Chance a not-so-average Asian for pharmacy

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Grade: About to be a senior
GPA: ~96 weighted, ~91 unweighted (I think it's 3.7 unweighted on a 4.0 scale)
SAT: Highest score for one test - 1640 (May 2011), Superscore for 3 tests - 1660 (CR: 520, M: 560, W: 580)
ACT: April 2011 - 24, June 2011 - 25
Rank: 147 out of 1000+ kids. Top 15% (This was my rank for the 1st term of junior year. I don't know what it currently is, if it changed at all)</p>

<p>Classes (by the time I graduate):
-(all honors) integrated algebra, geometry, trigonometry/algebra II, pre-calculus, living environment, chemistry, physics, Latin for 2 years, Spanish for 4 years, English for 4 years, economics, and health
-(AP classes) AP US history, AP English, AP chemistry, AP polysci, and AP calculus
-(other) College Now behavioral sciences, vocal training for 1 year</p>

<p>Leadership: 1 year of being vice president of Chinese Culture Club, 1 year of being president of Chinese Culture Club, 2 years of being manager/sub of girls handball team
Clubs: (by senior year) 4 years of Chinese Culture Club, 2 years of Latin Club
Volunteer Work: JDRF, March Of Dimes, Light the Night, and a bunch of others
I'm also a part of National Honor Society and I had perfect attendance from 4th grade to 10th grade.</p>

<p>State: New York
Ethnicity: Asian</p>

<p>Schools and majors that I plan on applying to:
1. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (PharmD program)
2. Long Island University: Brooklyn Campus (PharmD/biochemistry)
3. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (PharmD program/ pharmacology)
4. Northeastern University (PharmD program/biochemistry)
5. Rutgers University: New Brunswick Campus (PharmD/biochemistry) ~ Newark Campus (2+4 year PharmD)
6. St. John's University (PharmD)
7. SUNY Albany (Prepharmacy/optometry/biochemistry)
8. SUNY Buffalo (PharmD/pharmacology/biochemistry)
9. SUNY Stony Brook (Pharmacology/biochemistry)
10. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (PharmD/pharmacology/biochemistry)
11. CUNY Hunter (Pharmacology) </p>

<p>My top major choice is pharmacy, my last is biochemistry. Also, is 11 schools too much to apply to?
Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>anyone? ):</p>

3

<p>11 schools is not too much (I applied to 13), but I think a more likely plan is just to get into one of these schools for undergrad and apply for your PharmD. To be honest though, everything else seems pretty much on the ball (I know someone doing the St. Johns PharmD thing who just graduated from my HS this year. I think her GPA/ranking was probably a little lower but I think her SAT/ACT was probably higher). I don’t know anything much more specific, sorry :(. </p>

<p>You probably won’t get much help on CC because most people on here only know about admissions at “elites” and will only comment on those. Maybe you’ll get some more open-minded parent responses :slight_smile: In general though, not as many people on CC apply to those specific programs.</p>

<p>Also, have you maybe considered an SAT or ACT tutor? I think if you could get all of your SAT sections into the 600s you’d be much better off.</p>

4

<p>The main problem I see here is a lack of displayed interest in your intended major/field. Perhaps you could do something this summer to show interest?</p>

5

<p>@rainbowrose - Well, the only reason why I’m applying to this many schools is because I’m afraid of not getting accepted into any of the schools that offer PharmD… I don’t want to get rejected from every PharmD school and like skip a year of college or something lol. I guess that’s true about the whole CC thing. I see that my grades are far lower than a majority of the people on this forum haha.
Also, I haven’t considered getting a tutor only because of money issues. I know it’s my own fault for being lazy and barely studying, but I also feel like getting a tutor won’t do me any good. I believe that getting a tutor for a specific thing will only make me study for that, so once I get accepted into a really good college or something, I’d be really low compared to other students. I don’t know though, that’s just my opinion :P</p>

<p>@born2dance94 - I’ve actually been looking around for opportunities, but it seems like all of them need experienced people or people 18+. I have/am neither of those ):</p>

6

<p>Rutgers Pharm is a longshot. It’s comparable to an Ivy League in its pharm department. Bring up the SAT score.</p>

7

<p>Alright, thanks! Do you know anything about the other schools? :)</p>

8

<p>no one else? ):</p>

9

<p>If you don’t mind, what HS are you coming from? Cause I know kids from school with similar statistics but slightly lower GPAs getting into SUNY Buff, St. Johns PharmD, Rutgers, and STONY. Aside from Northeastern, I say you a good shot at those schools. Don’t let a test second guess your intelligence/confidence</p>

10

<p>Unfortunately, you didn’t take AP chem before senior year because it would make the SAT2 chem look like a joke. Also take a SAT2 Math if you are good in math.</p>

11

<p>I’m applying for the PharmD programs as well. I think you have a pretty good chance of getting into St. John’s, USP, MCPHS, and Buffalo. I’m still looking into ACPHS. I know St. Louis College of Pharmacy has this thing where if you’re in the top 10% of you’re class and have a certain ACT or SAT score, you’re automatically in, but this program is binding. My GPA is pretty low (3.45 UW), but my SAT is kind of higher. From what I see, St. John’s and MCPHS are the easiest to get in to. Rutgers is convenient because you don’t have to write personal statements and essays and stuff, but its really based on just the numbers extracurriculars, which is a bad thing for me :frowning: You’ve taken a lot of AP classes and Rutgers really looks at and considers it, so just raise you’re GPA and I think you should be fine. :)</p>

12

<p>nycdave21: Er, I’d rather not say specifically what school I go to, but it’s a school in New York City. It’s not a specialized school, nor is it exactly the greatest school ever… It’s very average, I guess you can say lol. AP Chem isn’t offered to students who aren’t seniors unless you’re in a specific program in the school (which I’m not) :x About how much of a difference would you say my SAT scores are from the people that you know?</p>

<p>icecream29: Where is St. Louis College of Pharmacy? I don’t think I’ve heard of it… I’m trying to apply to schools that are in NY/NJ/PA/MA? Also, are you positive about not having to write an essay for Rutger’s? I’m not sure if it’ll be different for specific programs, but I think an essay is required for first-years… (I may be wrong on this) Best of luck on your applications when the time comes! :)</p>

13

<ol>
<li>Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (PharmD program)</li>
<li>Long Island University: Brooklyn Campus (PharmD/biochemistry)</li>
<li>Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (PharmD program/ pharmacology)</li>
<li>Northeastern University (PharmD program/biochemistry)</li>
<li>Rutgers University: New Brunswick Campus (PharmD/biochemistry) ~ Newark Campus (2+4 year PharmD)</li>
<li>St. John’s University (PharmD)</li>
<li>SUNY Albany (Prepharmacy/optometry/biochemistry)</li>
<li>SUNY Buffalo (PharmD/pharmacology/biochemistry)</li>
<li>SUNY Stony Brook (Pharmacology/biochemistry)</li>
<li>University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (PharmD/pharmacology/biochemistry)</li>
<li><p>CUNY Hunter (Pharmacology) </p></li>
<li><p>Accepted</p></li>
<li><p>Not Sure</p></li>
<li><p>Accepted</p></li>
<li><p>SAT too low, around 2000 is usually what they want.
5.SAT too low, around 2000 is usually what they want for New Brunswick, Newark you have a shot.</p></li>
<li><p>Accepted.</p></li>
<li><p>Not Sure</p></li>
<li><p>Not Sure</p></li>
<li><p>Not Sure</p></li>
<li><p>Accepted</p></li>
<li><p>Not Sure</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I’m assuming you want to be a pharmacist, and to practice pharmacy in the U.S. I believe you need the PharmD degree as a pharmacology degree wouldn’t suffice, not sure though.</p>

14

<p>Thanks SAJ!
Are you sure about St. John’s? I know it’s pretty easy to get into the regular school, but I heard the pharmD program is kinda tough. I don’t know how tough though…</p>

15

<p>

</p>

<p>Wrong.</p>

<p>I probably have a dozen friends who are in Rutgers Pharm. I’d say only two of them even had a 10% chance at an Ivy. I’ve done my fair share of research on Rutgers Pharm, especially since I’m applying there this year, and there’s no way it’s Ivy League-difficult.</p>

<p>But yeah, if SAT goes up you’re set.</p>

16

<p>Hm, I don’t think I’ll be taking any more tests in my senior year… I’m pretty much done (I know, it’s probably going to come back and bite me in the ass but…whatever -_-; ) </p>

<p>Do you know of my chances for any of the other schools I listed? Thanks, btw :)</p>

17

<p>I think you have a good amount of schools, so you’re done with searching. You might as well start your college application now instead of waiting for school to start (like how I procrastinated, and now I am paying the price by filling the common app AGAIN). The people that gotten into those schools had around a 1700 SAT including one that got into Rutgers for PharmD, but your GPA will compensate for it. Also keep in mind that the schools you are applying to only look at Math + Critical reading. Another thing is you should definitely retake the SAT or ACT because those tests will determine how much money you will have to shell out a year with merit aid. I had a friend that had a 1200 on Math and CR, got full scholarship for Buffalo. Also I graduated from Midwood HS, so you can compare with that school to see what level you are at.</p>

18

<p>@nycdave21: I recently went to a MCPHS Summer Day event and I was talking with the counselor there and he said I had a great shot at getting into their PharmD program. Of course, my SAT/ACT score was the problem. He said I’d have a greater shot if I get my score up to 1700 too, but I honestly can not bring myself to take another test (again, I know I’ll regret this -_-) It’s just that I’ve taken everything 5 times total and I feel like if I’m getting about the same scores every time, there’s no point in me wasting time taking it again if I’m most likely getting around the same score. Of course, that’s just my horrible mindset. Anyway… I have actually started on the Common App. I’m done with everything except the essay and personal statement. I thought that you were a college student? Why do you need to refill the Common App?
Also, I was wondering, do you think my chances of being accepted would be decreased if I know a handful of other people in my school are applying to PharmD? They’re also Asian females, like myself… I know that they have a lot higher SAT score than me, but some of their course loads/ec’s aren’t as “good” as mine. Oh and, compared to Midwood HS, I’d say my school is probably on the same level. I go to a school on the island, but not SI Tech, if schools really make a difference in chances.</p>

19

<p>My advice for you is to find a classmate or friend that you know who scored at least a 1900 or 2000 (preferably) and ask him/her for tutoring on the SATs or get some advice from him/her. Then take a practice test if you felt you learned some strategies or you thought you could improve. I know this might sound nerdy, but you can learn calculus over the summer to help you out in math. Your math SAT score will make a big jump.</p>

<p>Yea, I am a college freshmen in 2 weeks but I will be transferring for the fall of 2012. Not proud of going to my current school, haha. Yes it will effect you and that would be a problem for you if their SATs will be significantly higher than yours. But if you beat them in class rank, GPA, and EC…it will help you out alot. But from your statistics, I still think you will get in. Just make sure you apply as early as possible (if you are sure you don’t want to retake the SAT), and hopefully before your classmates. That would be the best strategy for you in my opinion.</p>

20

<p>Hmm, well I did take pre-calculus in my junior year and that didn’t seem to help me out much (if that makes any difference…) </p>

<p>Alright, thanks a lot! I’ll definitely be applying asap. By the way, I’m not sure if you’re really familiar with the CUNY schools, but what would you say my chances of getting into Hunter for pharmacology be?</p>