Per-Program Research Template

Use this template for each program page. Copy everything below the line for each new program.

Research Guidelines

• Every factual claim must have a source URL. This was learned the hard way — claims like “no out-of-province differential” turned out to be wrong for some programs. Even “none found” claims should link to the page where it was NOT found, so SpaceCat can verify.
• High-consequence claims need verified source quotes. For “kill facts” (claims that drive a tier to Reach or Not viable), CASPer weightings, GPA calculation methods, and residency policies: include the exact quote from the source page as a blockquote where the quote text is a clickable link using #:~:text= fragments. See the “Verified Source Quotes” section under SpaceCat Fit Notes below for the format. A verification audit of 71 programs found 6 errors corrected, 2 fabricated claims, and ~8 programs with unverifiable claims (due to 403 errors). The verified quote pattern prevents precision overstatement.
• Use stealth_fetch.js for 403-blocked sites. Many university sites (McMaster, Brock, UAlberta, etc.) block automated fetches with 403 errors. Use node stealth_fetch.js <URL> to fetch these pages via a headless browser with stealth mode. Pipe through a text extractor to get readable content: node stealth_fetch.js URL 2>&1 | python3 -c " import sys,re html=sys.stdin.read() text=re.sub(r'<script[^>]*>.*?</script>','',html,flags=re.DOTALL) text=re.sub(r'<style[^>]*>.*?</style>','',text,flags=re.DOTALL) text=re.sub(r'<[^>]+>',' ',text) text=re.sub(r'&nbsp;',' ',text) text=re.sub(r'\s+',' ',text) print(text[:8000]) " This unblocked 8 previously unverifiable programs and found several errors that third-party sources had obscured (e.g., Brock BN/MN start date was May not April, UAlberta OT has 124 seats not 120, Western CTF Ontario priority may not apply to CTF).
• Prerequisites deserve extra attention. SpaceCat is planning to take additional courses both to raise her GPA and to meet prerequisites. The goal is to choose courses that satisfy prereqs for as many programs as possible. When researching prereqs, note the exact course titles/topics required, acceptable alternatives, minimum grade per course, time limits, and whether the program specifies particular institutions or delivery formats (online, in-person, lab required, etc.). This information will later be cross-referenced across all programs to identify the highest-value courses to take.
• GPA calculation window is the highest-consequence field in this project. Getting it wrong could lead SpaceCat to waste a year of upgrading courses that don’t count. The full audit is in gpa-window-audit.md. Key lessons learned:

Credit terminology is inconsistent across schools. Always convert to courses: - “30 credit hours” = typically 10 courses (at 3 credits/course) - “5.0 FCE” (U of T) = 10 half-courses - “10.0 FCE” (Western) = 20 half-courses = 10 full-year courses - “60 units” (Queen’s) = typically 20 courses (at 3 units/course) - “20 half-courses” (ORPAS) = 20 semester courses Always show the arithmetic: “X credits ÷ Y credits/course = Z courses. At 5 courses/semester = W semesters.”

“Most recent” vs “cumulative” vs “of the degree” — get the exact wording. Programs use subtly different language with major implications: - “Most recent 30 credits” = post-degree courses count (UBC nursing: confirmed) - “Last two full-time years of study” = ambiguous (King’s/Western MSW) - “Final two years of study” = likely means of the degree, not most recent study (Brock nursing: post-degree courses may NOT help) - “From your qualifying degree” = post-degree courses DON’T count (Windsor MSW) - “Leading up to the awarding of your undergraduate degree” = post-degree courses DON’T count (U of T MSW) - “60 units with a 2.7 GPA” = may be cumulative, not “most recent” (Queen’s nursing: source doesn’t say “most recent” — this was a false correction that had to be reverted)

Always include the verbatim source quote as a blockquote-link in the GPA section. Don’t paraphrase — the exact wording determines interpretation.

Post-degree upgrading courses — check explicitly. Three categories: - Explicitly counts: ORPAS sub-GPA (“even if courses did not count toward a degree”), McMaster nursing (“additional courses at any accredited institution”), UBC nursing, Carleton MSW, Laurier MSW, Calgary MSW, TMU MD - Likely doesn’t count: Windsor MSW (“from your qualifying degree”), U of T MSW (“leading up to the awarding of degree”), Brock nursing (“final two years of study”) - Unclear: Most other programs — flag as “confirm with program”

Online/summer/part-time courses — check for restrictions. SpaceCat is considering online courses for upgrading. Most programs accept them, but: - Western MD: summer courses NOT eligible (Sept-April only, full course load required) - Ottawa MD: requires 5 courses/term; years with <4 courses excluded - ORPAS (all Ontario OT): explicitly includes “summer, part-time, intersession, correspondence” - Some programs require lab components that may need in-person attendance (UPEI, StFX)

“Entire record will be considered” caveats. Some programs calculate GPA on a recent window BUT also say the full academic record is reviewed holistically. This weakens the “fully resettable” claim: - U of T nursing: “your entire university level academic record will be considered” - TMU nursing: “Your entire post-secondary record will be considered” These programs should NOT be described as “fully resettable.” - CASPer is a key asset. SpaceCat scored very high on CASPer. Always note whether a program uses CASPer, what weight it carries (if published), and how much it can offset a lower GPA. Programs with high CASPer weight (e.g., 30-50%) are strategically valuable. - Supplement official program websites with broader web searches (Reddit, forums, news articles) for information on competitiveness, student experience, and realistic GPA cutoffs. Always label these sources clearly and distinguish them from official sources. - Note program status. Some programs are suspended, on hold, or brand new. Flag this prominently at the top of the file. - Note language of instruction. Some programs (e.g., uOttawa OT, uOttawa MSW, Quebec programs) are taught entirely in French. Others (e.g., McGill OT) teach in English but require French for clinical placements. Flag language requirements prominently — they can be dealbreakers. - Note admission model. Programs use very different selection approaches: purely GPA-ranked, formulaic (e.g., 60% GPA + 40% CASPer), lottery-based (e.g., UAlberta OT), staged (GPA screen → interview), or holistic. The model determines how SpaceCat’s strengths and weaknesses interact. - Document what you could NOT find. Include an “Information Not Found” section at the end listing gaps, so we know what still needs to be confirmed directly with the program. Include contact email/phone for follow-up.

Directory Structure

accelerated-nursing/          — Accelerated & second-entry BScN/BN programs
  canada-rn-programs.md       — master list (being phased out; auto-generate from programs/)
  gpa-strategy.md             — GPA window analysis across programs
  prereq-cross-reference.md   — prereq overlap analysis across programs
  programs/                   — per-program research files
    <institution>.md
nursing-bsn/                  — Standard 4-year BScN programs (different prereqs/timeline)
  canada-bsn-programs.md      — overview and rationale
  programs/                   — per-program research files (to be added)
    <institution>.md
ot/
  canada-ot-programs.md       — master list (being phased out; auto-generate from programs/)
  gpa-strategy.md             — GPA window analysis
  programs/                   — per-program research files
    <institution>.md
msw/
  canada-msw-programs.md      — master list (being phased out; auto-generate from programs/)
  gpa-strategy.md             — GPA window analysis
  programs/                   — per-program research files
    <institution>.md
md/
  canada-md-programs.md       — master list (being phased out; auto-generate from programs/)
  gpa-strategy.md             — GPA window analysis & cross-program comparison
  programs/                   — per-program research files
    <institution>.md

Program-Type Reference

Parsing Quick Facts for Listing Pages

The master listing pages (e.g., canada-rn-programs.md) are being phased out. Instead, listing pages should be auto-generated by parsing the ## Quick Facts section of each program file. The fields use the pattern - **Field Name:** value (colon is inside the bold).

Required fields (must be present in every program file for listing generation):

Also extracted from elsewhere in the file (parser should look for these patterns):

Template

# [Program Name] — [Institution]

⚠️ **Program status:** [Active / Suspended / On Hold / New (first cohort 20XX)]

## Quick Facts

The following fields are REQUIRED and will be parsed for listing pages.
Use exactly these field names (colon inside the bold: `**Field:**`).

- **Institution:**
- **Program name:**
- **Degree granted:** [BScN / MOT / MSc(OT) / MSW / etc.]
- **City, Province:** [include satellite/distributed sites if any]
- **Program type:** [Standard / Accelerated / Second-Entry / After-Degree / Compressed / Advanced Standing / Foundation + Advanced]
- **Duration:** [total program length; if qualifying/foundation year required, note both separately]
- **Delivery format:** [In-person / Online / Hybrid / Weekend / Distributed sites]
- **Full-time / Part-time:** [Full-time only / Part-time available / Both]
- **Language of instruction:** [English / French / Bilingual]
- **Start date(s):** [September / January / May / other]
- **Intake frequency:** [Annual / Biennial (every 2 years) / Multiple per year (e.g., 3 intakes)]
- **Application deadline(s):** [with exact dates and year]
- **Application system:** [OUAC 105 / ORPAS / ApplyAlberta / direct to university / etc.]
- **Application code:** [e.g., OUAC code MNA, ORPAS code, etc.]
- **Supplementary application portal:** [if separate from main application]
- **Program URL:**
- **Accredited:** [CASN / CAOT / CASWE accredited — yes / no / in progress / preliminary only]

## Admission Requirements

### GPA
- **Minimum GPA:**
- **Competitive GPA (if known):** [include source — official or forum/anecdotal.
  Flag third-party sources explicitly: "per 2015 Acuity Insights case study" not just "~92%"]
- **GPA calculated on:** [Include the EXACT source quote as a blockquote-link. Then state:]
  - The source's exact wording (e.g., "most recent 30 transferable credits")
  - Your interpretation (e.g., "= 10 courses at 3 credits/course")
  - The arithmetic: "at 5 courses/semester = 2 semesters = 1 year to fully reset"
- **Number of credits in GPA window:** [e.g., 30 credits (~10 courses) / 60 credits (~20 courses)
  / all courses. Show the conversion arithmetic explicitly.]
- **GPA scale used:** [4.0 / 4.3 / 4.5 / percentage / OMSAS / ORPAS — specify which]
- **Do post-degree upgrading courses count?** [CRITICAL. One of:
  - **Yes (confirmed)** — quote the source text that confirms it
  - **No (confirmed)** — quote the restriction (e.g., "from your qualifying degree")
  - **Unclear** — flag for direct confirmation with the program
  See gpa-window-audit.md for the full list of confirmed/denied/unclear programs.]
- **Are online/summer/part-time courses included in GPA?** [CRITICAL for SpaceCat's
  upgrading plan. One of:
  - **Yes (confirmed)** — e.g., ORPAS "includes summer, part-time, correspondence"
  - **No / restricted** — e.g., Western MD "Sept-April only; summer NOT eligible"
  - **Not stated** — flag for confirmation. Note any full-course-load requirements
    (e.g., Ottawa MD requires 5 courses/term)]
- **"Entire record" caveat?** [Does the program say something like "your entire academic
  record will be considered" alongside a GPA window? If yes, the window is NOT a full
  reset — the full transcript also factors into ranking. Flag this prominently.]
- **Can applicants explain/contextualize a low GPA?** [yes — application includes a field
  for this / no. Programs like Laurier MSW and Calgary MSW explicitly invite this.]

### Prerequisites
List each required course with as much detail as possible.

| Course | Subject Area | Required / Recommended | Min Grade | Can be taken online? | Time Limit | Topic Coverage / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | [e.g., Anatomy, Stats, Psych] | | [e.g., C-, B] | [Yes / No / Not stated] | [e.g., within 5 years] | [specific topics required, lab required, etc.] |

**Confirmed online providers accepted:** [e.g., Athabasca, TRU, UNB online — list any
specifically named by the program]

**Prereq source URL:**

### Prior Degree Requirement
- **Minimum credits / degree required:** [e.g., completed 4-year bachelor's / 60 credits / 2 years]
- **Completed degree required?** [yes — must have graduated / no — credits sufficient]
- **Degree field restrictions:** [any field / science-only / health-related / social sciences /
  "related field" / BSW required. For MSW: note whether the program accepts any BA or
  requires a degree in a related discipline.]
- **Qualifying / foundation year required?** [For non-standard entry: e.g., McGill OT/MSW
  require a qualifying year before the master's. Note duration and whether completion
  guarantees admission to the master's.]

### Supplementary Requirements
- **CASPer:** [required / not required / score threshold or quartile if known / weight in
  admission formula if published. Note: SpaceCat scored very high — flag whether this helps.]
- **GRE:** [required / not required / minimum scores]
- **Interview:** [yes / no / MMI / panel / Kira Talent async video / other format.
  Note weight if known — e.g., McMaster OT interview is 75% of final ranking.]
- **Resume / CV:** [required / not required]
- **References:** [number and type, e.g., 3 academic, 1 professional. Note whether
  professional-only is acceptable if applicant has been out of school 3+ years.]
- **Language proficiency:** [requirements for non-native English/French speakers]
- **French language requirement:** [if applicable — level required (e.g., B2), how assessed
  (e.g., DELF, TCF, institutional test), and whether French is needed for instruction,
  placements, or both. Flag as dealbreaker if SpaceCat does not speak French.]
- **Other:** [e.g., CPR certification, immunizations, police check, portfolio, etc.]

### Experience Requirement
Many MSW and some OT programs have substantial experience requirements. Detail here:
- **Required?** [yes / no / recommended]
- **Amount:** [hours and/or years — e.g., 2,500 hours or 2 years full-time]
- **Type:** [paid only / volunteer counts / both. Direct client service / human services /
  social work-related / with persons with disabilities]
- **How verified:** [described in application / reference confirms / employer letter]
- **Does SpaceCat's shelter work qualify?** [yes / likely / unclear — confirm with program]

### Written / Personal Components
Detail each written component separately — prompts, word limits, and what is being assessed.
These vary enormously (250 words to 8 pages) and are a key strength for SpaceCat.

| Component | Word/Page Limit | Prompt / Description |
|---|---|---|
| | | |

Note if the program provides an explicit opportunity to explain/contextualize GPA.

### How Applications Are Evaluated

- **Admission model:** [Formulaic (published weights) / Holistic (no published weights) /
  Staged (GPA screen → interview/review) / Lottery (once thresholds met) / Purely GPA-ranked]
- **Published formula:** [e.g., 60% GPA + 40% CASPer / 50% academic + 50% non-academic /
  GPA screen then 75% interview + 25% GPA]
- **GPA cutoff before other components?** [yes — must meet X before essays/interview reviewed /
  no — all components reviewed together]

If the formula is published, quantify the impact: e.g., "At 40% CASPer weight, SpaceCat's
high CASPer could offset a GPA that is X points below average."

### SpaceCat Fit Notes

**This section goes at the TOP of the file**, right after the title and program status
line, BEFORE Quick Facts. It is the executive summary that SpaceCat reads first.

Each item is a **terse one-liner** with a `[details](#section-id)` link pointing to the
section in the file where the verified evidence lives. The fit notes should be scannable
in 10 seconds; the linked sections have the full detail.

Structured assessment covering five areas:

1. **CASPer:** Terse summary + `[details](#casper)`. E.g.:
   `1. **CASPer:** 40% weight. Major GPA offset. [details](#casper)`
   or: `1. **CASPer:** Not used. [details](#supplementary-requirements)`

2. **GPA window:** Terse summary + `[details](#gpa)`. E.g.:
   `2. **GPA window:** Last 30 credits (~10 courses). Fully resettable. [details](#gpa)`

3. **Experiential:** Terse summary + `[details](#section)`. E.g.:
   `3. **Experiential:** 600-word personal statement + MMI interview. [details](#written--personal-components)`

4. **Out-of-province:** Terse summary + `[details](#out-of-province-considerations)`. E.g.:
   `4. **Out-of-province:** No restrictions, no tuition differential. [details](#out-of-province-considerations)`

5. **Overall assessment:** `**Tier**` in bold + brief rationale. E.g.:
   `5. **Overall assessment:** **Strong fit** — resettable GPA + CASPer + strong essay.`
   Must use exactly one of: **Strong fit** / **Moderate fit** / **Reach** / **Not viable**

### Tier Assessment Criteria

The GPA window resetability is the most important factor for SpaceCat because her
primary weakness is her undergraduate GPA. A program where she can fully reset her
effective GPA with one year of courses is fundamentally more accessible than one
requiring two years, even if the latter has better non-GPA components.

**Strong fit** — Multiple evaluation components work in SpaceCat's favour AND the
GPA barrier is surmountable within ~1 year of upgrading. Examples:
- Small GPA window (≤30 credits / ~10 courses) fully resettable in one year, AND
- Competitive GPA target is achievable (not 3.8+), AND
- At least one of: CASPer used (high weight), meaningful essay/interview component,
  or program explicitly values experiential profiles

**Moderate fit** — Some components help, some are barriers. The GPA barrier is
surmountable but may require more effort (~1-2 years) or is offset by a low
minimum. Examples:
- Medium GPA window (30-60 credits) resettable in 1-2 years, OR
- Low GPA minimum (e.g., 2.5-2.7) even if window is larger, OR
- Good non-GPA components but competitive GPA is high

**Reach** — GPA is the primary barrier with limited ways to offset. Examples:
- Large or cumulative GPA window requiring 2+ years to shift meaningfully, OR
- The GPA threshold is very difficult to reach given SpaceCat's current academic record, OR
- Severe out-of-province restriction (≤20 OOP seats), OR
- Competitive GPA is 3.8+ with no meaningful non-GPA offset

**Not viable** — Dealbreaker present:
- French-only instruction
- BSW-only admission
- Province-locked residency requirement (no OOP seats)
- Program suspended/on hold

**Note:** A program can have an amazing non-GPA component (e.g., McMaster OT's 75%
interview weight) but still be Reach if the GPA gate is too high to clear. The gate
must be passable for the components behind it to matter. Conversely, a program with
no non-GPA components (purely GPA-ranked) can still be Strong fit if the GPA window
is small enough to fully reset.

### Verified Source Quotes

**Every key factual claim in the detailed sections must include the exact quote from
the source website as a blockquote, where the quote text itself is a clickable link
to the source page.** Use `#:~:text=` fragment links so the reader lands on the page
with the relevant text highlighted (works in Chromium browsers).

Format:

“Exact quote from the official source page.”

This serves three purposes:
1. The reader sees the exact evidence
2. Clicking it opens the source page with the text highlighted
3. If the source page changes, the stale quote is immediately visible

**Which claims need verified quotes?**
- "Kill facts" that drive the tier to Reach or Not viable (residency restrictions,
  French requirements, BSW-only policies, program suspension)
- CASPer weighting percentages (if published)
- GPA calculation method (which credits, window size)
- Residency definitions and out-of-province policies
- Any claim where being wrong could cause SpaceCat to wrongly skip a program

**Where to put the quotes:**
- In the relevant detailed section (`### CASPer`, `### GPA`, `## Out-of-Province`, etc.)
- NOT in the fit notes (keep those terse — the `[details](#section)` link is enough)

### CASPer as its own section

CASPer should be promoted from a bullet under `### Supplementary Requirements` to its
own `### CASPer` heading. This makes it linkable from the fit notes (`[details](#casper)`)
and gives the verified quote a proper home. The remaining supplementary items stay under
`### Supplementary Requirements`.

CASPer

Required / Not required. [Brief description of role and weight.]

“Exact quote about CASPer from the program or ORPAS.”

[Additional details about timing, test stream, validity period, etc.]

Supplementary Requirements

• GRE: …
• Interview: … [etc.]

## Out-of-Province Considerations

Every claim here MUST include a verified source quote using the blockquote-as-link pattern.

- **Residency restrictions or quotas:**

> ["Exact quote about residency policy."](https://url#:~:text=quote)

- **Residency definition (if applicable):** [how does the program define "resident"?]
- **Out-of-province tuition differential:**

> ["Exact quote about tuition."](https://url#:~:text=quote)

- **Equity / priority seats:** [Indigenous seats, affirmative action policies, etc.]

## Cost

- **Tuition (total program, approximate):**
- **In-province vs out-of-province (if applicable):** [with source URL]
- **Additional fees:** [e.g., clinical placement fees, lab fees, insurance, application fees]
- **Financial aid notes:** [e.g., Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, provincial bursaries,
  guaranteed graduate funding packages]

## Competitiveness

- **Cohort size:** [note if distributed across multiple campuses]
- **Acceptance rate (if known):**
- **Number of applicants (if known):**

## Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

- **Placements guaranteed?**
- **Total required hours:**
- **Placement settings / locations:**
- **Can placements be done out of province?** [critical for Quebec programs — can placements
  be done in English-speaking settings?]
- **Scheduling:** [concurrent with courses / block placements / summer / final term]

## Licensing & Career Path

- **Licensing exam:** [NCLEX-RN / NOTCE / provincial RSW registration / etc.]
- **Exam available in both English and French?** [relevant for Quebec/French programs]
- **Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces?** [yes / restrictions / notes]
- **Quebec-specific licensing considerations:** [if applicable — OEQ requires French for
  Quebec practice; NOTCE is required outside Quebec for OT]
- **Any known issues with credential recognition?**

## Reputation & Notes

Freeform section for student reviews, reputation, notable strengths/weaknesses,
specializations offered, program orientation (clinical vs structural/critical for MSW),
or anything else relevant to the decision.

## Information Not Found

List specific items that could not be confirmed from public sources and should be
verified directly with the program. Include the contact email/phone if available.

## Sources

List all URLs referenced above, grouped by type:
- **Official program pages:**
- **Official fee/tuition pages:**
- **Policy documents:**
- **Third-party / forum sources:**