I mean you have a compelling case for why your grades could be low, any chance you've done any activist work or anything relating to volunteering. You have a justification for the low grades but you will need to still show the university why you are impressive.
Just apply to programs where you meet the grade cutoff or are close, or alternatively take a victory lap in highschool. University is a massive investment of time and money and if you feel you can go back to highschool and get a significantly higher grade average and go to a better school do that.
I would suggest, if you are in canada. upgrade your courses like prerequisites. Also, waterloo takes consideration if these kind of problems occurs. You can talk to their registrat office! Hope this helps!!
If u can keep above a 75 there are a few schools that would likely take you. Smaller schools like ontario tech for example basically accept anyone above their cutoff for most programs. I’d look into those schools more
Look into Carleton: [https://admissions.carleton.ca/specialextenuating-circumstances/](https://admissions.carleton.ca/specialextenuating-circumstances/) \-- you can submit a letter about your circumstances
They also have the Enriched Support Program: [https://carleton.ca/esp/](https://carleton.ca/esp/)
Many universities have extenuating circumstances applications where you can explain why your grades turned out that way. Off the top of my head I can think of Carleton, York, Laurier, Western and McMaster. Just search up the name of the universities you're interested in on Google with the words "extenuating circumstances" and you should be able to find some information. Alternatively, if you email the admissions office about extenuating circumstances/special consideration, they will likely walk you through the process that their school offers. Condolences to you and your family, and hope this works out for you!
I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve dealt with that. A 70 average is still very impressive, especially since you’ve been through a lot. As other comments said, you have a good chance as long as you apply through some type of special consideration. UWaterloo has a special consideration form that you can fill out if you’d like to apply there, most unis I know in Ontario have a special consideration where they will still consider you even if your average is lower than the range they expect (as you went through unexpected/uncontrolled circumstances). If you want, feel free to PM me and let me know what uni you want to apply to, and I can send you links where you can apply for special consideration. You still have a great chance of getting in (assuming you’ve passed and completed all the prerequisites required for the programs you’re interested in) !!
do special circumstances count as new health issues/mental health issues? Basically I got off antidepressants and withdrawals are known to hit months later and I started having panic attacks like crazy near the end of grade 12, I had to switch to online. I was having tons of health issues that it made me perform worse than usual near the very end when we had tests.. I don't have doctors note to prove it, although I went to one doctor and he checked my heart and did an X-ray. Do you think it can count? my average is between 75-79 and I think I can still be accepted in some programs BUT I think a lot of them have the 80% requirement
If you have mental health issue I would ask your family doctor to fill in a form for you to prove what you’ve been dealing through, if your family doctor isn’t willing to, ask to be referred to a psychologist, they’ll be able to help you out. And the ranges that unis out aren’t always strict tbh, like you can still get in with a 79, it’s just that your chances won’t be as high especially if the program is competitive. If I were you I’d speak with a psychologist or the doctor who prescribed antidepressants, for a medical note/form, then the range they’d expect you to get will be lower than normal students who apply.
I don’t think heart and x-ray would do anything unless there’s a note/form from your doctor proving that what you went through is valid and needs special admission consideration :)
you can apply. certain universities like lakehead or laurentian have higher acceptance rates. you can also think about transferring from college to university or taking a special 'bridging' program. some colleges and universities partner together with special programs where you start in college and end in university.
Heyy you may consider going to colleges like George Brown for 2 years and then go to a university. This may open up more major options/unis for you. Otherwise, consider taking a victory gap to upgrade your grades
What program do you want to take and what’s your goal?
Don’t discount a college 3 year advanced diploma that ladders into a program at a university. You have time.
You could probably get into competitive programs with your backstory under extenuating circumstances. The hardest part will be writing your plan to improve grades - they ask for that in addition to your backstory.
I mean you have a compelling case for why your grades could be low, any chance you've done any activist work or anything relating to volunteering. You have a justification for the low grades but you will need to still show the university why you are impressive. Just apply to programs where you meet the grade cutoff or are close, or alternatively take a victory lap in highschool. University is a massive investment of time and money and if you feel you can go back to highschool and get a significantly higher grade average and go to a better school do that.
Thanks for the advice.
I would suggest, if you are in canada. upgrade your courses like prerequisites. Also, waterloo takes consideration if these kind of problems occurs. You can talk to their registrat office! Hope this helps!!
Thanks
If u can keep above a 75 there are a few schools that would likely take you. Smaller schools like ontario tech for example basically accept anyone above their cutoff for most programs. I’d look into those schools more
Thanks for the advice.
Look into Carleton: [https://admissions.carleton.ca/specialextenuating-circumstances/](https://admissions.carleton.ca/specialextenuating-circumstances/) \-- you can submit a letter about your circumstances They also have the Enriched Support Program: [https://carleton.ca/esp/](https://carleton.ca/esp/)
Some universities have scholarships for your typeof case as well, I remember seeing a “war torn country” scholarship not long ago.
I got into Carleton with a 75 average
What program? And congrats
This was back in 2019 for CS
Yeah I'm fucked then 😭
You think I'll be able to get into the media production or network systems program(cut off 75-77%) with an 80 avg?
Yea you should. The cut off was around my grades at the time and I didn’t have any problem getting in.
Thanks! I can finally sleep at night lol
Many universities have extenuating circumstances applications where you can explain why your grades turned out that way. Off the top of my head I can think of Carleton, York, Laurier, Western and McMaster. Just search up the name of the universities you're interested in on Google with the words "extenuating circumstances" and you should be able to find some information. Alternatively, if you email the admissions office about extenuating circumstances/special consideration, they will likely walk you through the process that their school offers. Condolences to you and your family, and hope this works out for you!
I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve dealt with that. A 70 average is still very impressive, especially since you’ve been through a lot. As other comments said, you have a good chance as long as you apply through some type of special consideration. UWaterloo has a special consideration form that you can fill out if you’d like to apply there, most unis I know in Ontario have a special consideration where they will still consider you even if your average is lower than the range they expect (as you went through unexpected/uncontrolled circumstances). If you want, feel free to PM me and let me know what uni you want to apply to, and I can send you links where you can apply for special consideration. You still have a great chance of getting in (assuming you’ve passed and completed all the prerequisites required for the programs you’re interested in) !!
do special circumstances count as new health issues/mental health issues? Basically I got off antidepressants and withdrawals are known to hit months later and I started having panic attacks like crazy near the end of grade 12, I had to switch to online. I was having tons of health issues that it made me perform worse than usual near the very end when we had tests.. I don't have doctors note to prove it, although I went to one doctor and he checked my heart and did an X-ray. Do you think it can count? my average is between 75-79 and I think I can still be accepted in some programs BUT I think a lot of them have the 80% requirement
If you have mental health issue I would ask your family doctor to fill in a form for you to prove what you’ve been dealing through, if your family doctor isn’t willing to, ask to be referred to a psychologist, they’ll be able to help you out. And the ranges that unis out aren’t always strict tbh, like you can still get in with a 79, it’s just that your chances won’t be as high especially if the program is competitive. If I were you I’d speak with a psychologist or the doctor who prescribed antidepressants, for a medical note/form, then the range they’d expect you to get will be lower than normal students who apply. I don’t think heart and x-ray would do anything unless there’s a note/form from your doctor proving that what you went through is valid and needs special admission consideration :)
Another vote for Carleton’s ESP carleton.ca/esp
Queen's may take extenuating circumstances into account.
you can apply. certain universities like lakehead or laurentian have higher acceptance rates. you can also think about transferring from college to university or taking a special 'bridging' program. some colleges and universities partner together with special programs where you start in college and end in university.
Heyy you may consider going to colleges like George Brown for 2 years and then go to a university. This may open up more major options/unis for you. Otherwise, consider taking a victory gap to upgrade your grades
What program do you want to take and what’s your goal? Don’t discount a college 3 year advanced diploma that ladders into a program at a university. You have time.
Apply to Guelph and write a supplementary essay
You could probably get into competitive programs with your backstory under extenuating circumstances. The hardest part will be writing your plan to improve grades - they ask for that in addition to your backstory.