<p>I don't really know much about the states (in terms of education) since I am from Canada. It isn't really to hard to get into the University of Toronto, but I am wondering if I should go there or go to the states. I don't think my GPA is even that great, I know right now I am getting all A's but I can't say that about my previous years. I've improved greatly in math where I had a 60% (considered a C in canada) final last year in my pre-calc class to a 96% average and leading my class average in intro to calculus this year. All my other grades were mediocre last year finishing with mainly B's (70% and over is a B in canada) and a couple A's. I want to work in the US as a doctor one day, this is the reason why I've been striving so much to become a better student. I've thought about going to the ASU or the UofA since they seem pretty easy to get into as well as the fact that I have no SAT or ACT. Here is where my dilemma comes, If I to the UofT (a top ranked school in the world) will it affect my chances into making it into an American grad school? I want to go to JHU one day if I am fortunate enough but I don't know if going to a Canadian University will lower my chances.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot in advance for any answers!</p>
<p>I don’t know much about Canadian colleges but here’s what I do know:</p>
<ol>
<li>Medical school is an undergraduate degree in Canada, but a graduate school degree in the US (In other words, you have to have a 4 year degree in the US before starting medical school). I don’t think it’s easy to go from being a doctor in any other country to being a US doctor.</li>
<li>Medical school admissions in the US is all about GPA and going to U of T may hurt you strongly.</li>
</ol>
<p>Edit: Oh, and almost no school will accept you with SAT or ACT scores.</p>
<p>Well attending a American university may be better when applying to american schools, but if University of Toronto prestige is equal or about the same as a “state” school, it may not differ much.</p>
<p>^ UofT has great prestige, but the curves are legendary for their brutality.</p>
<p>Do you guys think it would be better to go to a school with prestige like UofT or a school that may not be looked upon as being as prestigious but is in the same country as where you want to one day work? I know it sounds weak to say this but at the this time I don’t think it is possible for me to get into any ivy or top ranked US schools because of my slow start. I do think I’ve improved substantially and one day could see myself going to a top ranked US school for my graduate degree in medicine and being able to maintain high grades. Right now it’s just about how I get there through my 4 year undergrad degree. I am motivated no matter where I go I just need to know what the best option would be. Also the comment by noimagination about “the curves being legendary for brutality” I do not really understand could you/anyone else explain further on what this means. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>
What he or she means is that you may have a lot of trouble getting the grades you need for US medical school admission because of how grading is done at u of t.</p>
<p>As a Canadian and currently applying to US schools, I hope I can answer some questions. </p>
<p>Honestly (and a bit bluntly), I don’t think you can meet HYPS nor a school ranked top 15 standards if your grade average is not above 90% in grade 11. Improvement is good (60 to a 96 in math is actually very good) but remember US schools will see all courses you have taken. If your majority marks in gr 11 was 70s, then your chances are diminished severely. You also need your SATs (I assume you’re in grade 12 b/c you’re doing intro to calc) and if you haven’t taken them now, it’ll be extremely hard to allocate time and study for them.</p>
<p>Also, are you in IB or taking any APs? </p>
<p>Have you considered Mac Health Sci? They’re one of the best “premed” (not technically premed, but you get the idea) in Canada. Also one of the toughest programs in Canada; Admittance rate is close to 8%. (~3000-4000 apply, aprox 300 get accepted and 150 attend). </p>
<p>Also McGill has prestige on the world stage (it trumps UofT in some rankings). </p>
<p>UofT has legendary curves. They apparently, from what I’ve read on a few forums, only allocate a certain number of students an A or B and curve everyone to a 70 average. Then it becomes very hard to get that 3.96-4.0 GPA that most prestigious med schools want. </p>
<p>My recommendation is do well on your top 6 marks and apply to a very good Canadian school. </p>
<p>But nonetheless, if you do well in any school (get that 4.0!), you will get into many prestigious universities. My mentor actually came from UofA and went to Yale for his PhD. </p>
<p>@aigiqinf
Med school is definitely not an undergrad in Canada. It’s an undergrad in UK and other EU countries. In Canada, you still do a 4 year undergrad before applying to med school.</p>
<p>PS. I hope this was clear and somewhat understandable. I’m pretty drugged up on cough medicine right now.</p>