lysswyn Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 I had been working since high school (grade 11) to save up for the cost of a University education in a lab on campus. While I loved my job as a research assistant (and it is the reason I stumbled into/discovered university), I did my undergraduate degree in engineering, and the course load/curriculum seemed so difficult for me while balancing trying to have enough income to support myself, and contribute to my family (this required about 15 -30 hr/wk). Unfortunately, I graduated my engineering degree with only a 3.5/4.0 GPA. On the plus side, I did get a few second/third author publications (8, during undergrad while working) and 1 first author publication (during masters). I did a masters to attempt to better myself as an engineer and potential MD applicant, and ended up with a UBC average of 90% (GPA 3.9/4, from 6 courses + thesis work) and won a few awards (NSERC CGSM, and a few institutional awards). Right now I am working for a start up, and taking online University courses (under open studies) in biology, biochem, and physiology/anatomy. My parents are doing much better now so I no longer need to support them financially, and have more time to study even while working half (sometimes full) time, and am earning around 95%'s on my midterms. My concern is that I took so many courses during my undergrad in engineering (140 credits +), that the heavy nature of my undergrad has permanently soiled me as an applicant by drastically weighting my grades as low. I am looking to write my MCAT this upcoming summer and am wondering what score I should strive for given the low nature of my GPA and the fact my extracurricular activity seems a bit odd. Also, is taking the 4 courses and a good MCAT score enough, or should I consider not being open studies but rather do a second bachelors in sciences? Also, do you have any ideas on what schools I would have a marginal shot in applying to? (I am still on Alberta care). My volunteering probably isn't that great compared to other applicants because initially I was super education focused as opposed to care oriented: -WiSEST, Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science & Technology, direct supervisor/mentor (320 hrs) -volunteer self defence/fitness karate instructor (500+ hrs) -demonstration leader for engineering and science high school outreach (75 hr) -student secretary/chairs/committee member for various engineering student societies and groups (total 250+ hr) -needle exchange, drug harm reduction volunteer (50 hr), ongoing -radiology/hospital volunteer (50 hr), ongoing -one on one wellness visitor for elderly (20 hr), ongoing My recent volunteer work with vulnerable populations has really re-ignited my suppressed dream of becoming a doctor. If I could manage to get in... the idea of practising medicine from an engineering perspective really excites me. I realise that there are oceans of far more qualified people, and only a few spots, so I do sincerely appreciate your honest insight. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freewheeler Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Apply to Calgary. As long as you meet the OOP CARS and GPA cutoff you should do well, assuming you write up a solid top 10. Sounds like you would have a great shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysswyn Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Thank you freewheeler! I will definitely give it a shot! I do not know anyone in medicine, so just hearing from someone means SO SO much. (My brain had become a very nasty echo chamber where self worth was pretty low). Reading everyone's posts made me feel if I did not have an undergraduate GPA of 3.9+, there would be no hope at all. I will keep chugging along with work and MCAT prep then :) There is a lot to cover before May! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freewheeler Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Thank you freewheeler! I will definitely give it a shot! I do not know anyone in medicine, so just hearing from someone means SO SO much. (My brain had become a very nasty echo chamber where self worth was pretty low). Reading everyone's posts made me feel if I did not have an undergraduate GPA of 3.9+, there would be no hope at all. I will keep chugging along with work and MCAT prep then :) There is a lot to cover before May! Please don't doubt yourself--you have a very unique background and a lot to offer. Literally as long as you are eligible to apply (ex. are above the MCAT and GPA cutoffs--note Calgary's specific grade conversion & weighting formula), write up a decent Top 10 and are just a normal human being on interview day, you have as good of a shot as anyone. Try not to spend too much time on these forums, they often provide a very skewed view of things. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fresh fry Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Agree, Calgary. I would still apply to U of A too, you wouldn't have the lowest GPA I have ever come across for someone who got accepted. GL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysswyn Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Thanks FreeWheeler and Fresh fry - I will definitely focus hard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysswyn Posted December 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 Sorry to come back... I could not find some info online about U of A and U of C and thought maybe you guys would know (not sure if you have any old eng students in your classes). Typically they require a full course load throughout the degree, taking place during F/W sessions (say 18 or 24 credits depending on the uni). I come from an engineering co-op undergraduate degree, and thus our program is 5 years and not 4, where we may have fall=full time school, winter=work term (or in varying other combinations). So I could have a 14 credit school session, then go work on a work experience term for 8 months and come back. Does anyone know how the minimum credit requirements are defined for applicants who did an engineering co-op program with inter-dispersed work placement terms? It is a bit atypical and I am having trouble finding info on it online. Thank you so very much for your help. I mean it I was a full time student by the engineering faculties standards, but MD guidelines do not really specify how our GPA would be calculated, and what would be a "year" for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureAmazingDoc Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 Hey lysswyn, Like all the wonderful people above said........don't worry! Just believe in yourself and apply! You will never find out until you apply. I am kind of in a similar situation where my undergrad engineering GPA is low (~3.5) and I have thought of applying to med schools before but just never applied for one reason or the other. Again, I also don't have anyone in the medicine field so basically steering myself in whichever direction feels reasonable. Currently preparing for the MCAT and I am definitely going to submit an application next year no matter what. If not next year then the year after that but this is now my passion and I am going to get in one day :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idioventricular Rhythm Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 I'm not adding much to the conversation other than reiterating that every non-traditional applicant (unless extreme extenuating circumstances limit you geographically) should apply to the U of C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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