Why You Should Choose OttawaU Meds

[Atreides]

The list is all true with the exceptions of:

4. we no longer have six week blocks, but we had our final before the Christmas break instead of after so we didn't have to study during it so it works out

5. we had two weeks for Christmas break in first year

13. we are to an extent systems based, but there is a bit more integration of the systems

19. we only have classes from 8:30-12:30 Monday to Friday, and one afternoon (1:30-4:30pm) a week

38. We have objective groups but there are no peer reviewers that i know of, except perhaps the fact that people will correct mistakes they catch

 

The new curriculum is different, but this information is contained in the thread (also the fact that we are pass/fail now) and in other threads

[Dr.Acula]

Hey there!

 

Congrats to everyone who got that awesome email from Chantal yesterday!! And if you got in to other schools too, doubly so! You are incredibly fortunate in having the opportunity to pick your medical school. It probably isn't an easy decision for you to make. I say that from experience - I was accepted at 2 other schools aside from Ottawa last year and struggled over deciding where to spend the next four years of my life and education.

 

If anyone has any questions about the Ottawa curriculum, school, city, social life, or anything at all which may impact your decision on which school to pick, post them in this thread and I will do my best to answer them.

 

To be totally honest I was never 100% sure about where to go, even after I accepted Ottawa's offer. BUT, exactly one year later, I can tell you with absolute certainty that OTTAWA IS THE BEST MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THE PROVINCE, NEIGH, THE COUNTRY. The curriculum, the city, the students and administration all result in a concoction of pure awesomeness.

 

I look forward to seeing everyone in August for frosh week - be prepared

 

Cheers!

And congrats again!! YOU'RE GONNA BE DOCTORS!

 

- Dr.Acula

uOttawa Meds 2013

[cheswick]

Hello,

 

I wanted to find out about renting a house, finding roomates etc, and was hoping someone could direct me to a facebook group for the entering class.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Guest viscous]

Hi Dr. Acula,

[Dr.Acula]

Hey Viscous,

Big ups for getting into an Ivy League school! I don't know much (and by that I mean anything whatsoever) about WCMC-Q, so I can't really speak towards the pros and cons of that.

 

In regards to your comments on Ottawa:

1. Yes, tuition here is cheaper than Quatar. In fact, I'm pretty sure we have the lowest tuition IN ONTARIO

2. P/F is key! We were H/P/F until just a year ago. A student led innitiative and an incredibly responsive administration resulted in the recent change. The lack of honors means there is zero competition between classmates and mucho collaboration. We share notes, have study groups, and fully support each other academically.

3. No step 1 --> noooo stress until CARMs

4. No IMG. This is an especially important one. I know residency matching is wayyy down the road for you, but it is much easier to get those competitive spots if you train domestically.

5. I'm not going to touch on this too much, because I'll end up writing an essay on how incredible the school, administration, professors, classmates, friends, doctors, neighbors..... how incredible everything about this place is!!!!

6. Canadian capital. Being here when Canada won Olympic gold. Nuff said. Also, tulip festival if you're into that lol.

7. Living is deffffinitely cheaper than Toronto. Ottawa has that big city feel, without the major costs.

 

As for what you described as Ottawa's 'cons':

 

1. CBL - I'm not sure why you consider this a down side. CBL is the BEST part of the curriculum here in my opinion. The only difference between CBL and PBL is that in CBL we get a defined list of objectives for each case (as opposed to spending an hour trying to figure out what we "should" be learning). This saves us time and ensures consistancy between groups. The tutors are for the most part specialists in the topic you're learning (i.e. Nephrologists during renal, etc.). The sessions allow us to clinically apply what we are learning in lectures. It's a great forum to ask questions about lecture or something you read. Finally, the small group format allows you to get to know your classmates a bit better, which is always fun

 

2. Balancing LIFE. Have you heard that we have afternoons off 4 days a week? Yep, that means class ends at 12:30! This allows ample time for you to do electives, research, study, sleep, watch tv, grab a pitcher... sometimes all at once! .... except the beer and electives part - that'll get you kicked out. In all honestly, how you spend your PMs is up to you. Some people are completing their Masters programs while doing first year MS. Others have set up electives 3 days a week. It is totally your call. Your learning is pretty self directed here but lectures and CBL sort of let you know if you're on track. To answer your question, if you want to do research and electives, you can by all means as long as you are able to balance the two with everything else that accompanies med school life. Most people save research for summers (or don't do it at all!) Your free time here really is YOUR free time. My advice would be to enjoy it!! Electives are fun and interesting, but NOT required in MS1 and MS2. Same with research. We'll have our entire lives to do clinic and research, but just 2 years of afternoons off. I recommend making the most of it.

 

Wow, sorry about this long-winded (or long-typed??) answer. I hope it aids you in your decision. If it helps at all, we have a wicked fun Frosh week planned - ask FABS about it haha.

 

Hope to see you in August!

 

Cheers,

Dr.Acula

[Guest viscous]

Hey Viscous,

Big ups for getting into an Ivy League school! I don't know much (and by that I mean anything whatsoever) about WCMC-Q, so I can't really speak towards the pros and cons of that.

 

In regards to your comments on Ottawa:

1. Yes, tuition here is cheaper than Quatar. In fact, I'm pretty sure we have the lowest tuition IN ONTARIO

2. P/F is key! We were H/P/F until just a year ago. A student led innitiative and an incredibly responsive administration resulted in the recent change. The lack of honors means there is zero competition between classmates and mucho collaboration. We share notes, have study groups, and fully support each other academically.

3. No step 1 --> noooo stress until CARMs

4. No IMG. This is an especially important one. I know residency matching is wayyy down the road for you, but it is much easier to get those competitive spots if you train domestically.

5. I'm not going to touch on this too much, because I'll end up writing an essay on how incredible the school, administration, professors, classmates, friends, doctors, neighbors..... how incredible everything about this place is!!!!

6. Canadian capital. Being here when Canada won Olympic gold. Nuff said. Also, tulip festival if you're into that lol.

7. Living is deffffinitely cheaper than Toronto. Ottawa has that big city feel, without the major costs.

 

As for what you described as Ottawa's 'cons':

 

1. CBL - I'm not sure why you consider this a down side. CBL is the BEST part of the curriculum here in my opinion. The only difference between CBL and PBL is that in CBL we get a defined list of objectives for each case (as opposed to spending an hour trying to figure out what we "should" be learning). This saves us time and ensures consistancy between groups. The tutors are for the most part specialists in the topic you're learning (i.e. Nephrologists during renal, etc.). The sessions allow us to clinically apply what we are learning in lectures. It's a great forum to ask questions about lecture or something you read. Finally, the small group format allows you to get to know your classmates a bit better, which is always fun

 

2. Balancing LIFE. Have you heard that we have afternoons off 4 days a week? Yep, that means class ends at 12:30! This allows ample time for you to do electives, research, study, sleep, watch tv, grab a pitcher... sometimes all at once! .... except the beer and electives part - that'll get you kicked out. In all honestly, how you spend your PMs is up to you. Some people are completing their Masters programs while doing first year MS. Others have set up electives 3 days a week. It is totally your call. Your learning is pretty self directed here but lectures and CBL sort of let you know if you're on track. To answer your question, if you want to do research and electives, you can by all means as long as you are able to balance the two with everything else that accompanies med school life. Most people save research for summers (or don't do it at all!) Your free time here really is YOUR free time. My advice would be to enjoy it!! Electives are fun and interesting, but NOT required in MS1 and MS2. Same with research. We'll have our entire lives to do clinic and research, but just 2 years of afternoons off. I recommend making the most of it.

 

Wow, sorry about this long-winded (or long-typed??) answer. I hope it aids you in your decision. If it helps at all, we have a wicked fun Frosh week planned - ask FABS about it haha.

 

Hope to see you in August!

 

Cheers,

Dr.Acula

 

 

Thanks for that! Helpful.

 

 

I'd like other UOttawa Meds to chime in as well on my questions.

[silverjelly]

Thanks for that! Helpful.

 

 

I'd like other UOttawa Meds to chime in as well on my questions.

 

 

Just do it. You won't regret it. Ottawa has excellent caring administrators and faculty, and is a lovely city. Best decision I've ever made.

 

-Meds 2011

[DrOz]

Thanks for that! Helpful.

 

 

I'd like other UOttawa Meds to chime in as well on my questions.

 

I'm in a similar situation as you and have done a ton of research on the pros and cons of canadian vs international. If you want to practice in Canada in anything beyond Family Med, don't go abroad. You will spend every moment of free time trying to take electives in Canada while you're competitors for tough residency spots have it baked into their program. You will also have far less time if at all to do any research in international programs because of this fact. Disclaimer: This is only if you want to get back into Canada. People do match, but I hear it's like gunning for 1st place in a marathon with no shoes.

 

I don't want to sound like I'm saying that international schools aren't up to par. Most are. It's the canadian system that is largely at fault here, but I understand that they can't really deal with evaluating each international school on a case by case basis. I made the decision that the experience abroad is just not worth it. The boon of uOttawa is you'll have the flexibility and time to visit Qatar

[Guest viscous]

I'm in a similar situation as you and have done a ton of research on the pros and cons of canadian vs international. If you want to practice in Canada in anything beyond Family Med, don't go abroad. You will spend every moment of free time trying to take electives in Canada while you're competitors for tough residency spots have it baked into their program. You will also have far less time if at all to do any research in international programs because of this fact. Disclaimer: This is only if you want to get back into Canada. People do match, but I hear it's like gunning for 1st place in a marathon with no shoes.

 

I don't want to sound like I'm saying that international schools aren't up to par. Most are. It's the canadian system that is largely at fault here, but I understand that they can't really deal with evaluating each international school on a case by case basis. I made the decision that the experience abroad is just not worth it. The boon of uOttawa is you'll have the flexibility and time to visit Qatar

 

thank you, thank you. uOttawa seems to be an awesome place.

 

Add in the fact that 6 years ago when I had finished high school, I wanted to go Ontario route only for med. I was stubborn. And did not want intl. I wonder now that since I have the opportunity 6 years later, do I even need to think second time? Most likely, it is ottawa med.

 

See you guys there!

[DrOz]

thank you, thank you. uOttawa seems to be an awesome place.

 

Add in the fact that 6 years ago when I had finished high school, I wanted to go Ontario route only for med. I was stubborn. And did not want intl. I wonder now that since I have the opportunity 6 years later, do I even need to think second time? Most likely, it is ottawa med.

 

See you guys there!

 

I definitely had a hard time passing on a sweet experience abroad, but I know I can make up for it in the future. I'm also probably going to be on the upper half of the age bell curve for the class (I'm 27... not old at all, but I'm not 23 like most coming from their undergrad), so I'm no longer in a gambling mood when it comes to my career. Here's the kicker, you've already beat the dice roll for getting into med, do you want to try your luck a second time in 4 years I said no.

 

It's an annoying decision that's subject to infinite debate, but at the end of the day, that's what it comes down to currently in 2010.

 

See ya there!

[Leon]

Hey guys. Does anyone know the Ottawa cut off this year (GPA wise) and where they officially post it?

[thatonekid]

Hey guys. Does anyone know the Ottawa cut off this year (GPA wise) and where they officially post it?

3.70 (or maybe 3.75?) Ottawa/Champlain LHIN, 3.85 Ontario, 3.87 OOP

 

They don't officially post it, but you can email or call admissions and they give this info out. However, it may change from year to year.

[SHAFTED]

I know Vijay, he's a super cool guy!

[hkmedic]

Hey everyone,

 

I just have a few questions:

 

-What are the facilities at uOttawa like? i.e. classrooms, labs, etc.? The tour did give me a decent view of the facilities... but some areas looked disappointing? For example, the library (even the students who led my tour didn't seem too enthusiastic...)

 

-Also, are all health-related faculties housed at Roger Guidon? It seems a bit cramped?

 

-I know this question has been asked before, but how much clinical exposure (with real patients / standardized patients??) is there in first and second year? Do most students take up the opportunity to do electives in the afternoon? Are Ottawa Hospital and CHEO the only two teaching hospitals as part of the curriculum?

 

-How do students spend their summers? Electives? Research?

 

Thanks in advance.

[raptorsfan]

Hey everyone,

 

I just have a few questions:

 

-What are the facilities at uOttawa like? i.e. classrooms, labs, etc.? The tour did give me a decent view of the facilities... but some areas looked disappointing? For example, the library (even the students who led my tour didn't seem too enthusiastic...)

 

-Also, are all health-related faculties housed at Roger Guidon? It seems a bit cramped?

 

-I know this question has been asked before, but how much clinical exposure (with real patients / standardized patients??) is there in first and second year? Do most students take up the opportunity to do electives in the afternoon? Are Ottawa Hospital and CHEO the only two teaching hospitals as part of the curriculum?

 

-How do students spend their summers? Electives? Research?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Long time lurker, first time poster.

 

Great questions that I'm also interested in knowing the answers to. I was also accepted to UOttawa, and am curious as to a rumor I heard that the school has just introduced a standardized patient program in French, but one is yet to exist in the English program? Any insight into this?

 

Thanks so much in advance

[silverjelly]

Hey everyone,

 

I just have a few questions:

 

-What are the facilities at uOttawa like? i.e. classrooms, labs, etc.? The tour did give me a decent view of the facilities... but some areas looked disappointing? For example, the library (even the students who led my tour didn't seem too enthusiastic...)

 

Facilities aren't great. Labs are fine, classrooms are typical classrooms, library has a nice quiet room with cubicles that are better-looking than the ones in the main area, and conference rooms if you're into group studying. Lounge is alright, recently "renovated" so it looks slightly less terrible.

 

-Also, are all health-related faculties housed at Roger Guidon? It seems a bit cramped?

 

Embarrassing that I actually don't know the answer to this question; I know nursing is also there. I wouldn't call it cramped, though.

 

-I know this question has been asked before, but how much clinical exposure (with real patients / standardized patients??) is there in first and second year? Do most students take up the opportunity to do electives in the afternoon? Are Ottawa Hospital and CHEO the only two teaching hospitals as part of the curriculum?

 

First and second year there is some clinical exposure (organized) through PSD. You can do as many electives as you want on the side if you want more patient contact.

 

I was in the last year of the old curriculum, so we didn't get every afternoon off as students do now. Either way, there's a lot of individual variability - some people did a lot of electives, others did none. It really doesn't effect anything at all. Most people would do them to see what specialties are like but honestly 10 hours isn't really enough to get a great idea; more of just a flavor.

 

The Montfort is often used for the french stream. Queensway Carleton I don't think is used until third year, and that is just sparingly for some rotations like psychiatry.

 

-How do students spend their summers? Electives? Research?

 

However they want. Some do research or other work, a lot travel, even more just hang out. Electives are more of thing you do during the school year but I guess you can entertain yourself with them during the summer if it floats your boat.

 

 

- silverjelly (Meds 2011)

[hkmedic]

^ Thanks a lot for the thorough reply silverjelly!

[randolph]

they don't happen to have a gym at the OttawaU health sci centre do they? probablee not huh, the main campus is like 15+minutes? away though sooo where to lift?

im wondering if its gonna be hard living there

[shannn]

they don't happen to have a gym at the OttawaU health sci centre do they? probablee not huh, the main campus is like 30+minutes away though sooo where to lift?

im wondering if its gonna be hard living there

 

IIRC, during the orientation, they said that there is a gym there, but there is an extra fee. But if we use the main campus gym, it is included in our tuition

[randolph]

ohhh okay that changes a lot

the gym is a significant factor

i'm now feeling divided between living close to main campus versus health sci

 

the health sci residential area doesn't have a lot in good walking distance (in terms of restaurants & grocery)

also i think the student community might be nicer near main campus

[hkmedic]

ohhh okay that changes a lot

the gym is a significant factor

i'm now feeling divided between living close to main campus versus health sci

 

the health sci residential area doesn't have a lot in good walking distance (in terms of restaurants & grocery)

also i think the student community might be nicer near main campus

 

Can someone comment on the quality of the gym? The gym is also quite important to me too.

 

I don't mean to be picky, but my undergrad university's gym was literally like working out in a sewer (it was an underground gym, no windows, poor lighting, poor ventilation, not a lot of equipment, outdated equipment), but I guess it was 'good' for the price (~$180 for the year).

[Caylynn]

Can someone comment on the quality of the gym? The gym is also quite important to me too.

 

I don't mean to be picky, but my undergrad university's gym was literally like working out in a sewer (it was an underground gym, no windows, poor lighting, poor ventilation, not a lot of equipment, outdated equipment), but I guess it was 'good' for the price (~$180 for the year).

 

I can only comment on the gyms at the main campus, since I taught group fitness classes there for many years.

 

The Sports Complex is a relatively new complex and has a wonderful gym with lots and lots of weights, weight training machines and cardio machines. Also has a wonderful group fitness room. I really enjoyed teaching classes here.

 

There is also a gym in Montpetit Hall, which is where the swimming pool is located. It's older, so not quite as nice as the Sports Complex, but the gym is still very well maintained, with lots of weights and cardio and weight machines. The group fitness room here isn't as nice - it's also a dance studio, so not designed for group fitness classes.

[kbox]

IIRC, during the orientation, they said that there is a gym there, but there is an extra fee.

 

Does anyone know what the gym at the RGN is like/what the costs are?

[Atreides]

I've never used the gym so I cannot comment on the quality of the facility but there is a fully equipped gym with cardio equipment, weights, and classes at the General Hospital for approximately $20/month and the Cancer Rehab gym in the portable outside CHEO with cardio equipment which also costs money but I am unsure how much.

 

As for the facilities: the main classrooms used by the english class are large amphitheatres for the whole class lectures, mainly Amph D for first years and Amph E for second years, and the small CBL rooms. Amphitheatres D and E have long tables that span the entire width of the room with attached chairs and have a power plug and internet cable plug for each desk. Amph E also has monitors at intervals so that people closer to the back can see the powerpoints without having to see all the way to the front. The CBL rooms have a single conference room desk with chairs around it and these also have power plugs and internet plugs. They also contain a white board, a computer which runs the projector, and a exam table. The other two Amphitheatres (A and will not be used as often and do not contain power plugs or internet plugs and contain rows of seats with attached fold out desks.

 

The labs used are mainly the anatomy lab which seems fine to me (it contains metal table/gurneys for cadavers, stools, surgery scrub style sinks, and multiple computer monitors for viewing anatomy) and the histology lab which contains three long table with chairs around it and has power plugs and internet plugs and contains a way to hook up the microscope to the screen.

 

The library is being renovated so presumeably it will be nicer next year, it has multiple study carols, several private rooms, and a couple of tables. The lounge is much nicer than before as they changed the couches and added power plugs near the couches. There are also 3-4 microwaves and a bank of fridges. There is also another lounge on the third floor which is nice but is technically for graduate students.

 

Hope this helps.

[Atreides]

Clinical exposure is quite good in first and second year. There is PSD sessions which involves weekly sessions interviewing real patients at the hospitals for the first 2 months or so, then after there are sessions teaching physical exam skills most weeks on standardized patients. There is a mandatory clinical rural week at the end of first year and a mandatory elective week after March break in second year. There is also 2 sessions in family medicine through the community preceptor program in first year as part of PSD and 3 sessions in second year. Other than that we have four of our five days of class end at 12:30 thus there is ample time to do clinical electives, these are typically 10 hour observerships set up with preceptors. We also have the opportunity to do one month rural electives during the summers with ROMP or ERMEP or do international clinical electives or other clinical experience.

 

People chose to do many things during the summers from research to clinical electives to travel to simply relaxing.