FAQ: What are my chances?

[rmorelan]

We would need to compute that GPA in OMSAS terms per year to be exactly - I know your school scores GPA for some silly reason out of 4.3

 

If you were full time all years, and correct that mcat a bit then Toronto is not out the picture (with their drop a course policy? Did you take 5.0 credits a year? If so that C+ won't exist for them - we would need to recompute things for their wGPA)

 

Your ECs are appear already very strong. You obviously have been working very hard!

 

You are very close to being good for Western if you fix that MCAT (main barrier is getting VR above 11 which you had and thus could get again), your VR and GPA suggests you can apply to Mac with a good shot, Queens looks like a good choice to apply to as well. Basically in Ontario only NOSM (you haven't given us geographical information, i.e. where do you live ) and Ottawa seem to be out of range at the moment.

[TheEmeraldTablet]

Hello,

 

Posting for my brother. These are for his first 2 years in university since he is applying as a third year. Thanks!

 

GPA

1st Year:3.97

2nd Year:4.00

He took summer courses in between (GPA : 3.85 for those 2 courses)

 

MCAT: Not written yet

 

High School (After age 16)

School top scorer University of Waterloo Math Contest

Various academic awards (for getting averages like 99)

Hospital volunteering (6 months)

Overseas hospital internship (One summer)

Work experience as secretary in office(3 years but before age of 16)

Youth Club Volunteer including tutoring (2 years)

 

University

Hospital Volunteering with Patient Contact (1.5 years)

Tutors at a middle school (2 years)

Residence position (Junior position for one year, Senior position for another year)

Part of various residence committees (2 years)

Orientation Week Representative ( 3 times)

Participates in dance lessons (1.5 years)

Research Job - includes clinical research experience (2 Summers)

Financial Committee Member (2 years)

Academic Committee Member (1 year)

Mentor to university student (1 year)

Dean's List (2 years)

Undergraduate Entrance Award

2 Awards for high average

 

Also plays tennis, swims as hobbies ( not competitively).

 

In his third year he intends to continue several of his university activities and is going on a 4-month overseas volunteer trip or accepting an internship at WHO (this is still undecided).

 

Also he is applying to Mac, Queens, Ottawa, UofT and maybe Calgary and Sask . Are these good choices? He is not SWOMAN, not an Ottawa resident, is a resident of Ontario.

 

Thanks!

[silvantes]

We would need to compute that GPA in OMSAS terms per year to be exactly - I know your school scores GPA for some silly reason out of 4.3

 

If you were full time all years, and correct that mcat a bit then Toronto is not out the picture (with their drop a course policy? Did you take 5.0 credits a year? If so that C+ won't exist for them - we would need to recompute things for their wGPA)

 

Your ECs are appear already very strong. You obviously have been working very hard!

 

You are very close to being good for Western if you fix that MCAT (main barrier is getting VR above 11 which you had and thus could get again), your VR and GPA suggests you can apply to Mac with a good shot, Queens looks like a good choice to apply to as well. Basically in Ontario only NOSM (you haven't given us geographical information, i.e. where do you live ) and Ottawa seem to be out of range at the moment.

 

non weighted omsas

GPA Y1 3.88 Spring 3.2 (2.7 and 3.7)

Y2 3.8

Y3 3.63

not sure if I'm doing it right

If I took out lowest 3 marks for Toronto Y3 would be 3.82 and spring would be 3.7.

I did take atleast a full course load every year.

How does it work for courses of different credit values? spring courses any different? or actually my first year I had to take a few courses as intros coming back as a mature student that do not count in my degree, do they still count for med applications? I have included all courses in theses values. (just chem for non scientist and pre calc)

Thanks so much for the reply!!!

[silvantes]

Let's see how you do on MCAT. Don't bother with McGill, U/O. You are looking good.

 

Thanks a lot! That's good to hear..hoping for 30+ on the rewrite and I think I can at least squeeze an N out of WS.

[future_doc]

Mac depends upon MCAT/CaSPER.

 

Last cycle a 3rd year with killer essay for U/T, way better volunteering/research for U/T never got an interview.

 

He should definitely apply as a trial run for following year so as to totally familiarize himself on process and interview, should he be lucky; however, he should apply on the basis this is a practice run only, and not consider himself to have a serious shot.

 

Hello,

 

Posting for my brother. These are for his first 2 years in university since he is applying as a third year. Thanks!

 

GPA

1st Year:3.97

2nd Year:4.00

He took summer courses in between (GPA : 3.85 for those 2 courses)

 

MCAT: Not written yet

 

High School (After age 16)

School top scorer University of Waterloo Math Contest

Various academic awards (for getting averages like 99)

Hospital volunteering (6 months)

Overseas hospital internship (One summer)

Work experience as secretary in office(3 years but before age of 16)

Youth Club Volunteer including tutoring (2 years)

 

University

Hospital Volunteering with Patient Contact (1.5 years)

Tutors at a middle school (2 years)

Residence position (Junior position for one year, Senior position for another year)

Part of various residence committees (2 years)

Orientation Week Representative ( 3 times)

Participates in dance lessons (1.5 years)

Research Job - includes clinical research experience (2 Summers)

Financial Committee Member (2 years)

Academic Committee Member (1 year)

Mentor to university student (1 year)

Dean's List (2 years)

Undergraduate Entrance Award

2 Awards for high average

 

Also plays tennis, swims as hobbies ( not competitively).

 

In his third year he intends to continue several of his university activities and is going on a 4-month overseas volunteer trip or accepting an internship at WHO (this is still undecided).

 

Also he is applying to Mac, Queens, Ottawa, UofT and maybe Calgary and Sask . Are these good choices? He is not SWOMAN, not an Ottawa resident, is a resident of Ontario.

 

Thanks!

[TheEmeraldTablet]

Mac depends upon MCAT/CaSPER.

 

Last cycle a 3rd year with killer essay for U/T, way better volunteering/research for U/T never got an interview.

 

He should definitely apply as a trial run for following year so as to totally familiarize himself on process and interview, should he be lucky; however, he should apply on the basis this is a practice run only, and not consider himself to have a serious shot.

Thanks. Could you elaborate on how he could improve on his ECs? Atleast he can work on that next year.

[future_doc]

Thanks. Could you elaborate on how he could improve on his ECs? Atleast he can work on that next year.

 

Having as high as possible GPA is critical. Having said that, and correct me if I am wrong, lots of his activities are in summer, whereas as an active citizen, he should be able to contribute to community during the normal academic year.

 

During my highly intensive udergrad program where I was always working for my straight As, I still managed about 30 hours weekly in ECs/volunteering.

[TheEmeraldTablet]

Having as high as possible GPA is critical. Having said that, and correct me if I am wrong, lots of his activities are in summer, whereas as an active citizen, he should be able to contribute to community during the normal academic year.

 

During my highly intensive udergrad program where I was always working for my straight As, I still managed about 30 hours weekly in ECs/volunteering.

 

All of his activities are during the school year (except for the overseas hospital internship and the research). His residence position is almost a full time job. He has to plan events for his residence and manage a team of junior residence leaders and this takes most of his time. He easily spends 30 hrs/week on ECs. Sorry for not wording it properly in the OP but does it sound better now?

 

Also do you think he should take up sports or music?

 

Thanks for all your help!

[rmorelan]

non weighted omsas

GPA Y1 3.88 Spring 3.2 (2.7 and 3.7)

Y2 3.8

Y3 3.63

not sure if I'm doing it right

If I took out lowest 3 marks for Toronto Y3 would be 3.82 and spring would be 3.7.

I did take atleast a full course load every year.

How does it work for courses of different credit values? spring courses any different? or actually my first year I had to take a few courses as intros coming back as a mature student that do not count in my degree, do they still count for med applications? I have included all courses in theses values. (just chem for non scientist and pre calc)

Thanks so much for the reply!!!

 

While most schools don't count summer courses at all - Toronto, Western, Ottawa won't for instance. Queens will only in one particular case and Mac always counts them all.

 

All courses count generally - were you graded on these courses? Also from TO point of few you remove 3.0 credits - which likely is more than 3 courses Again disregard the summer courses for TO.

[silvantes]

While most schools don't count summer courses at all - Toronto, Western, Ottawa won't for instance. Queens will only in one particular case and Mac always counts them all.

 

All courses count generally - were you graded on these courses? Also from TO point of few you remove 3.0 credits - which likely is more than 3 courses Again disregard the summer courses for TO.

 

Yeah they were normal courses but do not count for the Bachelor of Science. more like upgrading pre req. courses...still university credits.

Also if they do not count summer courses ..what if a med school pre req. was taken during the summer...It counts as fulfilling requirement but the grade does not count?

Also I live in Saint John NB.

[rmorelan]

Yeah they were normal courses but do not count for the Bachelor of Science. more like upgrading pre req. courses...still university credits.

Also if they do not count summer courses ..what if a med school pre req. was taken during the summer...It counts as fulfilling requirement but the grade does not count?

Also I live in Saint John NB.

 

Exactly - you meet the prereqs but still the grade won't contribute to your GPA - is an old premed trick used to hide tricky courses you have to take - take them in the summer. It isn't perfect and who knows rules change all the time but still I have seen it used more than once to good effect

[mangoarecool]

Im a undergrad at western. An ontario resident

 

First year GPA 3.59...yeah I know

Seccond year GPA 3.9

 

MCAT i will write this summer got 10 in verbal practice consistently

 

EC: in the army 2 years (lots of training), 2 years hospital volunteer, hospital coop (shadow surgeons), teaching kids to read at library, in university clubs, volunteer at homeless shelter .

 

Im considered IP in Calgary and Manitoba

 

Please be brutally honest of my chances.

[ArchEnemy]

Im a undergrad at western. An ontario resident

 

First year GPA 3.59...yeah I know

Seccond year GPA 3.9

 

MCAT i will write this summer got 10 in verbal practice consistently

 

EC: in the army 2 years (lots of training), 2 years hospital volunteer, hospital coop (shadow surgeons), teaching kids to read at library, in university clubs, volunteer at homeless shelter .

 

Im considered IP in Calgary and Manitoba

 

Please be brutally honest of my chances.

 

Canadian army or ...? As a 3rd year, your chances are quite slim but not impossible.

[mangoarecool]

Canadian army or ...? As a 3rd year, your chances are quite slim but not impossible.

 

Yes im in the canadian army. So not a good chance?

[ArchEnemy]

Yes im in the canadian army. So not a good chance?

 

Being in the Canadian army gives you more credibility. I would apply to those places you are IP, Queens, Mac and Western (if you hv 11 in VR).

[rmorelan]

Im a undergrad at western. An ontario resident

 

First year GPA 3.59...yeah I know

Seccond year GPA 3.9

 

MCAT i will write this summer got 10 in verbal practice consistently

 

EC: in the army 2 years (lots of training), 2 years hospital volunteer, hospital coop (shadow surgeons), teaching kids to read at library, in university clubs, volunteer at homeless shelter .

 

Im considered IP in Calgary and Manitoba

 

Please be brutally honest of my chances.

 

Are you considering the MOTP program?

 

As you know you have to boost that GPA in year three (clearly you can from that 3.9). Actually only a single bad year (particularly if it is from only a few courses) is not that hard to recover from eventually if you pull up the GPA - Ottawa, Queens, Western (get that VR to 11 ), Toronto and even Mac with a good VR etc on on the table. You are even IP in calgary. ECs are not bad at all, and you have time. Keep pushing forward.

[mangoarecool]

Are you considering the MOTP program?

 

As you know you have to boost that GPA in year three (clearly you can from that 3.9). Actually only a single bad year (particularly if it is from only a few courses) is not that hard to recover from eventually if you pull up the GPA - Ottawa, Queens, Western (get that VR to 11 ), Toronto and even Mac with a good VR etc on on the table. You are even IP in calgary. ECs are not bad at all, and you have time. Keep pushing forward.

 

Thanks for the encouragement! I have a slim chance third year but I still want to try, you never know.

 

As for MOTP im debating it because you can only pick a family physician residency and you can be posted to ANY base. I like the army as a part time thing but im relucatent to go reg force. But MOTP does cover all med school expenses + you get salary to go to med school!

[future_doc]

Beauty of MOTP is pension once you accepted and very early retirement at quite high pension. Specialization is also possibility.

[mangoarecool]

Beauty of MOTP is pension once you accepted and very early retirement at quite high pension. Specialization is also possibility.

 

Looks like someone has been doing research I talked to major who does recruitment for medical officers. After 4 years of obligatory service you can get a residency in either general surgery, internal meds, radiology, anesthesia, psych BUT.... there is very few positions and you competing with numerous medical officers.

 

But the pension is really nice 20 years service and a 3 million dollar pension !

[future_doc]

Not like the ol' days when they were begging. Now, tables turned and it is competitive, supply and demand factors changed.

[mangoarecool]

Not like the ol' days when they were begging. Now, tables turned and it is competitive, supply and demand factors changed.

 

Thats very true, its probably due to increased compensation for medical officers.

[future_doc]

1. No longer any signing bonus *Signing bonus of $40,000 (although it could be as high as $180,000 if you apply later). (see Note below #4)

 

2. full tuition, instruments & texts paid

 

3. annual salary: While med student: $44,000-51,000. As Resident: $55,000-58,000.

 

4. In return, must commit to choosing family medicine through the CARMS match and serve for 4 years after completion of family med residency at salary of 134-164k

*NOTE: Should you choose not to receive the signing bonus and should you be subsidized for only 43 months or less, you will be obliged to serve for only 3 years. No longer any signing bonus

 

4. Typically, after 4 years of service, promoted to Major at salary of $179,000-198,000. You likely will serve 6 mo. of this duty will be o/s Canada, and most medical officers serve in the former Yugoslavia (receiving tax-free payment of $1,500/mo). There is no Afghanistan.

 

Worst case scenario, you are posted at a base not near your home, but in beautiful Victoria, B.C.

 

5. Vacation is 4 weeks, after 4 years, it is 5 weeks, long serving receive 6 weeks

 

6. Other: given 5 days per year for professional training (so you can attend convention and then start your vacation!); free medical and dental care; officer’s rank as student; you will be posted to a base medical clinic in Canada

 

7. Maternity leave of 12 months at close to full pay

 

8. Excellent pension plan that starts immediately when enrolled into MOTP as student.

 

9. Entitled to of up to 5 years of specialty training at full pay. For each year of specialty training, you must continue with military for another 2 years, e.g., 5 more years of education at full pay = 10 more years of practice

 

10. Starting salary of specialist is $187,000 up to $258,000.

 

11. Pension: after service of 25 years or more, entitled to pension based upon 2% for each year of service (which includes years of study). Pension indexed against inflation once your age plus years of service = 85. Example, 25 years of service at current salary of $234,000 = pension of $117,000/yr, and if retire before reaching “85 above”, pension will be indexed at age 60. So, if you study for 5 years incl. residency and have 5 more years of study after your 4 years (at full pay), you need only practice medicine 15 years, you will have in total 25 years, and a pension of $117,000/yr (plus indexation) at about age 46 – when you are young enough to go into private practice (or, continue with CF at great salary and build up your eventual pension, e.g., at age 56, your pension will be $140k/yr (plus future indexation).

 

12. 24 spaces available per year with MOTP – all have been filled in last 2 years, mainly from Maritimes & Quebec. The numbers in MOTP have tripled over the last 5 or 6 years.

 

13. By 2009, Military expects all forces family positions to be filled (150 positions). This compares with 130 filled in 2008 and 100 in 2003.

This is old - have not updated it.

 

14. Total physician strength in the Canadian Forces currently stands at about 230 doctors in family medicine, specialist and administrative roles.

 

15. Specialty shortage, particularly in surgery and in areas like Afghanistan, are met by short term contracts with civilian doctors.

 

16. Recruitment is very active in specific groups such as senior medical students, medical residents, and licensed family and emergency physicians.

 

17. Retention after 4 years of service is up to 2/3 compared to only 30% 5 or 6 years ago.

 

18. Pension entitlement by way of immediate annuity is after 25 years of CF service (9,131 paid days). It is unclear whether as Regular Forces officer, whether you need to be age 60 or age 55 with 30 years pensionable service.

 

19. Deferred annuity may be an “annual allowance” – pension can start at age 50 on a reduced basis Alternatively, it is possible to request a lump sum equivalent to your pension benefit under age 50 (called a transfer value) transferred to a locked-in retirement savings vehicle.

 

20. Basic formula until age 65 or receipt of CCP or QPP is 2% x no. of years of pensionable service x av. Pay of the best 5 years of consecutive paid salary

 

21. Severance benefit is 7 days pay for each year of continuous service up to 30 years.

 

22. Death benefit while serving equal to twice annual salary.

[mangoarecool]

1. No longer any signing bonus *Signing bonus of $40,000 (although it could be as high as $180,000 if you apply later). (see Note below #4)

 

2. full tuition, instruments & texts paid

 

3. annual salary: While med student: $44,000-51,000. As Resident: $55,000-58,000.

 

4. In return, must commit to choosing family medicine through the CARMS match and serve for 4 years after completion of family med residency at salary of 134-164k

*NOTE: Should you choose not to receive the signing bonus and should you be subsidized for only 43 months or less, you will be obliged to serve for only 3 years. No longer any signing bonus

 

4. Typically, after 4 years of service, promoted to Major at salary of $179,000-198,000. You likely will serve 6 mo. of this duty will be o/s Canada, and most medical officers serve in the former Yugoslavia (receiving tax-free payment of $1,500/mo). There is no Afghanistan.

 

Worst case scenario, you are posted at a base not near your home, but in beautiful Victoria, B.C.

 

5. Vacation is 4 weeks, after 4 years, it is 5 weeks, long serving receive 6 weeks

 

6. Other: given 5 days per year for professional training (so you can attend convention and then start your vacation!); free medical and dental care; officer’s rank as student; you will be posted to a base medical clinic in Canada

 

7. Maternity leave of 12 months at close to full pay

 

8. Excellent pension plan that starts immediately when enrolled into MOTP as student.

 

9. Entitled to of up to 5 years of specialty training at full pay. For each year of specialty training, you must continue with military for another 2 years, e.g., 5 more years of education at full pay = 10 more years of practice

 

10. Starting salary of specialist is $187,000 up to $258,000.

 

11. Pension: after service of 25 years or more, entitled to pension based upon 2% for each year of service (which includes years of study). Pension indexed against inflation once your age plus years of service = 85. Example, 25 years of service at current salary of $234,000 = pension of $117,000/yr, and if retire before reaching “85 above”, pension will be indexed at age 60. So, if you study for 5 years incl. residency and have 5 more years of study after your 4 years (at full pay), you need only practice medicine 15 years, you will have in total 25 years, and a pension of $117,000/yr (plus indexation) at about age 46 – when you are young enough to go into private practice (or, continue with CF at great salary and build up your eventual pension, e.g., at age 56, your pension will be $140k/yr (plus future indexation).

 

12. 24 spaces available per year with MOTP – all have been filled in last 2 years, mainly from Maritimes & Quebec. The numbers in MOTP have tripled over the last 5 or 6 years.

 

13. By 2009, Military expects all forces family positions to be filled (150 positions). This compares with 130 filled in 2008 and 100 in 2003.

This is old - have not updated it.

 

14. Total physician strength in the Canadian Forces currently stands at about 230 doctors in family medicine, specialist and administrative roles.

 

15. Specialty shortage, particularly in surgery and in areas like Afghanistan, are met by short term contracts with civilian doctors.

 

16. Recruitment is very active in specific groups such as senior medical students, medical residents, and licensed family and emergency physicians.

 

17. Retention after 4 years of service is up to 2/3 compared to only 30% 5 or 6 years ago.

 

18. Pension entitlement by way of immediate annuity is after 25 years of CF service (9,131 paid days). It is unclear whether as Regular Forces officer, whether you need to be age 60 or age 55 with 30 years pensionable service.

 

19. Deferred annuity may be an “annual allowance” – pension can start at age 50 on a reduced basis Alternatively, it is possible to request a lump sum equivalent to your pension benefit under age 50 (called a transfer value) transferred to a locked-in retirement savings vehicle.

 

20. Basic formula until age 65 or receipt of CCP or QPP is 2% x no. of years of pensionable service x av. Pay of the best 5 years of consecutive paid salary

 

21. Severance benefit is 7 days pay for each year of continuous service up to 30 years.

 

22. Death benefit while serving equal to twice annual salary.

 

 

Everything is correct except for section 9.

 

You only have to serve an additional 2 years for each year of subsidized training (to a max of 5 years).

It is a really good deal, get a captains rank starting out and decent pay.

If i get in meds I will definetly think about MOTP. Being a reservist u have a huge advantage getting in the MOTP program compared to civies.

 

Are u in the military at all?

[future_doc]

Are u in the military at all?

 

Nope. But I did my research prior to entering med school. It's a good deal but was not for me. I need unencumbered freedom to make my way, keeping all options open. And I did not want to devote my time & skills essentially giving medical exams to the healthy.

[cupcakes2]

This is for a friend of mine... she was wondering what her chances are at Canadian (or US) med schools:

 

Y1: 2.2

Y2: 3.3

Y3: 3.6

Y4: 2.7

Y5: 3.6 (part-time, taking 3 courses)

 

cGPA: ~3.0

 

Masters in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins

Currently studying for MCAT

Some lab research (no publications)