a combined degree program

[cometed]

hey I was wondering how your gpa would be calculated while earning two degrees at once. at UWO you can take medical sciences with business administration and earn both honour degrees in five years. also how hard would a program like this be because I want a fall back plan if I cannot get into medical school for what ever reason but don't want to take it if it'll cause me not to get in due it's difficulty.

[Birdy]

The method of GPA calculation is determined by the school you apply to. I am not aware of any schools that have different formulae for different programs. Music or biology or business, they are all calculated the same way by each school's adcom. The only exception would be the few schools that adjust GPA differently for grad students, but that would not apply to a combined undergrad.

[cometed]

The method of GPA calculation is determined by the school you apply to. I am not aware of any schools that have different formulae for different programs. Music or biology or business, they are all calculated the same way by each school's adcom. The only exception would be the few schools that adjust GPA differently for grad students, but that would not apply to a combined undergrad.

 

oh so I wouldn't have two different GPA's just one with both degrees.

[FrenchToast]

hey I was wondering how your gpa would be calculated while earning two degrees at once. at UWO you can take medical sciences with business administration and earn both honour degrees in five years. also how hard would a program like this be because I want a fall back plan if I cannot get into medical school for what ever reason but don't want to take it if it'll cause me not to get in due it's difficulty.

 

Do you mean the combined Ivey/BMSc degree? Are you in high school, first year, or second year?

[rmorelan]

I took a concurrent degree, joint honours Psychology and Economics concurrent with honours biomedical science at Waterloo. They computed for med schools my GPA just like anything else - just a bunch of courses with a grade translated to GPA. Nothing special really

[Birdy]

oh so I wouldn't have two different GPA's just one with both degrees.

 

That is correct.

[future_doc]

I took a concurrent degree, joint honours Psychology and Economics concurrent with honours biomedical science at Waterloo. They computed for med schools my GPA just like anything else - just a bunch of courses with a grade translated to GPA. Nothing special really

 

even though it was really quite special

[cometed]

Do you mean the combined Ivey/BMSc degree? Are you in high school, first year, or second year?

 

yea I'm planning to go take that exact program. as life sciences doesn't really interest me and want a more medical based degree rather than a science one and cannot apply for mac's health sciences. do you have any insight on that program for me?

[FrenchToast]

yea I'm planning to go take that exact program. as life sciences doesn't really interest me and want a more medical based degree rather than a science one and cannot apply for mac's health sciences. do you have any insight on that program for me?

 

K so I'm assuming you're still in high school. Sure, signing up for the 5 year dual degree is probably a good idea... it'll make it easier to get in if you do decide to do it. However, you don't even have to choose until... 2ish years from now haha.

 

I don't actually know anyone who's in the dual degree program, but it's really just first 2 years of regular BMSc + 3rd year regular Ivey + 4th and 5th years are a combination of the two. Normally, BMSc is 4 years and Ivey is 2. I'm in BMSc and I know quite a bit about Ivey from my friends in it.

 

First off, BMSc:

 

I don't really know what you mean by not liking life sciences. I think BMSc is UWO's equivalent of "Life Sciences" at other schools. Have you looked into the courses you take in BMSc? They're very sciencey. Please see: http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2012/pg1676.html

If you're interested more in the soft, social science stuff, Health Sciences may be a better fit. There is a combined degree program, too.. I don't know very much about it, though. Please see: http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2012/pg422.html and http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2012/pg410.html

 

Second, Ivey:

 

Ivey is VERY intense. You have to be seriously interested in business as a career. I wouldn't just do it for the sake of having a backup. To get into Ivey, you need at least an 80 average in the first two years of university. During Ivey, the class average is belled to an 80, meaning that people's marks drop on average (because it's from 80 minimum to 80 as a mean). The spread is very narrow - on assignments, they range from 75-85, overall, usually from 72-88 according to my friend. 90s are nearly impossible. Having said that, you don't need all 90s to get into med school. If you keep a 4.0 in your in first/second year and in your science courses in 4th/5th year (which will be slightly more challenging), you could still get 3.8+ if you're in the top half of your class at Ivey. It's hard to predict how you'd do in Ivey though; they use a case study method, and the material is different from anything you've ever encountered. Also, participation is worth a LOT.. my friend got 85 on an exam and 55 in participation, so she got 78 in the course, lol. I'd suggest taking Business 1220 as an elective in first year and seeing if you're good at it/like it. If so, take Business 2257 in second year (which is a prereq for Ivey) and again see how you find it.

 

Also, if you don't care about actually receiving the BMSc degree, you could always just do a 4 year degree with Ivey. You could take your science courses in 1st and 2nd year (because Ivey only starts in 3rd.. everyone comes in from different programs) to get your prereqs out of the way. Like if you're set on either medicine or business and wouldn't consider anything that requires science knowledge, you could save yourself a year .

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[cometed]

K so I'm assuming you're still in high school. Sure, signing up for the 5 year dual degree is probably a good idea... it'll make it easier to get in if you do decide to do it. However, you don't even have to choose until... 2ish years from now haha.

 

I don't actually know anyone who's in the dual degree program, but it's really just first 2 years of regular BMSc + 3rd year regular Ivey + 4th and 5th years are a combination of the two. Normally, BMSc is 4 years and Ivey is 2. I'm in BMSc and I know quite a bit about Ivey from my friends in it.

 

First off, BMSc:

 

I don't really know what you mean by not liking life sciences. I think BMSc is UWO's equivalent of "Life Sciences" at other schools. Have you looked into the courses you take in BMSc? They're very sciencey. Please see: http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2012/pg1676.html

If you're interested more in the soft, social science stuff, Health Sciences may be a better fit. There is a combined degree program, too.. I don't know very much about it, though. Please see: http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2012/pg422.html and http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2012/pg410.html

 

Second, Ivey:

 

Ivey is VERY intense. You have to be seriously interested in business as a career. I wouldn't just do it for the sake of having a backup. To get into Ivey, you need at least an 80 average in the first two years of university. During Ivey, the class average is belled to an 80, meaning that people's marks drop on average (because it's from 80 minimum to 80 as a mean). The spread is very narrow - on assignments, they range from 75-85, overall, usually from 72-88 according to my friend. 90s are nearly impossible. Having said that, you don't need all 90s to get into med school. If you keep a 4.0 in your in first/second year and in your science courses in 4th/5th year (which will be slightly more challenging), you could still get 3.8+ if you're in the top half of your class at Ivey. It's hard to predict how you'd do in Ivey though; they use a case study method, and the material is different from anything you've ever encountered. Also, participation is worth a LOT.. my friend got 85 on an exam and 55 in participation, so she got 78 in the course, lol. I'd suggest taking Business 1220 as an elective in first year and seeing if you're good at it/like it. If so, take Business 2257 in second year (which is a prereq for Ivey) and again see how you find it.

 

Also, if you don't care about actually receiving the BMSc degree, you could always just do a 4 year degree with Ivey. You could take your science courses in 1st and 2nd year (because Ivey only starts in 3rd.. everyone comes in from different programs) to get your prereqs out of the way. Like if you're set on either medicine or business and wouldn't consider anything that requires science knowledge, you could save yourself a year .

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

hey thanks for all of that you've been very helpful and yea forgot to specify that I'm in high school. but do you mean that the equivalent of BMSc at western is basically life sciences at other schools. because I was reading through some of the course descriptions and glanced at some of the courses and they didn't quite seem to offer the same amount of science within the curriculum. and how would I apply directly to Ivey as I know ill be tight on money as my parents make a lot yet have put through 4 other kids through school so I won't get much from osap or them kinda sucks. finally I personally am interested in all courses so the degree does really matter to me a lot. however if I try and go for a business degree at Ivey with just the perquisites for med/dental school not sure if it'd prepare me enough for say the mcat or if I could obtain a high enough GPA to be competitive as I've heard it was hard which is why I was hoping it'd be separate degrees so it wouldn't affect my gpa.

[FrenchToast]

hey thanks for all of that you've been very helpful and yea forgot to specify that I'm in high school. but do you mean that the equivalent of BMSc at western is basically life sciences at other schools. because I was reading through some of the course descriptions and glanced at some of the courses and they didn't quite seem to offer the same amount of science within the curriculum. and how would I apply directly to Ivey as I know ill be tight on money as my parents make a lot yet have put through 4 other kids through school so I won't get much from osap or them kinda sucks. finally I personally am interested in all courses so the degree does really matter to me a lot. however if I try and go for a business degree at Ivey with just the perquisites for med/dental school not sure if it'd prepare me enough for say the mcat or if I could obtain a high enough GPA to be competitive as I've heard it was hard which is why I was hoping it'd be separate degrees so it wouldn't affect my gpa.

 

I'm confused. Which courses do you consider to be science courses? :S If you'd like to link to the other programs you're considering, that would also be helpful.

 

I'd look online as to the specifics of how to apply to Ivey Advanced Entry Opportunity (AEO). http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/hba/application-process/secondary-school.htm

I honestly don't know the details. You needed to check the AEO box on OUAC, plus do some essays I think? Dunno. But I do know that all it is is AEO - you're not technically in Ivey. You need to keep up an 80 average and ECs for your first two years.

 

You can't start Ivey directly. You need to two years of undergrad first. Also, if money is your concern, well, Ivey tuition is QUITE pricey. Keep that in mind. http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/hba/tuition-and-finance/tuition-and-fees.htm If you could legitimately see yourself being ecstatic about a career in business if med doesn't work out that's one thing, but the tuition is something to think about if you're considering doing it "just in case".

 

Don't worry about being prepared for the MCAT. The only thing you could be missing after doing 2 years of BMSc is physiology. MCAT books/prep courses can easily teach you that.

 

Yes, I'm going to be honest with you.. getting a high GPA in Ivey isn't easy. If you're at the very top of your class, your GPA will be competitive for med school, but it won't be at the top of the pack of applicants, either.

[cometed]

well iv only glanced over the actual courses offered within the programs when I meant science I meant I wanted a more variety than say a bachelor's is science. I also talked a bit with my guidance councillor but kinda of made it worse. I'm having a lot of trouble deciding on what to apply for as it seems even within the program's themselves it a lot different. I was going for Macmaster health science however cannot apply to that any more. my main issue is i'm really interested in something more than the rest. currently im thinking of applying to that combined degree at western however may rethink it and try for Ivey even though may put more debt than im looking for. I was going o apply for life sciences at mac instead of health sciences and UoT for life sciences with human biology or neurosciences major. and maybe a biomedical science at what ever school. also I was wondering what focus is a science degree at queens.

[FrenchToast]

well iv only glanced over the actual courses offered within the programs when I meant science I meant I wanted a more variety than say a bachelor's is science. I also talked a bit with my guidance councillor but kinda of made it worse. I'm having a lot of trouble deciding on what to apply for as it seems even within the program's themselves it a lot different. I was going for Macmaster health science however cannot apply to that any more. my main issue is i'm really interested in something more than the rest. currently im thinking of applying to that combined degree at western however may rethink it and try for Ivey even though may put more debt than im looking for. I was going o apply for life sciences at mac instead of health sciences and UoT for life sciences with human biology or neurosciences major. and maybe a biomedical science at what ever school. also I was wondering what focus is a science degree at queens.

 

The combined degree is Ivey. You'd still need to pay the $25 000 or whatever it is for 2 years, plus 3 years of regular undergrad tuition.

 

I'm really sorry, but I can't figure out what you want/you're getting at :S. I think you're going to have to do some soul-searching. Science programs at most schools are pretty similar in terms of the number of required courses. Most allow for 1-2 electives per year, as well. You could always look into Arts and Science at Mac, Guelph or McGill, though.