Pharmacy School
Getting Started
Considering Pharmacy? This chapter is to help you explore, plan, and navigate the process of exploring your options and applying.
We recommend starting with the following chapter, Applying To Graduate And Professional School.
For personalized support, book an appointment with a Science Career Advisor at the Science Careers & Experience Centre (BSB 127) on OSCARplus.
How to become a Pharmacist?
If you’re considering a career in pharmacy, the University of Waterloo’s Manual: How to Become a Pharmacist offers a helpful overview of the education and steps required to enter the profession. This resource is a great starting point for understanding the pathway and planning your next steps.
Finding Canadian Pharmacy Schools and Programs
Relevant websites
- Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada
- Canadian Pharmacists Association
- Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns
- Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences
- National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
- Ontario College of Pharmacists
- Ontario Pharmacists Association
- Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada
General Admissions Information
Every school has their own admissions process and requirements. Refer to each school’s website for more information. Below are some general admission pieces and requirements you may find.
- completion of a certain number of years of post-secondary university education
- completion of prerequisite courses
- minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Completion of a Pharmacy Admission Information Form (AIF)
- Completion of CASPer: an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics
- Completion of Snapshot: a three-question one-way interview tool used to highlight applicants’ communication skills and motivation for the profession
- Letters of Reference
- Interview
- Documentation of up-to-date immunizations
Pharmacy In The US
- For more information on admissions and processes of pursuing Pharmacy in the US, visit the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) website.
- For more information on individual Pharmacy school requirements, visit PharmCAS, a website run by the AACP which serves as a centralized application service for students applying to colleges and schools of pharmacy across the United States.
- Individual schools will have their own admission requirements for prospective students; thus interested applicants are strongly urged to pay attention to all requirements before applying to the school of their choice.
Need more support with deciding if Pharmacy is right for you?
Meet with a Science Career Advisor
Book a 30-minute appointment with the Science Careers & Experience Centre (BSB 127) in advance through OSCARplus.
Design your future with SCIENCE 2DL3
Enrol in SCIENCE 2DL3: Design Your Science Career— an interactive career development course designed to help undergraduate students take charge of their future with creativity and confidence.
Explore these additional chapters:
- Applying To Graduate And Professional School
- Creating Your Résumé And CV
- Crafting Personal Statements And Letters Of Intent
- Requesting Letters Of References
Follow us on Instagram @McMasterSCEC
Stay informed on upcoming workshops, information sessions and application tips.
