GPA and Application Cycle

[virtue]

Hello Everyone!

 

I will most likely be completing a BSc. degree before medicine, because I am interested in majoring in something like physiology or cell biology. The only thing that i'm not too keen on is fulfilling the the first year pre-req's such as physics. I have completed high school physics, and ended up with a high B (though I have always had A's for my other courses). So I can see that physics courses in uni as being potential blunders for my GPA.

 

From my research, I have determined that most ontario schools don't have specific pre-req's (just that you would have to take a full year's worth of life sci courses, for example), unlike schools in western canada that dictate exactly what physics course, or orgo chem course, you must complete. So not taking physics in uni wouldn't be an issue if I were to apply to an ontario medical school.

 

I'd really prefer to attend a med school in the east, as opposed to one in the west, where i'd be IP. I realize that it's far more difficult to apply to Ontario when you're OOP, but i'm willing to give it a shot.

 

So I suppose this is a two fold question.

 

GPA is the most important factor in med applications. When they say that you can apply as a 3rd yr student (like UofT), does that mean that you can apply after 2nd UG when you're going into your third year? If so, then they only factor in the courses that you took in your first 2 years, correct? So you could theoretically wait to take any physics courses until later, and they wouldn't show up on your transcript? Or perhaps take them in the summer? Because I know uoft doesn't factor in summer courses into GPA.

 

All that being said, I sort of feel like I now want to pick an UG degree that doesn't have required courses such as physics, orgo chem etc.

a. Any suggestions?

b. Would I be OK to just study that content on my own that I would need for the MCAT?

 

I think that i'd be far more safe choosing a UG program that doesn't have those difficult pre-req's, then just doing a "science degree" because "everyone does them.

 

Any thoughts?

[HBP]

I think it'll be hard to major in Physiology/Cell Bio without taking at least a bit of organic chem/physics.

 

You'll be fine in the MCAT without taking the courses.

 

You can apply to UT after 2 years of completed undergrad, but you'll need a high GPA (probably around 3.95 OMSAS). UT doesn't need physics or orgo as prereqs.

 

Where are you IP? Assuming you're either from BC/AB, it'd be foolish not to take the pre-reqs.

[IMDoc]

You would apply to UFT after 2nd year and during October of your third year. You could take physics during that year or leave it until 4th. But UfT doesn't require physics pre-reqs so you are okay. A lot of people take physics and orgo in the summer. UfT will consider that completed but will not use the mark. But keep in mind that you may apply to other schools that use the summer mark.

 

A small suggestion...don't pick your undergrad degree on one or two courses that might be difficult to get through. Physics and orgo can be done well in during the year and also in the summer. Yes they are tough, but not impossible to get through.

 

But more importantly, choose your undergrad in something you want to truly do, might want to pursue if you decide med is not for you, and you will be happy learning for the next 3-4 years. You don't need a science degree for medicine but at the same time don't stray away from it if physics/orgo is the problem. I assure u that you will find 1-2 hard courses in any program you do. So the best thing is to find a program you are happy in, enjoy, and interests you.

 

Lastly, you can study for the MCAT without these courses in uni. High school physics should be enough and the orgo isn't that detailed as taught in 2nd year university. You can learn it on your own.

[rmorelan]

 

I'd really prefer to attend a med school in the east, as opposed to one in the west, where i'd be IP. I realize that it's far more difficult to apply to Ontario when you're OOP, but i'm willing to give it a shot.

 

 

hi there! actually I am not sure the above statement is all that true - Queens, Toronto, and Western won't care at all (Western has swomen but that is already based on high school which has past) ottawa has regional bias but unless you are from that region it won't matter. That leaves NOSM which is pretty specific in the type of student they look for and finally Mac does have limites on OOP students but they define residency in Ontario as:

 

To qualify for (1) above, an applicant must:

a. be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident by

October 1, 2010; and

b. have resided in Ontario for at least three years,

since the age of 14, by the date of possible

entry to the program.

 

and likely you will have both a) and if you did high school in Ontario as well. Due to all of that I am not convinced that you would really find any difficulties if you are the typical case