Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Hello everybody I'm very new to this forum ,hope to get feedbacks from u all, well I'm in a very bad situation : I don't live in canada but many of my family members live there (not my parents)so I have the chance of being an IMG , recently compeleted an Bs in physical science in an accredit university in my country which is well known (in US an Canada not sure about med schools )with very low GPA (just studying for the exams at most 3 days befor)etc..... my goal was coming to canada and studying medicine,but as I searched through many sites understood it's very hard for canadians to get there and so much more harder for int. students! as I've heard 3.5 in not really comepetitive in Canada which is very GPA oriented and they don't care alot about MCAT as they do for GPA. so I'm in doubt of really persuing Canada as I hear many of Canadians leave Canada for their goal to others countries:eek so my questios are : with my situation is there any way to compelete 1 or 2 years in Canada as a non seeking degree stu. and get a good GPA and then apply to med schools ? will MCAT (haven't taken )compensate for my low GPA? what do u think is the best way for me? giving up and looking for Irish Aus or anywhere else for it? please notice I don't have a lot of money;) !! U see I have all the disadvanteges one can have! I'm now feeling pesimistic about future and I hear everyday that don't forget it will be a little chance to get into Canadian or US schools with low GPA|I !!so really DO I have any chance? P.S.my native language is not english so I apologize for many possible mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marbledust Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 I don't live in canada but many of my family members live there (not my parents)so I have the chance of being an IMG Not to be rude, but have you taken the time to research medical schools in Canada? As far as I know, most (maybe all?) do not consider international students for admission. Some do admit a handful of international students through special programs intended to train medical students from specific countries, with the students' home government picking up the cost. But, as far as I know, you need to be a Canadian citizen (or maybe landed immigrant?) to apply to medical schools in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 I have searched them ,UofT Mcgill Macmaster for sure accept int. students (ofcourse a handfull )others like Queens or Calgary don't accept int. some others are very restricted in accepting only from the province,but there is no difference in accepting IMG(have to pay for higher tuition) and citizens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jochi1543 Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Have you thought about the Caribbean? What about US schools? Either way, if you are not a citizen/PR of either country, finances will be an issue. I don't know how it is in Canada (just got my Canadian permanent residency this spring, not moving until next year), but in the States if you are to take out a loan as a foreign student, it needs to be co-signed by a US citizen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 thanks Jochi ,I really think about US (some families there my mam is also graduated from US but no greencard)but vissa issues make me stop tinking of it as a backup.I see many ppl getting admissions but never can get vissa.so because Canada is open for students and if U hold an admission it's likely to get vissa so that's why I think of canada,well I don't know many things about carribians just the stigma around them and high tuitions,I really prefer studying in east Europe ,Aus....... rather than Carribians. oh another thing I'm 24 and don't have much time to waste! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest summervirus Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 From what I understand, you completed a Bachelor's in Science but have not graduated from a medical program in your country. So, you actually wouldn't be applying as an IMG. (IMG stands for international medical graduate -- medical doctors completing their training outside Canada or the USA). You might want to review what you previously read to make sure that the information pertains to international students applying for an undergraduate medical education in Canada as opposed to IMG's applying for postgraduate (residency) training. Otherwise, you might run into some problems later as there's a big difference between the two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 oh I think u misunderstood me virus,I've compeleted a science degree not a medical degree and for sure I don't want to apply for residency!but as u know u don't need to compelete a medical degree to become an IMG with a science degree also u can apply for immigration but it takes about 2 years! so I want to start medical school and really want to know the status of int. students applying for medical schools,good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jochi1543 Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Your best bet is to e-mail the schools' admissions offices. However, it sounds like you will just qualify as a regular international student, and MOST schools in Canada don't take foreign students. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 MOST schools in Canada don't take foreign students. I know most of them don't I'm looking to enter the rest of them! I'm pretty sure that schools I mentioned do accept foreign students but I don't know about their GPA/MCAT , also want to know will a high MCAT promote your chances thogh with low GPA as an int. student? It might be a good idea to e_mail them hope they answer me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jochi1543 Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Canadian schools care little about your MCAT scores as long as you meet the cut-offs. If you take a look at the profiles of people who were accepted (you can find them at the top of every specific medical school forum on the list here), you will see some with quite low MCAT scores. However, GPA is an important factor, definitely more so than the MCAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Yes I've heard that in Canada adcoms don't care alot about your MCAT ,BUT as a foreign stu. how can they evaluate GPA's around the world?? MCAt is a standardized test so for non Canadians I think it must be more important,as I asked befor can I enter to a university as a non seeking degree student compelete like 60 credits to be count for my under grad. then apply for med schools?I'm really asking of somebody in my situation if exists! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest marbledust Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 I'm really asking of somebody in my situation if exists! I think the best advice you can get from this board is to contact the schools you are interested in directly. Most people who post here are Canadian citizens and would have little, or no, knowledge of foreign student admission requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 thx marble I'll do it ASAP. anybody knows ppl with low GPA I mean Canadian citizens who have been accepted to med schools?I know a little about americans ;they have some choices: 1-stay in college and take some extra courses or maybe upper level courses to boost their GPA(same as Ca I think) 2-take a bost_bacc 3-special 1 year master programs ( SMP's)with first year medical students. 4-2 years master programs. I really want to know if any of them exists in Canada? what do ppl with low GPA do?is Canada a closed door for them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NurseNathalie Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 I can only speak of my own experience of course, but I have a very low GPA compared to most of the successful applicants (only 3.62)! I also did not take the MCAT. I beleive my background experience and all my volunteer work made the difference for me. I realize my situation is different then what yours would be.. but I just thought I would share. How I got ready for med school: I have been working as a nurse in rural/underserviced ontario over 12 years. I worked in emerg, nursery, long term care, home care, private duty nursing, VON, DVA, oncology nursing, fireline nursing, telehealth, health educator, coordinated our CHC clinic, ran wellness clinics, health promotor, and now am faculty advisor/clinical instructor and coordinate two research projects at the school of Nursing of our University (just to name the major ones down 4 ya) . I tried to get a diversity of experience to prepare myself for med school.. AND lots of volunteer work (homeless clinic, health promotion, immunization clinics, V.P. of VON board, CPR instructor, wellness teaching in schools , Diabetes commitee, Heart Health Coalition, well.. too many more to mention anyways). I think that the suggestions to call the universities directly to discuss your options, is the most appropriate. I think that moving to Canada and taking some courses to bring up your GPA would not be a bad idea (if you have your mind set on studying in Canada). YOu should also ask how long you have to reside in Canada before you are no longer considered an international student?! and get involved in your community... volunteer .. bring up the marks and your overall experience. I personally beleive that would give you a stronger application. But thats just an opinion.. and I have no idea how international students work through this system... you really need to speak to a school councellor or get guidance from someone at one of the Med schools.. Everything is possible, with determination, dedication and drive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest satsumargirl Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 I think Canadians with low GPAs will tend to either do an extra year of undergrad to boost their GPAs. Some schools will drop your worst year or worst 2 credits etc.., some will look at all undergrad marks and not forgive anything). Also some will not count any years of school that are not part of a degree ie special undergrad years. Some go to grad school (not the easiest route). But most medical schools don't count grad school marks in your GPA (you don't take that many courses in research based grad programs anyway). So it doesn't directly make a difference if low GPA is your major hurdle. Once you're done grad school though some schools will evaluate grad students seperately from undergrads with different evaluation criteria, such as research productivity (number of publications, quality of publications, awards etc..) Every school is different. So you need to contact them directly with your situation. But there is one general commonality...if you don't meet the GPA cut-off the rest of your application (references, autobio sketch etc.) doesn't get looked at. When you contact the schools they would also be able to tell you how they would convert marks from the country you did your education. In Canada not all universities use the same grading system. And so there is a process to convert your scores on a scale of 4 and that is supposed to allow the ad coms to compare GPAs fairly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blinknoodle Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 It is true that some medical schools only look at your 2 best years from an honours degree (ie. UWO), but it is really important for you to check directly with the schools that actually accept international students (UWO doesn't take international students, so that weighting would not help you).. off the top of my head, I think that only McGill, Toronto, Memorial and (maybe) McMaster accept international students. Dal and Manitoba may as well, but this really isn't something I've looked into (I also have no clue about contracts with foreign government/educational and the details). You will be very limited with the schools you will be able to apply to, and the number of spots allocated(?) to international students. It certainly is NOT any easier to apply as an international student to a Canadian medical school - it, in fact, is harder - see www.afmc.ca/docs/2005AdBk.pdf. With a lower GPA, you will be at a further disadvantage. You may want to look at all your options, including the US, Irish, UK, Australian and Caribbean medical schools. This is where Canadians usually go as international students, but there is no guarantee you will be able to practice in Canada. I think these schools may(?) have lower GPA cut-offs than Canadian medical schools (not all, but some of them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 thx alot everybody for your comments, Nathalie you are rock girl and with your dedication you will hopefully boost med school,but if 3.6 is too low what is 2.6?hell or something else?! Everything is possible, with determination, dedication and drive! I belive it but who will tell it to that damn cut_offer computer !! as Satsumargirls said and many ppl do it staying in college is another way but notice having 160 credits with the average of 3 needs 160 credits with 4 to become 3.5 which is not even competitive so it's nearly impossible for me to compensate it with 1 2 extra years I can just make it slightly better, so do u know what are the possible cut_offs?3.5 maybe? well as Blinknoodle and others said I have to check it throgh each university and I know how hard is it for int. stu. to get in, but as I don't have any family in Uk Aus ......I want to first try Canada please tell me with a GPA like 3 is it possible to get to med school??no Nobel prize ,no olympics gold medal ,no president of US parents .......!or really not meeting cut_offs is the end of the way?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Madz25 Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 Your best bet would be to try at McMaster with a ~3.0 GPA (their minimum requirement is 3.0). All other Canadian med schools have GPA cutoffs that are much higher. Although Canadian schools put more emphasis on GPA than on MCAT, a high GPA doesn't guarantee admission (it certainly helps). With a lower GPA, you are in that much more of a difficult position. With a 3.0, I'd say it would be quite difficult as a Canadian citizen/PR to get admission and even MORE difficult as an international student. Also, I agree with summervirus regarding the comment about IMG. You CANNOT be an IMG without a medical degree. Since you have completed your bachelors, you will be applying as an international student not an IMG. The term refers to someone who has gotten a medical degree (usually MBBS) in an international med school. This may be important when you are looking at requirements/procedures at med school websites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blinknoodle Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 I was thinking the OP meant IMG = immigrant? (not sure) Anyways, I'm not sure the message is getting through... there is no real hard and fast cut-off that covers every single medical school in Canada. Some have strict cut-offs which are published every year (which usually have GPA cut-offs over 3.6) (whether they take international students is another story), but other schools like Toronto do not have strict cut-offs, and are known to take people below the posted cut-offs. In addition, different schools will calculate your GPA differently.. Toronto will let you drop a certain number of courses, so if 1 or 2 poor courses are pulling you down, your GPA could change dramatically.. So.... check with each school you are eligible to apply as an international student. Then you can discuss your specifics with the admissions staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minisarah Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 woooooow after all encouraging posts these last 2 really made me optimist about future though I know chances are too slim.thank you very much blinnk and madz. I have applied for medical physics at Macmaster for this jauary,for just getting vissa I don't think of compeleting it! so I must change my mind as that would hurt me. UoT is the best university there I guess that will be wonderfull to even have a chance at! I'm going through that process to ask the adcoms what I should do ! by the way what about french schools?like laval?do they have lower GPA cut_offs?and do they study english materials or french ones? P.S. I must clarify that I mean IMG=immigrant not international medical graduates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cutieyellow Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 Laval takes approximately 1-2 international students per year. These are usually more than *exceptional*. Knowledge of french is mandatory - the classes, small groups, interaction w/ patients is all in french. Books are available in either languages usually, but we study mostly from class notes which are french. They will not accept you if you don't have knowledge of french. GPA requirements for residents are the same, not any lower than any other medical schools. But seeing how they only take 1-2 international students per year, i would assume that those GPAs are extremely high. CY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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