University of British Columbia Application Thread

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Hey all - I got my PCAT results! Can someone tell me if our writing scores are looked at by UBC?


I still haven't gotten my PCAT results. 🙁 I've been waiting for ages. Hopefully i get it this week, if not i'm going to have to contact them and ask them to resend.
 
Would it be better to use letters of reference from recent volunteer experiences (even if the leaders don't know you that well and duration is short), or from volunteer leaders a year or two ago who might not remember you that well? =.="

The programs I was involved in didn't really involve that much direct interaction with the leaders.
 
I would suggest someone who knows you fairly well to provide an accurate judge of character.

After all, this is only a preliminary impression, the actual judgement of your character is the interview process. So you want to give them as much reason to invite you in for an interview as possible.
 
Accurate judge of character. Then I guess high school teacher might trump summer volunteering coordinator who barely knows my name.. Thing is, are we looking for 'references' or is it as OptimistPrime said, a *recommendation* letter? If they were to be recommending a student for pharmacy, won't having someone who knows you from some professional-ish (say, volunteering or univ prof) experience sound more.. I don't know, convincing? =\

Anyone here in second year and taking Chem 233? I feel like I've deflated after last night's midterm. x.x Starting to fret about the application. Worrying about getting the right (if any) references. ><
 
Accurate judge of character. Then I guess high school teacher might trump summer volunteering coordinator who barely knows my name.. Thing is, are we looking for 'references' or is it as OptimistPrime said, a *recommendation* letter? If they were to be recommending a student for pharmacy, won't having someone who knows you from some professional-ish (say, volunteering or univ prof) experience sound more.. I don't know, convincing? =\

Anyone here in second year and taking Chem 233? I feel like I've deflated after last night's midterm. x.x Starting to fret about the application. Worrying about getting the right (if any) references. ><

I'm in second year and yea the exam on tues night was exhausting...and im pretty screwd for this week since i had a micb 201 midterm today and im taking the PCAT on sat. Ill proly end up doin it again in january...thats kina risky tho...i finally decided to jump on the forum after reading last years thread.
 
Other than reference letters, how do they look at your extra-curricular? Is there a supplemental form to fill out as well?
 
Accurate judge of character. Then I guess high school teacher might trump summer volunteering coordinator who barely knows my name.. Thing is, are we looking for 'references' or is it as OptimistPrime said, a *recommendation* letter? If they were to be recommending a student for pharmacy, won't having someone who knows you from some professional-ish (say, volunteering or univ prof) experience sound more.. I don't know, convincing? =\

Anyone here in second year and taking Chem 233? I feel like I've deflated after last night's midterm. x.x Starting to fret about the application. Worrying about getting the right (if any) references. ><

I'm in second year and yea the exam on tues night was exhausting...and im pretty screwd for this week since i had a micb 201 midterm today and im taking the PCAT on sat. Ill proly end up doin it again in january...thats kina risky tho...i finally decided to jump on the forum after reading last years thread.

Hey, I'm taking Chem 233 this semester too! Which profs do you guys have? Apparently the midterm average was 53%, and that's supposed to be normal for Chem 233. Haha. I'm in the same boat as you honeynutcheerio. This references thing is plaguing me because I don't know who to ask for my second one. It's gonna plague me all the way until January I swear.

Good luck for the rest of the midterms people! Just finished Biol 200 tonight and Stat 200 is next week, if any of you are taking those courses as well 😉
 
Hey, I'm taking Chem 233 this semester too! Which profs do you guys have? Apparently the midterm average was 53%, and that's supposed to be normal for Chem 233. Haha. I'm in the same boat as you honeynutcheerio. This references thing is plaguing me because I don't know who to ask for my second one. It's gonna plague me all the way until January I swear.

Good luck for the rest of the midterms people! Just finished Biol 200 tonight and Stat 200 is next week, if any of you are taking those courses as well 😉

WHOA Chestnut 😵 Might I know you from real life? I just had Biol 200 and am expecting Stat 200 next week too. 😀

But ya, good luck guys!! I know a lot of people who are only just starting their midterms tonight. Sometimes I feel lucky that most of my classes have more than one midterm. Can't imagine all that weight on one single test.

Seriously though, Chem MT1 average = 53%. Omg. And everyone is telling me that it's just gonna get lower for MT2. x.X
 
WHOA Chestnut 😵 Might I know you from real life? I just had Biol 200 and am expecting Stat 200 next week too. 😀

But ya, good luck guys!! I know a lot of people who are only just starting their midterms tonight. Sometimes I feel lucky that most of my classes have more than one midterm. Can't imagine all that weight on one single test.

Seriously though, Chem MT1 average = 53%. Omg. And everyone is telling me that it's just gonna get lower for MT2. x.X

Maybe, maybe not 🙄 But then a lot of second years are taking the same combination of courses right? Chem 233, Chem 235, Stat 200, Biol 200, etc. I seem to see the same people over and over again in all of my lectures.

Yeah in a way, it's good that we have two midterms per course but it also means that we practically have a midterm on every week of the semester until finals. Not nice! O-chem is the weeder course, or so they say... 😎
 
I see most of you guys here are taking Chem 233. Those averages are quite terrifying. I guess Ochem is just a beast of a course. Anyone out there taking Chem 203 and 204 instead?
 
That was the case when I took chem 233. I my self aced the first midterm ( average was about 50 something) and then got only about 2 percent over the average on 2nd midterm...I found it alot harder (average again 50 something). In the end I still aced the class, but it took ALOT of work. Lol don't freak out if you fail a midterm hahaha I once saw a kid crying after a math midterm, I mean some of them are worth only like 10%. And yea this class is the weeder course peoples med school dreams are crushed after it haha.

WHOA Chestnut 😵 Might I know you from real life? I just had Biol 200 and am expecting Stat 200 next week too. 😀

But ya, good luck guys!! I know a lot of people who are only just starting their midterms tonight. Sometimes I feel lucky that most of my classes have more than one midterm. Can't imagine all that weight on one single test.

Seriously though, Chem MT1 average = 53%. Omg. And everyone is telling me that it's just gonna get lower for MT2. x.X
 
I can't wait until November, I just want to get the application process over with. All the anticipation was stressful enough last year.

Hey illix, I guess you didn't get accepted last year eh? Same here. Well time to reapply, oh and retake the PCAT... 😛 I'm gonna gamble and take the Jan 2011 PCAT
 
I'm taking it in January as well 🙂

Anybody knows when exactly in November do the applications open?
 
UBC's online application is available now! I am already shaking with fear. :scared:
 
Hey illix, I guess you didn't get accepted last year eh? Same here. Well time to reapply, oh and retake the PCAT... 😛 I'm gonna gamble and take the Jan 2011 PCAT

Fortunately, I had a fairly strong PCAT score when I took it last January so that is one less stress for me this year. Which is nice for me because I have a really HARD semester right now, so I don't think I would have time to prepare for the PCAT anyway.
 
I know it is still every early in terms of pharmacy school application, but I wonder if you guys want to start some sort of 'study group' to get prepared for the personal statement and interview stuff.

I applied last year and ranked around 170s....so I guess the interview is killing my chance and that is why I want to start early this year. Is anyone interested in joining?
 
I know it is still every early in terms of pharmacy school application, but I wonder if you guys want to start some sort of 'study group' to get prepared for the personal statement and interview stuff.

I applied last year and ranked around 170s....so I guess the interview is killing my chance and that is why I want to start early this year. Is anyone interested in joining?

I'd like it very much if I could join. This will be my first time applying and a study group (in addition to this 'support group' forum) would be great. =)

On the other hand, I doubt I have much to contribute to a study group. I'm so utterly clueless. Atm I'm still trying to figure out a way to get references so I haven't looked at the application yet. Is there a lot that we have to prepare for, prompting a study group?
 
I'd love to take part in a "study group"! I am also freaking out about references and the 2 personal statement questions that we have to answer. I am afraid I won't have much to contribute either, this being my first time applying. I am scared, guys! 🙂
 
so why do you guys want to go into pharmacy?
 
I know it is still every early in terms of pharmacy school application, but I wonder if you guys want to start some sort of 'study group' to get prepared for the personal statement and interview stuff.

I applied last year and ranked around 170s....so I guess the interview is killing my chance and that is why I want to start early this year. Is anyone interested in joining?

Hey, I want to join too! I felt great about the interview last year, but I ended up just shades away from getting in (ranked in the 150s), so I'm thinking that by coming together earlier on, we could be helpful to each other (I'm not contributing much either). =)
 
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?
 
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?

I've never failed or dropped a course myself, so I personally would advise against dropping the course. A "W" just doesn't look good on the transcript.

However, it's really up to you to gauge how much you can handle. If the course is taking a lot of time out of your schedule, and is causing you to do poorly in other courses because of that... it might be better off to drop it. Also, are you taking courses that count towards the pharmacy entrance GPA? If so, it seems that dropping would also be good so that you can focus on those courses that pharm. looks at. (After all, you wouldn't want to do badly in those because of phys biochem, and then have it affect your overall pharm application).

Goodluck with your decision! 🙂


Btw, to everyone who's taking CHEM 233 (yes, I am too!)... the second midterm is coming up, and even though I'm determined to do well, I'm getting super worried. I'm still kicking myself for messing up the first midterm when it doesn't seem that difficult looking back on it. :bang:
 
I've never failed or dropped a course myself, so I personally would advise against dropping the course. A "W" just doesn't look good on the transcript.

However, it's really up to you to gauge how much you can handle. If the course is taking a lot of time out of your schedule, and is causing you to do poorly in other courses because of that... it might be better off to drop it. Also, are you taking courses that count towards the pharmacy entrance GPA? If so, it seems that dropping would also be good so that you can focus on those courses that pharm. looks at. (After all, you wouldn't want to do badly in those because of phys biochem, and then have it affect your overall pharm application).

Goodluck with your decision! 🙂


Btw, to everyone who's taking CHEM 233 (yes, I am too!)... the second midterm is coming up, and even though I'm determined to do well, I'm getting super worried. I'm still kicking myself for messing up the first midterm when it doesn't seem that difficult looking back on it. :bang:


Even though I've took CHEM 233 ages ago (back when they had only one midterm), I found that I had lots of marks slipped away for making "stupid mistakes" on the questions of the midterm too. Don't feel too bad though, loch (and everyone else), because hindsight makes everyone feel that they've made dumb mistakes! Just keep hacking away, and you will conquer the Chem Devil!

Good luck, and get lively folks! 🙂
 
Thanks guys, I was definitely in a state of panic when I wrote that. I think I am going to tough it out for a little longer at least and then re-evaluate closer to finals. My next semester is a bit lighter of a course load so hopefully it will allow me to redeem myself a little bit. Luckily I have completed all of UBCs course requirements anyway so it shouldn't have too much of an affect on my entrance average since they mainly consider the average of your pre-reqs and not as much your overall GPA.
 
Thanks guys, I was definitely in a state of panic when I wrote that. I think I am going to tough it out for a little longer at least and then re-evaluate closer to finals. My next semester is a bit lighter of a course load so hopefully it will allow me to redeem myself a little bit. Luckily I have completed all of UBCs course requirements anyway so it shouldn't have too much of an affect on my entrance average since they mainly consider the average of your pre-reqs and not as much your overall GPA.

I thought they only look at prereq average?
 
Thanks guys, I was definitely in a state of panic when I wrote that. I think I am going to tough it out for a little longer at least and then re-evaluate closer to finals. My next semester is a bit lighter of a course load so hopefully it will allow me to redeem myself a little bit. Luckily I have completed all of UBCs course requirements anyway so it shouldn't have too much of an affect on my entrance average since they mainly consider the average of your pre-reqs and not as much your overall GPA.

do they look at overall GPA as well for UBC pharmacy?
 
so what is lllix talking about when he/she states that they look at overall GPA
 
What does the application consist of for pharmacy at UBC?

I know there are 2 reference letters

Is there an essay component? or is it just a basic form where you write your GPA, PCAT, etc.?
 
so what is lllix talking about when he/she states that they look at overall GPA

Actually, Illix said that he/she has already done the pre-reqs that UBC pharmacy would look at when he/she applies, so now he/she won't have to worry overly much about his/her classes that would affect his/her overall GPA for his/her degree.

What does the application consist of for pharmacy at UBC?

I know there are 2 reference letters

Is there an essay component? or is it just a basic form where you write your GPA, PCAT, etc.?

According to the UBC Pharmacy website, there are two essays that we would have to do as part of the online part of application. With regards to the PCAT, you only need to fill in the mark, and then they will check it against the PCAT report Pearson sent to UBC. There is no section in the application that needs you to fill in your pre-req marks, as the Faculty will check them against your transcript.

Here is the link to the UBC Pharmacy website:

http://www.pharmacy.ubc.ca/programs/degree-programs/BscP/aboutus


Hope that helps! 🙂
 
Yes that helps. What are the 2 essays on, do you know?
 
No, I haven't got a chance to look at the application for this cycle yet, but you can go ahead and check it out using the link to the online part of application provided on the website. It's not due until the end of February, so getting a head start would definitely save us a lot of stress!
 
Actually, Illix said that he/she has already done the pre-reqs that UBC pharmacy would look at when he/she applies, so now he/she won't have to worry overly much about his/her classes that would affect his/her overall GPA for his/her degree.

Thank you, I didn't realize that my poor word choice would send you guys all in such a panic. Although I would like to point out that while they don't look at your overall GPA, they will include other courses that are in the pharmacy curriculum (such as microbio and physiology) in your admission average despite the fact that they are not pre-reqs. Or at least that is how I interpreted the website. Fortunately, that does not apply to me in the case of UBC.
 
Okay thanks for the clarifications, good luck to everyone applying this year
 
Thank you, I didn't realize that my poor word choice would send you guys all in such a panic. Although I would like to point out that while they don't look at your overall GPA, they will include other courses that are in the pharmacy curriculum (such as microbio and physiology) in your admission average despite the fact that they are not pre-reqs. Or at least that is how I interpreted the website. Fortunately, that does not apply to me in the case of UBC.

They also look at O-Chem I and O-Chem II I believe.. edit: CHEM 233 & 235, OR CHEM 203 & 204
 
To those who are taking Chem 233, how did you find the second midterm? Killer, much?
 
Any chance of admission without having the english pre-reqs? Should I even bother applying?
 
No..they wont even look at your application if you haven't completed all the pre- reqs.

Any chance of admission without having the english pre-reqs? Should I even bother applying?
 
Any chance of admission without having the english pre-reqs? Should I even bother applying?

They receive more than enough applicants who have completed all of the pre-requisites so unfortunately they will probably weed out those lacking any of them right off the bat. You are also better off having completed all the pre-reqs and then some anyway because the more of the required courses for the program (ie. ochem) that you can get out of the way before you are accepted, the easier your course load will be.
 
Would it be better to use letters of reference from recent volunteer experiences (even if the leaders don't know you that well and duration is short), or from volunteer leaders a year or two ago who might not remember you that well? =.="

The programs I was involved in didn't really involve that much direct interaction with the leaders.

I would definitely say getting someone who knows you (and likes you) versus someone who doesn't remember you very well. You want to stand out on your reference letters, you don't want to sound like everyone else! You might also want to consider asking someone that has more credibility in terms of his/her profession (Doctors, professors are definitely preferred)! Be thoughtful of who you ask to be your reference!

Best of luck with the application 🙂
 
For the letter of references for UBC, do our references only need to fill out the "Pharmacy Application for Admission - Structured Reference Letter" (the .doc file) form/document? As opposed to writing a letter with a proper heading and a body?

Thanks🙂
 
For the letter of references for UBC, do our references only need to fill out the "Pharmacy Application for Admission - Structured Reference Letter" (the .doc file) form/document? As opposed to writing a letter with a proper heading and a body?

Thanks🙂

Yes, only that form! 🙂
 
Does anyone know of someone who has been accepted with a PCAT COMPOSITE of 65?👎thumbup::meanie:
 
Yeap. My friend just graduated this year. His GPA was 82% and PCAT 65. I didn't find anything too stellar about his application thought. His essays and interviews were probably good.
 
I'm actually most concerned about my reference letters. I am certain that I can get one from my organic chem prof whom I've known for about 6 months, but I'm having lots of trouble with my second one. My only option right now (seeing how I can't find a pharmacy to volunteer/work at) is my ex-employer from a year ago.. I was just wondering if it's a good idea to ask her for reference letter since her memory of me might be somewhat hazy..
 
Yes, my cousin and buddy. One had 65 one had 67. One was accepted 2 years ago the other was accepted last year.

Does anyone know of someone who has been accepted with a PCAT COMPOSITE of 65?👎thumbup::meanie:
 
Definitely! Just make sure you look at the most recent list of pharmacy-approved electives, as of course it is subject to change (though I haven't noticed any changes).
Hi UBCmicrobi,
Thanks for all your support along with all you others from last years thread.I was waitlisted to the end of August last year and unfortunately did not make it in.I was told my PCAT was not competative enough,had an almost minimum score.So my question for you or anybody else is ...Is it to early to send my application and references in ? I scored very well in all the other areas so I am rewriting my PCAT in January,and studying adequately for it this time haha ! I am also doing a six credit directed studies project in a lab this year so my time is spread pretty thin between that and my courses, so it would be nice to get everything sent off! 🙂
 
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