futuredoc Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 So I was talking to a career counselor a little while ago about my desire to go into medicine after finishing three years of regular undergrad, and she told me that my chances were zero. Needless to say, I was a little confused (I wasn't expecting 20% or something like that but 0%?). I'm not terribly stressed by her opinion because I have dealt with many people who said I wouldn't even get this far, but I am curious enough to ask for a second opinion. Here are what my stats will be by September (I just completed first year): 3.99 GPA (full course load + Dean's list) 1st year Chemistry NSERC, twelve + eight months in hosp volunteering (cardiac rehab and assisting patients), four months debating society (just for fun), eight months premed society (not that amazing but its fun), four months volunteering in another chem research project (observing subjects and recording data), four months biology peer tutor, a few other small things here and there. In September I plan to continue working in the lab and become a peer coach. Anyways sorry for rambling so much. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jixe Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 How'd you even get into university? I really hope you're joking. Look around these forums. You're competitive, 'nough said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skvangs Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 So I was talking to a career counselor a little while ago about my desire to go into medicine after finishing three years of regular undergrad, and she told me that my chances were zero. Needless to say, I was a little confused (I wasn't expecting 20% or something like that but 0%?). I'm not terribly stressed by her opinion because I have dealt with many people who said I wouldn't even get this far, but I am curious enough to ask for a second opinion. Here are what my stats will be by September (I just completed first year): 3.99 GPA (full course load + Dean's list) 1st year Chemistry NSERC, twelve + eight months in hosp volunteering (cardiac rehab and assisting patients), four months debating society (just for fun), eight months premed society (not that amazing but its fun), four months volunteering in another chem research project (observing subjects and recording data), four months biology peer tutor, a few other small things here and there. In September I plan to continue working in the lab and become a peer coach. Anyways sorry for rambling so much. Thanks! if i were you... I would go to your counsellor and politely say "thank you, but you should go get counselling yourself". IS SHE CRAZY OR SOMETHING!!! you will definetly get in after 4th year, probably after 3rd (where u applying btw). I hope u are not trying to show off!? If what she told u didn't bother you why would you be asking this a few days later? just curious. anyways don't listen to her and prove her wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futuredoc Posted June 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 How'd you even get into university? I really hope you're joking. Look around these forums. You're competitive, 'nough said. I'm sorry, I just realized that I may be trolling(?). I was just looking for a second opinion. Still, thanks for the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jixe Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 I'm sorry, I just realized that I may be trolling(?). I was just looking for a second opinion. Still, thanks for the input! You're on the right track. Just do well on the MCAT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futuredoc Posted June 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 if i were you... I would go to your counsellor and politely say "thank you, but you should go get counselling yourself". IS SHE CRAZY OR SOMETHING!!! you will definetly get in after 4th year, probably after 3rd (where u applying btw). I hope u are not trying to show off!? If what she told u didn't bother you why would you be asking this a few days later? just curious. anyways don't listen to her and prove her wrong! I am not sure where I will apply, but I am thinking about Queen's and Toronto. I swear that I am not trying to show off, but I keep wondering if her statement has a hint of truth (just look at admissions last year). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolvenstar Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 if i were you... I would go to your counsellor and politely say "thank you, but you should go get counselling yourself". IS SHE CRAZY OR SOMETHING!!! you will definetly get in after 4th year, probably after 3rd (where u applying btw). I hope u are not trying to show off!? If what she told u didn't bother you why would you be asking this a few days later? just curious. anyways don't listen to her and prove her wrong! Ok, here's what you do.... 1) apply to med schools 2) getting accepted into a med school 3) track down that career counsellor 4) slap them in the face with your acceptance letter 5) walk away laughing maniacaly make sure you get this video-taped and then send me a copy, I have always wanted to see someone do this. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skvangs Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 hey why don't you apply to calgary? beef up those ecs and do the MCATs and u can apply in 2nd year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleboman Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Hey, keep up the good work and im sure you will get it. I did it and I did not have the best gpa. My gpa for the first 2 yrs in undergrad was 3.88. A couple of volunteering experiences also helped. But to get interviews isnt too bad if you do well on your mcats. Ottawa is a bit cheap in giving lil'uns interviews. A friend of mine with a near 4.0 gpa and excellent extra-currics didnt get one. Toronto is definitely doable. Same person got an interview at u of T. I did horrible on the mcat so basically limited myself to ottawa and mcmaster this year and scored the mac interview since its heavily based on gpa(pre-interview = 63%gpa 33%application questions and 4% bonus for graduate students) I'm starting this fall and there are enough people in the same boat as me and the position you will be in the future. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jixe Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 I did horrible on the mcat so basically limited myself to ottawa and mcmaster this year and scored the mac interview since its heavily based on gpa(pre-interview = 63%gpa 33%application questions and 4% bonus for graduate students) Good advice cleboman. I wonder if we rubbed shoulders at the Mac interview. Just as a correction, it was 53% GPA, 43% ABS and 4% bonus this past cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleboman Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 I think it changed, this is what it says on the mac site: Formula 1(preinterview) - 63% Undergraduate Grade Point Average, 33% Autobiographical Submission Score, up to 4% graduate experience. Formula 2(post-interview) - 33% Undergraduate Grade Point Average, 67% Multiple Mini-Interview. http://65.39.131.180/ContentPage.aspx?name=MD_Prog_-_Admissions_-_Selection_Process I thought it was 53 and 33 before too. My interview was on April 5th(saturday) in the afternoon. Yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In_Valid Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 if i were you... I would go to your counsellor and politely say "thank you, but you should go get counselling yourself". IS SHE CRAZY OR SOMETHING!!! you will definetly get in after 4th year, probably after 3rd (where u applying btw). I hope u are not trying to show off!? If what she told u didn't bother you why would you be asking this a few days later? just curious. anyways don't listen to her and prove her wrong! I would say you have a good chance but nothing is guaranteed. Don't get complacent. First year is MUCH easier than 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. This is not to mention that having a solid GPA alone will not get you into med school. I've known people who had 4.00 GPAs in first year but it dropped right down in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. I'm not trying to scare you but getting into med school is tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whale.of.a.time Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 3.99 GPA (full course load + Dean's list) That's a 3.99/4, right Futuredoc? That's a fantastic GPA, what a crazy counsellor. Did you do the MCAT? Keep your chin up, it sounds like your chances are right up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jixe Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 I think it changed, this is what it says on the mac site: Formula 1(preinterview) - 63% Undergraduate Grade Point Average, 33% Autobiographical Submission Score, up to 4% graduate experience. Formula 2(post-interview) - 33% Undergraduate Grade Point Average, 67% Multiple Mini-Interview. http://65.39.131.180/ContentPage.aspx?name=MD_Prog_-_Admissions_-_Selection_Process I thought it was 53 and 33 before too. My interview was on April 5th(saturday) in the afternoon. Yours? It changed for this upcoming cycle. I was April 5th too. 'Grats on getting in. I'm due for another round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futuredoc Posted June 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 That's a 3.99/4, right Futuredoc? That's a fantastic GPA, what a crazy counsellor. Did you do the MCAT? Keep your chin up, it sounds like your chances are right up there. Yeah it is out of 4. Not that I'm going to take it easy next year either though. I have had to work hard to get here and I have learned lots of new things that will help me next year. By the way, what is this about Calgary taking people after two years? I won't have the MCAT done until next summer, but I am curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skvangs Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Yeah it is out of 4. Not that I'm going to take it easy next year either though. I have had to work hard to get here and I have learned lots of new things that will help me next year. By the way, what is this about Calgary taking people after two years? I won't have the MCAT done until next summer, but I am curious. Good plan futuredoc. Anyways Calgary has a very cool program imo in that they accept 2nd years! This shows me that calgary recognizes that some students are mature enough and would fit well in a medical school even though they are a bit young compared to your would be "classmates". Calgary does accept 2nd years but you have got to be extremely competitive in terms of gpa, mcat and ecs. If you brought that gpa to a 4 and got 34+ on your mcat + boost your ecs a little, even though you are an oop like I am, I think you would have a pretty good chance to be called for an interview and eventually make it in! I talked to one of the 2nd years accepted for the class of '09 who was from western and i know now everybody's going to pounce on me... but he said that all oops that are competitive are interviewed, and the oop waitlist moves very fast as oops tend to have more competitive stats accept schools that are closer to them. All im saying is just consider it! it might just work out for you and other competitve students out there. btw here is the link if you want to check it out. Check out the table on page 15. http://medicine.ucalgary.ca/files/ApplicantsManual2007-2008.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakurabba Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Hey, just wanted to say its good to get others opinions but dont let them deter you, I went to some councelers when I was in second year and was detered by them because they thought medicine was just to hard and that dentistry was slowing down. needless to say I said fook them and diod my ****- thankfully I got interviewed and accepted this year - in spite of this 'difficulty' and my inability to spell:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In_Valid Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Hey, just wanted to say its good to get others opinions but dont let them deter you, I went to some councelers when I was in second year and was detered by them because they thought medicine was just to hard and that dentistry was slowing down. needless to say I said fook them and diod my ****- thankfully I got interviewed and accepted this year - in spite of this 'difficulty' and my inability to spell:) speeling iz overatid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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