<p>Hey guys, i'm new here
i just recieved two offers for 2011FALL from McGill like two weeks ago. One is from BSc Biol, Biomed & Life Sci, the other is from BSc Phys,Earth,Math&Comp Sci, both from the faculty of science.</p>
<p>Now I'm having a hard time deciding where to go. I know the life sci at McGill is like the best, and my parents keep trying to talk me into being a doctor. But the thing is I've never been really into those chemistry/biology stuff(got 800 in SAT II Chem though). And if I don't really like those subjects, how can I expect to have decent grades when I'm actually in the life sci program?</p>
<p>And another thing is, I'm not sure whether this BSc Phys,Earth,Math&Comp Sci program would be a bad choice, since I've never really heard people talk about it at all. I applied for it only because I find math seems a little more tolerable.</p>
<p>I applied to BSc Phys,Earth,Math&Comp Sci program as well! You seem down on both programs. Why didn’t you apply to a faculty that has material you find interesting? You should check out the full list of majors in each program and see which has something that you would like. If not, you could always switch to a different faculty at the end of your first year. Also, since i applied to the PEMCS program like you, would you mind sharing your scores? I havent gotten a decision yet and could use some perspective.</p>
<p>Well, usually I’m fine with science. But there’re just some subjects that I’m not particularly keen to carry on after high school, like Chem/Bio, lol. Besides, when I looked through the programs I got to choose, there weren’t that many feasible choices for me. If I dump Science, Engineering might be my next option. But the thing is, I heard that the bureaucracy thing going on at McGill makes it super hard to transfer even from PEMCS to Llife Sci, let alone interfaculty switching. So I applied for both programs in Science. As for scores, I got 710+770+670=2150 in SAT, and 2400 on SAT II(Math2,Physics,Chem).</p>
<p>BTW, do you know a lot about that PEMCS program? How’s the reputation compared to the Life Sci program’s?</p>
<p>i know a ton about mcgill in general. we have our own computers at school, so i spend a good hour a day for the past year reading about mcgill haha. im leaning towards chemistry, and the program seems pretty comprehensive. also, there are only about 200 chem majors (those 200 are all U1-U3, U0 students dont declare major til end of the year). the mcgill chemistry dept. site obviously talks it up a bit, but from what i have gathered, the program is good because 1. it is mcgill, and 2. loads of chem majors go on to grad school or professional school (med or even law school). bio and life sci program is EXTREMELY competitive, but at the same time it is arguably the best program at mcgill, and most students in it are med school bound. i went to the open house and talked to some students, and they say that there is quite a bit of bureaucracy, but if you really want to get something done, you just have to be assertive until they help you. honestly it is your call with whatever you want to do, whether it be science or engineering. both are excellent choices! is mcgill your top choice??</p>
<p>also, thank you for sharing your scores! I got 2050 on my SATs so youre 2150 is kind of reasurring to me that i will be fine. however, my subject tests were no where near as good as yours. (three 800s!!!) but i got 31 on ACT as well, and I have a 4.0 UW GPA. did they make a decision on youre minerva before seeing your midyear grades? and you are american correct?</p>
<p>Seems you’re way more weil prepared for McGill than I am, lol. It still bothers me why they put chemistry in the PEMCS group. It’d probably make more sense if it’s in the Life Sci group along with the biochemistry. I mean, will I be able to skip chemistry in U0 by taking loads of other courses instead?
Most students in Life Sci are med school bound? But I heard that the space for med school at McGill is quite limited, especially for students from outside Quebec, you have to be like top 5% in the Life Sci to be considered med school material. And for me, there’s no point going to Life Sci if I stand no chance being a doctor. too bad…
McGill’s definately one my top choices, but it’s like too early to decide anyway…
BTW, I’m technically Canadian.</p>
<p>chemistry is a physical science. biochem is in life. and most are med school bound. not just mcgill, but other places like U of T, queens, mcmaster, ubc, laval, harvard etc… and U0 courses are pretty standardized for whatever program you are in so that everyone gets a taste of everything (remember bureaucracy, hence the standardization). and there are loads of reasons to take life sci besides being a doctor. genetics, bioinformatics, and research etc…
and it is never to early to decide on schools! unless you are between like, Harvard and McGill. that would be tough haha</p>