I really need advice. Please help.

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Neil45

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Hi, I live in Nanaimo, British Columbia. I am stuck on what university I should go for my undergraduate degree: University of Victoria or the University of Winnipeg? I am thinking of going to Winnipeg because they offer a BSc degree in Biology that is three years in duration. Here is a link: University of Winnipeg They also offer BSc degree that is four years in duration, but since it takes three years to complete the optometry pre-requisities, I would rather go with the BSc(three year). My question is, is this a good route? Should I go ALL the way to Winnipeg to complete my BSc degree in three years rather than four years here in BC? Do most people complete their BSc degree in four years? Will I be considered a disadvantage for optometry school if I complete my degree in three years? ANY replies would be much appreciated.
 
Neil45 said:
Hi, I live in Nanaimo, British Columbia. I am stuck on what university I should go for my undergraduate degree: University of Victoria or the University of Winnipeg? I am thinking of going to Winnipeg because they offer a BSc degree in Biology that is three years in duration. Here is a link: University of Winnipeg They also offer BSc degree that is four years in duration, but since it takes three years to complete the optometry pre-requisities, I would rather go with the BSc(three year). My question is, is this a good route? Should I go ALL the way to Winnipeg to complete my BSc degree in three years rather than four years here in BC? Do most people complete their BSc degree in four years? Will I be considered a disadvantage for optometry school if I complete my degree in three years? ANY replies would be much appreciated.

You should go where you would be the happiest. If you're miserable in the freezing winters of Winnipeg you won't do well in school, you'll be unhappy, and your chances of getting into OD school may very well suffer. I don't think schools care how long it took to get your pre-reqs as long as you get them. If you can get a degree in three years more power to you.

Personally I would hate living in "Winterpeg" for three years.
 
if you think about it in the long run..it's just ONE year difference. If are in a huge time rush and want to get into OD school as soon as possible, then consider Winnepeg - but no doubt, I am sure that trying to complete a degree in three years versuses four means goodbye to your social life. Like xmattODx said, I also don't think OD schools care how many years you complete your degree as long as you have the appropriate pre-reqs. But be cautioned that if you do go to winnepeg and try to cram in everything in the three years -- will it adversely affect your gpa? Personally, if you like BC, then stay in BC..unless you are willing to move across the country for that one extra year.
 
attend the school at which you believe you will perform the best. true you will get a degree a year faster in winnepeg, but keep in mind that it is possible to get accepted to optometry school without a degree. comfort level is an important factor when choosing a school to attend. make sure you will be happy and comfortable where you go. good luck with everything. 👍

Neil45 said:
Hi, I live in Nanaimo, British Columbia. I am stuck on what university I should go for my undergraduate degree: University of Victoria or the University of Winnipeg? I am thinking of going to Winnipeg because they offer a BSc degree in Biology that is three years in duration. Here is a link: University of Winnipeg They also offer BSc degree that is four years in duration, but since it takes three years to complete the optometry pre-requisities, I would rather go with the BSc(three year). My question is, is this a good route? Should I go ALL the way to Winnipeg to complete my BSc degree in three years rather than four years here in BC? Do most people complete their BSc degree in four years? Will I be considered a disadvantage for optometry school if I complete my degree in three years? ANY replies would be much appreciated.
 
Thanks for the replies you guys.

ariel winter said:
accepted to optometry school without a degree

I am not sure, but isn't that a bad idea? Many students that enter optometry school have their BSc. From where I have read, over 90 percent have their BSc degree.

If you're miserable in the freezing winters of Winnipeg you won't do well in school, you'll be unhappy, and your chances of getting into OD school may very well suffer.

I doubt that climate would play a factor in my studies.

Personally I would hate living in "Winterpeg" for three years.

I am spending my first year in a local university and then I am considering to transfer to Winnipeg in second year. So really it will only be two years. It would be like an adventure.
 
Neil45 said:
I am spending my first year in a local university and then I am considering to transfer to Winnipeg in second year. So really it will only be two years. It would be like an adventure.

If you are planning on transfering, make sure you look into it very carefully. Some of your classes may not transfer to Winnipeg and you'll end up having to be there longer than you planned on.
 
actually, it's so cold in winnipeg, all there is to do is study! :laugh:

xmattODx said:
Have you ever lived in Winnipeg? :laugh:
 
Is the cold REALLY that bad? Like really bad that I cannot concentrate on studies?
 
Neil45 said:
Is the cold REALLY that bad? Like really bad that I cannot concentrate on studies?

Nah. ariel winter is probably right. You'll have nothing to do but study. I was surprised at how much climate change affected me when I moved to Oregon though. It is usually so sunny in Alberta in the winter (for the few hours the sun is out) and then being in the rain and having just dreary, cloudy weather really bothered me.

Again, go where you'll be happiest. Happiness translates into good grades.
 
Many people love the rain and many people don't mind the cold. For me, for example, heat and humidity 365 days a year would likely be bad...that is why Nova might not be the best option for me if I took climate into consideration. But weighing all factors I think climate is not at the top of the list on which OD school to choose. Just my opinion though🙂
 
gsinccom said:
But weighing all factors I think climate is not at the top of the list on which OD school to choose. Just my opinion though🙂

But Winnipeg? :laugh:
 
you're from alberta, xmattODx? where? 👍

xmattODx said:
Nah. ariel winter is probably right. You'll have nothing to do but study. I was surprised at how much climate change affected me when I moved to Oregon though. It is usually so sunny in Alberta in the winter (for the few hours the sun is out) and then being in the rain and having just dreary, cloudy weather really bothered me.

Again, go where you'll be happiest. Happiness translates into good grades.
 
ariel winter said:
you're from alberta, xmattODx? where? 👍

Born in Winnipeg, raised in Edmonton. Undergrad: U of A, Optometry: Pacific, now in Atlanta, GA
 
xmattODx said:
Born in Winnipeg, raised in Edmonton. Undergrad: U of A, Optometry: Pacific, now in Atlanta, GA

Now Edmonton has VERY cold winters. Maybe not like Winnipeg, but still VERY cold.
 
yah, i live in edmonton and the winters are quite cold.

Neil45 said:
Now Edmonton has VERY cold winters. Maybe not like Winnipeg, but still VERY cold.
 
gsinccom said:
Many people love the rain and many people don't mind the cold. For me, for example, heat and humidity 365 days a year would likely be bad...that is why Nova might not be the best option for me if I took climate into consideration. But weighing all factors I think climate is not at the top of the list on which OD school to choose. Just my opinion though🙂
There is something to be said about being able to study on the beach year round. I spent a year in Miami for residency and loved every second of it. Now I live in the Pacific Northwest, and I agree with xmattODx that after 2 months without seeing the sun you start to go a little crazy.
 
Ben Chudner said:
There is something to be said about being able to study on the beach year round. I spent a year in Miami for residency and loved every second of it. Now I live in the Pacific Northwest, and I agree with xmattODx that after 2 months without seeing the sun you start to go a little crazy.


yeah, I traded hot and humid for.... hot and humid :laugh: it was a rather lateral move for me 😉
 
Ben Chudner said:
There is something to be said about being able to study on the beach year round. I spent a year in Miami for residency and loved every second of it. Now I live in the Pacific Northwest, and I agree with xmattODx that after 2 months without seeing the sun you start to go a little crazy.
if the sun/beach is what you seek why not head to SCCO and avoid hurricanes and humidity. The Pacific Northwest does have its downers but so does Fort Lauderdale🙂
 
gsinccom said:
if the sun/beach is what you seek why not head to SCCO and avoid hurricanes and humidity. The Pacific Northwest does have its downers but so does Fort Lauderdale🙂
I was born and raised in Southern California. You may avoid the hurricanes and the humidity, but you can't excape the earthquakes, congestion, and poor air quality. Plus, the beach is much different in So Cal, and Fullerton is not exactly on the coast.
 
Ben Chudner said:
I was born and raised in Southern California. You may avoid the hurricanes and the humidity, but you can't excape the earthquakes, congestion, and poor air quality. Plus, the beach is much different in So Cal, and Fullerton is not exactly on the coast.
Alrighty Ben I extend a truce, may we not banter too much about our favorite climates here in the North-west hemisphere...may we turn to more serious issues🙂 it is true everyplace(except maybe SanDiego and Hawaii, my favorites) has its pros and cons and everyone has a different idea what a pro and/or a con is to them🙂 this thread sure has taken on a different tone that it was intended.....getting into OD school without a Bachelor's degree...have a great weekend everyone🙂
 
gsinccom said:
Alrighty Ben I extend a truce, may we not banter too much about our favorite climates here in the North-west hemisphere...may we turn to more serious issues🙂 it is true everyplace(except maybe SanDiego and Hawaii, my favorites) has its pros and cons and everyone has a different idea what a pro and/or a con is to them🙂 this thread sure has taken on a different tone that it was intended.....getting into OD school without a Bachelor's degree...have a great weekend everyone🙂
I agree.
 
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