You realize when you get here why so many people are satisfied with the program. There is competition in any science program in regards to meds, so that's not really an issue. You can always internalize the so called competition into motivation. No one I've met is super bleepy or competitive "I have to beat you in everything" and most of the people I've worked with are laid back. I can say that one reason I think that people could possibly be appealed to this program over life sci or health sci at other universities is because there are so many opportunities within this program. I'm talking all kinds of opportunities in terms of learning, reflecting upon yourself and how you can improve, as well as volunteering, research opportunities and so much more.

Now that I've experienced this program for a year, I can proudly say that I highly doubt I would be able to receive the same quality of education elsewhere at least in Canada. I am truly satisfied. When you first enter the program, the learning part is messy, and you are warned of this at the beginning. Some assignments seem like a drag when you do them, but as you look back, you will realize how much everything- all of the assignments, group work, journals, etc. etc. have assisted you in your learning growth and development. There will be tons of evidence that you can look back on to remark on how you have grown and how well you have adjusted to the whole first year experience. The self-reflection part is also another beauty of the learning philosophy of this program and I've come to love it! And I bet that no other first year student has an 'emotional experience' while nearing the end of a course, like many of the people did in my inquiry class.

In this program, you are not a number, but you are an actual person and the people that run the program make sure you're aware of that. All of the admin, staff, profs, etc. try to cater to your needs and the family-like atmosphere cannot be denied. Whenever I have a problem with anything, or any questions about academics, professional schools, jobs, etc. etc. - I just drop an email to anyone in the admin staff and LITERALLY, they reply back within 5-10 minutes. Everyone is always willing to go out of their way to help us in whatever way possible and that feels good.

So, although I didn't know about these things before I entered, I hope that this little glimpse gives everyone an insight on why it MAY be truly beneficial to study health science at Mac then at any other program at any other university. I think this program gets too little credit for the foundations of its learning philosophies over the med school success rates. I guess that's sort of inevitable too because it's hard to understand the program if you haven't experienced it, and there's not much to base your decision on. Remember that anyone can get into med school regardless of what program they are in. The truly fulfilling undergrad experience I've realized is what really makes Mac Health Sci so darn special, and that's what it should be recognized for!

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McMaster University, Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) 2011
"Carpe Diem"

Awww man....i hate reading about how amazing Mac's Health Sciences program is because I know I'm just going to end up regretting it even more when I don't get in. So in hopes of making me feel better in the future, anyone have anything negative to say about the program?

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McMaster BHSc 2012

Some people, while very nice, are single-minded regarding school with everything else (a romantic relationship, working out, drinking with pals, unwinding) considered as distractions.

The majority of people, however, are not like the above.

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McMaster BHSc (Hons.) Class of 2010

Well I still don't know my midterm mark for religion so depending on that, it'll roughly be somewhere between 94 and 95, but being repetitively told that marks don't matter after the cutoff mark, I don't feel reassured. As for my ECs I joined a few, but I contributed a fair amount of time to each, which sort of helped me write the supplementary. But then again, I have no idea how mine compared to everyone else's and I only felt really proud of my last answer. So, asides from me, how does everyone else feel about this whole admission process? How are you guys planning to kill time from now until early May?

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McMaster BHSc 2012

Hey iGeorge, what sort of writing style did you use for your supplementary?

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Pourquoi?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf94uiIbItg

I'm also curious. Were the questions the same? I talked to some people about what they put for their last question and a lot of the answers I heard were very vague. Stuff like "There is no question, all depends on how you ask it" or "What makes you happy?"

I'm not going to lie, I thought the question meant what question should not be asked by the university in this particular context. It seemed like a reasonable interpretation at the time but almost everyone I've talked to answered it as what question should not be asked of (or by) anyone in general. Oh well.

in the past years, they had 5 questions. the three asked this year were asked last year as well.

as for what I put: doesn't matter. I was honest and sincere, and that's the important thing. the readers can tell who's lying and who's not.

as for other faculties @ mac with regards to hthsci: be prepared to get the 'look' and then the 'oh... you're in HEALTH sci...' thing. shrug it off. be yourself, and they'll see past it. but there is strong inter-faculty rivalry at mac, all in good spirit though! don't let it stop you from being friends with non-hthscis.

also, there isn't any strong competitive force so don't be scared of that. everyone wants to do well, but we're all nice. I can call ANYONE I know in my year and ask for help, and they'll gladly give it. I love that about my program; you'll always have someone to study with or guide you along, all you have to do is ask.

and jesus christ, stop getting the impression that being in hthsci means you're an antisocial loser. not only will your first year rep (that was me this year) organize events for you and get you all together to PARTY, but there are two dedicated social co-ordinators (check out www.bhss.ca, the bachelor of health sciences society website, it'll be updated soon) who plan monthly events for you to socialize as well. and they all have REALLY high turnout. average first year turn out to each event is around 40-50. out of 160ish that's a lot.

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it's not just BHSc...
it's BHSexyyy!!!
mac hthsci '11, 1st year rep

The most notable was a very ridiculous encounter with a 3rd year biochem student who absolutely DESPISED health scis. I had to work with her for something and I was shocked by her reaction afterwards when I introduced myself and we started talking. The details to this and other stories I shall not disclose - I'll tell you when you get here.

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McMaster University, Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) 2011
"Carpe Diem"

Yeah unfortunately the faculty rivalries are pretty brutal here.

I love health scis to be honest. All the ones that I have met come from the most interesting backgrounds and they're always really nice people. I've never met an arrogant one. So don't worry you won't be hated by all non-health scis

A lot of the science people have a little bit of hostilty towards health scis because they didn't get into the program and they see them as their biggest competition for med school.

I find artscis actually have it rougher than healthscis because a lot of people find them really weird and INSANELY arrogant. They also have an unofficial feud going with healthsci which they think is hilarious lol

Humanities has it the worst with the faculty bashing.

Darn engineers...

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1 We are from Mac! 2 A little bit louder! 3 I still can't hear you! 4 more more more...

McMaster Class of 2011
Combined Honours Political Science and Philosophy

ah all these people in this thread wanting to become a medical doctor

I really hope you guys all get in to med school...