GPA Window Audit — All Programs
This document audits the GPA calculation method for all Strong/Moderate/Reach programs, showing exact source text, definitions, assumptions, and arithmetic.
The Big Picture: GPA Window Sizes
After auditing 117 programs, here is how GPA windows cluster. The smaller the window, the more favorable for SpaceCat’s upgrading strategy.
Programs Where BA GPA Is Completely Irrelevant (★ best for SpaceCat)
These programs evaluate ONLY on prerequisite/pre-professional courses. SpaceCat’s Dalhousie BA GPA literally doesn’t factor in.
| Program | Section | GPA Based On | # Courses | CASPer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Royal | BScN | 4 most recent transferable courses | 4 | Tiebreaker |
| VCC | BScN | 6 prerequisite courses (18 credits) | 6 | Required |
| UNB BScN | BScN | Most recent 24 credit hours | 8 | 40% weight |
| Brandon | BScN | 9 pre-nursing courses | 9 | 30% weight |
| USask BScN | BScN | 10 pre-professional courses | 10 | 40% weight |
| UBC BScN | BScN | Most recent 30 credits | 10 | Required |
| Langara | BScN | ~5 prerequisite courses | 5 | No |
| StFX | Accel. nursing | 30 credits (prereqs + electives) | 10 | No |
| UPEI | Accel. nursing | 10 prerequisite courses | 10 | 30% weight |
Small Window — Fully Resettable in 1 Year (~10 courses / 30 credits)
| Program | Section | GPA Window | Post-Degree Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|
| UBC accelerated | Accel. nursing | Most recent 30 credits | Yes (implied) |
| U of T nursing | Accel. nursing | Most recent 5.0 FCE (10 half-courses) | Likely, but “entire record considered” |
| Dalhousie nursing | Accel. nursing | Overall OR last 30 credits | Yes for “last 30” option |
| Memorial nursing | Accel. nursing | Best of cumulative/degree/last 30 | Yes for “last 30” option |
| Wilfrid Laurier MSW | MSW | Last 10 half-courses | Yes |
| VIU | BScN | Most recent 60 credits | Yes (implied) — but 40% CASPer offsets |
Medium Window — Resettable in ~1.5-2 Years (~15-20 courses)
| Program | Section | GPA Window | Post-Degree Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNB accelerated | Accel. nursing | Most recent 46 credits (~15 courses) | Likely |
| McMaster nursing | Accel. nursing | Most recent 54 units (~18 courses) | Yes (explicitly) |
| Western CTF | Accel. nursing | Most recent 10.0 FCE (20 half-courses) | Likely |
| Trent nursing | Accel. nursing | Most recent 10.0 FCE (20 half-courses) | ⚠️ Unverified |
| Most Ontario OT | OT | ORPAS sub-GPA (20 half-courses) | Yes (per ORPAS) |
| King’s/Western MSW | MSW | Last 20 half-courses | Unclear |
| Most MSW programs | MSW | Last 60 credits (~20 courses) | Varies |
Large / Cumulative Window — Hard to Shift
| Program | Section | GPA Window | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| McMaster basic BScN | BScN | ALL undergraduate courses | Worst — cumulative |
| TMU collaborative | BScN | Cumulative CGPA | Very hard to shift |
| Queen’s OT | OT | Full cumulative | Very hard to shift |
| McMaster MD | MD | All undergrad courses | Only 32% of formula |
| TMU MD | MD | Cumulative OMSAS | Only 32% of formula (at McMaster) |
| York nursing | Accel. nursing | Cumulative + last 30 (must meet both) | Cumulative is the constraint |
Special: Lottery/Threshold Systems
| Program | How It Works |
|---|---|
| UCalgary BScN | Once GPA ≥ 3.0 on most recent 30 units, selection is random lottery |
| Queen’s MD (QARS) | Once GPA ≥ 3.0 + MCAT ≥ 500 + CASPer pass, interview selection is random |
Critical Findings Requiring Action (from verification)
| Program | Issue | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Queen’s nursing | Source says “60 units with a 2.7 GPA” but NOT “most recent.” May be cumulative. | Tier reverted to Reach |
| TMU nursing | “Entire post-secondary record will be considered” — same caveat as U of T nursing | Weakens “best 20” advantage |
| Brock nursing | “Final two years of study” likely means of the DEGREE — post-degree courses may not help | Upgrading strategy may be wrong |
| USask nursing | “Coursework towards a degree” restriction — post-degree standalone courses may not count | Upgrading strategy may be wrong |
| Windsor MSW | “From your qualifying degree” — post-degree courses likely don’t count | Tier downgraded to Moderate |
| U of T MSW | “Leading up to the awarding of your undergraduate degree” — post-degree courses likely don’t count | Already flagged; confirmed |
| Trent nursing | GPA calculation claim could not be verified from any source | Unverified |
Programs Where Post-Degree Courses Explicitly Count
| Program | Source Text | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ORPAS sub-GPA (all ON OT) | “even if courses did not count toward a degree” | High |
| UBC nursing (accel + BScN) | “most recent 30 transferable credits” (no degree restriction) | High |
| UBC OT | “whether completed as part of or outside of your undergraduate degree” | High |
| McMaster nursing | “completing additional university-level courses at any accredited institution” | High |
| Carleton MSW | “We find your most recent university course and start counting backwards” | High |
| Wilfrid Laurier MSW | “last 10 half credit courses” (no degree restriction) | High |
| Calgary MSW | FAQ explicitly mentions “make up” work at senior undergrad level | High |
| TMU MD | “those taken beyond degree requirements are included” | High |
| VCC BScN | Prerequisites can be completed at any institution via BC Transfer Guide | High |
| USask BScN | Grade replacement allowed: “if you repeat a course, the highest mark will be used” | High |
BScN Programs — Post-Degree Is Irrelevant
For the prereq-only BScN programs (Mount Royal, VCC, USask BScN, Brandon, UNB BScN, VIU, Langara), the question of “do post-degree courses count?” doesn’t apply in the same way. These programs evaluate SpaceCat on specific prerequisite courses she takes FRESH — they’re not looking at her degree transcript at all. She takes the prereqs, gets graded on them, and that’s the GPA. Her BA is only relevant for meeting the “prior degree” or “prior credits” eligibility threshold.
Programs Where Post-Degree Courses Likely Don’t Count
| Program | Source Text | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Windsor MSW | “from your qualifying degree” | High |
| U of T MSW | “leading up to the awarding of your undergraduate degree” | Medium-High |
| Brock nursing | “final two years of study” (of completed bachelor’s) | Medium |
Programs Where Post-Degree Status Is Unclear
| Program | Issue |
|---|---|
| U of T nursing | “Most recent 5.0 credits” (likely counts post-degree) BUT “entire record considered” |
| Dalhousie nursing | “Overall career or most recent year” — post-degree likely counts for “most recent” option |
| USask nursing | “Coursework towards a degree” — may exclude post-degree standalone courses |
| Queen’s nursing | Source doesn’t specify “most recent” — unclear if post-degree courses shift the calculation |
| UNB nursing | “Most recent 46 credits” (likely counts) but not explicitly stated |
| Memorial nursing | “Last 30 credit hours” option (likely counts) but not explicitly stated |
| StFX nursing | Prereq-based GPA — post-degree prereq courses count by definition |
| U of Alberta nursing | AGPA calculation details unclear |
| Trent nursing | GPA calculation unverified |
1. University of Toronto — BScN Accelerated (Nursing)
Source Text
Definition
- Minimum GPA threshold: B (~75%) in “most recent 5.0 credits”
- U of T credit system: 1.0 credit = one full-year course = 2 half-year courses. So 5.0 credits = 10 half-year courses.
- HOWEVER: “your entire university level academic record will be considered”
⚠️ Critical Ambiguity
The source says two things: 1. The B average minimum is calculated on the most recent 5.0 credits (10 half-courses) 2. The entire academic record is also considered
What this likely means: The most recent 5.0 credits set the GPA floor (must be ≥ B), but the admissions committee also looks at the full transcript when ranking applicants. This is NOT the same as “only your last 10 courses matter.” A weak BA transcript may still count against SpaceCat even if her last 10 courses are strong.
Our previous claim: “Most resettable GPA window — 10 half-courses = one year to fully reset” Revised understanding: The minimum threshold is resettable with 10 courses, but the full record also factors into holistic review. The GPA window is favorable but not a complete “reset.”
Arithmetic
- 5.0 U of T credits ÷ 0.5 credits per half-course = 10 half-courses
- At 5 half-courses per semester = 2 semesters = 1 academic year
- SpaceCat would need 10 half-courses with a B average (75%+) to clear the floor
- But her full Dalhousie transcript will also be reviewed
Post-degree courses?
Not explicitly addressed. The phrasing “most recent 5.0 credits” does not specify “within a degree program.” If SpaceCat takes 10 courses after her BA, these would presumably be her “most recent 5.0 credits.” Should be confirmed with the program.
2. University of British Columbia — BSN Advanced Standing (Nursing)
Source Text
Definition
- GPA calculated on: Most recent 30 transferable credits
- “Transferable”: “non-nursing, university transferable credits completed at the undergraduate level” (from the Academic Calendar)
- Cut-off point: December of the year of application
- Failed/repeated courses: Included
- Mid-term rule: If 30 credits lands mid-term, the term average fills the gap
Arithmetic
- 30 credits ÷ 3 credits per course = 10 courses
- At 5 courses per semester = 2 semesters = 1 academic year
- SpaceCat would need 10 courses completed by December of application year
Credit definition verified: At UBC, a standard course = 3 credits (e.g., “3 UBC credits of first year or higher English” = 1 course; “6 UBC credits … of human anatomy & physiology” = 2 courses). A full-time year = 30 credits per UBC Senate Policy: “A standard program of study is defined as 30 credits in a Winter Session.”
Post-degree courses?
The definition says “most recent completed 30 transferable credits” — no restriction to courses within a degree program. Post-degree courses that are “university transferable” and “undergraduate level” would count. The word “transferable” means UBC must recognize the institution — Athabasca, for example, is widely recognized.
No Ambiguity
This is one of the cleanest GPA definitions. It’s purely mechanical: count back 30 credits from December, calculate the average. Failed courses count (no hiding bad grades by retaking). No holistic “entire record” caveat.
3. Dalhousie University — BScN Advanced Standing (Nursing)
Source Text
Definition
- GPA calculated on: Overall post-secondary career OR most recent year of studies (30 credit hours) — whichever is higher (implied by “or”)
- Minimum: 2.5 on a 4.3 scale
⚠️ Ambiguity: “or”
Does “or” mean: - (a) Dalhousie uses whichever is higher (favorable to applicant)? - (b) Dalhousie uses whichever they choose (could pick the lower one)? - (c) Dalhousie calculates both and the applicant must meet 2.5 on at least one?
Interpretation (a) is most favorable and most common in Canadian admissions. But this is not explicitly stated. Should be confirmed with the program.
Arithmetic (assuming “most recent year” option)
- 30 credit hours ÷ 3 credit hours per course = 10 courses
- At 5 courses per semester = 2 semesters = 1 academic year
- SpaceCat would need 10 courses with a 2.5/4.3 GPA (approximately 65%+)
Post-degree courses?
The phrase “most recent year of studies” doesn’t restrict to within a degree. If SpaceCat takes 10 courses after her BA, these would constitute her “most recent year of studies.” However, “overall Post-Secondary career” explicitly includes everything. The “or” option gives SpaceCat the flexibility to use post-degree courses as her “most recent year.”
What “competitive” means
The 2.5 minimum is the floor, not the target. The program says “meeting the minimum entrance GPA does not guarantee admission” and “applicants typically require a higher entrance GPA than the minimums listed.” The competitive GPA is not published.
4. McMaster University — MSc(OT) (Occupational Therapy, via ORPAS)
Source Text (ORPAS definition, applies to all Ontario OT programs)
Definition
- Sub-GPA calculated on: 20 most recent half-courses (or 10 full courses)
- Post-degree courses explicitly included: “even if the courses did not count toward a degree” and “even if not taken at the university where a degree was awarded”
- Summer/part-time/correspondence courses: Included
- Failed courses: Included (no hiding bad grades)
Arithmetic
- 20 half-courses ÷ 5 half-courses per semester = 4 semesters = 2 academic years
- Alternatively: 20 half-courses at overloaded 6-7/semester = ~3 semesters ≈ 1.5 years
- At a normal pace of 5/semester: 2 years to fully reset
- 10 half-courses (1 year) would replace half the window
⚠️ Critical: Post-degree courses DO count
This is explicitly confirmed by ORPAS: courses taken after the degree, at a different institution, or during summer/part-time all count toward the sub-GPA. This means SpaceCat can take upgrading courses at any recognized university and they will be included in her ORPAS sub-GPA.
Applies to all Ontario OT programs
McMaster, U of T, Western, Queen’s, and Ottawa OT all use the ORPAS sub-GPA. However, each program may also consider the cumulative GPA or other factors. The sub-GPA is the primary ranking metric, but programs can set additional criteria.
5. King’s University College / Western University — MSW
Source Text
“Minimum 70% average in the last two full-time years, or part-time equivalent”
Definition
- GPA calculated on: “Last two full-time years, or part-time equivalent”
- Minimum: 70%
⚠️ Ambiguity: “two full-time years”
This is less precise than “last 60 credits” or “last 20 half-courses”: - What constitutes a “full-time year”? At Western, full-time = 5.0 courses/year (10 half-courses). So “two full-time years” = 20 half-courses ≈ 60 credits. - “Part-time equivalent” means if SpaceCat took 3 courses/semester for 3 years, the most recent courses equivalent to 2 full-time years would be used. - The admissions guide PDF (image-based, not verifiable) reportedly provides more detail, including a point-based scoring system.
Arithmetic
- “Two full-time years” at Western’s definition (5 courses/year) = 20 half-courses
- At 5 half-courses per semester = 4 semesters = 2 academic years to fully reset
- 10 half-courses (1 year) = half the window
Post-degree courses?
Not explicitly addressed in the web page text. The phrase “last two full-time years” could refer to the final years of the degree or the most recent years of any study. If SpaceCat takes 2 years of post-degree courses, these would presumably be her “last two full-time years.” Should be confirmed with the program.
Summary: What We Got Right and Wrong
| Program | Previous Claim | Verified Reality | Error? |
|---|---|---|---|
| U of T Nursing | “Fully resettable with 10 courses” | GPA floor is on last 10 courses, BUT entire record also considered | Yes — overstated. “Fully resettable” is misleading; the full record is also reviewed. |
| UBC Nursing | “Last 30 credits = 10 courses = fully resettable” | Exactly correct — mechanical calculation, no ambiguity | No error. |
| Dalhousie Nursing | “Last 30 credit hours = 10 courses” | Correct, but “or” in “overall career or most recent year” is ambiguous | Minor — clarify the “or” interpretation. |
| McMaster OT (ORPAS) | “Last 60 credits = 20 courses” | ORPAS sub-GPA is 20 half-courses; post-degree courses explicitly included | No error, but should note it takes 2 years not 1. |
| King’s/Western MSW | “Last 20 half-courses” | Source says “last two full-time years, or part-time equivalent” — less precise | Minor — our interpretation (20 half-courses) is reasonable but not the source’s exact language. |
Key Finding: U of T Nursing
The most significant finding is that U of T nursing says “your entire university level academic record will be considered when your application is reviewed.” This means the “most recent 5.0 credits” is the GPA floor, but the full transcript is also reviewed. Our “Strong fit” rating was partly based on “fully resettable GPA” which is an overstatement. The tier may need to move back to Moderate fit — the GPA floor is resettable but the holistic review means the full BA matters.