University of British Columbia Application Thread

[ksksks]

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someone in our group also never showed up (or at least by 45 min. in they hadn't). Wonder what happened there.

probably got into another school or program of choice

I almost did that, but I liked UBC too much to not go

 

[ksksks]

for those of you who went to the interview last year, was there a rest station and are you allowed to bring anything to drink? thx🙄

yes rest station is there
mine was the last station -_- when i did it so it was like no use to me. Ended up speaking to the invigilators about pharm school

bring water. your mouth will feel like the Gobi desert after the first station.

 

[ricedemon]

4. During one MMI session we held for pre-pharm students, some students cried when the interviewers were apparently "harsh". Good luck, since some of the interviewers you see will PURPOSELY act that way to test your resiliency.

i hope you are right about that.. i had a who kept raising her eyebrows.. and making like dumbfounded faces + she had a lazy eye .. right from the get go.. even before i started talking.. and when i tried to shake her hand she gave me a limp hand.. i still shook it XD

i didnt let it get to me. i hope i didnt show it XD

 

[gluglugs]

Now that everything is over and done with for the people who got interviews this cycle. Best of luck to you all and i hope all of you find something to do within the next two weeks so you don't get killed with anxiety. I'm the type of person who doesnt get nervous for big events but it kills me waiting for pending results. =P

and LOL @ the person who didnt show up, for some1 to not show up at an interview as big as this its probably something pretty darn amazing

 

[PharMarley]

probably got into another school or program of choice

I almost did that, but I liked UBC too much to not go

Wow really? You got into UofT aswell? Do you mind telling us your stats?

 

[gluglugs]

I'm actually super curious about what kind of person UofA pharm accepts. The GPA only evaluation so sketch IMO.

 

[Gladd]

I'm actually super curious about what kind of person UofA pharm accepts. The GPA only evaluation so sketch IMO.

They do have that letter of intent.

But that can't be all that useful.

Has to be almost completely GPA based.

 

[gluglugs]

I was told UofA is the best pharm school in Canada by a UBC pharm grad. How did that even happen without interviews in the admission process? Or does ranking have nothing to do with how good your students are...

 

[Hokuten]

i hope you are right about that.. i had a who kept raising her eyebrows.. and making like dumbfounded faces + she had a lazy eye .. right from the get go.. even before i started talking.. and when i tried to shake her hand she gave me a limp hand.. i still shook it XD

i didnt let it get to me. i hope i didnt show it XD

I had the exact same interviewer. Her right eye kept twitching and she seemed unimpressed and emotionless throughout the interview. Was intimidating for sure.

 

[Zoupa]

I was told UofA is the best pharm school in Canada by a UBC pharm grad. How did that even happen without interviews in the admission process? Or does ranking have nothing to do with how good your students are...

No interviews equate to a higher emphasis placed on academics which results in higher board scores. That's probably how they determine best school since a U of A student usually gets the highest grade on the PEBC exam.

 

[lllix]

No interviews equate to a higher emphasis placed on academics which results in higher board scores. That's probably how they determine best school since a U of A student usually gets the highest grade on the PEBC exam.

I agree with you here. As someone who applied to U of A last year and got a big fat rejection, I have to say that the only thing the program has to show for itself is high scoring students. Sure my GPA is not a 4.0, but do they care that I have been working in a pharmacy environment for 5.5 years with about 4 of those as a pharmacy assistant? Sure, they give you a tiny letter of intent to fill in, but how can they even verify such claims? I have to say I really like UBC's application format. They really cover all of the bases from grades to experience to personality. And anyone who has had any decent pharmacy experience knows that the ability to interact with people is far more important than the difference between a 3.5 and a 4.0 on the pre-req courses.

I would also have to say that UBC's pharm adminstrative staff were also much more helpful on the whole than U of A's. U of A doesn't really communicate you during the process aside from when the admission decision is made. I really appreciate the way UBC understands that we are all anxious and actually makes an effort to communicate with their applicants.

 

[iLLmatic26]

I would also have to say that UBC's pharm adminstrative staff were also much more helpful on the whole than U of A's.

Agreed. I've talked to Shirley on the phone twice before and both times she was very helpful and understanding. I didn't feel rushed while I was talking to her. She took her time and answered all my questions in detail. When I saw her for the first time yesterday during interviews, I was surprised in a good way

 

[lllix]

Okay guys, now the reality is sinking in. Maybe it's because I have the day off, but I keep reliving my interview and honing in on all of the dumb/repetitive/uninspired things that I said. This is gonna be a loooooooooooooong 2(-ish?) weeks.

 

[JTHu]

does anyone think that admission avg will be lower than last year due to the increased class size?

 

[VPN]

Okay guys, now the reality is sinking in. Maybe it's because I have the day off, but I keep reliving my interview and honing in on all of the dumb/repetitive/uninspired things that I said. This is gonna be a loooooooooooooong 2(-ish?) weeks.

I know,I have the same feeling here.I cant stop thinking about my interview.But,I am hoping to get the results by next next Monday

 

[Gladd]

Don't worry guys.

I said some pretty dumb ****.

You are not the only ones.

🙁

 

[ricedemon]

Okay guys, now the reality is sinking in. Maybe it's because I have the day off, but I keep reliving my interview and honing in on all of the dumb/repetitive/uninspired things that I said. This is gonna be a loooooooooooooong 2(-ish?) weeks.

its ok.. now you know you are in the same boat.. and if they take longer it's because they have to compare between all of our dumb answers XD

go buy a computer game and play it for 2 weeks.. i havent played video games in god knows how long.. so it really takes your mind off XD

 

[Farm]

lol am i the only one not freaking out about this?

 

[Gladd]

lol am i the only one not freaking out about this?

I'm not freaking out... yet.

I have my expectations on a rejection letter.

Trying to keep my expectations low so I'm not disappointed, but I'll still be disappointed.

Are you super confident that you'll get in? Or just calm?

 

[Farm]

more calm than anything, but i have to admit im also confident >🙂 .. since i wore my white suit this time!

 

[lllix]

I spent the afternoon cleaning out my shoe closet. if I pick a cupboard or a drawer every day for the next week or two I should be able to distract myself from worrying about this constantly!

 

[ksksks]

Wow really? You got into UofT aswell? Do you mind telling us your stats?

my stats are quite garbage compared to my classmates. I still wonder how I got accepted to both schools. But here is a hoping that sharing my stats will give some light to those who still wish to get into pharm school.

GPA: 74.6 for UBC just above 70 for U of T (B- avg)
PCAT: 90, 1st attempt
Interview: Solid, almost flawless. one person at the interview even told me, "I think you pretty much covered everything that needed to be said, well done" even though he wasn't supposed to.

I was a long-shot to get in, since pharm entry avg is roughly 81-82.
But I honestly made 0 mistakes (maybe 1?) in all of my stations and I think I was able to feel that the interviewers liked me. And I was probably able to get the interview offer because of my PCAT mark, so don't lose hope!

Tip for those who may not get in this year: Take a part time job at the pharmacy and talk to patients that come in, and dont be shy in talking to them first, because if you only talk to those who will ask you things, your communication skills will not improve. I honestly would say working at the pharmacy and being interactive (worked 10-15 hrs/wk for 1 full yr) will pretty much set you up for the MMIs.

Good luck to rest of you and hope you get that e-mail that will make you happy for the rest of the summer! That e-mail sure made my last year's summer wonderful 😛

 

[ksksks]

I spent the afternoon cleaning out my shoe closet. if I pick a cupboard or a drawer every day for the next week or two I should be able to distract myself from worrying about this constantly!

make sure you are doing something relaxing the next two weeks
for me 2 yrs ago, I got my rejection e-mail while I was golfing. I think I was using expletive vocabulary the full 18 holes haha

But honestly, chances are much much better this year
You literally have a 2/3 chance of getting in

 

[ksksks]

more calm than anything, but i have to admit im also confident >🙂 .. since i wore my white suit this time!

impressive 😛
hey at least that makes u stand out

 

[ksksks]

Okay guys, now the reality is sinking in. Maybe it's because I have the day off, but I keep reliving my interview and honing in on all of the dumb/repetitive/uninspired things that I said. This is gonna be a loooooooooooooong 2(-ish?) weeks.

Dont ever do that
Do the thinking after the results
luckily world cup 2010 helped me a lot haha

 

[ksksks]

No interviews equate to a higher emphasis placed on academics which results in higher board scores. That's probably how they determine best school since a U of A student usually gets the highest grade on the PEBC exam.

usually? Last year the highest PEBC score was achieved by a UBC student

 

[PharMarley]

Dont ever do that
Do the thinking after the results
luckily world cup 2010 helped me a lot haha

Well I'm a sport junkie and NBA & NHL playoffs are over. No champions league soccer, Prem and La liga are all done. So there is nothing to watch sports wise. I'm already depressed thinking about NFL and NBA lockouts. So hitting the golf courses to keep my mind boggled. If I dont get in this year I might head up to the mountains and become a shepherd.

 

[Zoupa]

usually? Last year the highest PEBC score was achieved by a UBC student

Actually it was a u of a student (again). Look it up. Dean George A. Burbidge Award.

 

[clonazepamR]

Okay guys, now the reality is sinking in. Maybe it's because I have the day off, but I keep reliving my interview and honing in on all of the dumb/repetitive/uninspired things that I said. This is gonna be a loooooooooooooong 2(-ish?) weeks.

haha, word.

I would've liked a 'pass option' during the stations, lol. One of the questions threw me for a loop, and I didn't even have my answer in place before I walked in... Ended up finding myself midway through the 6min. Couldn't have been coherent!

 

[clonazepamR]

Well I'm a sport junkie and NBA & NHL playoffs are over. No champions league soccer, Prem and La liga are all done. So there is nothing to watch sports wise. I'm already depressed thinking about NFL and NBA lockouts. So hitting the golf courses to keep my mind boggled. If I dont get in this year I might head up to the mountains and become a shepherd.

Amen, brother.

 

[instinctz]

I'm in the same boat as some of you guys. This wait is killing me.

Reflecting back on the interviews, there were so many more things I could say.

There was not one session where I sat there speechless. An interviewer would ask me a simple follow up question, and the buzzer would ring! 🙁

 

[Aktinos23]

I was interviewed June 12 and I started checking my email the monday right after xD I feel like every day is taking forever..lol

I think they wouldn't deduct points for not finishing an answer to a follow-up question. What do you guys think?

 

[lllix]

I think they wouldn't deduct points for not finishing an answer to a follow-up question. What do you guys think?

yeah you are probably right; however, there was one follow up question where i was quite noticeably stumped (ie. the conversation stopped dead while i pondered it) and the interviewer ended up asking me another. i wonder how he scored me there.

 

[Yuuto]

yeah you are probably right; however, there was one follow up question where i was quite noticeably stumped (ie. the conversation stopped dead while i pondered it) and the interviewer ended up asking me another. i wonder how he scored me there.

Well take it in an optimistic view; it's much better to have not said anything than to have said something you didn't mean / just for the sake of answering the question.

 

[lllix]

Well take it in an optimistic view; it's much better to have not said anything than to have said something you didn't mean / just for the sake of answering the question.

Yeah, to be fair, the particular follow up question, in my opinion, probably deserved just as much time to consider as the original question, so I guess if he wanted to wait two minutes I could have come up with something. In the case of this particular question I don't feel too bad about it because the follow up question wasn't as simple as the rest and actually required intense consideration, but yeah, still sucks to be stopped dead in your tracks.

 

[pharmbeauty]

I know right????????????????? the worst part of summer = no NBA.
hope i didnt jinx my interview like lebrongo 😉

Well I'm a sport junkie and NBA & NHL playoffs are over. No champions league soccer, Prem and La liga are all done. So there is nothing to watch sports wise. I'm already depressed thinking about NFL and NBA lockouts. So hitting the golf courses to keep my mind boggled. If I dont get in this year I might head up to the mountains and become a shepherd.

 

[Gladd]

Yeah, to be fair, the particular follow up question, in my opinion, probably deserved just as much time to consider as the original question, so I guess if he wanted to wait two minutes I could have come up with something. In the case of this particular question I don't feel too bad about it because the follow up question wasn't as simple as the rest and actually required intense consideration, but yeah, still sucks to be stopped dead in your tracks.

I had a question like that sort of. Maybe it's the same one.

Like you said, it required just as much thought at the original question.

I kind of just struggled my way through it and the buzzer rang I think.

I got "saved by the bell" at least 3 times with tough follow up questions.

 

[pharmbeauty]

I am sooooooooo nervous.

im guessing we will know by friday (wild guess).


omg.

 

[ksksks]

Actually it was a u of a student (again). Look it up. Dean George A. Burbidge Award.

Hmm found a 2008 winner for UBC
I have no idea, I heard this from a professor at UBC
What makes you so confident that U of A is a better pharmacy school? Just out of curiousity

 

[ksksks]

I was interviewed June 12 and I started checking my email the monday right after xD I feel like every day is taking forever..lol

I think they wouldn't deduct points for not finishing an answer to a follow-up question. What do you guys think?

As long as you spoke comfortably throughout the interview, they will not deduct marks for not being able to answer a follow-up question.

However, if you spoke about things completely unrelated to the topic, then yes you definitely will lose marks for not answering follow-up questions.

 

[ksksks]

I know right????????????????? the worst part of summer = no NBA.
hope i didnt jinx my interview like lebrongo 😉

hey, there is the draft XD

 

[VPN]

)

 

[VPN]

Interview: Solid, almost flawless. one person at the interview even told me, "I think you pretty much covered everything that needed to be said, well done" even though he wasn't supposed to.

WOW.Two of my interviewers told me the same thing.That is a good sign for me.

 

[clonazepamR]

hey, there is the draft XD

to add insult to injury, the draft is wayyyy weak this year!!!

 

[ksksks]

Interview: Solid, almost flawless. one person at the interview even told me, "I think you pretty much covered everything that needed to be said, well done" even though he wasn't supposed to.

WOW.Two of my interviewers told me the same thing.That is a good sign for me.

thats good! as long as you didnt like fail a station, you should be good to get in!

 

[ksksks]

to add insult to injury, the draft is wayyyy weak this year!!!

haha no LBJ or griffin type of players, but I have a hunch that there will be a couple of sleepers hidden

i like these drafts better because its so unpredictable!

 

[PharMarley]

haha no LBJ or griffin type of players, but I have a hunch that there will be a couple of sleepers hidden

i like these drafts better because its so unpredictable!

Ya for sure. Last years players had no impact on the season really. And being a Lakers fan (since I learnt how to speak english and throughout the 7yr drought) I am torn about the possible Gasol trade. I mean since he came in we went to the finals three times and won twice. What more can he do? Although the Kevin Love and 2nd pick overall pick trade from this years draft is intriguing. UCLA legend and 2010-2011 double double king brings some more toughness to LA. mmmm

 

[ksksks]

Ya for sure. Last years players had no impact on the season really. And being a Lakers fan (since I learnt how to speak english and throughout the 7yr drought) I am torn about the possible Gasol trade. I mean since he came in we went to the finals three times and won twice. What more can he do? Although the Kevin Love and 2nd pick overall pick trade from this years draft is intriguing. UCLA legend and 2010-2011 double double king brings some more toughness to LA. mmmm

if the wolves make that trade i am gonna be crying.
kevin love is already worth quite a bit

 

[brunette8080]

Current pharmacy students: How is first year course load like. A volunteer at the interview told me that many students drop out after first year because its borring. Also there are students that use pharmacy as leverage for med school and drop out. Can you guys speak on this?

That doesnt make any sense. Wouldn't it be smarter for pre-meds to go into a program where they can maintain a high GPA? From people I spoke to in pharmacy, GPAs drop after 1st year. They also told me that the pharm faculty isnt very keen on giving academic references to those students.

 

[Farm]

wow, am i in the minority here? i didn't have any interviewer tell me that i said everything needed and congratulated me :O