just prefer the inpatient side of things.