Applicants will be selected on a competitive basis in which their composite qualifications, including credentials, and academic and non-academic factors, will be considered. Assessment of academic performance will include review of required courses and consideration of the overall cumulative average obtained at the university level. A Pharmacy Admission Information Form will be used to assess non-academic qualifications. An interview will be conducted as part of the admissions process and a letter of reference from a Pharmacist will be requested of all applicants. The Admission Committee will seek applicants who not only demonstrate strong academic potential, but also exhibit qualities and skills judged to be the most valuable for an effective career in pharmacy.
Academic Criteria
Consideration for admission to the first year of the undergraduate program will be given to candidates who:
- have successfully completed a minimum of two years of university study in an undergraduate science program
- have obtained a cumulative overall university average of at least 75% or equivalent
- have successfully completed the specified required courses or their equivalents indicated below
Biology
BIOL 130/130L Introductory Cell Biology & Lab
BIOL 239 Genetics
BIOL 240 Fundamentals of Microbiology
Chemistry
CHEM 120/120L Physical & Chemical Properties of Matter & Lab
CHEM 123/123L Chemical Reactions, Equilibria & Kinetics & Lab
CHEM 237 Introductory Biochemistry or CHEM 233 Fundamental Biochemistry
CHEM 266/266L Basic Organic Chemistry 1 & Lab or CHEM 264 Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 267/267L Basic Organic Chemistry 2 & Lab or CHEM 265/265L Organic Chemistry 2 & Lab
Calculus
One of MATH 127, 137, 147 and one of MATH 128, 138, 148
English
Any one ENGL course (0.5 credit)
Statistics
STAT 202
Humanities and Social Sciences
2.0 full credits (four half credits) from different subject areas in Humanities and/or Social Sciences; no more than 1.0 full credit (two half credits) in any one subject area; no more than one additional 0.5 credit (one half credit) in English may be used to satisfy this Humanities/Social Sciences requirement.
Note:
The university requirements may be completed at any university provided that university is an accredited institution where the courses are considered equivalent to the aforementioned University of Waterloo courses.
Non-Academic Criteria
Pharmacy Admission Information Form
A Pharmacy Admission Information Form will be used to assess non-academic criteria such as personal qualities, extra-curricular accomplishments, motivation for and/or insight into the profession of Pharmacy as well as the candidate's ability to read, think, and write at an appropriate level. A letter of reference will be requested of all applicants.
Pharmacy Interview
Applicants who, on the basis of the academic and non-academic criteria, competitively rank among the premier pool of applicants, will be required to participate in a face-to-face or telephone interview. This interview will form the basis for selection of the final pool of applicants who will be offered admission to the program.
English Language Requirements
Applicants to Pharmacy must meet the English language requirements for the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo. Details are available at English Language Proficiency Exam.
Applicants Presenting More Than Two Years of University
Applicants who have completed more than two years of university-level study in any program, including those who have completed one or more degrees, are advised that they must meet the requirements of, and will be considered for, admission to year one of the program. Upon admission, such students may request exemption via transfer credits from one or more courses in the program. If one or more exemptions are granted, students may enrich their educational experience from an array of electives, or potentially reduce their course load for a particular term; however, full-time status must be maintained. Please see the section below entitled Admission to a Reduced Course Load for further details.
Special (Non-Degree) Students
Students may be admitted to various individual School of Pharmacy courses as special (non-degree) students provided places are available, the course pre-requisites have been met, and the permission of the instructor is obtained. Priority for all courses will be given to degree students of the School of Pharmacy.
Admission to a Reduced Course Load
Normally, students are required to take all courses for each respective term of the Pharmacy program during a specific academic year. However, students who have extenuating circumstances may request permission to undertake a reduced course load (for one or more terms or years). Only students who have a clearly identified need may be considered for a reduced course load. Academic weakness or a preference for a lighter course load shall not be a valid reason. Students requesting a reduced course load need to be mindful of a limitation that the maximum duration allowed for a student to complete the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is eight years from the initial registration.