What do you guys think ? please help...

[hamlet83]

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hey guys, i need your advise regarding my application .

i am getting my cell bio BA by end of the fall quarter. i have 3.1 GPA as of now in last 2 years at U, and 2.8 in first 2 years of Community college. My gpa is going up every quarter by about 0.3 to 0.5 points. i am taking my pcat in Aug ,and studying hard. i have 4 years of pharm tech experience, and 2 years of being research associate at school .i am hoping to have 3.3 when i am graduating but my science GPA might just reach around 3.

any of you guys think i have any chance, to get to any school, anywhere? if yes, which schools do you guys think i would have a better chance to get in? share your information if you wish.....

any comments would greatly helps....
thanks guys😳

 

[greenpills]

From my observations, I think pharmacy schools fall into 3 caterogies.

1.) Top-notch schools DEMANDING high gpas (3.5ish) and high pcats (80ish) - might be a needle in a haystack, but it is still worth a try.

2.) Competitive schools offering moderate gpas (3.0ish) and low pcats (60ish maybe?) - the schools that EVERYONE wants to get into, because simply anyone can try to earn these scores, but there's always other people that tries a little harder than them.

3.) Then there are fair schools favoring high pcats over gpas. If you think you have a low gpa, work harder at the pcats. Sometimes earning a grade is not as important than mastering it.

Plus, I would think ANY form of extracircular activies would help. A chance is still a chance, and it doesn't hurt to try. 🙂

 

[hamlet83]

hey thanks for information greenpills...
does anyone else has any comments or advise?

 

[mrblah]

Tell us what schools you want to apply to. Your stats are about low to average. Your gpa is low to average depending on the school you plan on applying. Without a pcat score, we can't really tell you anything more. Never think experience alone will get you into pharmacy school.

Anyways, you have enough work experience already, so work on bringing your gpa up to that 3.3 or even higher if you can. Spend the rest of the time studying for your pcat. People always say if you have a low gpa, strive for a high pcat score. Remember you are always competing with someone else. The thing is you don't want to be in that position in the first place. Lastly, start hitting up professors for LOR's, start early.

Just remember anything can happen.

 

[hamlet83]

thanks for reply mrblah!

i really dunt have any preferences for schools. i will go anywhere that i get accepted. i am hand picking all those schools that i think i might have a chance to get in. but i really dunt know if i will be able to get to any of them ,even the easiest one. i have LOR's from two of my professors, and 2 District pharmacy managers. i am trying to put together a really good PS as well. but as you mentioned about my gpa,i dunt know if they will look at all these materials before , or making their minds just by looking at my gpa????

 

[mrblah]

thanks for reply mrblah!

i really dunt have any preferences for schools. i will go anywhere that i get accepted. i am hand picking all those schools that i think i might have a chance to get in. but i really dunt know if i will be able to get to any of them ,even the easiest one. i have LOR's from two of my professors, and 2 District pharmacy managers. i am trying to put together a really good PS as well. but as you mentioned about my gpa,i dunt know if they will look at all these materials before , or making their minds just by looking at my gpa????

You aren't going to apply to all the pharmacy schools out there and thats a fact. So the first thing you should figure out is what schools you want to apply to. All schools release statistics of the incoming class of the previous years. You use those stats to gauge where you stand or "how competitive you are". For example, California schools don't require pcats, but have high gpa requirements. East coast schools are more lenient on gpa because they require a pcat score. So your stats are low for cali schools but about average nationwide.

Most schools use a point system of some kind, that ranks you against other applicants. The strength of your gpa/pcat score will get you a interview. Your interview score+the previous gpa/pcat score will either get you waitlisted/alternate/accepted/rejected. The thing is that unless you are adcom of a particular school, you don't know how LOR/EC/PS will play into the score, thats why most people emphasize gpa/pcat, but in the end, its the total package. This is why, every once in a while there is a student with a 2.8 gpa who defies all odds and gets into their dream school.

What I said is not written in stone, nor am I adcom or anything. I'm just a poster who went through what you are experiencing. I'm sure their are others who will share similar experiences and dissimilar experiences.

 

[ADN1226]

Like Mr.Blah said, research schools before you apply. Apply to less competitive schools such as newer schools and private schools. if there is a pharm school in your state, def try for that too. look at pharmCAS for what the average accepted GPAs are and base it off of that.

By the time you apply, make sure you have everything in order, and key is to apply early as in june - august. there are less competition then.

 

[laimyours]

You're like me. I've been researching schools. My strong points are: pharmacy work experience. Volunteering at a hospital pharmacy. Strong letters of recommendation. And i'd say I have a good PS. I'm taking the PCAT this August. My GPA is the weaker part of my application. I know it's still competitive, but not high enough where I would get in everywhere. I went through some family issues earlier in my college career but I have a upward trend. Of course I work 20-30 hours a week while taking 17 units so I wouldn't expect to have a 3.6+ GPA. The only school on my list that I've seen so far that would totally reject me is USN. Why? Because they don't require work experience, and no LORs (2 of my strong points) and have ~3.7 average GPA (my weak point). You'll get in somewhere just read the requirements so you can avoid wasting your money like I almost did on applying to USN.

 

[hamlet83]

thanks for you information.... i am trying to do my best in aug pcat and take it from there, see how hard that exam will be.... thanks .... any other comments will be helpful... thanks a bunch again..

 

[mrblah]

You're like me. I've been researching schools. My strong points are: pharmacy work experience. Volunteering at a hospital pharmacy. Strong letters of recommendation. And i'd say I have a good PS. I'm taking the PCAT this August. My GPA is the weaker part of my application. I know it's still competitive, but not high enough where I would get in everywhere. I went through some family issues earlier in my college career but I have a upward trend. Of course I work 20-30 hours a week while taking 17 units so I wouldn't expect to have a 3.6+ GPA. The only school on my list that I've seen so far that would totally reject me is USN. Why? Because they don't require work experience, and no LORs (2 of my strong points) and have ~3.7 average GPA (my weak point). You'll get in somewhere just read the requirements so you can avoid wasting your money like I almost did on applying to USN.

3.6 gpa is still competitive at usn. I would apply as your backup school because you know exactly what to expect.