Canadian Med Schools

[Anonymous]

I am stuck between deciding whether I should do my undergrad at McMaster university where the course work is fairly tough or at York University where the course work is not as tough.

I was wondering if anyone knew whether Canadian Med Schools (maily the ones in ontario) will consider the difference between the level of difficulty in the two courses.

I don't want to attend McMaster and get a low GPA and not get into med school, but I also dont want to attend York and have a high GPA, but then not get into med school because they do not hold york's science program in high regard.

Could anyone provide me with some insight on this issue?

[ResearchingGuy]

That's a tough question and one that really should be asked to the Medical School(s) you wish to attend. You should consider contacting admissions at McMaster to see what they say concerning the strength of GPA's from various institutions. If they won't tell you anything, try to get in touch with the pre-med advisors at York and McMaster.

You don't need to tell them you're "grade shopping", just tell them you are interested in a career in Medicine and ask what the strengths and weaknesses of their programs are in preparing you for med school. Try to get them to talk about the relative merits of the degree they offer when it comes time to apply for medical school. With luck you will have your question answered without appearing too crass. Believe me, it is something that is in the back of every undergrad's mind, but it is almost never spoken about by Universities.

Wherever you go, make sure that it is the place you will be happiest. Four years is a very long time if you aren't happy and your performance will reflect your state of mind.

Conventional wisdom also states that it is best to attend a University which has a Medical School (e.g. McMaster). The idea is that you will make connections that will make it easier to get into that school when the time comes.


Sorry I couldn't be more specific.
Please let us know what you find.

Best of Luck!

[mc_ranjha]

I've tried contacting people from the Med Schools, but they always seem to avoid answering the question somehow. Mostly each Med School had the same answering saying that it is best to take a challenging undergrad to prepare for Med School, but none of said anything about getting into Med School.

I know the program at McMaster is tough because you have to have 88% to be considered and then if your above 88% they read your supplementary and you are entered into an individual selection process. I know people with 89% who got accepted but someone with 94.3% who didn't get in :?

York's cut-off is 75% so much lower...seems like their program must not be as tough

[ResearchingGuy]

Medical school admissions counselors can be very tight lipped. Try contacting the pre-med advisors at the two schools which interest you. Ask them how many of their grads get into school and where. That might be enough to help you make your decision.

Best of luck!