Vidhya Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Hey folks, Since U of C med has started classes for the fall, I thought I'd start a post to see who will be applying again for this upcoming cycle. After going through this a few times I'm starting to dread the process of requesting reference letters - but on the plus side I think I have the application system down pat lol. Anywho, I thought it would be nice to see who is applying this year, hopefully we can keep each other motivated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dampy Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Hey folks, Since U of C med has started classes for the fall, I thought I'd start a post to see who will be applying again for this upcoming cycle. After going through this a few times I'm starting to dread the process of requesting reference letters - but on the plus side I think I have the application system down pat lol. Anywho, I thought it would be nice to see who is applying this year, hopefully we can keep each other motivated. I'm still on the fence weather or not to apply here. Think I'm going to do it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostLamb Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 me.... Haven't started yet. Grr @ different application from last year. Anyone know how many words or characters can fit in the box to describe each experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eng_dude786 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 so there's no 'essay' right for Calgary? Just a small paragraph for each of the top 5 things that made an impact on you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgaryguy Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 re-writing the mcat in 2 days....depending on that I might re-apply. I am really not looking forward to the reference letter requests either... and no essay for u of c anymore, just those 5 paragraphs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCC Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 I am definitely re-applying. Perhaps we should start a support group for those of us re-applying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Louis the King Jr. Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Re-applying too. MCAT re-take's in 9 days, 12 hrs, 50 minutes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCC Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Good luck Martin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeopener Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 I think I will be applying for the first time this year. But based on how I think I did on my mcat, I don't think I have a great chance. Ha, we'll see in a few weeks I guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vidhya Posted August 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Anyone know how many words or characters can fit in the box to describe each experience? I'm not sure if the application is going to stay this way, but right now it seems to be allowing unlimited characters in both the "duties" and "experience impact" boxes. I entered a test activity and both boxes accepted an essay that was 2500 words in length and over 12,000 characters. I'm surprised that they haven't placed a limit on the characters yet. They may end up with huge applications to review. I think I'm going to wait to complete that section, I would hate to have to re-write that section if they add a word limit. I'm all for having a support group, my family thinks I'm crazy but I'm determined. It's nice to know that others share my obsession. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCC Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 I should really get started on the application. Vidhya, hang in there. My family thinks I am crazy too! I'm not sure if the application is going to stay this way, but right now it seems to be allowing unlimited characters in both the "duties" and "experience impact" boxes. I entered a test activity and both boxes accepted an essay that was 2500 words in length and over 12,000 characters. I'm surprised that they haven't placed a limit on the characters yet. They may end up with huge applications to review. I think I'm going to wait to complete that section, I would hate to have to re-write that section if they add a word limit. I'm all for having a support group, my family thinks I'm crazy but I'm determined. It's nice to know that others share my obsession. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOC_Ma Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 it'll be the first time for me to apply, Good luck to everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calgaryguy Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I should really get started on the application. Vidhya, hang in there. My family thinks I am crazy too! yep, in the same boat here, my family thinks i am crazy. we need to stick it out gang! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful Med Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Why would your families think that becoming a doctor is crazy? My family is proud that I chose this profession. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostLamb Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 yep, in the same boat here, my family thinks i am crazy. we need to stick it out gang! We need a 'crazy applicants' support group. My family doesn't think im kooky to keep on doing this per se, but I can see them thinking it in the near future...I need to finish schooling sometime! hahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostLamb Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Why would your families think that becoming a doctor is crazy? My family is proud that I chose this profession. I do not think it is a lack of pride, I think that all families are proud to be hosts to future physicians. I guess they don't really think we're crazy, they just can't believe how much tenacity those who continue to apply (after not making in again and again) possess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCC Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Agreed! we stick together and party together! hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vidhya Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I do not think it is a lack of pride, I think that all families are proud to be hosts to future physicians. I guess they don't really think we're crazy, they just can't believe how much tenacity those who continue to apply (after not making in again and again) possess. That's exactly how I'd describe it too. My parents are immigrants, never went to post-secondary, all my siblings acquired short "sensible" degrees and professions. I'm this perpetual student with this growing mountain of debt and lack of a career (at the moment). After explaining the entrance requirements and intense competition, most of my family state that they're glad they weren't interested in medicine lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vidhya Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 We need a 'crazy applicants' support group. My family doesn't think im kooky to keep on doing this per se, but I can see them thinking it in the near future...I need to finish schooling sometime! hahahaha Does your mother ever drop the "you know, it's okay if you want to do something else" line? hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarb Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hey guys! You all seem to be really familiar with U of C so I just want to ask this, Do average OOPs have a shot at U of C? I'm from Ontario and my cGPA is about 3.84 with a 30S MCAT (I rewrote last month, now I am just awaiting results). Decent ECs but no research. I know I am an average applicant so I'm just wondering if there is room at U of C for us! Or are the OOP at U of C incredibly competitive? I don't know whether I should I apply or not to U of C...or U of A for that matter! Any advice is appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vidhya Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hey Polarb, From what I've seen, OOP is pretty competitive. They usually make up more than half the applicants and are only eligible for 15% of the seats. However, you can predict how you'll do by using the formula in the applicant manual: 62.517 (GPA) + 12.122 (MCAT,VR) + 6.757(MCAT,BS). The VR section on the MCAT is certainly a big component, so maybe you should see how your MCAT re-write does before applying. If acquiring references is fairly easy and the application fee is affordable, maybe you should try applying just to see how you score. You may do better than you expect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarb Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thanks Vidhya! With my last MCAT score, I got an 8 in verbal so that will definitely take me out of the running. I'll take your advice and wait until I get my scores back from this rewrite to see if I should apply. Would say a 10 be good? Or higher? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vidhya Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I'd definitely say aim for 10 in VR and BS as a minimum. I would also check out the sticky at the top of the forum for the waitlisted/accepted posts. There's a wealth of information in there and it's very handy for comparison purposes. It's too bad that the UofC does not post the cutoffs for getting into the top 250 for file review. You might be able to find out by contacting the office though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicMB Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hey Polarb. I agree with Vidhya. If you think you want to go to U of C, you should apply. The $100 app fee is pretty reasonable compared to some other schools, and the only other thing stopping you should be lack of funds for the interview flight, or not meeting the required cut-offs. I am a 1st year OOP student at Calgary. Tons of students in my class are from Ontario, many who got in after 3-4 years of undergrad (ie: no degree). I'm not sure if the admission stats from our admission cycle have been posted online, but the OOP's had *significantly* lower stats than the lowest IP acceptee (which is not the expected trend). Yes, there are many many OOP applicants, but those people are also applying to and getting accepted at other schools, and end up giving up their spot at U of C anyway. 15% x 180 seats = 27 seats. Improve your MCAT, and you definitely have a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typical Premed Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 The OOP cutoff was 451.00 last year but it could change from year to year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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