Undergrad life - Part II

So, it is now 2007. I am 22. I live in Toronto. I work at a coffee shop.

I start to apply to schools. My goal - get into Ryerson. My marks at Brock were terrible. I couldn't transfer any credits. I would be starting from scratch.

I get accepted to Ryerson for their Bachelor of Science in Biology program starting in September of 2007. Back on track working towards an undergraduate degree.

I have bigger plans though. I don't just want a run of the mill Bachelor of Science. I want to work towards something specific.

I have decided I am going to apply to the Michener Institute. I will apply to Radiological Technology in their Medical Radiation Science program. To be considered, it requires one year of undergraduate study, decent marks and an interview. About 50 spots per year are up for grabs. At the end of this 3 year program you get a degree in Medical Radiation Sciences from the University of Toronto and you receive a diploma in Radiological Technology. I figure a job will certainly follow that degree.

I work hard at Ryerson and my marks are great. I get A's. I make the deans list.

I think about Midwifery. I don't tell many people. 

My application to Michener is successful enough to grant me an interview. I go.
I do not get in.

This is disappointing. But I'm not so worried. I spend the summer thinking of what to do next. Should I reapply next year? Should I try something else?

Second year at Ryerson goes well. I get good marks again and I take classes that will work as transfers to Michener and another program in which I am now interested. Nursing. I feel as though I am unsure again of what I want to be. People think Michener is a good option. People don't see me as a nurse. Deep down I am excited about the prospect of getting in to a nursing program. I also cannot truly see myself as a nurse......but nurses make o.k money, the job prospects are decent, and there are many areas of medicine you can work in.

This is the year that I attend the information session for the Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson.

This 2008 information session is great. It tells me a lot about the program. I can see that the working midwives give up a lot for their work but that they have a passion for it. The students are excited. They are also stressed and under pressure. They are on call. They cannot work another job. They have to be able to drive and have a car available.

I get so scared of the pressure of this program that I decide I am not going to apply. It is a lot to commit to. And more than that it is tough to get in. This program has 30 spots per location. You are only allowed to apply to one location. Ryerson would be my first choice of course and roughly 300+ apply for 30 spots.

So now I have applied to nursing at Ryerson and at York. I have applied to Michener again - but this time I have decided to apply to the Radiation Therapy stream. A health care career working with cancer patients that allows for 9 - 5 work hours. Sign me up!

My application is successful enough to grant me an interview at Michener again. I go.

And then........Part III.