Guest Angelussum Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 Has anyone here applied to med school and succeed in being accepted after only 2 years of undergrad? How good do your qualifications need to be to even stand a chance? And generally, what are the pros and cons of applying for admissions after 2nd year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Wong Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 The vast majority of Canadian medical schools will not accept an applicant who has only completed two years of undergraduate training. The Alberta schools have been known to take people after two years of undergrad, but 1) they don't take many, and 2) those who are accepted need to have extremely strong applications. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Angelussum Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 Yes, from what I hear U of A does more than U of C? Could you elaborate on what you mean by 'strong applications'? I'm sure academics (GPA + MCAT) play a role, but would you be judge against typical applicants with 4 years of undergrad in terms of experience and extra-curriculars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kirsteen Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 Hi there, ...but would you be judge against typical applicants with 4 years of undergrad in terms of experience and extra-curriculars? Yes, you would. More than previously, medical schools are looking for "well rounded" applicants (to paraphrase what was said by a number of the medical school admissons representatives present at the recent HBSU medical school symposium). Strong applications nowadays tend not only to be those with high MCAT scores and GPAs, but also, those that demonstrate that the applicant has had diverse life experience. Cheers, Kirsteen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jmh2005 Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 I thought U of Sask took people after only 2 years of undergrad...at least they did in the past....Anyone know for sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lactic Folly Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 Only in-province applicants, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kosmo14 Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 Yes UofS does take people with only two years, but there is rumours that this may be changing. OOP can get in with only 2 years but that would require taking a year off since the two full years must be completed by the time of application, so most OOP would be >3years. In province residents can get in after 2 years, and don't need to have completed thier 2nd year at the time of app. as long as you complete your second year by the end of that academic year. Generally there is only between 6-10 accepted with only two years and usually between 40-50% with degrees. I know the people who are accepted after two years are just as bright as the rest of us. They do as well, and once they are in medicine are at virtually no disadvantage when compared to the rest of the class. I personally don't believe that having a degree other than a grad degree makes a bit of difference. The move towards the degree requirement and honours degree requirement in my opinion is to accomplish two things: 1. decrease the number of apps. to a more manageable level 2. in the case of honours degree to give those who would like to do research a stronger base to draw from and some research skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest coastal79 Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 U of A reserves a significant number of spaces for those with only three years of undergrad (and a few wunderkinder with only 2) so, no, you won't be compared to those who have 4 year degrees and life experience. I think (think, but am not sure) that 25% of the spots are reserved. Personally, I think that it's silly to reserve spots for applicants with less years of school, they should be judged in relation to all the candidates. Nevertheless, the situation is what it is. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest epsilon11 Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 I think one of the reasons - perhaps even the main one - why med schools want to see apps with full 4 year degrees is because 4 years of school is more profitable than only 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Angelussum Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 I don't live in Sask though, so I won't be able to apply until after I finish the two years. But it's good to know that people accepted after two years aren't at a disavantage academically. Would they be 'viewed' differently from the rest of the class though because of the age difference? Personally, I think that being well-rounded with two years is different than being well-rounded with four years. I don't know if that's how med schools see it though. From the sounds of it, U of A does if it reserves seats for people without a degree. U of C is another question... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Elliott Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 Beyond the changing face of medschool admissions, I think one most really ask themselves if they would be ready for medschool with only 2 years UG. The first two years of your UG are rather general (for most programs). Myself, I can't imagine entering medschool at 19 (given the scenario I had entered into medschool after two years of Uni.), I never regret that I will take an extra year to do my degree or taking time off of school in the past. Personally, I feel that the UG portion of your education is vital in your abilities as a medical student and as a doctor. I say more power to med schools that favour the traditional 4 year applicant and even to those a little older. There is an upside to early entrance ($$$), but I would opt for two of the best years of my life and a degree over two years tuition saved any day. Cheers, Elliott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kosmo14 Posted February 10, 2004 Report Share Posted February 10, 2004 To each thier own. Some value the extra two years it takes to finish thier degree, others don't. As far as an undergrad degree being vital in your abilities as a medical student and a doctor I would have to say you are as wrong as can be. Medical school, besides a few classes in first year, has nothing to do with undergrad. It is a whole new world. I highly doubt two extra years of university is going to give you a whole new perspective on life. I also believe that those who are mature enough at 19 years old to be in medical school deserve to be there. Giving them an extra two years of school isn't going to make them anymore mature, besides since when does anyone mature in university. I have seen many people go from completely respectable human beings to complete morons in 4 short years of university. I say all of this from the perspective of being one of the older people my class and base it on how I percieve the "19" year olds in my class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Elliott Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 It's all a matter of personal opinion and experience. Again, I wouldn't feel ready. That's just how I feel for myself. Pardon me for saying so, but I am doing a degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology and would deem that information to be very useful in medical school, that is, if they still teach that in med school... Elliott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest drews97 Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 I personally know 2 people from my year while attending the University of Calgary for my undergrad degree who got in after 2 years. One is now in his 3rd year at the U of Alberta and the other one is in her 3rd (and last!!) year at the U of Calgary. Both did very, very well in undergrad. The guy (JF) basically got perfect on his MCAT (13-15, 14, 15 I think) and got a 4.0 GPA for his first 2 years, worked in a lab, etc. The girl (LK) also did very well. She received the Chancellor's scholarship when she entered the U of C (the biggest scholarship I think) and did awesome in all her classes. Having siad this, I know for myself that I in no way would have been mature enough or ready after 2 years!! As it is at 22 I'm still on the younger end of the scale in my class and a lot of the older people have invaluable life experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Angelussum Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 Thank you for the examples. I guess the biggest question is whether or not it's worth the effort. The odds are slim, and it takes a lot to be prepared, but in theory, it doesn't hurt to try right? After all, you never really know if you stand a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UWOMED2005 Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 Just wanted to point out the system is NOT making money by making you do an extra two years of undergrad. . . yes, tuition is about $5000/yr now for most undergrad programs, but that's still about a third to half of what it costs to run your program. The government (ie everyone's taxes) pay the rest through transfer payments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest moo Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 but I am doing a degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology and would deem that information to be very useful in medical school, that is, if they still teach that in med school... Actually anatomy, I would say, is not stressed at all, at least at my school. It is not fundamental to the practice of medicine (unless you are a surgeon or a radiologist). Physiology is the cornestone of medicine but we covered all of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal in less than six weeks first year. Undergrad really isn't time to take medical school courses. After the first block, everyone pretty much is on even ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kosmo14 Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 We spend quite a bit of time in anatomy and physiology in first year, and as Moo said it doesn't take long and everybody is on a level playing field. In fact the trend is that those who have taken anatomy and physiology generally do more poorly than those who haven't, chalk it up to overconfidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Megs Posted February 12, 2004 Report Share Posted February 12, 2004 When I thought about people getting in after 2nd and even 3rd year of an undergrad program, I was also a little hesitant. But looking at the people in this category in my class, I am amazed. By and large, they are mature, very bright, very balanced people on the whole. Again, 19 and 20 year olds who are able to handle the pressures of med school may be a little far and few between, but I think it is very smart for schools to snatch those students up early because of who they are 'already' (again, we are only talking a year or two difference). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eman05 Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Also, if you believe you stand a chance after 2nd year, you may as well apply. Even if you're rejected, you'll gain the experience of going through the application process and your application will only get stronger in subsequent years. That's what I'm hoping, at least... e-man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pat Karter Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Is there any school in Canada which offers admission after only 2 years AND does not require the MCAT. I would be interested in applying after two years, but I do not want to write my MCAT after first year, because I feel I would not be well-prepared. Considering that some schools look at all your writings of the MCAT, this may work to my disadvantage... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Wong Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Is there any school in Canada which offers admission after only 2 years AND does not require the MCAT.No. You can visit each Canadian med school website and find out their admissions criteria here: www.premed101.com/medschools.html Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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