University of Toronto Application Thread

[helloeveryone]

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I know EXACTLY how you feel. I got 19th percentile last year for reading as well. It felt SUPER UNLUCKY. But everything's give or take.

As for my stats. Not outstanding :S.
cGPA: 3.6
pcat: 80, 3/3

it is so comforting to know I wasn't the only one, but it's unfortunate to see that faculty interviewed AND granted admissions to some who had lower overall PCAT composites and/or lower gpa's than us (NO offense to anyone thought, just stating what I'm feeling.)

And to be honest I took it really hard. After trying SOOO hard to do well on PCAT and get a high gpa, and fall short ONLY 1%, it just hurts. But hey, on the bright side, we will be the first class ever to get the new improved PharmD curriculum 😀

p.s. don't say "not outstanding"; both your gpa and pcat are very solid 👍 ... best of luck this cycle 🙂

 

[mochaswirl]

Thanks for the link... I'll be trying to figure out if they will have a session this year but if you heard anything it would be much appreciated if you let us know too 🙂

Definitely will do! 🙂

Btw, I've heard that a good way to prep for interviews is getting a good understanding of how to deal with certain ethical scenarios. I actually applied to Mac Med this year just for the experience of the process of med school apps, but I had the chance to do CASPER, which is essentially an online MMI and I found some very distinct commonalities between all the scenarios and I don't imagine that those underlying concepts change much from scenario to scenario used by the different schools. That said, from what I've heard the book Doing Right by Dr. Philip Hebert is a good resource for prep purposes. It's available at Chapters if anyone is interested!

 

[iicecream]

it is so comforting to know I wasn't the only one, but it's unfortunate to see that faculty interviewed AND granted admissions to some who had lower overall PCAT composites and/or lower gpa's than us (NO offense to anyone thought, just stating what I'm feeling.)

And to be honest I took it really hard. After trying SOOO hard to do well on PCAT and get a high gpa, and fall short ONLY 1%, it just hurts. But hey, on the bright side, we will be the first class ever to get the new improved PharmD curriculum 😀

p.s. don't say "not outstanding"; both your gpa and pcat are very solid 👍 ... best of luck this cycle 🙂

YEAH I KNOW EXACTLY HOW THAT FEELS. Just that 1% and it's like another years worth of extra tuition + writing that stressful test again. Some of the students who got in were very very lucky indeed. But I do feel a lot better knowing that we are getting the PharmD curriculum next year. 😀

I just wish the interview decisions would come out sooner.

 

[druggeek]

IF the interview asseses your social skills... then by all means it should have great importance cause lots of the pharmacists I've seen... cant talk..

 

[pharmacy0]

To be honest I don't know too much about UBC, so I couldn't provide a fair comparison. In terms of pre-reqs:

First-year university Biology with a lab*
First-year university Chemistry with a lab
First-year university English (for which UBC gives transfer credit)
First-year university Calculus, and
First-year university Physics with a lab. Or, also acceptable, is a one-semester Physics course that has a prerequisite requirement of PHYS 12, and that includes a lab.

I actually don't have the english requirement but I talked to them today and they said they are willing to waive that if you have your degree conferred by the time final transcripts are sent it. This is why I actually just applied there today. Applications, luckily, aren't due until the 28th of Feb.

Also they've got a bit of an awkward way of assessing GPA. So (from what I understand), they assess your GPA based on the above 1st year courses, and then if you've taken some of the upper level courses (Microbio, Organic I, II) then they also include those into the GPA calculation.

Wow. I never knew that waiving the English was an option, I didn't have university physics so I just didn't apply there.

looks like a bunch of us are Bsc. graduates and everyone seems have good solid stats.

Does anyone know if the MMI has other types of interview questions other then ethical scenario-based ones?

 

[pharmacy0]

YEAH I KNOW EXACTLY HOW THAT FEELS. Just that 1% and it's like another years worth of extra tuition + writing that stressful test again. Some of the students who got in were very very lucky indeed. But I do feel a lot better knowing that we are getting the PharmD curriculum next year. 😀

I just wish the interview decisions would come out sooner.

I guess everything happens for a reason, although you might have felt that one year was "wasted" , the fact that there's the enhanced curriculum could possibly save you two years if you had to do any bridging programs.


SOO. interview decisions are out mid march right? longest wait ever!

 

[mochaswirl]

Wow. I never knew that waiving the English was an option, I didn't have university physics so I just didn't apply there.

looks like a bunch of us are Bsc. graduates and everyone seems have good solid stats.

Does anyone know if the MMI has other types of interview questions other then ethical scenario-based ones?

Other than ethical scenarios there are also conflict resolution type scenarios, and social interaction ones as well. Conflict resolution might be something like how to resolve an issue with a colleague at work and social interaction might be something like you're backing out of a parking lot at work and hit a colleague's car, the parking attendant gives you the person's name/location and the interviewer would pose as this individual to see how you handle the interaction (this was one i saw floating around on the internet).

One good way to see practice scenarios is by reading some journal articles, I know there are a few that assess the practicality of such interviews and they also give examples of some of the scenarios.

 

[mochaswirl]

This website is actually a great resource, when you click on the scenarios they give you a "grading scheme" for what the interviewer would look for in the answer.

http://wings.buffalo.edu/faculty/research/bioethics/osce.html

Also through a quick google search, there are SO many resources out there for possible scenarios. Perhaps closer to the interview dates, after invites are given out we can discuss some possible answers to get some new ideas!

 

[chemtai]

May I know what are the differences between U of T Experiential Education and Waterloo co-op? Will student get paid in each practice?

How do you evaluate pharmacy school in U of Waterloo? To me, the impression of Waterloo's pharmacy school is that the program is newly established. I really have no idea the prestige of Waterloo's pharmacy program.

 

[druggeek]

Directly from the UofT site:

There is no average that can guarantee admission. It is possible that an applicant with a high ‘A' average may fail to gain admission, whereas another who achieved a ‘B' average could be successful. This occurs because applicants must meet minimum standards in both academic (university performance and PCAT) and non-academic criteria (interview) to gain consideration in final selections. Although 70% (equivalent to a B- at U of T) is the published minimum university average required to be included in the initial pool of eligible applicants, the average required for consideration in the final selections may be higher. In recent years the vast majority of candidates offered admission have presented averages in the B+ or above range. The median average is typically in the A- range

 

[helloeveryone]

btw guys, when we are sharing stats, also mention how you ranked the interview dates (if you like)

I personally picked March dates over May... how'bout the rest of you?

 

[1ive2die]

btw guys, when we are sharing stats, also mention how you ranked the interview dates (if you like)

I personally picked March dates over May... how'bout the rest of you?

We are sharing stats now.

 

[druggeek]

Is anyone here actually majorily concerned over finding a job in 2015?

 

[helloeveryone]

We are sharing stats now.

well if you look at some previous posts some people have been sharing stats... no pressure though!

 

[PhArMaCiSt1]

Bravo on your amazing GPA 👍 and congrats for getting into univ. of london 🙂

Just a question though, did UofT specifically mention that it was the interview that was the problem last year? It just seems they care about the interview way too much. Also, would you be able to, kindly, give us some advice about the interview (how to prepare, what to do and what not to do, etc) if you don't mind?

Thank you 🙂
Well in the rejection letter they didn't specifically mention what was wrong, it was basically the same for everyone who got rejected and in there they just listed the possible reasons for it such as low pcat, low grades, didn't pass mininum on the interview etc.. The reason I say interview was my weak point is because some people got in with a gpa and pcat less than mine, so the interview is the only thing I can think of. Besides I didn't prepare for it and my session was early in the morning (9am i believe) so I was still half asleep and wasn't quite feeling well (perhaps I was nervous). So unfortunately I can't really give you tips on preparing lol
But about the interview itself, it was actually fun little scenario's just like mochaswirl described in the other posts. I can't say much about the scenario's because of the confidentiality agreement we signed but I would say to get enough sleep, feel confident and in your answers bascially look at both sides and adv. and disadvantages etc.. and decide on which side you are taking because they will discuss your answer and try to make you switch sides.
I'd really love it if we can get some group online where we can practice answering mmi type questions closer to the interview date. I know we all want to get in so I think it will be helpful for all of us esp. since I can't seem to find any mock mmi practice sessions in my city 🙁

 

[mochaswirl]

Is anyone here actually majorily concerned over finding a job in 2015?

I'm not really concerned about that right now. Right now my biggest concern is doing well in school and actually getting in.

 

[mochaswirl]

Thank you 🙂
Well in the rejection letter they didn't specifically mention what was wrong, it was basically the same for everyone who got rejected and in there they just listed the possible reasons for it such as low pcat, low grades, didn't pass mininum on the interview etc.. The reason I say interview was my weak point is because some people got in with a gpa and pcat less than mine, so the interview is the only thing I can think of. Besides I didn't prepare for it and my session was early in the morning (9am i believe) so I was still half asleep and wasn't quite feeling well (perhaps I was nervous). So unfortunately I can't really give you tips on preparing lol
But about the interview itself, it was actually fun little scenario's just like mochaswirl described in the other posts. I can't say much about the scenario's because of the confidentiality agreement we signed but I would say to get enough sleep, feel confident and in your answers bascially look at both sides and adv. and disadvantages etc.. and decide on which side you are taking because they will discuss your answer and try to make you switch sides.
I'd really love it if we can get some group online where we can practice answering mmi type questions closer to the interview date. I know we all want to get in so I think it will be helpful for all of us esp. since I can't seem to find any mock mmi practice sessions in my city 🙁

For sure! 🙂

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what did you end up doing with the time you had off between graduation and now?

I've been trying to think of a back-up plan if I don't end up getting in anywhere. I really don't want to go back and do another year of undergrad...just looking for some ideas!

 

[RocketJumper]

Hey guys in the spirit of sharing I've dug up my PCAT results from June:
Composite: 92
Essay: 3/3
cGPA: 3.92 (I'm on a 10 point scale so I used the OMSAS table to convert grades)

As for the talk about MMIs, previous applicants cannot discuss specific details about the stations but that doesn't stop us from going to the literature to find prompts!

For example, when McMaster first ran the pilot project for MMIs in the med applications the results were published in MEDICAL EDUCATION 2004 Issue 38 Pages 314-326. For those of you interested in the 10 prompts used then you can check it out. I've uploaded the paper for ease of access. Hope this helps pass the time P=
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=REX75Y8C

If you guys find any other prompts or useful resources please share as well! Don't be a hoarder, apparently it's bad for your health

 

[PhArMaCiSt1]

For sure! 🙂

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what did you end up doing with the time you had off between graduation and now?

I've been trying to think of a back-up plan if I don't end up getting in anywhere. I really don't want to go back and do another year of undergrad...just looking for some ideas!

np. I actually ended up working through nserc in a research lab over the summer, and then my prof hired me for one extra month because he didn't have much funding for more. Ever since then I've been working as a pharmacy associate in a local wal-mart. I mostly deal with over the counter stuff and some behind counter stuff and work on cash too. I did learn alot about the pharmacy profession because I often chatted with our pharmacists whom are really knowledgable and friendly. So if you don't end up getting in, I would recomment trying to find some job related to pharmacy but hopefully you will get in and won't have to deal with it all. It is a nice experience but now i've learned everything I can and I'm mostly doing repetitive stuff and I just can't wait to get into pharmacy so I can start using my brain again lol believe it or not, I miss the stress of university 🙁

 

[CheeseCake]

This is just my opinion but practicing for MMI online is not the best way to go. There is a big difference in typing on a keyboard behind a monitor and verbally communicating your answers to an interviewer -_-;.

Also, I think the delivery is far more important than the content when answering the questions. Yes, it would be best if the interviews are solid in both components, but I would pick delivery over content if I can only pick one.

On a final note, I think MMIs are designed to select for trolls 😉.

 

[RocketJumper]

While I agree that delivery of the response is very important I would argue that content of the answer is equally crucial. You must demonstrate that you have put forethought into your answers and back them up with logical reasoning, facts, personal experience etc.
Of course you must also communicate you answer effectively to ensure the response flows well and the examiner understands all your points. If you can balance these two traits during the interviews you'll definitely be in a competitive position.

 

[fungikid]

I'm not really concerned about that right now. Right now my biggest concern is doing well in school and actually getting in.

This is understandable, but make sure you know this is what you really want, because tough times are ahead.

 

[helloeveryone]

This is understandable, but make sure you know this is what you really want, because tough times are ahead.

wouldn't it be more helpful if you explain what you mean by tough times? you pharmacy students are, without a doubt, more knowledgeable than most of us applicants about what's going on in pharmacy and where things are heading... so it's valuable to us to hear from you 😉

 

[mochaswirl]

This is understandable, but make sure you know this is what you really want, because tough times are ahead.

Tough times in Ontario or everywhere because presumably there will still be jobs elsewhere in Canada or even in the states?

Also, current events may elude to tough times getting jobs as pharmacists in the retail/hospital setting but there is always the option of pharmaceutical research which I don't think has gloomy outlooks? But I may be wrong...

 

[1ive2die]

Tough times in Ontario or everywhere because presumably there will still be jobs elsewhere in Canada or even in the states?

Also, current events may elude to tough times getting jobs as pharmacists in the retail/hospital setting but there is always the option of pharmaceutical research which I don't think has gloomy outlooks? But I may be wrong...

Not a pharmacy student but job situation in the states seems to be worse than Canada. Situation might be ok in other provinces but do you really want to move to Winnipeg to find a job as a pharmacist? Opportunities in pharmaceutical research or any aspect of pharma are by all accounts abysmal right now. I can't think of one company that isn't laying of employees or restructuring.

Oh, and the government can cut reimbursements to pharmacies anytime they experience an unbalanced budget or cash shortfall.

I think that's what these pharm students are vaguely and cryptically alluding to.

 

[druggeek]

Not a pharmacy student but job situation in the states seems to be worse than Canada. Situation might be ok in other provinces but do you really want to move to Winnipeg to find a job as a pharmacist? Opportunities in pharmaceutical research or any aspect of pharma are by all accounts abysmal right now. I can't think of one company that isn't laying of employees or restructuring.

Oh, and the government can cut reimbursements to pharmacies anytime they experience an unbalanced budget or cash shortfall.

I think that's what these pharm students are vaguely and cryptically alluding to.

once the waterloo grads are out... all hell will be let loose lol. 🙁

 

[fungikid]

You are forgetting another source of graduates.... A flood is coming. The big arks warned the source, but the source won't budge. The flood will only get bigger. The arks know there is not enough space for all.


It is not all doom and gloom, just be mentally prepared as you swim closer towards the whirlpool.

 

[PharMarley]

You are forgetting another source of graduates.... A flood is coming. The big arks warned the source, but the source won't budge. The flood will only get bigger. The arks know there is not enough space for all.


It is not all doom and gloom, just be mentally prepared as you swim closer towards the whirlpool.

😕 lmao. 😎👎meanie:

 

[druggeek]

You are forgetting another source of graduates.... A flood is coming. The big arks warned the source, but the source won't budge. The flood will only get bigger. The arks know there is not enough space for all.


It is not all doom and gloom, just be mentally prepared as you swim closer towards the whirlpool.

foreigners...

 

[delano2000]

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).🙂

 

[Pharmaniac]

Double... OOPS

 

[fungikid]

Acceptances won't be out until June.

 

[helloeveryone]

Wow this forum has been DEAD for a while... I guess everyone is super busy (and super STRESSED) about midterms like I am 🙄


By the way, has anyone heard anything more about those people who are reapplying (from the current class) this year?

 

[iicecream]

Wow this forum has been DEAD for a while... I guess everyone is super busy (and super STRESSED) about midterms like I am 🙄


By the way, has anyone heard anything more about those people who are reapplying (from the current class) this year?

I asked this friend in currently in year 1, apparently he hasn't heard of anybody reapplying. There might be some, but not a lot. The students aren't very interested I guess, because they're already in the program. I don't think they really know whats going to happen for the track in program, since it's something thats going to happen until 3 years later? Like they know there is a track in program but right now I don't think they've put much thought into it.

 

[helloeveryone]

I asked this friend in currently in year 1, apparently he hasn't heard of anybody reapplying. There might be some, but not a lot. The students aren't very interested I guess, because they're already in the program. I don't think they really know whats going to happen for the track in program, since it's something thats going to happen until 3 years later? Like they know there is a track in program but right now I don't think they've put much thought into it.

ya i'm not that worried any more either... I called Heide and she said that only 2 (TWO) people reapplied and she said that it is unfair to us who are applying this year... she mentioned that the faculty is not sure about what to do to those two people yet !!!

 

[pharmacy0]

ya i'm not that worried any more either... I called Heide and she said that only 2 (TWO) people reapplied and she said that it is unfair to us who are applying this year... she mentioned that the faculty is not sure about what to do to those two people yet !!!

I feel better knowing that its only 2 people now... I wonder who came up with the initial speculation of 75..re-applicants ?

But anyways they have a clear advantage seeing that they've been through the whole process and did well.

 

[helloeveryone]

I feel better knowing that its only 2 people now... I wonder who came up with the initial speculation of 75..re-applicants ?

But anyways they have a clear advantage seeing that they've been through the whole process and did well.

Exactly, not to mention that if they do get in, they will have a HUGE advantage next year since they would already know most of the material !!!
But oh well, I can't care less if it's just two people!

 

[iicecream]

Exactly, not to mention that if they do get in, they will have a HUGE advantage next year since they would already know most of the material !!!
But oh well, I can't care less if it's just two people!

Hmmm. Apparently only 3 of their courses are in our new curriculum? So they won't have much of an advantage anyways 😉

 

[Hot Pot]

Exactly, not to mention that if they do get in, they will have a HUGE advantage next year since they would already know most of the material !!!
But oh well, I can't care less if it's just two people!

Don't worry, none of them will be there
I am so hot and I need the ice cream to cool me down, hahaha.

 

[helloeveryone]

Ughh, this wait is slowly starting to kill me 😡 We've got 25 more days till interview invites are out, hope it goes by fast enough

 

[chemtai]

What are the differences between U of T Experiential Education and Waterloo co-op? Will student get paid in experiential education?

Does anybody know the answer? I would like to know if students get paid when they are doing experiential education (intern?) at U of T.

Thank you.

 

[Hot Pot]

What are the differences between U of T Experiential Education and Waterloo co-op? Will student get paid in experiential education?

Does anybody know the answer? I would like to know if students get paid when they are doing experiential education (intern?) at U of T.

Thank you.

Waterloo co-op Students will get paid but U of T students won't.

 

[helloeveryone]

Waterloo co-op Students will get paid but U of T students won't.

how do you know UofT students don't get paid??? Would you be able to reference a source? -Thanks.

 

[Hot Pot]

how do you know UofT students don't get paid??? Would you be able to reference a source? -Thanks.

Ask Dean Mann.🙂

 

[PhArMaCiSt1]

Ughh, this wait is slowly starting to kill me 😡 We've got 25 more days till interview invites are out, hope it goes by fast enough

lol trust me, it will pass by real quick espically if you are pre-occupied with midterms and stuff! 😀

 

[helloeveryone]

Ask Dean Mann.🙂

LOL, i'm sure Dean is busy with more important stuff... I doubt he would answer me 😛

But seriously, I don't think they would let people work for free! That's unethical.

 

[helloeveryone]

lol trust me, it will pass by real quick espically if you are pre-occupied with midterms and stuff! 😀

I know, I know.. that's exactly the same line that I feed myself everyday to make me feel better 🙂

23 more days until interview decisions 😀

 

[Hot Pot]

LOL, i'm sure Dean is busy with more important stuff... I doubt he would answer me 😛

But seriously, I don't think they would let people work for free! That's unethical.

Bscphm degree at Uof T is not a co-op program therefore U of T Pharm students don't get paid , they just got training for free.😍

 

[helloeveryone]

Bscphm degree at Uof T is not a co-op program therefore U of T Pharm students don't get paid , they just got training for free.😍

interesting logic, eh! 😛

p.s. did I ever mention that sometimes I get these "gut feelings" about who is who on these forums ???

 

[CheeseCake]

LOL, i'm sure Dean is busy with more important stuff... I doubt he would answer me 😛

But seriously, I don't think they would let people work for free! That's unethical.

you don`t get paid. its mandatory free labour. imo, your expectations of the faculty is too high.