Family issues and the application process

[Violet]

..........

[medwannabe08]

I applaud you for having the right attitude. Rather than the typical "oh woe is me, give me special consideration" attitude I was expecting, you're taking responsibility and being pro-active at fixing things. I respect that.

 

And yes, mention it in your essays.

 

Good luck.

[Jamer]

Absolutely mention it. Make sure you sound just as you did here though--that is, not the "woe is me, pity me" attitude but the "my GPA suffered but I'm stronger and hence my upward trend." If you bust out some 3.7's+ in 4th and 5th year, you'll be fine. They'll probably completely ignore your previous grades.

[Guest soaring_eagle]

Hey Violet.

 

I hope you keep on trying. One of my parents died suddendly right before I began my university studies and I know its been harder for me to get good grades than the average person without that added stress. So I know how you feel.

 

Remember for admissions commities, they only know what you tell them. I still have a good GPA, but it could have been better, and it is ipmortant for Admissions to know it is a reflection of hte demands of the situation at the time. It is simply unreasonable to assume someone going through this is in an optimal cognitive state.

 

Good luck.

[Violet]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I really appreciate it

[Hackintosh]

I would like to hijack this thread... I am in a similar situation, however, the psychiatric problems were with me and not a family member. My GPA went downhill since my problems started:

1st year : 3.85

2nd year: 3.85

3rd year: 3.64 (this is when it all started)

4th year: 2.97

Although I'm feeling much better right now, I am pretty lost on my next step; Should I do a fifth year or is there a less time consuming way of showing them that I can complete medical school?

[rogerroger]

After your undergrad degree if your GPA is uncompetitive you have 6 primary options in my opinion:

 

1) Undergo more undergrad studies:

 

 

- PROS: If you have achieved good grades in university and only one or two bad years are holding you back this is a safe reliable way to increase your GPA.

 

- CONS: It takes one or more years. If you didnt like undergrad this option might seem unattractive.

 

 

2) Apply to the USA:

 

- PROS: Good chance of getting in if your GPA is borderline and if you have a greater than average MCAT (>30). This plan will also allow you to directly start medical school and later more easily return to Canada.

 

- CON: You will be outside of Canada and it is very very expensive.

 

3) Apply to Australia or Ireland or a US DO school:

 

- PROS: If your stats are only slightly below that which is needed for Canada, lets say (3.5, 28P) then this can get you into medical school. Will allow you to be a doctor without dedicating further years and uncertainty to unmedical related studies. Many of these universities have great reputations.

 

- CON: Very expensive and one must be flexible to doing residency in the USA. Limited post-grad specialization.

 

 

4) Apply to SGU, ROSS, SABA:

 

- PROS: You can have low stats and still go to medical school (3.0, 24). Will allow you to be a doctor without dedicating further years and uncertainty to unmedical related studies.

 

- CONS: Very high attrition rate (ie. few people who start finish). Very expensive and residency in Canada is unlikely. Some consider these schools to have sketchy reputations. Limited post-grad specialization.

 

 

5) Undergo a Masters degree:

 

- PROS: Keeps you in academia and provides a depth of experience. Will allow you to have viable career alternatives to medicine. Will improve your med application.

 

- CONS: Usually requires one to postpone their pursuit of medicine for at least a year. How greatly a masters degree benefits your med application is questionable.

 

 

6) Select another career option:

 

- PROS: Can allow one to serve their community in another capacity unique to themselves. Allows one to make some money and not go into massive debt.

 

- CONS: Not a viable option if one has their heart set on pursuing medicine.

 

 

7) Apply in Canada anyways:

 

- PROS: A few people with lower stats get in every year. Some schools consider your two best years. Others have low GPA cutoffs.

 

- CONS: If your cumulative GPA is lower than 3.7 your chances are very very remote.

 

 

 

The viability of these options are dependent on the strength of your GPA, MCAT, financial resources and drive to pursue medicine.

[Clover_leaf]

rogerroger-I like the way you think Having you point out those different options for others is great!