"Transcript reflecting true ability" question

[Guest Chieka101]

After an upward trend in my GPA in first, second and third years, I dropped significantly in fourth year. My mom was really sick that year (had to travel across the country to see a specialist). I didn't put this in my OMSAS app, though, because I honestly didn't think too hard about it at the time. But looking back, I'm sure it affected my performance.

 

So, the question is this: Does my situation fall under the "Are there any reasons why your transcript does not reflect your true ability?" part of the OMSAS app. And if it does, should I send in an explanation in reply to the verification form OMSAS sent out? Any suggestions on how to go about it, especially without seeming fishy, or that I'm trying to milk her illness (which I'm not)? Or should I just forget about it?

 

Thanks a lot!

 

C.

[Guest Cramguy]

I would not worry about it. As long as your calculated GPA is enough to get you your interview you should be fine. I had very bad 3rd and 4th year marks (had excellent 1st and 2nd) and I still made it when I applied to Ontario schools. Of course, I'm at UBC now

 

Good luck

[Guest therealcrackers]

If there are schools to which you are applying that will look especially at your fourth year marks, you have the option of sending a letter directly to the admissions office with your plight. This may also come up in any interviews---often they give you something along the lines of "do you have anything else you want to tell us?" . You can play that card at that time if you choose, perhaps even as a reflection on the relative value you hold someone's health and your own marks...

 

Good luck, and happy holidays!

[Guest Chieka101]

Thanks for the reply guys.

 

The real crackers,

 

UWO looks at fourth year, right? Do you suggest that I send a letter to the admissions office in addition to making an amendment on my OMSAS app.

 

Thanks, and happy holidays to you too!

 

C.

[Guest UWOMED2005]

If your 4th year is your LAST year (ie you didn't do a fifth year or 6th year) or BEST year of undergrad and your GPA is below the cutoff (ranges from 3.5 to 3.7, should be posted on the web late January early February) then definitely send in a letter. Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it.

[Guest aneliz]

UWO is NO LONGER looking specifically at your last year unless you currently only have one year that is over the cut-off. (Which has not yet been set for this year).

 

The new rules are these:

 

1. You need to have finished a minimum of 15.0 credits (3 full years of undergrad) before you will be eligible to register.

 

2. You need to have finished all of the pre-reqs (ie PASSED THEM!). You can take these in the summer if necessary. UWO doesn't look at your marks specifically in these courses.

 

3. You need to have completed at least two, full time (5.0 full courses between Sept and April) undergraduate years with a GPA that is over the cut-off. This does NOT necessarily have to be your LAST year (THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE!). One of these years needs to include at least 3.0 courses that are not 1st year level!

 

4. You cannot count any year in which you repeated a course as a full time year for the purposes of GPA.

 

Them are the new rules - LAST YEAR GPA CUT-OFF REQUIREMENT IS GONE!!!! If your last year is not over the cut-off but you have two years that are, don't worry. If you have one year over the cut-off, than your last year will have to be over too so that you have two years above the cut-off....see how that works?

[Guest UWOMED2005]

My bad. Thanks Aneliz for updating me!

[Guest aneliz]

No worries UWOMED2005....I had no clue either until Darla corrected me....

[Guest Chieka101]

I see the light at the end of the UWO application tunnel. My fourth year GPA is just border line acceptable for last year's cut-offs; I am SO glad they are not looking at it specifically anymore.

 

I think I'll still send the letter though. It can only help, right?

 

Thank you so much for the very comprehensive answers. Enjoy the rest of your break.

 

C.