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What a pharmacy school GPA calculator does and when to use it
A pharmacy school GPA calculator estimates the GPAs PharmCAS sends to pharmacy schools: overall, science, math and non-science. It also gives a prerequisite GPA for the courses you mark.
Definition
PharmCAS is the shared application service for pharmacy schools. It checks your transcripts and works out the GPAs the schools see.
Use it when a pharmacy school sets a math or science minimum, or before you decide whether to retake calculus. Grades go in as letters, and the calculator applies PharmCAS values, with A+ held at 4.0.
How to use the pharmacy school GPA calculator
Type your courses
Each row takes a Course (optional) name, a Grade, Credits and a Subject. A name such as STAT 200 fills in the subject for you.
Keep math separate
Pick Math or statistics for calculus, precalculus and statistics so they land in Math GPA.
Mark prerequisites
Under Options, tick Mark prerequisite courses, then check Prereq on each required course to see Prerequisite GPA. Load common prerequisites, above an empty course list, adds a typical pharmacy list with Prereq ticked and grades blank; schools vary, so delete any yours doesn’t ask for.
How PharmCAS calculates your math GPA
Math GPA = math quality points ÷ math credits
Math
Calculus, statistics and other math courses.
Science
Biology, chemistry, physics and other sciences like geology.
Non-science
Everything that isn’t science or math.
Say you’re a pre-pharmacy freshman with this first year.
| Course and subject | Grade · value × credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 151 Calculus I Math | C+ · 2.3 × 4 | 9.2 |
| STAT 200 Elementary Statistics Math | A− · 3.7 × 3 | 11.1 |
| CHEM 141 General Chemistry I Chemistry | B · 3.0 × 4 | 12.0 |
| BIOL 151 Biology I Biology | A · 4.0 × 4 | 16.0 |
| ENG 101 Composition Non-science | A · 4.0 × 3 | 12.0 |
| PSYC 101 Intro Psychology Non-science | B+ · 3.3 × 3 | 9.9 |
Math: 9.2 + 11.1 = 20.3 quality points ÷ 7 credits = 2.90.
Science: 12.0 + 16.0 = 28.0 ÷ 8 = 3.50. Non-science: 12.0 + 9.9 = 21.9 ÷ 6 = 3.65.
Overall: 70.2 ÷ 21 = 3.343. The calculator shows Undergraduate GPA (PharmCAS) 3.34 with Science GPA 3.50, Math GPA 2.90 and Non-science GPA 3.65.
How to read your PharmCAS GPA result
Your overall PharmCAS GPA is the large figure, and 3.34 earns a B+ badge. The subject GPAs below it show a dash until a group has courses.
Math GPA stands alone: it isn’t part of Science GPA or Non-science GPA here, though it counts in the overall. In the example, a C+ in calculus leaves math at 2.90 while every other figure stays at 3.34 or above.
Scenario
Say a school asks for a 2.75 math GPA and your math courses are a B in 3 credits and a C+ in 4 credits. Your math GPA is (9 + 9.2) ÷ 7 = 2.60. One more A in a 3-credit statistics course lifts it to (18.2 + 12) ÷ 10 = 3.02.
Pharmacy schools list the GPAs they look at on their admissions pages, so compare each figure with the ones there. Open GPA planner to see what your upcoming credits need to average to lift your undergraduate, science, math or prerequisite GPA.
What changes your PharmCAS math GPA
A short list of courses. Math GPA may rest on just two or three classes, so one grade moves it a lot. Retaking Calculus I for an A adds 16.0 points over 4 more credits: (20.3 + 16.0) ÷ 11 = 3.30.
Retakes add, they don’t replace. PharmCAS keeps every attempt, which is why the old C+ still counts in that 3.30.
Statistics counts as math. Choose Math or statistics for it, not Non-science, or your math GPA will leave it out.
Prerequisite GPA is yours to mark. Each pharmacy school decides which courses are prerequisites, so tick only those on its list.
Pass grades and withdrawals. P, NP and W don’t change any PharmCAS figure, and a WF is counted with 0 points.
Graduate prerequisites. A ticked course in a Graduate year still counts toward Prerequisite GPA here; pharmacy schools differ on that, so check each one.
Quarter credits. Turn on My school uses quarter credits in Options, and each quarter hour counts as 0.667 of a semester hour, the PharmCAS ratio.
Frequently asked questions
What is the math GPA on PharmCAS?
It is the GPA of your math courses, such as calculus and statistics. PharmCAS reports it alongside your science and non-science GPAs.
Does PharmCAS count math as science?
No, PharmCAS gives math its own GPA, so it stays out of Science GPA. It still counts in your overall PharmCAS GPA.
Does PharmCAS count retaken classes?
Yes, PharmCAS includes every attempt. A retake adds a new grade next to the original rather than replacing it.
Does PharmCAS report a BCP GPA?
No, PharmCAS reports science, math and non-science GPAs, and its science GPA already includes other sciences such as geology. A school that wants a biology, chemistry and physics figure works it out itself.
How do I find my prerequisite GPA for pharmacy school?
Add up the quality points of every course your pharmacy school requires and divide by their credits. Here, tick Mark prerequisite courses under Options and check Prereq on those rows.
Sources
- PharmCAS: Calculating Your PharmCAS GPAsPharmCAS Applicant Help Center
- PharmCAS: Course SubjectsPharmCAS Applicant Help Center