So I found very very useful information after look for hours lol
"applicants with special circumstances whose average falls slightly below the required admission average maybe forward a letter etc..."
Therefore if you have special circumstances you can still get considered even if your below cutoff average. This has made me relieve
Quick question, in your opinion how much do you think is slightly? 3-4%?
AGAIN THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR AMAZING HELP! IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED

From other school websites (I recall seeing this on Guelph's application page when I applied out of high school), this is usually ~5%, so your estimation, although conservative, is most likely correct.

Out of curiosity, what are the circumstances?

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

From other school websites (I recall seeing this on Guelph's application page when I applied out of high school), this is usually ~5%, so your estimation, although conservative, is most likely correct.

Out of curiosity, what are the circumstances?

I was diagnoised with Crohn's disease this past july. For the first few months, the disease was mild and in remission, but around the beginning of october, I became very sick again because the disease progressed. The symptoms (sever cramps, frequent bowel movements, fatigue etc..) Caused me to miss around 2 weeks in that month alone, until I went to the doctors (specialists are hard to book appointments with fast) at the beginning of november. This worked for 3 weeks, until Nov 30th I doubled over in pain on my bathroom floor, my mom called 911 and I was rushed to the hospital. I was in the hospital for a week, and recovered at home for a week (for a total of 2 weeks again). I felt excellent on this mediciation (Prednizone, a steriod) But the problem with this was i started with 8 pills and took 1 less pill each week, so by the time i got to 3 pills I was really sick again, not to mention the pills lower your immune system. The beginning of january I was ordered by my doctor to go back up to 8 pills BUT not to return to school till exams ( end of january) because my body was to weak, as well as my immune system. This basically resulted in 2 months + to be missed (maybe a little less because of weekends. ) I am happy to say i am currently in remission!

Also I have another question, if I don't get accepted, Could I contact the school and ask them if I could upgrade a course in summer school from first semester and bring my average up to required, if not higher?

I have absolutely no idea what their term of 'slightly' is, so take this with a grain of salt. In my opinion (which you probably won't want to hear), I would think it'd mean 1% lower, maybe 1.5 or 2% at the most. A whole 1% drop in your overall average is larger than what people might think. Dropping 1% in one of your top 6 courses would drop your overall average by approximately 0.1667%~. For example, if 1.5% was what they consider slightly, and regularly you'd need an 85% overall, your final marks could be 85, 85, 85, 85, 85, 76 which means you could be 9% lower anywhere among your top 6. With 4% leniency, you that'd mean you could be 24% lower among top 6. That seems kind of big to me, but again, what do I know? You should probably call up McMaster's Office of the Registrar and ask them directly because chances are no one on Macinsiders will know the answer 100%.

P.S. Don't feel bad asking so many questions. It's what this community is for. And I hope everything works out for you in the end.

Honestly for mac it's probably around 3-5%. To be safe go for 3%, but know that entrance averages are usually bullshit to begin with, especially from HS to uni.

Originally Posted by alee90

I have absolutely no idea what their term of 'slightly' is, so take this with a grain of salt. In my opinion (which you probably won't want to hear), I would think it'd mean 1% lower, maybe 1.5 or 2% at the most. A whole 1% drop in your overall average is larger than what people might think. Dropping 1% in one of your top 6 courses would drop your overall average by approximately 0.1667%~. For example, if 1.5% was what they consider slightly, and regularly you'd need an 85% overall, your final marks could be 85, 85, 85, 85, 85, 76 which means you could be 9% lower anywhere among your top 6. With 4% leniency, you that'd mean you could be 24% lower among top 6. That seems kind of big to me, but again, what do I know? You should probably call up McMaster's Office of the Registrar and ask them directly because chances are no one on Macinsiders will know the answer 100%.

P.S. Don't feel bad asking so many questions. It's what this community is for. And I hope everything works out for you in the end.

Thanks I've applied for humanities and Soc Sci...apparently cutoff for Soc sci atm is 78 and Humanities is 75

Originally Posted by Mungo

Honestly for mac it's probably around 3-5%. To be safe go for 3%, but know that entrance averages are usually bullshit to begin with, especially from HS to uni.

Haha what do you know entrance averages are usually bullshit? I'm hoping since its not as high of an average to get in as lets say Life sci or engineering and isn't as intense of a course, they'll be more forgiving with grades

Originally Posted by pandabearxox

Also I have another question, if I don't get accepted, Could I contact the school and ask them if I could upgrade a course in summer school from first semester and bring my average up to required, if not higher?

Of course you can ask. The worst they can do is say no.

Originally Posted by starfish

Of course you can ask. The worst they can do is say no.

That is very true! Thank you

Worst case scenario, just take a year off! Retake a couple classes, earn some money, grow as a person. It will probably take a lot of stress off you too, since you're still adjusting to your medical circumstances.

Amber, I think you need to speak with the admission's office. I think the fact that you have Chron's Disease means that you are considered a student with a disability, and will be part of SAS (Student Accessibility Services). You need to explain your situation to admission's. Your health should probably give you a bit of leeway. They will take this into consideration.

I wish you the best of luck with admission to McMaster and your health!

I would imagine you'll be fine for Humanities - I didn't apply until the end of June (and as a mature student, which is limited enrollment) and they let me in as a full time student for this year.

Originally Posted by ashleighp

I would imagine you'll be fine for Humanities - I didn't apply until the end of June (and as a mature student, which is limited enrollment) and they let me in as a full time student for this year.

^^ this gave me so much hope! Thank you so much!

I think enough people have provided their input in regards to your initial questions and so on.
I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your application at McMaster University. It seems you really want to come here (I don't blame you). I also wanted to wish you the very best in regards to your health scenario and that you only have the best outcome(s) in regards to it. Whatever they may be.

Cheers,

Humza