foregoneconclusion Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Money's really tight at the moment and I honestly don't think I can afford to apply to both right now. I have an OMSAS gpa of 3.8. 10P/11V/12B/R. Leadership experience in school-related extracurrics, a lot of clinical stuff too. Some unique arts-related things as well. So here's the question. I've applied to the States (slightly late, but still OK) and have one interview already (which is contributing to the strapped cash). I've applied to OMSAS and Calgary. I want to increase my odds. I applied to Dal last year and got no love. Didn't bother applying to McGill because I thought my GPA was borderline for an OOP applicant. I've been scrolling the accepted/rejected/waitlisted threads in both school sections and have found few OOP stats so I don't know what's competitive... Why I'm leaning towards McGill? They didn't reject me last year and I love Montreal. One reason why I'm hesitant? Don't know if I really have a shot at all. Why I'm leaning towards Dal? Hear great things about the school and as of right now, it will just be up to me. I feel like I'm imposing on my references getting them to send things left right and centre. I'd rather bother them once I have an actual chance (Dal's system). What do you guys think I should I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 The wider the net, the greater your chances. Keeping $100 could make the difference of delaying acceptance for one year - at a cost of more than $100,000 in lost income for one year. I would apply to both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foregoneconclusion Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Sigh, you're right. Do I actually have a shot at both though? I've wasted $3500 in the past year on random applications and reasons for not getting an interview varied from vague to obtuse. I think I have a decent shot at getting some interviews in Ontario and my luck as an OOP last year (keeping in mind, I have done a lot of volunteering since then) was non-existent. I applied to Dal, Cal, UofA, and Memorial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 You probably do, but I am no expert. Also it entirely depends upon the pool. All I can tell you with absolute certainty is that this is a lottery and if you don't buy tickets, you cannot play. Given the huge investment you have made, although you will feel it in the pocket book, I verily believe you cannot afford not to apply. Have you ever heard the expression that "expensive can be cheap whereas cheap can prove to be expensive". This is where you are at. Your one winning ticket may just be one of these two and it would be ashame not to go forward. Whatever happens, at least you will know you tried. And many of us need to apply year after year until our turn comes. Its difficult, makes no sense - but that is the way it is. I wish you best of luck. I know avenir is always sensible, why not consider any valuable input she may consider giving to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avenir001 Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 ^^ with that kind of encouragement, even *I* want to apply to both. u gotta do it foregoneconclusion, no other choice. maybe u can starve yourself for a week? desperate times call for desperate measures lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOC_Ma Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 ah poor ahmed... if only you guys were this nice to him prove me wrong, but I know a guy that calls another guy "Ahmed" to make fun of him, so isn't like Ahmed some sort of insult? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 prove me wrong, but I know a guy that calls another guy "Ahmed" to make fun of him, so isn't like Ahmed some sort of insult? Hey Ma, I think the reference is to Ahmed92 and his thread "Just got my mcat result!!" where he was given an extremely hard time I seem to recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBP Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Dal looks at best 2 years OMSAS, does that help you out? Have you already graduated? Perhaps your chance at Dal sucked last year if you were in 3rd year... Did you get an interview at UofT? Maybe it's your statement holding you back from both schools. I'd apply to McGill with your GPA btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charmer08 Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 prove me wrong, but I know a guy that calls another guy "Ahmed" to make fun of him, so isn't like Ahmed some sort of insult? yea what future doc said... i was referring to the member ahmed92 :| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madz25 Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Sigh, you're right. Do I actually have a shot at both though? I've wasted $3500 in the past year on random applications and reasons for not getting an interview varied from vague to obtuse. I think I have a decent shot at getting some interviews in Ontario and my luck as an OOP last year (keeping in mind, I have done a lot of volunteering since then) was non-existent. I applied to Dal, Cal, UofA, and Memorial. are you a quebec resident? it's easier to get into mcgill as a US citizen than being an OOP canadian (obviously this isnt a hard/fast rule but you get the drift, i.e. its tough as OOP and mcgill is more open to US students). unless something has changed in the last few years, you should keep that in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Aren't the numbers for OP about the same for Dal and McGill? I believe for McGill, it is about 8 OPs. It's the nature of the game as an OP, lotsd of losers, some winners, but if you don't play, then you are out of the game. True, the numbers are not encouraging, but if applicants let that stop them, then they would only apply to Queen's and U/T where there is no quota. Like with hockey, the home team always have an advantage, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avenir001 Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 LOL sorry but there can only ever be one ahmed on p101...and that's not Ahmed92 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMmd Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 LOL sorry but there can only ever be one ahmed on p101...and that's not Ahmed92 hahahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foregoneconclusion Posted October 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Dal looks at best 2 years OMSAS, does that help you out? Have you already graduated? Perhaps your chance at Dal sucked last year if you were in 3rd year... Did you get an interview at UofT? Maybe it's your statement holding you back from both schools. I'd apply to McGill with your GPA btw. 2 best years were around a 3.88 but they were my first and second year (I'm backwards). I applied to Dal as a graduate but you're right in postulating that my statement might have held me back as I didn't receive a UofT interview last year either. For those Ontarians that did apply to Dal, did you use the same essay as UofT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 LOL sorry but there can only ever be one ahmed on p101...and that's not Ahmed92 (avenir) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typical Premed Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 I would apply. It really is like a lottery at times and you might as well increase your odds. As a personal example, I'm from Ontario and last year I only received one interview in Ontario, while I received 4 interviews at OOP schools and my only acceptance was at MUN (where they only have 4 spots for OOP applicants). So you never know whats gonna happen unless you take your chances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islander Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 You won't find out unless you apply: apply to both and good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avenir001 Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 im confused... who is the other ahmed? :| charmer, meet the real ahmed below. he always did have that infectious laughter hahahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Absolutely, Typical Premed, you know form experience, and Islander you know form common sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foregoneconclusion Posted October 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Last question before deciding, does anyone know how many Ontarians get into each? I feel like McGill is more of a lost cause... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Well, we know that ontariostudent got accepted to McGill and opted for U/T I believe. Why not PM her, she is always so helpful on this forum, one of our hidden best assets. Remember, the OP pool at McGill is already reduced b/c the attitude you have causes many not to bother. It is not a foregoneconclusion! And I think whale.of.a.time goes to Dal as an OP, why not PM him and ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamP Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Well, we know that ontariostudent got accepted to McGill and opted for U/T I believe. Why not PM her, she is always so helpful on this forum, one of our hidden best assets. Remember, the OP pool at McGill is already reduced b/c the attitude you have causes many not to bother. It is not a foregoneconclusion! And I think whale.of.a.time goes to Dal as an OP, why not PM him and ask. All os does is cut me down and tell me I'm not getting meds. to be fair i'm painfully mean to her on fc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontariostudent Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 All os does is cut me down and tell me I'm not getting meds. to be fair i'm painfully mean to her on fc Thanks for the love (f_d) and hate (you know who you are, I won't name names). I'm really no expert on McGill but all I can say is I didn't expect to get in and I did. The best part is that I found out in Feb and it made everything else so much better. It's not expensive, so just apply and hope for the best. No matter what people say, I don't think there's an easy formula for who will get in and who won't. Try and see what happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Yea AdamP:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontariostudent Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Yea AdamP:p He said I said he's not "getting meds", which is entirely different from "getting into med". Clearly I'm just trying to wean him off his psychoactive drugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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