Hi everyone!
I am a freshman going into my second semester this spring, and let's just say I didn't get the best gpa first semester. I didn't really have any extra curriculars aside from Pharmacy Club..what should I be doing right now? Should I be looking for internships? Because I read that they only offer them to students already accepted into pharmacy school. Should I try to do pharmacy tech school? I am confused and I am going to definitely work hard to raise my gpa this semester but I feel like I should be doing something else.. Any help?
Alright, so welcome. And this has been covered
a lot in just the past few months.
From where you are right now, definitely get the GPA up. That's job #1 right now. Too early to take PCAT, but definitely not too early to work on ECs. I'd say prioritize getting a leadership position in the club you're in, and also start volunteering at a homeless shelter, or Red Cross, or something in your neighborhood - Something unrelated to school will look great especially if you settle into it, and do it for a really long time.
You're correct that internships, at pharmacies, are available to P1+ students. HOWEVER, if your grades are good, please do search out lab positions and get some experience in a biochem, mcb, or botany lab... or anything really. Get some hours under your belt, if you're fortunate enough to 2nd line a paper,
DO IT. You're in an extremely enviable position, that is, you've been
tabula rasa so inscribe well.
I'd say, for me, in order of importance right now (Were I magically in your place and knowing what I do now):
1) GPA. GPA. GPA. GPA. GPA.
2) ECs. Leadership in the pre-pharm (OR Honors Society discipline specific, or whatever, SOME leadership spot though!)
3) Volunteering. Yes, it's an EC, but I think a lot of people say EC and then think school-related only. I think something outside of campus like a Salvation Army is such a great app-bolster!
4) GPA.
5) Lab Experience. This will be crucial, almost essential, for top research schools like UCSF who like to see academically skilled professional students. And, even if you're not applying to UCSF, it will look good anywhere, and a PI is an amazing LoR source (Can speak to academic rigors, research method excellence, etc).
IMO, stay away from pharmacy technician schools. It's (perhaps) worth the investment if you're going to be doing CPht'ing as a career, but since your intern lic. trumps the CPht, it isn't worth it. You'll be able to get pharmacy experience somewhere without it, if even in a volunteer capacity. (Sweep floors if you have to until they have a spot).
Good luck and it's awesome you're starting so early.
