B A C H E L O R O F H E A L T H S C I E N C E S
Every student has different strengths and weaknesses.
Getting a grade below an 11 is not a fail. There are
Health Science students who have failed courses and still become successful individuals. Although students may say they all got 12, if you look at the class averages, you can see this is impossible. The grades fluctuate depending on the course and depending on the individual.
All university students should expect to see a decrease of
5-10% in their university marks relative to their high school marks. This is certainly no cause for concern, in any context, for BHSc students. The median grades, with a narrow distribution, for health sciences courses are consistently A– to A. Health Sciences students in courses outside the Faculty (e.g. Science, Humanities, Social
Sciences) perform at the same level; medians A– to A with narrow distributions. This is expected for a cohort of bright young adults.
Students learn best when they study things of interest to them. Learning is weaker if the motivation is simply grades. Over the next 20 years we will see a system wide move to alternate forms of learning records (e.g.
Portfolio) and away from grades as an artificial measure of learning. If you are interested in a primer on this, you might try section 3 of Alfie Kohn’s ― What Does it Mean to be Well Educated?
ǁ‖ (Beacon Press, Boston, 2004)
Health Sci promotes collaboration rather than competition. Small classes, a small faculty and a lot of group work create environments that foster teaching each other. Students learn that working together will produce better results than working as individuals.
There are study groups such as chem madness, where students come together to collaborate on weekly quizzes. Group work continues throughout the four years and therefore it is vital to create relationships rather than sabotage each other.
Health Sci students know how to work hard and play hard!
Health Sci has many clubs, sports, and activities that you can sign up for! From religious groups to intramural Frisbee to social committee, there are many opportunities to get involved.
Joining these clubs is simple and will help you find other students with similar interests. Everyone needs a mental break from school work and what better way to be involved with the
community than joining a club!
The nature of Health Sci draws in many people interested in biological sciences. Many Health Sci students are interested in and succeed at being accepted into medical school. However, there are also many other students who select different avenues such as: public health, immunology, teaching, medical illustration, research, law school, dentistry, physiotherapy etc…
It is this variety that makes talking to Health Sci students so
diverse and enjoyable!
Depending on the year, the applicants, and the admission committee, you may receive an interview. There are many health science students that don’t have perfect GPAs, or top MCAT scores and still get interviews. Medical schools don’t necessarily want a perfect candidate on paper—they want someone who knows themselves and stands out. Do what you love and that will be reflected on your application! Medical schools are looking for well-rounded people who have had life experience. Applying to
medical school is about being persistent and prepared.
Health Sci students have the best spirit at McMaster! We have won the Welcome Week cup several times because of our spirited incoming students and upper year Pathogens! We have parties such as the Halloween party, New Years x2 party and
Formal, where Health Sci students can get together for some fun! Furthermore, the BHSc office is full of spirited staff who dress up on holidays and hand out candy. Check out our website for photos. Health Sci is the most spirited community on campus—despite being a small program.

Many incoming health science students have notions about needing extensive electives to apply to medical school. This myth is started by students not educating themselves. Some schools need certain prerequisites but others such as Queens and
McMaster no longer have ANY prerequisites. You can apply to these schools with a degree in history! If you are interested in medical school—educate yourself. Find out what medical schools you want to apply to and what courses they require. Then remember you have 4 YEARS to complete them.
Many first year students rush to take organic chemistry in the summer after first year. When questioned, they indicate they need to take it now for medical school. As previously mentioned, what schools need orgo? Are you applying to them? When does it need to be completed by? It is important to educate yourself before sacrificing an entire summer.
Furthermore, take some time to relax. University can be challenging and four months of summer can be a great time to catch up with friends and see your family! The BHSc program allows you many opportunities to take orgo during the year with your electives. Take some time off! Go for a swim or read a book! There will be plenty of time to complete it later—if you need it.
As previously mentioned, not taking a break can lead to burnout. You cannot apply to medical school until third year, earliest! Many students planning to apply early write the MCAT in the summer after second year. This allows them an opportunity to relax from first year, improve their knowledge and study skills. There are also students that don’t write the MCAT until third year, or fourth year or after they graduate and complete a masters program.
Many people who assume they will get a 12, don’t. Health Sci averages are typically high because Health Sci students are extremely bright, motivated and resourceful. Health Sci courses are challenging and sometimes very difficult. You will only get a
12 if you deserve a 12. Teachers have high expectations for
Health Sci students and push them to reach their potential. It is important to remember that grades will also fluctuate depending
on the individual and the course.
Unfortunately the school’s course selection can be a tedious process. Often students have trouble getting into the courses they desire because the number of seats available have been taken.
However, the upside is that many Health Sci students trade courses with each other, spots become available during the summer, and courses sometimes offer more seats. More often than not, you will end up with the courses you originally wanted. Just remember that this process takes time and you can wait until
September to change term 1 courses or January to change term 2
courses on your schedule!
Q. Why did the students study in the aeroplane?
A. Because they wanted higher grades.
(If you have considered this—please refer to Myth 1)
Many first year students rush to buy their textbooks during the excitement of the first week of school. However, sometimes these textbooks are not helpful or even used in the course! Textbooks can cost hundreds of dollars and teachers encourage students to wait until after the first week of class or purchase used textbooks
for half the cost.
However, Health Sci students have a forum on Learnlink (online community) where students post when a textbook is helpful and when you should save your money. Almost every popular course
has a textbook review. Go check it out and save some money!
This myth is completely true. You will make lasting friendships, create memorable experiences, and expand your knowledge. You will learn to self-reflect and learn about yourself. You will develop skills such as group work, facilitating, and communicating that will give you an advantage in the workforce.
You will grow, change, and become someone you are proud of.
You will look back on Health Sci as the time of your life. Health
Sci community is a family that will always be on Learnlink!
Created by L. Cameron (Class of 2012)
The Bachelor of Health Sciences Program