University of Alberta Pharmacy

[mmcaule]

I wasn't able to find a thread on U of A pharmacy for this year, so here it is.

To be honest, I was pretty confident prior to checking out this forum. U of A seems like it requires a pretty high GPA, and it probably does give preference to Alberta residents.

Anyhow, I'm from Ontario. Finishing up my fourth year at UWO. I haven't actually calculated my GPA, and I think U of A has a slightly different system than UWO. Nevertheless, I'd say my cumulative GPA is about 3.8-3.9... 3.96 for the prerequisite courses other than English, which I'm taking at the moment. I think I did well on the LOI, but my volunteer experience and relevant work experience are poor at best - I don't know if my marks and the rest of my LOI will compensate.

Alberta is the only school I applied to, so here's hoping!

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[UofAlberta]

I just finished up my first year and pharmacy prerequisites with a 3.8/4. Unfortunately for me the U of A does not give preference to in province students 🙁

Alberta is the only school I applied to too. Anyways, best of luck to you!

 

[zohaibab]

I just finished up my first year and pharmacy prerequisites with a 3.8/4. Unfortunately for me the U of A does not give preference to in province students 🙁

Alberta is the only school I applied to too. Anyways, best of luck to you!

Relax, you will be fine. Good letters of reference and coherent answers to the required questions will help though.

mmcaule, you will be fine as well. Make sure you do talk about pharmacy experience (if you have any) in answering questions about your work experience. And as the above poster mentioned, no preference is given to Alberta residents (probably the only Canadian pharmacy school that does it).

 

[bazooka1987]

Hey, do u guys kno what the lowest GPA that Alberta accepted last year? I'm done my degree this year...and i have a 3.5 pre req gpa...got some hospital volunteering...what do u think my chances are? i dont have the stellar GPA like the above posts.

 

[bazooka1987]

by the way does UofA look at which school u are coming from?

 

[zohaibab]

Bazooka, with an increasingly competitive pool of applicants, your 3.5 might just turn out to be borderline with UAlberta, specially since they rely so heavily on GPA for selection. Pharmacy experience and a good letter of intent does help though, so do focus on it if you intend on applying with a 3.5. And no, UAlberta does not look at the school you are applying from. I personally do not attend the university, so for specifics you are better off asking other SDN'ers who do attend the school.

 

[OChemTA]

Hey, do u guys kno what the lowest GPA that Alberta accepted last year? I'm done my degree this year...and i have a 3.5 pre req gpa...got some hospital volunteering...what do u think my chances are? i dont have the stellar GPA like the above posts.

I applied last year with 3.55 pre-req and got waitlisted.

I'm reapplying this year with 2 LORs with a 3.6 pre-req with a good trend... but seeing the GPA's of people above is really making me 🙁

 

[cleo2009]

does anybody know if there is preference for students applying with more than one year of sciences. I applied to pharmacy at the U of A after my first year and my prereq GPA is 3.9 but i wasnt sure if i'd be at a disadvantage since i only had one year to do.

 

[parishilton2]

hey how did u guys answer that scenario question?
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]"A plane has emergency landed on a deserted island with three survivors, the pilot, a mechanic, and a pregnant passenger. There is only available water to barely keep only 2 of the passengers alive, but there may be enough time to get the plane fixed and flying again. Which of the 2 passengers should get the water and why?[/SIZE]."

i think the mechanic and the preggers lady should get, cause the pregnant lady has another mouth to feed and the mechanic casue the question states that there may be some time to get the plane fixed up

NOTE: i checked there admission website it didn't state any like repercussions of posting this stuff, considering there are similar questions posted on the web anyways

 

[cleo2009]

i said pregnant lady and pilot because the mechanic can't fly the plane. so the pilot comes back with medical aide after dropping off the pregnant lady

 

[mmcaule]

.

 

[ron18]

mmcaule, while there is no right or wrong answer, your answer makes sense. This is the same principle that doctors and nurses use for triaging patients during emergencies. Yes, it may sound cold or harsh not to give the water to the pregnant lady, but it is better to save some lives rather than none.

Like I said though, for ethical questions there are a variety of answers that could be used.

 

[BlueCosmos]

are they hard on oop?

 

[parishilton2]

yah mmcaule i like ur answer it makes sense

 

[UofAlberta]

Just checked this site now... tbh, I wasn't really expecting any responses.

I've regained some confidence after deliberating a bit and really realizing the importance of having a high (prerequisite) GPA. It almost seems ridiculous that they focus mainly on your prerequisite GPA. I mean, being able to memorize lots of facts is fairly important, but there's so much more to pharmacy than that.

I actually really liked that question. It was one of those really tough questions that, at first, I didn't think I would have get a solid answer to. Then I just had one of those eureka moments... a real epiphany.

This was along the lines of my answer (which was to choose the mechanic and pilot): let's suppose, for the sake of argument, that a person will die after two days without drinking. Let's also suppose it takes three days for the mechanic to fix the plane (if he isn't able to fix the plane at all, then it will not matter which two people you choose to save because everyone will die) and that there is enough water for two people to live slightly more than 3 days.

If you choose to give the water to the pilot and pregnant woman, then the mechanic will die before he or she can fix the plane; thus, everyone will die (the plane won't get fixed fully). If you choose to give the water to the mechanic and pregnant woman, then the pilot will die before the mechanic is able to fix the plane; thus, everyone will die (no one will be able to fly the plane off the island). If you choose to give the water to the mechanic and pilot, then both will survive long enough to get the plane fixed and fly it off the island. The pregnant woman, however, will die. Thus, if it takes longer to repair the plane than it takes for a person to die of thirst, the pregnant woman will die... NO MATTER WHAT. If this is the case, then the only option that will result in people possibly surviving the whole ordeal is the one in which the pilot and mechanic receive the water.

If the mechanic is able to repair the plane in less than two days (i.e. the supposed length of time it takes for the person not given the water to die of thirst), then everyone will survive regardless of whom you choose to give the water to.

Does this make sense? While I think it is logical, it kind of seems like the answer that only a robot would give... I hope I'm not a robot. In a real-life scenario, it would be hard for me to not give the pregnant woman the water, even though doing so seems illogical (assuming what I just said above makes sense).

If we do all get into U of A pharmacy and what I just said makes absolutely no sense, then I'll have to buy you guys a beer or something... something to pay back you back for the five minutes of your life I just wasted. (apologies for the massive post)

mmcaule, I basically used the same line of reasoning for my response. After reading your answer I definitely feel much more confident.. Everyone else I know who applied this year has been telling me I made some horrible moral decision o.o and although I know there's no right or wrong answer it definitely made me a bit nervous.

 

[yayalulala]

I put down.....something in the line of ... giving mechanic and pregnant woman water and let the pilot drink their urine (assuming their urine is pretty diluted). This is the only way i can think of of saving all three of them. 😕

 

[Inconspicuous]

I put down.....something in the line of ... giving mechanic and pregnant woman water and let the pilot drink their urine (assuming their urine is pretty diluted). This is the only way i can think of of saving all three of them. 😕

LOL!!!

That's a very good answer my friend !!!

 

[UBCmicrobi]

Hey guys, what was this "scenario question" for? Was it part of the application process this year? When I applied to U of A in '07 and '08 the app only involved the Letter of Intent. Just curious.

Thanks.

PS good luck to all this year's applicants!

 

[tella]

I stated that a person can survive for 3 days without water, so the three people can share the little water available to survive for slightly longer than 3 days. During this time, the pilot and mechanic and work on fixing the plane and the pregnant woman can distill salt water from the ocean so that they can drink it, which would not be too difficult with supplies from a plane (jet fuel to start a fire, a tarp of some sort to put over the boiling water on a slope which could drip fresh water which could be used for drinking). I really enjoyed this question, it involved lots of thought and creativity!

 

[fungikid]

This was along the lines of my answer (which was to choose the mechanic and pilot): let's suppose, for the sake of argument, that a person will die after two days without drinking. Let's also suppose it takes three days for the mechanic to fix the plane (if he isn't able to fix the plane at all, then it will not matter which two people you choose to save because everyone will die) and that there is enough water for two people to live slightly more than 3 days.

If you choose to give the water to the pilot and pregnant woman, then the mechanic will die before he or she can fix the plane; thus, everyone will die (the plane won't get fixed fully). If you choose to give the water to the mechanic and pregnant woman, then the pilot will die before the mechanic is able to fix the plane; thus, everyone will die (no one will be able to fly the plane off the island). If you choose to give the water to the mechanic and pilot, then both will survive long enough to get the plane fixed and fly it off the island. The pregnant woman, however, will die. Thus, if it takes longer to repair the plane than it takes for a person to die of thirst, the pregnant woman will die... NO MATTER WHAT. If this is the case, then the only option that will result in people possibly surviving the whole ordeal is the one in which the pilot and mechanic receive the water.

If the mechanic is able to repair the plane in less than two days (i.e. the supposed length of time it takes for the person not given the water to die of thirst), then everyone will survive regardless of whom you choose to give the water to.

That's pretty logical.

 

[marcusnasland]

Seems like they wanted to see if your were Vulcan or Human... think logically or let emotions get in the way... I like the Vulcan answer.

 

[mmcaule]

Well... according to Gladys, today is the day they meet to decide who will be accepted and who won't. It must take awhile for them to process everything and make a final decision because I know people didn't start getting acceptances until around mid July in previous years.

 

[Inconspicuous]

Does anyone know how to convert GPA in 4.33 scale to 4.0 scale?

I don't know why but it seems like only BC schools are using the 4.33 GPA scale

 

[sim1985]

I thought we get an email notification of acceptance by end of this week. I am not sure though.

 

[prepharm168]

so... has anyone received their acceptance letter yet?!

 

[ScottSAA]

I applied to the U of A, Dalhousie and U of M. I got into the U of M, but I haven't heard anything else yet

 

[Ricardo59]

I've heard from U of T, but nothing from U of A.

 

[prepharm168]

So according to Gladys, letters were mailed out on the 29th. That means for those of you who are in Edmonton, you should be receiving new very, very soon!

 

[sim1985]

Hey,
Thanks for letting us know.
You talked to her on phone?? How come they send letters before they actually update your status online? I am so scared. G'luck to me.

 

[UATL]

Hey,
Thanks for letting us know.
You talked to her on phone?? How come they send letters before they actually update your status online? I am so scared. G'luck to me.

It is my understanding that your status online doesn't actually change until you accept the offer of acceptance and pay the fee.

 

[bazooka1987]

im soo nervous

 

[prepharm168]

still waiting... has ANYONE received a letter yet?

 

[UofAlberta]

Just got my acceptance this morning! Goodluck to you all!

 

[sim1985]

That's great man.
If you don't mind, can you share your pre-req and cum. GPA with us?
Are you located in Ontario?
Thanks,
Have a great summer 🙂

 

[OChemTA]

That's great man.
If you don't mind, can you share your pre-req and cum. GPA with us?
Are you located in Ontario?
Thanks,
Have a great summer 🙂

Hi,

I asked Gladys through email and she replied that I've been admitted

I included LORs, (v.good) grade trend and mediocre EC.

I just finished my 3rd year and this year is my second application to ualberta pharm.

pre-req: 3.6
cum: 3.6

see you guys in sept!

 

[cleo2009]

Just got my acceptance this morning! Goodluck to you all!

My cousin got his acceptance today but he is rejecting them cuz he got into Medicine at the U of A. I'm at work so i can't check the mail but I'm hoping its an acceptance for me. You know beforehand if the envelope is big because the confirmation forms come with acceptance letters. At least that is what my cousin told me. GOOD LUCK everyone!!!!

 

[cleo2009]

My cousin got his acceptance today but he is rejecting them cuz he got into Medicine at the U of A. I'm at work so i can't check the mail but I'm hoping its an acceptance for me. You know beforehand if the envelope is big because the confirmation forms come with acceptance letters. At least that is what my cousin told me. GOOD LUCK everyone!!!!

Okay I just got my acceptance letter WOOHOO!!! Best of luck to everyone =D

 

[prepharm168]

just got my acceptance in the mail this afternoon too... =) goodluck everyone and see you guys in sept!

 

[JayBeee]

Congrats all who got accepted=) I'm waiting on a letter.. i'm from B.C. so im not expecting it til monday. Anyone hear anything about housing on campus? That's a big requirement for me to accept UofA's offer.. so I was just wondering. =)

 

[OChemTA]

Congrats all who got accepted=) I'm waiting on a letter.. i'm from B.C. so im not expecting it til monday. Anyone hear anything about housing on campus? That's a big requirement for me to accept UofA's offer.. so I was just wondering. =)

You'll probably have to find your own housing but it's usually cheaper than dorms and and you don't get ripped off by the meal plan. Lister and HUB (on campus dorms) are already booked full now.

I got an interview from UBC but I apparently did poorly in it and didn't get into UBC pharm.

oh well.

Here's the link to get housing in Edmonton:

http://www.rentingspaces.ca/search.htm?ref=2

I'm from BC as well, but have been at the U of A for 3 years already... two of them off campus... I prefer off campus to lister with the exception of sauffer hall (spelling)

Edit: Just wondering, why don't you just attend UBC pharm?

 

[mmcaule]

I still haven't heard back yet either. Probably tomorrow (Monday).

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted!

 

[michaeljohnjohn]

I am also from BC, I called on Friday and was told that I was accepted, but still have to wait for the letter I guess. Going up this weekend to find an apartment or house with gy girlfriend (accepted to faculty of nursing this year) and get a tour of the campus and such. I have completed a BSc. already at the UofL.
Cumulative GPA - 3.5
Pre-Requisite GPA - 3.7

See you all in September as well...

 

[JayBeee]

You'll probably have to find your own housing but it's usually cheaper than dorms and and you don't get ripped off by the meal plan. Lister and HUB (on campus dorms) are already booked full now.

I got an interview from UBC but I apparently did poorly in it and didn't get into UBC pharm.

oh well.

Here's the link to get housing in Edmonton:

http://www.rentingspaces.ca/search.htm?ref=2

I'm from BC as well, but have been at the U of A for 3 years already... two of them off campus... I prefer off campus to lister with the exception of sauffer hall (spelling)

Edit: Just wondering, why don't you just attend UBC pharm?

Thanks! I'll definetely check that link out. As to your question, UBC is my first choice, but I don't think I got housing on-campus (haven't heard from them, so i'm probably waitlisted), and everywhere near the campus is so expensive because they know students are desperate to find a place. So, I was thinking if UofA offered me housing it would make it a bit easier, but now that you mention it, a mealplan and such is kind of a rip-off. I already accepted UBC's offer, but I'm keeping my options open, if that makes sense. 🙂

 

[mmcaule]

I got the acceptance letter too now... I expect fellow Ontarians will be getting their acceptances today as well.

And I'm definitely accepting my offer. U of A pharmacy here I come!

 

[OChemTA]

I got the acceptance letter too now... I expect fellow Ontarians will be getting their acceptances today as well.

And I'm definitely accepting my offer. U of A pharmacy here I come!

Yea, I've got my letter too.

I'm in BC.

See you in sept

 

[Ricardo59]

I got the acceptance letter too now... I expect fellow Ontarians will be getting their acceptances today as well.

And I'm definitely accepting my offer. U of A pharmacy here I come!

What part of Ontario do you live? I haven't got my acceptance letter yet.

 

[dererlkonig]

i'm from quebec and i have yet to get a letter as well. don't know if this helps, but i emailed gladys about the status of my application and she said:

Good afternoon - your application is still being considered. You should be getting a definite answer from us within the next couple of weeks. Thankyou for your patience.

does anyone know when the deadline is for the ppl who received admissions to accept?

 

[anxious68]

Hi everyone..just looking for some thoughts and discussion,

I have noticed quite a few threads where people are worried about the future of pharmacy in the US. As far as I know, there has been a huge shortage in Canada and there should remain a shortage for the next 5 years atleast. What are your opinions on the stability and job prospects for pharmacy in the future in Canada?

 

[sim1985]

hey dererlkonig,

She says that to all of those who were not accepted. I don't think they rejected anyone. So, I guess we are all on a waiting list. We should get rejection next week 🙁🙁

 

[OChemTA]

i'm from quebec and i have yet to get a letter as well. don't know if this helps, but i emailed gladys about the status of my application and she said:

Good afternoon - your application is still being considered. You should be getting a definite answer from us within the next couple of weeks. Thankyou for your patience.

does anyone know when the deadline is for the ppl who received admissions to accept?

I believe my acceptance letter quoted for july 17th as the deadline