University of British Columbia Application Thread

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ginee said:
Hmmm..

If we only put pharmacy as the first choice on that form, and leave the second choice blank.. will we be back into our original program if we don't get accepted into pharmacy?😕

Or how does that work...?
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IF I remember correctly, you'll be back to the original program if not accepted AND if you left the second choice blank.

You may want to ask the Faculty about it if you're not sure though.
 
Submitted all my documents and fees last week! I had a really hard time hitting that submit button as I constantly was going back and forth tweaking my essays and so paranoid that I missed something in my resume. Now to wait until they all get checked off the list in March before I can totally breathe easy.

It really is too bad that Canadian pharm schools make their admission decisions so late in the summer. It's so difficult watching all of the American thread's where half the people received conditional acceptances in early fall. Also, it totally sucks for people who are not already Vancouver residents who would like to have a little more notice about where they will be living when summer is over.
 
lllix said:
Submitted all my documents and fees last week! I had a really hard time hitting that submit button as I constantly was going back and forth tweaking my essays and so paranoid that I missed something in my resume. Now to wait until they all get checked off the list in March before I can totally breathe easy.

It really is too bad that Canadian pharm schools make their admission decisions so late in the summer. It's so difficult watching all of the American thread's where half the people received conditional acceptances in early fall. Also, it totally sucks for people who are not already Vancouver residents who would like to have a little more notice about where they will be living when summer is over.
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Congrats, Illix! =D

I know EXACTLY how you felt because I was also obsessively editing my essays and the other parts of the application as well, checking every little words to make sure they flow well. I felt a bit like a robot: edit, check word count, edit, check word count, edit... I was programmed to do that for a week before I told myself that I must stop doing that and submit the application, for crying out loud! :laugh: Yes... I don't think I'll sleep 100% in peace until everything is "received." I'm relieved that I'm not the only one like this. =)

Well, it's going to be a long 3-4 months before our next big step! =/
 
i work at london drugs and my title is pharmacy assistant but i do pharmacy technician duties.. which do i write as a job title? i know technician sounds better.

thanks 🙂
 
EinmikroFreund said:
Congrats, Illix! =D

I know EXACTLY how you felt because I was also obsessively editing my essays and the other parts of the application as well, checking every little words to make sure they flow well. I felt a bit like a robot: edit, check word count, edit, check word count, edit... I was programmed to do that for a week before I told myself that I must stop doing that and submit the application, for crying out loud! :laugh: Yes... I don't think I'll sleep 100% in peace until everything is "received." I'm relieved that I'm not the only one like this. =)

Well, it's going to be a long 3-4 months before our next big step! =/
Click to expand...

I wasn't so concerned about word count because I looked at my old essays from last year and it looked like they were both about 540-560-ish and I got an interview last year. I think someone else in this thread said they got in with 600 words last year as well. I am guessing that their submission form isn't word count sensitive, but they probably just wanted applicants to keep it within a reasonable range. I mean, I think they were most worried about people writing 2000 word essays. At least, I hope so :xf:.

But yeah, I forced myself to stick to the deadline I set for myself because otherwise I would be spending my whole reading week on it and would never even touch my actual homework.
 
ricedemon said:
i work at london drugs and my title is pharmacy assistant but i do pharmacy technician duties.. which do i write as a job title? i know technician sounds better.

thanks 🙂
Click to expand...

Although technician sounds better, I think you may want to just put "assistant" for two reasons. First, this is the title that your employer gave you, so this is just in case the Faculty happens to check with your employer. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, assistants are not allowed to call themselved "technicians" unless they're registered with the College of Pharmacists of BC, starting this year.

Hope this helps settles your mind! =)

lllix said:
I wasn't so concerned about word count because I looked at my old essays from last year and it looked like they were both about 540-560-ish and I got an interview last year. I think someone else in this thread said they got in with 600 words last year as well. I am guessing that their submission form isn't word count sensitive, but they probably just wanted applicants to keep it within a reasonable range. I mean, I think they were most worried about people writing 2000 word essays. At least, I hope so :xf:.

But yeah, I forced myself to stick to the deadline I set for myself because otherwise I would be spending my whole reading week on it and would never even touch my actual homework.
Click to expand...

If I know that I can go beyond the word limit a little, I wouldn't be that possessed with the application! :laugh:

I think the Faculty may check the word limits, but they'll probably just give leeway to the ones that write them well (of course, without being too long). Just my little opinion. =)
 
thanks sir 👍 i read about you 2 yesterday when i read all 31 pages of that 2010 thread. hope we all get in this year.

i guess it doesnt matter what my title is as long as my duties are all there.
 
Hey guys, just a quick question: For the resume part, if you are still working/volunteering somewhere, what did you guys put for "Date to" section? Should I just put "present"?
 
EinmikroFreund said:
If I know that I can go beyond the word limit a little, I wouldn't be that possessed with the application! :laugh:

I think the Faculty may check the word limits, but they'll probably just give leeway to the ones that write them well (of course, without being too long). Just my little opinion. =)
Click to expand...

Yeah, they probably only check the limits when someone has written grossly longer essays than the majority. Either way, I basically used the same essays that got me an interview last year (with some minor tweaking), so here is hoping that the limits continue not to make too much of a difference!


Iqra said:
Hey guys, just a quick question: For the resume part, if you are still working/volunteering somewhere, what did you guys put for "Date to" section? Should I just put "present"?
Click to expand...

Yep. That's what i did.
 
What?? The questions were the same as last year??

It's my first time applying and I still haven't started writing yet :scared:.

Do you know if the faculty actually contacts the contact person to verify? I'm not going to make things up, but I'm just wondering if I need to give that person a heads-up.
 
Just checked my PCAT score, and it is a score of 65. Should I even bother applying?
 
@bootboot im not sure if they contact them either. i gave a heads up to the more recent and important ones.. the ones that are like 5 years ago.. i didnt 😛

@Iqra if you dont mind us asking what is the GPA and EC's.. its a kinda a whole picture thing. but if you value your money. probably wait till next year. unless the other 2 are amazing.
 
GPA is around 80'ish percent. I have volunteered a lot at different places. I have been volunteering at a pharmacy for about 3 months now. I think my application looks pretty good.
Have you guys heard of anybody getting in with that PCAT?
 
apparently there have been. youve met the cut off so technically you can apply. but ive also heard cases where everything was awesome but were rejected because the pcat was too low.

i mean if it didnt matter.. why would they make you take it?

well its up to you. you only have money to lose.. but everything gain.. the most important being time.
 
Thanks for your input.
I think I am going to go ahead and apply. It is another $150 but who knows...I just might make it and make it all worth it.
 
Yeah, I dont even want to think about that right now 😱
 
Iqra said:
Just checked my PCAT score, and it is a score of 65. Should I even bother applying?
Click to expand...

Yeah I think apply... you average is great but your pcat is at the bare min, I think you still have a decent chance...
 
i am in first year science and my resume is pretty much just some volunteering here and there (senior homes, thrift shops, etc) and i dont have any pharmacy experience. 🙁 Do u guys think my application will be competitive with GPA and PCAT both in 80's?
 
ubcperson said:
i am in first year science and my resume is pretty much just some volunteering here and there (senior homes, thrift shops, etc) and i dont have any pharmacy experience. 🙁 Do u guys think my application will be competitive with GPA and PCAT both in 80's?
Click to expand...

Yeah.
 
Hi guys, I just bought my PCAT scores today. Do you guys think I have a chance?

Verbal ability: 40
Biology: 84
Reading Comprehension: 52
Quantitative Ability: 83
Chemistry: 81
Composite: 416 (Scaled score), 74 (Composite)

74 composite PCAT score combined with a 83% average and 10 months of pharmacy experience, what are my chances of getting in?

And will my low score on the verbal section of the PCAT affect my chances of getting in?
 
^ What are you worried about? I think you have great chances 😛
 
Yea I think with 83% pre req average and 74% PCAT, you shouldn't have problem getting an interview.

I just bought my score too and got 71% in PCAT. However my pre-req average is only 74%. I have a bachelor's degree and I have about 1.5 year of hospital volunteering with tutor experiences in learning centres and other misc. extra activities. How competitive do you guys think I am in terms of getting the interview? (Resident of BC) Do I even stand a chance even if I receive the interview since I will be likely to be the bottom of the list when I get the interview?

I just want to know what you guys think..
 
people need to chill out XD

if i told you you arent getting in would i keep you up at night?

what if i told you with that combo you're sure in?

unfortunately w/e i say has no bearing on your fate... and as much as i would like it i cannot foresee the future...

so sure i could say you probably going to get an interview.. but then i would just be lying to you because i have no idea.. and that would be horrible of me.
 
^ Lol. We all know what you/I say does not matter but it just helps to get another opinion.
 
ricedemon said:
people need to chill out XD

if i told you you arent getting in would i keep you up at night?

what if i told you with that combo you're sure in?

unfortunately w/e i say has no bearing on your fate... and as much as i would like it i cannot foresee the future...

so sure i could say you probably going to get an interview.. but then i would just be lying to you because i have no idea.. and that would be horrible of me.
Click to expand...


Agreed. After participating in the UBC thread last year, it is quite obvious that you can't really predict anything with certainty. The only claim I would make is that if you have averages above the typical admission averages that they posted on the website and have a strong supplemental application then you will probably get the interview. The interview can really go either way and I think it makes up a large portion of the consideration they give for your admission, so in the end, you have to be strong all across the board.

That being said, it is not helpful to ask what your chances are and stress yourself out about it... Plus the deadline is in just a few days, so you really should not be questioning these things now. Either you are above the typical averages and you would be discrediting yourself by questioning your chances, or you are a bit below that and you will never know unless you try. Obviously if you have below a 70 on both your GPA and your PCAT then I would say you would definitely be facing some tough competition and that you should maybe take another year of university and try and boost your stats.

But really, as a re-applicant this year, my biggest advice is not to take too much stock into what you read here (how ironic as I am obviously assuming you are reading this). But seriously, I got super stressed out looking at everyone's statistics and listening to everyone's speculations about the admission process which is why I have been trying to lay low for the most part while working on my application and I will probably lay low again come interview time. This forum is a great venue to collect support and ask questions, but if you get too caught up in comparing yourself, you might just end up doubting yourself and causing a lot of undue stress.
 
^ Could not have said it better 🙂
 
Just a quick question for any of you that may know the answer: If we have already taken BIOL112, but now take MICB201, since the Academic Requirements list it as BIOL112 OR MICB201, do they take the more recent mark, the higher mark, or both when calculating the average?
 
Yuuto said:
Just a quick question for any of you that may know the answer: If we have already taken BIOL112, but now take MICB201, since the Academic Requirements list it as BIOL112 OR MICB201, do they take the more recent mark, the higher mark, or both when calculating the average?
Click to expand...

Hmm... good question. You may want to ask the Faculty about this, since I think this is a rather rare scenario as most (I think) either take one or the other.
 
they will probably say just take the average of both

cuz if you think about it.. say i failed BIOL 112.. wouldnt it be convenient if i could just take MICB 201 and omit the BIOL 112 score. :laugh:
 
lllix said:
Agreed. After participating in the UBC thread last year, it is quite obvious that you can't really predict anything with certainty. The only claim I would make is that if you have averages above the typical admission averages that they posted on the website and have a strong supplemental application then you will probably get the interview. The interview can really go either way and I think it makes up a large portion of the consideration they give for your admission, so in the end, you have to be strong all across the board.

That being said, it is not helpful to ask what your chances are and stress yourself out about it... Plus the deadline is in just a few days, so you really should not be questioning these things now. Either you are above the typical averages and you would be discrediting yourself by questioning your chances, or you are a bit below that and you will never know unless you try. Obviously if you have below a 70 on both your GPA and your PCAT then I would say you would definitely be facing some tough competition and that you should maybe take another year of university and try and boost your stats.

But really, as a re-applicant this year, my biggest advice is not to take too much stock into what you read here (how ironic as I am obviously assuming you are reading this). But seriously, I got super stressed out looking at everyone's statistics and listening to everyone's speculations about the admission process which is why I have been trying to lay low for the most part while working on my application and I will probably lay low again come interview time. This forum is a great venue to collect support and ask questions, but if you get too caught up in comparing yourself, you might just end up doubting yourself and causing a lot of undue stress.
Click to expand...

Hi lllix,

Just out of curiosity, what were your stats last year when you applied for the UBC pharmacy program? Also, were you an out of province applicant?

I would completely understand if you'd rather keep this information confidential for personal reasons.
 
instinctz said:
Hi lllix,

Just out of curiosity, what were your stats last year when you applied for the UBC pharmacy program? Also, were you an out of province applicant?

I would completely understand if you'd rather keep this information confidential for personal reasons.
Click to expand...

I will say that I am an out of province applicant, but I do not want to share my statistics unless I receive an acceptance. As my previous post stated, I don't think it serves anyone's interests to compare themselves, especially to strangers on the internet. I will say that I did not have the highest GPA ever in my pre-req courses, but it was still within a fairly competitive range to the admission average that year...in my opinion anyway, and my PCAT score was exactly the same as the average last year. I also have several years of pharmacy assistant experience. My interview score was where there was the greatest disparity last year, which I fully hold myself accountable for, although still hold that it is one of the most difficult parts of the process to prepare for especially given the new format.

So take from that what you will!
 
I am not going to UBC right now. Can I still take summer courses and have them transferred to UBC if I get admission?
 
Iqra said:
I am not going to UBC right now. Can I still take summer courses and have them transferred to UBC if I get admission?
Click to expand...

I am not a UBC student either. I am guessing that you will be able to as long as the course has a UBC equivalent that fills a requirement for the pharm program. Might be best to see what a current pharm student says. I know that if you have already taken organic chem and other courses that are part of the pharm curriculum like microbiology then you will get credit for them, but I think it probably depends on what courses you are thinking of...
 
I am thinking of taking Organic Chem II and statistics.
 
I am probably being paranoid but when they say that the Change of Program form had to be submitted into Enrollment Services, we just have to submit the online form in SSC right? Nothing physical we have to hand in? :scared:
 
ginee said:
I am probably being paranoid but when they say that the Change of Program form had to be submitted into Enrollment Services, we just have to submit the online form in SSC right? Nothing physical we have to hand in? :scared:
Click to expand...

No, just the Change of Program form on SSC! =)
 
is anyone else getting an error message on the ubc ssc website while trying to access the change of degree form?? :S it says HTTP 500 error??

any ideas whats wrong?? I tried with google chrome as well as IE and firefox but nothing helps, help please!!!!
 
is the ssc thing the one where you pay $60?

and to alex^

i just logged onto the the student service center

where there is 2 of my degree choices.. and any transcripts they received..

not sure if that helped..
 
It worked this morning, so everythings sent!
Now the long wait!
 
I just submitted my application but for some reason it says my PCAT score was not received, but I don't understand why this would be. UBC was one of the schools I indicated as the recipient of the score back in aug 2010 when i wrote the PCAT, so why would this be? Does anyone else have the same problem by any chance?
 
for awards section, can we put declined scholarship from other universities?:meanie:
 
Iqra said:
I am thinking of taking Organic Chem II and statistics.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am pretty sure that is the case. I have already taken both so that is what I am banking on anyway. They certainly won't make you re-take them, unless you are taking the courses at a school where the curriculum is significantly different, which i doubt because those are pretty standard courses.
 
I'm have an extremely hard time pressing the submit button.

I was wondering if any of you made it a priority to fill out all of the tabs available for each section?

I am not sure if I should put certain volunteering experiences as I don't think some of them are a good indication of my overall character.
 
finally purchased my pcat score and submit my application, now I can finally go to sleep😴
 
I know they look at the admission average after the term is over..that means that course grades from the summer sessions wont count towards it right?
 
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