happy92 Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Well, I guess a second degree will only be put to the test this up coming cycle... "NEW : This is the new method of GPA calculation that NOSM has adopted. The minimum required GPA is 3.0 on the 4.0 scale. Grades will be converted to a 4.0 scale according to the OMSAS Undergraduate Grading System Conversion Table. The GPA is calculated on all converted undergraduate course grades completed at a recognized institution as of October 1, 2016. Grades for supplementary, spring, summer, and part‑time study and distance education courses will be included in the GPA calculation. Courses reflected on the transcript as “Pass”, with no grade indicated, will not be considered in the GPA calculation. If you repeated a course and both course grades appear on your transcript, both the past grade and the repeated grade will be included in the GPA calculation. For this 2016- 2017 application cycle ONLY, NOSM admissions will calculate the GPA of applicants using both the NEW method and the Previous method and will use the higher GPA of the two for admission consideration. Please find the Previous method of GPA calculation found below: ....." Next cycles all of your grades will be counted ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shimmyshake Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Well, I guess a second degree will only be put to the test this up coming cycle... "NEW : This is the new method of GPA calculation that NOSM has adopted. The minimum required GPA is 3.0 on the 4.0 scale. Grades will be converted to a 4.0 scale according to the OMSAS Undergraduate Grading System Conversion Table. The GPA is calculated on all converted undergraduate course grades completed at a recognized institution as of October 1, 2016. Grades for supplementary, spring, summer, and part‑time study and distance education courses will be included in the GPA calculation. Courses reflected on the transcript as “Pass”, with no grade indicated, will not be considered in the GPA calculation. If you repeated a course and both course grades appear on your transcript, both the past grade and the repeated grade will be included in the GPA calculation. For this 2016- 2017 application cycle ONLY, NOSM admissions will calculate the GPA of applicants using both the NEW method and the Previous method and will use the higher GPA of the two for admission consideration. Please find the Previous method of GPA calculation found below: ....." Next cycles all of your grades will be counted ......... Can I ask where you got this information from? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shimmyshake Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 oh no, I found it... Does this mean next cycle is the only time the second undergrad will benefit people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDwannabe02 Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I hope master's degrees still give you the 0.2 GPA bonus. Otherwise, I will not have made much progress with my 2 year additional degree... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwo_tbay Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I saw this on their website only yesterday and was waiting for a trend to start. Personally, I think its the fairest option to have all undergraduate courses counted towards the GPA, however, I do also like the system that OttawaU has with their weighted GPA (most recently being more heavily weighted). However, I do not think that a students GPA should suffer as a result of 1 or 2 years of a poor academic performance early in their undergraduate career. For those that have completed and shown their academic potential through another undergraduate program or upward trend of an exceptional GPA, I think that speaks more on academic potential/ability. It seems that NOSM will still be giving the 0.2 GPA bonus, however, I have also caught wind that NOSM may also be implementing some mandatory science classes (although this is not documented anywhere). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
originalname1025 Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Okay can someone explain the difference? I'm a bit confused Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shimmyshake Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Okay can someone explain the difference? I'm a bit confused The main thing is that now they are calculating the GPA based on "all converted undergraduate course grades completed" whereas before, they based the GPA only on "courses that are part of the degree awarded or to be conferred". In other words, they used to separate one degree to another, so if you had two degree they would consider the higher GPA degree. Now, they are looking it alllllllllllll the courses you've ever taken as long as it has a GPA mark (not pass of fail). EXCEPT the cycle coming up, they will use the old method and the new method and take the highest GPA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
originalname1025 Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 The main thing is that now they are calculating the GPA based on "all converted undergraduate course grades completed" whereas before, they based the GPA only on "courses that are part of the degree awarded or to be conferred". In other words, they used to separate one degree to another, so if you had two degree they would consider the higher GPA degree. Now, they are looking it alllllllllllll the courses you've ever taken as long as it has a GPA mark (not pass of fail). EXCEPT the cycle coming up, they will use the old method and the new method and take the highest GPA. Okay thanks for clarifying- this is very weird. But I really hope the 0.2 gpa increase with a Masters stays the same... Otherwise I'm wasting a year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shimmyshake Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Okay thanks for clarifying- this is very weird. But I really hope the 0.2 gpa increase with a Masters stays the same... Otherwise I'm wasting a year Their masters 0.2 addition still exists, given that you have been conferred. It's a bigger hit for people who were depending on a second undergraduate degree to increase their GPA... sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
originalname1025 Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Can someone post a link to where they are finding all this information? Not been able to find it myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornandraised Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 http://www.nosm.ca/education/ume/general.aspx?id=1232 voila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclosarin Posted June 11, 2016 Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 Guess NOSM is out for me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Med_Pack Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 med schools seem to always be doing things to change the game in the last few years...be grateful that it's not U of Ottawa where there was a bit of a scare that the MCAT would be introduced for the coming cycle...and apparently that has been changed so it will be for the cycle after that...but people are losing their **** on that board, I don't blame them. I agree this is a really unfortunate change. I like that NOSM seems to be a school that values life experiences, maturity and their second degree option always indicated to me that they believed in second chances, which was refreshing to see in a med school. I only needed to do one degree but I know how much I've grown in the past few years out of undergrad. People grow up and change a lot between the times that they do the second and first degree so to lump it all together and say that it all reflects that person's current academic potential isn't as accurate as their old system. Conformity and what not is not something I typically value...I like diversity and uniqueness, and loved that for a med school, NOSM was (and is still in many respects) all that..they need to remember what makes them special and is not a weakness but a strength to their admissions system, but I am sure some guys in admissions view these things negatively that could make it seem less stringent than other Canadian medical schools in their evaluation of academics to the outsider (those of us who have gone through it know that it's uber difficult to get an interview let alone accepted....)...disappointed that NOSM is joining the pack, their beta adoption of the CASPER also alluded to hints that they are trying to do that, and they hopefully will never bring the MCAT because I can't even imagine the upheaval that would be...oh wait, I can, it's currently UOttawa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclosarin Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 med schools seem to always be doing things to change the game in the last few years...be grateful that it's not U of Ottawa where there was a bit of a scare that the MCAT would be introduced for the coming cycle...and apparently that has been changed so it will be for the cycle after that...but people are losing their **** on that board, I don't blame them. [...] After many years of observing the changes in the medical school admission process, I'm of the opinion that its flaws run deep and it's not worth taking personally. There is absolutely no reason to hold the first few years of undergraduate over the heads of people who have gone on to excel in their field. It's especially ignorant to the people who, like me, had to work full-time during their studies to support themselves and loved ones. My first degree ended with a 2.5 cGPA, and it's funny to hear people scoff at it. It was a huge accomplishment to earn that degree, and it made the nights I spent sleeping in my car or driving directly to school after a night shift worth it. I have a great job now, and it's the only reason I have the luxury of this second degree. I certainly look forward to the day some random admin rants about how lazy I was and how I don't deserve to be a doctor now because of it. It is what is, maybe someone will see value in my experiences, but if not, life will go on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyye Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 This new information will make it extra difficult for me if not admitted next cycle. Myself, along with many others have gone and did second degrees all while working and raising our families. I worked as hard as I could and missed a lot of time with my kids to get a 3.91 gpa on my second B.Sc. I wasn't in the same place 12 years ago when I started my first B.Sc. and hope people see that. Not everyone knows they want to be doctors at 17 years old. Maybe NOSM will trial this out and decide to return to the old method. Time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy92 Posted June 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 This new information will make it extra difficult for me if not admitted next cycle. Myself, along with many others have gone and did second degrees all while working and raising our families. I worked as hard as I could and missed a lot of time with my kids to get a 3.91 gpa on my second B.Sc. I wasn't in the same place 12 years ago when I started my first B.Sc. and hope people see that. Not everyone knows they want to be doctors at 17 years old. Maybe NOSM will trial this out and decide to return to the old method. Time will tell. Yes, I am in the same boat..finishing this upcoming year a HBSc so hopefully there will be a chance. How do I balance 4 years of bad grades from my first undergrad? I dont know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyscol Posted June 25, 2016 Report Share Posted June 25, 2016 I had an undiagnosed learning disability when I started university. For two and a half years I really didn't know anything was wrong, I just assumed that I wasn't very studious and wrote off any plans of education past UG. Once I got everything figured out I thought, "it's alright, all I have to do is return to school and work my a** off for an additional 2 years," Did that, took on more debt, got a 3.9 and now this change in policy. Was told by NOSM that there are no exceptions made for students with disabilities and that I should try to contact my school and see if I can get some of the grades expunged/ changed to a pass/fail. After contacting my registrar it became apparent that that was not going to happen. Maybe I am naïve, but it seems nobody really cares much about a sob story. I have always sung NOSM's praises for what appeared to be a commitment to diversity and equity in their admissions. I am deeply disappointed with their decision. I fundamentally believe in second chances, and I am not just speaking about disabilities. There are countless reasons that someone could have a spotty academic history, whether due to transitional difficulties, financial strain, family commitments etc. I also believe that these very struggles produce qualities in people which are much needed in medicine. To everyone in a similar situation, what are your backup schools? Do you have a plan should you not gain admission this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mithrandir Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 Well it's finally official, I'm going to be a Nurse Practitioner when I grow up:P (Doing my second degree, and this was the last school I ever had a chance of getting into in Canada). Maybe it's a good sign that med school is not right for me:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDwannabe02 Posted July 6, 2016 Report Share Posted July 6, 2016 NP is an awesome, rewarding career with some benefits over medicine (depending on how you look at it). I wouldn't completely give up if I were you, friend. Plus, NP is a master's, no? You coild always apply with a grad bonus somewhere down the line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy92 Posted July 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 I dont know if I will give up. I do have a back up plan...however some people go various lengths to become a doctor. Some go as far as the Caribbean. I want to live in the north and will never go to the Caribbean considering the distance, the money, the length of program and the small chance of coming back/practicing here. Doing extra years to bump up my undergraduate GPA is a small sacrifice compared to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shimmyshake Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 I dont know if I will give up. I do have a back up plan...however some people go various lengths to become a doctor. Some go as far as the Caribbean. I want to live in the north and will never go to the Caribbean considering the distance, the money, the length of program and the small chance of coming back/practicing here. Doing extra years to bump up my undergraduate GPA is a small sacrifice compared to that. Yah, but the issue here is that you'd have to take many many extra years to make any significant changes to a bad GPA, compared to simply doing a second undergrad to make things right... There is no room for a 'bad year' with the new GPA calculation method, regardless of the reason (personal hardships, partying etc.) why one would have a bad GPA. It's not necessarily a huge change for people who hasn't taken a second undergrad geared for admission to NOSM... It's just the transition into it is hard because some people have already committed months, years, and money banking on their GPA to increase through a second undergrad... Anyway, good luck everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyscol Posted July 7, 2016 Report Share Posted July 7, 2016 Yah, but the issue here is that you'd have to take many many extra years to make any significant changes to a bad GPA, compared to simply doing a second undergrad to make things right... There is no room for a 'bad year' with the new GPA calculation method, regardless of the reason (personal hardships, partying etc.) why one would have a bad GPA. It's not necessarily a huge change for people who hasn't taken a second undergrad geared for admission to NOSM... It's just the transition into it is hard because some people have already committed months, years, and money banking on their GPA to increase through a second undergrad... Anyway, good luck everyone! This is my exact situation. I could probably complete 3 or 4 additional years getting 3.9s and completely bankrupt myself financially and might only be marginally competitive. Looks like a move out West might be in my near future. For those who are relying on a second degree, have you considered writing the MCAT and trying for Queens, Western, Dal, etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGDAL2016 Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 This is my exact situation. I could probably complete 3 or 4 additional years getting 3.9s and completely bankrupt myself financially and might only be marginally competitive. Looks like a move out West might be in my near future. For those who are relying on a second degree, have you considered writing the MCAT and trying for Queens, Western, Dal, etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicandspan Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Maybe they should have grandfathered this in gradually, taking the higher of the new or old calculation method for the next 2-3 years, rather than just this year. That way ppl who are 1-2 year into their 2nd undergrad didn't just find out that they wasted a couple years of their life. Its probably not a huge number of ppl but I'm sure some just got bit hard by this change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mithrandir Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 NP is an awesome, rewarding career with some benefits over medicine (depending on how you look at it). I wouldn't completely give up if I were you, friend. Plus, NP is a master's, no? You coild always apply with a grad bonus somewhere down the line This is true:P However, I'm doing my second degree in nursing right now and actually loving it so much. I think, for me at least, being an NP makes more sense anyways:) I feel horrible for people that have taken on second degrees specifically to gain entry into Nosm; it's such a big sacrifice of time and money. (I know because getting into nosm was my MAIN reason for starting my bsn). But for me I was lucky enough to find a career I love in my second degree, so this decision feels more like closure? I can help people and have an amazing career and make a comfortable living as an NP. To everyone who feels like their dreams were crushed by this decision: look into other health care professions:) if you truly want to help people, there are so many other options. I think we really put the MD up on a giant pedestal but healthcare is a huge team of brilliant specialists and there's so many other options! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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