Will any school even consider me?

[Pharmypharm]

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I took my PCAT this morning and scored a composite of........21. Yes, a 21. (Without the essay score - though I doubt that would make a significant impact since the score is already so low) It was somewhat expected considering I was a complete lazy butt and didn't study at all for it. Though I thought I would've gotten at least a 50. My question is: Would I even be considered in an applicant pool for Pharmacy schools in the VA/MD area? I do plan on taking it again obviously but it would be nice to know if I currently even have a chance? Like would a place like Hampton be an option?

 

[pharmadiazehhpine]

Highly suggest retaking it and then applying. Realistically speaking, 21 is awful. You can do better. I had to take mine 3 times. I went from a 31 to a 84

 

[Mounjaro]

What's your GPA?

 

[Arjw2]

Don't feel bad I got an 18 and I cried my eyeballs out ! But I definitely know now that I need a refresher and have already spoke with Dr. Collins and am paying for his review session in January!

 

[Trishna28]

If your GPA and other stats are really good, applying to schools that do not look at PCAT is an option. I think from what I have seen, even the lowest tier schools have a 25th percentile cut off. Of course, you could always retake the PCAT too.

 

[Pharmypharm]

A

 

[Pharmypharm]

Also, what's the last pcat most schools accept?

 

[Pharmypharm]

My pharmcas for Howard is due in feb, would it matter if I take the pcat after the due date? For example retaking after January for 2016?

 

[mikeyy2301]

My composite was 20 but my Chem pr was 76 my bio was 67 [emoji58] idk was my chances are with 3.1 gpa?


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[zhangys]

My composite was 20 but my Chem pr was 76 my bio was 67 [emoji58] idk was my chances are with 3.1 gpa?


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A 3.1 GPA+good experience can probably get you into a few schools, depending on where you're willing to go. You should definitely give the PCAT another try and aim for 80+. A lot of schools require PCAT composite of 50 to apply. PCAT Destroyer really helped me out while studying. Do as many practice questions as you can!

 

[PharmtoCS]

You can also try West Coast University, California Health Science University, Chapman University, Ketchum University, and Keck Graduate Institute. They will take anyone with no/low PCAT scores and low GPAs, as long as you're willing to pay a premium in tuition and living expenses.

 

[Pharmypharm]

What about schools on the east coast?

 

[priyankathaker8]

I took my PCAT this morning and scored a composite of........21. Yes, a 21. (Without the essay score - though I doubt that would make a significant impact since the score is already so low) It was somewhat expected considering I was a complete lazy butt and didn't study at all for it. Though I thought I would've gotten at least a 50. My question is: Would I even be considered in an applicant pool for Pharmacy schools in the VA/MD area? I do plan on taking it again obviously but it would be nice to know if I currently even have a chance? Like would a place like Hampton be an option?

Take it again in January and use Dr. Collins- you still have time

 

[PharmtoCS]

What about schools on the east coast?

Not too familiar with East Coast schools, although with so many new schools that have opened in the past 3-10 years, I am sure there are some that care more about getting $200k+ in tuition from you than about your GPA, PCAT, and work experience.

 

[Myohmy2010]

I took my PCAT this morning and scored a composite of........21. Yes, a 21. (Without the essay score - though I doubt that would make a significant impact since the score is already so low) It was somewhat expected considering I was a complete lazy butt and didn't study at all for it. Though I thought I would've gotten at least a 50. My question is: Would I even be considered in an applicant pool for Pharmacy schools in the VA/MD area? I do plan on taking it again obviously but it would be nice to know if I currently even have a chance? Like would a place like Hampton be an option?

I would definitely retake if I were you. If pharmacy is truly the profession you want to enter, then you should have no problem retaking the pcat to show the admissions personnel that you are serious about your future career.

 

[bananaface]

Don't waste money applying. Work on getting your score up and making yourself a better candidate. These tests exist for a reason, which is to ensure that you are ready to succeed in a program before you gain admission. Under qualified students tend to drop out and come out with debt but no marketable skills. If you can't get up to at least a 50th percentile PCAT score then you are probably setting yourself up for rejections. It used to be you needed much higher, like in the 70s to be a good candidate, before so many schools opened. The newer schools are probably better for you with low scores. They at least will have more experience with students with lower scores and have better strategies for getting them to succeed in their programs.

 

[felipe912839128]

bump

 

[nutripharma]

I'm retaking it (got a similar but higher score), I bought collins' material and I've been drilling myself with that. I talked to the guy himself and he said that I could jump my score by 50-70 points. So thats what I'm doing.

 

[Mimrose]

Definitely focus on studying for the PCAT and get a higher score. A 21 is not going to cut it, even with a great GPA. In my opinion, if you have a PCAT score 70 or above, you're in a good spot. I got a 97 composite (studied for two months about 3-5 hours a day). The main part is to identify where you are weak, and try to improve those sections. Identify the study method that works best for you and use that.

 

[BC_89]

21....dont reach for straws to know what school may or may not consider you. Even if your GPA and experience is descent or supurb, you need to knuckle down and study for that PCAT. Keep in mind, expect 16-18 credits of science and calculations in your first semester of school...No such thing as "retakes" at that time unless your willing to wait a whole year with loans accumulating with compounded interest. If you were lazy on whats considered a deal breaking test assessment, then it wouldnt even be fair for you to go to 4 more years of schooling to get more in debt. Take the time and invest in yourself and knock that test out of the ball park.

 

[Corpseman]

I'm retaking it (got a similar but higher score), I bought collins' material and I've been drilling myself with that. I talked to the guy himself and he said that I could jump my score by 50-70 points. So thats what I'm doing.

I thought I remember reading somewhere that they look very suspiciously at scores that jump more than 50 points, am I remembering incorrectly?

 

[nutripharma]

I thought I remember reading somewhere that they look very suspiciously at scores that jump more than 50 points, am I remembering incorrectly?

You're right. It is in the PCAT booklet. It says if you jump by more than 50 within 13 months of the last exam, your scores are automatically cancelled and you must provide proof of supplements and tutoring. Which would be providing proof of purchase of the collins material.

 

[Mounjaro]

You're right. It is in the PCAT booklet. It says if you jump by more than 50 within 13 months of the last exam, your scores are automatically cancelled and you must provide proof of supplements and tutoring. Which would be providing proof of purchase of the collins material.

Or you could just show them a Kaplan book (borrowed or what have you) and be done with it. Who says you have to show them your Dr. Collins material?

Technically anything could supplement your score. Whether it's old test notes, etc.

 

[Corpseman]

You're right. It is in the PCAT booklet. It says if you jump by more than 50 within 13 months of the last exam, your scores are automatically cancelled and you must provide proof of supplements and tutoring. Which would be providing proof of purchase of the collins material.

cool, thanks I forgot how that worked.

 

[MindGeek]

My composite jumped 21 points between my first and second try pretty must just from chemistry jumping from 23 to 74.
The big difference for me was having completed organic 1 instead of just having learned the nomenclature of organic in organic 1.

Kaplan PCAT book helped me in bio and reading in the meantime.
You have to be prepared for verbal, reading comp, and quant to go down the further your are away from classes on them.

What was the biggest detractor to your score?
What classes are you going to take or finish in between now and their deadline of February?

 

[nora235]

It depends...what does your application look like?
My PCAT score was HORRIBLE! The first time I took it I got a 35, the second time..25 🙁
I still applied. I got into University of Incarnate Word and I have an interview for UT Austin in february (I was completely shocked about that one. Doubt Ill get in, but the fact that I got an interview is crazy). I only applied to those 2 schools.

BUT I do have a undergraduate degree in Community Health. I have a TON of volunteer work thanks to my degree 🙂
I also work as a Pharmacy as a clerk and tech in training.
My GPA is around a 3.7. Science is 3.7 and math is 4.0.
AND you HAVE to make sure your personal statement is great. It has to stand out from everyone elses.

I thought everything was based on the PCAT and I got so depressed. But I applied anyways and look what happend 🙂
If you arent in a hurry to go to pharmacy school this coming fall then definitely retake it. Plus I can't believe you didnt study. The PCAT is no joke.