algus123 Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 I've been wondering lately if theres even any point to writing the MCAT? I'm in my third year at UT and i have a GPA of 3.2. It's so bad because of second year. Is there any hope at all in Canada for me at all? I was thinking of taking a year off so I can have my fourth year marks before i apply. But i don't know what to do in that time or if i should jsut give up on this hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webshy Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 I've been wondering lately if theres even any point to writing the MCAT? I'm in my third year at UT and i have a GPA of 3.2. It's so bad because of second year. Is there any hope at all in Canada for me at all? I was thinking of taking a year off so I can have my fourth year marks before i apply. But i don't know what to do in that time or if i should jsut give up on this hope. Don't give up. There are lots of schools in Canada, and each one uses a different weighting formula. Take a look at how each school computes their GPA (all courses vs best/most recent 2-3 years vs more recent years weighted heavier vs drop a certain number of credits). Then, figure out how you sit for each of those schools. Even if your GPA isn't competitive at this time, you still have time. That may mean completing more undergraduate work, but if you are determined, you still have options. My overall GPA is lower than your's, and that's after 3.78 for my last two years. That said, a strong MCAT (32R) has meant that I'm competitive for at least three schools in Canada. I have at least one guaranteed interview, and am hoping for two others. I figure all it takes is one acceptance to become a doctor! Best wishes to you. Elaine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algus123 Posted December 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 i keep reading about how there are people that screw up first year but i screwed up second year so either way the weighting isnt to my advantage. i still have two years where i can pull of really good marks but if i apply in fourth year will they look at fourth year marks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcpherv Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 Hi algus123, You're definately not alone in having done poorly in your second year. That said, it is not an especially easy thing to overcome, but it can be done. As other posts cover, if you have one year of a full 5.0 credit course load, (without repeats) above Western's cutoff (currently a GPA of 3.7), and meet the MCAT cuts as well, they will grant an interview and any acceptance will be conditional on making the cutoff in the current year of study. As far as I understand, Western is the only school that does this, but it still provides you a chance for acceptance for after your 4th year provided your academic performance rebounds. I was in the same boat as you a couple of years ago, and although I have not yet been accepted, I hope to gain acceptance for 2008. I am currently in my 2nd year of an M.Sc. in Biochemistry, and have the following undergraduate stats: Queen's Life Science GPA: 3.69, 2.77, 3.77, 3.82 (Total = 3.53) MCAT (P/V/B): 10/10/11, 31Q I had an interview at Western in my 4th year (for entrance in 2006) and although I did not get accepted, it gave me experience with the process. I did not have sufficient extracurriculars at the time, so make sure you have yourself covered. Also, if you have extenuating circumstances that contributed to your poor performance, it might be worth a shot to send letters to the schools you apply to in order to explain what happened. They may or may not choose to take that into consideration. Long story short, its an uphill battle, but can be done. I have my fingers crossed that it'll happen for me this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algus123 Posted December 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 so the second year with the 3.7 GPA can be the year that you are in when you apply? i thought it was the two years before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcpherv Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 Yes, the second can be the year you're applying (pg. 5, http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/education/admissions/medicine/documents/AdmissionsPolicy2007_11.pdf) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algus123 Posted December 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 what extracurriculars did you do to boost up your application Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 what extracurriculars did you do to boost up your application They are in no way looking for any particular extracurricular activities. Everybody is different, they just want to see that you're capable of accomplishing things outside of school and that you, in fact, do have a life outside of school (i.e. you're not a psycho who just studies every waking moment of the day). Your ECs should highlight your personal attributes and skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcpherv Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 what extracurriculars did you do to boost up your application I posted a list of my extracurriculars, etc here: http://www.premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24077&page=2 Note the ones that I've done since the start of my graduate degree (note: I only started looking at this site while on the waitlist at Western, and was initially intimidated). I do have things from before, and it is hard to evaluate how they look from an outside perspective. That said, I did not have hospital volunteer experience and my leadership positions thinned out between my 2nd and 4th years of university. Just make sure you stay busy (although, your academics come first - make sure you allow yourself the time you need to get back on track!) with things you enjoy, but also remember to do things that indicate an interest in the medical field. Biggest thing - don't allow yourself to feel overwhelmed by the stats, etc you see here. Use this site to get a feel for what some individuals have accomplished (profiles posted by people that have been accepted provide an overview of their accomplishments), and to provide ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcpherv Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 They are in no way looking for any particular extracurricular activities. Everybody is different, they just want to see that you're capable of accomplishing things outside of school and that you, in fact, do have a life outside of school (i.e. you're not a psycho who just studies every waking moment of the day). Your ECs should highlight your personal attributes and skills. I definately think that this true overall. However, I think it is still important to do something that provides some experience in a hospital/healthcare setting, as this shows an interest in the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algus123 Posted December 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 thank you you guys! you've made me feel a lot better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon01 Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 Someone needs to make a thread on this subject and get it stickied at the top. It has to be asked at least twice a day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 I definately think that this true overall. However, I think it is still important to do something that provides some experience in a hospital/healthcare setting, as this shows an interest in the field. That's true. Some clinical experience would be nice to have - after all, how can you determine whether or not you like something if you're not on the front lines? Edit: Just a note about this, if you do decide to volunteer in a hospital or something like that - make sure you're going to actually be doing something meaningful. A lot of my friends have mentioned to me that they were doing nothing that really let them get an idea of what a doctor's day would be like... the experience you get at one place can be entirely different from that in another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmedo007 Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 thank you you guys! you've made me feel a lot better! Well, that's what we're here for! haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algus123 Posted December 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 what do you guys think is worth doing if we have to wait a year because we couldn't get in the first time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 what do you guys think is worth doing if we have to wait a year because we couldn't get in the first time? There has been lots of discussion on this topic. If you do a search, I'm sure you will find some good ideas, as well as the pros & cons of each possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microbiodude Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Hey guys, I have a 3.69 GPA and I'm currently in my 3rd year of study. I also have a 32Q for my MCATS 12-BS, 11-PS, 9-VR. I applied this year but haven't been successful. Do you think I'll have a better shot if I do my master's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochi1543 Posted February 1, 2008 Report Share Posted February 1, 2008 Hey guys, I have a 3.69 GPA and I'm currently in my 3rd year of study. I also have a 32Q for my MCATS 12-BS, 11-PS, 9-VR. I applied this year but haven't been successful. Do you think I'll have a better shot if I do my master's? Where did you apply? You've already heard from all your schools? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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