What/where to study a second undergrad degree (gpa booster)?

[azalea]

Hello,

I'm currently doing a masters in electrical engineering, and I really reallly realllllllyyyyy wanna do med school after that (I'll be done by June 09 at the latest). My undergrad GPA is so low, there's no way I can get into a med school with that. (looks like most schools, such as western, look at the undergrad GPA regardless of the grad marks, which is weird, but that's how it is)

From the suggestions I got on my other post (http://www.premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?p=277758#post277758) at this forum, it turns out my best bet is to do another undergrad degree, boost my GPA and take the pre-reqs. Apparently, for some schools (such as McGill) a second undergrad degree is a 2-year long program as opposed to a regular 4-year one.

I was wondering, what undergrad degree would you suggest I study, (i.e. what's a good GPA booster in my case?). I'm considering something like BS in Biology or Psychology, what do you think?

Also, ... where would you suggest I study a second undergrad degree? Ontario schools don't have the OOP rule, while for example BC schools do. Do you think it would be a smarter idea to study the second degree at say, UBC, to increase my chances of getting into UBC, while my chances of getting into Ontario schools remain the same?

Thanks,

Azalea

[vip_138]

hmm, considering your low gpa, i'ld move to a place where their medschool considers MCAT more than gpa or atleast will be lenient with gpa and let you drop stuff. UBC doesn't forgive marks until 10 years and gpa and EC's are basically 50/50 and the MCAT is mostly a flag there. I'ld move to either Alberta or Manitoba, Alberta because you have 2 IP schools (and you only have to live there 1 year to get residency). Also I know UofA replaces pre-req courses if you take a higher level course and drops a year of marks. UofC i hear is lenient on non-traditional apps. Manitoba heavily weights the MCAT and doesn't weight gpa much, while also letting you drop 10 courses, so there's a good shot there too.

As for degree, doesn't matter, just do something you think you're good at/like (usually synonymous).

[azalea]

Thank you so much for your reply ... How about studying the pre-reqs/second degree at McGill? Quebec has an OOP rule as well right?

[Gavanshir]

I believe a second undergrad at McGill is only two years if you have graduated form CEGEP. You should still ask to be sure though.

[montrealer]

^wrong, after cegep it's 3 years, since alot of the 1st year undergrad prereqs(of a normal 4 year degree) are met in cegep.

and yes quebec has an OOP rule as well, but if you did a degree here for 2 years i think you could gain quebec residency.

like posted above already, check out other schools in other provinces to see what is your best bet. then perhaps you can decide to do an undergrad in another province to gain that residency.


best of luck!

[Gavanshir]

No. If you did CEGEP, and already have a first undergrad degree, then that's 60 transferred credits and you will do your 120 credit program in half the time which is two years. If you did not do CEGEP then you'll do it in three (90 credits).

[AMmd]

No. If you did CEGEP, and already have a first undergrad degree, then that's 60 transferred credits and you will do your 120 credit program in half the time which is two years. If you did not do CEGEP then you'll do it in three (90 credits).

no its 3 years (90 creds) if you have a Cegep degree and 120 if you dont...its only 30 credits that are transfered. its on the mcgill website

[mrhumble]

When you transfer over courses, do the marks show up for the transferred courses on your current (2nd) degree? or does it just show credits and no mark?

[vip_138]

Just to add, two other schools where you could try i guess are dalhousie and mcgill but both require you WORK for atleast a year in the province to gain residency. Just going to one of those schools for 3-4 years will not gain you residency-status. I'd still suggest either manitoba or alberta. It will depend on how your marks are dropped and if you've taken pre-reqs yet, and if you expect to do well on your MCAT for which one i'd pick between the two.

[azalea]

I know that Canadian med schools are all pretty good. but still I was wondering what the ranks of Manitoba, UofA and UofC would be, relative to the other schools ...(although I do understand that with my low undergrad gpa I'm in no position to be picky about med school at all)

Also, If I do a second undergrad degree, then Western will consider my best two years. Assuming I ace my second undergrad degree, I should have a pretty good chance there too right?

Also, has anyone heard of the Bryn Mawr (http://www.brynmawr.edu/postbac/fees.shtml) post-bacc program?

[Blackkeys]

When you transfer over courses, do the marks show up for the transferred courses on your current (2nd) degree? or does it just show credits and no mark?

I think it depends on the school. But anyway, it probably doesn't matter - any med school is going to see all of your transcripts.
Although, the transferred credits are not going to affect your new degree's GPA, they just let you skip some credits. :)

[xylem29]

The rank is irrelevant. There obviously are differences in teaching method, etc but you shouldn't asking this question b/c there are many students who end up going to Ireland or to US schools to fulfill their dreams, spending apprx. $60-$80K USD each year. If you can gain acceptance to any and all Canadian schools, you should be grateful.

I will say this - schools with no OOP/IP policies tends to have a slightly higher caliber of student body (at least that what I was told by one med student) b/c they "select from across the country instead of just in one province".

UToronto I know looks for a certain type of student, since they have this weighting formula that is meant to encourage people to take rigourous studies and even though it is meant to "help" them and not hurt anyone who didn't take a full-load, I have a hunch that if you didn't take a full course-load and had a 4.0 I you'd still be passed over.

[The Bunny]

no its 3 years (90 creds) if you have a Cegep degree and 120 if you dont...its only 30 credits that are transfered. its on the mcgill website

If you did CEGEP and a degree, McGill will transfer 30 credits from CEGEP and 30 credits from your first undergrad. So it takes 2 years. I know this cause I did a second degree at McGill and finished it in 2 years cause I got 60 transfer credits.

[AMmd]

If you did CEGEP and a degree, McGill will transfer 30 credits from CEGEP and 30 credits from your first undergrad. So it takes 2 years. I know this cause I did a second degree at McGill and finished it in 2 years cause I got 60 transfer credits.

oh i totally didnt understand what you guys were talking about it... but now it makes sense.
so for example somebody has a 1st undergrad and then decides to do a second. so they will only look at the first 60 credits from the 2nd degree (and will consider that you have 60 credits before that and will not count them in your gpa right)... what if somebody applies with less than 60 creds form the 2nd degree? mcgill is confusing lol

[Gavanshir]

Hey Bunny, can I ask what second degree you did at McGill?

[The Bunny]

Hey Bunny, can I ask what second degree you did at McGill?

Microbiology and Immunology