FAQ: What are my chances?

[Coach]

IF these were my stats:

 

U of Calgary - Mechanical Engineering with Biomedical specialization:

 

Year 1: 2.85

Year 2: 3.19

Year 3: 3.13

Year 4: 3.38

Year 5: 4.0

 

MCAT: 34Q (14-9-11)

 

Course-based Masters: 4.0

 

EC's: 2 summers Research, one publication, NSERC x2, AHMFR, 1 year hospital volunteering, 1 year tutoring. 1 year working in Switzerland (internship), LOTS of travelling, LOTS of sports including marathons.

 

I'm not expecting much but what would my chances be at UofC or UofA or anywhere in Canada? Thanks!

 

If you really want a shot at med school then you are going to have to consider doing another UG degree and aim to get a much higher GPA. As already pointed out, your current UG degree GPA is too low to apply to med school in Canada. The door isn't closed but you are going to need to invest another few years in a 2nd degree.

[future_doc]

The door isn't closed but you are going to need to invest another few years in a 2nd degree.

 

Is there another alternative of doing an extra year or two without a degree to raise the GPA?

[Coach]

Is there another alternative of doing an extra year or two without a degree to raise the GPA?

 

Good question but I'm not 100% sure if my answer is correct but I would divide the med schools into 2 groups: first group looks at cGPA for UG degree(s) studied and second group have some kind of a "best of" weighted formula. The "best of" schools would, for example" only look your last 2 years of full-time study or your best 2 years of study (basically allowing you to drop 1 or 2 bad years).

 

The poster is in trouble with all schools using cGPA because he/she is too far behind to pull up to the 3.8+ range; the applicant could simply do 2 years of full-time study toward a second degree (the key here is 2 years because the schools tend to factor in at least 2 years of studies in their "best of" formula). Well that's my understanding anyways.

 

This person should get enough credits from their UG degree to be able to do a 2nd degree in 2 years. I stand very corrected, but anything less than another 2 years (and getting super GPA results) will mean they would fall short of the required average.

[future_doc]

You have given the poster perspective for a complete understanding. Hopefully, our roving angel rmorelan will show up and add the finishing touches. May we all see each o ther in med school. YEA COACH!

 

We are a great team. May it continue.

[Coach]

You have given the poster perspective for a complete understanding. Hopefully, our roving angel rmorelan will show up and add the finishing touches. May we all see each o ther in med school. YEA COACH!

 

We are a great team. May it continue.

 

Thx FD.

 

You are so right about a team environment here in terms of selfless helping of others. Despite the odd troll, this is a great place to learn about navigating the med school application process. I'm so grateful to everyone who takes the time to answer questions.

[future_doc]

ditto Coach. And paying forward is nice too.

[patogracho]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Quick question tho, couldn't the 5th year and Masters count as 'best 2-3 years' or wouldn't the masters alone count as a 2nd degree? (It's a course based masters) Or does it HAVE to be a 2nd UG?

 

Thanks again!

 

Pato

[future_doc]

Masters is a separate issue that has nothing to do with your GPA they are looking at. rmorelan is the expert!

[Coach]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Quick question tho, couldn't the 5th year and Masters count as 'best 2-3 years' or wouldn't the masters alone count as a 2nd degree? (It's a course based masters) Or does it HAVE to be a 2nd UG?

 

Thanks again!

 

Pato

 

The GPA calculation is from your UG degree. Some schools include masters & Phds to count for extra marks to determine interviews and/or adds some weight when they EVENTUALLY get to the full file review stage. But the very first step in the process is to meet the GPA cut-off and that is based only on UG degree. In your case that would be a problem obviously.

 

So if you do a 2nd UG degree (should take 2 years) then you could turn things around plus a masters on top of that would be great.

 

My only advice is that you need to determine why your marks were what they were for the UG degree and what you can do different in order to raise the bar. The great thing for you is that your destiny is in your own hands - that's powerful!

[future_doc]

Good advice and motivation Coach!

[aqm]

i am sure some one has already pointed this out but i dont have the time to go thru 12 pages....in ur flowchart (awesomee work btw)

 

if u dont have mcat...mcmaster is no longer a choice....they require verbal

 

nosm is a choice however and so is uottawa that u already have mentioned.

[medaholic]

i am sure some one has already pointed this out but i dont have the time to go thru 12 pages....in ur flowchart (awesomee work btw)

 

if u dont have mcat...mcmaster is no longer a choice....they require verbal

 

nosm is a choice however and so is uottawa that u already have mentioned.

 

Thanks for noticing that. Haven't had the chance to update that chart, so it is a bit outdated. In general, it still summarizes that path and steps you do need to take.

 

It also looks like this thread turned out to be the place that people ask what are there chances. As long as that keeps the amount of new posts, that's fine with me.

[NewfieMike]

I'm left-handed. Does this give me an advantage to getting in to medical school?

[AdamP]

Hello pm101

 

I am a DJ, and am wondering what my chances are for medicine because of this. I like help people very much.

[estairella]

I'm left-handed. Does this give me an advantage to getting in to medical school?

 

Because left is sinister, it actually tends to be a disadvantage. But it also depends - which hand do you use to masturbate with?

 

Here's a handy chart:

• Right-hand dominant + right-hand use = ADVANTAGE
  
• Right-hand dominant + left-hand use = NO EFFECT
  
• Left-hand dominant + left-hand use = REJECTED
  
• Left-hand dominant + right-hand use = NO EFFECT
  

 

 

Hello pm101

 

I am a DJ, and am wondering what my chances are for medicine because of this. I like help people very much.

 

It can be good, if you work at it. You must make a mix tape using at least 44 Billboard top 10 artists from 1969-2009 that shows, through its musical interplay, your desire for medicine.

 

If you're not confident in your abilities - I think Kaplan has a 6-week intensive course on MD-DJing, but most people will do this independently.

[future_doc]

Because left is sinister, it actually tends to be a disadvantage. But it also depends - which hand do you use to masturbate with?

 

If he is left handed and has no right hand:mad: , then surgery is not an option. just sayin'

[future_doc]

I'm left-handed. Does this give me an advantage to getting in to medical school?

 

Are you left-footed or right-footed?

[Mani2nd]

Hi,

I was at SFU and things ddnt work out so well. i was getting real low GPAs and by the end of my 2nd year i had a cumulative of only 3.06/4.33. got a C in ecology,stats and inorganic chem lab, B's and B+ in pre requisite courses. I transferred to UBC and got my GPA upto an average of 90% over the last 2-2.5 years ( 67 credits). mostly A's,A- in courses with occasional B+ or an A+. I also worked in a molecular bio lab for 8 months and had a publication too and 1 year hospital volunteering. I was just wondering whether for UBC med do i have a chance with a balanced MCAT of 36+.........?

[PSehgal]

Hey all,

 

First post here, I've been wondering how does work experience through the summer months of semesters count towards medical school applications?

 

My current profile:

 

University of Toronto @ Scarborough

3rd year of a 4-year B.Sc. program in Human Biology, specialist

Current UofT GPA is 3.89, writing exams for my first semester at the moment

 

I'm planning on writing the MCAT on January 30, 2010, it will be my first time

 

Extra-curricular:

Currently volunteering at Sick Kids - Emergency Department (since June)

Applied to Canadian Blood Services (awaiting placement)

 

Work Experience:

Drug Royalty (pharmaceutical royalty company) - July-September 2007

Byrex Gems (gem seller) - May-June 2008

Markel Insurance (trucking insurance firm) - June 08-September 08 and May 09-August 09 [Worked in both HR/training and Underwriting]

 

I've been trying to increase my volunteering as of late (applied to a few homework clubs, and looking for a lab assistant position).

 

What do you guys think?

 

Thanks in advance

[c17h]

Hey all,

 

First post here, I've been wondering how does work experience through the summer months of semesters count towards medical school applications?

 

My current profile:

 

University of Toronto @ Scarborough

3rd year of a 4-year B.Sc. program in Human Biology, specialist

Current UofT GPA is 3.89, writing exams for my first semester at the moment

 

I'm planning on writing the MCAT on January 30, 2010, it will be my first time

 

Extra-curricular:

Currently volunteering at Sick Kids - Emergency Department (since June)

Applied to Canadian Blood Services (awaiting placement)

 

Work Experience:

Drug Royalty (pharmaceutical royalty company) - July-September 2007

Byrex Gems (gem seller) - May-June 2008

Markel Insurance (trucking insurance firm) - June 08-September 08 and May 09-August 09 [Worked in both HR/training and Underwriting]

 

I've been trying to increase my volunteering as of late (applied to a few homework clubs, and looking for a lab assistant position).

 

What do you guys think?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Here are my two cents:

 

Related work experience will help you. Obviously, long term commitments are better than short term ones, but some experience is always better than no experience.

 

Is your U of T GPA similar to your OMSAS GPA? Your GPA looks good, but >3.9 will probably secure you a spot, especially if your OMSAS GPA drops below 3.85 (reduces your chances at some schools, like Ottawa).

 

ECs - do you have research or leadership experience? (may want to consider something in those areas...) If I were you, I would also increase your volunteer experience, but you have some, so it's not a huge deal.

 

Overall, ace the MCAT and you'll have a great shot at some schools.

[PSehgal]

Here are my two cents:

 

Related work experience will help you. Obviously, long term commitments are better than short term ones, but some experience is always better than no experience.

 

Is your U of T GPA similar to your OMSAS GPA? Your GPA looks good, but >3.9 will probably secure you a spot, especially if your OMSAS GPA drops below 3.85 (reduces your chances at some schools, like Ottawa).

 

ECs - do you have research or leadership experience? (may want to consider something in those areas...) If I were you, I would also increase your volunteer experience, but you have some, so it's not a huge deal.

 

Overall, ace the MCAT and you'll have a great shot at some schools.

 

My current OMSAS GPA is at 3.82, looking to get that a bit higher after this semester for sure. My main goal for this winter/summer is to get additional volunteer experience for sure (don't plan on working in summer).

 

Thanks for the feedback

[c17h]

My current OMSAS GPA is at 3.82, looking to get that a bit higher after this semester for sure. My main goal for this winter/summer is to get additional volunteer experience for sure (don't plan on working in summer).

 

Thanks for the feedback

 

No problem.

 

I definitely wouldn't stress about the GPA too much. If you can get a good MCAT score (>10 on each section), then you have a great shot at Western, Queens and even U of T if your weighted GPA is high enough.

 

I would probably focus on the ECs for now. Best of luck!

[calvin.carl]

I can nearly guarantee your acceptance with that phenomenal grade point average. I attended University of Missouri and was able to transfer to ASU with only a 3.0 GPA. Don't worry about getting in; just be concerned with paying for it. Out of state is expensive. I went the financial aid route. After you have lived in the great state of Arizona for a year, apply for in-state tuition. They will look at things like having in-state employment & proving that you reside in AZ with proof you pay rent here. Good luck!

[thatonekid]

I can nearly guarantee your acceptance with that phenomenal grade point average. I attended University of Missouri and was able to transfer to ASU with only a 3.0 GPA. Don't worry about getting in; just be concerned with paying for it. Out of state is expensive. I went the financial aid route. After you have lived in the great state of Arizona for a year, apply for in-state tuition. They will look at things like having in-state employment & proving that you reside in AZ with proof you pay rent here. Good luck!

awesome story.

 

reported.

[future_doc]

awesome story.

 

reported.

 

thatonekid