Lost — 24 y/o with low GPA
Hey everyone, looking for some outside perspective because I’m in my head about this.
Background: 24 years old, just finished a UofT BSc in Neuroscience/Human Biology with a low CGPA back in 2024 (2.09, ik yikes). Spent the past year as an insurance sales agent at Allstate but felt really stuck and realized I want to be in healthcare. Currently in my first week of Seneca’s Clinical Research grad certificate (8 months, has a self find work term).
The goal: Long-term I wanted to become a Respiratory Therapist working in NICU, then eventually transition to Anesthesia Assistant. I’m drawn to hands-on patient care, especially with kids and vulnerable populations.
The problem:
Michener RT just confirmed they won’t consider me — my low UofT GPA combined with any future credential won’t reach their 2.70 minimum. Door is closed.
Other RT programs (Fleming, Conestoga, Algonquin) evaluate primarily on high school prerequisites, which I have (good HS grades). But they’re all 1.5–4.5 hours from home and require relocation.
CR is intense — 8 courses, lots of assignments — and my work term instructor said only \~22/40 students got placements last cohort, and only \~6 were paid. So even completing CR isn’t a guaranteed pipeline to a job.
I’ve been unemployed for 3 months and on EI. Money is tight. Adding more years of school feels overwhelming.
My options as I see them:
A) Stay in CR, complete it, try to get a placement, work as a CRC for a few years to save money, then pursue RT later.
B) Withdraw from CR, do Seneca Pre-Health Sciences in Sept 2026 (currently waitlisted for May), then apply to Fleming/Conestoga RT for Sept 2027.
C) Skip PHS entirely, complete CR, apply directly to Fleming RT (2-year accelerated) for Sept 2027 with my high school transcript + UofT degree.
D) Something I’m not seeing?
Anyone been in a similar situation? RTs and AAs especially — was it worth it? Did your prior credentials matter or does the CRTO/CSRT exam wipe the slate clean? Anyone done CR then switched to a clinical program?
Appreciate any thoughts. I keep going in circles in my own head