CASPerp Snapshot is now optional

[p12345lu 1]

They updated the requirement of CASPer snapshot on the CASPer website from "required" to "optional" for uOttawa. I'm not exactly sure what this means. Are they going to use it in a way that if it benefits you they will consider it, but if not they will disregard it? If I don't do it between now and the deadline, is there a chance that they could change their mind later on and I would be screwed? Who knows...

[drager 23]

Do you know where on the website it states the snapshot requirements?

[TrustTheProcess21 61]

Their website doesn’t make any mention of Snapshot, however, I did email the admissions committee and got a response from Diane. The email states that Snapshot is recommended, however, it is not required for admission to the program.

 

[fluffybunnyyyyy 28]

since its optional, it sounds like they're not gonna use it for admissions this year. Maybe as a test to see how well it correlates with other things? Just my guess

[p12345lu 1]

6 hours ago, drager said:

Do you know where on the website it states the snapshot requirements?

It's not on the uOttawa website, but it is on the CASPer website when you go to "Dates and Fees".

 

[BENQQQQQ 4]

Did you guys end up doing it? I got interviewed last year so still haven't made up my mind if I should risk it, but since in email they told me it's is HIGHLY recommended I may have to do it to be safe?

[drager 23]

18 minutes ago, BENQQQQQ said:

Did you guys end up doing it? I got interviewed last year so still haven't made up my mind if I should risk it, but since in email they told me it's is HIGHLY recommended I may have to do it to be safe?

Personally, I'm not. For me personally, if it was something significant in the evaluation process they should atleast message every single applicant about this and or put it on there admissions website. Due to the lack of communication and explicit emphasis by the adcoms, I'm leaning toward that they are just probably going to use it to collect data and therefore, I'm less inclined to write it. Just my 2 cents.

[BENQQQQQ 4]

2 minutes ago, drager said:

Personally, I'm not. For me personally, if it was something significant in the evaluation process they should atleast message every single applicant about this and or put it on there admissions website. Due to the lack of communication and explicit emphasis by the adcoms, I'm leaning toward that they are just probably going to use it to collect data and therefore, I'm less inclined to write it. Just my 2 cents.

Fair point! I'm still hesitating probably will end up taking only if I feel comfortable with myself on camera without another live person. I just hope there is no penalty for not doing it since it looks like it was originally required meaning a good proportion of applicants probably did it, but jsut my assumptions

[drager 23]

3 minutes ago, BENQQQQQ said:

Fair point! I'm still hesitating probably will end up taking only if I feel comfortable with myself on camera without another live person. I just hope there is no penalty for not doing it since it looks like it was originally required meaning a good proportion of applicants probably did it, but jsut my assumptions

That's true, at this same time, there is a possibility of their being a really biased sample of applicants, in my opinion, potential applicants that are confident about their interviewing skills or doing video interviews will be more likely to do the snapshot and perhaps an applicant may not fare as well compared to these more experienced applicants. This is what I reasoned so far, maybe, I'm wrong and just scared lol.

[BENQQQQQ 4]

45 minutes ago, drager said:

That's true, at this same time, there is a possibility of their being a really biased sample of applicants, in my opinion, potential applicants that are confident about their interviewing skills or doing video interviews will be more likely to do the snapshot and perhaps an applicant may not fare as well compared to these more experienced applicants. This is what I reasoned so far, maybe, I'm wrong and just scared lol.

That's valid, yeah I need to consider this more carefully

[p12345lu 1]

I initially wanted to do it, but I changed my mind because I don't trust these guys enough to not be biased.

[Premedwithadream 18]

Dalhousie said they didn't use CASPer Snapshot in determining interview invites, and they made CASPer Snapshot mandatory.

Make of that what you will 

[TheDarkPassenger 4]

To be honest, it's probably just a way for them to gauge whether they should use it or not in the future. I doubt it will be used this year if its optional (it won't be fair otherwise). It's similar to how uOttawa used to recommend submitting a MCAT score (because they wanted it for research purposes to see if they should end up including it in the future).

[poorpremed 15]

20 hours ago, TheDarkPassenger said:

To be honest, it's probably just a way for them to gauge whether they should use it or not in the future. I doubt it will be used this year if its optional (it won't be fair otherwise). It's similar to how uOttawa used to recommend submitting a MCAT score (because they wanted it for research purposes to see if they should end up including it in the future).

I agree with this. I still submitted mine just in case they want to use it for this cycle, but I personally think it is more of a test to see if they want to use it later.