RazzleDazzle Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I know that some Ontario medical schools don't have any science (e.g. chem, bio, physics) pre-requisites at all. Although they say that, does it *truly* not make a difference? For example, it two undergrads were compared side-by-side, where one applicant took lots of science courses and has a 3.9GPA, and the other has a 4.0GPA but only took arts courses with no science courses. Both applicants are equal in all other areas, including the MCAT. Would the science person have a better chance of getting admitted? In the case where the science person *does* have a better chance, how do you think the scenario would change (if at all) if the non-science person had more extracurriculars or research? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyleh Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 As long as each student has the necessary pre-reqs, no, it doesn't really matter. Correct me if I'm wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satsuma Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 yeah...it doesn`t matter. So just be sure to meet the prerequisites and take courses you enjoy so you will do well and meet GPA cut-offs. If you take some med related courses in undergrad it could make some of med school a little easier, since you will be reviewing instead of learning, but you'll be fine even if you don`t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 It doesn't matter in the slightest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superking25 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 The non-science person would be better off with comparable MCAT/ECs and a higher GPA. You just assume that it is more difficult to get the same GPA in a BA as it is in a BSC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyro Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 So they won't look at the actual courses that you have taken, just your marks, right??? Because this year I have a ton of electives and been taking random easy elective courses to boost up the GPA...and it's been paying off because i'll have at least a 3.90 this year if not higher. I don't need to worry, right? I feel bad for not taking more harder science courses and only easy social science electives. I just want to make sure I don't need to stress over this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 So they won't look at the actual courses that you have taken, just your marks, right??? Because this year I have a ton of electives and been taking random easy elective courses to boost up the GPA...and it's been paying off because i'll have at least a 3.90 this year if not higher. I don't need to worry, right? I feel bad for not taking more harder science courses and only easy social science electives. I just want to make sure I don't need to stress over this. It depends on what year you are in. At some schools, such as Western or U of T, it is suggested that 60% of the courses you take must correspond to your year of study. At others, it doesn't matter at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyro Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I'm not applying to U of T, and I called Western about my course load (in terms of year of study) and they were okay with it. I'm taking mostly social science courses as electives. It depends on what year you are in. At some schools, such as Western or U of T, it is suggested that 60% of the courses you take must correspond to your year of study. At others, it doesn't matter at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedPen Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I'm not applying to U of T, and I called Western about my course load (in terms of year of study) and they were okay with it. I'm taking mostly social science courses as electives. That to me looks bad. If I were on the admissions committee, I would be a little skeptical of your 3.9 if you're taking easy electives. Most universities want to see that you can handle a full course load of year appropriate courses in order to accept you. Medical school will not be a bunch of bird courses of your choice. And yes, they will look at what you're taking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 That to me looks bad. If I were on the admissions committee, I would be a little skeptical of your 3.9 if you're taking easy electives. Most universities want to see that you can handle a full course load of year appropriate courses in order to accept you. Medical school will not be a bunch of bird courses of your choice. And yes, they will look at what you're taking. For many, many schools... all they look at is GPA. It's not like they go student, by student... course by course and analyze it. There isn't enough time to do that. Some schools will look at choices of courses, but the field you choose to study in is not considered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyro Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 For many, many schools... all they look at is GPA. It's not like they go student, by student... course by course and analyze it. There isn't enough time to do that. Some schools will look at choices of courses, but the field you choose to study in is not considered. That is exactly what I had thought....that they just run your marks through the computer because it's almost impossible to go through every single course of every applicant, but I just wanted to make sure. Anyway, thanks Law. That to me looks bad. If I were on the admissions committee, I would be a little skeptical of your 3.9 if you're taking easy electives. Most universities want to see that you can handle a full course load of year appropriate courses in order to accept you. Medical school will not be a bunch of bird courses of your choice. And yes, they will look at what you're taking. Even if they do look(which they probably don't), I doubt they have any real way of judging what an "appropriate" course is. The class average is still around a B in each of them, but all the non-social science people who take them end up getting A's. And I'm sure this is partly why the MCAT is used...and I more than meet the cutoffs for all the Canadian schools so I'm sure that will remove any skepticism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmedo007 Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 That is exactly what I had thought....that they just run your marks through the computer because it's almost impossible to go through every single course of every applicant, but I just wanted to make sure. Anyway, thanks Law. Even if they do look(which they probably don't), I doubt they have any real way of judging what an "appropriate" course is. The class average is still around a B in each of them, but all the non-social science people who take them end up getting A's. And I'm sure this is partly why the MCAT is used...and I more than meet the cutoffs for all the Canadian schools so I'm sure that will remove any skepticism. You pretty much summed it up. You're doing well, and hell, rock the MCAT! As for me, I'm buusssyyy........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 That is exactly what I had thought....that they just run your marks through the computer because it's almost impossible to go through every single course of every applicant, but I just wanted to make sure. Anyway, thanks Law. No problemo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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