FAQ: What are my chances?

[Bambi 1,721]

Do. To concern yourself with lack of clinical or research experience.

[blitz 1]

On 5/16/2017 at 11:58 AM, blitz said:

cGPA (without summer courses): 3.76

1^st: 3.75

2^nd: 3.63

3^rd: 3.91

 

UofT wGPA: 3.91

Ottawa wGPA: 3.79

McMaster cGPA: 3.71

Best two years: 3.83

Most Recent two: 3.77

 

Strong ECs, non-rural, SWOMEN

 

I still haven’t written the MCAT yet. But just based on my GPA, should I consider applying this cycle? If so, which schools would I have a shot at?

I got my MCAT back and unfortunately ended up with a 507 (125/127/127/128) - do I have a shot at getting an interview at any school in Ontario?

[DrMeme 1]

2 hours ago, blitz said:

I got my MCAT back and unfortunately ended up with a 507 (125/127/127/128) - do I have a shot at getting an interview at any school in Ontario?

Are you just one under for Chem/Phys (125)? If not, you would qualify for Western since you're SWOMEN. You can give a shot at Queen's since they're a black box. You could go for Mac but you need to kill the CASPer.

[DrMeme 1]

18 hours ago, Snake said:

Feedback would be awesome,

 

Im currently in my 3rd year at UBC (BC resident)

1st year average = 87.7 (Nothing below an A-)

2nd year average = 88.4 (nothing below an A-)

MCAT: 129/125/128/130 = 512

School commitments:

-3 years of involvement in school mental health club (now chair)

-intramural hockey

Community commitments:

-4 years of summer camp experience (High school)

-1 year of volunteering at care home (High school)

-1 term of being a peer tutor (High school)

-2 years of being a youth group leader

Work experience:

-2 years working at a restaurant (High school)

-2 summers working at summer camp (different than other summer camp above)

-6 months being a respite worker for young adult with ASD

 

The place that I feel that I am lacking is clinical and research experience, but how much do you guys think this will affect my application?

Thanks!

 

Some clinical and research experience wouldn't hurt at all. Just keep it up and you'll have a shot at UBC. You could technically have no research experience and get into med school.

[God 5]

Currently in 4th year and just submitted OMSAS application. Would love to hear some thoughts. Thanks. LoRs are average/mediocre. 

GPA

• OMSAS: 3.98
• UofT: 4.0

ECs

• Above average: Many school leadership ECs with long-term commitment, hospital volunteering (however only some of it is clinical), high level music extracurriculars, research with no publications but 1 poster presentation at national conference.

MCAT

• 517 balanced with 128 in CARS. SWOMEN. 

[Bambi 1,721]

Daddy, it depends how you do at the interview.

[Slickrick 25]

So I just got my MCAT back. Got a 514 (127CP/127Cars/129BB/131PS). Pretty disappointed in cars. I had to completely guess on a whole passage due to running out of time. Really stupid of me, probably could have gotten 128-129 otherwise.

 

My GPA is 3.96. I'm in 3rd year, so no weighing formulas. 

My EC's are probably average to a little above average. One publication, hospital volunteering, Emergency Responder, sports and music (but not anything crazy in sports and music).

 

Where do I have a decent chance? I know I'm probably out for Mcmaster. U of T and Ottawa should probably offer me an interview based on my gpa, correct? What about queens?

[peace2014 39]

Hi what are my chances?

M.Sc Student

GPA:

U of T: 3.90

Queens: 3.75 (Last 2 Years in worse)

McMaster: 3.75

MCAT:

514 (129/127/130/128)

ECs: 

Lots of research (abstracts published, oral presentation at international conferences, 1 co-author pub in IF>10 journal, 1 in submission, 1 in prep). Awards >$24,000 for grad school. Volunteering ~500 hours (community and clinical based). Mentoring, shadowing and some other small extracurriculars. 

 

How are my chances at those Canadian schools? Do I even have a chance at an interview at Mac or Queens? Thanks!

 

[chickenpoutine 2]

---

[Alegobeh2 8]

edit: thanks

[m_jacob_45 188]

On 10/13/2017 at 2:20 PM, Alegobeh2 said:

Hi all, first time applying. Would appreciate any feedback on my chances!

- Senior (currently finishing my fourth year)

- GPA: 3.97 (raw), 3.97 (best two years/last two years), 3.99 (UofT), 3.97 (Ottawa)

- MCAT: 519 (132/125/131/131)

- Research: 2 summers of full-time paid research (>1000 hours) and one ended with a poster presentation

- Volunteering: 80 hours of clinical volunteering (2nd year), 200 hours of volunteering as a research assistant (1st year), 60 hours as a math tutor (1st year)

- ECs: long-term hobbies in tennis and art (but no competitions involved)

- Employment: 180 hours as a peer mentor (3rd year)

- Awards: x2 NSERC USRA, scholarships based on GPA

- applied to: UofT, Ottawa, Queens, McMaster, Western

 

I understand that i'm basically out of western and would need to ace my CASPer to have a shot at Mac, but i'm also thinking of retaking the MCAT next summer for a more balanced score and applying to US MD schools if i don't get any interviews this cycle. Any thoughts on this?

Honestly, if you do really well on CASPer, you'd have a great shot at Ottawa, and you have a great shot at U of T as well. Good luck! 

[malikk_1 0]

Hey,

 

finishing 4th year at York,

First 2 years in undergrad I got a C average

these last two years I have a 3.8 GPA

My MCAT was a 522 (131/130/131/130)

 

Employment: 4 Years at McDonalds through High School as a Crew Trainer then promoted to manager,   Employment at a hospital as security for 4 years during my undergrad (was working more often during my first two years)

Volunteering: 200 Hours at local Church,  90 hours shadowing a physician abroad (i was on a "vacation" and found a cool opportunity to shadow), volunteered at the hospital for 1.5 years, 1 semester of research experience.

 

Thats about it I thinkkk, Any advice/opinions/suggestions are welcomed.

 

Thanks 

                      

[atsev1223 15]

Hey everyone,

I appreciate your feedback on my chances!

Finishing up 4th year at UBC 

MCAT: 512 (B/B 128, C/P 129, Psych 128, Cars 127)

OMSAS GPA: 3.59 (82%) so sad...

First year: 83

Second year: 81

Third year: 87

WGPA Toronto would be about: 84%

WGPA Ottowa would be about: 3.61

EC: Part-time research assistant at a hospital (got hired after volunteering there for a year), lots of hospital volunteering at 2 different hospitals over the past 6 years (250-300 hrs), founder of a charity that raises money for hospitals (4 years and counting, 1200 hours-raised like $11000 so far), volunteering for Share food bank, United Way, first aid services, tutoring services, homework clubs, involved in a physics competition at UBC (3 years and going) involved in 3 different clubs back in high school. 1 year of customer service job as well.

No publications, no athletic activity, no artsy hobbies.

 

I applied to UBC, Queen's, Macmaster, Ottowa, UofT. Just got my rejection from UBC last week, missed the TFR by 9 ish points.

 

[JohnGrisham 1,700]

10 hours ago, atsev1223 said:

Hey everyone,

I appreciate your feedback on my chances!

Finishing up 4th year at UBC 

MCAT: 512 (B/B 128, C/P 129, Psych 128, Cars 127)

OMSAS GPA: 3.59 (82%) so sad...

First year: 83

Second year: 81

Third year: 87

WGPA Toronto would be about: 84%

WGPA Ottowa would be about: 3.61

EC: Part-time research assistant at a hospital (got hired after volunteering there for a year), lots of hospital volunteering at 2 different hospitals over the past 6 years (250-300 hrs), founder of a charity that raises money for hospitals (4 years and counting, 1200 hours-raised like $11000 so far), volunteering for Share food bank, United Way, first aid services, tutoring services, homework clubs, involved in a physics competition at UBC (3 years and going) involved in 3 different clubs back in high school. 1 year of customer service job as well.

No publications, no athletic activity, no artsy hobbies.

 

I applied to UBC, Queen's, Macmaster, Ottowa, UofT. Just got my rejection from UBC last week, missed the TFR by 9 ish points.

 

Keep the upward trend in your GPA, and do really well this year (4th year), you shouldn't have been expecting an interview this year anyways as a early applicant in your situation. Your GPA will jump up quite a bit once you have 4th year under your belt, and your 2nd year thus dropped(assuming you meet the requirements). I would even consider a 5th year, depending on how your 3rd and 4th year convert to the 4.0 scale...to make yourself for sure eligible/competitive for Western and Queens.  

You have a strong MCAT score for UBC, so that wont be an issue.  I assume it holds you back from applying to western, so with the above in mind, perhaps a retake *may* be on the table. Hard to say at this point. The lower end Cars doesn't help for McMaster either, coupled with your cGPA either.  I would focus on your GPA over the next two years for UBC, and parrallel continue to beef up your NAQ. UBC will be your best shot given IP anyways.

All in all, finish your 4th year strong, and strongly consider an additional 5th year. The benefit is continued improved GPA(given youll be 4th year status, you assuringly will get first pick at most of the senior classes, so you can be selective here), and gives you more time to keep building up your ECs (NAQ). Try and get some leadership roles on your resume over the next few years. As well work experience, start with a summer full-time job if doing it during school is too much for you. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, customer service is great. Try and do something out of your comfort zone.

 

[Yc21 0]

[deleted]

[PD23 17]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to get some updated feedback as interview invites fast approach:

Queens wGPA: 3.99
UofT wGPA: 3.99
McMaster GPA: 3.90
Ottawa wGPA: 3.97 

MCAT (C-P/CARS/B-B/P-S): 518 = 129/127/130/132

EC’S:

• Clinical Volunteer in Endoscopy Unit @ Trillium Health Partners (100+ hours)

• Unit coordinator at the Intensive Care Unit at the Mississauga hospital (~300 hours)

• Spent year shadowing neurosurgeon while part of Undergraduate Research Society

• Shadowed and assisted at local optometrist’s clinic conducting pre-examinations such as tonometer & visual field test

• Work as piano teacher at music school & education specialist at tutoring center (developing personalized exams, videos, and study plans for high school students)

• Employed as an at-home tutor, providing one-on-one support

• Other odd jobs include Dollarama cashier and production staff at a food catering company

• Over 20 years trained as a solo classical pianist under royal conservatory of music

• 3 Research Publications involving patient-reported outcome instruments (2 accepted, 1 in submission) 1^st or 2^nd authorship - presented findings at multiple conferences

• Various executive roles (e.g. Coordinator for McMaster MakeBelieve, Music-in-Medicine)

• Gospel choir & Intramural sports throughout undergrad

• Directed and composed sheets for 2 musicals throughout high school

• Other ambassador/advocate roles to mentor 1^st year students entering University  

• Co-Instructor/TA for introductory psych course

• Intergenerational Music Program Facilitator - bring elementary children to long-term care facilities to promote meaningful conversation and music participation

• Other achievements: Music awards, golden key society, GPA awards (provost award for 4.0 in final year)

LOR’s: Knew them all extensively for 2 years+

1. Research Supervisor (Department of Pediatrics and Biostatistics)

2. Professor of Psychology/Neuroscience

3. Volunteer Supervisor

This is my 3^rd year applying after no interviews the last two cycles. I really honed in this year on improving my EC’s, my MCAT score (previously a 508), and my GPA from a 3.80. Read Doing Right this year for CASPer which really helped me develop a technique for answering the questions. Really worried about CARS since 127 is borderline for most Ontario schools (i.e. McMaster). I even passed on Western this year b/c of such a high cutoff. As the saying goes, it’s really been a marathon, not a sprint the last few cycles

Hoping to share some good news eventually this time around…

[purplemermaid 5]

Hi everyone, I'm in my fourth year of undergrad right now, and I've sent in my application for UofT, McMaster, Queens, Western although I am not too optimistic yet because of my numbers. 

1st year GPA: 3.52 
2nd year: 3.74
3rd year: 3.79 
4th year: TBD 
UofT wGPA: 3.85
Queens (2YGPA): 3.77 
MCAT 1st try: 504 (127/122/128/127); Retake: 510 (130/125/126/129) 
ECs: research as a work study study in summer after 1st year, volunteered in the hospital, research assistant for 1.5 years (no pubs yet, but did 1 poster presentation), 1 summer student research award, lots of volunteering, co-chair of an undergrad conference, surgery observership etc. (I don't know if there's a lot that stand out, but I feel like my ECs are not bad) 

If I don't get in this cycle, would you suggest that I do a 5th year to bump up my GPA? Retake MCAT for higher CARS? Do a 1 or 2 years masters program, with my current PI or another lab? Work as a general research assistant in my lab for another year? I think I have most of the prereqs for US schools, so I want to apply there in June, but not sure which schools would be good for my stats and which ones are still in mid/high tiers.. 

[m_jacob_45 188]

On 12/26/2017 at 9:29 PM, PD23 said:

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to get some updated feedback as interview invites fast approach:

Queens wGPA: 3.99
UofT wGPA: 3.99
McMaster GPA: 3.90
Ottawa wGPA: 3.97 

MCAT (C-P/CARS/B-B/P-S): 518 = 129/127/130/132

EC’S:

• Clinical Volunteer in Endoscopy Unit @ Trillium Health Partners (100+ hours)

• Unit coordinator at the Intensive Care Unit at the Mississauga hospital (~300 hours)

• Spent year shadowing neurosurgeon while part of Undergraduate Research Society

• Shadowed and assisted at local optometrist’s clinic conducting pre-examinations such as tonometer & visual field test

• Work as piano teacher at music school & education specialist at tutoring center (developing personalized exams, videos, and study plans for high school students)

• Employed as an at-home tutor, providing one-on-one support

• Other odd jobs include Dollarama cashier and production staff at a food catering company

• Over 20 years trained as a solo classical pianist under royal conservatory of music

• 3 Research Publications involving patient-reported outcome instruments (2 accepted, 1 in submission) 1^st or 2^nd authorship - presented findings at multiple conferences

• Various executive roles (e.g. Coordinator for McMaster MakeBelieve, Music-in-Medicine)

• Gospel choir & Intramural sports throughout undergrad

• Directed and composed sheets for 2 musicals throughout high school

• Other ambassador/advocate roles to mentor 1^st year students entering University  

• Co-Instructor/TA for introductory psych course

• Intergenerational Music Program Facilitator - bring elementary children to long-term care facilities to promote meaningful conversation and music participation

• Other achievements: Music awards, golden key society, GPA awards (provost award for 4.0 in final year)

LOR’s: Knew them all extensively for 2 years+

1. Research Supervisor (Department of Pediatrics and Biostatistics)

2. Professor of Psychology/Neuroscience

3. Volunteer Supervisor

This is my 3^rd year applying after no interviews the last two cycles. I really honed in this year on improving my EC’s, my MCAT score (previously a 508), and my GPA from a 3.80. Read Doing Right this year for CASPer which really helped me develop a technique for answering the questions. Really worried about CARS since 127 is borderline for most Ontario schools (i.e. McMaster). I even passed on Western this year b/c of such a high cutoff. As the saying goes, it’s really been a marathon, not a sprint the last few cycles

Hoping to share some good news eventually this time around…

Everything looks really good to me. It depends how your ABS was worded, and its possible that your 127 in CARS may hold you back at Mac and Queens, but overall things look good to me. Good luck! 

[m_jacob_45 188]

7 minutes ago, purplemermaid said:

Hi everyone, I'm in my fourth year of undergrad right now, and I've sent in my application for UofT, McMaster, Queens, Western although I am not too optimistic yet because of my numbers. 

1st year GPA: 3.52 
2nd year: 3.74
3rd year: 3.79 
4th year: TBD 
UofT wGPA: 3.85
Queens (2YGPA): 3.77 
MCAT 1st try: 504 (127/122/128/127); Retake: 510 (130/125/126/129) 
ECs: research as a work study study in summer after 1st year, volunteered in the hospital, research assistant for 1.5 years (no pubs yet, but did 1 poster presentation), 1 summer student research award, lots of volunteering, co-chair of an undergrad conference, surgery observership etc. (I don't know if there's a lot that stand out, but I feel like my ECs are not bad) 

If I don't get in this cycle, would you suggest that I do a 5th year to bump up my GPA? Retake MCAT for higher CARS? Do a 1 or 2 years masters program, with my current PI or another lab? Work as a general research assistant in my lab for another year? I think I have most of the prereqs for US schools, so I want to apply there in June, but not sure which schools would be good for my stats and which ones are still in mid/high tiers.. 

Your GPA is a bit on the lower side, so a 5th year may help a lot and I personally think it would be more useful than a masters, but if you can continue research at the same time that would be good. As you mentioned, I would also consider retaking the MCAT for a better CARS. Can't comment too much on American school chances. Your ECs sound good. Good luck!

[chairs 4]

.

[CardiacArrhythmia 108]

4 hours ago, chairs said:

GPA (w/o summer courses): 3.92

GPA (w/ summer courses): 3.87

Uoft GPA: 3.95

MCAT: 515 (retake) 128/127/129/131. Disappointed with CARS as I was getting 129s on practice.

ECs: Don't have many, the only research related experience I have is assisting a lab but it wasn't anything actually involved.

Have 68 hours of hospital volunteering, 450 hours of local religious centre assistance (and some managerial positions), 200ish hours of tutoring, 20ish hours of interviewing tutor candidates, training etc., random club involvement (scrounging for anything to include lol), 80 hours of intramural soccer, like 4 more random things that were below 30 hours, 100 hours of note taking for disability services.

I just got waitlisted for an interview at Mac. What are my odds of getting it? What are my odds in general? Applied to all Ontario schools except Northern. Thanks so much for reading!

Wait until all your interview invites/regrets come out first before sitting down and further evaluating your application.The waitlist at Mac is likely due to your CASPer rather than your CARs or GPA. For ECs, I would try to focus more on long-term opportunities and ensuring that the activities that you would like to do show the CANMEDs competencies. Good luck for the rest of the cycle.

[sarangee 0]

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for some guidance, I'm not sure if I should take a masters or not before applying to med school. I'm in my 4th year currently, and I haven't applied yet (taking a gap year off to spend time with my elderly grandparents as much as I can). I'm a BC resident, would love to be able to attend UBC mostly, but I'd move anywhere tbh. 

GPA 1st year: 3.37

GPA 2nd year: 3.21 (I know, orgo killed me)

GPA 3rd year: 3.92

GPA 4th year: currently at 3.96

(~87% adjusted GPA for UBC)

I screwed up in first and second year, and there's really no excuse for that. 

ECs:

4 years as a volunteer first responder (MFR certified, promoted to Corporal, do some PR projects)

3 years as a big buddy to two at-risk children (2-3 hours/week)

2 years as an executive member for a program that provides breakfast to at-risk elementary school children (2-3 hours/week)

2 years volunteering in pediatrics and ER (patient visiting) - 1 year of being the ER program mentor (training new volunteers, implementing new ideas etc)

2 summers working on FASD research (no pubs)

2 summers working full-time (once as cashier - did this over a winter break too, once as a barista)

1 year as a peer academic advisor (2-3 hours/week)

MCAT:

511 - 128/127/128/128 - not great, I'm going to retake to bring my CARs up.

Overall, I think that my ECs are at best really average, and nothing about my application stands out. I don't even know if I have a chance, since med schools are so competitive in Canada, so I would love some advice. I know that I wouldn't know for sure unless I apply, but I would like a second opinion anyway.

[JasP 0]

wGPA/cGPA: 3.85-3.87 (weighted for uoft, queens and western ranges between this)
Year: gap year

MCAT: 127/127/129/130 (513)
ECs: 600 hours in as a clinical coordinator leading fellow students in meetings, checking patient vitals, and leading a clinical research project (overseeing students recruit patients), few hundred hours shadowing a physician, volunteered at a lab,course based thesis project, summer immunology research award (summer research)- no pubs, 200hours hospital volunteering, currently working as a clinical assistant at an orthodontics clinic, sports(varsity basketball, dragonboating), cultural club (social coordinator) youth mentorhship program, tutoring , missing 1 or 2 other things 

 

Got rejections this year and I'm not sure what I should do. I have already taken a gap year got a 3.95 and thats is already shown in the gpa mentioned above. My ECs should be ok although its weaker on the research side I would say. I am just not sure what to do. (For western I know my CARS is not good enough so maybe that for western). I wrote the MCAT 3 times so maybe a fourth. 

[equate 0]

Hi everyone, 

I'm looking for some feedback on my chances for Canadian or American med, I'm an Ontario resident. I'm a noob in terms of medschool applications and info so any help/advice is greatly appreciated!

Year 1 - 3.59 <-- crappy first year due to binge watching breaking bad and generally not knowing what I was doing

Year 2 - 3.94

Year 3 - 3.87

Currently doing my 4th year with an anticipated 3.91

I didn't apply this cycle, I intend to apply next cycle in my 5th year/honors project year 

MCAT - 129/129/129/130

Ottawa - 3.90, UoT - 3.89, McMaster - 3.83, Western - 3.925 (not sure how they'll round this), Queen's - 3.89, Dal/UBC - 3.91

OMSAS 4 year gpa - 3.83

AMCAS 4 year gpa - 3.86

EC's are average at best. Founder and president of a unique and successful club for 2 years, exec in 2 clubs for 2 years, tutored privately and in an organization, 3-4 yrs research with 3 different labs no pubs + one poster, 2 pubs in non-health related field, 1 pub in university research journal, few hundred hrs volunteering in a hospital since high school, shadowed surgeon a few times, worked at the medical school as an administrative assistant for one summer, entry scholarship for gpa, member of an engineering project with some engineering students, and a potential paper/honors project.

What are my chances for Canadian med if I apply next cycle in my 5th year? Should I do a 6th year or master's so my 5th year gpa can count towards total gpa? What are my chances for American med? What should I work to improve on? 

 

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate the help!

[Mellow Pharaoh 5]

On 2/4/2018 at 8:22 PM, equate said:

Hi everyone, 

I'm looking for some feedback on my chances for Canadian or American med, I'm an Ontario resident. I'm a noob in terms of medschool applications and info so any help/advice is greatly appreciated!

Year 1 - 3.59 <-- crappy first year due to binge watching breaking bad and generally not knowing what I was doing

Year 2 - 3.94

Year 3 - 3.87

Currently doing my 4th year with an anticipated 3.91

I didn't apply this cycle, I intend to apply next cycle in my 5th year/honors project year 

MCAT - 129/129/129/130

Ottawa - 3.90, UoT - 3.89, McMaster - 3.83, Western - 3.925 (not sure how they'll round this), Queen's - 3.89, Dal/UBC - 3.91

OMSAS 4 year gpa - 3.83

AMCAS 4 year gpa - 3.86

EC's are average at best. Founder and president of a unique and successful club for 2 years, exec in 2 clubs for 2 years, tutored privately and in an organization, 3-4 yrs research with 3 different labs no pubs + one poster, 2 pubs in non-health related field, 1 pub in university research journal, few hundred hrs volunteering in a hospital since high school, shadowed surgeon a few times, worked at the medical school as an administrative assistant for one summer, entry scholarship for gpa, member of an engineering project with some engineering students, and a potential paper/honors project.

What are my chances for Canadian med if I apply next cycle in my 5th year? Should I do a 6th year or master's so my 5th year gpa can count towards total gpa? What are my chances for American med? What should I work to improve on? 

 

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate the help!

9

lol. Firstly, those are stellar EC's. I'm jelly of your research contributions/EC's. Any honors? What were the names of the clubs?

GPA wise, you are solid/good (upwards trends helps you a lot). No need for a 6th year honestly.

MCAT wise, nice 517. Balanced too.

Unless you're a troll (calling your EC's average at best.......), you should have a good chance at getting an MMI/interview from at least a few of your selected schools.