Author: sandra (page 2)

When applying to professional schools, there is one requirement that is quite daunting. And that’s the interview!! Professional schools such as pharmacy, medicine and dentistry require successful candidates to be interviewed before final decisions are made. I remember feeling quite anxious in the days leading up to my interview for pharmacy school. However, if you change your perspective on the purpose of interviews, it can help you feel more confident. Consider it a way to get to know the applicant pool and as your opportunity to shine! Here are some quick tips to help those of you who may be heading to an interview for a professional school but can also be applicable to any interview you may encounter.

Have you ever thought about a career in social work? Well, you're in luck! As my next "Faculty Spotlight", I have the pleasure to present the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work! Our insider information comes from Jamie, a second year student in the Masters of Social Work program. She previously completed her undergrad at Western University and graduated in 2010 with a Honours Specialization in Psychology with a focus in Clinical and Social Psychology.

MCAT. PCAT. GMAT. DAT. LSAT. It seems like every professional faculty has a requirement for interested applicants to write a standardized test which aims to assess the skills, knowledge and aptitude of the individual in relation to the profession. Many of these tests require immense preparation and studying in order to maximize performance on the test. For many faculties, scores from these standardized tests are an important factor in determining admittance. For instance, many law schools in Canada will consider applicants as “competitive” if they rank in the 80^th percentile on the LSAT. I remember when I found out that UofT’s pharmacy program required applicants to write the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), this task felt daunting. These standardized test carry a surmountable weight in determining whether or not you will be accepted into the program. So how does one rise to the challenge in tackling these standardized tests?

As students, we often feel stressed out. Understandably, we attempt to find ways to cope with the stress by taking part in activities to “de-stress”. Finding that “one thing” that allows us to take a step back, breathe, and relax. This can include a multitude of different activities such as sports, reading, gaming, etc. For me, I was looking for something that wouldn’t take up too much of my time and would leave me feeling relaxed and energized. Recently, I have found the perfect activity to do just that, and that happens to be yoga! In line with the #TryItUofT campaign, I felt it was fitting to share my new found love for yoga!

If you remember last semester, I shared the story of a recent nursing grad. This semester I hope to showcase students from other professional faculties! My next Q&A session is with a first year physiotherapy (PT) student, Amanda. Amanda completed her undergrad at McMaster where she earned her Honours Bachelor of Science with a major in biology and minor in psychology. Check out all the insight and advice about the PT program!

Although the exam season is upon us, you can’t help but feel that tingle of holiday joy in the month of December. Whether it’s organizing gatherings to see friends and family, exchanging gifts or taking some time off to relax, these are all aspects of the holidays that we enjoy. However, there is one important part of the holiday season which I look forward to, and that’s giving back to the community!

On a crisp Saturday morning, I had the pleasure to drop by the IMAGINE Clinic. What is the IMAGINE Clinic you may ask? The Interprofessional Medical and Allied Groups for Improving Neighbourhood Environments (IMAGINE) Clinic is a student-run clinic which aims to serve the city’s most marginalized citizens. The clinic welcomes individuals who are unable to access the public healthcare system; those who do not have an OHIP card, a permanent address, or any form of identification.

Recently, I’ve been making it a priority to be more active. When you’re in school, it’s easy to get bogged down with assignments and term tests that hitting the gym is not even on your radar. This semester, I found a perfect solution to incorporate exercise into my study schedule! And that was taking part in intramurals!

Establishing your network is important in every profession. This is noted within the professional faculties as well as within other disciplines including engineering, business and research to name a few. Even as a student, it’s important to engage in networking events in order establish rapports with leaders within your given field. It's the first step in getting your name out there!

Every year, the Faculty of Pharmacy puts on a talent show which showcases pharmacy students and their talents. The show is affectionately called “Phollies” and is one of the most-anticipated events among the student body in pharmacy! Whether it was playing an instrument, singing, spoken word or beat boxing – Phollies has it all!