Admissions Process

Admission to the program takes into account both academics and non-academics.

ACADEMICS
Admission to the program is NOT direct entry from high school.

Applicants must successfully complete ten specific pre-requisite courses (or their equivalent) prior to being eligible for admission.  

Academic score: Once the pre-requisite courses are completed, an academic score is calculated for each applicant as follows:

Academic score = (Pre-requisite average + Partial cumulative average)/2

Pre-requisite average: the average of the 10 required pre-requisite courses:

  • The pre-requisite average calculation is based on courses with numeric final grades.
  • Courses with a final grade of “Pass” are deemed successfully complete but are excluded from the calculation.
  • Final grades for pre-requisite courses being taken in the winter semester before September admission will be taken into account but final grades must be available by May 1. 

Partial cumulative average: the average of the 20 (or less than 20 courses, whatever the case may be) of the most recently completed post-secondary undergraduate level courses, including pre-requisite courses.

The 20 (or less) courses used in the calculation will be those completed as of the end of the fall semester prior to the September in which admission is sought.

Once Academic Scores have been calculated, they are ranked highest to lowest in the three pools of applicants: 1. Newfoundland & Labrador pool (NL), 2. Newfoundland & Labrador Indigenous pool, and 3. Out-of-province pool (OP).

A set number of applicants from each pool of applicants will be invited to interview. Typically, the academic score cutoff for the NL pool is around 76% and for OP around 84%.

Applicants with an Academic Score of less than 70% are NOT eligible to advance to the interview stage.

NON-ACADEMICS
1. Casper: applicants are required to complete an online assessment test: Casper test. The results of this assessment play an important part in the admissions process. While there are several test dates from which to choose to do these assessments, it is strongly encouraged that applicants take them well in advance of the last possible opportunity. Completion of the Casper test is necessary to maintain admission eligibility.

To learn more about Casper and to practice the test so you are better prepared for the actual test, go to Acuity Insights Home - TakeAltus. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the practice test. The more familiar you are with the test platform, the better prepared you will be and ideally the better you will perform.

If you require testing accommodations for Casper, you will need to submit the Accommodations Request Form signed by you and your qualified professional three weeks in advance of your desired test date. More information regarding Casper accommodations can be found here.

Based on an individual's Academic Score and performance on the Casper online assessment, a selection of candidates will be invited to a face to face interview.   

2. Interview: Select candidates are invited to a virtual interview. Interview questions are normally a behavioral type of question. This means you will be asked to talk about a real experience from your past. For example, "tell us about a time when you had to solve a challenging problem".

Offers of admission based on admission score
An admission score is calculated for each applicant as follows: 

Academic score component = 65% + interview score component = 35%.

Admission scores for applicants are ranked highest to lowest in each pool of applicants. 

Normally, 34 seats are reserved for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, one seat for a Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous applicant and five seats for non-Newfoundland applicants, including international applicants.

For more information, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

If you have questions, please contact us at pharmadmissions@mun.ca or (709) 864-2077.