Basically, I have been having a rough go it at MAC in my first two years. I failed a couple of courses in first year and didn't have the requisites for any second year program, and I was put on probation. This year I have the average for Bsc. Life Sci, but failed one of the courses (again...fml). Any idea of what will happen to me? I know they say that students who don't meet the requirements for a science program are put in a general program, but would they kick me out because of 1 missed course even if i had an acceptable average? I've been stressing about this for a while now...to the point where i can't sleep because i'm just seeing images of my failed hopes and dreams....any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

If it helps...just focus on the future of things by fixing and learning from your mistakes since I know even Landry said he failed a course first year, not to mention when I saw one of those spotlight on Mcmaster videos on Boreham (one of the best profs I've had) he started out at a different university and didn't do so well...but became extremely strong in his profession once he found his domain (he showed us videos of him featured as the scientist on a Discovery network show, and has done international conferences)...Maybe you havent found your domain yet...but not everything ends with the first few years of undergrad...although you cannot continue that way into your last years. Best of luck and I hope it works out!

Don't worry...just do the best you can. You'll get the hang of university life soon enough

Do you think that they will kick me out?

What course did you fail? can you take it during the summer?

Can you take the failed course during summer?

I can't guys...I live out of town and i have to work to pay my tuition or i can't come back anyways. I've had to work to support myself so far and it has been taking its toll...i guess i've been in denial that it has been affecting my work but now...If they will just let me continue I really think I know what i have to do to succeed. I don't know what i will do if they say i can't continue. My life is Hamilton now, i have a lease signed, like, i can't start over now somewhere else. I won't even mention what my parents will say....looks like i'm not sleeping again :s I just have to wait and see i guess

I'm not sure how Academic Probation works but I think it just has to do with raising your C.A. above 3.5...

I have a similar problem. I have failed two of my courses from first year but only one is a prerequesite for the 2nd year program I want to get into (life sciences). I am retaking both the failed courses during summer as upgrade. Does this mean if I pass both of these classes(with good marks) then I am set for 2nd year because I would have filled all my requirements? Also, when do we find out what programs we got into (I heard it was in august)? thanx

Originally Posted by luna

I have a similar problem. I have failed two of my courses from first year but only one is a prerequesite for the 2nd year program I want to get into (life sciences). I am retaking both the failed courses during summer as upgrade. Does this mean if I pass both of these classes(with good marks) then I am set for 2nd year because I would have filled all my requirements? Also, when do we find out what programs we got into (I heard it was in august)? thanx

No, not August. You will know for sure when you register for your courses in June. I'm not sure if they send out notifications before then though.

but what if someone is taking a required course in term 2 of summer school (july-august). The course I need for 2nd year life sciences is in term 1 of summer school so I think this can fill the requirement for the program. Will I have to let the faculty know that I upgraded a course for the program?

Originally Posted by luna

but what if someone is taking a required course in term 2 of summer school (july-august). The course I need for 2nd year life sciences is in term 1 of summer school so I think this can fill the requirement for the program. Will I have to let the faculty know that I upgraded a course for the program?

If you are not eligible for the program you will not be able to register into that program when you apply for your courses. You choose which program you want to enter into the page before you pick your courses.

Try contacting an academic advisor to see if you can get a waiver, tell them you are upgrading your mark. If that doesn't work then just enter into another program and when you finish upgrading your mark contact an academic advisor to switch into the program (I'm pretty sure Life Sciences has unlimited seats so it shouldn't be a problem).

You MAY have difficulties getting into courses if you are not in a certain program (I don't remember most of the prerequisite for second year courses), so do your research early and if you need any waiver for courses contact an academic advisor and the professor to try and get a waiver. Don't forget to tell them your situation.

If you applied into a program that you're missing 1-2 prereqs for, but you otherwise have the marks for it, they will usually give you a conditional acceptance into the program. They'll let you into the program, but it's conditional upon passing the prereqs in summer school, possibly with a certain grade. If you fail a course though, and then you retake it, both the pass and the fail count towards your average--the two 0's will probably hurt you, so you might not get a conditional offer in a limited enrollment program.

Assume someone has a cumulative average above 3.0 but they don't get accepted into any of their programs, what happens then?

Originally Posted by luna

Assume someone has a cumulative average above 3.0 but they don't get accepted into any of their programs, what happens then?

I'm actually not sure if there is a second year program they can get into. I think it's more of trying to upgrade their grades and improving their CA. Because to be honest, if they can barely pass a level I course, they won't be able to pass the level II course that has the level I course as the prerequisite.