when should I apply?

[bumbleboo12]

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I just wanted to know when should I apply to Pharmacy School? I have 22 credits right now and will have 35 after december. When is the right time?
Thank you.

 

[Wan2BPharmD]

Well, with only having 35 credits at the end of this coming fall semester, I'd say you have very little chances of getting in for the upcoming cycle. The earliest you should apply would for the Fall '09 cycle (meaning you'd start the applications process a little less than a year from now). That gives you time to finish more pre-reqs and then maybe get some experience to, if you don't have much.

I'm not sure when you're looking to apply, and I guess it's possible that you could get in for Fall 2008, but you would have to have amazing stats, and a lot of experience, because I would imagine most admissions committees would stray way from someone who only about 35 credits done. Means you still have around 30 credits to do, which is tough for spring and summer.

But like I said, in the meantime keep that GPA high, high, high up. Don't get lazy, and get some experience, whether it's a job or volunteering. Experience always looks good on your app.

 

[bumbleboo12]

Yeah I wasnt looking to apply for Fall2008 I just didnt know when Would be a good time to apply. Also, I worked in a pharmacy when i was 16 as a cashier, however I stocked prescriptions and worked closely with the pharmacy. Do u think this counts as experience?

 

[Wan2BPharmD]

Sure, but I would suggest that you look into getting more experience. You usually can't have too much experience, really. Working as a pharmacy tech is always a good start. Volunteering at a hospital? You have to be able to show that this is what you actually want to do, and that you are able to handle a large workload without being overwhelmed.

 

[omnione]

Yeah I wasnt looking to apply for Fall2008 I just didnt know when Would be a good time to apply. Also, I worked in a pharmacy when i was 16 as a cashier, however I stocked prescriptions and worked closely with the pharmacy. Do u think this counts as experience?

You apply during the year when you plan to have all of your prereqs done. You also have to consider studying for the PCAT too. Though the applicant pool for pharmacy schools is becoming more competitive where many people with bachelor's degrees get accepted, people can still get in with bare-bones coursework. If you have the stats and money, then you can apply for Fall 2009 admission. PharmCAS opens in June of every year.

Regarding your second questions, that experience does count and should be a powerful asset on your application.

 

[bumbleboo12]

Do you think it is a better idea to get a bachelors degree? I just thought that it would be a waste of time going for the extra two years to earn he bachelors when i could just transfer after 90 credits. My GPA should be pretty good by the time I finish the 90 credits( about a 3.8 i hope) and I am a Pretty strong test taker so hopefully the PCATs wont be too big of a problem. I plan to get the 90 credits by Summer 2009? Should I apply to the PharmD program in August 2008? Thank you all for the help.

 

[omnione]

Do you think it is a better idea to get a bachelors degree? I just thought that it would be a waste of time going for the extra two years to earn he bachelors when i could just transfer after 90 credits. My GPA should be pretty good by the time I finish the 90 credits( about a 3.8 i hope) and I am a Pretty strong test taker so hopefully the PCATs wont be too big of a problem. I plan to get the 90 credits by Summer 2009? Should I apply to the PharmD program in August 2008? Thank you all for the help.

You still apply if you feel that your stats are great. People who apply with Bachelor's degrees sometimes do that because they couldn't get in after their first two tries. That doesn't mean that a degree is a necessity......yet.😉