I'm a prospective student, it's always been my dream to go to Mac
Anyways, the lady who came to my school to tell us more about Mcmasters said that the cutoff for life sciences is a high 80. So, would that mean that if I had a final average of prerequesities + top 6 of 85%, my application would be considered?
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but life sciences is more research based and about biology in general while health sciences is more focused on huma health, right? With respects to becoming a doctor, is there a preference of one over the other? I'm going to apply for both (if I can), but will focus more on life sciences because I don't think I can get into health sciences.
Thanks

Originally Posted by happyending1

I'm a prospective student, it's always been my dream to go to Mac
Anyways, the lady who came to my school to tell us more about Mcmasters said that the cutoff for life sciences is a high 80. So, would that mean that if I had a final average of prerequesities + top 6 of 85%, my application would be considered?
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but life sciences is more research based and about biology in general while health sciences is more focused on huma health, right? With respects to becoming a doctor, is there a preference of one over the other? I'm going to apply for both (if I can), but will focus more on life sciences because I don't think I can get into health sciences.
Thanks

To be considered for Life Sciences or most programs you just need to meet the prerequisites (taking the appropriate Grade 12 courses) unlike where in Health Sciences you must have a minimum 90% Top 6 average to be considered. As for the other questions someone else would be able to better help you. Good luck in Grade 12, it's the year which truly does count so don't mess up!

Originally Posted by herBs

To be considered for Life Sciences or most programs you just need to meet the prerequisites (taking the appropriate Grade 12 courses) unlike where in Health Sciences you must have a minimum 90% Top 6 average to be considered. As for the other questions someone else would be able to better help you. Good luck in Grade 12, it's the year which truly does count so don't mess up!

there IS a cutoff for life sci .. so meeting the course requirements is not necessarily enough... the cut-off is somewhere in the high 80s

aim high and you should be fine

Originally Posted by giftedchick

there IS a cutoff for life sci .. so meeting the course requirements is not necessarily enough... the cut-off is somewhere in the high 80s

aim high and you should be fine

Ah okay, I thought I remembered from last year, but I didn't fully remember.

I would definetly aim above the high 80s if possible.. just to be safe.
The cut-off changes depending on how many people are applying.
In 2010 it was 87%.

Last year the cut-off was supposedly 88%

^I had 87 so no.

Originally Posted by Silver

^I had 87 so no.

I had an 87 average as well, but on my rejection letter it said the cut-off was 88...

Sometimes people get in that are slightly below the cut-off. But they won't accept someone with an 85% if the cut-off is an 88%.

@OP- It's really dependent on the year and the other people applying at the same time. Averages are going up though at least over the past few years. So definitely aim for higher marks, just to be safe. And a higher average never hurts . Also, keep in mind that the cut-off is based on your top 6, not all of the courses you took in grade 12.

The cut-off was supposedly an 88% last year. My friend had an 87.8% and because averages are not rounded up, she was rejected. On the other hand, I changed my mind about what program I wanted to go to in March and I ended up deciding to decline my Queen's concurrent education acceptance and applied to Life Sci at Mac. I applied in early April and got accepted 11 days later. My average was a 94.6%. At that time, my friend who had 87.8% didn't hear back yet and she called the registrar at Mac and discovered that due to a high number of applicants, all with higher than normal averages, the cut-off was raised to 88%. Therefore, nobody can tell you an exact number because it really depends on the pool of people that apply. If everyone's averages are lower, it will be a lower cut-off. If they are higher, it will be a higher cut-off. Aim for very high 80-low 90 to have a better shot.

Originally Posted by herBs

To be considered for Life Sciences or most programs you just need to meet the prerequisites (taking the appropriate Grade 12 courses) unlike where in Health Sciences you must have a minimum 90% Top 6 average to be considered. As for the other questions someone else would be able to better help you. Good luck in Grade 12, it's the year which truly does count so don't mess up!

I know you mean well but that's completely incorrect, why not let the hundreds of other people who are in life sci (or started in life sci) answer the question.

(I only pointed this out b/c it isn't this first time I noticed you do it)

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know cutoffs for other universities in Ontario for Life Science? I'm just wondering how they've changed compared to how much McMaster Life Sci's cutoff has changed, to get an idea of whether it's McMaster applicant averages that increased or if it's just the same for other universities.

I predict that it's the latter, due to the declining curriculum and failure to maintain a standard that is actually followed by all institutions.

Originally Posted by tyrant

I know you mean well but that's completely incorrect, why not let the hundreds of other people who are in life sci (or started in life sci) answer the question.

(I only pointed this out b/c it isn't this first time I noticed you do it)

Good for you for pointing it out.
Anyway, goodluck OP.

Apply to Enviromental sciences also. Cut off is like an 80 and it is the exact same program because u will be a general science student in first year. You specialize in 2nd year, but since u will be in the faculty of science u can take any classes u want, no different than a life sci.