Worry & Stressed

[youko]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi everyone,

I'm very worry and stressed and I don't know where to turn to. In 5 years in college, I hopelessly switched to so many different majors, a couple of engineering courses and most science courses. Finally, I was forced to graduate with a BS in exercise and sports science, if not the school won't allow me to borrow anymore loans. Anyway, along the way, I finally realized that what I wanted to do most was to become a pharmacist. Thanks to that, in my last year I was able to pick up my grade (GPA ~3.4).
However, those courses were non-pharm related. Because of those previous failing science courses, my GPA dragged down to 2.4. But I'm really determined to be in pharmacy, I decided to retake those sciences courses in community college for 1 year and able to maintain a 3.9 GPA in pharm pre-req.

I know exactly how hard pharm school can be. I have roommates and friends who just graduated from PharmD. I've read their books and seen through what hardships and difficulties pharm school can be. I talked to many advisors, they all gave me the same answer that it's competitive and I should give up. It took me 6 years to finally realize this is it for me. How can I give up? Although I got rejected from pharm schools that don't require PCAT, but as stubborn as I am, I already registered to take the PCAT in 3 weeks. Also, putting my BS degree aside, I'm planning to apply for a job as pharmacy technician. Am I following the right path? Is there even a slightest possibility that I will get accepted? Do the admission board only place the most emphasis in GPA over PCAT? Since most of the school average out grades of the many times I take courses. Those GPA really drag my future and self-esteem down to pit bottom.

 

[Farmercyst]

Hi everyone,

I'm very worry and stressed and I don't know where to turn to. In 5 years in college, I hopelessly switched to so many different majors, a couple of engineering courses and most science courses. Finally, I was forced to graduate with a BS in exercise and sports science, if not the school won't allow me to borrow anymore loans. Anyway, along the way, I finally realized that what I wanted to do most was to become a pharmacist. Thanks to that, in my last year I was able to pick up my grade (GPA ~3.4).
However, those courses were non-pharm related. Because of those previous failing science courses, my GPA dragged down to 2.4. But I'm really determined to be in pharmacy, I decided to retake those sciences courses in community college for 1 year and able to maintain a 3.9 GPA in pharm pre-req.

I know exactly how hard pharm school can be. I have roommates and friends who just graduated from PharmD. I've read their books and seen through what hardships and difficulties pharm school can be. I talked to many advisors, they all gave me the same answer that it's competitive and I should give up. It took me 6 years to finally realize this is it for me. How can I give up? Although I got rejected from pharm schools that don't require PCAT, but as stubborn as I am, I already registered to take the PCAT in 3 weeks. Also, putting my BS degree aside, I'm planning to apply for a job as pharmacy technician. Am I following the right path? Is there even a slightest possibility that I will get accepted? Do the admission board only place the most emphasis in GPA over PCAT? Since most of the school average out grades of the many times I take courses. Those GPA really drag my future and self-esteem down to pit bottom.

If I understand this correctly, your current overall GPA, including retakes, etc is 3.4. If that is what PharmCAS reports then with your retakes, you should be okay if you can score a decent PCAT. Now because PharmCAS averages all grades independently (retakes and original grades) If the 3.4 is your calculation by substituting your retake in place of the original grade, you may be in worse shape. A good PCAT will still help, but it will also depend on the GPA PharmCAS reports. If you have no pharmacy experience at all, the the technician experience will help. Between the raised GPA, the experience, and a decent PCAT, this year should be better than last.

I wouldn't give up either way.

 

[misstofu]

hi there, well i didn't read about what you're going through yet but it is enough to understand your situation after seeing your "worry and stressed" post
well, it's okay, just apply to any schools that you want to apply to and then also apply to the easy ones! you'll get in eventually, trust me, it happened to every-single one of us when it comes to the time applying and time to wait for an interview, and MOST OF ALL, waiting for an answer! i'm now sick of it~~I waited for 6 moths, checking my mails everyday for 6 months, and finally and i got an answer, but not a good one! i guess i'm the most unfortunate person here! BUT YOU CAN DO IT, no worries and stresses now, they're just a waste of time!!😉

 

[pulsedriver]

I talked to many advisors, they all gave me the same answer that it's competitive and I should give up.

That's some great encouragement right there...

Seems like you know what you're doing. I think you should stick with your plan and remember to explain your academic hardships in your personal statement and how you overcame them.

 

[AMO69657]

i changed my major about 4 times and im only in my 3rd yr of undergrad...it's okay, if pharm is what you want to do, then do it. i just realized pharm may be the right thing for me, and i know i'm going to get a lot of negative comments when i tell people that i once again changed my major. my grades are not that hot either, but as long as you are progressing in the UP direction, and you know this is what you want to do, then go for it! it can happen, it's just whether or not you want to make it happen. gluck

 

[jessicaholland1]

I think some schools actually calculate your gpa with retake-grades replacing your original grades. Sorry, I dont remember which ones those were....

Since you've taken so many classes, it shouldnt be too difficult for you to get a good pcat score. i'm not expert, but a bachelor's degree, high pcat score and big grade improvements with an overall 3.4... sounds like you have a good chance to me! good luck!

 

[youko]

Actually, I graduated with a BS with a 2.4 GPA. If I only counted GPA for BS courses, I should have above 3.0 b/c I actually started to study more. But because of previous switches of majors and failing so many sciences, I ended up with a 2.4. Now, the 3.9 GPA is only for the retake in pre-req at the community college that I'm attending. Since I already graduated with a BS, I can't increase that 2.4 GPA anymore. If pharm schools only look at community college GPA, I'd be in a good spot in term of GPA. But that's never the case.

Also, what I hated most is entering all the courses (200+ credits) I've taken in PharmCAS, with those past grades, it's like slaps in the face.

 

[cystapharm]

Since I already graduated with a BS, I can't increase that 2.4 GPA anymore.

you can always increase your GPA because PharmCAS wants all the courses you have taken. So if you keep getting 3.9 on your retakes that will go on PharmCAS and your GPA will count towards that.

If you get your GPA to 2.5 you are qualified for many schools.

Plus with a 3.9 prereq that will look awsome for schools that only look at prereqs such as USN.