Psychology HL

Expert's Insight: McGill grants 3 transfer credits for Psychology HL (PSYC 100), but here's the catch: this is just the appetizer. The real course you need to worry about is PSYC 204 (Introduction to Psychological Statistics). The Reality: McGill REQUIRES all psychology majors to complete PSYC 204 at McGill—no exemptions. Even if you had prior statistics experience, you still take it. The Jump: PSYC 204 covers frequency distributions, hypothesis testing, t-tests, correlations, chi-square tests, and ANOVAs. If your IB Psychology was about human behavior and research methods, PSYC 204 is the statistical muscle you didn't know you needed. Strategic Tip: Take PSYC 204 in Fall U1. It's the prerequisite for PSYC 305 (Experimental Statistics) and blocks upper-level psychology courses if delayed. Verdict: Your 3 free credits are nice. PSYC 204 is where the real work begins.

Expert's Insight: SOLID TRANSFER CREDIT – PSYCHOLOGY HL IS GENUINELY VALUABLE The Good News: McMaster commonly grants IB Psychology HL (grade 5+) as equivalent credit to PSYCH 1X03 + PSYCH 1XX3 (6 units total). This is based on documented student reports and represents actual, functional credit—not a "ghost credit." What This Means: ✅ You can skip the mandatory two-course intro psychology sequence ✅ Frees up 6 units of elective space in your first year ✅ Allows you to take more advanced Level II courses sooner (if prerequisites allow) ✅ Reduces first-year course load (real workload reduction, not just units) The Caveat: If you plan to pursue Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, be aware that the program requires a grade of B- or higher in PSYCH 1XX3 taken AT McMaster. Transfer credit may not satisfy this requirement because it wasn't earned at McMaster. If Honours Psych is your goal, confirm with your advisor whether you need to take PSYCH 1XX3 at McMaster anyway. For Everyone Else: This is one of the cleanest transfer credits you can get—it actually saves you time and work. Next Steps: Confirm your IB Psychology HL score (need 5+) After admission, verify via Mosaic that you receive the PSYCH 1X03 + 1XX3 credits If pursuing Honours Psych, clarify with your advisor whether you still need the McMaster grade Bottom Line: This credit is real, functional, and worth celebrating. Unlike many other IB credits, it actually reduces your workload.

Expert's Insight: A GREAT ELECTIVE, BUT A 'DEAD END' FOR MAJORS The Credit: Queen's typically grants PSYC 102 (3.0 units) or PSYC 1UNS (6.0 units) for IB Psychology HL (Score 5+). Note: Your specific offer letter will confirm if you get 3.0 or 6.0 units, but the strategy remains the same. The "Dead End" Trap: The Rule: As your screenshot confirms, "Students who wish to pursue a Psychology Honours degree Plan must take Queen's PSYC 100." The Reality: PSYC 102 is a "terminal" credit. It counts as an elective, but it does NOT satisfy the prerequisite for the Psychology Major. The Consequence: If you want to major or minor in Psychology, you cannot use this credit. You must forfeit it and take the full-year PSYC 100 course. Strategic Advice: For Smith Engineering: GOLDEN TICKET. This credit counts towards your Complementary Studies (Humanities & Social Sciences) requirement. The Win: You can use this to clear a mandatory non-technical elective without adding to your heavy workload. For Computing & Arts (Non-Majors): TAKE THE CREDIT. It is "free" elective space. Use it to lighten your schedule or explore other interests. For Psychology Majors: IGNORE THE CREDIT. You have no choice. You need PSYC 100 to enter the degree program. Tip: Your IB background will make PSYC 100 much easier, helping you secure the high GPA needed for the competitive Major application. Bottom Line: If you never want to study Psych again, this is a free pass. If you do, this credit is a dead end.

Expert's Insight: A GREAT ELECTIVE, BUT A 'DEAD END' FOR MAJORS The Credit: Queen's typically grants PSYC 102 (3.0 units) or PSYC 1UNS (6.0 units) for IB Psychology HL (Score 5+). Note: Your specific offer letter will confirm if you get 3.0 or 6.0 units, but the strategy remains the same. The "Dead End" Trap: The Rule: As your screenshot confirms, "Students who wish to pursue a Psychology Honours degree Plan must take Queen's PSYC 100." The Reality: PSYC 102 is a "terminal" credit. It counts as an elective, but it does NOT satisfy the prerequisite for the Psychology Major. The Consequence: If you want to major or minor in Psychology, you cannot use this credit. You must forfeit it and take the full-year PSYC 100 course. Strategic Advice: For Smith Engineering: GOLDEN TICKET. This credit counts towards your Complementary Studies (Humanities & Social Sciences) requirement. The Win: You can use this to clear a mandatory non-technical elective without adding to your heavy workload. For Computing & Arts (Non-Majors): TAKE THE CREDIT. It is "free" elective space. Use it to lighten your schedule or explore other interests. For Psychology Majors: IGNORE THE CREDIT. You have no choice. You need PSYC 100 to enter the degree program. Tip: Your IB background will make PSYC 100 much easier, helping you secure the high GPA needed for the competitive Major application. Bottom Line: If you never want to study Psych again, this is a free pass. If you do, this credit is a dead end.

Expert's Insight: A GREAT ELECTIVE, BUT A 'DEAD END' FOR MAJORS The Credit: Queen's typically grants PSYC 102 (3.0 units) or PSYC 1UNS (6.0 units) for IB Psychology HL (Score 5+). Note: Your specific offer letter will confirm if you get 3.0 or 6.0 units, but the strategy remains the same. The "Dead End" Trap: The Rule: As your screenshot confirms, "Students who wish to pursue a Psychology Honours degree Plan must take Queen's PSYC 100." The Reality: PSYC 102 is a "terminal" credit. It counts as an elective, but it does NOT satisfy the prerequisite for the Psychology Major. The Consequence: If you want to major or minor in Psychology, you cannot use this credit. You must forfeit it and take the full-year PSYC 100 course. Strategic Advice: For Smith Engineering: GOLDEN TICKET. This credit counts towards your Complementary Studies (Humanities & Social Sciences) requirement. The Win: You can use this to clear a mandatory non-technical elective without adding to your heavy workload. For Computing & Arts (Non-Majors): TAKE THE CREDIT. It is "free" elective space. Use it to lighten your schedule or explore other interests. For Psychology Majors: IGNORE THE CREDIT. You have no choice. You need PSYC 100 to enter the degree program. Tip: Your IB background will make PSYC 100 much easier, helping you secure the high GPA needed for the competitive Major application. Bottom Line: If you never want to study Psych again, this is a free pass. If you do, this credit is a dead end.

Expert's Insight: A GREAT ELECTIVE, BUT A 'DEAD END' FOR MAJORS The Credit: Queen's typically grants PSYC 102 (3.0 units) or PSYC 1UNS (6.0 units) for IB Psychology HL (Score 5+). Note: Your specific offer letter will confirm if you get 3.0 or 6.0 units, but the strategy remains the same. The "Dead End" Trap: The Rule: As your screenshot confirms, "Students who wish to pursue a Psychology Honours degree Plan must take Queen's PSYC 100." The Reality: PSYC 102 is a "terminal" credit. It counts as an elective, but it does NOT satisfy the prerequisite for the Psychology Major. The Consequence: If you want to major or minor in Psychology, you cannot use this credit. You must forfeit it and take the full-year PSYC 100 course. Strategic Advice: For Smith Engineering: GOLDEN TICKET. This credit counts towards your Complementary Studies (Humanities & Social Sciences) requirement. The Win: You can use this to clear a mandatory non-technical elective without adding to your heavy workload. For Computing & Arts (Non-Majors): TAKE THE CREDIT. It is "free" elective space. Use it to lighten your schedule or explore other interests. For Psychology Majors: IGNORE THE CREDIT. You have no choice. You need PSYC 100 to enter the degree program. Tip: Your IB background will make PSYC 100 much easier, helping you secure the high GPA needed for the competitive Major application. Bottom Line: If you never want to study Psych again, this is a free pass. If you do, this credit is a dead end.

Expert's Insight: A GREAT ELECTIVE, BUT A 'DEAD END' FOR MAJORS The Credit: Queen's typically grants PSYC 102 (3.0 units) or PSYC 1UNS (6.0 units) for IB Psychology HL (Score 5+). Note: Your specific offer letter will confirm if you get 3.0 or 6.0 units, but the strategy remains the same. The "Dead End" Trap: The Rule: As your screenshot confirms, "Students who wish to pursue a Psychology Honours degree Plan must take Queen's PSYC 100." The Reality: PSYC 102 is a "terminal" credit. It counts as an elective, but it does NOT satisfy the prerequisite for the Psychology Major. The Consequence: If you want to major or minor in Psychology, you cannot use this credit. You must forfeit it and take the full-year PSYC 100 course. Strategic Advice: For Smith Engineering: GOLDEN TICKET. This credit counts towards your Complementary Studies (Humanities & Social Sciences) requirement. The Win: You can use this to clear a mandatory non-technical elective without adding to your heavy workload. For Computing & Arts (Non-Majors): TAKE THE CREDIT. It is "free" elective space. Use it to lighten your schedule or explore other interests. For Psychology Majors: IGNORE THE CREDIT. You have no choice. You need PSYC 100 to enter the degree program. Tip: Your IB background will make PSYC 100 much easier, helping you secure the high GPA needed for the competitive Major application. Bottom Line: If you never want to study Psych again, this is a free pass. If you do, this credit is a dead end.

Expert's Insight: A GREAT ELECTIVE, BUT A 'DEAD END' FOR MAJORS The Credit: Queen's typically grants PSYC 102 (3.0 units) or PSYC 1UNS (6.0 units) for IB Psychology HL (Score 5+). Note: Your specific offer letter will confirm if you get 3.0 or 6.0 units, but the strategy remains the same. The "Dead End" Trap: The Rule: As your screenshot confirms, "Students who wish to pursue a Psychology Honours degree Plan must take Queen's PSYC 100." The Reality: PSYC 102 is a "terminal" credit. It counts as an elective, but it does NOT satisfy the prerequisite for the Psychology Major. The Consequence: If you want to major or minor in Psychology, you cannot use this credit. You must forfeit it and take the full-year PSYC 100 course. Strategic Advice: For Smith Engineering: GOLDEN TICKET. This credit counts towards your Complementary Studies (Humanities & Social Sciences) requirement. The Win: You can use this to clear a mandatory non-technical elective without adding to your heavy workload. For Computing & Arts (Non-Majors): TAKE THE CREDIT. It is "free" elective space. Use it to lighten your schedule or explore other interests. For Psychology Majors: IGNORE THE CREDIT. You have no choice. You need PSYC 100 to enter the degree program. Tip: Your IB background will make PSYC 100 much easier, helping you secure the high GPA needed for the competitive Major application. Bottom Line: If you never want to study Psych again, this is a free pass. If you do, this credit is a dead end.

Expert's Insight: SFU accepts your credit, but PSYC 200 is a statistical shock to the system. Self-study research methods and basic stats now, or you'll be lost in the first lab.