What should I do next? *sorry about other threads*

[Shimmery]

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It's been some time since I've posted in the forums, but as another
year rolls by, I get more answers from schools.

So I applied early, which is certainly a good thing.

This semester I have straight A's, which is also good, which boosts my GPA.

However, here's my dilemma.

I've got rejected from 3 schools already, one of them not requiring
the PCAT. The option of applying to other schools that don't require
the PCAT is a no go.

I'm in a state that doesn't have a pharmacy school AT ALL, which means
I'm pretty much screwed since most schools accept the students at
where they are located.

I'm technically losing hope here, but I did receive one phone call
from Lipscomb University, asking if I was going to retake the PCAT. I
HATE the PCAT, believe me, I'd rather do anything (ok not anything),
but you get the picture here.

The scores that I have received on the first test were unbearable. I
studied for the second time, and my score did increase, not by a lot,
but it still increased, however, not in a competitive range that
schools would look at.

I bought the online guide that Pearson offers and I'm studying off of
Dr. Collins, which does help.

I've told Lipscomb that I was going to take the PCAT, but I'm not even
sure that's a good thing, since the test is coming around shortly.
Apparently I do need to study for the test, but I don't know if I
should view this as a positive or negative result on my part. They
don't know that I have attained straight A's this semester, if that
even helps.....

It seems more that I think about it, I try hard to reach my goal,
because I'm actually interested in the field of pharmacy.

For some other people that get in, from who I know, they got it from
knowing someone, and it pisses me off that they get in by knowing
someone from the inside while other people have to work hard to get
where they are at. I don't know anyone. Parents, relatives, grandpa,
no one at all that could help me getting in a pharmacy school, and I
don't want to take this so called "easy" way out, but it seems that
the only way to get in pharmacy schools nowadays is from knowing
someone from the inside.

Thanks for hearing me out.

 

[PreHealthRx]

Hey Shimmery! I'm fairly new around here, so I don't know what your story is, but I wouldn't necessarily see their asking if you're going to take the PCAT agian as a bad thing. Congrats on straight As this semester - that can only benefit you. I HATE the PCAT too and don't have such a hot score either, so I know where you are coming from. Don't lose hope...study well and rock the Jan PCAT...Good Luck!

 

[docss26]

How many people do you know that actually know adcoms? I highly doubt there are a lot of people getting into pharmacy school because they know someone on the "inside." Do yourself a favor a study for this PCAT. You will have to struggle for some time but once your done, trust me, it will be worth it! So it seems your grades are good now all you have to do is kill this PCAT. I suggesting browsing through the PCAT section of SDN and check out some tips from other students getting high scores and use their studying strategies. Good luck! 👍

 

[kidkay]

Also, call the schools to find out why you were rejected (i've read in other posts this is done). What you need to approve in your application to be competitive. Good luck.

 

[rxlea]

It's been some time since I've posted in the forums, but as another
year rolls by, I get more answers from schools.

So I applied early, which is certainly a good thing.

This semester I have straight A's, which is also good, which boosts my GPA.

However, here's my dilemma.

I've got rejected from 3 schools already, one of them not requiring
the PCAT. The option of applying to other schools that don't require
the PCAT is a no go.

I'm in a state that doesn't have a pharmacy school AT ALL, which means
I'm pretty much screwed since most schools accept the students at
where they are located.

I'm technically losing hope here, but I did receive one phone call
from Lipscomb University, asking if I was going to retake the PCAT. I
HATE the PCAT, believe me, I'd rather do anything (ok not anything),
but you get the picture here.

The scores that I have received on the first test were unbearable. I
studied for the second time, and my score did increase, not by a lot,
but it still increased, however, not in a competitive range that
schools would look at.

I bought the online guide that Pearson offers and I'm studying off of
Dr. Collins, which does help.

I've told Lipscomb that I was going to take the PCAT, but I'm not even
sure that's a good thing, since the test is coming around shortly.
Apparently I do need to study for the test, but I don't know if I
should view this as a positive or negative result on my part. They
don't know that I have attained straight A's this semester, if that
even helps.....

It seems more that I think about it, I try hard to reach my goal,
because I'm actually interested in the field of pharmacy.

For some other people that get in, from who I know, they got it from
knowing someone, and it pisses me off that they get in by knowing
someone from the inside while other people have to work hard to get
where they are at. I don't know anyone. Parents, relatives, grandpa,
no one at all that could help me getting in a pharmacy school, and I
don't want to take this so called "easy" way out, but it seems that
the only way to get in pharmacy schools nowadays is from knowing
someone from the inside.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Sorry to hear about your struggle- what part of the PCAT is most difficult for you? Many schools look at your composite or your chemistry score. If you can score really high in a couple of areas (try to get at least into the competitive range on chemistry), then the whole thing will average out even if you get a really low score in another area. This way, you can focus your efforts on areas you are exceptionally good at and strive for a really high score (like in the 90's). I found Dr. Collins really good for Biology. I used an MCAT practice book for the chem stuff and I used a GRE study book for verbal- practice analogies and really try to increase your vocabulary. Dr. Collins helped me get a 98 in bio and the GRE stuff helped me get a 97 in verbal. Chem wasn't my strong suit as I had not taken the second half of Ochem but I still got in the competitive range using the MCAT stuff. My math SUCKED (I took calculus in '04). A few high scores and some mid-range to competitive scores will even out your crappy ones!

What is your overall GPA? Do you have your degree? Having a degree is a HUGE bonus. What about EC's? Work experience? Are you PTCB certified? Any of these things might help- even if you just take the PTCB certification test and pass!

Do not lose hope! I will tell you that I failed a LOT of courses my freshman year in college...and a couple my sophomore year. I spent the last 3 years making up for that loss and have maintained a 4.0 GPA since then (including my senior year in undergrad)- I graduated in 2006 so that gives you an idea of how much effort I have had to put in to straighten everything out, including working 40+ hours a week as a tech.

My suggestion to you: get A's in the remaining pre-reqs, take the PTCB certification test (can be done at pretty much anytime) if you are not a technician and try to get some part-time work even if it pays S***, do some volunteer work that is MEANINGFUL TO YOU, not just some volunteer stuff to "look good". Sounds like a lot, but it will be worth it.

 

[pharm B]

Everything said above is good info to consider. In addition, it sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder about people getting in due to "inside" connections. That's probably a chip you need to lose. Fast.

 

[Pharmgrlnxdor]

You need to acquire a new attitude about the PCAT. It is a test with a purpose.

There are those that can take this test and do well and they get into pharmacy school no problem. I think they are truly in the minority. Then there are the rest of us. We need to work hard to get a good score. I think the true purpose of this test is to see what your level of determination is...not just your intelligence. Determination, motivation, commitment, perserverance. These are all qualities that make for a successful person, not just successful pharmacy student. They put this test out there to weed out the people that won't be able to dredge up these important qualities when they are needed most. So, you need to ask yourself if you have those qualities in abundance enough to study for the PCAT three to six hours a day. If not than why would you be able to do it for the four years of pharmacy school where the level of work will be at a higher level than undergrad. By tangling with the PCAT opponent on several occasions and improving your showing each time, you prove that you will do what is necessary to succeed. That is what I think the PCAT is really testing most people on. Give up the notion that the PCAT is just a test on what you have already learned...lets be honest it is hard to retain all of that information in our gray matter. Look at the PCAT as one big gigantic mammoth final exam. Would you not study for it? Would you think you could do well on it without studying for it? Of course not.

You need to realize that feeling ambivalent about studying for the PCAT is not helping your cause. And not studying for the PCAT is lunacy. To take a quote from Nike, "Just do it."

 

[Shimmery]

First, thanks for the replies.

First, someone asked "How many people do you know that actually know adcoms?" The answer to that question is probably 2. Not a lot as you mentioned that people could get in from contacts.

Next "what part of the PCAT is most difficult for you?" My lowest score was also math, since it's been a while since I have taken calculus. I wouldn't know how I would retrain myself in learning calc again, chemistry is ok I guess, it was my highest score on the second PCAT, and for biology, this semester I finished regular biology and also microbiology, so that should help me in boosting my scores.

Next, " What is your overall GPA? Do you have your degree? Having a degree is a HUGE bonus. What about EC's? Work experience? Are you PTCB certified?" My overall GPA is right now 3.27, only two classes are submitted officially on my transcript, I'm waiting for the other two, so those two should boost my grade up to a 3.3 something. No, I don't have a degree, but I already am working on one, but it's pointless to get a degree in where you don't enjoy the field compared to a degree where you do enjoy it. There are no EC's that I have taken. I do work in a retail pharmacy for almost 2 years. I'm not certified though.

Lastly "Would you not study for it? Would you think you could do well on it without studying for it? Of course not." I would agree with you as my only option is to study for it, but I'm afraid I'll yield the same results like last time, and I did study a great amount of time for it. In reality, most of this stuff that's presented in the PCAT is pointless, you'll never use it again. I would just want to enter a school where I can use the information that is taught to me so I could use it in real life.