u/huh-Major6933

I’m trying to understand how TMU’s Exceptional Circumstances process works in practice for the 2027 MD cycle.

TMU lists a 3.50 OMSAS cGPA as the standard minimum. Their Exceptional Circumstances section separately says applicants whose academic performance was affected by things like familial, sociocultural, medical or financial barriers may request consideration, and specifically says applicants must still meet the four-year degree requirement.

I emailed admissions asking directly whether Exceptional Circumstances can allow someone below the 3.50 GPA minimum to still be considered. They didn’t give a yes/no answer and said submissions are reviewed case-by-case by the UGME Admissions Council.

Has anyone:

• applied to TMU below 3.50 using Exceptional Circumstances?
• been told during COSMOS/info sessions whether sub-3.50 applicants can be reviewed through this process?
• received clearer written clarification from admissions?
• had an EC request actually considered and can speak generally about the process?

Not looking for a chances assessment or asking anyone to share private circumstances. I’m mainly trying to understand the policy/process before applying.

Would appreciate any firsthand experience or screenshots/wording from TMU if anyone has it.

You can PM me if you don’t want to speak publicly

Hey everyone,

I’m looking into completing a second bachelor’s degree in Ontario and wanted to see if anyone here has gone through something similar.

I already have a bachelor’s degree, but my GPA from my first degree isn’t as competitive as I would like for medical school. I’m considering doing a second degree to show stronger recent academic performance and potentially improve how my academics are assessed at schools that consider a second degree or recent years.

I’m mainly trying to figure out:

• Which Ontario universities have the shortest second-degree options for someone who already has a bachelor’s?
• Are there programs where a lot of my previous credits can transfer, allowing me to finish in around 2 years or less?
• Which universities are relatively flexible with second-degree/non-degree students?
• Are there programs where maintaining a strong GPA is reasonably manageable if you put the work in?
• Has anyone specifically done a second degree for medical school GPA repair, and did it end up helping?

I know there is no genuinely “easy” degree and I’m prepared to put in the work. I’m mainly looking for the most efficient option where I can complete enough new full-time coursework to demonstrate a much stronger academic record without unnecessarily spending another 4 years in undergrad.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has done this in Ontario, especially if you later applied to medicine.

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’m looking into completing a second bachelor’s degree in Ontario and wanted to see if anyone here has gone through something similar.

I already have a bachelor’s degree, but my GPA from my first degree isn’t as competitive as I would like for medical school. I’m considering doing a second degree to show stronger recent academic performance and potentially improve how my academics are assessed at schools that consider a second degree or recent years.

I’m mainly trying to figure out:

• Which Ontario universities have the shortest second-degree options for someone who already has a bachelor’s?
• Are there programs where a lot of my previous credits can transfer, allowing me to finish in around 2 years or less?
• Which universities are relatively flexible with second-degree/non-degree students?
• Are there programs where maintaining a strong GPA is reasonably manageable if you put the work in?
• Has anyone specifically done a second degree for medical school GPA repair, and did it end up helping?

I know there is no genuinely “easy” degree and I’m prepared to put in the work. I’m mainly looking for the most efficient option where I can complete enough new full-time coursework to demonstrate a much stronger academic record without unnecessarily spending another 4 years in undergrad.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has done this in Ontario, especially if you later applied to medicine.

Thanks!

ABS season is coming so I thought I’d make this the next part of the helping pre-meds series 😭

I’m going through my own ABS from scratch and getting it reviewed multiple times, so I wanted to crowdsource the best advice too.

If you’ve been accepted, interviewed, reviewed ABSs, or just learned something useful:

Drop ONE ABS tip you think every applicant should know.

Could be about the 150 characters, choosing activities, verifiers, quantifying impact, Ottawa top activities, UofT clusters, what you wish you did differently, literally anything.

Bonus points if you give a bad vs good example 👀

I’ll compile the best tips into another post so everyone can use them.

I’m applying to uOttawa Medicine and didn’t attend high school in the Ottawa region. Admissions told me that applicants can still submit a brief letter through SAM explaining why they should be considered regional, and that there isn’t a specific minimum number of years you need to have lived there.

I’m trying to figure out how strong/detailed the letter should be.

I lived in Ottawa for around a year during university for work/co-op, have family there, still visit, and have had some later healthcare/research-related involvement in Ottawa as well.

For anyone who has submitted one of these letters before, or knows someone who has:

• What kinds of connections did you mention?
• How detailed was your letter?
• Did you focus mostly on actually living there, family ties, work/school, or your intention to stay in the region?
• Has anyone been granted regional consideration without attending high school there?

Just trying to understand what they’re actually looking for without overselling anything. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

Part 2 of my little series on giving back and sharing resources that might help other premeds.

If you haven’t already, I’d recommend signing up for Community of Support at Uoft. (I don’t think you have to be a UoFT student)

I’ve found it pretty useful because they regularly post opportunities and sessions specifically for premed students. They sometimes bring in medical school admissions representatives to speak directly about their school, admissions process, what they look for, and answer questions.

For example, they recently had a session about USask, Ottawa, and queens School of Medicine with an opportunity to hear directly from a representative.

They also have:

• ✅ Medical school/application resources
• ✅ Workshops and information sessions
• ✅ Mentorship opportunities
• ✅ Events with admissions representatives
• ✅ A community specifically for students interested in medicine

Even if you’re still early in the process, it’s worth making an account and checking what they post.

Search Community of Support / MentorCity and sign up.

I’ll keep posting more resources/opportunities I come across for Part 3.

I’m looking into getting it so I can play online and access the included games, but around $180–190/year is a bit more than I’d like to spend.

Are there any legitimate ways to get it for less? For example:

• Sales or discounts?
• Retailers that sell it cheaper?
• Family plans (if that’s a thing)?
• Regional pricing?
• Any other legal options I’m overlooking?

Not looking for anything sketchy or against the terms of service—just wondering if the community has found a more affordable way to get the same benefits.

Thanks!

Congratulations to everyone, congratulations to the ones that got in and congratulations to the ones who got wait listed and congratulations to the ones that got rejected.

All of you worked hard, all of you endured a lot during this year and only you know what you went through. Internal and external battles were fought during this time.

For the ones that got in and came officially wear the white coat you did it, you achieved your dream (or some parents dream haha) and you are on the beginning of a path to be responsible to help society.

For ones who got waitlisted, you worked hard and you deserve it. The wait list is not the end of the world, still enjoy your summer and know you did your best. Who knows maybe the wait list moved couple days before the term starts. Don’t give up.

For the one who did not get in (me included) the war is not over, whether this is your first battle or 7th battle fight for it. We all want to move on with our lives and start the process like everyone but trust me when you finally win, the taste of the win is going to be so good. You did your best, there is always a next time. Be thankful for this opportunity because you can reflect on it this summer. Enjoy your summer and have fun and prepare for the next cycle, take a different approach or take a break and help yourself grow.

Congratulations to everyone who decided to walk the path of medicine whether you got in or not. You are still worth more than a profession or a degree.

Peace

Talking is easier than doing the action, although for this year I didn’t end up getting an interview but some of my friends did and someone who I care about did and I’m happy for them. I know that results are tomorrow, it’s normal to be worried and anxious waiting for the result that you think will be life changing. It will be, but it’s not the end world and it doesn’t define your worth.

Know that your parents and friends are proud of you, but most importantly be proud of the sacrifices and work you put in, so regardless of the result when you look at yourself in mirror you know you did your best.

I wish everyone goodluck may you get a seat and wear the Canadian med school bag.

Peace