mklingen Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 I am applying to UBC for the 2009/10 cycle. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of my chances for an interview. Some of my stats: cumulative GPA: 75 % prerequisite: 70% Last 60 credits: 80-85% MCAT: wrote in July (was getting mid 20s (8s and 9s) on practice tests) Recently I completed a MSc. in Biology at UNBC and was able to graduate with top marks and have produced a number of publications. For extracurriculars: I have served with student senate in undergraduate and graduate school, traveled to a variety of different cities in North America for mission work and done some volunteer work with non-for profit environmental organizations. Would my graduate and extracurricular experience give me a chance despite my low undergraduate grades? Thanks to anyone who is able to provide useful feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mei_Mei_girl Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 I am applying to UBC for the 2009/10 cycle. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of my chances for an interview. Some of my stats: cumulative GPA: 75 % prerequisite: 70% Last 60 credits: 80-85% MCAT: wrote in July (was getting mid 20s (8s and 9s) on practice tests) Recently I completed a MSc. in Biology at UNBC and was able to graduate with top marks and have produced a number of publications. For extracurriculars: I have served with student senate in undergraduate and graduate school, traveled to a variety of different cities in North America for mission work and done some volunteer work with non-for profit environmental organizations. Would my graduate and extracurricular experience give me a chance despite my low undergraduate grades? Thanks to anyone who is able to provide useful feedback. Hi there, for what its worth from my point of view, I think you totally have a shot! You are in-province, correct? That makes it easier. Your application sounds strong, if you can score a very high NAQ. Your grades could be higher, HOWEVER its great that your last 60 credits are high, and from what I understand your pre-req average is not even used in calculation for your interview (although they are in your cummulative, which is used). Hopefully your MCAT scores are all over 8's, however to get an interview the MCAT from what I understand is not even used (just your AQ and NAQ score) -- just after interviews its looked at. I think at this point you should focus on writing a strong application, particularly a strong essay. If you can show why you want to be in medical school and eventually practise medicine, your NAQ score will be higher. Grades are all out of your control now, but with a strong NAQ I think you will have a decent shot. All the best, let me know if there is anything I can help you with (PM me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuantum Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 You certainly have some great things to offer in your application. However, you should be aware that your undergrad marks will probably create some challenges. You are in-province so that is a good thing...your pre-interview score won't have to be as high as OOP. At this point, Mei_Mei_girl has pretty much said it well - you need to put together a very good application to drive up your NAQ. Hopefully, they don't ding you post-interview for your marks. Get all of your experiences in and get lots of people to proof-read your essay. Another thing - you may want to try and get your MCAT as high as possible to offset your pre-req marks. From what I understand, UBC doesn't tend to accept individuals with grades less than 80%...i don't know which category that is though (pre-req vs last 60). Good luck. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djmackj Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 you can always refer to the statistics to give yourself some idea as to what your chances are: http://www.med.ubc.ca/education/md_ugrad/MD_Undergraduate_Admissions/MD_Undergraduate_Admissions_Statistics.htm As you can see, over 20% of the entering class have an overall average between 70-79.99% (though skewed towards the upper 70s). Obviously these people must have had outstanding NAQ scores so that's where you should focus on. As you know from the application, there are lots of categories for ECs that UBC expects you to have experience in, so if you have solid EC and an excellent personal statement, I don't see why you wouldn't get an interview. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryann Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 My CGPA is 81.7 LAST 60 is 84.9 science..76.7 (am taking 1/2 course bioch and 1/2 chem next yr for preq) I would be applying as an OOP. Am taking Mcat in a couple of weeks. Thus far am scoring around 8 in phy, 11 in bio, and 12 in vr.....physics is a problem, and R on writing. Being the applic is due in Sept...as an OOP am in the range. My ec's are strong. I really want to start my applic today....if anyone has a minute, I would be delighted to receive your input... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imhotep Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 As you know, the threshold for OOPers are higher than IPers and this year's cut offs will be reflective of the competition in the applicant pool. Just because your "science" is a bit low, doesn't mean that your are not a strong applicant. On the other hand, just because your a strong applicant doesn't guarantee an interview or spot at UBC. OOPers have it rough. As with the above poster, construct a strong application and essay and I believe you should stand chance for the interview. Unfortunately, much of the pre-reqs are science based so I wonder how you fared on these, which will factor in post-interview. To be honest, I think that since you want to be a doctor, and are applying elsewhere, why not give it a shot and see where you stand with UBC. Then you will know what needs to be done in the worst case scenario. Finally, don't be so quick to defeat yourself and doubt your chances. Take a leap of faith - you are about to embark on the craziest, emotionally taxing mind trip of your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mei_Mei_girl Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Take a leap of faith - you are about to embark on the craziest, emotionally taxing mind trip of your life. so, so so so so true!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mklingen Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Thanks for the helpful comments. I scored lower on the MCAT than I had hoped (22N) but since it doesn't count for the interview selection maybe I'll at least get an interview. Does anyone know when UBC notifies applicants of interviews? I am hoping to do some volunteer work in Central America and don't want to be out of province and miss the interview. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaM Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 UBC states on the application page that interview invitations will be sent in early December. Not to rain on your parade, but it states right on the site Statistics clearly indicate that BC residents with an overall academic average of less than 75% and Out of Province applicants with less than 80% are seldom, if ever, invited for an interview. As such, applicants below these OGPA's most likely will not receive full file reviews. A full file review normally consists of a full academic evaluation, a non-academic evaluation and where appropriate, a rural/remote suitability evaluation. You're on that borderline and unless you have other non-academic qualities that you failed to mention, it isn't super likely that you will get an interview this year. This year's application will give you an idea of where you stand on your non-academics though and give you some idea of how much you will need to improve. While djmackj is correct that 20% of the entering class had GPA's between 70-79.9% only 3% had a GPA below 75% and of those people who applied with a GPA below 75% only 1.07% of them were accepted. Your odds get much better above 75%, as 24.3% of those with a GPA between 75-79.9% are accepted. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't postpone your trip based on worrying about interview invites. Just make sure you have access to a computer with an internet connection in December and check your email a couple times a week, because it's all done through email anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destiny Gundam Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 never met an oop/ 3rd year appl who didnt have straight As. forget it if you have less than 80 average. why you first/second/third years trying to be so politically correct about your responses? just tell them the truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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