What should i do?

[mbabbas84]

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These are some of the ?'s that I have been thinking of, please answer any you can. Any comments will be GREATLY appreciated.. Thanks..

• When should I start applying for Pharm School, if I want to start 2010 fall? Should I take PCAT, get result and then apply?
• My stats: 3.4 GPA, 100 Volun Hrs, and hoping for 80+ PCAT; how many schools should I apply too?
• Anyone got accepted with similar stats, and if you did then which school and also how many schools did you apply?
• I know that I will have to take the Pcat atleat twice, which is the last pcat score schools will look at for accepting students for next year ( is aug or oct the last one??) or if i take it next jan, would they consider that score for next year app)
• I am using the KAPLAN 2007 edi book and going to take the Collins course for preparation for PCAT, is there anything other book, or course I should look at that helped you get your desired score in pcat?

Thanks again..

 

[DanRx]

First, register with pharmcas once available in June. Its a process that takes time to complete; essays, references, etc. Its a good thing you are starting early. Dont take the pcat with the mindset of taking it again. why not just do your best and hope you never have to take it again? Its a pain retaking it.

 

[Rcu]

Dont take the pcat with the mindset of taking it again. why not just do your best and hope you never have to take it again? Its a pain retaking it.

I agree w/ DanRx here. I used the Kaplan book to study. That along w/ the practice tests available on the Pearson website should help you feel confident and comfortable on test day.
I can't comment on Pharmcas b/c the school I applied to didn't use it, but it couldn't hurt to start early.
My GPA was similar to yours. I didn't have anywhere near the number of volunteer hours (that's really impressive) and I scored in the 96th percentile on the PCAT.

 

[charfdorn]

These are some of the ?'s that I have been thinking of, please answer any you can. Any comments will be GREATLY appreciated.. Thanks..

• When should I start applying for Pharm School, if I want to start 2010 fall? Should I take PCAT, get result and then apply?
• My stats: 3.4 GPA, 100 Volun Hrs, and hoping for 80+ PCAT; how many schools should I apply too?
• Anyone got accepted with similar stats, and if you did then which school and also how many schools did you apply?
• I know that I will have to take the Pcat atleat twice, which is the last pcat score schools will look at for accepting students for next year ( is aug or oct the last one??) or if i take it next jan, would they consider that score for next year app)
• I am using the KAPLAN 2007 edi book and going to take the Collins course for preparation for PCAT, is there anything other book, or course I should look at that helped you get your desired score in pcat?

Thanks again..

If your pre-reqs are complete, you're in good shape. I had a 3.55 GPA with a 99 PCAT (lucky me) and no volunteer hours, and I got in. I applied to one school at first, then didn't hear back for a month after my interview so I applied to a pre-candidate school on their deadline. Then I didn't get in to that school, so I consider that really one app. It was my first choice all along. I used the same Kaplan book. It's great. Work that book from cover to cover, and study harder on the areas that you don't do so well with on the practice tests. Take it in June and only retake if you don't like the first score.

As far as how many schools to apply to, that's tougher. I would pick one and apply there early decision, since you have the whole year to work on it. Do start your PharmCAS app immediately in June. Get it out of the way early and then you'll just have to worry about interviews and saving money. With your GPA, you'll probably get an interview with a PCAT of 70+ (provided Chem isn't abysmal) and then it's up to you to make sure you get in from there. You can do it. You have experience and you know what you want to do. Plus, you have all kinds of time to prepare for that PCAT. Good luck!

 

[Kaxa2000]

If your pre-reqs are complete, you're in good shape. I had a 3.55 GPA with a 99 PCAT (lucky me) and no volunteer hours, and I got in. I applied to one school at first, then didn't hear back for a month after my interview so I applied to a pre-candidate school on their deadline. Then I didn't get in to that school, so I consider that really one app. It was my first choice all along. I used the same Kaplan book. It's great. Work that book from cover to cover, and study harder on the areas that you don't do so well with on the practice tests. Take it in June and only retake if you don't like the first score.

As far as how many schools to apply to, that's tougher. I would pick one and apply there early decision, since you have the whole year to work on it. Do start your PharmCAS app immediately in June. Get it out of the way early and then you'll just have to worry about interviews and saving money. With your GPA, you'll probably get an interview with a PCAT of 70+ (provided Chem isn't abysmal) and then it's up to you to make sure you get in from there. You can do it. You have experience and you know what you want to do. Plus, you have all kinds of time to prepare for that PCAT. Good luck!

Is it true that the PCAT is easier in June than August?

 

[FunnyHunny]

These are some of the ?'s that I have been thinking of, please answer any you can. Any comments will be GREATLY appreciated.. Thanks..

• When should I start applying for Pharm School, if I want to start 2010 fall? Should I take PCAT, get result and then apply?
• My stats: 3.4 GPA, 100 Volun Hrs, and hoping for 80+ PCAT; how many schools should I apply too?
• Anyone got accepted with similar stats, and if you did then which school and also how many schools did you apply?
• I know that I will have to take the Pcat atleat twice, which is the last pcat score schools will look at for accepting students for next year ( is aug or oct the last one??) or if i take it next jan, would they consider that score for next year app)
• I am using the KAPLAN 2007 edi book and going to take the Collins course for preparation for PCAT, is there anything other book, or course I should look at that helped you get your desired score in pcat?

Thanks again..

Take the PCAT as soon as you are able to so that you will be able to retake the PCAT if necessary. Like another poster said, don't go in with the mindset that you will defiantly be taking it twice but it's a smart idea to give yourself a chance to take it latter if necessary. There are some horror stories of students having problems on the day of the test (flu, locking keys in the car, construction going on during PCAT testing etc) so it's a good idea to take it as early as you can in case something happens. Also, check with the schools you are interested in and find out when the deadline to take the PCAT is. For my school, the cut off date for PCAT testing was Oct since the application was due in Dec. Those who didn't read the fine print and thought they could take it in Jan were rudly suprised.

Also, APPLY YEARLY! I cannot stress this enough. Many schools offer early acceptance to students who apply a few months before the deadline. If there is a school you prefer above all others check to see if they offer early acceptance. Also the earlier you are, the more likely you are to be accepted.

I applied to one pharmacy school and was accepted. However, I did everything wrong during my application process. I only applied to one school, sent in my application late, and then took the PCAT at the last possible second (oct) and received only a 70 because I had the flu. Luckily for me I was a gratuate with a BS in biochemistry, +100 hrs of volunteer work in a hospital/clinic, and worked for the FBI for 2 years so I have an advantage over a lot of applicants. Anyways DON'T do what I did. Apply to more than one school, just don't overdo it. Some kids get carried away and apply to 10-12 schools even though they aren't terribly interested in half of them and end up spending a fortune on application fees and travel expenses for interviews.

 

[charfdorn]

Is it true that the PCAT is easier in June than August?

I don't think so. It might get higher scores in June with people who are more serious about it taking it then.

Take the PCAT as soon as you are able to so that you will be able to retake the PCAT if necessary. Like another poster said, don't go in with the mindset that you will defiantly be taking it twice but it's a smart idea to give yourself a chance to take it latter if necessary.

Second that. Set a target score (85? 90?) for your first attempt and if you fall short take it again in August.

Apply to more than one school, just don't overdo it. Some kids get carried away and apply to 10-12 schools even though they aren't terribly interested in half of them and end up spending a fortune on application fees and travel expenses for interviews.

Definitely. Check the thread "How much have you spent this application cycle?" I see people who apply and interview at half a dozen schools and then end up withdrawing multiple acceptances, which usually means multiple deposits lost. Early decision is a great option, if your school of first choice has it. You get the chance to do the one application thing but still have time to apply to other schools if you don't get in right away.

 

[miko]

I had a 3.55 GPA with a 99 PCAT (lucky me) and no volunteer hours, and I got in.

Did you have any kind of pharmacy experience? I have none whatsoever, but I'm crossing my fingers that I get a job at TCH. Also, did you apply through the early admission process?

 

[charfdorn]

Did you have any kind of pharmacy experience? I have none whatsoever, but I'm crossing my fingers that I get a job at TCH. Also, did you apply through the early admission process?

No on both. The lack of experience hurt me quite a bit. I wish I had applied early decision, because it would have saved me a lot of stress down the line. If you know where you want to go, this is a great option.