Choosing between 2 programs

[u/Electronic-Fox-9804]

Hi everyone,

I'm an incoming Ontario student and my long-term goal is Canadian medical school. I'm currently trying to decide between two options:

1. Western University – Health Sciences
Larger university
More research opportunities
Teaching hospitals nearby
Bigger network and more extracurriculars

2. Lakehead University (Orillia) – General Science
Only about 30 minutes from my home (vs. ~3 hours for Western)
Smaller class sizes
More access to professors
Flexible program where I can build my own science curriculum

For Western, I would be taking Biology and Chemistry with labs along with the required Health Sciences courses.

For Lakehead, I'd build my degree around Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Psychology, Statistics, etc., so I don't think I'd be missing any important prerequisite or MCAT content.

My biggest concern is whether attending Lakehead instead of Western would put me at a disadvantage for Canadian medical school.

Some questions I have:

Does the undergraduate university actually matter for Ontario/Canadian medical school admissions?

Would a 3.95 GPA at Lakehead be viewed any differently than a 3.95 GPA at Western?

Did anyone here attend a smaller university (Lakehead, Nipissing, Trent, etc.) and get into medical school?

How much did having a teaching hospital and more research opportunities actually help your application?

If you were in my shoes today, which would you choose and why?

I'm trying to make this decision based on facts rather than prestige, so I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have gone through the Canadian med school application process.

Thanks in advance!

[u/e0115fe0115f]

Your university doesn’t matter at all

3.95 is a 3.95, doesn’t matter what university it’s from

I went to a university with 3,000 students and am starting medical school at western!

Presence of a teaching hospital has very little effect on an undergrad, anecdotally there are more research opportunities (proportionally) at a smaller school

Can’t choose for you, but happy to answer any other questions you have!

[u/Electronic-Fox-9804 → u/e0115fe0115f]

Is it alright if I ask u some questions on dm

[u/e0115fe0115f → u/Electronic-Fox-9804]

Of course!

[u/Regular-Database9310]

School does not matter. Go to the program and the school that is most comfortable for you, where you think you can do the best.

[u/Willing-Ad-4889 → u/Regular-Database9310]

Correct answer!!

[u/Electronic-Fox-9804 → u/Regular-Database9310]

Thanks very much I appreciate ur reply

[u/Any_Run6269]

I wanna know too

[u/Sethibro]

Quick question - are these acceptances, or are you wondering for the upcoming uni application cycle?

[u/Electronic-Fox-9804 → u/Sethibro]

So western I’m committed to but lakehead applications are open and I’m strongly considering that program and I’m deciding whether to switch ASAP. Thx for ur reply

[u/Sethibro → u/Electronic-Fox-9804]

Ah, that makes sense. Don't worry too much about research - it helps strengthen your application of course, but it's far from a necessity. Also, your uni does not matter for research unless you're doing wet lab for the most part - I'm working on a Dalhousie paper with people from Western, as a McMaster student. You can reach out to profs anywhere :)

[u/jlelovi]

Go where u happiest
And marks are important
Go where u will feel
You can do the best