Confused About Possible Paths I Could Take For Med Apps

[takeinlzbox]

Hi,

 

I posted this question in the general discussion topic yesterday, but I didn't realize there was a separate section for Ontario schools. Hoping to get a few more opinions. I hope it's okay if I double post, my bad if its not allowed. 

 

Apologies in advance for the long post. I'm super confused about what to do and don't know anyone IRL who can help. As the title suggests, I'm currently considering a few options for my application into med school. 

Here are my stats:

UofT - 3.7 OMSAS cGPA,  3.85 Omsas cGPA last 2 years. MCAT:: 130/129/131/128 total= 518

 

Some Major EC: 2 hospital volunteers (2 years), 5 labs (1 year each), 1 Thesis ( worried about this as my mark was an 83, average for course was 85 - prof is a dick), and 2 publications. 2 bs clubs.

Course load was not full, and I don't have prereqs like biochem. 

 

As you can see, my GPA is low, and my MCAT scores aren't high, so I didn't apply in September 2016. 

 

Current options:
- I got into a Master's at UofT in CSB, so I could apply after doing this Master's. But, while in my CSB Master's I can also do the following and switch to 'better' master's programs:
               - applying to a PA (Phys assist) program, doing 2 years if I get in, and then applying to Med after

               - applying to a clinical Psych master's, and then applying to med after

       The reason why I wanna switch from my CSB master's into these is because they offer jobs if I fail to get into med. 
               - I also have an offer for a Master's at LMP at UofT as well, but they need me to do some prereqs before I start but offer 1                    more possible publication than my current CSB one, and its more clinical based. This would also waste another year but is                  a 'better' Master's. 

 

So essentially, my series of questions are:

1.) The classic question that triggers everyone: With a Master's from CSB, and my current stats, does it look like I have a shot at UofT med or Western?

 

2.) The ungrateful question: Would it be beneficial to spend the extra semester (and waste another year) to do the prereqs for the LMP master's at UofT and get better, more clinical based publications? 

3.) Anticipating failure question: Would being in a clinical master's like Cpsych or PA be beneficial for applying because I could fall back on a usable degree and have more clinical experience for my med school app? 

Thanks in advance =D, and again apologies if this was long or if my questions are stupid. 

[Olaf]

To answer your first question, I was just accepted to Western with a 2 year GPA of 3.81 and an MCAT score of 126/129/130/128 (513 total) so it's totally possible to get in there with your stats, it just means you have to interview really well. You say your course load was not full though, which could be an issue as the two years they take as your GPA have to have a full course load.

 

Having a master's degree won't help you get into most medical schools (including western) unfortunately so it won't matter to most of them if you're in a masters program and if so, which one. The only benefit at western I can think of would be that it just gives you more experiences to discuss in your interview. At Toronto though, applying as a graduate student lowers the minimum GPA requirement and if you demonstrate "substantial productivity on your academic CV", they may review your application in a separate stream (http://md.utoronto.ca/academic-requirements). But again, they don't really care what the graduate degree is - the only thing to consider would be that the more research productivity (publications and presentations) you can apply with the better. I know little about the programs you're deciding between but in choosing one, I personally would either go for the one that provides you with the best fallback plan or the one that gives you the most research opportunities, depending on your priorities.

[takeinlzbox]

Thanks so much for your reply and advice! It's also good to hear that I have a shot; and ops I shoulda mentioned my last 2 were full course loads. Right, your answer about the graduate degree makes sense too, I'm going to try to go for the LMP one as it provides a lot more research potential. Grats on your acceptance =D! 

 

[Olaf]

Assuming the minimum CARS score doesn't go back up, you've definitely got a good shot at Western then and with lots of research experience and well written essays, maybe a good shot at U of T as well. Best of luck to you!

[Pippa756]

Thanks so much for your reply and advice! It's also good to hear that I have a shot; and ops I shoulda mentioned my last 2 were full course loads. Right, your answer about the graduate degree makes sense too, I'm going to try to go for the LMP one as it provides a lot more research potential. Grats on your acceptance =D! 

 

 

You definitely have a shot, for sure.