FAQ: What are my chances?

[ntvli]

Looks solid for UofT and uOttawa

 

Do you think I can get U of T interview as 3rd year applicant?

[Savac]

Do you think I can get U of T interview as 3rd year applicant?

 

For my sake as well as yours, I sincerely hope so!

[Shiny]

this is a little complicated.. however awesome work.. thanx for sharing!!

[shady]

THANK YOU a MILLION TIMES if you take time and read my case and leave feedback, I really appreciate it!

 

 

I have some good parts to my application, and some really bad parts - please leave your advice:

________________________________________________________________

 

Cumulative GPA: ~3.97/4.00 (OMSAS)

________________________________________________________________

 

Extracurricular Activities

1. 6-7 months of research in a lab as a volunteer

2. Almost 2 years of research in another lab which lead to 1 publication and a few abstracts and poster presentations

3. 1 Summer full-time research position (project was basic lab science and animal based) - lead to a a few local presentations + 1 national conference poster presentation

4. Hospital volunteering (will be ~140 hours)

5. Leadership position - similar to what a TA does (hold study sessions etc) (15 hours/week) along with bunch of leadership certificates

6. Founder of a university club + Vice president in another club + Exec in another club

7. Shadowed a specialist in clinic (MD/PHD) for 1 year (4-5 hours / week)

 

________________________________________________________________

 

 

DISADVANTAGE: I have not taken full-course load during my undergraduate years (3-4 courses/term) and I know its going to affect my application big time. As a result, I will be staying 1-2 extra years to finish up. I also haven't written MCAT as of yet.

 

I really appreciate if you have any suggestions/feedbacks/advice regarding my situation. Should I work on improving my EC? Taking into consideration that I didn't take full-course load, do you think I have ANY CHANCE at all? What about US schools?

 

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

You wanna know what I think? I think you should give Harvard a try. Also John Hopkins. After you write the MCAT of course. Also apply to Canadian schools as a backup.

 

By the way, I'm not joking. If you are not trolling that is.

[future_doc]

In your next two years of undergrad, I recommend that you do take full course load so as to remedy this deficiency.

[Savac]

I think your first order of business is to take the MCAT

[daleader]

Thank you guys for your sharing your thoughts I really appreciate that.

 

I will write MCAT this summer (I hope I can get a 33+) but again my huge problem is my course load.

 

The thing is that the schools that don't care about course load (I know, mac is one) I have a shot but the schools that require full load they usually want it for all of the years not just 1-2! I mean if I take full load in the next year, it wouldn't make me eligible anyways (and it would hurt my GPA a bit and lower my chance for mac?)

 

Do you guys think I have a shot at out-of province schools? I think for example I can apply to UBC/Alberta but how hard is it to get accepted to OOP schools taking into consideration the restrictions that they have for Ontario residents?

 

Do you think I should apply at all? Which schools do you think I would have the highest chance of at least getting an interview?

 

I don't know how to thank you guys! Very much appreciated..

[beeep44]

I've received a bunch of rejections (McMaster, Queens, uOttawa, and UWO) and am starting to worry a bit (a lot) about actually getting into medical school this cycle - still waiting on U of T and McGill. Any advice would be much appreciated .

 

Just finished undergrad at McGill, applied with cGPA 3.89 (3.9 OMSAS):

1st year 3.88

2nd year 3.86

3rd year 3.94

 

I got a 4.0 for my last semester, making my total GPA a 3.9, but this won't count toward my current application.

 

MCAT 35M - PS 12, VR 11, BS 12

 

ECs are a bit lacking: summer intern at oncology lab, research assistant at language development lab for 1.5 years, peer tutor for 1 year, student ambassador (mostly a buddy for incoming freshman), working on a book with a prof - i'm responsible for formatting and compiling everything, title is co-author.

 

I'm most worried about my MCAT writing score. I know an M looks super bad (not even sure how I managed to get so low), but I reeeally don't want to rewrite the exam, especially considering that there won't even be a writing section on the newer test.

 

If I have to reapply next year, I'll up my ECs. In the same vein, where should I reapply (open to US schools as well). Please give me advice! Thanks so much in advance!!

[silvantes]

I've received a bunch of rejections (McMaster, Queens, uOttawa, and UWO) and am starting to worry a bit (a lot) about actually getting into medical school this cycle - still waiting on U of T and McGill. Any advice would be much appreciated .

 

Just finished undergrad at McGill, applied with cGPA 3.89 (3.9 OMSAS):

1st year 3.88

2nd year 3.86

3rd year 3.94

 

I got a 4.0 for my last semester, making my total GPA a 3.9, but this won't count toward my current application.

 

MCAT 35M - PS 12, VR 11, BS 12

 

ECs are a bit lacking: summer intern at oncology lab, research assistant at language development lab for 1.5 years, peer tutor for 1 year, student ambassador (mostly a buddy for incoming freshman), working on a book with a prof - i'm responsible for formatting and compiling everything, title is co-author.

 

I'm most worried about my MCAT writing score. I know an M looks super bad (not even sure how I managed to get so low), but I reeeally don't want to rewrite the exam, especially considering that there won't even be a writing section on the newer test.

 

If I have to reapply next year, I'll up my ECs. In the same vein, where should I reapply (open to US schools as well). Please give me advice! Thanks so much in advance!!

 

I feel ya! I also have an M

I have a 31 M and a 3.73 cGPA hoping for the weighted GPA for Toronto 3.93.

I was worried for myself this year with McMaster changing their formula but Casper saved me for sure. 11 VR and OOP. If you apply again for next year work on typing speed..lol I am sure that gave me an advantage as I can type really fast. Try to apply to more places maybe, you never know where you'll see love. Your EC's don't look worse than mine, try to stand out in some way that is different, I have a wife and 2 kids and a lot of life experience so that has helped me. Good luck with the other schools! You look like a great applicant, have you thought about the US? This is my first year applying and I wanted to apply US but didn't have the funds and I have some maritime advantages. Just keep your head up, you are in a better boat than others.

[futureGP]

I've received a bunch of rejections (McMaster, Queens, uOttawa, and UWO) and am starting to worry a bit (a lot) about actually getting into medical school this cycle - still waiting on U of T and McGill. Any advice would be much appreciated .

 

Just finished undergrad at McGill, applied with cGPA 3.89 (3.9 OMSAS):

1st year 3.88

2nd year 3.86

3rd year 3.94

 

I got a 4.0 for my last semester, making my total GPA a 3.9, but this won't count toward my current application.

 

MCAT 35M - PS 12, VR 11, BS 12

 

ECs are a bit lacking: summer intern at oncology lab, research assistant at language development lab for 1.5 years, peer tutor for 1 year, student ambassador (mostly a buddy for incoming freshman), working on a book with a prof - i'm responsible for formatting and compiling everything, title is co-author.

 

I'm most worried about my MCAT writing score. I know an M looks super bad (not even sure how I managed to get so low), but I reeeally don't want to rewrite the exam, especially considering that there won't even be a writing section on the newer test.

 

If I have to reapply next year, I'll up my ECs. In the same vein, where should I reapply (open to US schools as well). Please give me advice! Thanks so much in advance!!

 

Your UWO rejection is due to 'M'. If it wasn't for that you would've gotten an interview so don't sweat.

 

McMaster rejection is probably due to lack of performance at CASPer. It prob was a good practice for you so just do better next time

 

Queen's rejection could be due to 'M' or because of your ECs. So work on the 'M' or work on some ECs

 

uOttawa - GPA/'M' is probably the issue. you might do better next yr though.

 

Are you IP with McGill? if yes, you'll prob get interview. If not, it'll be a fierce competition (min GPA for interview usually hovers around 3.9~3.95 for McGill OOP)

 

UofT - maybe. It depends on your personal letter + recommendation letters. I really hope you get this interview. Cause once you do, it's 2:1 from that point

[future_doc]

Decent shot.

[neuropsy]

OMSAS cGPA: 3.5 (~80.5%)

Breakdown by year:

1: 3.6

2: 3.03

3: 3.67

4: 3.84 (1st semester)

Full-course load through all years

 

ECs: VERY LACKING

- 1.5 years in one psych lab - not doing anything too substantial

- 1 year in another psych lab, working on a research project atm

- 1 summer volunteering in dialysis unit

- 1 year tutoring

- 1 semester volunteer notetaking

 

MCAT: have yet to write it

 

Would an extra full time year be worth it?

I intent on graduating this June, but if I come back for a year, will the courses I take count towards my GPA?

 

Should I give up on med altogether?

[BAMFtastic]

OMSAS cGPA: 3.5 (~80.5%)

Breakdown by year:

1: 3.6

2: 3.03

3: 3.67

4: 3.84 (1st semester)

Full-course load through all years

 

ECs: VERY LACKING

- 1.5 years in one psych lab - not doing anything too substantial

- 1 year in another psych lab, working on a research project atm

- 1 summer volunteering in dialysis unit

- 1 year tutoring

- 1 semester volunteer notetaking

 

MCAT: have yet to write it

 

Would an extra full time year be worth it?

I intent on graduating this June, but if I come back for a year, will the courses I take count towards my GPA?

 

Should I give up on med altogether?

 

Even if you did an extra year.... It won't count until the year after. I would apply to schools that only look at the past two years and just absolutely KILL the MCAT. Also, beef up those ECs it can go a long way!

[sirsam]

B.C. resident

 

Year 1: 3.95

Year 2: 3.82

Year 3: 2.90 :S

Year 4: 3.90

cGPA:3.65

 

MCAT: 36Q with 8VR

Standard EC with long term volunteering and research plus school club

 

Applying broadly and early to both US and Canadian schools

 

Re-write MCAT to fix that VR?

[Ricarda]

Hi everyone!

 

I am planning on applying for Optometry (NOT Medicine), and I didn't want to open an entirely new thread in the other subforum.

 

I have yet to write the OAT, but I am still thinking about whether or not I should write it this summer and then apply in the fall. Currently, I just want honest (!) opinions on how the rest of my application looks, and whether it would be better for me to wait an extra year to get my GPA up. Here are my stats so far:

 

Year 1, semester 1: 3.26

Year 1, semester 2: 3.86

Year 2, semester 1: 3.67

cGPA: ~ 3.60

 

Extracurricular/Volunteer:

- currently President of the Red Cross Society at my university; I also founded our uni's first student-led First Aid team on campus and we have been present at multiple events so far. We have made First Aid training available to students and fundraised for multiple charities. From September until now, I have probably invested about 90 hours in the club.

- last year, I was Secretary of this club

- have been sponsoring a child in Indonesia through World Vision for 2 years

- have done 12 Hours for the Homeless (local charity event) for last 3 years

- have done Halloween for Hunger (local charity event) for last 4 years

- by the time I apply, I will have completed 1 month in Ghana as a volunteer through Unite For Sight (making free eye care available to secluded rural villages)

- completed 30 hours of volunteer work at a pharmacy in Germany (not really relevant, but I thought I'd include it anyway)

 

Work Experience:

- McCain Foods: did a research project on ATP luminometers for them in 2010; this included daily swabbing/lab work as well as a formal report and presentation at the end of my term

- Tutor: tutored chemistry, physics, and math all throughout grade 11, 12, and first year

- Administrative Assistant: handled office work and finances for a law firm... not really relevant, but I thought I would include it anyway

- currently employed at Pearle Vision, working side-by-side with opticians

 

Shadowing: I've completed 8 hours so far, but I am confirmed to shadow at different practices for all of March Break, which will give me a total of about 40 hours (5 days with different optometrists each time).

 

Other:

- received seven different scholarships, ranging from $500 to $12,000

- am trained in Standard First Aid (CPR & AED)

- will complete a Medical First Responder course at the end of this year (will have my cert. by the time I apply)

- received Governor General's Award in grade 12 (highest marks of grad class)

- attended Shad Valley entrepreneurial science camp (bilingual) in 2010 for 4 weeks

- I am fluently trilingual (English, German, French), and I will be taking independent language courses for Mandarin this summer

- maintained Dean's List status

- completed 5 months of high school in France

- multiple other academic and non-academic awards throughout high school

- lots of travel: Rocky Mountains, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Holland.

 

This is pretty much everything I could throw together. All I want to know is if this is good enough to apply next fall, provided my GPA doesn't go down at the end of this year. I know my academics are relatively low, but I'm hoping for my EC's and shadowing experience to pull me up.

 

What do you guys think?

[future_doc]

Your ECs look good.

 

However, I am clueless as to what constitutes a competitive GPA in your field. I would assume that if you applied without waiting the one year, at worst, it would be a great learning process for the details of the application process, perhaps you would be interviewed - and so what, if you need to apply again. On the assumption that a rejected application would not adversely affect a future application, I would encourage you to apply early.

Perhaps, you can find out from students in the program what is a competitive GPA.

 

Good Luck!

[Ricarda]

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

Can I go on a long shot here and ask what my chances would be for McGill Medicine? Probably slim to zero with that GPA and being OOP? I'm kind of thinking Med as a backup (even thought it's pretty ridiculous to consider Med a backup, especially McGill...). But I'm just bouncing ideas around in my head.

[future_doc]

McGill OOP is highly competitive. I know one OOP applicant this cycle with a 3.95 GPA, lots of research, great ECs, excellent written submissions, and no interview. So, being realistic, I do not recommend that you put in the time and effort for McGill. But that is only one med school.

[Savac]

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

Can I go on a long shot here and ask what my chances would be for McGill Medicine? Probably slim to zero with that GPA and being OOP? I'm kind of thinking Med as a backup (even thought it's pretty ridiculous to consider Med a backup, especially McGill...). But I'm just bouncing ideas around in my head.

 

Which province are you in?

[TaRoEl]

B.C. resident

 

Year 1: 3.95

Year 2: 3.82

Year 3: 2.90 :S

Year 4: 3.90

cGPA:3.65

 

MCAT: 36Q with 8VR

Standard EC with long term volunteering and research plus school club

 

Applying broadly and early to both US and Canadian schools

 

Re-write MCAT to fix that VR?

 

Please Rewrite! get 41 this time okay? nuf said...

[Ricarda]

Which province are you in?

 

I'm a NB resident. I was considering McGill because I do not need the MCAT for it, just to save me from writing the OAT and MCAT in the same summer. And I obviously do not meet the GPA cutoff for UOttawa, so that one's out of the picture.

 

But yeah, I definitely knew that McGill is competitive for OOP students. So unless I pull off some magic with my grades this semester, I probably won't lose my hair over the application process.

[sirsam]

Please Rewrite! get 41 this time okay? nuf said...

 

thanks, I'll do my best

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know its stupid as hell to rewrite with 34+, but canadian schools have hard cutoffs and I'm probably not competitive enough for American schools that are willing to take canadians

[sirsam]

I'm a NB resident. I was considering McGill because I do not need the MCAT for it, just to save me from writing the OAT and MCAT in the same summer. And I obviously do not meet the GPA cutoff for UOttawa, so that one's out of the picture.

 

But yeah, I definitely knew that McGill is competitive for OOP students. So unless I pull off some magic with my grades this semester, I probably won't lose my hair over the application process.

 

do you speak French? try the other french schools like sherbrooke, you'll definitely get an interview

 

OOP is insanely hard because quebec government allots the number of seats, and everyone applies to mcgill

[Life_Sci_Guy]

Looking for any advice and potential places I could get accepted.

 

Ontario student, 4th year next cycle

 

cGPA: 3.94~

 

MCAT: 10-9-11 (9 in VR) :(

 

ECs: well-rounded and above average

 

The 9 in VR is killing me. I know most will say to rewrite the MCAT, but I believe the 9 is the best I can do in VR and am fortunate for that result.

 

Is there anyone in Canada who will take me? What are my chances across the country? I know UWO and Queens are out for Ontario

 

 

Please advise me

[future_doc]

If good ECs, McGill and U/O. If Casper good, MAC. Apply U/T.