bellk

Thank you for this. I really appreciate it!

Thank you!! I should have been more explicit.. I called UOttawa earlier this week to check on my preqs and I am okay as I have a full year of orgo chem and tons of biochems to make up for it. I was just worried my gpa was too low to really be considered at Ottawa. I'll definitely be re-writing the MCAT, just need to figure out when is the best time.

I don’t want this to sound like a sob story, and I would love any honest advice or opinions. I have always been interested in Medicine. When I started my pre-med undergrad degree it always seemed like everyone else was doing better than I and for the longest time I figured I didn’t have what it takes to do medicine no matter how bad I wanted it. I grew up with animals, so I attempted vet school, had an interview after 3rd year, but decided against vet med because not being able to perform the best medicine (like ever) because people only want to pay the bare minimum for their pets starts to get at you, especially if you have a true passion for medicine, and I mean high-quality medicine. I’m also extremely allergic to Cats and my biggest interest is in oncology (let’s face it you can’t go very far in oncology in vet med). Being good at math and obviously very interested in health care/medicine etc I finished my undergrad degree and have went on into a thesis based Masters in clinical epidemiology, with a focus on cancer. Currently in my first year of this and am really enjoying it, but I still find myself wanting to be in the healthcare setting, working with patients first hand and my volunteering in the chemo ward at the nearby hospital really gets me through each week... I am considering a phd but I figured I better see if I have a chance at med. So I’m looking for some honest opinions on my chances at Medicine in Ontario, I don’t know much about outside of Ontario. Here are my specs: Year 1 – 3.90 Year 2 – 3.82 Year 3 – 3.72 Year 4 – 3.94 cGPA – 3.85 Mac, uottawa – 3.85 Queens 3.92 Western 3.92 U of T 3.88 Northern 4.0 (.2 addition with graduate degree; my research focus includes access to health care, trying to boost my context score with some rural ECs, not sure if this is a worthwhile shot or not) MCAT (NEED to rewrite, I only needed it to apply to vet school previously, so i didn't study very much at all) PS/VR/BS 7/9/10 (26) Grew up in Ottawa if this matters.. Prereqs: only 1 physics, only 1 gen chem, no english credits (I know this takes me out of the running for some of the other Canadian schools ex BC) ECs – definitely need some work but: I have thousands of work hours being a small animal emerge vet assistant in a 24/7 emerge vet hospital with all specialities, so I have experience in answering emerge phone calls, handling files (history, reports etc) and fees, assisting in restraints, treatments and surgeries (I would recommend this to anyone looking for early surgery experience!!), dealing with clients (of all emotions), making up prescriptions, operating medical equipment – ultra sound, CT, MRI x-ray, preforming physiotherapy/rehabilitation in dogs (if it makes a difference I did this full time in the summer and part-time throughout my undergrad) Shadowed horse vet, attended two pre-vet workshops (not sure if I would mention all this for med applications) Couple conference poster presentations with my undergrad thesis project in breast cancer survivors no publications, should be getting a few with M.Sc. thesis Volunteer with the Canadian cancer society, presentations, blog, youth engagement on cancer research Scholarships – undergrad + graduate Student association involvement – planning social events, fundraisers and professional development activities (might run for president or vp next year) Worked as a research assistant at CIHR in one of the institutes – planned meetings and events, helped to prepare institute relevant documents, lit reviews, completely organized one round of a funding competition for students – including application process, review process etc (did this part time during 4th year and full time in the summer) Currently volunteering in the cancer ward in the nearby hospital providing companionship to patients receiving chemo (very rewarding experience to say the least!) volunteer research assistant on a study involving antibiotic resistant infections of surgical sites in a orthopedic procedure done in dogs, I looked after some data collection, acquiring consent from clients and mailing swabs/cultures to study center location Some tutoring and volunteer lab assisting.. will be shadowing doctors (most likely cancer specialists) and attending rounds.. Applying to future volunteer first aid position for various events.. I wrote this up quickly, so my apologies for grammar etc. I’m just looking to get some honest feedback. Should I bother applying anywhere without rewriting the mcat… do I have shot at McMaster and UOttawa right now? Thank you very much in advance.