60/40 rule for non-science students

[curiouscat]

I have a non-science degree and went back to school recently to pick up remaining prerequisite science courses for the DVM application.

I only planned to take 2 full time semesters, but now am worried that I won't be able to use last semester for the application because I had some 3rd level courses, but most courses were 2nd year. 

The OVC website says that science program students must have at least 60% of 3rd/4th level courses in their last 2 f/t semesters, but what about non-science students?? Most 3rd level courses require their own prerequisites, which are impossible to take in one semester.

I asked Deanna, and she said that this rule applies to all students who are considered in their 3rd year or higher. Does this apply to me? I'm not sure. I worry that I will not get a clarification from her in time to finalize my courses for this semester. 


Does anyone have some advice?


Thanks! 

[acmay]

Hi curiouscat,
I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I previously completed a math degree at a the University of Waterloo, and am now going to University of Toronto to gain my prerequisites for OVC.
Since I was unable to get my prerequisites in 2 full time semesters (for instance, I needed 2 bio courses just to get -into- the biochem and genetics courses I'm submitting as prerequisites), I'm doing 2 years at U of T before applying.

I sent in a course evaluation request before I even started at U of T, and received a response with this note: "NOTE: An exception is made to the 60/40 rule for those who need to return to study to pick up required lower level sciences in order to be able to proceed to senior sciences. This exception does not apply to non-sciences/electives"

So I'm basically taking 200-level science courses and 300+ level electives and hoping that everything gets approved when I submit my final course approval request! Unfortunately it seems like they won't approve courses or determine acceptable semesters until AFTER you've completed them (they'll only approve courses for content. I asked -- "You can submit proposed semesters. If you submit descriptions with these courses, it will be based on content only as you have not yet taken them.").

It's all very complicated but I hope I've helped a bit! Let me know if you find out more!

[lowenger]

Jan 13, 2015 16:38:21 GMT -5 curiouscat said:

I asked Deanna, and she said that this rule applies to all students who are considered in their 3rd year or higher.

Thanks! 

I think you have your answer right there.

[curiouscat]

Thank you for your responses!

acmay, it is interesting that you got a note in your evaluation about the 60/40 exception. When I submitted mine a few years ago, nothing was mentioned about this type of exception.

I did get a reply from Deanna, it read "If a semester does not have at least 60% third/fourth year courses, it is not acceptable and no work may be presented from it."

The OVC website explains the 60/40 rule and refers to students in science programs, which is misleading since it apparently applies to ALL students. Because of this wording, I didn't even think to clarify this before taking the semester, resulting in a waste of time and money.

This almost serves as a deterrent for people outside of Guelph or science programs to apply, especially since there is no guidance offered for those doing this on their own... I guess I'll have to stay positive and hope it will work out at the end.

Good luck to everyone!

[acmay]

Yeah, that seems so prohibitive - you'd have to take 3 electives that are 300/400 level just to take the 2 lower level sciences to submit as prerequisites and have the semester be acceptable. I just emailed admissions again and referenced that note I received, but now I'm not so hopeful. I was hoping to send in my prereqs from semesters where I'm taking three 200-level science classes and two 300-level electives.

Maybe one more year of undergrad for me!