Hi there.
I recently got admitted to UTSG for Life Science. As of now, it pretty much looks like I’m going to end up studying there. I was just wondering what your opinions are regarding the whole ~UTSG is a GPA raper thing~ and all that jazz. I’m sure that a student’s response (hopefully one who is currently in the LifeSci program) will enlighten me a little.
The reason why I’m asking is that I want to keep my options open for medical school. I’m not entirely sure whether or not I want to go into medicine but hopefully my undergraduate studies will clarify my uncertainty. I know that medical schools across Canada require a high GPA and I’m sure that I can get decent grades if I study hard enough but is U of T really as hard as it is cut out to be? Would my chances to get into medical school be greater if I did my undergrad in another university, say York, Queen’s or McMaster?
Thanks.
Oh yeah… That thing again. If there’s one thing that’s perennial in terms of student ranting is the rigidness of the UofT grading scheme. Your vile sexual metaphor adequately reflects the common student attitude here at St. George. Being a humanities student, I can’t attest to the situation in the Life Sciences. But the claim of it being impossible for a student to get a good mark is alive and kicking in the soft sciences as well.
Now, some people would advise you thinking of med school to look for a more leniently grading institution to increase your eligibility. But then there are also some counterarguments that are commonly regurgitated in this regard: first, that the value of a good reference letter from UofT may surpass that of another university. Good references ARE an important component of any Grad application evaluation. Then there is the MCAT business. I have heard of cases of students who got a 4.0 GPA from an “easier” faculty or school, but were totally underprepared for the MCATs, which buried their med-school application. So just remember that there are other elements of a successful application besides grades, and maybe going to UofT is of some benefit.
Finally, I’ll end with the ol’-fashioned “you won’t know till you try…”
If you were accepted to UofT, you might as well give it a shot. If you feel that your experience is utterly miserable at the end of the first year- switch to another school. That’s all I have for you.
3 Comments
2ndyrlifesci
I would like to counter some of what aska said in terms of getting into med school from UofT. First of all, you mentioned reference letters. It is very difficult to get to know your profs at all when the majority of your first AND second year classes are in Con Hall (the largest most ridiculous place ever that should never have been used to lectures in the first place). So it may be much more difficult when you have to compete with the other 1000 students in your class for your prof’s attention.
About the MCAT, it should be noted that you can re-take the MCAT with most schools only looking at your most recent attempt. You can’t retake your undergrad to get a better GPA!
Also, schools don’t weigh UofT any higher than other universities when comparing grades, so your hard work may be for nothing.
I would not recommend UofT Life Sciences for anyone who wants to go to med school.
Optimistic
In regards to what 2ndyrlifesci has said. I am in my second year right now, and am working in a lab through the ROP program. That’s already one prof who knows me, my name, and perhaps can write a letter for me one day. I also know 4 other profs (2 in life sci, one in physics, and one in anthropology) that I got to know pretty well through the 199 seminar classes and the first year learning communities. Now I know they won’t be writing me letters or anything, but it just goes to say that it’s not difficult to meet profs. Once you’ve met them, you can ask them (if you’re interested in their field) to work in their lab or perhaps if they know any other profs who are accepting students. One thing leads to another, and before you know it, you might have had many great experiences and profs that are willing to write you a good reference letter.
In regards to schools who don’t weigh U of T any higher than other universities. I personally believe that they simply have to write that on their websites. Everyone have preferences for different things. Even teachers who aren’t suppose to have favourites do have one or two students that they like. Sure the committee won’t give you bonus marks for going to a university like U of T, but I feel that it does play a role in how they approach your application package.
Back to the original poster, I feel that you should go to a school that fits your needs. I picked U of T because I wanted to stay in the city. Between UTSC and UTSG, I picked UTSG because it had MUCH more programs. Since I wasn’t completely sure of what I had wanted to do, I thought it’s best to go to a school that had more programs just in case I changed my mind. There are also many other factors that might affect how you pick universities; class sizes, extracurricular activities, residence, campus size, etc etc. Ultimately, I think if you go to a school that is a good fit for you, you will find a way to thrive there and stand out from the crowd. And since you’re not dead set on any future paths, don’t pick a school because “it looks good/bad on my med school app”, pick it because you want to go there.
Good luck with everything!
Layla
Great advice! Only UofT isn’t best for a commuter’s student, plus it does lack social atmosphere, not to mention the gpa system here is “rape.” But that said, it depends on who you are as an individual; i know a few students prospering here, but that’s to say they roughly get like 2 hours of sleep at night, and then there are the gifted ones who can partake in ECs and still maintain a good GPA. Bare in mind that most Life scie classes have an average of C (enterance averages are usually 87+ so that says enough). It’s difficult to attain a good gpa here if you wish to do med school, i’ve changed my path around seeing that it’s unrealistic a tad. But choose a school based on your feeling comfortable in the environment, not on prestige!