How to Get Into Pharmacy School With Low Grades

Getting into pharmacy school is competitive. Having good grades is always a plus, but it’s not the only factor that determines whether you are admitted. Some schools will take other factors into consideration, such as work history and life experiences. There are ways to increase your chances of getting into pharmacy school with low grades.

Highlight Other Accomplishments Besides Grades

Take a few graduate classes and get good grades. Although it won’t raise your college grade point average for your undergraduate degree, it can impress admissions committees. Enroll in classes such as chemistry and microbiology.

Consider becoming a pharmacy technician. Many pharmacy technician programs can be completed in 6 months or less. Become a technician and gain some work experience at a pharmacy or hospital. It may be easier to get into pharmacy school with low grades if you have direct experience in the field.

Play up other activities. Get involved in community service or volunteer work, preferably something related to helping people or in the medical field. Join professional organizations in the healthcare field when possible. Many organizations have student memberships.

Ace the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Almost all pharmacy schools require taking the PCAT as part of the admissions process. The test is nationally standardized and consists of question on biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology. Get a study guide and take sample tests. Test scores in the 90th percentile are considered excellent and may help you get into school despite low grades in college.

Get published. Writing and publishing academic articles are always considered impressive when it comes to admission to pharmacy programs. Contact pharmacy journals and get guidelines for writing articles.

Review various schools admission requirements. Not every pharmacy school will weigh grades equally. Review admission polices at several schools you are interested in attending. Apply to schools that place an emphasis on extracurricular activities, volunteer work or a personal essay.

Your chances of getting into pharmacy school with low grades are better if you apply to more than one program. Keep in mind you should only apply to schools you would be willing to attend.

Some pharmacy schools may hold interviews as part of their admission process. Prepare for an interview by practicing common interview questions, such as talking about your work experience and academic background. Prepare to answer questions explaining low grades.