Macewan or U of A

[subaruwrx]

Hi,

 

I am currently in high school and my goal is to go to medical school. I am debating whether I should go to the U of A or Macewan. I have heard that Macewan has smaller classes so it is a better learning experience.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience on which one would provide the better tools for entering med school.

 

Thanks

[future doc]

i would pick u of a

[Savac]

i would pick u of a

 

Is there any particular reason for your choice? I don't know enough about MacEwan to help subaruwrx, so hopefully you can elaborate for him/her.

[Tacrolimus]

Alright, so here we go.

 

I decided to go to U of A, but some of my friends went to Grant MacEwan because of the class size and lower tuition fees, I believe.

 

For me, I wanted to go to U of A because I want to eventually finish here.. whether it be Pharmacy or Medicine. I realize that isn't a very strong reason, but that was it.

 

If you don't think you will fit well in a class with 400 people, don't go to U of A. I, personally, do not mind big classes at all. While some profs are very nice and welcoming during their office hours, some just don't have the time or patience to teach or help you understand a concept again. Studying independently is huge...Profs will not hold your hand like they might (some don't do it there either) at Grant MacEwan.

 

You might also want to think of research. GMac isn't very research intensive, as far as I know, so getting an assistant position in the summer (if you're interested) might be more difficult. Look at scholarships offered by both.

 

Also, some people care about "prestige". For me, it doesn't matter. I didn't go to U of A just so I could tell people that I go to U of A (it's really no big deal, haha). All that matters is the GPA on your transcript.

 

EDIT: I'm sure NathanS can clarify any questions you might have about GMac.

[future doc]

Is there any particular reason for your choice? I don't know enough about MacEwan to help subaruwrx, so hopefully you can elaborate for him/her.

 

Alright, so here we go.

 

I decided to go to U of A, but some of my friends went to Grant MacEwan because of the class size and lower tuition fees, I believe.

 

For me, I wanted to go to U of A because I want to eventually finish here.. whether it be Pharmacy or Medicine. I realize that isn't a very strong reason, but that was it.

 

If you don't think you will fit well in a class with 400 people, don't go to U of A. I, personally, do not mind big classes at all. While some profs are very nice and welcoming during their office hours, some just don't have the time or patience to teach or help you understand a concept again. Studying independently is huge...Profs will not hold your hand like they might (some don't do it there either) at Grant MacEwan.

 

You might also want to think of research. GMac isn't very research intensive, as far as I know, so getting an assistant position in the summer (if you're interested) might be more difficult. Look at scholarships offered by both.

 

Also, some people care about "prestige". For me, it doesn't matter. I didn't go to U of A just so I could tell people that I go to U of A (it's really no big deal, haha). All that matters is the GPA on your transcript.

 

EDIT: I'm sure NathanS can clarify any questions you might have about GMac.

 

these 2 reasons for sure... 1) u of a is "bigger" hence more research opportunities and 2)the fact that some med schools like u of c reward "harder" majors.. then u of a should put you in a better position because of "prestige"

[dreamerman]

^^ not true what so ever. U of C rewards for difficulty of major for example comp sci or engineering. They would not differentiate between say engineering at grant vs. u of a. Prestige means nothing when it comes to med admissions!

[dreamerman]

Btw don't listen to future doc as he/she is still in high school and does not even attend university.

[Savac]

^^ not true what so ever. U of C rewards for difficulty of major for example comp sci or engineering. They would not differentiate between say engineering at grant vs. u of a. Prestige means nothing when it comes to med admissions!

 

I agree completely.

[future doc]

^^ not true what so ever. U of C rewards for difficulty of major for example comp sci or engineering. They would not differentiate between say engineering at grant vs. u of a. Prestige means nothing when it comes to med admissions!

it;s true but OP never specified he will take same majors at both... u of a has some majors that arent even available in macewan... hence in general there would be more "harder" majors at u of a...

Btw don't listen to future doc as he/she is still in high school and does not even attend university.

 

i dont see how that would make a difference... if anything i can relate to OP more because im in the same situation as him and i've done my research about such things...

[bro]

Hey, just wanted to say, if you are thinking about attending a smaller university check out Concordia University College of Alberta too. I had similar concerns when I was about to start my undergrad but I still ended up going to the U of A. After my second year I transferred over to Concordia, and at that time I figured it would be much easier getting/maintaining a higher GPA at Concordia, but to make a long story short, I realized that your work ethic determines your grades and not necessarily the institution you go to. That being said, both schools I attended have their pros and their cons like someone posted above but its on you to choose where you think you will do better. eg) small class sizes, getting awesome references from your profs because they know you personally, more direct involvement with the school if you are part of a club, etc VS. more research opportunities, a better/bigger social life, more clubs to join, more facilities at your disposal, etc.

 

As a sidenote, when I was applying to some ontario schools through OMSAS, I cant remember where, but I stumbled upon a list of recognized/unrecognized universities in Canada by omsas and Macewan wasnt on the list but Concordia and the U of A(obviously lol) were on it. Anyone know of this list??

[NutritionRunner]

I know a couple of people who did their first two years at MacEwan, then transferred to U of A for their last two years. That way, they had smaller class sizes in the first two years, but still graduated with a degree from U of Alberta. I don't know if that's an option for the program you are considering, but my friends in Alberta say it is quite common that people start at MacEwan then transfer to U of A later.

[Tacrolimus]

I know a couple of people who did their first two years at MacEwan, then transferred to U of A for their last two years. That way, they had smaller class sizes in the first two years, but still graduated with a degree from U of Alberta. I don't know if that's an option for the program you are considering, but my friends in Alberta say it is quite common that people start at MacEwan then transfer to U of A later.

 

Yes, it is very common for people to do that.

 

Also, I forgot to mention one thing. Programs like Physiology and Pharmacology are not available at GMac, if I remember correctly.

[Dr. No]

Don't go to GMAC, go to a real university.

[Hagemenfactor]

Don't go to GMAC, go to a real university.

 

hey, at least if you're going to contribute to the discussion, bring something tangible to the topic, not a pissy little comment like that, which means absolutely nothing to anyone. Whether GMAC offers a great or crappy education is not your concern and you shouldn't publicly tarnish their reputation without providing any solid evidence to suggest you are right.

[Renoir]

Btw don't listen to future doc as he/she is still in high school and does not even attend university.

 

Whhhaaaat? I have been away from the forums for a year or so... is the original f_d gone? So many amazing controversies and detailed posts! Good times.

[Savac]

Whhhaaaat? I have been away from the forums for a year or so... is the original f_d gone? So many amazing controversies and detailed posts! Good times.

 

We have two members with very similar names

 

future_doc is in medical school (she is still here, don't worry )

 

future doc is in grade 12

[sunday]

i'd go with u of a as i think it's a healthier environment to learn in. not because i consider grant mac to be inferior (although it is statistically ranked much lower than u of a) but because of the environment at u of a. the classes are harder (based on the accounts of a few friends that have attended both) and therefore (in my opinion) more conducive to learning. and if you're worried about large class sizes, the class sizes do get smaller if you go into specialized classes in your upper years. i'm finishing up my last year and have around 10-15 people per class (one graduate level class with only 9 people).

 

just my 2c.

[Jocular]

I'd say go where you want...

 

I have a few classmates in med who did their whole undergrad degree at MacEwan, and they're great.

 

I can't speak to how it will affect your acceptance at other med schools, however.

[Renoir]

...

[Telric]

I'm curious about the differences in funding between the universities. Do you happen to know how many NSERC USRAs that Kings or your department is allocated to award?

 

I've always felt that there were ample amounts for the U of A; however, it's hard for me to state that as an advantage, as I don't really have a frame of reference.

[Renoir]

need 10 chars

[NeuroPreMed]

Some one talked about prestige, myself attending MacEwan, I did so because while prestige may look good, if you struggle to achieve a 3.8 at U of A and only get a 3.4 compared to the possibility of a 3.8 or a 3.9 that you could achieve at MacEwan that should be an easy decision.

 

With smaller classes I find it easier to get to know my profs and take one on one time if I don't actually understand something. But that's my $.02

[peachaso]

Even at a larger university the profs have office hours, and you can book an appointment if you don't want to wait.

[maybenow]

Nathan, I know you wrote this blurb quite a while ago so I hope you see it now. Whilst attending MacEwan, did you indeed think that it was easier than U of A? I.e., did you also attend U of A, or did you compare the syllabus you had with those of your friends from U of A?

 

I searched for some online syllabus materials, and it seems that with MacEwan courses, you aren't given an A grade unless you get an 90% or above – which is comparatively tougher than getting an A grade for 86% (at the University of Alberta for example).

 

For example, at MacEwan, an 85% gets you an A-, but at the University of Alberta that same percentage gives you an A, or a 4.0 GPA... Have you seen this to be the case? I don't want to sound like at nitpicky premed dork, But having discovered this, I am at it weary of this fact...

[maybenow]

Some one talked about prestige, myself attending MacEwan... if you struggle to achieve a 3.8 at U of A and only get a 3.4 compared to the possibility of a 3.8 or a 3.9 that you could achieve at MacEwan that should be an easy decision.

 

...But that's my $.02

 

 

Would any other Albertans who attended MacEwan/U of A have any insight? Particularly on respective differences/difficulties in the 2 schools in getting med-worthy marks for omsas? (underlined sections).