UofT Life Science Advice+Rant

[Jarven]

Hey I just (2 months ago) finished my first year at UofT life science. And all I can say is that its been one hell of a ride (and I'm not talking about the terrible commute from scarborough to downtown, I generally catch up on my sleep during those precious 30-40 mins). I probably averaged 6 hour of sleep per night (with the exception of weekends). Spent a ****load of time in the library. Looked like crap for half the years because I was drugged up on stress due to exams. Thinking back, I realize how stressful everything was. At the back of my mind there was always a nagging voice telling me to do my readings, and assignments and labs and problem sets.

 

And after all that hardwork. I end up with a 2.2 GPA.

JOKING

 

my first year gpa was 3.90 which I was so proud that it made me want to cry :'(

I love the whole 85+/4.0 business. I can tell you that I had like 3-4 courses that were right on the dot 85. Overall my percent average is roughly 86%. This is essentially a 5%-6% drop from my grade 12 average. The courses I took were BIO120/130, CHM151, PSY100, PHY131/132, MAT135/136, ENV100 (it my elective and birdcourse which was sadly my lowest mark).

 

I just want to say that it is definitely possible to achieve a good GPA at UofT. I don't go to Trinity (since I didn't have a 98 average in highschool). I didn't get to involved at UofT simply because I was trying to get accustomed to this workload.

 

Alright my Rant is done.

 

Now I need some advice from smart people and people who have gone through the UofT life sci hoops. What subject POSTs should I apply to. I currently applied to the BIG (specialist). I got rejected by immunology (thought my gpa was kickass :'( i think they don't accept chm151 as a replacement for chm138/139 which is stupid since 151 is more "rigorous")

 

But anyway, what subject POSt should I choose? I applied to LMP and surprise surprise, I got in. I was under the impression that they only took people with 4.0s. I currently accepted it but is there any other subject POSt that would better facilitate me to get into medical school? I hear rumors that LMPers have a high chance of going to med school. Is that true? Any advice on being able to acquire a supervisor for research or get any kind of research position. I didn't apply for 299Y. And just overall advice that would help a single UofT student get into Medical school.

[charmer08]

Hey I just (2 months ago) finished my first year at UofT life science. And all I can say is that its been one hell of a ride (and I'm not talking about the terrible commute from scarborough to downtown, I generally catch up on my sleep during those precious 30-40 mins). I probably averaged 6 hour of sleep per night (with the exception of weekends). Spent a ****load of time in the library. Looked like crap for half the years because I was drugged up on stress due to exams. Thinking back, I realize how stressful everything was. At the back of my mind there was always a nagging voice telling me to do my readings, and assignments and labs and problem sets.

 

And after all that hardwork. I end up with a 2.2 GPA.

JOKING

 

my first year gpa was 3.90 which I was so proud that it made me want to cry :'(

I love the whole 85+/4.0 business. I can tell you that I had like 3-4 courses that were right on the dot 85. Overall my percent average is roughly 86%. This is essentially a 5%-6% drop from my grade 12 average. The courses I took were BIO120/130, CHM151, PSY100, PHY131/132, MAT135/136, ENV100 (it my elective and birdcourse which was sadly my lowest mark).

 

I just want to say that it is definitely possible to achieve a good GPA at UofT. I don't go to Trinity (since I didn't have a 98 average in highschool). I didn't get to involved at UofT simply because I was trying to get accustomed to this workload.

 

Alright my Rant is done.

 

Now I need some advice from smart people and people who have gone through the UofT life sci hoops. What subject POSTs should I apply to. I currently applied to the BIG (specialist). I got rejected by immunology (thought my gpa was kickass :'( i think they don't accept chm151 as a replacement for chm138/139 which is stupid since 151 is more "rigorous")

 

But anyway, what subject POSt should I choose? I applied to LMP and surprise surprise, I got in. I was under the impression that they only took people with 4.0s. I currently accepted it but is there any other subject POSt that would better facilitate me to get into medical school? I hear rumors that LMPers have a high chance of going to med school. Is that true? Any advice on being able to acquire a supervisor for research or get any kind of research position. I didn't apply for 299Y. And just overall advice that would help a single UofT student get into Medical school.

 

hehe you're up for a surprise when you apply to medschools

[drkwhy]

Immunology rejects everyone lol, don't take it personally. But good job on getting acquainted at UofT!!! Really good!

 

And it's not that LMPers have a higher chance of getting into med (from what I gather). It's that those students are the ones with the high marks in first year and so they get in to LMP and they continue to get the high marks. But that being said, you could easily do a simple Biology specialist and still get the high marks. Seeing that you were able to do 3 intro courses with 3 lab components in both semesters with good results, I don't think that any specialist would be disadvantageous to you. Just pick one that you like.

 

But that being said, I hear the BIG specialists are really notorious for the amount of work they require. I have friends in the BCH and MGY ones and they tell me it's a lot of memorization and grunt work (for labs and the like).

But those guys wanna do research so they don't really aim for the highest possible marks.

 

I continuously hear the MedSciences at uoft require more work than the CSB/BIO/EEB designated courses.

 

But as I mentioned before, it's all about doing something you like.

[Jarven]

hehe you're up for a surprise when you apply to medschools

 

I am aware that 90+ is 4.0 on an OMSAS scale. My OMSAS gpa is 3.86 :'(

 

but my UofT gpa is higher

[repede]

LMPers getting into medical school has nothing to do with coming from LMP; the students who get into LMP are just exceptional to begin with. I think it's a rather small program, so you'll get to know your professors, which makes it easier to secure research opportunities. Look through the faculty website and make note of the professors that do research that interests you. Send them your resume and hope for the best - you may have to e-mail A LOT and just hear back from a few, but that's just the way things are.

 

You don't have to start your extracurriculars really early. Starting them in 2nd/3rd year is fine - the key is maintaining your GPA and slowly increasing your commitment level as your capabilities increase.

 

It seems like you're doing things right, so keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine.

 

But please don't cry about a 3.86 OMSAS GPA. Don't be that guy.

[apache]

why do people say u of t is so hard… seems like people just take suicidal programs to me

 

hehe you're up for a surprise when you apply to medschools

[charmer08]

why do people say u of t is so hard… seems like people just take suicidal programs to me

 

because its the suicidal programs that sound the most kool... immunology and molecular biology for instance

 

oh what I was pointing to was the on the omsas scale, 85-89 is a 3.9 not a 4.0 unlike the uoft scale

[apache]

lol… i see, yeah, lots of ppl here will just do like bio with a psych minor or earth and atmospheric science or something minor… n the honors physiology, biochem, imin keeners r the hcore ones.

 

because its the suicidal programs that sound the most kool... immunology and molecular biology for instance

 

oh what I was pointing to was the on the omsas scale, 85-89 is a 3.9 not a 4.0 unlike the uoft scale

[shikimate]

2 best POST = HMB and CSB

 

HMB = tonnes of courses to choose from, high course average, reasonable workload, flexible choices with specialist or major. Really nice profs, but department is a bit disorganized.

 

CSB = good alternative to BIG. Good basic science if that's what you like, reasonable courses (CSB courses fill up fast, so having a CSB major help you snipe those courses early). Research is ample (maybe not as "medical" as LMP, but still good basic science things)

 

LMP people get into med because they are top top notch to start with, I wouldn't be so keen on going into LMP or IMM if GPA is your priority.

 

I would say CSB is the best if you are into basic science, and HMB the best if you enjoy more social or applied science.

 

Going into BIG, do it at your own risk.

[holiday1001]

I don't see how the OP's post can convince people that u of t lifesci doesn't deserve it's rep for being hard. if anything it reinforces that thought

[apache]

yeah… jst take a chill degree that has generalizability and teaches you how to think on your feet…

 

I don't see how the OP's post can convince people that u of t lifesci doesn't deserve it's rep for being hard. if anything it reinforces that thought

[apache]

i got more scholarships in a 2 year period than anyone else in my univesity… plus being a specialist is useless… unless you want to do that field… i have like 4 biochems, 2 physics, like 7 chem, courses in micro, imin, 2 physiologies neuropsch, philosoph, sociology, religion, classics, englsih, econ, poli sci, lots of philosophy, advanced research methods, advanced staes, and a boatload of psych of course.. even som EAS… and i had a general psych degree, lol…

 

i got a 3.8… iuno, i took such a diversity of courses that i think it's harder than sub-specializing… lol, i never got the allure of these uber specialized programs

 

Hey I just (2 months ago) finished my first year at UofT life science. And all I can say is that its been one hell of a ride (and I'm not talking about the terrible commute from scarborough to downtown, I generally catch up on my sleep during those precious 30-40 mins). I probably averaged 6 hour of sleep per night (with the exception of weekends). Spent a ****load of time in the library. Looked like crap for half the years because I was drugged up on stress due to exams. Thinking back, I realize how stressful everything was. At the back of my mind there was always a nagging voice telling me to do my readings, and assignments and labs and problem sets.

 

And after all that hardwork. I end up with a 2.2 GPA.

JOKING

 

my first year gpa was 3.90 which I was so proud that it made me want to cry :'(

I love the whole 85+/4.0 business. I can tell you that I had like 3-4 courses that were right on the dot 85. Overall my percent average is roughly 86%. This is essentially a 5%-6% drop from my grade 12 average. The courses I took were BIO120/130, CHM151, PSY100, PHY131/132, MAT135/136, ENV100 (it my elective and birdcourse which was sadly my lowest mark).

 

I just want to say that it is definitely possible to achieve a good GPA at UofT. I don't go to Trinity (since I didn't have a 98 average in highschool). I didn't get to involved at UofT simply because I was trying to get accustomed to this workload.

 

Alright my Rant is done.

 

Now I need some advice from smart people and people who have gone through the UofT life sci hoops. What subject POSTs should I apply to. I currently applied to the BIG (specialist). I got rejected by immunology (thought my gpa was kickass :'( i think they don't accept chm151 as a replacement for chm138/139 which is stupid since 151 is more "rigorous")

 

But anyway, what subject POSt should I choose? I applied to LMP and surprise surprise, I got in. I was under the impression that they only took people with 4.0s. I currently accepted it but is there any other subject POSt that would better facilitate me to get into medical school? I hear rumors that LMPers have a high chance of going to med school. Is that true? Any advice on being able to acquire a supervisor for research or get any kind of research position. I didn't apply for 299Y. And just overall advice that would help a single UofT student get into Medical school.

[repede]

lol, i never got the allure of these uber specialized programs

 

Small, tight-knit class with coherent course selection. Permission to take specialist-exclusive courses. More abundant opportunities to do research. Opportunity to do an undergraduate thesis. The feeling like you're working toward a much higher degree of proficiency in a particular area, rather than being a jack of all trades.

 

Both broad and specific programs of study have their advantages, but choose based on what type of experience you're looking for. For medicine, both types give you a great foundation for what's to come, and one is not necessarily better than the other.

 

No matter what you choose, though, it likely won't be easy. I also did exceptionally well in my 1st year, but if you think that's an indication of how hard 2nd-4th year are going to be, you're in for a big surprise. It's fine and great to be proud of high marks in 1st year, but it's even more important to stay grounded and realize you're just 1/4 way up the hill.

[apache]

i have a high degree of proficiency in numerous area's, because i can interpre't the biochemistry of 2nd messenger systems like dag ip2 phosphorlazes, kinases, map kinases, and hot they could down-regulate 5ht-a (common agonists are traditional psychedelics right… thats more broad scope though) via interactions with proteins that modulate 5ht-2a density via epigenetic phenomena, which can be prevented via sert kicked up (ssri's, yaya) to minimize toxicity, if u wanna talk the biochem of individ structures too… cool, i can tell you all about why diff things bind to others, why certain drug delivery stems can be deleterious on a chemical basis… uh well, i did 2 years of research, did an nserc its called walk into a profs lab and sound impressive… i could also help them out a lot since i was an undergrad that knew spss, stats, research design, could write well… well, i did take those philo courses… and shoot, i didnt have any science besides physics in high school… iuno, i was offered masters position just by walking thru someones office and striking convo… did like 40 courses in my last 3 years, did 20+ in my major… medicine doesnt require you to memorize minutia such as the amino acid structure of tyrosine, methionine… even though, guess what, still know em, still remember most of the krebs cycle because i took advanced organic chem and can work through it thinkg of the reaction steps, don't forget your vitamine b6… for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex… you need you pyroxidine pyrophosphate before you make oxaloacetate citrate… u wanna hear the half lifes, tmaxs, t1/2s of like every psychotropic medication around too… or maybe like some philosophical psych… medicine is a practical field i had classes with 5 ppl, 12 ppl, its tight knit among the ppl into it… taking something like ed psych counselling was great too for patient communication… minus the rl exp i had way b4 that… i also know a lot of law, because im so multidisciplinary and good at english… from practice on my own, law is very easy, you just go to library and read the books, because well i understand a variety of topics, must be why im a fave of top res programs involving therapy despite no formal class in it… just kinda of fell into it…

 

also, stuff like philosophy allows you to recognize automated heuristics (which aren't algorithims like you use in some medicine… sometimes medicine is an art in a sense… just based on clin experience. iuno, ive got a closet full of awards and stuff… water under the bridge to me, just money … but yeah, i could be able to name off like 500 infectious diseases… but to be honest, sumone already can do that… so kinda pointless… guess point im trying to say is generalism leads to better mastery of your topic of focus...

 

i also knew all my profs too, well most, some were kind of blah… its called talking to them like ppl… yeah, thats how i was walking by and ended up getting offered an msc in a pretty sick lab one day… so well… if you're practive… everything you're describing is possible in general programs… i took lots of specialist courses, i just talked to the prof…. they obv knew i knew the material and shoot, that easy, just sign here and done

 

if you want advice, talk to professors… preferably ones u have class with, asd ask them to be supervisor… and do something you're interested in so they can tell you know your stuff… simple as abc… i even had to turn down one arts psych research thing bc i had to much on plate...

 

Small, tight-knit class with coherent course selection. Permission to take specialist-exclusive courses. More abundant opportunities to do research. Opportunity to do an undergraduate thesis. The feeling like you're working toward a much higher degree of proficiency in a particular area, rather than being a jack of all trades.

 

Both broad and specific programs of study have their advantages, but choose based on what type of experience you're looking for. For medicine, both types give you a great foundation for what's to come, and one is not necessarily better than the other.

 

No matter what you choose, though, it likely won't be easy. I also did exceptionally well in my 1st year, but if you think that's an indication of how hard 2nd-4th year are going to be, you're in for a big surprise. It's fine and great to be proud of high marks in 1st year, but it's even more important to stay grounded and realize you're just 1/4 way up the hill.

[zeroNINE]

To OP:

 

I get that you're proud, but why are you even telling us your GPA? We're not even helping you with determining your chances to med school. Your GPA right now doesn't matter in terms of what you're asking from us. By focusing on your GPA and where you've been accepted at UofT's programs, you give off this arrogant attitude, please stop that. No one likes this type of person, especially if they're friends with you.

 

Now please realize that the material they teach in first year is usually (for most students) a review from highschool. Your GPA probably won't drop in 2nd year, but courses won't be review anymore.

[Jarven]

To OP:

 

I get that you're proud, but why are you even telling us your GPA? We're not even helping you with determining your chances to med school. Your GPA right now doesn't matter in terms of what you're asking from us. By focusing on your GPA and where you've been accepted at UofT's programs, you give off this arrogant attitude, please stop that. No one likes this type of person, especially if they're friends with you.

 

Now please realize that the material they teach in first year is usually (for most students) a review from highschool. Your GPA probably won't drop in 2nd year, but courses won't be review anymore.

 

Wasn't aware that I came up as such. I generally never discuss marks with many people simply because of how touchy the subject is with many (with the exception of some academic giants, who seem to be the only people to not get offended when you mention GPA and marks). I do understand its only first year, however. I do freak out a lot on the inside and you have no idea how worried I am about 2nd year, 3rd year and medical school application. School wasn't easy for me. I struggled so hard I went through points within my first year where I thought I would legitimately fail my courses. Things just happen to work out in the end.

[Jarven]

My point is that I'm sorry if I sounded arrogant or sounded as if I was bragging.

[Field87ven]

My point is that I'm sorry if I sounded arrogant or sounded as if I was bragging.

 

Meh, you should be proud of your marks. Go in to second year with the confidence that you will ace every test. If you put in the same effort you did in first year I don't see why you can't do just as well.

 

Good luck with your second year

[repede]

+1. Hope my post didn't come across as me being a downer... good luck!