Highschool Student - Mcmaster

[sup625_00]

Hi! Im in Gr. 12 and was wondering if these marks were acceptable for mcmaster or u of t.
calculus - 95
bio - 97
chem - 94
physics-93
kineasiology - 95
algebra-96
law-98
eng-94

i would also appreciate any help on the steps that i should take to become a physician. Thanks. (as u can tell, im a new member).

[sup625_00]

Bump...please help. thx

[jj78]

McMaster and U of T don't usually tend to look at high school grades. They focus mainly on your undergraduate degree marks and any other exams they require (eg. MCAT). If you go to their website and look in the admissions section of their medical school site they will give you a pretty detailed outline of what you need to be considered for an interview.

[French Medic]

sup625_00

your grades are very high and you should have no problem getting into an undergraduate programme of your choice in Canada - just not medicine. As you should be aware your highschool grades will not be considered by medical schools in Canada since they are primarily interested in your undergraduate performance. Check the OMSAS website for the requirements for both Mac and U of T and then choose an undergraduate programme at any university in Canada that will fulfill those requirements. Then your next hurdle will be to maintain your stellar average throughout university and do well on the MCAT's. Then you can apply to medical school. Best of luck.
FM.

p.s. remember to maintain a good array of extra-curriculars...all medical schools will want to see that you are well rounded in your interests, and that your existence does not depend solely on doing well in school work. Join clubs, sports, volunteer...anything to get you outside of the school sphere and into the 'real' world where your social skills will be put to the test.

[sup625_00]

Thanks for your replies. I was actually eluding to the undergraduate programs. What program do you suggest i should take. I am considering between either Health Sciences at Mcmaster or maybe a bachelors of science. What are the pros and cons of each one? Would it be more helpful to take health science because i know several people who are taking that and they say that it is a great program. Thanks!
PS I actually have many volunteer and extracurricular activities.
Volunteering at hospital - over 200 hours already
Piano Student - since i was 8
Piano Teacher - I teach at a local music school to younger students
Tennis Club - I play tennis at a local club for since in Gr 10
School Band - about 3 years
Any other recomendations?

[French Medic]

sup625_00

Sounds like you have the extra curriculars (ECs) under control for the moment... keep them up (or adopt new ones) throughout your undergraduate career. To broaden your ECs try your hand at being a research assistant or helping special needs students (i.e., those hard of hearding or visually impaired) by taking notes or tutoring. Always best to try new things.

As for the programme, that is an individual choice for you to make since you have to spend the time learning it. Which programme will you find more mentally stimulating? No point in spending 3 - 4 years of an undergraduate degree doing something you don't particularly like. Find a programme and school that you like - one that will allow you the flexibility to study other subjects (i.e., electives) outside of your major. Whether you take health science or a BSc (I assume there is a general science programme that you are referring to when you say BSc since the Health Science programme will undoubtedly award you a BSc) is inconsequential. As I mentioned earlier the medical schools are interested pirmarily in your progress in your undergrad as well as your non-academic life and less concerned with type degree you earn. Mac, NOSM, and Western (maybe others) encourage people from any degree background to apply. Hence, if you want to pursue music composition as your undergraduate major with a minor in some other subject, you could still apply for medical school and be accepted providing your grades, application, ECs, and interview go well.

The reason I suggest you take something you like, aside from being in your best interest to take something that you find interesting, is so that if you decide throughout your undergaduate years that you are no longer interested in medicine then you'll already be on your way to completing the degree you want to have and will allow you to pursue your new goal. While this may seem impossible now, I've met many people that have gone into university with the aim of becoming a medical doctor but have discovere that they would rather be a psychologist or another grade of researcher instead.

As I mentioned in my previous post, check the OMSAS website for Ontario med school requirements. Understanding their individual requirements will ensure that you take all the requisite courses to be considered for medical school no matter what degree you take. Using your specific examples, Mac doesn't have any specific subject requirements but U of T does.

One programme that might interest you for an undergraduate degree is the Scholars Elective Programme at Western (University of Western Ontario). This degree is designed specifically for high-achieving students (those with averages >90 percent in highschool). You can take whatever you want without being confined to the regulations of a degree. Hence, you could take english, statistics, geology, business, chemistry, and astrology in your first year. Look into it...you might find that it is for you.

I wish you the best of luck, sup625_00.

FM