University of British Columbia Application Thread

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ginee said:
For the pre-req GPA that they will be looking at, do the pre-req courses that one is taking in the current winter session (from January-April) count as well as term 1?

I'm asking this because the due date of the application is the end of February and term 2 courses won't be over yet by then...

Anyone want to shed a little bit of light?
Thanks 🙂
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Yes, they WILL count, which is likely why the Faculty will send out those interview invitations in May instead of earlier.

Hope that helps! =)
 
They always wait until all your marks come in before fully evaluating your application. First years are given the option to defer Biol 112 to their first semester of summer. I really doubt it takes a long time for them to tally up the scores people receive academically, interview, application etc. and rank people from 1-224 and mass spam admission offers.

This thread is also so much "dead-er" than last years. Does this mean the competition is less intense? XD
I'm sure most of the people who really care are on this forum.
 
gluglugs said:
They always wait until all your marks come in before fully evaluating your application. First years are given the option to defer Biol 112 to their first semester of summer. I really doubt it takes a long time for them to tally up the scores people receive academically, interview, application etc. and rank people from 1-224 and mass spam admission offers.

This thread is also so much "dead-er" than last years. Does this mean the competition is less intense? XD
I'm sure most of the people who really care are on this forum.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say it's more deader than last year for sure. The post count starts rising around the march-apr range when everyone puts in there app and we all start asking questions about gpa, interview,etc..
 
lllix said:
Hey guys, I need your opinions.

I decided to take Physical Biochemistry along with a bunch of other biochem courses this year because if I don't get into pharmacy next fall I plan on switching from Biology into Biochem; however, I am finding the workload to be way too much for me to handle, especially if I actually want to do well. The only reason I would even need Physical Biochem is if I were to apply to Waterloo which I am considering doing; however, UBC is still my top choice. I am in my 4th year and have never withdrawn from or failed a course. I am seriously considering dropping this course as it does nothing for my interest-wise and is frankly drawing a lot of time I could be spending on my other courses and not just doing mediocre in them.

What should I do? Do you think that UBC would care about a single W on my transcript, especially considering it is not even a pre-requisite?
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I graduated from Biochemistry in 2010. I don't think withdrawing from a course is a huge deal. Primarily I think they want to see your overall performance to gauge your academic trend (with heavy focus on your pre requisite grades), and a minor hiccup or withdrawal would be legitimate if you provided an explanation, perhaps in your personal statement.

Biochemistry was a tough undergraduate program for me. I have to admit I didn't perform as well as I thought I would in a few of the courses but I do not regret it in retrospect. I've acquired an invaluable library of knowledge from courses taken in the program which has obvious applications to a wide breadth of other fields which I didn't realize would be the case at the time I was in the program.

In juxtaposition, this was a classic case of quid pro quo - the heavy course load precluded time I needed to work almost 30 hours/week to pay for tuition, rent, etc. I suggest that if you find the material isn't piquing your interest, there would be no shame and minimal harm if you withdrew. If you are loving the course, I think you should suck it up and ride it out. You never know, things might get better and you may even end up loving it.

I scored 92 on the PCAT, I've been working for Shoppers Drug Mart for over 3 years total as the sole pharmacy technician and have more experience working in a pharmacy than most pharmacists who have been licensed and practicing for over 5 years, believe it or not. The job has minimal stress and the learning curve is not as steep as you would think. I guess some pharmacists just get lazy when they become comfortable at their job and end up choosing not to learn new things or take the initiative to be a better pharmacist lol.

I'm planning on applying this Feb, but I'll have to re take the PCAT this Jan because the grades are only good for 2 years. C'est la vie. I personally think it is pretty dumb to primarily base an applicant's academic performance on their pre requisite grades as those grades are surely not an accurate indication of his or her recent and overall performance since my pre requisite gpa is pretty crappy (like so many of us). Fortunately I've supplemented my application with some electives (physiology anatomy histology biochemistry etc) and I hope they improve my pre requisite gpa since they end up being my strongest grades.

I understand that this year's PCAT may be structured somewhat differently from before? I wrote in 2007 and I recall a greater focus on differentiation / integrals in the quantitative ability and introductory nomenclature of organic structures in the chemistry section. I wonder if 2011 will be similar? I also notice that 2 essays are required and not 1? Does anyone have any additional thoughts or input on the "revised" PCAT structure (if it is different at all)?

I personally know a former pharmacy admissions board member for UBC that now works with the company as a pharmacy coordinator and he offered to coach me in preparation for this year's admissions cycle. I understand that there have been a few changes made to the interview / selections process so I'll share as much info as I can (if it hasn't already been mentioned).

Thanks and good luck everyone!
 
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[QUOTE

I personally know a former pharmacy admissions board member for UBC that now works with the company as a pharmacy coordinator and he offered to coach me in preparation for this year's admissions cycle. I understand that there have been a few changes made to the interview / selections process so I'll share as much info as I can (if it hasn't already been mentioned).

QUOTE]

There are two essay portions of 30 mins in length but only one counts and you dont know which one counts. As long as you give a plausible solution to the problem presented and also mention an alternative solution, you will score at least a 3.

It would be nice if you can share info with us regarding selection process as we are mostly first time applicants.
 
So how is everyone's application coming along so far? Has anyone submitted there application already? Is everything due on Feb 28 or is there some items due earlier than that?
 
Degree said:
So how is everyone's application coming along so far? Has anyone submitted there application already? Is everything due on Feb 28 or is there some items due earlier than that?
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Well, I submitted mine already because I don't want to give myself anymore doubt over that! 😉 As for the deadline, everything is due on Feb 28th.
 
Degree said:
So how is everyone's application coming along so far? Has anyone submitted there application already? Is everything due on Feb 28 or is there some items due earlier than that?
Click to expand...


Mine is just about ready for submission, just a little editing left really. I submitted mine about mid-February last year. It definitely took my mind off of it and I don't want to leave it any later anyway so I can just focus on getting through this semester.

As for the suggestions that this thread is "dead." I have to say that I have been keeping my distance, but mostly due to the fact that I went through this process last year and already know the score. So I suppose I am a little calmer about the process and have fewer questions and less of an interest in knowing what the competition's statistics are. Getting rejected the first time around is humbling enough and gives one a refreshing dose of reality. In fact, I won't be sharing my statistics until I find out if I am accepted or not as I don't think it really helps any of us to stress out or get overconfident about where we stand on certain aspects of the application. With the applications due shortly, there is little anyone can do to improve their electronic application aside from performing well this semester and perhaps working on their interview skills, but even then one could argue that interview skills can only be practiced to a certain extent and are more acquired over time... Gaining experience in a pharmacy and just "life experience" in general is also an asset so that you actually have something to talk about at the interview.
 
From 30,000 miles away it seems like MMI interview format really only looks for the traits the university is seeking in a pharmacist. It definitely doesn't seem like you can "sell" yourself as much in an MMI unless the question prompt demands it.
 
Hi,

Does anyone know whether BIOL201 would count towards the admission GPA for pharmacy? I noticed that this course is mentioned in the Pharmacy Academic Admission Average list ("BIOL 201 & BIOC 302"), so it SHOULD count. However, I haven't taken BIOC 302. Maybe I'm being technical, but I just wanted to double check that BIOL201 will count towards the admission GPA whether or not I've taken BIOC 302. 😕

Thank you in advance! Goodluck to everyone working on applications. 🙂
 
Ioch,
No, the bio 201 mark is not considered in your gpa calculation since you don't have bioc 302.
 
Hi everyone,

I hope that all of you that wrote the PCAT yesterday have good results! Good luck!

If anyone is interested, I have some study resources for sale for the PCAT. I am located in the Okanagan!

1. $150.00 Dr. Collins Package 2010 (I had good results with this package!)
Includes 7 brown envelopes:
Chemistry - 9 practice tests and reading material
Biology - 9 practice tests and reading material
Quantitative - 6 practice tests and reading material
Verbal - 8 practice tests and reading material
Reading - 5 practice tests and reading material
Essay - Info package
Important info about package - updates since last cycle

2. $20.00 Kaplan PCAT Study Guide (2010/2011 edition)
Very comprehensive study guide. Includes one full-length practice exam!

3. $10.00 Cliffs Notes PCAT Test Prep
Includes 5 full-length practice exams!

If you are interested, please private message me and we can make some arrangements. I found all three of these resources very useful, but the Collins package was awesome!
Thanks!
 
The website states the admission average last year is 75-80%...
would that also be the competitive average range then?
Anything in between that is good game?

I found the posted average PCAT score ranges from last to be quite high..85-90%
How much would a score in the lower 80s impact my chance?
 
you never know.. maybe 300 geniuses just came outa high school =P
 
ricedemon said:
you never know.. maybe 300 geniuses just came outa high school =P
Click to expand...

lol

I need help!!!

Í just finished my application online and it asks me to pay $125. When I go into my SCC and apply to UBC (I am a UBCO student) it also asks me to pay $60. I'm confused do I have to pay for both? I am applying once so why two fees?

Let me know please. Thanks in advance
 
One fee is for your pharmacy application ($125) and the other is for your degree/campus change fee ($60)!
 
does anyone know if we would get JAN2011 PCAT results before the pharmacy application deadline? because I might decide not to apply at all...I would like to see my PCAT score before deciding to apply or not lol
 
ubcperson said:
does anyone know if we would get JAN2011 PCAT results before the pharmacy application deadline? because I might decide not to apply at all...I would like to see my PCAT score before deciding to apply or not lol
Click to expand...

Well, if I remember correctly, results are mailed by 4-6 weeks, so that means you'll likely get the results sometime between Feb 21 and March 4.

Considering that the deadline is Feb 28, I would say it's pretty risky to wait until then.... =/
 
ubcperson said:
does anyone know if we would get JAN2011 PCAT results before the pharmacy application deadline? because I might decide not to apply at all...I would like to see my PCAT score before deciding to apply or not lol
Click to expand...
Lol, I am in the same boat.
I think the marks should be up online before Feb 28. I would much rather pay $20 to see my mark and then submit the application than pay $150 for application only to find out that I got less than 65% 😛
Also, I am a bit confused about which mark do they count for PCAT. Is is the percentile rank?
 
Iqra said:
Lol, I am in the same boat.
I think the marks should be up online before Feb 28. I would much rather pay $20 to see my mark and then submit the application than pay $150 for application only to find out that I got less than 65% 😛
Also, I am a bit confused about which mark do they count for PCAT. Is is the percentile rank?[/QUOTE]

Composite only!!!!!
Click to expand...
 
PharMarley said:
Iqra said:
Lol, I am in the same boat.
I think the marks should be up online before Feb 28. I would much rather pay $20 to see my mark and then submit the application than pay $150 for application only to find out that I got less than 65% 😛
Also, I am a bit confused about which mark do they count for PCAT. Is is the percentile rank?[/QUOTE]

Composite only!!!!!
Click to expand...
Can you please explain this because I am so confused! I am hearing different things from different people.
So in the application, we put the score 400 something? Or do we divide it by 600 to get a percentage? I am so confused!
Click to expand...
 
Degree said:
What are we supposed to write for activities that have no one that can be called to verify, such as swimming daily or playing an music instrument for fun
Click to expand...

I suppose that the "Activities" box was meant to include things like team sports or music lessons, so I don't think you can put things that no one but you can verify. =(

Iqra said:
Can you please explain this because I am so confused! I am hearing different things from different people.
So in the application, we put the score 400 something? Or do we divide it by 600 to get a percentage? I am so confused!
Click to expand...

On the bottom half of the score report, there is a section that reads "Composite" and beside it you will see your raw score expressed in the hundreds, as well as the percentage. On the application, you just have to enter the composite percentage! =)
 
POINH! (pics or it never happened) i guess in your case it's phonenumber or it never happened XDDD

i COULD say i run 5km everyday to keep fit.. but in reality i just sleep all day and have super metabolism.. so unless you have at least a # or club to prove it it just makes you seem desperate for things to put on your app.. thats my 2 cents
 
For the reference letters, the website says to mail it in but can we also drop it off at the school ourselves?

I dont know how much I can trust the post office....haha.
 
ginee said:
For the reference letters, the website says to mail it in but can we also drop it off at the school ourselves?

I dont know how much I can trust the post office....haha.
Click to expand...

I dropped one of mine off at school, and the other I asked my referee to e-mail it. Yes... I didn't really want to take any chance with the post office too! 😉
 
i paid 13 bucks for a tracking number :/ at least they both arrived at the same time
 
For non ubc students do we also have to send in our high school transcripts?

For non-UBC students, applications must be supported by:

  1. An interim official transcript (after the Fall term has been completed) from the applicant's current institution.
    Deadline: As soon as available from your institution (typically in January/February, but no earlier than January 15), and
  2. A final, official transcript from the applicant's secondary school and from all post-secondary institutions attended.
    Deadline: June 15, 2011.
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Do you know who to contact to get high school transcripts?
 
contact either your old school (the office) or the school board and they can mail the transcripts for a price
 
Does it show up on the ssc when reference letters arrive?
 
EinmikroFreund said:
The status of the reference letters and PCAT won't show on SSC. You'll have to see it on the Online Application page.
Click to expand...

Where is that? Is it the same page as the pharmacy application, i.e where we wrote the personal statements?
 
You're very welcome, Degree!

A little heads-up here for those who are wondering: Even after the applications are submitted, don't be surprised to see that the statuses of the reference letters and PCAT as "not received," because they are to be updated only around mid-March.

Good luck, everyone! =)
 
If anyone is interested, I have the Kaplan PCAT Study Guide (2010/2011 edition) for sale for $20.
It is a very comprehensive study guide and it includes one full-length practice exam!

If you are interested, please private message me and we can make some arrangements.
Thanks!
 
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Does anybody know when will UBC Pharmacy program switch into entry-level PharmD degree?
 
chemtai said:
Does anybody know when will UBC Pharmacy program switch into entry-level PharmD degree?
Click to expand...

If UofT gets it, then a bridge in program is around the corner and ultimately in 3-5 years yes.

DOES anyone know what would happen if we exceed the 500 word limit on the personal statement? Please Help and respond soon!!!😕
 
PharMarley said:
DOES anyone know what would happen if we exceed the 500 word limit on the personal statement? Please Help and respond soon!!!😕
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Well, I highly doubt any of our answers are any better than educated guesses! =/ I suppose that if they give us a word limit then we should stick to it. I wouldn't want to risk my application for the sake of extra words...

When I first wrote mine, I had trouble with the word limits as well. I ended up trimming them down to the limit, and I took quite a bit time to do that. I just re-read them and deleted things that would have been repeated in the resume, and I opted to use single words as opposed to multiple words that express the same meaning. For example, I used "consequently" instead of "as a result."

Sorry if my response doesn't sound like good advice, but I hope they could help you somewhat!

Good luck! =)
 
EinmikroFreund said:
Well, I highly doubt any of our answers are any better than educated guesses! =/ I suppose that if they give us a word limit then we should stick to it. I wouldn't want to risk my application for the sake of extra words...

When I first wrote mine, I had trouble with the word limits as well. I ended up trimming them down to the limit, and I took quite a bit time to do that. I just re-read them and deleted things that would have been repeated in the resume, and I opted to use single words as opposed to multiple words that express the same meaning. For example, I used "consequently" instead of "as a result."

Sorry if my response doesn't sound like good advice, but I hope they could help you somewhat!

Good luck! =)
Click to expand...

thanks that helped. 500 exactly. time to summit and wait.
 
If anyone has been accepted to this school, please let me know so you can be added to the roll call for 2014/2015. Please post in the sticky thread or PM me your acceptances and the program you will be attending (if accepted to multiple schools).🙂
 
bebeLnJ said:
My statement was 600 words when i wrote it last year. And I still got in... so I don't think it matters. :horns:
Click to expand...

REally? nice. What were your stats if u dont mind me asking? You're gonna be a pharmacist soon so it doesnt matter if u share ur stats. 😉
 
The courses taken into consideration for the admission average is listed on the pharmacy website and I just wanted to make sure something..

the courses listed in pairs (CHEM 233 & CHEM235 and BIOL 201 & BIOC 302)...if you've only completed one of the two then they don't take the one you've completed as part of the admission average?

(taken chem233, not 235; taken bio201 not bioc203 etc.)
 
A couple of quick questions:
1): I took the PCAT in October and again in January. Should I put my Oct score in the PCAT section of the application? Or should I just put the January date of test and have them see the score when they get the report?

2): I got my high school transcript sent from the district office. I wanted to mail it myself but the lady told me that UBC doesnt accept transcripts from the students. They need to be sent out by your institution etc. Is it appropriate to call the undergraduate office to ensure that my transcripts are there? Or should I email them?
 
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