University of Toronto Pharmacy 2019

[ThePharmacist]

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Got in!

Just finished my 2nd year of undergrad.

GPA = 3.96, Average = 89%
PCAT Verbal 49
Reading 78
Quantitative 99
Bio 99
Chem 99
Composite 99
Writing 3.5
Interview - Aced 2 stations. Average in 6, crappy in 1-2

Hope this helps! Congrats to everyone else who got in!
To those who didn't, don't lose hope! Best of luck next year!

 

[Unruly Citizen]

So, who else has no idea what to do about a place to live? This is very new for me, it makes me doubly nervous since I've never lived in a huge city before.

 

[Gentle_luver69]

OH MY GOD!
I can't believe I GOT IN!!!

so excited to meet you all! 😀

 

[BlackViper10]

So, who else has no idea what to do about a place to live? This is very new for me, it makes me doubly nervous since I've never lived in a huge city before.

It will take some major adjusting for sure. I have always lived in/around Toronto, but generally in the GTA region (which is completely different than the heart of Toronto atmosphere). I think I will have to move downtown as well, which unfortunately will be quite pricey. The hunt for a decent place will begin soon.

Where are you coming form, if you don't mind me asking.

 

[Unruly Citizen]

It will take some major adjusting for sure. I have always lived in/around Toronto, but generally in the GTA region (which is completely different than the heart of Toronto atmosphere). I think I will have to move downtown as well, which unfortunately will be quite pricey. The hunt for a decent place will begin soon.

Where are you coming form, if you don't mind me asking.

The Niagara region, it's quite a bit smaller than anywhere around Toronto. I've only visited the city for various things over the course of days, not months, so this will be interesting. I'm expecting prices to be pretty high but what can be done really?

 

[Evirus]

My Heart was beating out of my chest when I clicked into the link.😉
Congratulation to all successful candidates! After all the hard work and waiting, you do deserve this!😉

I myself will be joining you as an 1T9 student. So excited for september to meet you guys/gals!

Stats:
cGPA: 3.74 (Finished Undergrad)
PCAT composite 92
Writing 4
Interview: I felt my answers average for all of them except for one, which I felt I totally destroyed walking out of the interview room. Generally, I was just being myself and answering their questions with my opinions.

 

[coolucka]

Hey guys!
First off, Congrats for all 1T9 students! 🙂
I have never used OSAP before or any of the loan system and I'm not sure how this works..
From what I vaugely heard, pharm students get private loans from banks which should be enough for tuition..
Does anyone know about this from upper year students?
I'm not sure if I should apply for OSAP or straight to the bank loans or if u of t gives out lots of bursary like they do to Masters or MD students

Thanks in advance!

 

[BlackViper10]

The Niagara region, it's quite a bit smaller than anywhere around Toronto. I've only visited the city for various things over the course of days, not months, so this will be interesting. I'm expecting prices to be pretty high but what can be done really?

I'm sure you'll adjust quickly. Before you know it, Toronto will feel like a second home.

 

[Jloyay]

Hey guys!
First off, Congrats for all 1T9 students! 🙂
I have never used OSAP before or any of the loan system and I'm not sure how this works..
From what I vaugely heard, pharm students get private loans from banks which should be enough for tuition..
Does anyone know about this from upper year students?
I'm not sure if I should apply for OSAP or straight to the bank loans or if u of t gives out lots of bursary like they do to Masters or MD students
Thanks in advance!

I doubt OSAP will cover everything so I think it's best to use all the money OSAP can give you (you won't be charged interest until after you graduate- although the interest rate is higher than for a LOC) and then pay off whatever you have left over with a LOC which accumulates interest even while you're at school.

 

[pharmocean]

For those applying for OSAP, the program you have to choose is "Doctor of Pharmacy EPPD Year 1", instead of "bachelor of science in pharmacy"...it's still a bachelor's degree <-- got this from upper year students!

 

[Jloyay]

OH MY GOD!
I can't believe I GOT IN!!!

so excited to meet you all! 😀

Congrats! You sure showed those trolls at the beginning of the thread haha!

 

[idthisreallife]

My Heart was beating out of my chest when I clicked into the link.😉
Congratulation to all successful candidates! After all the hard work and waiting, you do deserve this!😉

I myself will be joining you as an 1T9 student. So excited for september to meet you guys/gals!

Stats:
cGPA: 3.74 (Finished Undergrad)
PCAT composite 92
Writing 4
Interview: I felt my answers average for all of them except for one, which I felt I totally destroyed walking out of the interview room. Generally, I was just being myself and answering their questions with my opinions.

Omg! You are my stats twin

 

[PharmacyStudent2015]

I also got in after my second year.

This is my first time applying to UofT but my second time applying to UBC, and I got into both. Anyone know which university is better? Since I'm from BC it would be cheaper for me to live at home but it's also the first year for UBC to have the PharmD program... so I'm kind of struggling to pick one...

GPA 87.9% (2 years undergrad at UBC)
PCAT 85
Interview: I felt bad after the interview (probably because UBC's interview was a lot easier: shorter and has 2 rest stations). I felt like I only did well in 2 or 3 stations, but in about 2 stations I mentioned that I worked at a pharmacy (I don't know if that helped). I found going through practice questions (including acting) with pharmacy students for the MMI helped (at least for the UBC MMI) because they know what the interviewers are looking for.

I personally didn't apply to U of T because it was far away...but I've always heard that it's actually a better university haha even specifically for pharmacy

 

[SweatAllDay]

Coming from someone who will have to relocate to Toronto, can you guys help me understand what my expenses will be like?

-what do you think rent will be like (assuming that I'm not living near campus but not unreasonably far away either)?
-what is the cost of transportation?
-how much total $$$ does other expenses run you monthly (ie. gym membership, internet, phone bill, groceries, etc.)?
-how are the rest of you guys funding your degree (OSAP obviously, but how about student line of credit, family contributions, etc.)?

Thanks for any help. So nervous about being on my own for the first time and I'm already lost 😱

 

[coolucka]

For those applying for OSAP, the program you have to choose is "Doctor of Pharmacy EPPD Year 1", instead of "bachelor of science in pharmacy"...it's still a bachelor's degree <-- got this from upper year students!

thank you!

 

[zazzman]

Hi, I didn't get in and I'm wondering if anyone who was "flagged" (low grades in transcript) was able to get in.

I'm considering if it's even viable to try again since I can't do anything about my first attempt on any classes. I did get one D and it was in Organic Chemistry II (overall my 2nd year was really bad because of a sudden shift in workload), but I was able to ace many of my later chemistry courses (bio-organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, .etc) and prevent any more grades lower than a 60%. Overall, I got a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a 99% PCAT composite so I was really bummed out that my blunder in 2nd year would come back to haunt me like this.

It'd be very helpful to hear any of your inputs so I can determine how significant this flag was, and if it's reasonable for me to try again next year for a better interview. Also, if anyone has tips regarding admissions into the Pharmaceutical Sciences MSc Program in the same faculty, I'd appreciate it very much since it's the alternative I've been looking at.

 

[BlackBeltN]

.

 

[ekushiria]

Got in! 🙂

GPA: 3.8
PCAT: 99% / 4 in writing
Interview: Able to answer all questions comfortably, but felt like I did well in 7 out of 10 stations

 

[Simon_Riley]

Hi, I didn't get in and I'm wondering if anyone who was "flagged" (low grades in transcript) was able to get in.

I'm considering if it's even viable to try again since I can't do anything about my first attempt on any classes. I did get one D and it was in Organic Chemistry II (overall my 2nd year was really bad because of a sudden shift in workload), but I was able to ace many of my later chemistry courses (bio-organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, .etc) and prevent any more grades lower than a 60%. Overall, I got a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a 99% PCAT composite so I was really bummed out that my blunder in 2nd year would come back to haunt me like this.

It'd be very helpful to hear any of your inputs so I can determine how significant this flag was, and if it's reasonable for me to try again next year for a better interview. Also, if anyone has tips regarding admissions into the Pharmaceutical Sciences MSc Program in the same faculty, I'd appreciate it very much since it's the alternative I've been looking at.

it's probably the interview that stopped you. I think they are re-shuffling around the weighting next year as well so you can always try again. I'd recommend to really practice MMI

 

[pharmocean]

Hi, I didn't get in and I'm wondering if anyone who was "flagged" (low grades in transcript) was able to get in.

I'm considering if it's even viable to try again since I can't do anything about my first attempt on any classes. I did get one D and it was in Organic Chemistry II (overall my 2nd year was really bad because of a sudden shift in workload), but I was able to ace many of my later chemistry courses (bio-organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, .etc) and prevent any more grades lower than a 60%. Overall, I got a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a 99% PCAT composite so I was really bummed out that my blunder in 2nd year would come back to haunt me like this.

It'd be very helpful to hear any of your inputs so I can determine how significant this flag was, and if it's reasonable for me to try again next year for a better interview. Also, if anyone has tips regarding admissions into the Pharmaceutical Sciences MSc Program in the same faculty, I'd appreciate it very much since it's the alternative I've been looking at.

I would suggest calling uoft admission's. I have heard that sometimes they give hints as to why you weren't admitted or what went wrong in your application!
Also i don't think having one D or even a couple of C's is that bad a deal especially if you have shown you can do well in chemistry generally. Some of my friends have gotten in despite that.

Maybe it was your interview. How did you think you did when you came out of it?

 

[lululala33]

I got accepted !
Average: 81.7%
PCAT: 98%
Interviews: 7/10, aced 2, decent on 5, poor on 3

It was my second time applying this year (finished undergrad at UWO last spring) and I am extremely happy to be joining you guys in September! Can someone please create a group on facebook for 1T9 so we can share information on OSAP/loans/room rent, etc.? We should go for a pub night before September rolls around 😀!.

 

[farz556]

I got accepted !
Average: 81.7%
PCAT: 98%
Interviews: 7/10, aced 2, decent on 5, poor on 3

It was my second time applying this year (finished undergrad at UWO last spring) and I am extremely happy to be joining you guys in September! Can someone please create a group on facebook for 1T9 so we can share information on OSAP/loans/room rent, etc.? We should go for a pub night before September rolls around 😀!.

Yeah we need that facebook group soon

 

[sleeplessbird]

Hi, did anyone get offered a spot for Graduate House residence?

 

[yukihana28]

Hi, did anyone get offered a spot for Graduate House residence?

I did but I m considering finding a room near the campus instead. The single room is a bit pricey and it's a 15 mins walk from the pharm building. Are you planning to stay at the grad house?

 

[Simon_Riley]

Anyone else really interested in the "Discover Stream" thing mentioned in the admission letter, especially combining with a MBA degree?

 

[PocketJacks]

Are there any books that we need to buy for the classes?

 

[Unruly Citizen]

Are there any books that we need to buy for the classes?

They will tell us in July or August I assume. We have to try not to worry about the details right now and enjoy having been accepted!

On a separate note, does anyone else want to know where they scored on the admissions index? I'm super curious where I fell on the index and though I can take a guess I don't think I'll ever actually know.

 

[ThePharmacist]

Who here got into the PharmD program after their second year of undergrad?

I did! First time applying this year!

 

[PocketJacks]

They will tell us in July or August I assume. We have to try not to worry about the details right now and enjoy having been accepted!

On a separate note, does anyone else want to know where they scored on the admissions index? I'm super curious where I fell on the index and though I can take a guess I don't think I'll ever actually know.

Mainly asking because I'm trying to figure out how much this year is going to cost.

 

[Unruly Citizen]

Mainly asking because I'm trying to figure out how much this year is going to cost.

Well, from what I gather it's going to cost a lot. The big ticket items are housing and tuition. If my experience has taught me anything it's that books are usually around $500-$1000 for a full course load, not too bad in the grand scheme of things. In any case, my own estimates for the year range anywhere from $25000 to $30000 depending on some factors that might be beyond my control.

 

[ersatz]

'ello.

Also got accepted : )
cAvg. 88.7%
PCAT. 97%
Interview. I thought I tanked it, so it's surprising that I got in. There was this one station where...ugh just thinking about it.

It's my first time applying to UofT. Nice to meet you all.

Anyone else out of province and exceedingly worried about the headache that is housing and tuition? ;_;

 

[sleeplessbird]

I did but I m considering finding a room near the campus instead. The single room is a bit pricey and it's a 15 mins walk from the pharm building. Are you planning to stay at the grad house?

Yes, it is around 925 a month and not exactly closest to the pharmacy building. But I am still considering it because it seems like a good way to get to know other pharm students as well as other grad students. I've never stayed on residence during my undergrad - which is why I want to experience it.

 

[BlackViper10]

Anyone else really interested in the "Discover Stream" thing mentioned in the admission letter, especially combining with a MBA degree?

I am extremely interested in the discovery stream. I wasn't aware of it until i read my acceptance, but it does sound like something worth looking into. The funny thing is a MBA was one of my alternatives if Pharm didn't work out, so this might be a perfect opportunity for me. Im just curious to where we can get more information about the discovery stream.

 

[Misak]

It says in your third year of pharmacy you can also head toward another degree like MBA or something along those lines, it was on the website.

 

[farz556]

Anyone else really interested in the "Discover Stream" thing mentioned in the admission letter, especially combining with a MBA degree?

Im gonna end up applying for MBA for sure, problem is have u seen the cost? You have to pay full price for MBA tuition as well which is like 90k

I was debating writing the GMAT this summer, because we might be busy depending on internships and next year and this is a time when we have legit time in the summer to do so

 

[Bleblanc]

Also got in, hoping to live in residence at first since I'm moving from New Brunswick, got on the waitlist for graduate residence. Graduate of UNB medicinal chemistry.

GPA: 3.8
PCAT: 92

Any word on that Facebook group, looking to get to know some people since I don't even know anyone who applied.

 

[Bleblanc]

'ello.

Also got accepted : )
cAvg. 88.7%
PCAT. 97%
Interview. I thought I tanked it, so it's surprising that I got in. There was this one station where...ugh just thinking about it.

It's my first time applying to UofT. Nice to meet you all.

Anyone else out of province and exceedingly worried about the headache that is housing and tuition? ;_;

Hey, definitely feeling the same. I'm moving from New Brunswick. How about you?

 

[ersatz]

Hey, definitely feeling the same. I'm moving from New Brunswick. How about you?

BC. It's going to be such large change.

I was also waitlisted for Graduate House, though I'm not sure how worth it it would be.

 

[SweatAllDay]

So is anyone going to try to make exemptions for courses they already took? If you take them, you miss out on any GPA based awards forever, but apparently they really help.

Some people already in the program told me that getting and maintaining a high GPA is extremely difficult so I'm wondering if aiming for scholarships is even worth it.

Should I aim for any easier first semester, allowing me to get used to life in a new city and get used to a new program, or should I struggle and hustle hard for scholarships I might not even get?

What are all of you doing?

 

[ersatz]

So is anyone going to try to make exemptions for courses they already took? If you take them, you miss out on any GPA based awards forever, but apparently they really help.

...

That really depends on what you find more important? Or what you want to prioritize in this case.

On one hand, if you try for exemptions, that will definitely lighten the first year load. Though there are subsequent years to consider and whether you can go from what would be a lighter load in year 1 to much harder later years? I mean, you'd hopefully acclimatize to the hardships and possibly be more prepared later on if you took the full course load, so there is that. But yeah, the first year is really worrying what with the new location and everything.

Also, if you took those course equiv with the pharm program, then you could get a higher mark (and help your GPA/still be eligible for scholarships)? Since you've taken them already; you might have an easier time at them the second go around? They could also be considered review if it's been awhile since you've learned that material.

Personally, I'm not sure what to do yet. I don't have high hopes for scholarships, but that might be the pessimist in me.

 

[Ayase]

So is anyone going to try to make exemptions for courses they already took? If you take them, you miss out on any GPA based awards forever, but apparently they really help.

Some people already in the program told me that getting and maintaining a high GPA is extremely difficult so I'm wondering if aiming for scholarships is even worth it.

Should I aim for any easier first semester, allowing me to get used to life in a new city and get used to a new program, or should I struggle and hustle hard for scholarships I might not even get?

What are all of you doing?

If your courseload is the same as ours and you don't take any exemptions, you'll end up with 8 courses in first semester. For the people who had 8 courses, exam season was brutal because they had 8 exams in the span of 2 weeks (4 per week). Therefore, I'd advise you to take all the exceptions that you can, unless you're absolutely certain that you can manage the workload (and the scholarships mean a lot to you). In all honesty, I don't think it's worth it, since scholarships are pretty hard to get (you'll be competing against people who have their **** together, unlike in undergrad).

The courses you can get exempted from are anatomy, physiology, basic pharmacology (all first semester), and molecular pharmacology (second semester). Both anatomy and physio are pretty useless since you'll be taught all the relevant anatomy/physio you need to know in the more advanced courses. Apparently, physio is also pretty difficult since the exam is cumulative and there's a lot of material. You'll only be able to request an exemption from pharmacology if you've taken several upper level pharmacology courses (ie. if you're a pharmacology major). As for molpharm, you unfortunately won't be able to request an exemption unless you were in the pharmaceutical chemistry program at U of T.

Also, for those of you who have any other questions, feel free to ask me on here (either on the forum on in a personal message). I'll try my best to answer them for you. 🙂

 

[batman673]

If your courseload is the same as ours and you don't take any exemptions, you'll end up with 8 courses in first semester. For the people who had 8 courses, exam season was brutal because they had 8 exams in the span of 2 weeks (4 per week). Therefore, I'd advise you to take all the exceptions that you can, unless you're absolutely certain that you can manage the workload (and the scholarships mean a lot to you). In all honesty, I don't think it's worth it, since scholarships are pretty hard to get (you'll be competing against people who have their **** together, unlike in undergrad).

The courses you can get exempted from are anatomy, physiology, basic pharmacology (all first semester), and molecular pharmacology (second semester). Both anatomy and physio are pretty useless since you'll be taught all the relevant anatomy/physio you need to know in the more advanced courses. Apparently, physio is also pretty difficult since the exam is cumulative and there's a lot of material. You'll only be able to request an exemption from pharmacology if you've taken several upper level pharmacology courses (ie. if you're a pharmacology major). As for molpharm, you unfortunately won't be able to request an exemption unless you were in the pharmaceutical chemistry program at U of T.

Also, for those of you who have any other questions, feel free to ask me on here (either on the forum on in a personal message). I'll try my best to answer them for you. 🙂

How do you get an exemption and what are the requirements?

Also, how does it affect courses in upper years?

 

[Unruly Citizen]

If your courseload is the same as ours and you don't take any exemptions, you'll end up with 8 courses in first semester. For the people who had 8 courses, exam season was brutal because they had 8 exams in the span of 2 weeks (4 per week). Therefore, I'd advise you to take all the exceptions that you can, unless you're absolutely certain that you can manage the workload (and the scholarships mean a lot to you). In all honesty, I don't think it's worth it, since scholarships are pretty hard to get (you'll be competing against people who have their **** together, unlike in undergrad).

The courses you can get exempted from are anatomy, physiology, basic pharmacology (all first semester), and molecular pharmacology (second semester). Both anatomy and physio are pretty useless since you'll be taught all the relevant anatomy/physio you need to know in the more advanced courses. Apparently, physio is also pretty difficult since the exam is cumulative and there's a lot of material. You'll only be able to request an exemption from pharmacology if you've taken several upper level pharmacology courses (ie. if you're a pharmacology major). As for molpharm, you unfortunately won't be able to request an exemption unless you were in the pharmaceutical chemistry program at U of T.

Also, for those of you who have any other questions, feel free to ask me on here (either on the forum on in a personal message). I'll try my best to answer them for you. 🙂

How many people would you say got some sort of exemption? Is it normal to see up to half the class or more still take on the full course load?

 

[Ayase]

@batman673:

You should automatically receive any exemptions you're eligible for. You won't see these courses on ROSI (student services site) or Blackboard (where all the course materials are posted). If you still want to take the course, you need to email the registrar. Once you've done that, you can't change your mind and decide you don't want to take the course.

For anatomy and physiology, any equivalent course will do, depending on what is offered at your school. To my knowledge, you need to have received a decent grade (B) in the course to be eligible for the exemption. For molecular pharmacology and pharmaceutics (a course that I forgot to mention), you need to have taken PHC301 and PHC230 in UofT's pharmaceutical chemistry program. I think you may also be able to get the exemption if you've taken the same program at a different university. An exemption from fundamentals of pharmacology requires a few upper level pharmacology courses. I was able to get it exempted since I have a degree in pharmacology but my friend who was in the same program but a year under me didn't, so it depends on whether or not they feel you have a strong enough background.

It doesn't affect any upper year courses. Technically, some upper year courses have prerequisites, but a transfer credit is the same thing.

@Unruly Citizen:

It depends on the course. There was a decent chunk of people exempted from anatomy and physiology (in the 50-100 range?), but I only knew a few people who got the pharmacology exemption (they were all in the same program as me during undergrad). So I guess most people took the full course load.

 

[pharmocean]

If your courseload is the same as ours and you don't take any exemptions, you'll end up with 8 courses in first semester. For the people who had 8 courses, exam season was brutal because they had 8 exams in the span of 2 weeks (4 per week). Therefore, I'd advise you to take all the exceptions that you can, unless you're absolutely certain that you can manage the workload (and the scholarships mean a lot to you). In all honesty, I don't think it's worth it, since scholarships are pretty hard to get (you'll be competing against people who have their **** together, unlike in undergrad).

wait..what?? 8 courses per semester if we don't take any exemptions!?
I thought it was 7 courses per semester, no?

 

[Ayase]

wait..what?? 8 courses per semester if we don't take any exemptions!?
I thought it was 7 courses per semester, no?

For our year, it was 8 courses in first semester and 6 in second semester (it balances out since the courses in second semester are considerably harder). But it might be different for you guys. You'll see when you receive your tentative schedules along with the official acceptance package.

 

[Jloyay]

@Ayase Would you say I would be old for a first year pharmacy student (24)? haha

 

[REDHAWK2]

Do you have to submit the acceptance in person or can you do it via mail?

 

[SweatAllDay]

Do you have to submit the acceptance in person or can you do it via mail?

you can:
-fax it
-scan and email it
-send it by mail
-give it in person

The info is on the back of the response form

 

[batman673]

@batman673:

You should automatically receive any exemptions you're eligible for. You won't see these courses on ROSI (student services site) or Blackboard (where all the course materials are posted). If you still want to take the course, you need to email the registrar. Once you've done that, you can't change your mind and decide you don't want to take the course.

For anatomy and physiology, any equivalent course will do, depending on what is offered at your school. To my knowledge, you need to have received a decent grade (B) in the course to be eligible for the exemption. For molecular pharmacology and pharmaceutics (a course that I forgot to mention), you need to have taken PHC301 and PHC230 in UofT's pharmaceutical chemistry program. I think you may also be able to get the exemption if you've taken the same program at a different university. An exemption from fundamentals of pharmacology requires a few upper level pharmacology courses. I was able to get it exempted since I have a degree in pharmacology but my friend who was in the same program but a year under me didn't, so it depends on whether or not they feel you have a strong enough background.

It doesn't affect any upper year courses. Technically, some upper year courses have prerequisites, but a transfer credit is the same thing.

I've seen you reference courses which are from (I think) University of Toronto. What about if you don't come from University of Toronto? Do the exemptions apply then?