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2017 Intake - Who's Applying To Nosm?


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Hey Everyone, 

 

I know this has been done previous years: so I figured I should start it again for the 2016-2017 cycle.

 

Trad/Non-Trad: 21 years old (Traditional)

 

Degrees:  BSc. (Honours) Biomedical Science at Guelph

Currently going for my MSc. at Guelph. 

          

GPA: 3.7 

 

Context: Born in England, spent the last 13 years in NWO.

 

Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: Research Student with 2 hospitals in the north, some assistant work with some NOSM profs, President of a Club at university,  Student Union work, published Research Manuscript related to NWO Health Status.

Volunteering: at hospital, old folks home, coaching soccer, etc. 

 

I was waitlisted last year, and with a (small) GPA increase from last cycle I'm a bit more hopeful (If not I'll apply the next cycle with my MSc. GPA increase on top)

 

Feel free to post similarly down below, and good luck with your applications!

 

 

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Hi everyone,

This is my first year applying despite always dreaming about taking the leap. 

 

Trad/Non-Trad: 26 years old (Traditional)

 

Degrees:  HBA Psychology and Gerontology (Double major) & Master of Public Health, both from Lakehead University 

          

GPA: 3.9 (thank you, 0.2 boost!) 

 

Context: Born, raised, and lived in NWO my entire life

 

Volunteer/ ECs /Employment:
Various coaching activities and other sport related volunteering, drama club in high school, playing community sports, running triathlons/marathons, volunteer with agricultural society, worked on my family farm growing up, two years as a volunteer student researcher in the Health Hormones and Behaviour Lab at Lakehead, member of Psychology Club at Lakehead, student member of Canadian Psychological Association, poster presentations at national psychology conference, laureate of Canadian Psychological Association award of academic excellence for undergrad honours thesis, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, took Ojibwe lessons, volunteered at local homeless shelter, volunteered for a dog rescuing agency, sat on Accessibility Advisory Committee, and current Elizabeth Fry Society of NWO Board member. 

One year providing case management and behavioural modification programming to children and youth with developmental delays and autism in Kenora, ON., and two surrounding First Nations communities, two years providing case management and behavioural modification programming to adults with acquired brain injuries, 6 months of child case management in child protection services with First Nations agency, and one year research internship of health promotion and chronic pain research at Lakehead University and NOSM.

Really looking forward to getting this process started! Good luck to all.

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Hello, 

Long time coming, but finally I will be submitting an application...

 

Trad/Non-Trad: mid 20s (non-traditional)

Degrees: entering final year of second UG (HBSc)

GPA: 1st UG: 2.5 2nd UG: 3.92 (that is based on 1 year only, still one more year to go)

Context: Born in a different continent, 5 years in a very small  semi-rural settlement abroad. 7 years in NWO (graduated high school in NWO)

Volunteer/ ECs /Employment: executive on a few student organizations, research, some work, volunteering some long term some short. overall: average 

 

I truly dont know what I will do once both of my degrees count...scary thought. this cycle is do or die...

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Fifth time's a charm, I hope. Hoping that a year off from applying and a graduate degree bonus give me the help I need this time.


Trad/Non-Trad: 28 years old (Non-Traditional)


 


Degrees:  B.Sc. (Hons) and MSc(PT) - graduating in the fall


          


GPA: 3.79 to 3.99 with the grad bonus (yay!) 


 


Context: Born and raised in a small and very remote town in Northern Ontario. 


 


Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: Looking for PT jobs in the near future/Campus first response, coaching of various sports, might have a paper coming out in the next little while, etc.


 


As for the previous 4 applications, I've interviewed 4 times at NOSM and been wait-listed in an OK spot in the past, but went back to school to beef up the application/backup plan. Would be over the moon if I could begin my true passion though.


 


Best wishes to all applicants this cycle! :D


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Fifth time's a charm, I hope. Hoping that a year off from applying and a graduate degree bonus give me the help I need this time.

Trad/Non-Trad: 28 years old (Non-Traditional)

 

Degrees:  B.Sc. (Hons) and MSc(PT) - graduating in the fall

          

GPA: 3.79 to 3.99 with the grad bonus (yay!) 

 

Context: Born and raised in a small and very remote town in Northern Ontario. 

 

Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: Looking for PT jobs in the near future/Campus first response, coaching of various sports, might have a paper coming out in the next little while, etc.

 

As for the previous 4 applications, I've interviewed 4 times at NOSM and been wait-listed in an OK spot in the past, but went back to school to beef up the application/backup plan. Would be over the moon if I could begin my true passion though.

 

Best wishes to all applicants this cycle! :D

 

 

I'm rooting for you MDWannabe: you look very very competitive!

 

I've been following your posts for several years now :) 

Hopefully it's the year for both of us!

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Trad/Non-Trad: 20yo (Traditional)


 


Degrees: Hons. BSc in Biology and a Certificate in Ethics, both from UWO. Entering my final year. 


          


GPA: My cGPA is only 3.1, through the years it was an upwards trend from 2.9 to 3.7 --> I'm mostly applying just to get a feel for the applications process, I know that it's a slim chance.  :( 


 


Context: Grew up in a rural area, but not in NO. 


 


Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: Two different research assistant jobs, hospital volunteering, executive member of a club on campus, delivered presentations on relationship violence at local high schools, cashier at a retail store, plenty of coaching/competitive sports, volunteered with the international/exchange student program to assist with move-ins and adjustment to life in Canada/on-campus, attended and volunteered at several leadership conferences/workshops/etc, volunteered at a local funeral home. 


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Hey everyone!  I'll be applying again this year.  Will be my third application to NOSM.  Last year I had the privilege of receiving an interview, but sadly wasn't accepted.  Hoping this is the year for me.

 

Trad/Non-Trad: 30 this year, non-traditional (married with kids :))

 

Degrees: B.Sc. in Environmental Earth Sciences

                Certificate in Environmental Practice

                M.Sc.A in Occupational Health

                B.Sc. in General Sciences

 

GPA: 4.0 (3.91 on second B.Sc. + 0.2 from Masters).

 

Context: From Greater Sudbury since birth, Bilingual (French & English) and Metis status.

 

Volunteer / ECs / Employment: Big Brother for Big Brother Big Sisters of Sudbury, community clean-up blitz, coach for Ontario Special Olympics, Treasurer for local Community committee, Grade 8 certification in piano, Environmental Professional certification, volunteer at Hospital in Emergency Dept, work for local mining company, and more...

 

 

I want to wish everyone good luck this year!  Hope to hear from others!

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Hey All!

 

I'll be applying for the first time to NOSM for the 2016-2017 cycle.  For the 0.2 GPA boost, do you need to have completed your Masters' Degree? 

 

I'm halfway through my degree, I should be defending my thesis next June.

 

Thanks!!

 

From NOSM's website:

 

"Your graduate degree must be conferred and NOSM must receive your final transcript indicating graduation by December 30, 2016 to be considered for the 0.2 addition."

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That's a great gpa even without the boost! I wouldn't worry too much about it, as long as your ECs/Context are strong! 

Thank you!

 

So for Volunteer/Employment/Extracurriculars:  I was active in Student Counsel in high school (I was president in my senior year) and in relay for life, my church (Sunday school teacher, camp organizer), and in band.  I was also involved in various fundraising events including Relay for Life and Make a Wish Foundation.  After high school, I completed Shad Valley (2009) and went on to university.  I completed a BScN in 2014. I was also active with my student association at that time and was again president in my final year.  I wasn't very active in extracurriculars otherwise as I was busy with clinical.  I also worked part-time as a personal care worker at a senior's home. In the summer of my third year of nursing, I volunteered in a rural hospital/community in Kenya for three months.  Following graduation, I started work on a medical/palliative unit for a year.  During that time I took a Foundations to Graduate Studies course through the university, I was a teaching assistant for a Research Methods course and I worked part-time as a nursing supervisor at a long term care facility.

After a year nursing, I was accepted to the University of Alberta and I'm currently completing my Masters' of Science in Epidemiology.  I'm the social coordinator for my student association and the Alberta Projects' Manager for the Students' International Health Association.  I also organized a Public Health Relay for Life team and am working on a graduation project for the school.  I also completed another TA position in Evidence Based Practice and have a Research Assistant position.

 

Context:  Born and raised in rural Prince Edward Island.  Moved to Edmonton to complete my Masters' in June 2015.  

 

Trad/Non-Trad:  Non-Traditional (25 y.o masters' student).

 

Can't wait to hear from others and good luck to everyone applying!!

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Hey everyone!

 

Trad/Non-Trad: 26 years old (Non-Traditional)

 

Degrees:  BHSc. (Honours) Medical Laboratory Science from UOIT

                  MClSc (course based) from Western

                  Currently undertaking a BSc in Psychology at Trent

          

GPA: 4.0

 

Context: Rural, not Northern

 

Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: 2 research projects; both won awards, for my Master's I presented internationally in New York, research student last summer with a professor, executive member on multiple different clubs; on the academic educational committee for med lab and my masters, volunteered with local agricultural society for ~16 years

 

Applied way back in 2012; but with a horrible first undergrad GPA (~3.3), obviously didn't receive any invites. Hoping for a miracle this time around!

 

Good luck everyone! :)

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Hi Everyone, it'll be my 1st time applying to NOSM.  Not sure my stats and lack of NO status give me much of a chance but giving it a try anyways  :)

 

Trad/Non-Trad: 40 years old (Definitely Non-Traditional)

 

Degrees:  BSc. (Honours) Psych (In last year)

          

GPA: 3.7 

 

Context: Rural but in Southern Ontario.

 

Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: Hospital volunteering, some varied volunteer positions, full time work for several years, etc.

 

good luck everyone!

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  • 2 weeks later...

MDWannabe02, we are the village elders of applying to NOSM hahaha


 


Trad/Non-Trad: About as non trad as they come.  Mature history grad figures he wants to be a doctor.


 


Degrees:  HBA, MA (History), Lakehead University.


                  Starting this year:  Bsc Nursing (compressed), Trent University.


          


GPA: 3.75 + .2 masters = 3.95


 


Context: Grew up in rural southern Ontario, have spent most of my adult life (8 years) in Northern Ontario (Thunder Bay and Temiskaming Shores)


 


Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: 


 


Lots of travel, varied work experience, outdoorsy things, organic farming, campus first response, wilderness first aid, hospital/community health/aboriginal health/family health volunteering.  Experience working in traditional aboriginal healing settings with residential school survivors.


 


Shadowed 2 NOSM preceptor family physicians at a family health team in rural North Eastern Ontario for the past two years, as well as worked on several community preventative medicine projects as a volunteer with the health team including a COPD prevention project in tandem with a Nurse Practitioner, and a Congestive Heart Failure review program alongside a physician that ensured our CHF patients were receiving the best possible care. 


 


I can't believe this is my fifth year applying.  A lot of people comment on my determination, but to be honest, this is what I've been doing for so long it just seems normal.  I literally apply to NOSM like it's my job.  


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Hi everyone!

 

It's very exciting to be posting here! I'm looking forward to going through the process with everyone.

 

Traditional

 

HBSc (in my last year)

 

3.98 GPA

 

Context: born and raised in the north

 

Employment/ECs/Volunteer:

Lots of hospital and church volunteering, child literacy volunteering, volunteering in a clinic and food bank, varied work experience throughout the years, a few awards for academic achievement/volunteer service. In terms of research, two posters and one publication in progress.

 

Good luck to everyone applying! :)

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Hi everyone! I'm so nervous about applying...


 


Traditional/Non-Traditional: I don't know what this means? But I'm 24 years old...


Degrees: I'm about to enter my fourth year for a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (criminology specialization) at MacEwan University.


GPA: 2.2. I had a close family member die suddenly during the first semester of school, and was paying for most of my degree out of pocket, so getting my degree has been a labour of love. I'm hoping this final year will at least pull me up to a 3.0, although I'll probably have to drop off the face of the earth to do that.


Context: I was born in Winnipeg, moved to Saskatchewan and grew up on an acreage there, and have been living in Edmonton since I was 18. I have some family in Thunder Bay and Vermilion Bay, and my girlfriend (who is currently in nursing) is also from Thunder Bay, so NOSM seemed like the natural choice.


Employment/ECs/Volunteer: Most of my serious, adult jobs have been in human services. I worked with people with developmental disabilities, and with Indigenous adolescent women who were struggling with addiction and trauma. The latter was one of the main reasons why I decided to pursue medicine. I've volunteered in palliative care homes and at an elementary school library in the past, and the palliative care gig was also why I decided to get into medicine (there was a period of time when I really wanted to get into geriatric medicine). As for ECs, I was an executive board member of my school's GSA, and did some work with the Aboriginal Students' Club, but having to work full-time to fund my education, plus struggling with social anxiety meant that I didn't do a lot of that. I'm currently interning for the Canadian Obesity Network, and working a part-time counselling services job at the YWCA of Edmonton.


 


Good luck to everyone applying! :)


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  • 4 weeks later...

Hello everyone! First time nursing student applying.. no idea what I'm doing haha!

 

I'm starting fourth year  in Sept but unfortunately  am only elligible to apply to NOSM this cycle. The thing with nursing is- Its a collaborative program between a college (years 1-2) and university (years 3-4). Although the courses taken at college are recognized as equivalent baccalaureate courses- After emailing schools, ALL Ontarian med schools said they will not use the GPA from the first 2 college years and thus require me to graduate and then apply (so they can look at 2 university years to make a judgement)--- with the exception of NOSM, they said they recognize collaborative programs and that I'm welcome to apply! For other schools however, this of course means I'll have a gap year before I find out if I got in anywhere (planning on a masters during this time... suggestions on what Masters a nursing student can/should do????) As for stats:

 

Traditional/Non-Traditional: No idea what this is exactly.. But 20 years old.

 

Degrees: Entering fourth year Specialized Honors Bachelor of Science in Nursing at York University.

 

GPA: 3.82 (University GPA)

 

Context: Born in Pakistan. Came to Toronto when I was 2 years old.. been here since (probably getting a 0 for my context score lol)

 

Employment/ECs/Volunteer: 

- founder/president of club at university (1 year)

founder/president of club at college (1 year)

- volunteer at Lets Talk Science at YorkU (1 year)

- Smile mentor (helps new students transition to postsecondary education) (1 year)

- Tutor (physiology, anatomy, microbiology, statistics, pharmacology)  for fellow nursing classmates  (3 years)

- Volunteering at local community center (volunteer service award by Ont Govt for this) (8 years)

- volunteering at local foodbank ( 6 years)

- volunteer coordinator at World Parkinson's Program

- Research at The Parkinson's Clinic of Eastern Toronto and Movement Disorders Center (Parkinson's Disease) ( 3 years)

- Research at The Hospital for Sick Children (Rheumatology) (8 months)

- Research at the University of Toronto (Neurology) (2 years)

- Research at The Mayo Clinic (Orthopaedic Surgery) (6 months)

- 3 pending publications

- Soccer for 6 years

- Hockey for 2 years

 

Good luck to everyone applying, may the force be with you!!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Traditional/Non-Traditional: Mature student (25), married, live permanently in NO


 


Degrees: BSc (Honours) Biomedical Science; MSc (thesis) Population Medicine (Epidemiology)


 


GPA: 3.6 GPA


 


Context: Born in the GTA, raised in the GTA. Mom was a fly-in fly-out nurse/wound-care specialist in Moose Factory, Moosonee, Fort Albany and other communities in NO when I was growing up (not part of my context - but where my interest started). I went to the University of Guelph for both my undergrad and masters - however, my masters research was on Acute Gastrointestinal Illness in Inuit in Iqaluit, NU and Health Knowledge translations/exchange in Inuit populations in the Circumpolar North. I worked, traveled, and collaborated with Inuit researchers and community members for the two years and spent time in Iqaluit. I now work at a Family Health Team in NO in senior management - and have lived here for just over two years. I live out of town on a private road with my husband and dog. I am also the Founder and Director of a Canadian Charity that works in a very remote region of Ghana, West Africa.


 


Employment/ECs/Volunteer:


- peer-reviewed publications x2 (International, National)


- senior management FHT NO


- Shadowing as hospitalist and family MD


- research assistant - Indigenous Health research group


- Founder and Director of charity in remote Ghana, West Africa (raised >$35,000)


- president/vice president in variety of university clubs/community of interest


- medical secretary at refugee clinic + doctor's without borders


- hockey, long distance canoe racing, NO Refugee committee, dragon boating


- first aid for HCP (AED/CPR), wilderness & remote first aid, mental health first aid


 


Thoughts?? GPA is relatively low compared to many others - and my context score can only improve with time. This is my third time applying to NOSM -  dedicated to improving the health gap with under-serviced populations specifically in Parry Sound as a family physician (and health manager). 


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Trad/Non-Trad: fairly traditional, 24 years old

 

Degrees: B.Sc. (Honours) McGill University, M.Sc. Laurentian University

          

GPA: 3.6+0.2

 

Context: Born and raised in small urban Northern Ontario

 

Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: Currently working at a local non-profit working with marginalized populations (drug using population, homeless, Indigenous, people at risk of HIV/HCV), two years volunteering as an outreach worker (harm reduction), two years as a Toastmaster (with leadership and communication achievements, and involvement with the executive committee), board member with Elizabeth Fry, ~10 years doing receptionist work at local walk-in clinic, two summers working at Science North, several research projects throughout undergrad and graduate degree, multiple conference presentations, volunteer medical work in Africa, and physician shadowing throughout Northern Ontario.

 

Really, really hoping fourth time is a charm. Good luck to everyone who is applying!

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Traditional/Non-Traditional: Mature student (25), married, live permanently in NO

 

Degrees: BSc (Honours) Biomedical Science; MSc (thesis) Population Medicine (Epidemiology)

 

GPA: 3.6 GPA

 

Context: Born in the GTA, raised in the GTA. Mom was a fly-in fly-out nurse/wound-care specialist in Moose Factory, Moosonee, Fort Albany and other communities in NO when I was growing up (not part of my context - but where my interest started). I went to the University of Guelph for both my undergrad and masters - however, my masters research was on Acute Gastrointestinal Illness in Inuit in Iqaluit, NU and Health Knowledge translations/exchange in Inuit populations in the Circumpolar North. I worked, traveled, and collaborated with Inuit researchers and community members for the two years and spent time in Iqaluit. I now work at a Family Health Team in NO in senior management - and have lived here for just over two years. I live out of town on a private road with my husband and dog. I am also the Founder and Director of a Canadian Charity that works in a very remote region of Ghana, West Africa.

 

Employment/ECs/Volunteer:

- peer-reviewed publications x2 (International, National)

- senior management FHT NO

- Shadowing as hospitalist and family MD

- research assistant - Indigenous Health research group

- Founder and Director of charity in remote Ghana, West Africa (raised >$35,000)

- president/vice president in variety of university clubs/community of interest

- medical secretary at refugee clinic + doctor's without borders

- hockey, long distance canoe racing, NO Refugee committee, dragon boating

- first aid for HCP (AED/CPR), wilderness & remote first aid, mental health first aid

 

Thoughts?? GPA is relatively low compared to many others - and my context score can only improve with time. This is my third time applying to NOSM -  dedicated to improving the health gap with under-serviced populations specifically in Parry Sound as a family physician (and health manager). 

 

 

 

You have a very impressive application, CanoeingEpidemiologist!  Though you could've written anything and I might have said that seeing as you have the BEST EVER PREMED101 NAME.  Hopefully NOSM will see the light and give you a spot despite your relatively lower GPA.  

 

RR

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  • 2 weeks later...

Trad/Non-Trad: 24 years old (Traditional)


 


Degrees:  BA in Philosophy/Mathematics 3.7, MA in Bioethics 3.9 


          


GPA: 3.9 (0.2 boost is life)


 


Context: From Rural New Brunswick community, Native French and English speaker.


 


Employment/ ECs / Volunteer: 


 


Employment: Graduate teaching assistant, research assistant, antiques dealer, science editor for uni. paper, Deputy Returning Officer, 


ECs: Piano lessons, German club president, philosophy club president, 


Volunteer: Peer mentor, hospital volunteer, Saint John Ambulance medical first responder, union representative, lung association volunteer, Held english cafes for chinese students


 


1 Publication in Journal of Bioethics


 


+30,000 in scholarships, not counting graduate funding and grants


 


Any chance for an interview/acceptance?


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