University of Toronto - Pharmacy

[KTKool]

Hi, I'm going to be a first year student at U of T St. George, and I was wondering if anyone had/tried/trying to get a degree in Pharmacy. I'm lost and worried about what to do.

[wqzmbshz]

write the entrance exam. 200 acceptantce within 3000+ applicants. this yr all of my friends didnt get in, although with brilliant GPAs..Pharmacy is as competitive as med school, so have back up plans, as most applicants dont get in

[licious]

I did pharmacy! I don't think it was as competitive when I was applying though. It's probably more challenging to get in these days, but definitely not impossible. There is also a new faculty of pharmacy at Waterloo, so that's always an option.

If you are only looking for admissions info, you can read all about it here:
http://www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/unde...dmis/index.jsp

Oh, and if you don't get in after your first year of university, just try again the following year. I think by that time they will have converted to the Pharm.d, so that's a pretty sweet bonus.

[KTKool]

I hope it wasn't as competitive when I try out like you licious. wqzmbshz, you can't be serious.. 3000+ applicants... I'm worried now T____T. What's the entrance exam like. and I keep read you need Grade 12 physics or university physics. During my time in high school, we didn't cover every topic. We only did dynamics, energy, and touched upon light and waves. Should I really take university level physics?

[xeodragon]

I hope it wasn't as competitive when I try out like you licious. wqzmbshz, you can't be serious.. 3000+ applicants... I'm worried now T____T. What's the entrance exam like. and I keep read you need Grade 12 physics or university physics. During my time in high school, we didn't cover every topic. We only did dynamics, energy, and touched upon light and waves. Should I really take university level physics?

That's bogus information, it definitely wasn't 3000 applicants. Several applicants I know have confirmed that there were 240 spots out of 1600 applicants for this year's cycle.

[licious]

Copied and pasted this:
"57. How many applications are expected and how many students are accepted each year?

Just over 1950 applications were received for the 2007 admission cycle. Although there is no way of accurately predicting applicant numbers, we expect interest to remain high in this popular program. In recent years the Faculty has gradually increased enrolment and has doubled the intake from 120 admits in 1994 to 240 admits in 2005. Future enrolment numbers for Year 1 of the BScPhm program will remain at 240."

Anyways, I wouldn't worry too much about the numbers. In previous years, I think a lot of students had trouble with the UTPAT, but for the upcoming cycle, you only have to write the the PCAT. I personally haven't done the PCAT, but I have seen sample questions and it seems really basic. If you are really interested, you may want to start prepping now.

[xeodragon]

Copied and pasted this:
"57. How many applications are expected and how many students are accepted each year?

Just over 1950 applications were received for the 2007 admission cycle. Although there is no way of accurately predicting applicant numbers, we expect interest to remain high in this popular program. In recent years the Faculty has gradually increased enrolment and has doubled the intake from 120 admits in 1994 to 240 admits in 2005. Future enrolment numbers for Year 1 of the BScPhm program will remain at 240."

Anyways, I wouldn't worry too much about the numbers. In previous years, I think a lot of students had trouble with the UTPAT, but for the upcoming cycle, you only have to write the the PCAT. I personally haven't done the PCAT, but I have seen sample questions and it seems really basic. If you are really interested, you may want to start prepping now.

Yup, definitely not 3000+ applicants. My information is from the 2008 admission cycle just to note.

[brucedlx]

Copied and pasted this:
"57. How many applications are expected and how many students are accepted each year?

Just over 1950 applications were received for the 2007 admission cycle. Although there is no way of accurately predicting applicant numbers, we expect interest to remain high in this popular program. In recent years the Faculty has gradually increased enrolment and has doubled the intake from 120 admits in 1994 to 240 admits in 2005. Future enrolment numbers for Year 1 of the BScPhm program will remain at 240."

Anyways, I wouldn't worry too much about the numbers. In previous years, I think a lot of students had trouble with the UTPAT, but for the upcoming cycle, you only have to write the the PCAT. I personally haven't done the PCAT, but I have seen sample questions and it seems really basic. If you are really interested, you may want to start prepping now.

Heh, bogus again. The UTPAT is a joke of a test (1 part IQ Test questions, 2 parts personality test/philosophy). There is no way to study. The best you could do was maybe take some online IQ tests.

The PCAT on the other hand has real scientific info and is more like the MCAT/DAT and is much more difficult.

As far as applicants, 240/~2000 is about correct.

To try and compare getting into pharmacy vs. getting into medicine is ridiculous, there is no way it is as hard to get into pharmacy. Pharmacy IS the backup plan when you realize that you're not cut out for medicine.

Anyone who hypes up pharmacy to be super-fantastic is probably taking it themselves and it makes them feel good thinking they are a part of the upper echelon of society.

The reality is that it isn't that hard to get in as people say. Keep trying every year you will get it eventually, unlike medecine.

[KTKool]

okay, after some research, I found out I would be taking PCAT. So, PCAT is really that hard? I don't know what MCAT/DAT is. Does anyone know or remember some PCAT questions. Are they like a uni-level test or exam? or toned down/higher?

[xeodragon]

Heh, bogus again. The UTPAT is a joke of a test (1 part IQ Test questions, 2 parts personality test/philosophy). There is no way to study. The best you could do was maybe take some online IQ tests.

The PCAT on the other hand has real scientific info and is more like the MCAT/DAT and is much more difficult.

As far as applicants, 240/~2000 is about correct.

To try and compare getting into pharmacy vs. getting into medicine is ridiculous, there is no way it is as hard to get into pharmacy. Pharmacy IS the backup plan when you realize that you're not cut out for medicine.

Anyone who hypes up pharmacy to be super-fantastic is probably taking it themselves and it makes them feel good thinking they are a part of the upper echelon of society.

The reality is that it isn't that hard to get in as people say. Keep trying every year you will get it eventually, unlike medecine.

I don't see how their information is bogus though? He/she is actually in or has completed the program itself. I believe that with the UTPAT to PCAT change, along with the addition of interviews, references, etc. there will be a more standardized and streamlined process for determining the ideal candidate.

I agree that medicine is harder to get into than pharmacy, but you should not down-play pharmacy as profession. There are many people who actually want to become pharmacists and not doctors for several reasons, some being the flexibility of the profession, different interests, as well as the hours, pay, etc. It is not a back-up plan to many people and it's disappointing to see that you believe it to be.

[xeodragon]

okay, after some research, I found out I would be taking PCAT. So, PCAT is really that hard? I don't know what MCAT/DAT is. Does anyone know or remember some PCAT questions. Are they like a uni-level test or exam? or toned down/higher?

You haven't done much research if all you found out was that you need the PCAT! Google it up!

[licious]

Heh, bogus again. The UTPAT is a joke of a test (1 part IQ Test questions, 2 parts personality test/philosophy). There is no way to study. The best you could do was maybe take some online IQ tests.

The PCAT on the other hand has real scientific info and is more like the MCAT/DAT and is much more difficult.

As far as applicants, 240/~2000 is about correct.

To try and compare getting into pharmacy vs. getting into medicine is ridiculous, there is no way it is as hard to get into pharmacy. Pharmacy IS the backup plan when you realize that you're not cut out for medicine.

Anyone who hypes up pharmacy to be super-fantastic is probably taking it themselves and it makes them feel good thinking they are a part of the upper echelon of society.

The reality is that it isn't that hard to get in as people say. Keep trying every year you will get it eventually, unlike medecine.

Umm… okay, wow, someone has a major chip on their shoulder. Given your extensive knowledge of the UTPAT, I take it you have taken the test multiple times, but never gotten into pharmacy… am I right?

What I'd meant in my earlier post was that a lot of students have trouble with the UTPAT because, like you said, there is no way to study for it. With the PCAT, as long as you know your basic sciences, you should be fine.

Anyways, I wasn’t the one who compared medicine to pharmacy, nor do I have any desire to be considered as part of the “upper echelon of society.” If anything, I was the one who said that it isn’t that hard to get into pharmacy. My boyfriend is in med school and I have nothing but respect for doctors, but I know that I would never want to be in their shoes. Just because you have some sort of strange obsession with medicine, it doesn’t mean everyone else does

[licious]

okay, after some research, I found out I would be taking PCAT. So, PCAT is really that hard? I don't know what MCAT/DAT is. Does anyone know or remember some PCAT questions. Are they like a uni-level test or exam? or toned down/higher?

Just google "PCAT sample questions" and I'm sure you'll find a ton...I alos remember seeing a lot of PCAT books at Chapters as well if you want to prep.

[licious]

I don't see how their information is bogus though? He/she has actually in or have completed the program itself. I believe that with the UTPAT to PCAT change, along with the addition of interviews, references, etc. there will be a more standardized and streamlined process for determining the ideal candidate.

I agree that medicine is harder to get into than pharmacy, but you should not down-play pharmacy as profession. There are many people who actually want to become pharmacists and not doctors for several reasons, some being the flexibility of the profession, different interests, as well as the hours, pay, etc. It is not a back-up plan to many people and it's disappointing to see that you believe it to be.

Thank you At least there's one sane person around here...

[xeodragon]

Thank you At least there's one sane person around here...

No problem. To me, you did nothing wrong so I'm not sure why he started off like that.