undergrad519 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 Hi, I'm from Ontario and I'm not really looking to leave the province. Interview prospects aren't looking good for the Ontario schools for this cycle (I'm in 4th year now). Currently I'm debating between taking a 1 year course based masters and taking a 5th year undergrad (stretching my minor into a major). I'm wondering how taking a 5th year to graduate with a double major would count in terms of my application to the big Ontario schools (UofT, Mac, Western, Queen's, Ottawa). I'd probably do well in the courses I'm required to take but a good portion of them may be 1st and 2nd year courses that I wasn't required to take as part of my minor. Will this weigh me down? In contrast, how would doing a 1 year course-based masters change how my application is reviewed? I doubt I would get any pubs through it so I'm not sure what exactly would change. I think my marks are pretty good as is - I wouldn't be taking the 5th year or masters in order to cover up bad marks (except my second year 3.84 GPA which I'm not even that ashamed of). If you're wondering, my stats are as follows: GPA by year 1/2/3/4: 3.9/3.84/3.96/in progress but probably 3.94 MCAT: 12P/10VR/11BS/S (I know the 10 VR pretty much disqualifies me from Western - I only apply on the off chance that they lower the requirement and raise the requirement of something else) ECs: average, exec for a cancer fundraising event, intramurals, research jobs (no pubs), volunteer in a few other things on campus, play in the school's band, some other small stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shantytown27 Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 If your not doing the extra year to improve your marks, I'm not even sure why you'd even think about another year in undergrad. Sounds like a waste of money to me. Do a 1 year masters or work/volunteer for a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 If your not doing the extra year to improve your marks, I'm not even sure why you'd even think about another year in undergrad. Sounds like a waste of money to me. Do a 1 year masters or work/volunteer for a year. yeah the big question is why don't you think you are getting interviews? That is the problem you have to fix - so far I agree the GPA doesn't look like the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undergrad519 Posted February 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 The fifth year/masters would be more for my backup plan than for med school. The idea is to apply one (possibly two) more time(s) and if meds doesn't happen, move on to my backup, which I have prepared for through completing my second major and/or master's. The problem for med school that I'm going to have to fix is my ECs/how I portrayed them on my ABS. I'm going to look for some opportunities this summer and then take a good look at how I worded my ABS. Secondary question: I haven't done enough research on this to know so if it's a stupid question then let me know... If I want to do research, would doing a 1-year course-based master's ever be a bad idea? i.e. finding a PhD advisor might be difficult without any publications Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 Then what you want to do as your backup becomes pretty key then - if you don't get into med what do you want? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undergrad519 Posted February 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 The backup plan is to do research in neuroscience (what my second major or masters would be in). I'm hesitant to take a course-based masters because I'm not sure if that's the best way to go about doing this - wouldn't a research-based masters be better? But on the other hand, I don't want to start a research master's and not finish it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylamonkey Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 FYI- if you are considering NOSM: NOSM will not consider your double major to be a second degree as per their second degree policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorelan Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 The backup plan is to do research in neuroscience (what my second major or masters would be in). I'm hesitant to take a course-based masters because I'm not sure if that's the best way to go about doing this - wouldn't a research-based masters be better? But on the other hand, I don't want to start a research master's and not finish it. absolutely a 2 year masters would be better - if your backup plan is neuroscience research they you probably (in my mind) be better to start down the route. It may cost you a year extra but it would also strengthen you application greatly (since you grades are already excellent the masters particularly if you publish would help you at several schools and also residency programs down the road. Particularly since you may want to go for neurology or related fields down the line(?)). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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