I am planning on going to medical school and I think that it is for the better if I transfer back to Canada. I am a Canadian citizen (I was born in Canada) so I don’t need to worry about the tuition costs. Here is my current situation.
University of Alberta is a top 5 Canadian University and is ranked within the top 100 in the world (Rank #76). I have been accepted to that University with the opportunity to major with a BSc. Specialization in Biochemistry.
University of Alberta is cheaper than the University of Houston as well (4-5k cheaper).
Medical school is also cheaper in Canada as well. I can easily move back to the U.S.A. as well since if you apply as a permanent resident in U.S.A. you don’t need to take any exams in order to exchange your license (Since Canadian and American Medical schools have a similar/partnership accreditation system).
University of Houston is okay. I mean, I’m majoring in a BSc. in Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences (Biochemistry pretty much) and I got a 3.93/4.00 cumulative GPA in my first year while taking the maximum amount of units possible (took 37 total units, yet you only need to take 30). I have 12 AP credits I can also use. I am planning on finishing Uni in 3 years if I stay at UH. I have a good scholarship for UH as well, but ualberta’s still cheaper, even with living costs considered.
However, like I said, it is an okay University, but I feel like it will be harder to go to a top Medical school (uToronto, McGill, Harvard, John Hopkins; you know what I mean) if I go to UH instead of uAlberta.
Another thing to consider is that my family wants me to stay in Houston for one more year and transfer to UCSD. They clearly do not want me to go back to my hometown and study at the University of Alberta. My family comes from the Eastern side of the world so family to them is a fundamental pillar.
Some stats to note (Just in case):
3.93/4 GPA in UH
29 ACT score
AP Scholar
3.7/4 unweighted High School GPA (Took 9 AP’s, with 7 out of my 7 last classes in grade 12 being AP classes)
300+ hours in volunteer work with societies and organizations during HS and Uni
Dean’s List
NSCS member
Polylingual (Fluent in English, Aramaic, French, and Spanish)