hey there!
aska here. whaddup.
basically, i have achieved the impossible and CAUGHT UP with all the questions in my inbox, so i’ve decided to delve into the unanswered questions from the past that have accumulated in the dusty, forgotten corners of this website. you can think of it as FALL CLEAN-UP. i’ve picked the most interesting questions and decided to answer them retroactively even though the person’s problem was resolved a long time ago whoops. oh well. anyway, i’m hoping the answers will be useful to someone.
here we go, on our first look into THE PAST OOOOH…
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Hi,
I just finished my first year life science at UTSG. I applied to some specialist programs but didn’t get accepted. Let’s say if I enrol in the major programs instead, can I upgrade to specialist after finishing required second-year courses with a good GPA? Some programs I’m interested in are Immunology, Pathobiology, Pharmacology.
Thank you so much,
HD
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hey there,
well, this is awkward.
basically, if a subject post ever considers students for admission beyond first year, it’ll indicate it on the course calendar. I’ve taken a look at the course calendar for immunology, pathobiology and pharmacology and it looks like only the pharmacology specialist will take in upper year students? All three programs are really competitive and so it makes sense that they’d be strict, but hey! 1 out of 3 is better than nothing!
so, if you want to transfer from the major to the specialist, you have to do three things:
1. complete PCL201H1
2. complete the prerequisites for any required upper-year courses
3. NOT take PCL472Y1 (which is ‘project in pharmacology’, so that shouldn’t be hard – just don’t be a super keener who goes for a ‘research experience’ course sheesh)
keep in mind it is really competitive (only 40 students in the program jeez louise), so the odds are stacked against you, but i say go for it. carpe diem and all that jazz.
Best of luck!
aska
P.S. The course calendar/websites are only so helpful about these things, so I’d always advise actually going to the department and asking them specifically what your chances are with getting into the specialist. this might also be helpful because they might give you a bit of info about the real differences between major and specialist, and whether switching is really the best idea!