Would someone be realistic with me?

[Kaxa2000]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

A friend of mine told me that since I basically failed my first semester in Calculus that I have very little chance in pharmacy because they would look down on the F even if I took it again and did well in it(He's not even doing pharmacy). Has anyone here heard about anyone or is someone that failed a class, repeated it(did well) and made it into pharmacy school?

Also, I'm closing in on 2 years of college. Would it be better to go for a bio degree(would probably take me 5 yrs total) or just a certain pharm school pre-reqs(4 yrs)? I really don't feel like I've got enough done because even though I've got alot of the easy pre-reqs out of the way (e.g. Phil, psych, speech, etc.), I still have a lot of sciences and math to complete if I go for a bio degree. If I just go for a certain pharm school pre-reqs, I might be able to get them all done in the next 2 years. It doesn't sound like too good of an idea to me considering some pre-pharm students finished all the pre-reqs in just 2 yrs[me completeling in 4 yrs 🙁 ]. The only sciences I will have completed by the end of this semester is Bio1, Bio2, and Chem1. The only math I will have completed will be Cal 1.

 

[mustang sally]

Retake calculus and get an A. Kill your other classes. You will probably be fine then.

You can try applying while you are finishing up your prereqs. Technically you don't need the BS, so if you don't want one, go ahead and give pharm school a shot. Just keep an open mind about completing the BS if it becomes necessary.

 

[ajh88]

I don't think it ruins your chances for pharmacy - you will definitely have to re-take it though.

I think the underlying question would be why you did poorly the first time around - and try to fix those reasons before your second time through.

As for pre-reqs vs. degree, I would keep plugging along towards your degree and if you want to apply to pharmacy school after your pre-reqs are done, go for it. If you don't get in the first time around, at least you've still been progressing towards a degree (and a more competitive application hopefully!).

 

[Farmer83]

Take your time taking pre-reqs. I feel like when I rushed, it made my GPA worse. I had 5 D's and 5 F's between two semesters. And I made it in, but it also took me 6 years to finish my bachelors, and then another year at a community college to bring up my grades. If you have the time and the resources, retake classes with bad grades and work hard. 🙂

 

[Kaxa2000]

Actually, I just looked at my primary pharm school's pre-reqs(UH) and realized, I could actually fully complete the reqs within the next year. All I need is chem 2(planning on taking over summer), o-chem 1 & 2, microbio, physics I & statistics. But I can't just focus on these because then if I'm planning to use a BS in Biology as a backup plan if I don't get in with these pre-reqs then I'd have to implement classes such as cal 2 and physics 2 into the bunch so that I won't have to worry about them if I don't make it with just pre-reqs. Would just completing the pre-reqs require an overall higher GPA than a person with a BS in Bio?

 

[inquirer89]

What degrees do you guys recommend if a pre-pharm student is forced to get the BS? My predicament is that if I don't get accepted into a pharmacy school after 2 or 3 years, then I would have concentrated on fulfilling my pre-reqs instead of chasing after a degree.

Were any of you able to get your pre-reqs and your degree in 4 (or less) years? What was your major?

 

[Kaxa2000]

I think most, if not all, of my pre reqs are within the Bio degree... I think it's the same for most schools....@ least within Texas.

 

[mustang sally]

What degrees do you guys recommend if a pre-pharm student is forced to get the BS? My predicament is that if I don't get accepted into a pharmacy school after 2 or 3 years, then I would have concentrated on fulfilling my pre-reqs instead of chasing after a degree.

Were any of you able to get your pre-reqs and your degree in 4 (or less) years? What was your major?

I don't know what degree I would recommend, but it would definitely not be biology unless you are 1000% positive that you will be going on to professional school. There are not many jobs out there for the BS in biology (and the jobs that you might be able to get will be low paying).

A biology degree will probably seem like the easiest degree to get within the context of the prepharm prereqs, but try to think long term about what might happen if you don't go to pharmacy school (I speak from experience here).

 

[Lurkerkat]

Your friend is wrong. I got a D in Physics II and Calculus II and got accepted the first time I applied. I also went for my bachelor's degree because I needed more credits to boost my GPA which was ~2.7 after my first attempt at college. Schools seem to be somewhat understanding that crap happens. As long as your GPA is still strong and you show them that the F was just fluke you should be fine.

 

[shehsheh]

A friend of mine told me that since I basically failed my first semester in Calculus that I have very little chance in pharmacy because they would look down on the F even if I took it again and did well in it(He's not even doing pharmacy). Has anyone here heard about anyone or is someone that failed a class, repeated it(did well) and made it into pharmacy school?

Also, I'm closing in on 2 years of college. Would it be better to go for a bio degree(would probably take me 5 yrs total) or just a certain pharm school pre-reqs(4 yrs)? I really don't feel like I've got enough done because even though I've got alot of the easy pre-reqs out of the way (e.g. Phil, psych, speech, etc.), I still have a lot of sciences and math to complete if I go for a bio degree. If I just go for a certain pharm school pre-reqs, I might be able to get them all done in the next 2 years. It doesn't sound like too good of an idea to me considering some pre-pharm students finished all the pre-reqs in just 2 yrs[me completeling in 4 yrs 🙁 ]. The only sciences I will have completed by the end of this semester is Bio1, Bio2, and Chem1. The only math I will have completed will be Cal 1.

dont let others bring you down or tell you that you can't reach your dream! TRUST ME!! If you retake it, it shows dedication and that you are capable of doing it! It shows you are not a quitter, especially if you get a really good grade!

And go for the Bio degree for sure.

 

[SoccerCoach10]

A degree in chemistry is another possibility. If getting into pharm school doesn't quite work out, you can still get a great job that pays decently.

In addition to pre-reqs, make sure you leave yourself time to be involved in non-academic activities (volunteering, sports, pharm experience, etc). Having those types of activities will strengthen your application.

 

[RxShazzie]

your friend is just being discouraging. everyone can always change, and adcoms will see that. everyone has their own story and as long as you show that you've persevered and didn't give up, you should be fine.

 

[BelowTheMean]

A friend of mine told me that since I basically failed my first semester in Calculus that I have very little chance in pharmacy because they would look down on the F even if I took it again and did well in it(He's not even doing pharmacy). Has anyone here heard about anyone or is someone that failed a class, repeated it(did well) and made it into pharmacy school?

Also, I'm closing in on 2 years of college. Would it be better to go for a bio degree(would probably take me 5 yrs total) or just a certain pharm school pre-reqs(4 yrs)? I really don't feel like I've got enough done because even though I've got alot of the easy pre-reqs out of the way (e.g. Phil, psych, speech, etc.), I still have a lot of sciences and math to complete if I go for a bio degree. If I just go for a certain pharm school pre-reqs, I might be able to get them all done in the next 2 years. It doesn't sound like too good of an idea to me considering some pre-pharm students finished all the pre-reqs in just 2 yrs[me completeling in 4 yrs 🙁 ]. The only sciences I will have completed by the end of this semester is Bio1, Bio2, and Chem1. The only math I will have completed will be Cal 1.

My friend failed 4-5 classes. YES, that is right, FOUR TO FIVE classes at a university. GPA is under 3.0 and got into pharmacy school so you are fine. There is a school out there that would take you. Hope that helps. PM me if you want additional info or anything.

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

For every person with poor grades that does get in, there are several applicants with poor grades that did not get in. That is just being realistic.


OP- One failing grade is not going to kill your chances, work hard.

 

[auburngirl]

I know someone who failed organic chemistry I the first go round and ended up getting in

 

[BacardiGirl]

Maybe try an easier math like Algebra, then dive into Calc. That's my plan. I definitely couldn't handle gonig straight to Calc right away.

 

[alum]

hi. don't waste your time retaking algebra for calc. They have virtually nothing to do with each other. Retake calc and get an A. 'nough said. 👍

Maybe try an easier math like Algebra, then dive into Calc. That's my plan. I definitely couldn't handle gonig straight to Calc right away.

 

[tharper14]

I took college algebra then precalc before diving into calculus. I definitely think that it helped me to understand the material better.