optimism101

My paperwork with scotiabank definitely listed the interest rate is prime, which is currently 3%. This can of course go up, if prime goes up.

That doesn't seem right, the passport gold has zero fees for everyone, so it's not a perk. They're just giving you a card that's free anyway. I was definitely offered the passport gold card, but I haven't signed yet. I'll make sure that's actually what they give me though!

I believe scotia will also offer similar LOCs after graduation - I asked about this when I met with them, because I had heard the same thing when I met with RBC. I was assured that once you graduate you move from being a professional student to simply a professional, and they have lots of programs in place for that. The scotia gold card will still be free, etc. As for using the LOC to pay off student loans after graduating, at that point you will have access to the full LOC with scotia as well, so as long as you haven't spent the full amount (anywhere from 240K-275K depending on length of residency) you should be good. The 2 banks were really similar, but I'll be going with scotia because the credit card offer is way better, and that seems like the biggest difference. Having the LOC limited to 50K per year isn't a concern for me, in fact I think I prefer it that way, it would be harder to go crazy and spend way too much

Does anyone know anything about going through a credit union? I do all my banking through vancity, and they've always been really great, so I'd like to stick with them if they're competitive with the big banks, but I have never heard anyone on this forum talk about getting their LOC through a credit union

I did a bunch of short volunteer activities such as volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald house, and teaching science to kids through lets talk science, volunteered at the world junior curling championships, volunteered at an HIV/AIDS clinic in Uganda and a few other things, even one time things. In high school I coached the swim team, and was a camp counsellor at outdoor school (volunteer) - did that also in university Hospital volunteering in cardiac unit for ~2 years (ongoing) Misc: open water diving, musician, travel, sports Research: I did co-op, so had 2 research jobs in undergrad where I presented some posters and presentations (technically publications, but not in any fancy journals). Also did a directed studies, with a thesis. Since graduation I have woked as a lab tech for one year. Employment: had jobs all through undergrad incl. work at starbucks, other cafes, and also the co-ops, and my current job as lab tech Hope that helps! It all seemed fairly ordinary to me, though there was a lot of it. And my score last year was above average (not super dramatically, though). I got fairly discouraged myself when I went through these forums, and saw that not that many people got in with my stats. So, I really was convinced I wouldn't get in this year, I was actually really hoping to just get waitlisted. I practiced a LOT for the interview, and I think that helped a lot. Whatever you do, do not give up because it CAN be done!!

Accepted to VFMP!!! IP aGPA ~84.8 prereq GPA 77.8% (evidence they don't look at this anymore?) MCAT: 30Q (10/11/9) last year my NAQ was ~32 Can't believe this is happening, never thought it was possible for this year holy crap!!!!