What do I do now?

[rs37982]

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I didn't get into pharmacy school, and I'm just so lost now...

I applied to UT, where pharmacy experience is "optional" - that's complete bull. All my stats were top-notch, 3.9 GPA, 95 PCAT, I was active in organizations and have varied and unique extracurriculars and hobbies. The only negative on my application was my lack of formal pharmacy work (I did shadow), and I assume my LOR's and interview weren't the best they could be. Still waiting to here back for the real reason why I got rejected... but word of advice, don't even think about applying anywhere if you have no experience.

I know I'm gonna reapply next year, but what the hell do I do for the entire year until then? I don't have a major declared because I knew I wanted to go to pharmacy school without completing a degree. But now... I just don't know what to do. I could declare a major and take classes for that major, but there's no point because I want to get into pharm school and I won't even finish the degree. It will only be a waste of $10,000 on tuition for classes I don't even need since I already did my prereqs and core classes. Or I could take a year off and get a ton of work experience in, but I have a feeling dropping school for a year will only make you look like a worse applicant. Please give me some advice... I really don't want to waste my time and money taking more classes when it won't even matter in the end. I'm just so lost... I hate having to go through this.

 

[Africanprincess]

I didn't get into pharmacy school, and I'm just so lost now...

This is so crushing and depressing, it seems like I fail at anything I put my mind to. I can't even keep a part-time job for more than a semester without getting fired. It's like my personality and just who I am is destined for failure since that's just the way life works - you have to be social and outgoing and lively and fun in order to get anywhere or influence people. I applied to UT, where pharmacy experience is "optional" - that's complete bull. All my stats were top-notch, 3.9 GPA, 95 PCAT, I was active in organizations and have varied and unique extracurriculars and hobbies. The only negative on my application was my lack of formal pharmacy work (I did shadow), and I assume my LOR's and interview weren't the best they could be. Still waiting to here back for the real reason why I got rejected... but word of advice, don't even think about applying anywhere if you have no experience.

I know I'm gonna reapply next year, but what the hell do I do for the entire year until then? I don't have a major declared because I knew I wanted to go to pharmacy school without completing a degree. But now... I just don't know what to do. I could declare a major and take classes for that major, but there's no point because I want to get into pharm school and I won't even finish the degree. It will only be a waste of $10,000 on tuition for classes I don't even need since I already did my prereqs and core classes. Or I could take a year off and get a ton of work experience in, but I have a feeling dropping school for a year will only make you look like a worse applicant. Please give me some advice... I really don't want to waste my time and money taking more classes when it won't even matter in the end. I'm just so lost... I hate having to go through this.

did you apply to only 1 school? since you are already verified by PharmCas maybe apply to more schools? with your stats there is no way you won't get into any other school that you apply to. most deadlines are march 1st, you can still meet the mailing dates. maybe apply to 2 more schools. do not give hope yet. a lot of schools interview well into may.

 

[NaOH]

Sorry to hear it. I'll admit I'm puzzled - those stats should get you a spot almost anywhere, provided you were able to string more than 3 words together and not drool during your interview. I can't really see the experience thing being an issue, either - a good third of my class had never set foot in a pharmacy prior to our P1 IPPEs. I suppose it's possible you just rubbed someone the wrong way.

If you're set on pharmacy, I wouldn't bother taking more classes - just get a pharmacy job, work like crazy, save your money and reapply more broadly next year. It really shouldn't be very hard finding a spot. Perhaps apply a bit more broadly, but I still wouldn't go overboard.

 

[rs37982]

Different schools have different pre-req's, so even though I completed the prereqs for UT, I haven't completed them for a lot of other schools. Most of the March 1st schools require Anatomy, which I didn't take. I will look into this, but I don't think it would work, and all the March 1st deadline schools are out of state anyway. But thanks.

 

[JohnFe]

Things to work on:
1. Study and take the pharm tech license exam and get work experience
2. Finish up the Bachelor. I think 80~100% of the applicants have their BS/BA already by the time they applied or before they start to matriculate. It's becoming really competitive as years pass.
3. Practice for interviews.
4. IF you did get an interview, were you clear as to why you want to pursue pharmacy without that much experience in the field? Maybe that's why...

I'm pretty sure you are young (not even 21) and always keep your head up high and you can do it. I maybe fall on the same place as you but you always have to think positive and stay optimistic. It is not the end of the world. View this experience to make you a stronger applicant. NEVER DROP OUT. Keep working on different pre-reqs by looking at alternative schools such as anatomy, molecular biology, and immunology. Anyway good luck!

 

[JCzap]

Take more classes (some prereqs for other schools perhaps). Get to know superiors and professors and make certain you have rock solid LORs. Take advantage of any mock interviews your school might offer.

Try and find out from the school why you didn't get in. Perhaps it might be good to reflect upon why you cannot keep a part-time job for more than a semester as well.

Thinking you would only be happy at one school is very closed minded. I don't say this to be cruel, but you cannot say for certain other schools aren't for you unless you've been there and met students/faculty.

Good luck

 

[p0lo]

You did not get in with 3.9 GPA and 95 PCAT😱 just wow.. what did you do or say at the interview??? 😕
And I definitely dont think that you got rejected because of the lack of experience. Usually 1/3 if the class dont have any.

 

[Nikki2620]

I didn't get into pharmacy school, and I'm just so lost now...

This is so crushing and depressing, it seems like I fail at anything I put my mind to. I can't even keep a part-time job for more than a semester without getting fired. It's like my personality and just who I am is destined for failure since that's just the way life works - you have to be social and outgoing and lively and fun in order to get anywhere or influence people. I applied to UT, where pharmacy experience is "optional" - that's complete bull. All my stats were top-notch, 3.9 GPA, 95 PCAT, I was active in organizations and have varied and unique extracurriculars and hobbies. The only negative on my application was my lack of formal pharmacy work (I did shadow), and I assume my LOR's and interview weren't the best they could be. Still waiting to here back for the real reason why I got rejected... but word of advice, don't even think about applying anywhere if you have no experience.

I know I'm gonna reapply next year, but what the hell do I do for the entire year until then? I don't have a major declared because I knew I wanted to go to pharmacy school without completing a degree. But now... I just don't know what to do. I could declare a major and take classes for that major, but there's no point because I want to get into pharm school and I won't even finish the degree. It will only be a waste of $10,000 on tuition for classes I don't even need since I already did my prereqs and core classes. Or I could take a year off and get a ton of work experience in, but I have a feeling dropping school for a year will only make you look like a worse applicant. Please give me some advice... I really don't want to waste my time and money taking more classes when it won't even matter in the end. I'm just so lost... I hate having to go through this.

I had a 3.85 gpa 91 pcat and no pharmacy experience. I've gotten interview invites nearly everywhere I applied but because I applied late my application is still being processed at other schools. They are well ranked schools too. UT is very competitive, you should have applied to multiple schools for back ups. You technically still have time to apply to schools with deadlines of march 1st.

 

[Nikki2620]

Different schools have different pre-req's, so even though I completed the prereqs for UT, I haven't completed them for a lot of other schools. Most of the March 1st schools require Anatomy, which I didn't take. And the reason I applied to UT only was because that's the school I wanted to go to, and I don't think I would be happy going to any other school... I will look into this, but I don't think it would work, and all the March 1st deadline schools are out of state anyway. But thanks.

Some schools have pre requisites that are required by this summer. So if you really wanted to you could take them in the summer. I'd apply to those schools and who knows you may realize they are a good fit for you after all. 🙂

 

[riggylou]

How many credits do you have done? You may be able to finish up a bachelors if you take a full load for this summer and next year. It makes you a stronger applicant no matter what your major is...so if you can't load up on all science then you could do something else that interests you. You can look up what percentage of accepted students have a bachelors degree for the school.. I suspect this is what held you back. Often it is an "unspoken requirement". Secure some work experience over the next year too to cover all your bases.

And always apply to multiple schools...you never know when an unforeseen roadblock will derail your application with a given school.

 

[frabu04]

Maybe they prefer students with bachelor's. Though not mandatory, most interviews I went to had 90%-100% students with bachelor's. Maybe there were things you didn't do as well as you thought such as LORs or interview. Addressing your main concern, you don't need to have worked in a pharmacy to get into pharmacy school. I got accepted to pharm school with only shadowing experience, but I felt I learned enough from it to articulate why I wanted to pursue pharmacy.

 

[Twentytwelve2]

You applied only to one school. That is a very big mistake. It cost more for the PharmCAS app than it does to apply to additional schools. Just apply out of state next year so you have many back-ups ready. Not everyone gets into their top choice.

 

[rxtech2012]

Above are some great pieces of advice...get experience! Focus on your personal statement, if it was boring then that will obviously hurt you. Also, understand that as a pharmacist you need to be able to communicate effectively with the public and other health care professionals. You wouldn't believe how many RPhs I've seen who have no people skills and they are so bad at interacting-very painful to watch lol...focus on why pharmacy and make a ln informed decision on that. If its for the money or the fact you can skip your bachelors then those are terrible reasons.

 

[Corpseman]

If you are not willing to go to any school other than UT, pharmacy may not be right for you.

 

[Sugoi Travis]

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that your lack of pharmacy experience did not get you in. More so the number of pharmacy schools you applied to and your interview might have been more likely reasons for you (an extremely competitive applicant) not going to pharmacy school.

Did you say anything that was very off-putting to the interviewers, or is UT just that competitive of a school? (don't know how competitive it is because I never planned to go to any pharmacy school in Texas)

If you are not willing to go to any school other than UT, pharmacy may not be right for you.

This is a bonehead comment and will remain a bonehead comment until you prove it. There was nothing that I could pick up on where I would even think that TS would want to go to UT and only UT. I chalk TS's situation up as a colossal mistake, not one that questions his/her potential competence in pharmacy. /facepalm

 

[kcha90]

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that your lack of pharmacy experience did not get you in.

Could strike a nerve but probably realistic. I doubt the rejection was based on pharmacy experience.

 

[Corpseman]

This is a bonehead comment and will remain a bonehead comment until you prove it. There was nothing that I could pick up on where I would even think that TS would want to go to UT and only UT. I chalk TS's situation up as a colossal mistake, not one that questions his/her potential competence in pharmacy. /facepalm

He/she edited out the part that said they did not want to go to any other schools. I would agree with you had those comments not been in the original posts.

 

[rxlea]

Go get yourself a nice cold IPA.

 

[The Recoverer]

I know lots of applicants who got accepted with 0 pharmacy experience. how did you not get in with a 95 PCAT and a high GPA? You must have blew the interview UP

 

[Sugoi Travis]

He/she edited out the part that said they did not want to go to any other schools. I would agree with you had those comments not been in the original posts.

Ah ok. My apologies; I did not know that an edit took place. I take back what I said to you.

 

[xtsukiyox]

He/she edited out the part that said they did not want to go to any other schools. I would agree with you had those comments not been in the original posts.

So, I only wanted to go to MWU-CPG (for a couple key reasons). Is pharmacy not right for me?

To answer my own question: I thought long & hard about only applying to one school, and it was still nerve-wracking. I also would have moved for school during the next cycle had I not gotten in. And I had a perfectly good job prior to applying for pharma school, so it wouldn't have killed me to wait. For the majority of applicants, especially the young & relatively unattached, I agree it's a mistake to only apply one place.

 

[Corpseman]

So, I only wanted to go to MWU-CPG (for a couple key reasons). Is pharmacy not right for me?

To answer my own question: I thought long & hard about only applying to one school, and it was still nerve-wracking. I also would have moved for school during the next cycle had I not gotten in. And I had a perfectly good job prior to applying for pharma school, so it wouldn't have killed me to wait. For the majority of applicants, especially the young & relatively unattached, I agree it's a mistake to only apply one place.

Bolded.


I am sure you would have done what it took to get in had your first choice not worked out.

😀

Only two more years left for ya. 🙂

 

[Rooster73]

Skip down to your local Army recruiting station and tell them you want to enlist with an Option 40 contract. Tell them you want Infantry. Tell them that the sky is blue because God loves the Infantry. You'll do OSUT, Airborne, and RASP (no more RIP) back to back at Benning, then (if you make it that far) you'll go to Hunter AAF out in Savannah, Lewis in Tacoma, or just stay at Benning. You'll do a training cycle, then off to the sandbox. Iraq is long over with and Afghan is pretty much dried up, too, but, if your lucky, you might get to take a trip to Mali. Just an idea.

-or-

You could work on finishing that degree, get a job as a pharmacy technician, and reapply next year.

 

[The Recoverer]

👍

Skip down to your local Army recruiting station and tell them you want to enlist with an Option 40 contract. Tell them you want Infantry. Tell them that the sky is blue because God loves the Infantry. You'll do OSUT, Airborne, and RASP (no more RIP) back to back at Benning, then (if you make it that far) you'll go to Hunter AAF out in Savannah, Lewis in Tacoma, or just stay at Benning. You'll do a training cycle, then off to the sandbox. Iraq is long over with and Afghan is pretty much dried up, too, but, if your lucky, you might get to take a trip to Mali. Just an idea.

-or-

You could work on finishing that degree, get a job as a pharmacy technician, and reapply next year.

 

[VictorAlpha]

I'm speaking from somewhat limited knowledge and experience but two of my research advisors are faculty at a new pharmacy school. Most of their matriculants do have bachelor's. I would plan on completing this degree if I were you, even if only as a back-up option / safety net. Other than that, I have been working at an in-pt pharmacy for a few years. I like the idea of getting tech certified and working as your school schedule allows to gain clinical experience that would help your application. Also it could be a double whammy by allowing you to get LORs from pharmacists you work with or your boss (I did both of these). Good Luck!