UBC Pre-pharmacy 2010!

[lllix]

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What sort of questions do you think they will ask us in the interview? If it's an hour and a half of actual interview its going to be more then what are your strengths and why do you want to be a pharmacist lol

I am sure there will be a lot of ethical questions and situational type questions. It's hard to think of examples, as there are so many directions they can take it.

 

[farmC]

hey guys they didn't increase the interview pool. they invited approximately 280 applicants

 

[bobb]

i just found this thread🙄 i was going to let ppl know that invites are out, but i guess you already knew that.

time to get ready for the interviews! good luck!

 

[escse]

ohhhhh sorry, if you are an OOP, it really depends i think. I thought you were a BC student. There is no way in the world you cant get an interview with that stat if you lived in BC. Ouch 🙁 sorry to hear that.

I got 95% on PCAT and a 79% GPA.
NO INTERVIEW and NO INTERVIEW.
OOP applicant. 4th year student.

 

[1s23]

I'm interested in getting practice MMI going. Let's do this guys!
Perhaps we can group on msn

 

[escse]

Hey escse,

I think your stats are good, maybe just that you're volutneer/ec/pharmacy experience just wasn't good enough compared to the other OOP applicants?

Well, my ECs and pharmacy experience..8 months with Rexall, one year of research in UofT faculty of pharmacy, and 125 volunteering hours with Eagle Ridge Hospital, but no clubs no awards no student organization participation and no hiring except for a really short summer job.

Maybe it's my EC? Good god..

 

[1s23]

Well, my ECs and pharmacy experience..8 months with Rexall, one year of research in UofT faculty of pharmacy, and 125 volunteering hours with Eagle Ridge Hospital, but no clubs no awards no student organization participation and no hiring except for a really short summer job.

Maybe it's my EC? Good god..

I suggest you speak to Margaret about this, you should have been at least given the interview :S UBC is a mystery when it comes to OOP

 

[1s23]

hey guys they didn't increase the interview pool. they invited approximately 280 applicants

did you e-mail them to ask?

 

[lllix]

@escse

Yeah email Margaret, maybe they did not receive your transcript or something.

At any rate, wouldn't you be a shoe-in at UofT, why not just go there?

I agree. Why not U of T?

Although at any rate, your stats seem better than mine and I got an interview (also OOP) so something must be wrong... Unless your references told the committee a different story.

 

[escse]

@escse

Yeah email Margaret, maybe they did not receive your transcript or something.

At any rate, wouldn't you be a shoe-in at UofT, why not just go there?

Hmm. I guess I would email Margaret..she must have 1000+ email with her, through, and she actually go like please ask only after mid-July. Sigh, but it's such a big thing for all of us..

As for why not just UofT..well, I actually did apply for UofT and did their interview, currently waiting for their decision. However, Vancouver is my hometown, and I REALLY REALLY want to go back home, after my 4 years in Toronto..

I guess I still could go back to Vancouver, even if my pharmacy degree ended up being not from UBC..but that's just takes much longer time and more troubles..ergh.

 

[Principessa07]

CONGRATS EVERYONE!!!
honestly I am still kind of in shock I keep re reading my email to make sure its true!
But yeah last year I didn't find out until like.. June 5th so this was a BIG surprise to find out yesterday at noon. but it was kinda cool because its almost more special when you're not expecting it.
Did anyone get theirs sent from Shirley?
and yeah been chatting with my med school friends... they all prefer MMI. I just took a bio ethics course so hopefully I can utilise that. otherwise totally down for making a group with you guys!

Does anyone know stats yet for this year?
Last year it was ~600 for a 300 interview... I'm assuming its similar this year?
Looking forward to meeting my fellow classmates!

 

[1s23]

CONGRATS EVERYONE!!!
honestly I am still kind of in shock I keep re reading my email to make sure its true!
But yeah last year I didn't find out until like.. June 5th so this was a BIG surprise to find out yesterday at noon. but it was kinda cool because its almost more special when you're not expecting it.
Did anyone get theirs sent from Shirley?
and yeah been chatting with my med school friends... they all prefer MMI. I just took a bio ethics course so hopefully I can utilise that. otherwise totally down for making a group with you guys!

Does anyone know stats yet for this year?
Last year it was ~600 for a 300 interview... I'm assuming its similar this year?
Looking forward to meeting my fellow classmates!

Yes I got an e-mail from Shirley as well, is that unusual? Who did everyone get their e-mail from?

I'm looking for an MMI practice group, PM me?

 

[escse]

I mean, if you get into U of T, that'd be great!

My neighbour grad'd from U of T pharmacy 2 years ago, she didn't have any trouble working in Vancouver.

Hopefully so, but this rejection of interview really ruined any confidences I have on anything..

Come'on UofT! My last bet! Errrrh Arrg!

and by the way my email from Margaret said that UBC this year had about just over 600 applicant.

 

[Principessa07]

noo I guess not I have just always been familiar with Margaret
hehe yeah advair I know... just positive thinking!
gahh I am reallyyy curious on stats
Honestly I think my EC's and job saved me.
But my advice to anyone is if you want it bad enough you can do it... I guess I proved that this year 🙂

 

[onionman]

Hmm. I guess I would email Margaret..she must have 1000+ email with her, through, and she actually go like please ask only after mid-July. Sigh, but it's such a big thing for all of us..

As for why not just UofT..well, I actually did apply for UofT and did their interview, currently waiting for their decision. However, Vancouver is my hometown, and I REALLY REALLY want to go back home, after my 4 years in Toronto..

I guess I still could go back to Vancouver, even if my pharmacy degree ended up being not from UBC..but that's just takes much longer time and more troubles..ergh.

maybe you should have used your vancouver hometown address in your application. then you wouldn't be considered as an OOP applicant.

 

[RandomUsername1]

Hopefully so, but this rejection of interview really ruined any confidences I have on anything..

Come'on UofT! My last bet! Errrrh Arrg!

and by the way my email from Margaret said that UBC this year had about just over 600 applicant.

Really it sounds like you should be an easy choice for any place, I am sure U of T will be giving you a positive response. Best of luck on the interviews everyone

 

[femmefatale]

hey guys they didn't increase the interview pool. they invited approximately 280 applicants

How did you know this? I would be relieved to know they didn't increase the pool this year.

 

[farmC]

1s23, yes i emailed Margaret 🙂

 

[ksksks]

Well, my ECs and pharmacy experience..8 months with Rexall, one year of research in UofT faculty of pharmacy, and 125 volunteering hours with Eagle Ridge Hospital, but no clubs no awards no student organization participation and no hiring except for a really short summer job.

Maybe it's my EC? Good god..

thank God I live in BC LOL

 

[ksksks]

maybe you should have used your vancouver hometown address in your application. then you wouldn't be considered as an OOP applicant.

onionman, thats called fraud
and schools all check for that btw
its in your government records of information.

it states "if you live in another province for more than 6 months/yr for more than 2 yrs", you are now considered a resident of that province.

 

[ksksks]

I like to think the personal statements give them a feel for you, who knows they may make those "gut" decisions when it comes down to inviting OOP. Since its a big thing to get an interview for OOP due to the costs, so they want to be absolutely sure you're a good fit even before the interview.

-2cents

i am beginning to think that the references/EC/personal statements are worth a lot more than what I originally had thought. some people with really great PCAT/GPA arent getting invites.

 

[bebeLnJ]

i think the EC and personal statement are really important... they really want to see that pharmacy is your passion... not just a list of all the stuff you have accomplished...

and to the person that kept asking for interviewee stats...... i don't think anyone will post anything until they actually get into pharmacy...

also, mmi practice sounds great... but you do know that we are all competing with each other right...? lol

 

[Degree]

How do the people who got volunteer positions at pharmacies attain those positions? I have been to at least 10 pharmacies and none of them are taking in students now, any suggestions as to how I could get some pharmacy experience?

 

[Principessa07]

I am still curious as to the earliness!
Although its kind of a sigh of relief... very nice surprise.
and this way we're not sitting by our computer 24/7 come June 1st... the stress and anxiety would just be madness!! probably would have needed an ativan! 😱

 

[dreadmorphine]

Got an interview 🙂
Good luck to everyone else who got one as well!

Also, if anyone is setting anything up for MMI Practice, PM me. I realize that we are technically "competing" against each other as someone else mentioned above. However, the few of us that practice together may get the upper hand and may potentially be more prepared for the interview against the others that don't bother to participate. I have been talking to a few med kids and they all tell me the MMI format is a lot more situational.

 

[RandomUsername1]

i think the EC and personal statement are really important... they really want to see that pharmacy is your passion... not just a list of all the stuff you have accomplished...

Yeah I remember them saying that academics is not everything, so I think if you just put down a few words for the application and didn't put in a lot of time, effort and thought they took that as a sign that you weren't trying hard enough to get in maybe. I dunno, I spent at least four hours on the application.

 

[justinbains132]

.

 

[RyanMaverick]

For the person worrying about coming back to BC with a pharmacy degree not from UBC:

It does not matter one bit where you obtained your degree. A few of my friends got sent to Ontario as part of their contracts they signed with big chains and the only thing they have to do is write the Ontario jurisprudence licensing exam (very easy, just about laws and regulations). I think they still all wrote the BC one as well, but its just one additional small exam. Most of our class studied between 5-7 days before writing it and the majority of us passed.

 

[pcubed]

im also nervous for the interview....

do you think that now it's just the top 150 interview scores that get in? or will they still take into consideration gpa, pcat and application?

 

[lllix]

im also nervous for the interview....

do you think that now it's just the top 150 interview scores that get in? or will they still take into consideration gpa, pcat and application?

I e-mailed them about this and this was the response I got:

Before the interview, applicants are ranked using their admissions average,
their PCAT score and the score on their Pharmacy application (i.e.
resume/personal statements/reference letters). After the interview,
applicants are ranked mainly on their admissions average and their interview
score.

 

[Principessa07]

haha wowwwwwwww that means i have to ACE the interview because my pcat and application are definitelyyyyyy what got me the interview. ah well they only said MAINLY.

 

[lllix]

haha wowwwwwwww that means i have to ACE the interview because my pcat and application are definitelyyyyyy what got me the interview. ah well they only said MAINLY.

Yup I am in the same boat as you. Fingers crossed!

 

[farmC]

im on the same boat too 🙁
does anyone know if lots of low GPA students get in after interviews?
because i have a low B average... (ec references resume personal statement got me the interview for sure)

 

[pharmaCCC]

hey guys,

just found the forum after getting my invite!
Anyone else super excited!?
How's everyone planning on preparing for the interview????

I'm suprised you guys are suggesting to start a "study group" to help each other, very nice of you all considering we are all in competition with each other LOL.

 

[farmC]

I'm suprised you guys are suggesting to start a "study group" to help each other, very nice of you all considering we are all in competition with each other LOL.

lol you don't have to take part of it then 🙂
i think realistically it would give an edge to all that participated, but that's just my point of view!

 

[pharmaCCC]

lol you don't have to take part of it then 🙂
i think realistically it would give an edge to all that participated, but that's just my point of view!

I'm not trying to be a downer or am I saying its a bad idea.
I'm just saying its very unselfish of you all. Its a compliment.

 

[Principessa07]

soooooooooo impatient i am like camping out by my computer waiting for the schedule!! i am just sooooo excited for this and feel so lucky and blessed to have even gotten this far. but seriously the idea of competition scares me... at least when we sent in our applications it was blind but now we are all soooooo close! and i just wish we could all get in

 

[happypharmer]

hey! have u guys formed ur MMI practice group yet?? i'd like to join! i think study groups are great! my friends formed a pre-med MMI group and they all found it very helpful. PM me and lemme know! we should start practising soon =)

 

[RandomUsername1]

I am definitely in on the study group too...via facebook perhaps, or maybe skype or msn

 

[Cypher]

hey! have u guys formed ur MMI practice group yet?? i'd like to join! i think study groups are great! my friends formed a pre-med MMI group and they all found it very helpful. PM me and lemme know! we should start practising soon =)

gabby and i can help u when we chill at her house 😀 lol

 

[frupu]

I don't understand how MMI could be better than traditional interviews, or it's just I'm not getting what MMI really is?
You prepare for a topic for 2 minutes and then talk about it for 7 minutes. I mean...nobody else find that hard??! I can only picture myself talking for 2 minutes at most!

Please let me know about the practice group, i'm in a real panic right now..

 

[EinmikroFreund]

I don't understand how MMI could be better than traditional interviews, or it's just I'm not getting what MMI really is?
You prepare for a topic for 2 minutes and then talk about it for 7 minutes. I mean...nobody else find that hard??! I can only picture myself talking for 2 minutes at most!

Please let me know about the practice group, i'm in a real panic right now..

Same here! I'm so nervous about it too! I'd feel really awkward if I finish one question in 2 minutes.... Let me know about the study group too guys!

 

[ksksks]

I don't understand how MMI could be better than traditional interviews, or it's just I'm not getting what MMI really is?
You prepare for a topic for 2 minutes and then talk about it for 7 minutes. I mean...nobody else find that hard??! I can only picture myself talking for 2 minutes at most!

Please let me know about the practice group, i'm in a real panic right now..

its not that hard if you could elaborate.
I am thankful for MMIs
such a fair way of testing one's ability to speak
personal interviews are SOOOOO easy to prepare for

 

[RyanMaverick]

Frupu:

They use an "MMI" because studies have shown that this type of evaluating technique correlates the applicants chosen with what they are "looking for" moreso then a traditional panel interview.

This is likely due to the standardized nature of the MMI vs. the personalized (read: biased) nature of panel interviews.

The general consensus is that most people don't "like" the MMI. It's difficult to prepare for, it's stressful, and you rarely walk out of it feeling like you did well.

For those who are interested:

-Reference letters had a 0.10 correlation (meaning if there was 10 applicants then using reference letters is no better then random chance).
-Panel interviews were about 0.20
-MMI is around 0.40

I can't remember what the study was though. It was in a business journal looking at evaluating techniques for hiring practices though.

 

[1s23]

Ryan, are you able to tell us if there are follow up questions in the MMI? or are we just supposed to speak for 7 minutes.

 

[frupu]

Does anyone know if they'd be interviewing multiple students together? Or do we go in one by one?

 

[ksksks]

Ryan, are you able to tell us if there are follow up questions in the MMI? or are we just supposed to speak for 7 minutes.

there are follow up questions.
dont worry about it too much

 

[lllix]

Ryan, are you able to tell us if there are follow up questions in the MMI? or are we just supposed to speak for 7 minutes.

As ksksks just said, there are follow up questions. Even if there wasn't, that doesn't mean that you have to talk for seven minutes straight... I would say answer the question as clearly, critically, and concisely as possible and don't just unleash some major verbal diarrhea because you are trying to impress them.

Does anyone know if they'd be interviewing multiple students together? Or do we go in one by one?

I was under the impression that it was one student per station, I don't really see how it would be fair otherwise.

 

[lllix]

Random question, but how many people that apply to UBC apply to other places? I have yet to see anyone mention applying to U of S!

I just responded to your other post, but I am also applying to U of S this year; however, they only reserve like 14 seats for OOP applicants so I don't have high hopes. Also applying to U of A.

 

[farmC]

does anyone know when the interview schedules will be released? 🙁