quebecrunner Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I'm so happy! A place to discuss with others, to share our personnal experience (and also... to practice my english....). Yes, i'm a non traditionnal applicants. 32 year old, working full time since the end of my B.Sc, and now, trying to reach med school. And i really dont care wich med school. I have a question. Is there an med school who take a look to our personnal experience as well as our GPA? I means that in Quebec, only marks counts. JF:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webshy Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Is there an med school who take a look to our personnal experience as well as our GPA? I means that in Quebec, only marks counts. All English speaking med schools in Canada look at more than just your GPA. However, they do all still have minimum GPA requirements. Some of the schools have cut-offs based on all your marks, while others have cut-offs based on only 2-3 years. Some schools weight your more recent years more heavily, while others allow you to exclude a number of courses depending upon how many courses you have completed. In addition to marks, schools will consider your MCAT marks (other than McMaster, Ottawa and NOSM). Again, how they consider these marks is dependent upon the school. Some have relatively high minimum cut-offs in each section, while others use the exam as a flag. All medical schools try to figure out who you are as a person. However, how they do so depends on the school. Many require essay-type answers to be submitted. Most consider your reference letters. (All schools require reference letters; however, some weight them quite heavily, while others do not.) All medical schools have interviews - either traditional panel interviews or Mini Multiple Interviews where there are a number (~10) stations that you rotate through. Each of the schools have different criteria. Thus, if you have one weaker area of your application, but other strong areas, you should still be able to earn a spot in medical school, provided you are flexible as to where you go. For example, an applicant with a lower MCAT mark might be more suited to U of T's admission process, while a student with a lower overall GPA might be more suited to Queen's or Western. Best wishes on your journey! Elaine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebecrunner Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Thanks! That will be usefull. I've never thoght about applying in Ontario med school before, but some people at work change my mind.... Anyway, i have a lot of time to prepare since i want to submit my application only for 2009-2010. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webshy Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I've never thoght about applying in Ontario med school before, but some people at work change my mind.... Ontario is a province in which many OOP applicants apply, because unlike most other provinces, many of the medical schools do not distinguish between in province and out of province applicants. U of T and Queen's make no distinction. Western makes no distinction between non-SWOMEN (south-western Ontario) applicants and OOP applicants. McMaster does make a distinction, but I'm not sure the details. Ottawa has several pools. I'm assuming that you could apply in the french stream, which lowers the GPA requirement considerably. NOSM strongly favours those from rural and remote areas. Elaine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebecrunner Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Yes, i was thinking about U Ottawa. And they have reserved seats for military applicants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackkeys Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Yes, i was thinking about U Ottawa. And they have reserved seats for military applicants If you're a french-speaking military applicant, you won't have much competition to get into Ottawa. You should definitely look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satsuma Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi there, We have 1 francophone military in the francophone stream at U of O in my class (meds 09). Apparently he is the first and a military/francophone spot isn`t the norm, at least not at the time. Doesn`t actually make sense why not. But anyway, just a heads up so you can look more into it if you like. That is just something I heard. But if they've done it once, they should be able to do it again! U of O support staff are really approachable and helpful, so don`t hesitate to contact them once you have some solid questions. (just don`t wait til they are super busy at interview time and when offers of admission go out). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebecrunner Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hello. Satsuma, the francophone military in your class isnt the first franco. My Comd, graduated from U of O in 92 if i'm correct. He was among the first batch of military applicants to get a seat in the MMTP program. And also a french canadian. I notice that you said french military isn't the norm at U of O. That's what i've heared. My boss said that is because they prefer to enter an university here in Quebec, even if its mean to go at Chicoutimi or Moncton. And now, since 2007, we have reserved spots in Quebec university (also McGill). So there will be less military french canadian to apply at U of O. And that's good for me!!! About the MCAT. If i decide to do it, does U of O will take it into account? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webshy Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 About the MCAT. If i decide to do it, does U of O will take it into account? U of O does not require nor consider the MCAT. Elaine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satsuma Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi Again, I was refering to the actual francophone stream at U of O. So currently, you can apply to do your studies in the anglophone stream where all your classes and clinical activities are in English or the francophone stream where the majority of your coursework and clinical work is in French. They are 2 different programmes (though we write the same exams). When your Comd was here he would have been doing pretty much all his schooling in English as there was no dedicated francophone programme. Like I said, I don`t see why it would make a difference what stream you apply to for the military spots. But I did hear from a faculty member that getting the funding to a franco spot involved a bit of work. (by franco spot, I am referring to the spot in the programme not the person applying). I guess maybe putting the funding to the franco spot means taking away funding from the anglo spot?? And maybe they are managed seperately, who knows....not me! Just brought it up so you can get as informed as possible before applying. Maybe it isn`t even an issue since they've already done it! (assuming you are interested in applying to the francophone stream) Anyway, good luck with your application! About the MCAT...Ottawa doesn`t take it into consideration because there is no French equivalent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebecrunner Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 So, there is two different streams. Well, i guess if i choose the french one, i'll be improving my english skills anyway. Maybe i didnt understood you as well as i believe! My english is not perfect. I spoke with the admission dept, and U of O didnt care about wich stream military applicants want to go since the military is providing the funding. Also, my boss did all his program in english. French stream didn't exist when he was there. We'll see what happens until next summer. I'm in the process for improving my GPA (full time works and full time study!!!! ) and i'm getting as much info as possible about med schools. But Ottawa will surely be my first choice. Thanks everyone for your answers and your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 So do you have to be a Reg Force member currently to apply through the MMTP program or you can apply as a Res Force member as well. I am currently a reserve forces member from Calgary and if I do apply to UofO, would I put in the military pool or no? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 So UofO doesn't require MCAT. Do they look at your entire academic record then or they look at the last 2-3 years of studying? There is a lot of good info on this forum and thanks to everyone for their input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 Ottawa considers your last 3 yrs of undergrad with a weighted system : last yr *3 yr before that * 2 yr before that *1 They get your entire transcript, but for the cutoffs that's all they use. You can find more info in the ottawa section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebecrunner Posted December 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 Hi NEPats Yes, reserve members can apply.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 JULIE thank you for the info..i understand how WGPA works now. I am not sure now. My WGPA for my undergrad in Nursing works out to be 3.70. I am confused now. Should I go do my masters and improve my gpa or what should I do?? Also how bad is it if I don't have all my required courses. All i have is half course in Bio and half course in chem...that's all. Quebecrunner, thank you. i am very very very excited now cos I can apply as a Reserve Force member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 I understand how WGPA works now. * I am SURE now* sorry for the typo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 Also how bad is it if I don't have all my required courses. All i have is half course in Bio and half course in chem...that's all. Well, you would need to take the courses. You can do them the same yr you apply though (Sept-April), they don't have to be completed by the time you submit your sketch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 My WGPA for my undergrad in Nursing works out to be 3.70. I am confused now. Should I go do my masters and improve my gpa or what should I do?? I'm not sure what the cutoff is for the military. If I had to guess, I would say 3.7 would be ok. Of course there are other factors involved so meeting the cutoff doesn't guaranty an interiview. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Julie Thank you again for your replies. I will register in the required courses. The Bio and chem courses that I've completed, my gpa is A- and B+ respectively. I hope they're not too stingy on straight A's on these required courses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satsuma Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 You just need to pass the prereqs ....you do however need to make sure you meet the wGPA or your application won`t be considered. You may want to inform yourself on what the past wGPA gut-offs have been for the applicant pool you will to apply to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Satsuma Thanks for the info. I checked with them and the military. I've learnt that wgpa of 3.7 is a little difficult to get in i.e. doesn't guarantee an interview. But then again nothing wrong with applying...it doesn't hurt. So I'll still apply and see if I get lucky. Now I am also in the process of applying to the Masters program here at UofC for Fall 08. my application to UofO med school will be sent out in 08 as well, so I am just wondering, in case I don't make it. Is it possible that when I apply again in 09, they'll use my first year masters gpa along with my gpa from my 3rd and 4th year bachelors to calculate wgpa????? So in this case: year 1 3rd year undergrad gpa x 1 year 2 fourth year undergrad gpa x 2 year 3 first year masters gpa x 3 Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satsuma Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Satsuma Thanks for the info. I checked with them and the military. I've learnt that wgpa of 3.7 is a little difficult to get in i.e. doesn't guarantee an interview. But then again nothing wrong with applying...it doesn't hurt. So I'll still apply and see if I get lucky. Now I am also in the process of applying to the Masters program here at UofC for Fall 08. my application to UofO med school will be sent out in 08 as well, so I am just wondering, in case I don't make it. Is it possible that when I apply again in 09, they'll use my first year masters gpa along with my gpa from my 3rd and 4th year bachelors to calculate wgpa????? So in this case: year 1 3rd year undergrad gpa x 1 year 2 fourth year undergrad gpa x 2 year 3 first year masters gpa x 3 Any thoughts? If you do a course-based masters and it is completed, they will take the entire degree and count it as your last year (eg. if your degree is 2 year course-based, it will count as just 1 year for the wGPA). So if your degree isn`t course-based this will not apply to you. Also if the degree isn`t completed it won`t apply to you either. They will do this only if your undergrad doesn`t meet the cut-off. With the recalculated wGPA you are then put in with the undergrad pool if it now meets the cut-off. If you do a research-based degree they will not cound any courses toward your wGPA. If your undergrad wGPA doesnt meet the cut-off they may invite you to submit a grad application package. You will be evaluated on things such as productivity (publications, poster presentations, scholarhips etc.). I am not sure but I would suspect you would need to have your grad school completed to go via this route ? Even if it wasn't required, it would be hard to be really productive in just one year of grad school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Satsuma thanks again for the valuable information. Yeah I will be doing a course based Masters. Another thing I was wondering is, my final year of my Bachelors of Nursing had very little coures and mostly clinical practicums. Those have a Pass/Fail grade. I passed em all and in my last semester of my studies I only had one 3 credit course and a full time practicum worth 15 credits. Would my final year still be calculated under wgpa or not? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEPats Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 So basically my year 4 of my BN had the following: Year Four Fall Semester o Leadership/Trends and Issues - 4 credits o Integrated Professional Practice - consolidation (3 wks) - NURS 4112 3credits o Senior Nursing Option - 3 credits Winter Semester o Transition to Independent Practice - 10 credits Science Option - 4 credits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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