What are my options? Help please!

[pharm6]

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Hi!

I'm new to sdn and i'm hoping someone here can help me.

I have taken many of my pre-reqs but i still have a few to take (orgo 2, bio 2, physics, biochem, microbio, genetics, economics, and cell bio).
I feel like I can't take the PCAT until i've finished some of these courses and i'll be finished with these courses by spring 2014. With applications for 2014 due this year the latest pcat i can take is in January and I won't have all of these classes done by then (I know not all of these subjects are on the pcat) but I'm thinking I won't be taking my pcat until after Spring 2014 so I won't be able to start pharmacy school until fall 2015... An entire year of waiting.

I am a first gen college student so my family has no advice for me and I've recently read about "early assurance" and 0-6 programs. I know it's too late for the 0-6 program but what exactly is the early assurance program? I feel like an entire year after finishing my pre-reqs is a long time and I really need help understanding what my options are at this point.

Thank you guys in advance!

 

[kss1025]

Hi!

I'm new to sdn and i'm hoping someone here can help me.

I have taken many of my pre-reqs but i still have a few to take (orgo 2, bio 2, physics, biochem, microbio, genetics, economics, and cell bio).
I feel like I can't take the PCAT until i've finished some of these courses and i'll be finished with these courses by spring 2014. With applications for 2014 due this year the latest pcat i can take is in January and I won't have all of these classes done by then (I know not all of these subjects are on the pcat) but I'm thinking I won't be taking my pcat until after Spring 2014 so I won't be able to start pharmacy school until fall 2015... An entire year of waiting.

I am a first gen college student so my family has no advice for me and I've recently read about "early assurance" and 0-6 programs. I know it's too late for the 0-6 program but what exactly is the early assurance program? I feel like an entire year after finishing my pre-reqs is a long time and I really need help understanding what my options are at this point.

Thank you guys in advance!

I think you will be fine without those classes if you prepare correctly, but, to be perfectly honest, I would anticipate taking the PCAT twice. When I took it the first time, I had not had any of those classes, including Organic 1. I studied and took the exam in last July and scored a 70. When I took it the second time, however, I scored a 91 composite and the only new relevant class I had taken was Organic 1.

I think the best way to go about it is to get a good study guide. I used Dr. Collins the second time, and found that even without microbiology, biochem, or anatomy 2, I still scored a 99 on the bio section. Granted, I did have a better study guide, but I also wasn’t nearly as nervous taking the exam the second time because I knew what to expect. Some people test better than others and do great on their first attempt, but this is just my personal experience.

With that being said, I think you would be fine without those courses IF you invest in a Dr. Collins guide and spend a good portion of your summer studying. Also, you may want to consider taking the July PCAT. I found that it was very nerve-wracking to take it during the semester when I already had a handful of classes going on.

 

[pharm6]

Thank you so much!
I've been so confused about what I should do but I'll get that study guide and study this summer and apply for a few schools. I guess if worse comes to worse I'll reapply next summer too. That really helped so thank you 🙂

 

[pharm6]

Where can I find the Dr. Collins guide?

 

[kss1025]

Where can I find the Dr. Collins guide?

Your best bet is to look on the classifieds here or Craigslist. If you buy the official 2013 off the Dr. Collins website, you're looking at $350. Lol. You can buy a used one for $100 and it would be the exact same material. Don't worry about which edition you're buying.... My 2011 was identical to my classmates 2012. I hope that helps!