MDCM PHD + GPA

[Albert9982]

Hi

I'm finishing my degree in Fall 2020 in cell and molecular biology and my cGPA is now 3.82. I have to work for a while (1-3 years) before I apply.  I had two questions:

 

1) the thing that brought down my GPA is a philosophy course that i took in my very first semester. the rest are almost all As. does this work in my favor? without that grade, my GPA would have been 3.87

 

2) I have a lot of lab experience up to now. I am finishing my undergraduate thesis, I do have publication and have my name on a poster that was presented at a conferance. does this seem good for the MDCM and PhD program?

 

[KitKatCo]

An important consideration for McGill is whether you are IP. For OOP, there are only 11 spots, whether you apply to just medicine or to the joint program. The good news is that, regardless of IP/OOP status, if you are not taken for the joint program you are considered for just MDCM. But like most schools, there are few spots for joint program people. In 2019, they took 5 joint program students. 

1) McGill does not have a wGPA, just a cGPA. So afaik your GPA will be 3.82. Now that McGill removed any GPA consideration for the post-interview selection, you would just need to get to the interview stage. In 2019, average GPA for applicants invited to the interview was 3.89 for IP & 3.92 for OOP (just MDCM), and 3.88 for joint programs.

2) In addition to the regular requirements of the MDCM program, joint program applicants must submit (quoted from their website):

• Two letters of reference from individuals who have acted as mentors/supervisors for your research activities. 
• A research appendix containing a list of research publications and scholarly activities, as well as a one-page narrative describing your research experience to date, career goals and your subject of interest.

The question is the following: do you believe your current experience will be able to provide strong reference letters, appendix, and motivation letter, and will make you stand out compared to other candidates?

Sorry if this wasn't the yes/no answer you were looking for haha. 

[Albert9982]

@pnpclear Thank you for the info. If mcgill doesn't look at the grades then what is the 7% academic history for?

[KitKatCo]

2 minutes ago, Albert9982 said:

@pnpclear Thank you for the info. If mcgill doesn't look at the grades then what is the 7% academic history for?

Sorry if that was a little confusing:

They do consider your overall GPA (cGPA) for the pre-interview selection, ie the score that decides whether you are invited to the MMIs. Of the 70% assigned to 'academic history', 90% is based on the cGPA, and 10% is for 'academic context'. The latter is if you completed a masters/PhD, if your degree was a "professional" one (ex: law, engineering, nursing, etc...), and if there was "the progression [in the] difficulty of coursework". The remaining 30% is CASPer (20%) and your CV/ECs (10%).

Once you get invited to the interviews, then your GPA no longer matters. Getting an offer of admission now depends solely on your performance at the MMIs. That is why I listed the GPA averages of invited candidates, and not the GPA averages of admitted students, because in 2019 (and up to last year's cycle) a portion of the post interview score was based on your GPA in the science prerequisites.

Hope that makes more sense!

Source

[Mel96b]

You can get in with a 3.82 if you have a good CV and an awesome casper. It's under average so you have to compensate with other things, but not at all impossible. I got in with 3.80 & I've seen people on this forum getting invited with GPAs as low 3.5.

Otherwise, maybe you should consider retaking that philosophy course?

[Albert9982]

is it possible to retake a course after you finish your degree? will mcgill take it into account?

[Vons]

5 hours ago, Albert9982 said:

is it possible to retake a course after you finish your degree? will mcgill take it into account?

No, only courses taken as part of your basis of admission degree will be included in your cGPA. There's no real point in taking undergrad classes after you've graduated unless you still need to complete certain science prerequisites.