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Rank: Senior Student
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Joined: 6/5/2008
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So upon doing a lot of thinking, I have decided this is a program that I would absolutely love to get into (like many others would  ). I am currently in Grade 11 with an average of approximately 91-92%. The courses I took this year were English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, American History, World Religions and Law. I received a 90%+ in all of these courses besides the American History (which I ended up with an 83% due to a lack of interest). Hopefully I can maintain this next year, if not improve. The courses I have enrolled in next year are English (Summer school course), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Functions, Calculus, Writers Craft and a Religion course, all of which are University level courses (I believe). Anyway, I do not have very many extra-circulars or community service - zero, nada, zip. This summer I hope to change that so that when applying next year I can be competitive! I also hope to work on this throughout the course of next year. One thing I have decided to do was apply and get a job at Kumon Learning Centre. I know I can probably get the job as I know the lady who works there. What I'm really here to ask is this - what kind of extra-circular things would you recommend I do in order to help me achieve my dream? Any input as far as community service ideas, out of school programs and such would all be great! One final thing, if you got into this program please give me a brief synopsis of your application. Thank you very much, Mike  p.s. Maybe I should note that I am situation in the Durham area (only a few minutes away from Toronto). So please make your responses somewhat relevant to that!
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Rank: Senior Student
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You can start by learning how to spell the university that you plan on attending 
University of Toronto Engineering 12'
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Rank: Senior Student
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Oops, well I'm that much closer now eh?;)
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Rank: Senior Student
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Location: Hamilton
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mikey11 wrote: What I'm really here to ask is this - what kind of extra-circular things would you recommend I do in order to help me achieve my dream? Any input as far as community service ideas, out of school programs and such would all be great!
One final thing, if you got into this program please give me a brief synopsis of your application.
Keep your Grade 12 top 6 average (English, Math, Bio, Chem, One non-math/non-science, and another course) above 90%. In fact, I would recommend that you aim for a minimum of around 92% or 93% just in case your applicant pool is keen. The supplementary application always asks a question about a non-academic aspect of your life that you feel is important to you. None of the readers of the application want to see a list of extracurriculars with no context. People who demonstrate in their application that they thoroughly and truthfully enjoy doing the activity and that the activity is a full aspect of their life are generally held in high regard. In the end, do things you enjoy and don't feel burdened with. There are also some questions on the application that catch applicants off guard. I cannot help you with those, but keep in mind that the supplementary application is the most important part of the application after the 90% mark threshold has been reached. Good luck next year.
McMaster BHSc (Hons.) Class of 2010
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Rank: Senior Student
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Thanks for the advice 
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Rank: Senior Student
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i don't know, i really didn't put any of my extra-curricular involvement on the supp form, cause it didn't ask for it. there was one question about what non-academic aspect of your life has influenced you to become the person you are, but for me it wasn't anything like a sport or a club i was involved with or anything... and for the other questions i just listed my general characteristics (in a well-written manner, obviously), and wrote about that question that should not be asked.
I didn't put any extra-curriculars (not that i had much, lol) on the form and i still got in.
mind you my average at the time was about 96.5-ish.
Schulich BBA 2012
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Rank: Frosh
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Joined: 3/18/2008
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Location: Brampton
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i got into the program with just over a 90 average.
essentially, whether u have a 99 or a 90, ur all the same to them, its about ur supplementary.
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Rank: Senior Student
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Hmm I don't want to have my heart set on a 96 average and then not be able to easily attain it. What year did you guys get accepted? (Just recently?) Random, how would you define a good supplementary then?  Thanks so far guys!
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Rank: Senior Student
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Joined: 4/29/2008
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Location: Ontario
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@ bausman480. im guessing that you go to a public school?
Western BioMed + Ivey AEO!
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Rank: Frosh
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The best thing to do is work as hard as you can on your average; in most schools especially in Toronto, it is not difficult to attain a low to mid ninety average with hard work and dedication. Of course, some would find that as difficult, but... I got in with a 94.7 average that I scraped up from ~93 at midterms. It really is the supplementary that matters after your marks are above the threshold, how you write it and what you write. They want a person who is passionate about aspects of their life besides academics (which they already know you excel at since they can see your marks) who embodies the BHSc program's values (I strongly suggest you do some research) and like they said, is a "whole person."
Hope that helped, it is just what I kept in mind while I wrote my supp.
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Rank: Senior Student
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Joined: 6/5/2008
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I appreciate all and any input guys I will definately be doing research, this is sort of what I'm doing to get a feel of where I stand and what I'm getting into. I've got a question though. I know Universities will often do early acceptance and then tell you to maintain a certain average. Does McMaster do this sort of thing for the Health Science program? What mark do they require to you maintain if they give you early acceptance, 90%+?
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Rank: Student Council
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Location: Toronto
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I don't think Mac does early acceptance since it takes a while for them read the supps, and they take into account the April report card to see if applicants are still over 90.
McGill Arts '12
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Rank: Senior Student
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Hmmm okay thank you!
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Rank: Frosh
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Also -- while this is a fantastic program, make sure, you keep your eyes and mind open to other programs. For example, Western Science has been a very popular program, Mac Kin is a fantastic, and I hear Queens Kin is incredible too. These programs all have elements of the Health Sciences in them, and may not be as glamorous (or brand-name-like), but are fantastic!
For your application -- be honest -- no matter what, honesty will always show through in the voice of any essays, and that will automatically impress readers. Also be brutal in revision. I hear its abt a 1500 character limit; so when you cut things out, you probably WILL have to cut out an entire point --this is fine, it allows you to properly express your other ones.
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Rank: Student Body Vice-President
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you need mad luck; thats what you need
DD
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Rank: Senior Student
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Riverpeth wrote:@ bausman480. im guessing that you go to a public school? yep, catholic public school. Why?
Schulich BBA 2012
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Rank: Senior Student
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Joined: 6/5/2008
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Wow these forums are active.  *bump*
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Rank: Frosh
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mikey11 wrote:Wow these forums are active. *bump* unactive! *dump* kidding =D
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Rank: Senior Student
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Grade 12 U/M requirements - 6 courses in total, including: •English U (ENG 4U) •Biology U •Chemistry U •One of: Advanced Functions U, Calculus & Vectors U, or Mathematics of Data Management U •One non-math or non-science U or M credit I just noticed something. Physics is not on the list - would you guys advise I still take it though?
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Rank: Senior Student
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mikey11 wrote:Grade 12 U/M requirements - 6 courses in total, including: •English U (ENG 4U) •Biology U •Chemistry U •One of: Advanced Functions U, Calculus & Vectors U, or Mathematics of Data Management U •One non-math or non-science U or M credit I just noticed something. Physics is not on the list - would you guys advise I still take it though? Yea, you're gonna take 1st year physics anyways.
CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL.
UWO BioMed 2012
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