University of Toronto Application Thread

[PharMarley]

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What are the odds for PCAT requirement to exceed.

RC=30
Va=30
Biol=30
Chem=50
QA=30
Comp= 60
3/3

And Would this guarantee an interview with all requirements met?

 

[skylen]

Hi guys,

I'm applying this year as well and thought I might as well join haha (also, I don't want to study for stats atm).

Right now my cGPA is 3.96 and I'm probably going to get similar grades this year (unless orgo kicks my ass). My PCAT scores will arrive in a week but I know I did really well on the chemistry and math section (I'm in Honours Chemistry). However, the writing portion screwed me over. I think I spent a good portion of the time looking at the topic going "**** **** ****". Anyways, I think I might end up writing the PCAT again just to be on the safe side. There goes another $150 👎

 

[1ive2die]

Hi guys,

I'm applying this year as well and thought I might as well join haha (also, I don't want to study for stats atm).

Right now my cGPA is 3.96 and I'm probably going to get similar grades this year (unless orgo kicks my ass). My PCAT scores will arrive in a week but I know I did really well on the chemistry and math section (I'm in Honours Chemistry). However, the writing portion screwed me over. I think I spent a good portion of the time looking at the topic going "**** **** ****". Anyways, I think I might end up writing the PCAT again just to be on the safe side. There goes another $150 👎

With that GPA why aren't you aiming for Med School?

 

[mypharmacy]

Hey guys, I'm a first year pharmacy student at UofT. I personally believe that the interview is the most important. I know some people with very low pcat scores and decent gpa's that were accepted. My personal stats on the pcat were:

90% chem
85% math
80% bio
29% verbal
36% reading comp
3/3 essay
72% comp

I have a degree with an 87% average.
I believe that I did really well on the interview.
This goes to show that you CAN get in with a moderate pcat score and not to panic if you have a few bad sections.

With regards to the Pharm D, it is likely that the program will still be a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy next year, but not to worry, because when the program does finally get approved (which I'm confident it will), they will switch your degree to the Pharm D (at least thats what they're fighting for right now).

Good luck everyone and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[helloeveryone]

What are the odds for PCAT requirement to exceed.

RC=30
Va=30
Biol=30
Chem=50
QA=30
Comp= 60
3/3

And Would this guarantee an interview with all requirements met?

I doubt that they would increase the cutoffs this year. I heard this from someone who talked to an admissions officer at UofT pharm.

 

[elle28]

From what I understand, UofT sets their minimum requirements depending on the quality of applications. Does anyone have an idea of what the mean was for the 2009/2010 PCAT Writing scores?

I meet all minimum requirements for the PCAT with decent scores in all areas and an 87 composite. My only issue is the writing section where I scored 2.5/2.5 (mean = 2.82/2.87).

Knowing that a score below minimum in any PCAT subsection can be eliminatory, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth spending $300 trying, or if the posted guidelines on minimum requirements should be taken as strict minimum requirements. Thanks!

 

[1ive2die]

From what I understand, UofT sets their minimum requirements depending on the quality of applications. Does anyone have an idea of what the mean was for the 2009/2010 PCAT Writing scores?

I meet all minimum requirements for the PCAT with decent scores in all areas and an 87 composite. My only issue is the writing section where I scored 2.5/2.5 (mean = 2.82/2.87).

Knowing that a score below minimum in any PCAT subsection can be eliminatory, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth spending $300 trying, or if the posted guidelines on minimum requirements should be taken as strict minimum requirements. Thanks!

They are strict minimum requirements unfortunately, you won't get an interview invite since the cutoff is 2.5/3.0. Save the $300 or re-write in January if you can.

 

[PharMarley]

From what I understand, UofT sets their minimum requirements depending on the quality of applications. Does anyone have an idea of what the mean was for the 2009/2010 PCAT Writing scores?

I meet all minimum requirements for the PCAT with decent scores in all areas and an 87 composite. My only issue is the writing section where I scored 2.5/2.5 (mean = 2.82/2.87).

Knowing that a score below minimum in any PCAT subsection can be eliminatory, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth spending $300 trying, or if the posted guidelines on minimum requirements should be taken as strict minimum requirements. Thanks!

Do NOT apply if you dont meet the 3.0/3.0 unless you want to donate.

 

[1ive2die]

Do NOT apply if you dont meet the 3.0/3.0 unless you want to donate.

Lol true. I heard a lot of applications don't even make it to the Admissions Commitee because they are "pre-screened" and removed from the applicant pool if people are missing a pre-req/min requirement. Its a shame its such a mechanical process but I guess the admissions requirements are there for a reason.

 

[pineapplesong]

You can still take pcat in January 2011 and if the Jan2011 pcat scores improve, UofT takes the higher one, right?

 

[skylen]

Ugh I got my results

VA: 73
Bio:91
Reading Comp: 40
Math:90
Chem:98
3/3

Comp: 89

I'm really reallly not sure if I should rewrite :S

Now that I know what the pcat is like, I know I can do much much better but honestly, I don't know if I wanna spend another $150 nor do I have the time. My main concern is the 3/3 :S since I know the reading comp won't jump 20% up from last year.

 

[pineapplesong]

that's pretty good! your chm and composite scores are high! 3/3 in essay should be ok and like you said, don't worry about RC cuz it shouldn't jump too much from 20% from last yr.

 

[mochaswirl]

Do not rewrite! 89 composite is fantastic!!!
It's risky to rewrite, as your score in some of the sciences may drop - the PCAT seems random in terms of difficulty with each writing, I suppose this has to do with the fact that the group of people writing it on each date varies.

Anyways, your science scores are amazing, don't take the risk of rewriting!!

Ugh I got my results

VA: 73
Bio:91
Reading Comp: 40
Math:90
Chem:98
3/3

Comp: 89

I'm really reallly not sure if I should rewrite :S

Now that I know what the pcat is like, I know I can do much much better but honestly, I don't know if I wanna spend another $150 nor do I have the time. My main concern is the 3/3 :S since I know the reading comp won't jump 20% up from last year.

 

[1ive2die]

Ugh I got my results

VA: 73
Bio:91
Reading Comp: 40
Math:90
Chem:98
3/3

Comp: 89

I'm really reallly not sure if I should rewrite :S

Now that I know what the pcat is like, I know I can do much much better but honestly, I don't know if I wanna spend another $150 nor do I have the time. My main concern is the 3/3 :S since I know the reading comp won't jump 20% up from last year.

I probably wouldn't rewrite but there's talk every year about the minimums going up. There's also rumors of a second PCAT cutoff after interviews. Something to consider.

 

[PharMarley]

ugh i got my results

va: 73
bio:91
reading comp: 40
math:90
chem:98
3/3

comp: 89

i'm really reallly not sure if i should rewrite :s

now that i know what the pcat is like, i know i can do much much better but honestly, i don't know if i wanna spend another $150 nor do i have the time. My main concern is the 3/3 :s since i know the reading comp won't jump 20% up from last year.

if you rewrite..i will personally come to your house and slap you!!!

 

[PhArMaCiSt1]

WOW this forum has really died out! :S Does this mean that we should expect a small number of applicants, which would be awesome 😀 hehe gl to all!!🙂

 

[fungikid]

New curriculum is up:

http://pharmacy.utoronto.ca/newcurriculum.htm

 

[1ive2die]

WOW this forum has really died out! :S Does this mean that we should expect a small number of applicants, which would be awesome 😀 hehe gl to all!!🙂

Actually I think people are realizing that the whole profession has died out, at least in Ontario and they are not applying.

 

[PhArMaCiSt1]

Actually I think people are realizing that the whole profession has died out, at least in Ontario and they are not applying.

Ya i have realized that from my work in the pharmacy like from what the pharmacists tell me but regardless, I think it is a great universal profession so just because ontario pharmacists have it bad now, it doesnt mean that its like that everywhere. haha maybe i will get in this year then 😛, I am kinda excited about their new curriculum because it gets rid of all the preqs so you get right to pharmacy-related courses 😀😀

 

[1ive2die]

Ya i have realized that from my work in the pharmacy like from what the pharmacists tell me but regardless, I think it is a great universal profession so just because ontario pharmacists have it bad now, it doesnt mean that its like that everywhere. haha maybe i will get in this year then 😛, I am kinda excited about their new curriculum because it gets rid of all the preqs so you get right to pharmacy-related courses 😀😀

Ya same. The pharmacy I volunteer at, the pharmacist told me that if I go into pharmacy I will either feel overeducated, underpaid or both.

Didn't want to believe her but even some of the 4th year pharmacy interns we have working there are pretty doom and gloom. Many recent graduates lost their contracts and are taking relief positions. Kinda bad way to start your career.

 

[PharMarley]

. Many recent graduates lost their contracts and are taking relief positions. Kinda bad way to start your career.

Contracts? what contracts?😎

 

[PhArMaCiSt1]

Ya same. The pharmacy I volunteer at, the pharmacist told me that if I go into pharmacy I will either feel overeducated, underpaid or both.

Didn't want to believe her but even some of the 4th year pharmacy interns we have working there are pretty doom and gloom. Many recent graduates lost their contracts and are taking relief positions. Kinda bad way to start your career.

Well to be honest, the pharmacists at my workplace actually enjoy the profession and one of them was encouraging me to do it. But the relief pharmacists we get all seem to discourage me from applying and tell me that its boring and that they aren't letting their kids go into pharmacy school. And then they go and tell me that the pay for pharmacists was just getting higher over the years and that now it is starting to go down and there isn't enough jobs blah blah blah. And one of them told me that you don't need to know much to be a pharmacist and that if you don't know how to answer the patient's question, you just tell them to go see their doctor :| However, the job prospects for pharmacists are still very good and they are still in shortage. Regardless, I still think its an interesting profession and very much worth 4yrs of studies 🙂

 

[jesslb13]

Hi everyone!

I am a UBC student and am unsure if I fulfill the chemistry requirements to apply for U of T. I have completed Chem 121/123 (Intro chem), Chem 233/235 (Organic Chem plus lab), Chem 205 (physical chem) and Chem 211 (Analytical Chem). The website says that 2 terms of organic chemistry are required...Chem 233 is a 3-credit (one term) course but Chem 123 was mostly intro to organic chem. I am not sure if I can count Chem 123 as one of my organic chems because it also falls under the first year chemistry requirement. Can anyone clarify? Thanks very much in advance and good luck everyone!

 

[mochaswirl]

Hi everyone!

I am a UBC student and am unsure if I fulfill the chemistry requirements to apply for U of T. I have completed Chem 121/123 (Intro chem), Chem 233/235 (Organic Chem plus lab), Chem 205 (physical chem) and Chem 211 (Analytical Chem). The website says that 2 terms of organic chemistry are required...Chem 233 is a 3-credit (one term) course but Chem 123 was mostly intro to organic chem. I am not sure if I can count Chem 123 as one of my organic chems because it also falls under the first year chemistry requirement. Can anyone clarify? Thanks very much in advance and good luck everyone!

Unfortunately you need both terms of organic chemistry, so a 3-credit course + lab does not satisfy that requirement and this cannot be substituted by Chem 123 because that still classifies as intro-chem. I'm not sure whether they would consider accepting you without the 2nd organic as this is an important prerequisite, however you may want to look into whether this is an option. If not, then you should take the 2nd organic chem course before next September.

 

[jesslb13]

Unfortunately you need both terms of organic chemistry, so a 3-credit course + lab does not satisfy that requirement and this cannot be substituted by Chem 123 because that still classifies as intro-chem. I'm not sure whether they would consider accepting you without the 2nd organic as this is an important prerequisite, however you may want to look into whether this is an option. If not, then you should take the 2nd organic chem course before next September.

Thank you very much for your reply. I'm wondering if you did your pre-reqs at UBC or know of anyone who did...its just that the only people who take 2 terms of organic chemistry are chemistry majors (Chem 203/204 I believe) while the rest of the biology/microbiology and I think biochem majors are only required to do Chem233/235. If anyone applied or knows of someone who applied with only Chem233/235 could you tell me if that was ok?

 

[1ive2die]

Unfortunately you need both terms of organic chemistry, so a 3-credit course + lab does not satisfy that requirement and this cannot be substituted by Chem 123 because that still classifies as intro-chem. I'm not sure whether they would consider accepting you without the 2nd organic as this is an important prerequisite, however you may want to look into whether this is an option. If not, then you should take the 2nd organic chem course before next September.

Don't turn this thread into a house of lies! If she has a first year organic chem and a second year organic chem then she should be fine. That is the same as U of T's CHM138 (first-year) and CHM247(2nd year). Both courses are a single term.

 

[skylen]

Don't turn this thread into a house of lies! If she has a first year organic chem and a second year organic chem then she should be fine. That is the same as U of T's CHM138 (first-year) and CHM247(2nd year). Both courses are a single term.

I think it depends. One of my intro chem courses was like 70% orgo but it still didn't count towards that credit. I would e-mail UofT. At my school the bio people only need one orgo. Not sure about biochem though.

 

[jesslb13]

I think it depends. One of my intro chem courses was like 70% orgo but it still didn't count towards that credit. I would e-mail UofT. At my school the bio people only need one orgo. Not sure about biochem though.

I just recieved an e-mail back from the admissions office and at UBC the combination of Chem 121, 123, 233, 235 lab and 205 satisfy all the chemistry requirements. Thank you all for your help - I wasn't sure if I'd get an e-mail back considering the deadline is today!

​

 

[druggeek]

Do you guys seriously think it's worth it to go for pharmacy? I'm already extremely knowledgable with drugs (relatively speaking), but also the same with things like diseases and bodily functions... I'm a grade 12 student now... and still deciding between pharm and medicine for future goals...

Just wondering, what were your guys grade 12 marks vs. 1st year university?

 

[1ive2die]

Do you guys seriously think it's worth it to go for pharmacy? I'm already extremely knowledgable with drugs (relatively speaking), but also the same with things like diseases and bodily functions... I'm a grade 12 student now... and still deciding between pharm and medicine for future goals...

Just wondering, what were your guys grade 12 marks vs. 1st year university?

GTFO of this forum kid.

 

[mochaswirl]

Don't turn this thread into a house of lies! If she has a first year organic chem and a second year organic chem then she should be fine. That is the same as U of T's CHM138 (first-year) and CHM247(2nd year). Both courses are a single term.

Wow...

Seriously no need for hostility...I was going based off what I know from Mac and what is written on UofT's admission page. UofT clearly states that they need the intro-chem courses, which at Mac is 2 separate 3 credit courses and even though the 2nd one is organic chem almost in its entirety, it still doesnt count towards the pre-req, we're still required to take the 2 organic chem courses in 2nd year.

I did by no means mean to turn this into a "house of lies"...

 

[PharMarley]

Do you guys seriously think it's worth it to go for pharmacy? I'm already extremely knowledgable with drugs (relatively speaking), but also the same with things like diseases and bodily functions... I'm a grade 12 student now... and still deciding between pharm and medicine for future goals...

Just wondering, what were your guys grade 12 marks vs. 1st year university?

Take first year (Bio, chem, engl, Calculus, and physics) for both semesters and depending on how you do in those courses, u will figure out which direction u should go. Try to get 86+ without being a teachers pet and if u can maintain that in the second and third year, then u can go into either medice or pharmacy confortably. Good luck kid

 

[skylen]

Wow...

Seriously no need for hostility...I was going based off what I know from Mac and what is written on UofT's admission page. UofT clearly states that they need the intro-chem courses, which at Mac is 2 separate 3 credit courses and even though the 2nd one is organic chem almost in its entirety, it still doesnt count towards the pre-req, we're still required to take the 2 organic chem courses in 2nd year.

I did by no means mean to turn this into a "house of lies"...

I'm from Mac too. 😍

PS. I wish they'd tell us if they received our transcripts or not. I keep getting charged by Mac for breaking glassware in my lab 🙁

 

[mochaswirl]

I'm from Mac too. 😍

PS. I wish they'd tell us if they received our transcripts or not. I keep getting charged by Mac for breaking glassware in my lab 🙁

awesome! what year/program?
that sucks about the glassware! im a little worried about the transcripts actually, i have a friend who applied to a mcgill med and mac didn't send the transcript on time, but i don't think that's a common thing...hopefully it'll work out alright!

 

[skylen]

awesome! what year/program?
that sucks about the glassware! im a little worried about the transcripts actually, i have a friend who applied to a mcgill med and mac didn't send the transcript on time, but i don't think that's a common thing...hopefully it'll work out alright!

2nd Honours Chemistry. And yeah, Mac won't send out your transcript unless you have a 0 balance. Wish I wasn't so clumsy haha.

 

[mochaswirl]

Do you guys seriously think it's worth it to go for pharmacy? I'm already extremely knowledgable with drugs (relatively speaking), but also the same with things like diseases and bodily functions... I'm a grade 12 student now... and still deciding between pharm and medicine for future goals...

Just wondering, what were your guys grade 12 marks vs. 1st year university?

Extremely knowledgable? I don't think anyone is extremely knowledgeable in the area of drugs and diseases...otherwise there would be cures for all the nasty diseases out there and perhaps drugs wouldn't have unexpected negative consequences because people would know about them and anticipate them...there's always more to learn and that's what post-secondary education is about...it's a lifelong learning process, that's why people devote their lives to studying one particular molecule part of one insignificant biological pathway...

So to answer your question...yes it really is worth it to go into pharmacy. Pharmacy is more than just sitting behind a counter, dispensing drugs all day and has great potential.

Anyways, you're only in grade 12, you need to focus on getting into university first and then start to think about what you want to do...keep your options open, because things can change coming into university. Many peoples grades fall significantly from high school to university because it can be a difficult transition, while others are lucky. I've seen many people I know drop out after 1st year because it is difficult and upper year class sizes go down from about 1000 in first year to 400-500 in upper years. 4th year classes end up having 50-60 people, but that's a different story.

Anyways, point is 1) keep your grades up 2) pharmacy is a great career 3) keep your options open.

 

[skylen]

Extremely knowledgable? I don't think anyone is extremely knowledgeable in the area of drugs and diseases...otherwise there would be cures for all the nasty diseases out there and perhaps drugs wouldn't have unexpected negative consequences because people would know about them and anticipate them...there's always more to learn and that's what post-secondary education is about...it's a lifelong learning process, that's why people devote their lives to studying one particular molecule part of one insignificant biological pathway...

So to answer your question...yes it really is worth it to go into pharmacy. Pharmacy is more than just sitting behind a counter, dispensing drugs all day and has great potential.

Anyways, you're only in grade 12, you need to focus on getting into university first and then start to think about what you want to do...keep your options open, because things can change coming into university. Many peoples grades fall significantly from high school to university because it can be a difficult transition, while others are lucky. I've seen many people I know drop out after 1st year because it is difficult and upper year class sizes go down from about 1000 in first year to 400-500 in upper years. 4th year classes end up having 50-60 people, but that's a different story.

Anyways, point is 1) keep your grades up 2) pharmacy is a great career 3) keep your options open.

One of my classes has 11 people. It's called mathematical tools for physical chemists. Fun

 

[druggeek]

Extremely knowledgable? I don't think anyone is extremely knowledgeable in the area of drugs and diseases...otherwise there would be cures for all the nasty diseases out there and perhaps drugs wouldn't have unexpected negative consequences because people would know about them and anticipate them...there's always more to learn and that's what post-secondary education is about...it's a lifelong learning process, that's why people devote their lives to studying one particular molecule part of one insignificant biological pathway...

So to answer your question...yes it really is worth it to go into pharmacy. Pharmacy is more than just sitting behind a counter, dispensing drugs all day and has great potential.

Anyways, you're only in grade 12, you need to focus on getting into university first and then start to think about what you want to do...keep your options open, because things can change coming into university. Many peoples grades fall significantly from high school to university because it can be a difficult transition, while others are lucky. I've seen many people I know drop out after 1st year because it is difficult and upper year class sizes go down from about 1000 in first year to 400-500 in upper years. 4th year classes end up having 50-60 people, but that's a different story.

Anyways, point is 1) keep your grades up 2) pharmacy is a great career 3) keep your options open.

The key was "relatively speaking." Meaning, comparing me to someone my age.. someone a bit older... (studying science) in the area of drugs/diseases.

 

[druggeek]

My question was also more intended about the future of MDs vs. pharmacists... 7 years (and onward) down the road... are there really going to be that many retail pharmacy job openings? Especially for someone living in the GTA.... (like me). And what about salaries?

It always sucks hearing people who haven't lived on their own salary (by themselves) for many years, come and say "money doesn't matter." Meanwhile adults always tell me differently.

So basically, what are opinions on the future of pharmacists in Ontario?

 

[PharMarley]

My question was also more intended about the future of MDs vs. pharmacists... 7 years (and onward) down the road... are there really going to be that many retail pharmacy job openings? Especially for someone living in the GTA.... (like me). And what about salaries?

It always sucks hearing people who haven't lived on their own salary (by themselves) for many years, come and say "money doesn't matter." Meanwhile adults always tell me differently.

So basically, what are opinions on the future of pharmacists in Ontario?

Hey Kid, do your own research just like we did. No shortcuts by asking us and decided for your self. We dont do it for the future of the career or the salary, we are going to do it because we Love what the job entails. Now Piss off

 

[druggeek]

Hey Kid, do your own research just like we did. No shortcuts by asking us and decided for your self. We dont do it for the future of the career or the salary, we are going to do it because we Love what the job entails. Now Piss off

nice reply...

It would help to know if someone is able to still have a job near their home in the future or not.

 

[Kilowog]

Hi guys.

I was wondering if I could get input on how competitive I am.

Cum. GPA: 3.1
PCAT Scores: 85 (93 in chem)

Some input would be great.
Cause after taking chm220, my confidence has been shaken.

 

[Kilowog]

Also to the Pharm students. Does anyone have any idea if anyone got in with a GPA at 3.oo or less? I'm just curious. Thanks!

 

[druggeek]

Hi guys.

I was wondering if I could get input on how competitive I am.

Cum. GPA: 3.1
PCAT Scores: 85 (93 in chem)

Some input would be great.
Cause after taking chm220, my confidence has been shaken.

Is that physical chemistry? What did you find most challenging?

 

[Kilowog]

Is that physical chemistry? What did you find most challenging?

Yes, it was the Thermochemistry/something else (totally blocked that bad memory already lol). I don't find chemistry hard. I did well in the other 3 (138/139/247), however, chm220 had a consistant failing average for each test. Raw Score. At this point I'm just not sure how it will turn out.

So yeah, just wondering how things will go.

 

[helloeveryone]

WOW, this thread is not nearly as "hot" as it was last year :/

I guess we won't be beating the 2010 thread then 🙁

 

[1ive2die]

WOW, this thread is not nearly as "hot" as it was last year :/

I guess we won't be beating the 2010 thread then 🙁

Don't worry about how hot this thread is, worry about how hot your application is. I can assure you your competition is not wasting their time on pre-pharm forums and instead using the time to get ahead in their studies!

 

[ratatat]

Hey everyone, we now have a forum for Canadian Pharmacy schools:

http://premed101.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=61

 

[cdnstudent]

There's a rumour floating around that over 75 first year pharmacy students are reapplying for the 2011 admission cycle due to the indecisiveness about a track-in program and its potential cost. Gonna be a tough admission cycle.

 

[PharMarley]

There's a rumour floating around that over 75 first year pharmacy students are reapplying for the 2011 admission cycle due to the indecisiveness about a track-in program and its potential cost. Gonna be a tough admission cycle.

Where did you hear that? Everybody still has equal chances of getting in. They dont really have that much of an advantage