Chance me + some questions!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Toronto
1

Hi!

I’m applying from a competitive US high school but I have Canadian citizenship.
I’m intending to major in cell and molecular biology or neuroscience and I have an extenuating circumstances note for a diagnosis of clinical depression and anxiety my sophomore and junior year :,) I took time to recover though and I’m ready to take on college! I really hope I don’t come off as a braggart— I’m just very unfamiliar with the whole process and would like some kind of look at my chances. Thank you so much!!

UGPA: 3.89/4 WGPA: 4.41
ACT: 33 Composite: Math: 30 Science: 30 English: 35 Reading: 36 Essay: 10/12
SAT: Predicted score is 1550
Subject Tests: Math 2: 800 Biology (M): 800
AP Scores: World History: 4, Environmental Science: 4, Statistics: 4, English Lang: 5, US History: 5, Biology: 5, Psych: 5, English Lit: 5, Physics 1: 4
Grades: AP Physics: 91%, Chemistry H: 90%, Biology H: 91%, Envi Sci: 93%, Statistics: 92%, AP Bio: 94% Precalculus: 90%, Calculus: 94%
Extras: 12 years of competitive tennis (played USTA tournaments + had state rankings until junior year hit and I had to focus on academics and my own health), entomology research internship with the Smithsonian Institute, 3 National Scholastic Writing Awards, ran my own little writing business, run a YouTube channel for studying + health alongside a studying blog on Tumblr, did writing, biotechnology, and anatomy courses with Johns Hopkins’s CTY Program, drum major of a large marching band for 2 years and won state competitions + recognition from the state governor, clarinet player for 7 years + member of the wind ensemble for all four years of high school, bilingual (English + Mandarin), LGBT + Asian (which I hope isn’t going to factor in too much)

I want to ask what the environment is like at the university! Are the professors supportive, even in large classes? And how is the biological sciences program compared to McGill or UBC?

2

Have you already sent in your application or are you intending to apply to start in September 2020?

I think that your chances for admission are very good. Having struggled with depression, it is impressive that you were able to come through with a 3.89 unweighted GPA. Your test scores are also very strong.

If you have been dealing with depression, I am not convinced that Toronto is the right fit for you. Toronto is big and I have heard that it is stressful.

I am wondering if you might want to consider a smaller university. There are not very many small universities in Canada, but there are a few very good ones. Acadia (in Nova Scotia) is very strong for Biology. It is also located in a very attractive small town. Mount Allison (in New Brunswick) is also worth looking at. We visited both at least twice (once before applying, and once after D2 was accepted) and liked both a lot. The tours included chats with full professors (we arranged this when we were signing up for the tours), who are the ones who teach freshman classes at these small schools. These are obviously not nearly as well known as Toronto. They are however very good schools and IMHO would probably be significantly more supportive.

I don’t think that being Asian will have any impact on your chances of admission at Canadian universities. Since you are a Canadian citizen, you would pay Canadian tuition at any of these schools.

3

McGill admits strictly by stats. Yours are well above the minima for even the most selective programs there. It would be a virtual safety.