Pharmacy school acceptance rates in Canada are much higher than med school acceptance rates in Canada but getting into pharmacy school is still a challenge. There are comparatively fewer applicants to pharmacy schools in Canada, but there are fewer spots open in these programs, so competition can be heavy. Knowing how to improve your chances of getting into pharmacy school can help give you a leg up in the application process, so we’ve compiled the latest admissions statistics from the 11 Canadian pharmacy schools. In this blog, we’ll look at pharmacy school acceptance rates in Canada and how you can improve your chances of getting accepted.
Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa.
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Pharmacy school acceptance rates in Canada
There are 11 pharmacy school programs across Canada, with programs offered in English and French at select universities. The average acceptance rates at Canadian pharmacy schools are generally higher than at Canada’s medical schools, but competition remains very high. On average, pharmacy schools in Canada accept between 2% and 30% of applicants. Preference is given to in-province applicants, and many schools reserve seats for in-province applicants only. Because of limited spots in pharmacy school programs and the highly competitive nature of applying, students might want to hire grad school admission consultants to help them build their applications to these tough graduate school programs.
International students and out-of-province students may have a more difficult time getting accepted, but it is possible to get in with high grades and a stand-out application. For those who want to know how to apply to university in Canada as an international student, you will need to familiarize yourself with the application portals for the province you’re applying in. For Ontario applicants, for example, you’ll apply through the Ontario Universities Application Centre system. If you want to study in Canada as an international student, you’ll need to craft a strong application to secure one of the limited spots reserved for students applying from outside of Canada.
Pharmacy schools in Canada may also require you to take the PCAT or CASPer as part of your application. This is only a requirement at a few programs but submitting high scores on either test may help strengthen your overall application.
On average, pharmacy schools in Canada ask for a minimum 2. 5 GPA to be considered for admission. However, a higher GPA is considered competitive, particularly if you are an out-of-province or international student. As an applicant, you’ll also need to complete the required pre-requisite coursework before you can apply to pharmacy school in Canada.
Some programs will also ask students to attach a pharmacy school personal statement to their application, but this is not always a requirement. Most often anywhere between 1 and 3 pharmacy school letters of recommendation will be necessary to complete your application.
Below we’ll look at the requirements and admission statistics for all of Canada’s pharmacy school programs.
How to improve your chances of getting into pharmacy school in Canada
Getting into pharmacy school in Canada as an in-province applicant is still competitive, so you’ll need to craft the strongest application possible to stand out. If you’re an international student or an out-of-province student, there are even fewer chances for you to get in, so your competition is even tougher. In this case you may choose to hire an international student advisor or a pharmacy school admissions consulting service, who are familiar with the admissions journey for healthcare related graduate programs and can provide some valuable help and insight.
Writing a pharmacy school personal statement? Read these tips!
Pharmacy schools have fairly strict minimum requirements for their programs. If you do not meet them all, your application will not be considered. That being said, it is possible to be accepted even if there are weak points or gaps in your admission. Below is a general look at what you will need to be accepted to pharmacy school in Canada and how to improve your chances of getting in.
Conclusion
Although there are comparatively fewer open places in Canada’s pharmacy school programs and the competition can be tough, it is possible to get accepted. Once you meet the minimum requirements to be considered for admission, your next challenge is making an impression. Canada’s pharmacy schools have relatively low acceptance rates, but you can make your application stand out by putting together a strong application and aiming for above average grades and test scores. Aside from these factors, the best thing you can do is submit superb letters of recommendation and gain good on the job experience, especially working with patients or in a clinical setting. These factors will help you stand out in a relatively small but competitive applicant pool.
FAQs
1. How many pharmacy schools are there in Canada?
There are 11 pharmacy schools across Canada, offering programs in both French and English.
2. Is it hard to get into pharmacy school in Canada?
Acceptance rates for pharmacy school are relatively high, and certainly much higher than medical school acceptance rates. But pharmacy schools in Canada are still highly competitive as there are very few seats in each program every admission year.
3. What can I do to strengthen my pharmacy school application?
To strengthen your pharmacy school application, aim for an above average GPA and PCAT test score, submit strong letters of recommendation and complete the required coursework. It’s also important to nail the admissions interview to make a solid impression on the admissions committee.
4. Is it hard for international students to get into pharmacy school in Canada?
Not all pharmacy schools in Canada accept international students, but to get into those that do can be difficult. Most schools favor in-province applicants over out-of-province applicants and international students, so it can be hard to get admission to a program.
5. Is the PCAT required for admission to pharmacy school in Canada?
Not all pharmacy schools in Canada require the PCAT, but there are some that do. Check the admission requirements for the school you intend to apply to.
6. What GPA do I need to get into pharmacy school in Canada?
Pharmacy schools in Canada usually ask for a minimum GPA requirement to apply. For most schools you’ll need a GPA of 2.5 or higher to get acceptance.
7. What is the average admission rate of pharmacy schools in Canada?
While the average admission rates at Canadian pharmacy schools vary, they are generally higher than medical school acceptance rates. While there are not as many applicants to pharmacy programs, it is still highly competitive and only anywhere from 2-30% of applicants are accepted.
8. Do I need letters of recommendation for pharmacy school?
You’ll need one to three letters of recommendation for your pharmacy school application. Most often these letters need to be written by a science faculty member and a practicing pharmacist or supervisor.
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