Building pharmacy futures straight out of high school
Every year, the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy hosts a special event for first and second-year Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) students where they have an opportunity to build connections with each other, pharmacy student ambassadors and the School.
The CAP program offers high school students a unique pathway to pharmacy. During the reception students gain insight into the program’s expectations and resources, including personalized academic advising, peer mentorship and interview preparation. First year CAP students are paired with a second-year mentor to help them transition to university life and to share their experiences with.
“The CAP reception was an invaluable opportunity to connect with my cohort and gain insight into the transition from undergraduate studies to pharmacy school. It also provided a meaningful space to build lasting friendships with peers who will continue to be part of my professional journey,” says Omar Mohamed, CAP 2025 student.
The second half of the evening featured informal networking with pharmacy student ambassadors, who answered questions and led students on a tour of the building – offering a glimpse into their future. An ice breaker activity helped students build relationships and a sense of community early in their pharmacy journey.
"The CAP program has been incredibly helpful to me because we are so much more connected to the pharmacy school than other students. I am able to easily get in touch with people to answer questions I may have about processes, requirements, deadlines and anything else I may need thanks to the CAP program. The staff at the pharmacy school really want to see us succeed, it's been a wonderful experience so far,” says Madison Baskin, CAP 2024 student.