Final selection process...how does it work?

[hp18]

If someone has high GPA & good MCAT score (say 3.9 & 36P) and gets an interview then does GPA & MCAT score become irrelevant and admission decision solely depends on how you perform at the interview and ECs? Don't they have some kind of formula with weigtage for each item (GPA, MCAT, ECs & Interview)?

[Smurfette]

It depends on the school.

 

At Queen's, for example, MCAT and GPA are used to select for interviews, but after that selection is completely blind to MCAT and GPA. Once you reach the interview stage, you'll get in based on the other parts of your written application (volunteer work, EC's) and your interview.

 

At UBC, there is a final review that looks at everything: interview, EC's, GPA, essay, MCAT.

 

Most schools use some combination. I would say that for every school in Canada, it is impossible to get in with just a good MCAT and GPA - you will not make it unless you have a decent interview and EC's. In general, once you meet the cutoffs, the MCAT's won't help you much on your application. The same is somewhat true with GPA - if you have a decent GPA with no significant blips (ie. some very bad courses), then it will be the interview/EC's/essay that will make the difference.

[hp18]

What about UoT & McMaster?

[Kirsteen]

Hi there,

 

I'm not sure about McMaster, but in the past UofT's final admission rankings were based on a composite score of interview marks, essay, etc. Therefore, the non-interview components of the admissions process did not become irrelevant when it came to determining who were offered spots.

 

Cheers,

Kirsteen

[White-Tiger]

At McGill the final decision is based on this scheme:

20% MCAT

20% cGPA

20% Autobio Letter

40% Interview

 

Hope this helps.

[TonesRN]

McMaster's final admission ranking does include the cumulative GPA scores. cGPA counts for 33% and the MMI counts for 67% of the final ranking.

[hp18]

What is MMI?

[Kuantum]

Multiple Mini Interview

 

Instead of the common panel interview, you rotate through a series of different scenarios, responding to each based on the prompt.