Applicants will be selected on a competitive basis. Composite qualifications including credentials, 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 post-secondary level. A Pharmacy Admission Information Form, CASPer test score, and a letter of reference form will be used to assess non-academic qualifications in the initial screening of applications. Applicants reaching the second stage of the admissions process will participate in an interview and Fundamental Skills Assessment. The admissions committee will seek applicants who demonstrate both strong academic potential and 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 obtained a cumulative overall post-secondary average of at least 75% or equivalent, and
- have successfully completed specified required courses, or their equivalents as assessed by the School of Pharmacy.
Biology
BIOL 130 Introductory Cell Biology
BIOL 130L Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 239 Genetics
BIOL 240 Fundamentals of Microbiology
Chemistry
CHEM 120 Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
CHEM 120L Chemical Reaction Laboratory1
CHEM 123 Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics
CHEM 123L Chemical Reaction Laboratory 2
CHEM 237 Introductory Biochemistry
CHEM 266 Basic Organic Chemistry 1
CHEM 266L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 267 Basic Organic Chemistry 2
CHEM 267L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Calculus
MATH 127 Calculus 1 for the Sciences
MATH 128 Calculus 2 for the Sciences
English
Any ENGL course (0.5 credit) that requires a significant amount of reading, critical thinking, analysis, and writing. The writing assignment(s), exclusive of exams, must comprise a minimum of 30% of the final course grade. See English Academic Requirement for further details.
Statistics
STAT 202 Introductory Statistics for Scientists
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 academic requirements may be completed at any university or college provided the institution is accredited and the courses are considered equivalent, by the School of Pharmacy, to the aforementioned University of Waterloo courses.
Non-Academic Criteria
Pharmacy Admission Information Form
A Pharmacy Admission Information Form (AIF) will be used to assess non-academic criteria such as personal qualities and extra-curricular accomplishments. It is important to adequately demonstrate motivation for and insight into the profession of pharmacy, through the personal statement in the AIF as well as work or volunteer experience in a pharmacy setting.
CASPer
Applicants to the Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to complete an online assessment of personal characteristics (CASPer), to assist with the selection process. Further information is found on the School of Pharmacy website.
Reference
Applicants will be required to provide the contact information for an individual who is prepared to submit a reference form on their behalf. The individual should preferentially be a pharmacist. Alternatively, a physician or nurse familiar with the professional practice of pharmacy may act as a reference. In any case, the individual cannot be a relative of the candidate.
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 and a Fundamental Skills Assessment will form the basis for selection of the final pool of applicants who will be offered admission to the program.
Fundamental Skills Assessment
Applicants will be tested for their reading comprehension, ability to communicate in written form, and basic mathematical skills.
English Language Requirements
Applicants to Pharmacy must meet the English language requirements for the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo.
Applicants Presenting More Than Two Years of Post-Secondary
Applicants who have completed more than two years of post-secondary education 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.
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 will not be considered valid reasons. 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 six years from the initial registration.
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 prerequisites 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.