• admissions,  pharmacy

    (i don’t really know what pharmacists do but they seem nice!)

    October 20, 2020

    Hi, I’m a grade 12 student and I’m interested in going to u of t so I can become a pharmacist in the future. I just have no idea what I’d be applying for since I couldn’t find a program that covers all the subjects I need to take. Would majoring in biology be good for that? I asked my guidance counsellor and he said to just apply for life sciences in general but if I apply for that, will I automatically be put into the courses that I need to take? Thank you!

    ——————————————

    hello hello! a future pharmacist, how exciting.

    i’m not super familiar with what it takes to become a pharmacist, but i’ll try to answer this. your guidance counsellor is correct that, for now, you should apply to the life science category. that’s because you don’t actually apply for a major as an incoming student— program of study (POSt) decisions are typically made after your first year, once you’re a little more familiar with the university and its offerings! as a first year, you enter the faculty of arts and sciences enrolled in a stream: life sciences, humanities, physical + mathematical sciences, or social sciences.

    (i do remember selecting a program of interest on my OUAC application, but you’re not held to that program once you get admitted. i don’t really even know why they ask you to select one. you can just pick something generic, don’t stress about it.)

    once you’re admitted, that’s when you should start thinking about what POSts you’re interested in, because you’ll need to account for any POSt admissions requirements as you plan your first year courses. if you’re interested in pharmacy, i’d recommend that you take a look at the undergrad pharmtox program offerings. i have a friend considering pharmacy who once mentioned that these programs were good for pharm! you can also reach out to your registrar’s office and book an appointment with an academic advisor, if you want someone to talk your program choice through with.

    after first year, once you’re enrolled in a POSt, you won’t necessarily be automatically enrolled in the courses you’ll need in order to be admitted to pharmacy school later on. that’s where tools like degree explorer come in: you can grab a list of the requirements from your preferred pharmacy program, and try to figure out how they fit into your degree using degree explorer.

    that planning shouldn’t be too hard. just going off of the good ol’ leslie dan PharmD requirements, it doesn’t seem like you’ll need a particularly complicated or specific combination of courses to get into a pharmacy program.  just 1.5 FCEs in chem, and 1.0 each in bio, mathematics, and humanities/soc sci. you’ll probably knock out the humanities/soc sci requirement just by virtue of fulfilling your breadth requirement, and most lifesci students will take a couple different chem/bio/math classes anyway. i know different schools have different requirements, though, so definitely check out the programs you’re really interested in and see what they want from you!

    anyway, one more resource to refer you to: if you don’t know of her already, you should check out @shelbypharmd on instagram. i’m in no way affiliated with her, but i see her on my explore page sometimes and it seems like she has some really solid tips for getting into (and surviving) pharm school. maybe some of those tips will be useful to you!

    i hope this helped, and that the rest of your senior year of high school goes all right. best of luck with university applications season!

    be Boundless,

    aska

     

    be Boundless,

    aska

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  • admissions,  pharmacy

    another pharma question

    August 9, 2017

    Hey there,

    I will be starting my first year of university this September at UTM and I was wondering about the course loads. How many credits did an accepted student complete each year. On the website, it states that I need to take a minimum of 5.0 credits in one year (from September to April) but unfortunately I only plan on taking 3.5 credits in one year along with 1.0 – 1.5 credits in summer. Do you think it is still possible for me to get accepted into pharmacy after two years or should I increase my course load for the first year?

    Thanks

    ——————————————

    hi!

    you can take as many credits as you want. most students take 5.0 FCE (full credit equivalents) in order to graduate in 4 years (5 credits times 4 years= the 20 credits you need to graduate). however, you can take as many as you want and take as much time as you want.

    according to the pharmacy program’s admission requirements page, you need to have completed all the prerequisite courses as outlined on the website before you can apply. though the website does say it usually takes two years, i don’t think that time is a factor. so, even though you are taking a reduced course load, you may be able to be accepted after two years if you’ve completed all the requirements.

    i would also get in contact with the pharmacy department just to make sure. 

    i hope this helps. good luck!

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • admissions,  pharmacy

    get pharm’d

    July 31, 2017

    hello uoft expert. what are the chances of getting into the PharmD program after completing all the prerequisites after in my second year?

    ——————————————

    hi!

    though i am the “uoft expert” (your words, not mine), i have absolutely no idea what your chances of getting into any program are. according to the pharmd website, you need to have a cumulative average of at least 70% and to be finished all the prereqs, which usually take about two years to complete. those are just the minimum requirements. i’m sure you know that u of t is absolutely whack and that you’ll need more than the minimum to be competitive. because i have no way of knowing how competitive admission would be in any given year, i don’t think i can tell you your “chances”.

    i would get in contact with the faculty of pharmacy (specifically the pharmd program) as they would have the most relevent and up to date info and may be able to answer any questions that you may have.

    i hope this helps! good luck!

    kiss ufc mma blow kiss ufc 214 GIF

    xoxo,

    aska

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  • pharmacy

    farm dee

    June 22, 2016

    Hi! I’m interested in applying to the PharmD program, but I’m really nervous about my upcoming year. I didn’t do bad in second year (im entering third in the fall) but I did get a really low mark in Orgo I. I am not sure as to how they look at retaken courses and if I applied with a cgpa of 3.5/3.6 with a really good PCAT score, would my chances be hopeful?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    i just want to note that i appreciate how soft the wording of this question is. like, “would my chances be hopeful?” is such a less aggressive way of asking “what are my chances???” and i really appreciate it, because it’s actually a question i can answer without having someone coming at me six months later, crumpled rejection letter in fist, shouting “I WILL SUE!”

    their website says that “[t]he cumulative university average includes all university courses taken by applicants, including graduate and undergraduate courses, any repeats or failures as well as any courses listed as ‘extra’ on transcripts.” that seems to me to imply that repeated courses are treated equally as any other courses, so if you did really well in your repeated course, that’s probably a good thing, because it’s mitigating the not-so-good mark from the first time you took it.

    as for CGPA, they do say that an average of 77% is typically competitive, which is about a 3.3. the median is typically around an 80%, which is around a 3.5. so, if you’re applying with a 3.5 or 3.6 CGPA, you’re definitely within the range of competitive. obviously, there are many, many factors that affect an application; your PCAT, admission interview, and the specific academic requirements you need to fulfil in terms of courses are all considered. the stronger all of these portions are, the better your chances of getting in with that CGPA!

    hope this is helpful.

    cheers,

    aska

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  • pharmacy

    bury your high school transcript for good

    June 6, 2016

    For the pharmD program at uoft, it say’s they look at your 12U physics mark. Mine was in the 60s, so should I retake physics in summer school? Will my 12U physics mark matter as much as my 1st year and 2nd marks at uni?

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    the way that i would interpret this page is that they require certain high school courses be completed, but the admissions GPA includes only university courses. that seems clear to me since they specify ‘university average’ in point #1 at the top of the page. also, i have never heard of any professional school asking you to send high school transcripts over to them.

    cheers,

    aska

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  • pharmacy

    big pharma(pplication)

    March 9, 2016

    Hi, I’m in my second year and taking CHM247, I don’t need the course for any of my majors / minors but it’s required for pharmacy school. Would I still be able to cr/ncr it even though the course is needed for grad school?

    Thanks in advance

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    i can’t find anything on the leslie dan website (i’m assuming you’re talking about leslie dan, and not any other pharmacy school) that says they need a specific mark for CHM247. however, they do require that you’ve taken the course, and usually professional schools won’t ask for a specific course if they don’t want to actually see how well you did.

    also, the section on CGPA says that if “a student has opted for a CR/NCR, where a letter or percentage grade would normally be reported, the actual percentage or letter grade that is reported in the student record system will be calculated into the cumulative average.” so really, there’s almost no point in CR/NCR’ing it, unless you’re applying to other schools where the CR/NCR will hold, because they will see your actual mark anyway.

    finally, while this isn’t a strict ban on credit/no-credit, i would take the warning seriously: the faculty says that “[a]ny failed/repeated subjects, grades below class averages, history of withdrawal, Credit designation, etc., may influence the final decision on the application.”

    cheers,

    aska

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  • pharmacy

    a+ to leslie dan from aska

    May 9, 2014

    Hi!

    I just finished 2nd year and I’m planning on applying to the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy when I finish my undergrad. I was just wondering how much the admissions committee looks at the required courses specifically compared to the cumulative GPA. A lot of the required courses are 1st year courses and I struggled a bit in 1st year and got mostly B-‘s and B’s in a lot of the required courses (with one C+). In 2nd year I pulled off 7 A’s out of my 10 courses but still got two C’s in organic chemistry I and II which are both required courses.

    My study habits improved tremendously in 2nd year compared to 1st year and I’m confident I can pull up my CGPA to somewhere in the 3.3-3.5 range by the end of 4th year, but I’m worried the A’s in the non-required (albeit still science) courses won’t matter much when compared to my average/mediocre grades in the required courses.

    Sorry for the long question and thanks in advance for any input/help! 🙂

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    to be honest, the Leslie Dan Faculty gives a lot more information than most graduate/professional schools about the kinds of marks they’re looking for.* they explain that the minimum they’re looking for is a 70% average, that at least a 77% is competitive, and that the median of accepted students in recent years has been 80%. i think if you take your CGPA – lumping together all your required and non-required courses equally – and compare it to those numbers, you can get a pretty accurate idea about how good your chances are. i mean, i don’t know exactly how the admissions committee considers each individual mark because i am not the admissions committee, but i think that that should be a useful tool for determining generally where your chances may stand.

    like you said, a lot of the courses they look at are first-year (and even high school) courses, but there are also some second-year ones in there. so while i don’t know exactly how important those earlier courses are, they’re not the be-all and end-all of what the school is looking for. PCAT marks, admission interviews and your transcript as a whole also play a part.

    so, all in all, i think that the A’s in your other courses will definitely help. since CGPA is a factor, they can only assist, not harm, your application. unfortunately i don’t know exactly how important the non-required courses will be compared to the required ones, but i think the school has given you a lot of markers (cut-off average, competitive average, etc.) to gauge your chances as you go forward.

    i hope the application process isn’t too stressful. try and give yourself a second or two to breathe between all those exams and interviews and stuff; and good luck!

    cheers,

    aska

    *you go, Leslie Dan. i always appreciate a school that tries to placate the anxiety of its students. shows they care, y’know?

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  • admissions,  late withdrawal,  pharmacy

    LWDs are annoying as butt, aren’t they?

    December 5, 2013

    Hi,
    I am a first year student at UofT and I am troubled by the the LWD on my transcript. I did terrible on my midterm for chemistry(failed) and I decided to use drop the course with a LWD shown on my transcript. I am planning on taking the chem course again in the second semester. What I am worried about is if the LWD will affect my chances of applying to pharmacy school because it is one of their prerequisites? I know this question has been mentioned a lot but I am on edge of breaking down. I know I am only in first year but having one LWD on my transcript can break my chance of entering a professional school, especially pharmacy. I really do feel like I have ruined myself! Please tell me what I should do!

    ———————————————

    hey there,

    ok, so i’m just gonna get the bad news right out of the way first, like ripping off a bandaid: the LWD may have some impact on your admission to pharmacy. this website is the only one i’ve found that makes any mention of them, and this is what it has to say: “Any failed/repeated subjects, grades below class averages, history of withdrawal, ‘Credit’ designation, etc., may influence the final decision on the application.”

    now i know that seems bad on first glance, but let’s do some close-reading, shall we? So obviously any credit/no-credits, failed classes or bad marks will influence their decision, as they say, but one LWD doesn’t seem to be that significant. A “history of withdrawal” means that you’ve gotten multiple LWD’s, not just one. On top of that, they say “may influence the final decision,” “may” being the operative word.

    all in all, it seems like a pretty lukewarm statement to me: “if you’ve racked up a whole bunch of LWD’s, then we might have to start taking that into consideration” is not the same as “one late withdrawal and you’re no longer eligible.” so i wouldn’t worry. also, an LWD is oodles better than a failing mark, so you made the right choice.

    that said, the LWD won’t exactly work in your favour, so don’t just think you’re in the clear and keep going as you have before. now is the time to work twice as hard as you have been, get the best marks you can in the rest of your classes (and chem when you repeat it), and make sure not to get any more LWDs.

    so yeah, it’s not great, but you can totally recover from this. i have faith in you.

    good luck,

    aska

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  • pharmacy

    from near failure to pharmacy

    May 8, 2013

    Hello aska!!!

    I’ve finished my second year for life science at UofT St.George and have always wanted to get in to Leslie Dan pharmacy. My grades 1st year were all 50s and 60s 1st semester and 70s 2nd semester and I did not even take a full course load (3.5 credits instead). I was horrified after my 1st semester and barged into my registrars office for the 1st time, without an appointment, in tears. I’m upset at myself for not trying harder, sucks that I wasn’t able to wake up and pull myself together. Personal stress had a lot to do with it, and I also kept a weekend job that hurt me time wise. I’ve driven myself crazy about my low marks because I feel like they’ve hindered me for pharmacy and they’ve made me feel stupid as hell compared to others that have higher marks. In second year my marks were mostly 70s, a couple 60s and a couple high 80s, and I took a full course load. I’m keen to try my very best in my 3rd year to get high marks.

    I’m wondering if my chances of getting into Leslie Dan are disrupted by my low marks? Also, does the faculty get rid of any low marks when considering you (as Med School does)? I heard somewhere that they take off your 1st year marks if you apply in 3rd year?

    Thanks a lot for your time, I’ve spent a lot of time reading your replies to other people’s questions and you’re awesome.

    Laurel-is-sad

    ———————————————

    Laurel-is-sad

    Since you’ve read past posts — most likely the most recent ones — I’m sure you’ve already seen me tell people over and over that your first year grades don’t make or break the rest of your academic career. Everyone has a horrible first year and the grades to prove it, so fret not!

    Seriously. October of my first year, I was considering transferring to Seneca, and I thank my lucky stars every day that I did not.

    So do those early 50s and 60s disrupt your chances for getting into Pharmacy? I say not at all!

    I mean, what reaaaally matters is the later grades (which I’m sure you’ve also read many times before). While yes, those first year marks DO contribute to your CGPA, you seem to be working toward the greater goal now, so I think you should be on a steady rise!

    But do be careful to not slack off or get distracted because all of your grades matter — especially if they’re part of the academic requirements.

    Although Pharmacy says they just want a 70 average, remember that this IS a competitive program and just a 70 isn’t going to be enough. According to their FAQ, they only take 240 students a year and usually get about 600 applicants. Likewise, know that they want you to be able to handle a full course load of 5.0 FCE and still maintain some good grades, so keep on track.

    Best,

    aska(-is-sleepy)

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  • international students,  pharmacy

    is there a ‘plus’ to pharmacy?

    September 23, 2010

    Hey aska!

    I plan to apply to the pharmacy course in U of T, though it’s quite vague what are their admission requirements are since I’m taking IB. However, do you know how many IB points would be considered ‘competitive’ and is it better to live on campus or off campus? Also, I’ve never been to Toronto before and I’m from singapore. Can you please give me an idea on how life is like over there? (such as the cold weather, the people there ‘cus i heard they’re all mean and etc.)

    Thank you! x

    ———————————————

    Hi there! Writing to you from Toronto where today it is warm and nice, and the people are delightful. In terms of Toronto, basically all you need to know is that we have awesome Chinese food, cold winter (get a good parka) and a mediocre subway system. But U of T’s library, campus and culture are all top notch dude! For your first year, I would recommend living on campus to obtain the U of T experience and meet people. Then you can move to a mouse-infested basement apartment on Bathurst Street like I did in my second year! Or you know, someplace nice.

    It’s important to note that one doesn’t immediately get into the pharmacy program at U of T. There’s a two year period before you are admitted. Whatever “IB” credits you get, will be considered transfer credits to the program. If you look at the pharmacy program website, you’ll see all the requirements outlined here.

    I would recommend calling Admissions and Awards and the Pharmacy Program to get more information about how your international credits would stack up. Just remember, there’s two years of school before you can apply to Pharmacy. Okay?

    This selected “FAQ” is also good to keep in mind:

    5. Is it more difficult for me to gain admission as either a non-Ontario or non-resident (international) applicant?

    International students may find it more difficult to meet specific subject requirements, depending on the system in which they are studying, and may encounter difficulty in making suitable PCAT arrangements. However, there are no exceptions to admission requirements and all applicants are expected to comply with all requirements including the PCAT and the interview requirement. Candidates should note that they may be required to travel to North American for PCAT testing arrangements and, as well, if selected for an interview? must be prepared to make appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements at their own expense to attend the interview in Toronto, Ontario.

    Provided you are able to meet all published requirements you will initially be considered in the same manner as Ontario applicants; the standards required in each of the criteria are the same for all applicants regardless of whether they are Ontario or non-Ontario residents. Although the Faculty may admit only a maximum of 10% of the first year class from out of province, in recent years all competitive non-Ontario applicants have been offered admission and none have been denied admission solely due to the fact that they are out-of-province applicants. The number of non-Ontario applicants (including international students) has typically ranged from 7 to 10% of the total applicant pool and provided this percentage of out-of-province applicants remains in proportion to the percentage of allowable out-of-province admits there is no disadvantage to any candidate on the basis of status. In the event that more than 10% of the top 240 candidates are out of province some out-of-province candidates would be moved to the waitlist. This would be determined by the overall ranking of the candidates. Those in the lower range of the 240 would be moved to the waitlist. As mentioned above, this has not yet occurred.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • pharmacy

    the forum has spoken

    March 6, 2009


    This ‘forum’ i have to say is pretty cool.
    SO, my story goes as follows:

    Im in grade 11, and stressing about Uni already. I want to apply to a UofT St.George, the life sciences program and eventually make my way in Pharmacy, except .. i dont really know this whole ‘program’ thing works. The prerequisits for Pharm are #@$*(&. but do i get to choose the courses i want when i enter into this program?
    Another thing, I just finished grade11 functions with an 85% and im taking Grade 12U advanced function in night school. Will the night school course affect my admission? My school counsellor said it wouldnt but .. i just want to make sure!
    Thanks to whoever replies (:
    -Alia

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  • pharmacy

    we used to be geeks but now we are definitely nerds

    October 24, 2007

    the site now has a special template for iphone use.? it’s a bit sparse and ditches the sidebar, but it’s much easier to navigate.? is this a horrible tradeoff?? do iphone users want optimized content, or would it be preferable to just view pages the ‘real’ way?? if you care in the slightest, drop a comment or something.

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  • graduation,  pharmacy

    the doctors found a semicolon inside my colon

    August 9, 2007

    the site is back, though you might notice that some posts are littered with ‘?’…..i don’t know what these symbols want, only that i’m going to take them out one by one. for now, expect a few of these grammatical land mines, i think they came from bad potato salad or something.

    as usual, i like to lace my administration-related posts with some video goodness! here’s something for all you fans of the best band in the world:

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