brancan

I wouldn't say 3.0 is excessively low, BUT we tend to mark harder in Canada. I've been a student in Ontario and in New York, and it's absolutely more common to get As in the US. It depends on the discipline, of course, but I don't know many people who routinely got 90% on essays (in the social sciences). Our marking system definitely worked to my advantage when applying to school in the US. I truly think so.

That said, a 3.0 average is going to go over better at some universities and worse at others. I'd avoid applying to the University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, or any other top school unless you have that as a "reach" school. But there are other institutions where a 3.0 won't immediately disqualify you. Check out the Maclean's rankings to get a list of schools.

HAHA. I was in the same program as the guy in the photo in the article mrpbn7 posted. Nice dude.

I wouldn't say 3.0 is excessively low, BUT we tend to mark harder in Canada. I've been a student in Ontario and in New York, and it's absolutely more common to get As in the US. It depends on the discipline, of course, but I don't know many people who routinely got 90% on essays (in the social sciences). Our marking system definitely worked to my advantage when applying to school in the US. I truly think so.

That said, a 3.0 average is going to go over better at some universities and worse at others. I'd avoid applying to the University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, or any other top school unless you have that as a "reach" school. But there are other institutions where a 3.0 won't immediately disqualify you. Check out the Maclean's rankings to get a list of schools.

These don't at all seem accurate, in terms of the actual scores programs receive. I have to agree with commguy that the people on this board seem to have higher scores. The average GRE scores for communication programs (the few that are listed) are all below the average scores here. And those are admitted candidates, not solely applicants.

Obviously, this varies by field. I'm far happier with my 700V and 630Q than I would be the other way around, but I'd imagine that all of the science people feel the opposite.

I would also mention in.

I have one fail on my record (in my first year of undergrad). I failed an exam the day after I came out of the closet, as I didn't come out under very good circumstances and completely broke down. Because I failed that exam badly, I failed the class by 2% (I was already having a LOT of trouble with the class). I was then not allowed to continue on in my program. Despite that, I worked my way back up into honors status in a different program. But I never mention this on my applications because it's only one mark. My other marks weren't fantastic, but they were average or just above average. If my mental state/circumstances had affected a whole term or more, I'd certainly mention it. So that's what I'd suggest you do. That said, I would frame it in a way that was straightforward, but did not harp on the sob story aspect. It sucked, I'm sure, but many people go through crappy things and you don't want the people reading your application to see you as exploiting the scenario. That's always my biggest fear when justifying my failed course.

I also think it's awesome that you stayed in school throughout that ordeal. I know many people who have taken semesters off (or dropped out) for far less stressful reasons.

I would also mention in.

I have one fail on my record (in my first year of undergrad). I failed an exam the day after I came out of the closet, as I didn't come out under very good circumstances and completely broke down. Because I failed that exam badly, I failed the class by 2% (I was already having a LOT of trouble with the class). I was then not allowed to continue on in my program. Despite that, I worked my way back up into honors status in a different program. But I never mention this on my applications because it's only one mark. My other marks weren't fantastic, but they were average or just above average. If my mental state/circumstances had affected a whole term or more, I'd certainly mention it. So that's what I'd suggest you do. That said, I would frame it in a way that was straightforward, but did not harp on the sob story aspect. It sucked, I'm sure, but many people go through crappy things and you don't want the people reading your application to see you as exploiting the scenario. That's always my biggest fear when justifying my failed course.

I also think it's awesome that you stayed in school throughout that ordeal. I know many people who have taken semesters off (or dropped out) for far less stressful reasons.