FAQ: What are my chances?

[cats22]

Deleted

[bruhh]

2 publications, nice!

 

If you qualify for weighing formulae for UofT, your GPA might be good enough for them. Your 2 publications would definitely help you there as well.

 

You have no chance with that MCAT score, Definitely rewrite and do your best on it.

 

With a stellar MCAT you can get in Weatern, Queens, Mac, and even possibly UofT.

[oshaku]

If your gpa is a 3.935 or 3.94 flat, is there a difference that shows up on med school applications? Or will they both be seen as 3.94

Funny thing. McGill GPA rounds down. With a calculated GPA of 3.867, on my transcript, it shows up as 3.86. But on my application, because of having to re-enter the grades, it got rounded to 3.87. Also, my transcript shows I have 137 credits, but my app counts 144.

 

Moral of the story is every school you apply to may calculate your GPA differently from your home institution. 3.93 or 3.94 really will not make much difference.

[sdj78we9jtf2o3mgfvj298j]

If your gpa is a 3.935 or 3.94 flat, is there a difference that shows up on med school applications? Or will they both be seen as 3.94

On OMSAS my GPA was the same and it rounded to 3.94.

[daftypatty]

On OMSAS my GPA was the same and it rounded to 3.94.

 

Great! Thanks!

[ralk]

On OMSAS my GPA was the same and it rounded to 3.94.

 

Not all that important, but the rounding on OMSAS doesn't apply to all schools. Pretty sure Western's cutoff is hard to the nth decimal place - getting a rounded up 3.70 isn't good enough. Queen's may be the same. Pretty irrelevant for most schools and would only apply to a tiny fraction of applicants - agreed with the above posters that a 3.93 vs 3.94 is pretty irrelevant.

[Jaybird]

Hi, 

I'm new here. I'm wondering if I could get some advice since I've had a really hard time sorting this out on my own. 

I'm deciding if it is worth trying to get in to an Ontario school or if I should go somewhere else, perhaps Ireland or the US. 

 

cGPA (4 years undergrad with a french minor): 3.75.   GPA last 2 years: 3.88.  My 2nd year was pretty bad, which brings down the cGPA. 

 

MCAT: I wrote it last september and only got a 24 (7/8/9) because I was working full-time and wasn't properly prepared. I can write again, but I don't want to spend all that money/time if my chances aren't good regardless.

 

ECs: Co-founder and treasurer of a campus club, co-ordinator of an organization, 4 years of coaching. Many awards and lots of involvement in high school clubs. Part time customer service job during the school year. No hospital/clinical volunteering, but I can do that this summer.

 

Research: Worked as research assistant for 1 year with 2 publications. Completion of a thesis project. 

 

Also, I don't have a lot of prereq courses. I can't apply to any out of province school that needs physics, english, or orgo without taking another year of undergrad with the risk of hurting my GPA more. 

 

I'm just really lost with what to do. Obviously staying here would be my top choice, but is it even worth it to rewrite the mcat if my GPA/ECs aren't where they should be? Should I just go over to somewhere like Ireland? I know it's harder to get back here, but maybe that will be easier than trying to get in here with what I have now.  

Sorry if this is a bit negative.. I've had a really hard time with this recently. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

Your EC/GPA will not be substantial obstacles to getting into medical school. Your MCAT as is will be. UWO, Queen's, and Mac will all open up with an improved MCAT score.

[FifthCycle]

Going to give this a go:

 

GPA: 3.71 after three years with following distribution:

 

A+ -> 6
A -> 9
A- -> 10
B + -> 1
B -> 4
 

First year was 3.72 (3.68 fall, 3.76 winter) with emphasis on A-/3.7s.

 

Second year was 3.62 (3.38, 3.86) with emphasis on Bs in the fall and As/A+s in the Winter.

 

This year was unfortunately only a 3.8 (3.78, 3.84) over all; although I had plenty of A+'s and A's I was impacted by an inevitable B in the first semester.

 

Terribly discouraged recently by an 84% situation, where I found marks lost on the test that could be disputed - the professor refused to reward me an A+. I expect something similar happened with another 84% - so close, so far, and I completely respect the decisions. Nonetheless, my best semester ever, a 3.9 was lost to the perils of the GPA system. I should have tried harder. F**k this. I digress

 

My last two MCATs were abysmal: 55% then 49% percentile respectfully (I rather not post the scores).

 

I am starting to lose confidence in my abilities. My self-esteem has declined unfortunately, I have lost a significant amount of weight (but mostly due to infrequent gym use).

 

My ECs:

-Campus Club founder and president.

-Response Team executive for two respective years, volunteer for first year.

-Orientation leader twice, hoping to be an incoming supervisor to orientation leaders.

-Shadowing experience in surgery with orthopaedic and general surgeons

-Volunteer at a doctor's office (really, just secretarial work and some extra shadowing).

-Volunteer at a nuclear lab (but really, just more shadowing).

-Volunteer at a nursing home (life enrichment and programming).

-Tons of intramural 

-One semester of research - a directed study, no pubs - I really don't even know how that works.

-A possible thesis next year - figuring this out with a potential supervisor as I type. 

 

I may be a bit pessimistic about my current situation, I feel like I am on damage control half of the time, especially with my GPA. I've seen some incredible candidates on here. I am not giving up just yet, but I'm hoping to understand a realistic picture before I write MCAT 2015 this year, and apply in the fall. Thanks!

[3change]

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[FifthCycle]

By IP do you mean in priority?

I grew up and went to highschool just outside Orillia, which is the lower part of Northern Ontario, and fairly rural (we share an area code with the university). So, maybe Northern? I doubt it though.

[3change]

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[despmed]

Hello, 

 

Wondering if someone could provide me with some insight on my chances for UBC as an in province student. 

 

I just graduated from a MSc degree at UBC, and my aGPA is 84.6%. I am planning to do a post-bac diploma this coming year, as it will help me in my current field, so I am hoping that will boost my GPA further. I have a really poor mcat (28), so I am planning on re-writing the new MCAT next year... I am going to try this score for one more year. Further, my pre-req GPA is quite low at around 79 (had a bad undergrad experience). 

 

In terms of ECs, I have a few long-term activities, with 200-500 hours, which range from 3 to 5 years. I was on the exec team at a UBC club in my UG, did less than a year of volunteering at a hospital, had a poster submission at a conference, and was the student rep for my MSc class. I currently have a medically related volunteer position but I have been doing it for less than a year and I have been volunteering in a grade two class for less than a year (although have put in almost 100 hours). I also shadowed a doc overseas once for a short period, two good research assistant jobs (these are paid but have only been working them for about 6 months), a pretty good co-op with an oil company out in the oil sands (paid and medical/health-related), TA'd a class (paid), a lot of retail experience when I was in undergrad (4 years), and two undergraduate volunteer research assistant experiences. I recently received an opportunity to sit on a panel of researchers across Canada to review grant applications (i will be serving as a community volunteer). I played soccer and basketball from a young age up until the end of high school. Finally, I have recently started taking on activities that I enjoy, like learning how to play a musical instrument and being a part of a book club (but I just started these recently). 

 

Can anyone shed light on what my chances are? I didn't get an interview last year. My NAQ was lower than expected (~23), but I am adding quite a bit this year. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[FifthCycle]

IP= in province

 

But assuming you get a decent MCAT, Queens will be your only chance. Maybe also Western if you maintained a full course load in the two years you got 3.7+ in. Look into Toronto's weighting formula and see if that benefits you in any way.

 

Even at my most pessimistic state, I at least hoped for a chance at Mac with a good verbal score or Northern based on my geography. Thanks for your input though. I need the cold hard truth, even if that means a fifth year to make up for a terrible two and lousy third (I was banking on a mid to high 3.8, a 3.9 in my fourth year would have been more than ideal for western) I decided to relook the 2014 admissions document. 

 

I've ruled out Ottawa (despite not knowing it's weighted formula) at least for this upcoming year, and anything out of province - I'm just going to assume they are all 3.9.

 

Toronto is a 3.92 average, I have a aGPA of 3.85. Maybe it's worth a shot? I'm unsure

 

Queens and Western and a given so long as I meet Western's requirements, Western only request a 3.7 between two years, which I am already good for. 

 

Mac is a cumulative 3.82 on average. I'm no where close, plus an 11 or so on verbal/CARs equivalent to an 11. I'm shocked I ever thought this was a possibility and am just going to rule this out. 

 

 

What does everyone think? Toronto worth it? Queens and Western even? Does Northern = Orillia and up? Should I just look at American schools? Do I even have a chance there? How's the situation out of province - reading stats shows that I can apply to almost any of them, but there stat for acceptance on average is tricky. I'm assuming I'll just be told to give up now. Thanks guys. 

[3change]

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[bruhh]

I think you may actually have a shot at Northern since you're from a rural area. It depends on how involved you have been though. If you were born, raised, worked, and went to high school in a rural area (the town must qualify as rural for NOSM though) you could get a good context score that would put you in a very good position. They don't consider MCAT so you're good there.

 

No shot at ottawa or queens.

 

Western possible if you do redo and get some godly MCAT scores (12bio/11verbal lol)

 

UofT low chance unless you have research and awesome essay/EC's.

 

Mac, your GPA is actually not too bad. It's your VR that's hurting you. With a godly CASPer you may get an interview actually. Apply, why not!

 

Out of ontario, naw.

[FifthCycle]

I think you may actually have a shot at Northern since you're from a rural area. It depends on how involved you have been though. If you were born, raised, worked, and went to high school in a rural area (the town must qualify as rural for NOSM though) you could get a good context score that would put you in a very good position. They don't consider MCAT so you're good there.

 

No shot at ottawa or queens.

 

Western possible if you do redo and get some godly MCAT scores (12bio/11verbal lol)

 

UofT low chance unless you have research and awesome essay/EC's.

 

Mac, your GPA is actually not too bad. It's your VR that's hurting you. With a godly CASPer you may get an interview actually. Apply, why not!

 

Out of ontario, naw.

 

Thanks for the response. I'm definitely going to look in to Northern. I completely hear you on Ottawa: my current wGPA would be a 3.73, barely an improvement opposed to Toronto and aGPA of 3.85 vs 3.92. I may consider a shot at Ottawa if my fourth year is amazing, my second year kills everything. 

 

I'll give Toronto a shot, maybe not this upcoming year - maybe I'll get a pub off my thesis, but my research experience is horribly weak right now. 

 

Thanks for the input on Mac! If my CARs is good this summer I'll definitely strike for it.

 

 

What's the deal with Queen's though? It's a complete blinded situation - I'm hoping by making Western's MCAT requirements I'll be somewhat competitive. 

[bruhh]

Thanks for the response. I'm definitely going to look in to Northern. I completely hear you on Ottawa: my current wGPA would be a 3.73, barely an improvement opposed to Toronto and aGPA of 3.85 vs 3.92. I may consider a shot at Ottawa if my fourth year is amazing, my second year kills everything.

 

I'll give Toronto a shot, maybe not this upcoming year - maybe I'll get a pub off my thesis, but my research experience is horribly weak right now.

 

Thanks for the input on Mac! If my CARs is good this summer I'll definitely strike for it.

 

 

What's the deal with Queen's though? It's a complete blinded situation - I'm hoping by making Western's MCAT requirements I'll be somewhat competitive.

Oh if you up your MCAT then sure, there is a chance. I was only inferring your chances based on your current MCAT scores

 

Just remmeber that queens is a mystery, to be frank, beyond having a good MCAT and GPA no one really knows what can get you that interview (although general consensus is that EC's are the other factor)

[maybenow]

Thanks for the response. I'm definitely going to look in to Northern. I completely hear you on Ottawa: my current wGPA would be a 3.73, barely an improvement opposed to Toronto and aGPA of 3.85 vs 3.92. I may consider a shot at Ottawa if my fourth year is amazing, my second year kills everything. 

 

I'll give Toronto a shot, maybe not this upcoming year - maybe I'll get a pub off my thesis, but my research experience is horribly weak right now. 

 

Thanks for the input on Mac! If my CARs is good this summer I'll definitely strike for it.

 

 

What's the deal with Queen's though? It's a complete blinded situation - I'm hoping by making Western's MCAT requirements I'll be somewhat competitive. 

 

I think you may actually have a shot at Northern since you're from a rural area. It depends on how involved you have been though. If you were born, raised, worked, and went to high school in a rural area (the town must qualify as rural for NOSM though) you could get a good context score that would put you in a very good position. They don't consider MCAT so you're good there.

 

No shot at ottawa or queens.

 

Western possible if you do redo and get some godly MCAT scores (12bio/11verbal lol)

 

UofT low chance unless you have research and awesome essay/EC's.

 

Mac, your GPA is actually not too bad. It's your VR that's hurting you. With a godly CASPer you may get an interview actually. Apply, why not!

 

Out of ontario, naw.

 

 

In response to thecoolcanadian and bruhh's posts:

based on GPA and ECs (I assume it's based on these 2; not based on MCAT as bruhh said), why no shot for OP at Western, Ottawa, and Queens? 

[Procrastinator]

Hi everyone! I was just hoping to look for some advice from others who are more familiar with the Med app process than i am as to what my realistic options were after i complete my undergrad. IP for alberta so UofC and UofA only Currently my stats are: 

 

Year 1 : 3.14 

Spring/Summer: 3.35

Year 2 : 3.07

Spring/Summer: 4.0

Year 3 : 3.59

Year 4 : X.XX

Year 5 : X.XX

 

* All full course load years with 6 credits taken during every SPRING/SUMMER (i know these don't count at most schools lol just thought i'd be thorough)

 

ECs:

Hospital Volunteering in the ER for 1 year ( roughly 100 hours ) 

International Supervised Research Project in Europe for 6 weeks ( no publications ) + reference letter

Student Group related to health awareness Involvement: 1 year as an ambassador and now have Executive Position but not VP/P 

Shadowed Family Doctor for 200 hours + reference letter 

Entrepreneurial start up that will probably not launch for another year but have been working on it for roughly over a year part time ( i think this makes me a little different from the average applicant but can still be proven to be an unsuccessful product launch haha)

*unemployed since high school since i took courses spring/summer every year

 

Basically, i messed around in 1st and 2nd year a lot since i had no idea what i wanted to do and had little motivation. Everything i added to my ECs started at the beginning of my 3rd year, except for the Company start up, and i feel like i could have had a 4.0 if i didn't bite off more than i could chew but its out of my hands now. I know i have a long way to go to even be considered but right now i am leaning towards finishing 4th year and take an extra year 5 to specialise in Biochem to boost GPA a bit (aiming for 4.0 in both years of course) . I will be writing the MCAT in August as well and would appreciate any advice anyone could offer me on what to improve on and if my chances at UofA/UofC IP would be even realistic. Thanks in advance for any feedback ! 

[medici]

Hi everyone! I was just hoping to look for some advice from others who are more familiar with the Med app process than i am as to what my realistic options were after i complete my undergrad. IP for alberta so UofC and UofA only Currently my stats are: 

 

Year 1 : 3.14 

Spring/Summer: 3.35

Year 2 : 3.07

Spring/Summer: 4.0

Year 3 : 3.59

Year 4 : X.XX

Year 5 : X.XX

 

* All full course load years with 6 credits taken during every SPRING/SUMMER (i know these don't count at most schools lol just thought i'd be thorough)

 

ECs:

Hospital Volunteering in the ER for 1 year ( roughly 100 hours ) 

International Supervised Research Project in Europe for 6 weeks ( no publications ) + reference letter

Student Group related to health awareness Involvement: 1 year as an ambassador and now have Executive Position but not VP/P 

Shadowed Family Doctor for 200 hours + reference letter 

Entrepreneurial start up that will probably not launch for another year but have been working on it for roughly over a year part time ( i think this makes me a little different from the average applicant but can still be proven to be an unsuccessful product launch haha)

*unemployed since high school since i took courses spring/summer every year

 

Basically, i messed around in 1st and 2nd year a lot since i had no idea what i wanted to do and had little motivation. Everything i added to my ECs started at the beginning of my 3rd year, except for the Company start up, and i feel like i could have had a 4.0 if i didn't bite off more than i could chew but its out of my hands now. I know i have a long way to go to even be considered but right now i am leaning towards finishing 4th year and take an extra year 5 to specialise in Biochem to boost GPA a bit (aiming for 4.0 in both years of course) . I will be writing the MCAT in August as well and would appreciate any advice anyone could offer me on what to improve on and if my chances at UofA/UofC IP would be even realistic. Thanks in advance for any feedback ! 

Here's the realistic picture

most med schools don't consider summer/spring courses.

your GPA will eliminate you at almost all schools.

U of C you might have a chance. U of A and OOP schools, you need to hope for a miracle. But if you get good grades for the next 2 years then you got a good chance. The startup is a cool gimmick and will definitely get you some points but it's not enough. GPA is holding you back.

[despmed]

Hi, sorry to post this again, but does anyone here have much idea about UBC (or any other Canadian schools based on the stats I have listed below)? 

 

 

 

Wondering if someone could provide me with some insight on my chances for UBC as an in province student. 

 

I just graduated from a MSc degree at UBC, and my aGPA is 84.6%. I am planning to do a post-bac diploma this coming year, as it will help me in my current field, so I am hoping that will boost my GPA further. I have a really poor mcat (28), so I am planning on re-writing the new MCAT next year... I am going to try this score for one more year. Further, my pre-req GPA is quite low at around 79 (had a bad undergrad experience). 

 

In terms of ECs, I have a few long-term activities, with 200-500 hours, which range from 3 to 5 years. I was on the exec team at a UBC club in my UG, did less than a year of volunteering at a hospital, had a poster submission at a conference, and was the student rep for my MSc class. I currently have a medically related volunteer position but I have been doing it for less than a year and I have been volunteering in a grade two class for less than a year (although have put in almost 100 hours). I also shadowed a doc overseas once for a short period, two good research assistant jobs (these are paid but have only been working them for about 6 months), a pretty good co-op with an oil company out in the oil sands (paid and medical/health-related), TA'd a class (paid), a lot of retail experience when I was in undergrad (4 years), and two undergraduate volunteer research assistant experiences. I recently received an opportunity to sit on a panel of researchers across Canada to review grant applications (i will be serving as a community volunteer). I played soccer and basketball from a young age up until the end of high school. Finally, I have recently started taking on activities that I enjoy, like learning how to play a musical instrument and being a part of a book club (but I just started these recently). 

 

Can anyone shed light on what my chances are? I didn't get an interview last year. My NAQ was lower than expected (~23), but I am adding quite a bit this year. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[FifthCycle]

In response to thecoolcanadian and bruhh's posts:

based on GPA and ECs (I assume it's based on these 2; not based on MCAT as bruhh said), why no shot for OP at Western, Ottawa, and Queens? 

 

Hey,

 

As far as I understood it, based on my GPA and ECs alone I think we considered Western (need only 3.70) and Queens (no clue).

Ottawa is out since it's a wGPA of wGPA = (year 3 x 3 + year 2 x 2 + year 1 x 1)/3 etc., and that was no improvement for me compared to my actual cGPA (3.74 vs. 3.71). So I'm avoiding it at all costs.

 

Western and Queens should be good if my MCAT works out - my understanding.

 

 

Applying to (if MCAT works out): All Ontario but Ottawa, or Toronto - fiscally depending, this fall + USA + Masters

Applying to (if MCAT doesn't work out): Northern/Caribbean... JK I'd never go to the Caribbean + USA + Masters

 

Optimistically, I'd get the Western interview at least under scenario one. I'm almost a whole 0.1 short of Mac and Toronto, no real clue about Queens, and Northern if I qualify as a Northern Ontario resident (their average GPA was 3.6 one year and 3.8 the next. I'm of a loss of comprehension for this). 

[FifthCycle]

 

Hi, sorry to post this again, but does anyone here have much idea about UBC (or any other Canadian schools based on the stats I have listed below)? 

 

 

 

Wondering if someone could provide me with some insight on my chances for UBC as an in province student. 

 

I just graduated from a MSc degree at UBC, and my aGPA is 84.6%. I am planning to do a post-bac diploma this coming year, as it will help me in my current field, so I am hoping that will boost my GPA further. I have a really poor mcat (28), so I am planning on re-writing the new MCAT next year... I am going to try this score for one more year. Further, my pre-req GPA is quite low at around 79 (had a bad undergrad experience). 

 

In terms of ECs, I have a few long-term activities, with 200-500 hours, which range from 3 to 5 years. I was on the exec team at a UBC club in my UG, did less than a year of volunteering at a hospital, had a poster submission at a conference, and was the student rep for my MSc class. I currently have a medically related volunteer position but I have been doing it for less than a year and I have been volunteering in a grade two class for less than a year (although have put in almost 100 hours). I also shadowed a doc overseas once for a short period, two good research assistant jobs (these are paid but have only been working them for about 6 months), a pretty good co-op with an oil company out in the oil sands (paid and medical/health-related), TA'd a class (paid), a lot of retail experience when I was in undergrad (4 years), and two undergraduate volunteer research assistant experiences. I recently received an opportunity to sit on a panel of researchers across Canada to review grant applications (i will be serving as a community volunteer). I played soccer and basketball from a young age up until the end of high school. Finally, I have recently started taking on activities that I enjoy, like learning how to play a musical instrument and being a part of a book club (but I just started these recently). 

 

Can anyone shed light on what my chances are? I didn't get an interview last year. My NAQ was lower than expected (~23), but I am adding quite a bit this year. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

I feel bad, I keep burying your post. Ill try to weigh in, although, I don't know anything:

 

I like your ECs, they're better than mine are, and I always thought my ECs were at least average if not competitive. Plus the fact that you have a Masters experience, TAing, etc. etc. I think your good for this.

 

I'm really unsure how med-schools look at aGPA, Masters, Post-docs, so I'll avoid saying anything out of my ass.

 

79% is low. If you were graduating, I'd tell you to maybe consider another profession. I won't say that now though since you've taken a couple years. 

This also being said, I'm an OMSAS and if you're from BC ("IP for BC") it may give you a solid shot. Try looking at admission stats for UBC since those would apply for you! 

 

Also consider posting on their sub-forum. My 2C. Sorry if it doesn't help. 

[despmed]

I feel bad, I keep burying your post. Ill try to weigh in, although, I don't know anything:

 

I like your ECs, they're better than mine are, and I always thought my ECs were at least average if not competitive. Plus the fact that you have a Masters experience, TAing, etc. etc. I think your good for this.

 

I'm really unsure how med-schools look at aGPA, Masters, Post-docs, so I'll avoid saying anything out of my ass.

 

79% is low. If you were graduating, I'd tell you to maybe consider another profession. I won't say that now though since you've taken a couple years. 

This also being said, I'm an OMSAS and if you're from BC ("IP for BC") it may give you a solid shot. Try looking at admission stats for UBC since those would apply for you! 

 

Also consider posting on their sub-forum. My 2C. Sorry if it doesn't help. 

 

Thanks for your input! I guess I need to figure out how important prereqGPA is at UBC, and whether its worth it to apply. My aGPA should continue to increase, so hopefully that is the primary determinant at UBC. Thanks again. 

[amichel]

Thanks for your input! I guess I need to figure out how important prereqGPA is at UBC, and whether its worth it to apply. My aGPA should continue to increase, so hopefully that is the primary determinant at UBC. Thanks again.

Not in the formula pre-interview and no one knows how it's considered post interview. So basically, you just have to apply.