extenuating circumstances

[claire21]

I am currently in my third year in biomedical science (at a university in Ontario). I am 21 with a three year old (born in what should have been my senior year of high school) and a one year old (who I had 11 days after my last exam first year). I took a full course load first year, but decided to take part time studies in second year. (I took 1.5 credits in the fall semester, 2.0 in winter, and 2.0 in summer). I am scheduled and planning on taking 5+ credits per year for the remainder of my degree (years 3-4). I noticed that for some medical school requirements it is stated that only full semester years are included in GPAs, but what influence does part time have on my eligibility to even apply to schools. I am a little confused as to what my 'special' circumstances means with respect to schools that would be willing to look at me. I am not sure what my GPA was for first year. although I know it was poor (79 average... probably around a 3.0 GPA?) , but my grades currently have been between 86 and 92, with the majority 90+. The only problem is that these grades do not count...which is understandable as I was not taking the full 5 credits. But, what affect does this have on the schools that I can apply to? Does this mean that when I apply after my fourth year of study I am applying as if I have only taken three years? I had only one year of part time study, but it was in the middle of my studies. When it comes to GPAs for such school as Ottawa I believe 2nd year is weighted x2, but if second year was not full time is it just removed? Or is my first year weighted more heavily without second year being present. Even if I am still eligible grades-wise what affect will my extra-curricular's have on my application? I worked for 2hrs/week for approximately 2 years at a mental health hospital with eating disorder patients and am currently shadowing a physician in an AIDS treatment centre 3-4 hours per month. I can't really afford any more time than this as I have to fit this in between classes (nights are reserved for my other job as mom!). Everyone keeps telling me that consideration will be given to my 'situation' (which I hate them describing this way), but I don't really see this flex in the application process. I am somewhat confident my grades will stand on their own if I keep up what I've been doing, my extra curriculars not so much, but I am really worried about the year that I decided to go part-time. any advice?

 

sorry about the long post...i'm a message board virgin!

[future_doc]

Claire, the only real way you can obtain a compass is to write directly to med schools that potentially will interest you to see what they say re extenuating circumstances. The rule of thumb is that if you are not taking a full course load then it is impossible to judge how you will withstand the rigours of fulltime serious medical studies. The answer may be an extraa ear, I have no idea. There are so many qualified applicants, supply of highly qualified students exceeds seats. Go for it directly at the ultimate source. FYI, UofT are notoriously slow to respondor they don't respond period. I would suggest that for U/T you phone directly an admisssions officer, I believe their webiste gives the telephone no of a Taylor, just phone directly. Other med schools, email them, e.g., UWO has replied to me for a special situation w/i 48 hours. Good luck.l