Help Deciding which US Schools to Apply to

[Guest CShier]

Hello,

 

I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice about at which US med schools I would have the best chance of being accepted at. I graduated from UBC in 2003 with a BSc with a 3.84 GPA.

 

MCAT:

Phys 14

Biol 13

Verb 11

Writing Sample O

 

I am currently working as a lab tech studying Alzheimer's Disease at U of T. I have a fairly well-rounded list of extra-curriculars. The reason I didn't get in before was probably due to my interviews.

 

Thanks,

 

Cortney

[Guest moo]

You have a nice package. Apply to a wide range of schools with some back-ups. You'll get in somewhere, as long as you don't blow your interview. Don't sweat it.

[Guest CShier]

Yeah, what I am looking for in applying to US schools is which schools to apply to as "backups", i.e. schools which I would have a better chance at than the Canadian schools. I have good grades and MCAT, so does anyone know a couple US schools which rely more heavily on those and are not super-tough to get into?

[Guest moo]

The only school which I know of that is almost all numbers is Wash U in St. Louis. You have a great shot at almost every school in the US, including the top ones, but of course that does not guarantee admittance.

[Guest CShier]

Thanks for your positive support. I'm not quite as confident, but hopefully it'll work out. Unfortunately, I just found out that the schools that I had been interested in do not accept my MCAT scores (April 2001). Do I have a significantly better chance of getting in down in the US than Canada? I am wondering because I need to consider writing the MCAT again next spring. Or should I just apply to Irish schools? Ireland seems like a good option, although, it is 5 years and I've heard it's easier to get into Canadian residency from the US than Ireland. (Can you match in the first round from US schools?)

[Guest moo]

Yes you can match in the first round of Carms from a US school. I'd take the MCAT again if I were you. I think some schools in the US might accept an August 01 MCAT score, as it's only been three years. Your best bet would be to call the schools you're interested in as I don't have this info offhand. Also, some schools will take scores that are 3 years old, others as old as 5 years, so this varies considerably. If you want to come back to North America, you should aim to get into a US or Can. school. I am sure you can get a great education from Ireland but there are just more hoops to jump through. Going to a US school will give you a good chance at the competitive US residencies should you desire one, and should guarantee you at least an FP residency or one of the lesser competitive residencies back in Canada. I know one person who matched in UT Hosp for Sick Children peds from my school. (Don't know how competitive peds is though up there.) Good luck!