hey I am lost; uwo psych or guelph nutrition sci

[stack]

I have a week to decide for sure and I still can't make my final decision.

 

The uwo psych arts degree is very flexible and heavy in psych courses. I would probably have to take bio/sci courses as electives.

The school is 2 hours away and my sis is gonna go to professional school there.

I don't know how interested I will be in psych. Neuropsych kinda went over my head in intro psych and I'm worried that the other courses may be too fluffy too take seriously.

 

Guelph's module is very strict.

http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c10/c10bsc-nans.shtml

 

The last year I have become interested in health issues including eating healthier and learning about vitamins and supplements. I am also very interested in learning about the human body and disease.

 

I ultimately want to get into medschool after a messed up freshman year of 2.9. It's been 2 years since I dropped out of mac life sci due to personal/family issues and will be returning this september.

I know GPA is key but I think a nutrition degree would be more useful if I dont get into med. I also kinda like how structured it is; keeping me from messing up my courses selection or havin to choose them in the first place.

 

I want to do well but I also want to be interested. I enjoyed first year bio from what I remember. I enjoyed studying for the tests etc. I hated chem, phys.

I also need to fit in clubs e.c's somewhere and the psych degree may give me more time off. I am lost.

 

plus I am not that strong socially though I would like to be. So I won't be very outgoing more likely keep my head in the books.

 

Arrgh any help from anyone plz?

[future_doc]

FRom what you say, it sounds like Guelph nutrition science is the way to go as you have more interest and it is the beginning of a Plan B. You are likely to do better in taking courses that interest you. Also, you have now gained in maturity and will consider being an UG @ UG, lol, your job or profession. On the basis that you can sustain a heavy work ethic, that you are interested in the course of study anyhow, that you have every reason to be motiviated and take it seriously, that academics will be your priority, I believe you will have a greater chance of becoming a competitive candidtae following this path. When in doubt, go with your instinct. Good luck!

[Cnussey]

Pick your interest over what's easier. You will be surprised at how much motivation plays a role in your GPA.

[stack]

I am sooo bad at decisions.

Overall I want to try to become a better person during my studies. uwo may open that option for me by allowing me to take interesting electives and joining clubs.

My mind is so set on medicine that I need to consider the best route.

 

And I don't think I have an interest in being a psychologist or dietitian but if I had to choose it would be the latter.

I'm scared :|

[future_doc]

Forget the clubs, they are not now relevant to the equation, to the decison that must be made.

 

It is all about GPA.

 

Which course of study will likely give you a higher GPA for whatever reason? e.g., interest of subect matter, motivation, aptitiude, etc

 

As regards being a better person, this occurs as we mature and expand our interests, however, focus only on which is likely to improve your GPA (and worry about other considerations next week - don't cloud the issue)

 

We are scared as we move forward into unknown and uncertain territory. As pre-meds, we live with uncertainty on a daily basis. WSe make strategic decsions, execute them as best we can and when we make mistakes, we learn from them and move forward. So, welcome to the scared club, you are no different than nay of us. You have to make a decision. You will o nly know later if you are happy with your choice, this is life.

[thatonekid]

I am sooo bad at decisions.

Overall I want to try to become a better person during my studies. uwo may open that option for me by allowing me to take interesting electives and joining clubs.

My mind is so set on medicine that I need to consider the best route.

 

And I don't think I have an interest in being a psychologist or dietitian but if I had to choose it would be the latter.

I'm scared :|

Based on this, it would seem that you should pick guelph. But I personally think that, at the moment, you shouldn't worry about clubs or ECs. Just take a program/courses that will interest you. When the school year starts, see where your free time is and plan ECs around that.

[rmorelan]

May I ask why you selected these two fields? You mention that you are not particularly interested in either one of them - ideally there should be a field you are interested in and can also get the GPA you need

[stack]

I applied all around and during that time I had pretty eclectic interests. Now that zero hour is arriving I am looking for all the negative. It doesn't help that I have had anxiety issues these last few years.

 

I had become very interested in health issues because of personal and family issues.

I applied to uwo health sci, psych;biomed, applied nutrition, nutritional science at guelph; and I am still eligible to resume my studies at mac for life sci or science psych.

 

I only got accepted to the 2 programs listed and my mind changes so much I am not sure whether I want science intense yet interesting courses or social science psych courses where I can try to learn more about life. My mind is so capricious about these things that I was also at a time very infatuated with the idea of being a landscape architect or something involved in the environment.

2 weeks ago I was all gungho about uwo but I've had anxiety the last few days for personal reasons that arose and now I'm rethinking everything.

 

I dunno I'm gonna have to look over the courses again to figure it out. Plus I already accepted at uwo and applied for osap there so there is a little more bias in that direction just because of the effort I will need to put into changing to guelph. Plus I'd have to find a place to live asap..

I don't know how I will live with the regret if I make the wrong choice. I've had to deal with alot of regret (source of anxiety issues) these last few years.

 

Thanks for all the advice so far.

[Nobodycirclesthewagons]

Don't worry about clubs/ECs right now, those things are secondary. In fact, I was barely in any serious clubs and I got in. Forget the OSAP application also.

 

Do what you can see yourself not having to struggle to study for.

[future_doc]

Take a deep breath and relax. It will work out fine.

 

At this stage, the one who knows you best is your sis, who is oging to professional school. Ask her to read this thread, talk to her and let her guide you. She is well aware of all your issues and can best lead you at this time. One step at a time. Do not become overwhelmed. Baby steps asnd you will go thrupopugh it all well.

[Caylynn]

I am sooo bad at decisions.

Overall I want to try to become a better person during my studies. uwo may open that option for me by allowing me to take interesting electives and joining clubs.

My mind is so set on medicine that I need to consider the best route.

 

And I don't think I have an interest in being a psychologist or dietitian but if I had to choose it would be the latter.

I'm scared :|

 

Just so you know, the Nutrition Science program at Guelph is NOT accredited by the Dietitians of Canada. Guelph's Applied Human Nutrition program is, however, accredited by the Dietitians of Canada (and will allow you to complete an internship after graduation and write the professional practice exam to become a registered dietitian). Just something to think about if you are planning on having the degree as a "back-up." Check out the Dietitians of Canada web site for the accredited programs. Simply doing a degree in nutrition will not allow you to become a dietitian.

[MedDream]

Hey stack, I PMed you

[stack]

Just so you know, the Nutrition Science program at Guelph is NOT accredited by the Dietitians of Canada. Guelph's Applied Human Nutrition program is, however, accredited by the Dietitians of Canada (and will allow you to complete an internship after graduation and write the professional practice exam to become a registered dietitian). Just something to think about if you are planning on having the degree as a "back-up." Check out the Dietitians of Canada web site for the accredited programs. Simply doing a degree in nutrition will not allow you to become a dietitian.

 

So I won't be able to write the dietitian exam with the nutritional sci degree? Hm so the only job prospects are mainly in food research and development?

[panda__eyes]

If you are interested in Nutritional Sciences, U of T also offers a great Nutritional Science major program. Just another option for you to look into.

They also offer many different Masters program in Nutrition, two of which are joint programs at St. Michael's and Sick Kids if you are looking to become a RD.

[Caylynn]

So I won't be able to write the dietitian exam with the nutritional sci degree? Hm so the only job prospects are mainly in food research and development?

 

Correct. There are also jobs in industry, or people go on and do graduate work, but a degree in nutritional science will not allow an individual to become an RD. Dietitians of Canada's accredited programs are listed here:

 

http://www.dietitians.ca/public/content/career_in_nutrition/accredited_undergraduate_programs.asp

 

Guelph DOES have an accredited program, but it is their applied human nutrition degree that is accredited, not nutritional science:

http://www.family.uoguelph.ca/undergraduate/applied-human-nutrition

 

"The Applied Human Nutrition major is accredited by the Dietitians of Canada and will prepare students to compete for a dietetic internship"

[funnyboy6]

Hey, I go to guelph. I love the school. Despite it not being mentioned in the same breath as UofT, mac, queens, etc., it is a great school. I know dozens of students here in the last few years who got into an ontario med program, and they love it.

 

A couple of pluses about guelph:

1) Friendly people--this is one of the friendliest places for a premed--even the 90's students are funny/humble/love to have a good time. Students work together and never compete.

2) Campus is gorgeous, especially in the summer

3) There are first year seminars, where 8 students learn using PBL for a semester. There are 2 facilitators for 8 students--one of the facilitators is the president of our university!!!

4) Student resources--this campus is well known for the amount of student educational resources. There are tutors, official/unofficial study groups, one-one academic consultations, workshops on how to learn, and so on. No matter how strong you are academically, there are resources for you, and the people running them are happy to help

5) NO BELL CURVE--you know those horror stories you hear about at places like UofT, how only 1% of the class gets an A? Not here. I was talking to one of our profs, who used to sit on the UofT adcom. He said this "the great thing about guelph is that you can get excellent grades, and still have a good time". Many of my friends have pulled of great GPAs, while still being heavily involved, and having fun in the process !

6) The girl to guy ratio is ridiculous, and given the high number of gay guys on this campus, its even more ridiculous. I can't walk for 5 min without saying "damn girl" hahahaha

[charmer08]

Hey, I go to guelph. I love the school. Despite it not being mentioned in the same breath as UofT, mac, queens, etc., it is a great school. I know dozens of students here in the last few years who got into an ontario med program, and they love it.

 

A couple of pluses about guelph:

1) Friendly people--this is one of the friendliest places for a premed--even the 90's students are funny/humble/love to have a good time. Students work together and never compete.

2) Campus is gorgeous, especially in the summer

3) There are first year seminars, where 8 students learn using PBL for a semester. There are 2 facilitators for 8 students--one of the facilitators is the president of our university!!!

4) Student resources--this campus is well known for the amount of student educational resources. There are tutors, official/unofficial study groups, one-one academic consultations, workshops on how to learn, and so on. No matter how strong you are academically, there are resources for you, and the people running them are happy to help

5) NO BELL CURVE--you know those horror stories you hear about at places like UofT, how only 1% of the class gets an A? Not here. I was talking to one of our profs, who used to sit on the UofT adcom. He said this "the great thing about guelph is that you can get excellent grades, and still have a good time". Many of my friends have pulled of great GPAs, while still being heavily involved, and having fun in the process !

6) The girl to guy ratio is ridiculous, and given the high number of gay guys on this campus, its even more ridiculous. I can't walk for 5 min without saying "damn girl" hahahaha

 

:confused:

 

I think he already chose his school.