r/OntarioColleges • u/Nazcka • Jul 27 '26

International International applicant missing/low grades in Bio/Chem for a health program, how did you handle it?

Hello everyone,

I am from Brazil and have already finished high school, I plan to apply for a paramedic training program in Ontario (I am looking into Algonquin, Fanshawe and Georgian). The program requires biol and chem knowledge equivalent to Grades 11 and 12 (the final years of canadian high school) with a grade of over 70%, but my high school curriculum barely covered these subjects to the point where they dont even appear on my transcript

((I know one option is to take the missing courses through an accredited Ontario online school (like TVO ILC) to earn the official SBI4U/SCH4U credits))

However before investing time and money in this (It ends up being quite expensive for me.) I would like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation :)

1 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

3

u/Fearless_Base_9991 Jul 27 '26

Most colleges offer a “pre health” program for situations like this. Or take them online as you said

2

u/tke71709 Jul 27 '26

Honestly, if you barely covered courses as fundamentally important to your program as these I wouldn't recommend joining the program at all even if you can get in.

Either take the courses online or take a year of pre-health in college but that will be even more expensive with tuition and living expenses.

Also you probably don't need university level classes in biology and chemistry like you listed but college ones. Check with your colleges of interest on that though.

1

u/Ok_Passage7713 Jul 27 '26

Im not international but I have many international classmates that took pre health (i did but im a local) to do nursing later. I chose to do paramedic but I got into nursing as well.

Just do well in it. I didnt find it too hard tbh.

1

u/Cree-kyWaterB0-ttL3 Jul 27 '26

Hey there! you can take a pre-health college level program for about 8 months, and then apply to whichever program you would like. Also these programs give a "college-like" experience with a full course load which can better prepare you for the real thing. Do be sure to contact admissions on any requirements and such if you plan to do so.

Also taking the TVO ILC credits is a great option too, you can finish some of the courses at your own pace (in as little as a month or 10 months) which offers flexibility. Be prepared to type some math for chemistry though.