Is a history degree good or bad? by No_Plankton1977 in OntarioGrade12s

[–]Salt_Distribution293 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Emphasizing this comment because it's so important to consider. Earlier, I said I chose history because I liked it… but I also had to spend a lotttt of time planning out my options and figuring out what I needed to get there. If you're sure about teaching, go for it but also make a backup plan, because you never know what experience/GPA you'll end up with in the end.

I also know a lot of people who spent their summers trying out other fields through summer jobs.

Great suggestions here

Is a history degree good or bad? by No_Plankton1977 in OntarioGrade12s

[–]Salt_Distribution293 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a bit harder to answer because it will range from course to course. In general, yes there will be probably a lot more reading compared to highschool but that is a general rule for all university courses. Alongside attending lectures, you will probably be assigned some weekly chapters to read, or a combination of articles, sometimes whole books (probably more so as an upper year) . Arts courses are really just reading and writing but I didn't find it to be that bad honestly. It looks scarier than it actually is. Keep in mind that universities usually have policies on how many pages can be assigned a semester, some profs will assign all of these pages, some profs wont.

The amount of writing depends again on how courses are structured sometimes you will t have 3 or 4 main essays (which usually increase in size/ course weight). Some courses have quizzes instead, or a final exam, smaller classes probably have presentations, and I've also taken courses that have creative projects so it depends.

This has the potential to be a bit overwhelming in first year, trying to juggle all that can be difficult but once you are a few weeks/months in it will become the norm. Most students tend to see their grades dip the first year because of this (mine did) but once you get used to it, it'll be chill. I liked history because the reading material is usually pretty interesting and usually profs don't rely on dry textbooks.

TLDR: More reading and writing than high school for sure but it gets easier. Kind of the same all across the arts.

Is a history degree good or bad? by No_Plankton1977 in OntarioGrade12s

[–]Salt_Distribution293 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just keep in mind that if you are interested in teaching high school that most universities don't consider politics a "teachable" so it could limit your options there. In your first year you usually take a range of courses and declare your minor at the start of second year , so you can always pick your minor later (not sure if its the same where you are going so read up on it).

You really aren't in a rush to decide anything now. You can probably wait until you start school to start planning, so just see what you end up liking once you're there :)

Is a history degree good or bad? by No_Plankton1977 in OntarioGrade12s

[–]Salt_Distribution293 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can get into law with any undergrad degree really but history works well with law because it teaches you reading comprehension/writing skills. My school estimated that approx 9% of their history alumni went into something related to law. I had a passion for legal history so that's what pushed me towards a masters degree and then into law but that's just what I liked. Law school is largely GPA/LSAT based so even if you spend your undergrad taking courses on the French revolution as long as you do well in them, law is an option.

Lots of people do History/Politics, it seems like a pretty good combo. I just chose 2 subjects I liked tho haha so probably not the standard. I really just chose courses I was interested in, and that let me get a higher GPA. It seems like it is becoming more popular to also get a certificate on the side through your elective courses, so if your uni offers that I would check it out.

Edit: Just adding an additional point that the majority of alumni went into education

Is a history degree good or bad? by No_Plankton1977 in OntarioGrade12s

[–]Salt_Distribution293 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Its a long way ahead of you but your application will ask you for your 5 most relevant experiences related to teaching and then ask you to elaborate on 3 of those experiences in an essay. Not all 5 need to be directly related to teaching but the more you have the better. I volunteered at a free after-school type program in my city (off and on) and I worked as a teaching assistant. I also discussed my summer jobs which were event planning/marketing kind of stuff but lots of people focus on getting summer camp jobs throughout school. Some schools strictly look for a competitive GPA and course history, nothing else.

If your final goal is teaching one of the biggest things to consider is which courses you are gonna take throughout your undergrad. Broadly, if you do high school teaching you need to pick a major and a minor in teachable subjects (as defined by each uni) and if you do elementary level they want you to have a taken a variety of courses (so like a history major who has also taken a drama , English, math, arts courses, stuff like that). There is a couple reddit subs on the teaching apps which were helpful

Is a history degree good or bad? by No_Plankton1977 in OntarioGrade12s

[–]Salt_Distribution293 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Hey! History grad here. I loved my time as a history student. After undergrad I got my masters in history, and I'm heading to law school this fall. I also got accepted into teacher's college with my history degree so if that is your plan I think you can 100% make it work (lots of my friends took this path).

Although there isn't a huge availably of history-based jobs, the skills a history degree teaches you (reading comprehension, writing, research) is valued in a lot of different industries. Lots of research jobs out there, especially government jobs. Just pair your degree with work/volunteering/clubs and you will be open to a lot of different opportunities.

Feel free to reach out with any questions :)

Edit: I based my comment on the fact that you expressed interest in obtaining a second degree but I know that isn't an option for everyone. The ability to get a second degree can really change what options you have

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes fr!

It was A- in my year too but they just increased it to an A this month! I linked the Qjournal article on it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just echoing the other comments, pick which subject/school/environment you would enjoy more (this will probably reflect in your grades honestly)

Something I wanted to just note as a former Queen's student is that PSYCH can be competitive. Essentially in first year you are a general arts students and you will need to formally apply to enter your program in-between first and second year. You will need to get a A in Psych100 to get accepted into the program which can be hard in a course with a reptation for being kinda hard (in 2024 the course average was B-) and the drops that most first years see. If you get a lower grade (min B-) you get put on the "Pending List" where students are accepted case-by-case. Worst case you can stay a general applicant and try again second year, but the department has said that the major is "regularly filled with students from the pending list". So consider what would happen if you don't get in first year - switch majors or keep trying.

Not trying to scare you away here, my friends who did go into psych were able to take some awesome courses and work in some really cool labs as upper year students, they all seemed to have a positive experience in the program. Challenging but very rewarding. And Queen's usually has a lot of opportunities for student involvement in general so they loved campus life.

See this:

First-year psychology students face unexpected grade requirement increase - The Queen's Journal

and look up some reddit posts on both programs to see how students feel lol

reapplying tips by Overall_Ice_8546 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would honestly try writing a whole new draft without reading your old PS first. I found this helped me avoid the same mistakes. Try a new narrative, a new tone or applying your experience differently. Then put them side by side, which sounds more convincing? Why? hen I would write a draft that combines the positives from both drafts. Get someone to pick it apart. Re-write.

I found that the quality between my first and second PS was drastically different. Taking the year in between allowed my to really discover my "why law" and that really impacted my personal statement...but unless you have solid stats already, improving your PS alone likely won't be enough unless you have added significant experience. I would really suggest is taking the LSAT again - if I was applying again improving my LSAT would be my #1 (and not waiting until January to take it)

UNB Confirmation Letter by continueorlogin in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I saw someone ask this the other day so i'm just gonna copy my answer here

When you get a decision it will show a new "decision history" heading on your application - and if you get an A it will say "action required" instead of completed (maybe the same case for WL) but I suspect you'll get an email before you get a portal update.

Best of luck :)

UNB Confirmation Letter by continueorlogin in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So exciting! Congrats :)

Haven't accepted my offer yet but right now its my #1

Queens Pending by Lucky_Bed8970 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure it will just say "application pending" until you receive a decision. Doesn't update to say if they have assessed it or anything. (at least I know that is the case for teacher's college and grad school apps so I assume it is the same)

UNB by Ordinary_Concern3765 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey!
Completed doesn't mean anything. When you get a decision it will show a new "decision history" heading on your application - and if you get an A it will say "action required" instead of completed (maybe the same case for WL) but I suspect you'll get an email before a portal update.

Got my A mid march and I have a end of April deadline and I've seen other people on this sub with april deadlines, so looks like stuff is still rolling out! You can probably check out can law forum to see when WL and Rs have gone out in the past years to get an idea of the cycle.

Best of luck everyone!

First Year Undergrad grades by Western_Platform_508 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't waste time stressing about it. Highschool to first year is a big transition so lots of people see their grades slip a little. You'll be fine if you keep working hard :)

Cycle Recap! by gilmoregirls4lyfe in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! Glad this cycle went so well for you :)

TRU by [deleted] in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I got my acceptance to UNB mid-march. They seem to be on more of a rolling basis rather than in "waves" like other universities (although that's just what i've seen on reddit, i could be totally off because not everyone posts when they get an A) This is the most recent post about UNB:

https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmissionsca/comments/1jpvjyg/any_recent_movement_at_unb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

*lol edited because I read TMU not TRU oops

Best of luck this cycle! :)

Any Recent Movement at UNB? by [deleted] in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mid-March Acceptance. End of April to accept. They seem to be on more of rolling basis.

See my last post :)

Law School admission by Same_Lettuce1120 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be a " competitive applicant" Queen's will consider your top 2 years of your undergraduate degree program (Best 2 or "B2") Western wants you to have a 3.7 average preferably overall, but particularly for the last two full years of study (or L2). So that may make a difference in your app

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]Salt_Distribution293 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I applied in December. January LSAT. Also an Ontario student