Second degree

[Coach]

here's a question for anyone with a good thinking hat

 

It's my understanding that if you apply with for example 2 degrees, MAC looks at the GPA of all courses from both degrees. That would usually kill the hopes of anyone who happened to have a bad experience on their first degree... like me

 

So here's my situation: I am enrolling with Athabasca to do a bachelor's degree in Arts and Science as a second degree. I am getting several credits from my first degree and I will ultimately graduate with a full 3-year degree. Here's the twist: my first degree is a foreign degree (i.e. not from Canada or USA) and it has a lousy GPA. Athabasca is ok with transferring some credits on subjects I *eventually* passed. But down the road at med school submission stage, would MAC include the GPA from that first degree if it is from a foreign university?

 

MAC would be my first choice to apply to. If they ignore the foreign degree and only focus on the Athabasca degree then I would have hope. One must bear in mind that the Athabasca degree, while worth the full 90 credits / 3 years, will show several transfer credits with a "pass" remark instead of an actual grade.

[Coach]

I contacted McMaster and got the answer. I thought I would post a follow up in case there's anyone else in my position.

 

Long story short, they will only look at the Canadian degree and will ignore the foreign grades. If the first degree was from Canada or USA then they would include it in the GPA; in my case I get to dodge a bullet and still use that first degree for credits toward the second degree. Not too shabby

[frenziedmalady]

Thanks for the information, this has given me hope. My foreign grades don't look that great.

[micro]

I contacted McMaster and got the answer. I thought I would post a follow up in case there's anyone else in my position.

 

Long story short, they will only look at the Canadian degree and will ignore the foreign grades. If the first degree was from Canada or USA then they would include it in the GPA; in my case I get to dodge a bullet and still use that first degree for credits toward the second degree. Not too shabby

 

This information is currently found on the McMaster admissions website:

 

Please note: There is no requirement that applicants carry a full course load. Only degree courses taken at an accredited university will be considered. To satisfy the minimum requirements, academic credentials from a Canadian University must be from an institution that is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) or the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

 

The italicized portion clearly applies to your situation.

[Coach]

This information is currently found on the McMaster admissions website:

 

Please note: There is no requirement that applicants carry a full course load. Only degree courses taken at an accredited university will be considered. To satisfy the minimum requirements, academic credentials from a Canadian University must be from an institution that is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) or the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

 

The italicized portion clearly applies to your situation.

 

I read that passage but still contacted McMaster being paranoid. I was a little concerned because I was transferring credits from the foreign degree and basically completing fewer than 90 credits with the Canadian university. Thought it safer to contact them and clarify 100%. Once the credits transfer and appear on the Canadian transcript you get the course credits as if you had studied the course at the Canadian university. The lady at McMaster confirmed that they would view the transcript as being worth 90 credits / 3 years study despite the fact that several courses were transfer credits.

 

BTW, they would consider including one's foreign grades if required it (i.e. if you never had sufficient courses from a Canadian university): you would just need a transcript evaluation from WES.

[micro]

I read that passage but still contacted McMaster being paranoid. I was a little concerned because I was transferring credits from the foreign degree and basically completing fewer than 90 credits with the Canadian university. Thought it safer to contact them and clarify 100%. Once the credits transfer and appear on the Canadian transcript you get the course credits as if you had studied the course at the Canadian university. The lady at McMaster confirmed that they would view the transcript as being worth 90 credits / 3 years study despite the fact that several courses were transfer credits.

 

BTW, they would consider including one's foreign grades if required it (i.e. if you never had sufficient courses from a Canadian university): you would just need a transcript evaluation from WES.

 

It was definitely the best approach to clarify your concerns.

 

I'm glad it worked out for you!

 

What do you think your chances are for securing an interview at Mac this year?

[Coach]

What do you think your chances are for securing an interview at Mac this year?

 

100% zero

I've only recently restarted my studies on the second degree and I have a full-time job plus a baby in the house (supported by a 2-year-old terrorist in training), so it will take some time before I'm ready to apply. I'm learning to be patient. Or so I tell myself.