Super Newbie Questions about UBC Med!!!

[calijello]

Hey guys, I'm going into UBC Sciences next year and I have tons of questions about getting into UBC Med.

 

1. When should I take the MCAT? (Some say to take it once before to know how the test works and others say that it's best to do well on your first try) when should I start preparing for the exam?

 

2. What should I major in? (Again, some say to major in something that not alot of pre-meds go for, to get higher GPA and have less competition, and others say go for Microbiology and immunology or other majors that alot of pre-meds do)

 

3. Is it better to take honours for your major? or just regular to get ahigher gpa?

 

4. How many extracurriculars would I need? Any suggestions of where I can volunteer or work?

 

5. Is first year English hard at UBC? Engl 112 and 110? (I'm terribly worried about my English mark TT)

 

Please reply and share your knowledge

Thank you!!!!!

[RiceWine]

Hey guys, I'm going into UBC Sciences next year and I have tons of questions about getting into UBC Med.

 

1. When should I take the MCAT? (Some say to take it once before to know how the test works and others say that it's best to do well on your first try) when should I start preparing for the exam?

 

2. What should I major in? (Again, some say to major in something that not alot of pre-meds go for, to get higher GPA and have less competition, and others say go for Microbiology and immunology or other majors that alot of pre-meds do)

 

3. Is it better to take honours for your major? or just regular to get ahigher gpa?

 

4. How many extracurriculars would I need? Any suggestions of where I can volunteer or work?

 

5. Is first year English hard at UBC? Engl 112 and 110? (I'm terribly worried about my English mark TT)

 

Please reply and share your knowledge

Thank you!!!!!

 

congrats on your BSc acceptance! It's quite an accomplishment. godddd makes me feel old.

 

1. most people take it after they have taken the science prereq's. however, you don't want to take this test more than once, trust me. So take it when you feel like you are ready.

 

2. it does not matter what major you choose. ubc doesn't give a $%# about this. So if you think you will get 100% in forestry (just an example), DO IT!

 

3. to my understanding, honours requires some sort of research component with the degree. If this is what you will enjoy, do it. But if you think your GPA will suffer, do not do it.

 

4. You should do as much EC's as you can. There are many places that need your help. Please see this --> http://vio493.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/east-hastings-alley1.jpg

 

5. Sorry didn't go to ubc, can't help you there buddy. Since you will need it as prereq, you have no choice but to take them...

 

that's all. enjoy your 3/4 years of undergrad!

[jasmineblossom]

1. I think the most common time to take the MCAT is after third-year, because some of the material is covered in third-year courses.

 

2. UBC doesn't care what background you have as long as you meet the pre-requisites. My advice is to major in whatever you enjoy. Consider what kind of degree you'd be happy with if you weren't able to study medicine. I hate to say it, but most people who try for med school don't get in, so it would be wise to have an undergrad degree that you'd actually be satisfied with... If you do choose a major in the life science area, it'll be easier to fit the pre-requisites into your schedule since a lot of them will be required in your program, anyway.

 

3. As the above poster said, Honours degrees are better suited for those who are interested in research. Do it if research interests you, but don't do it simply because you think it will improve your chances of admission - I've never heard of UBC giving preference for Honours degrees over Majors.

 

4. Volunteer at places where you think you will enjoy volunteering, not because you think it will make your application look good. I would say at least one thing related to health care would help you to figure out whether medicine is really right for you, and it will also show the adcoms that you have an idea of what medicine entails (that you know what you're getting yourself into!) But the rest of your extra-curriculars don't need to be health-related. Do what you think you'll like doing and what you think will help you develop useful skills.

 

5. I did my undergrad at UBC and I took both of those ENGL courses. I didn't find them hard, but I had friends who did. I think it really depends on each individual.

 

Good luck~

[calijello]

Big thanks to you both for taking the time to answer my questions.

But are there any specific majors you'd recommend (whether for med school or back-up incase I cannot pursue med and can use to get a job) ..??

[Starling]

1. When should I take the MCAT? (Some say to take it once before to know how the test works and others say that it's best to do well on your first try) when should I start preparing for the exam?

Obviously it's best to do well on your first try! If you want to practice, do practice tests (much cheaper than the real thing!). I'd write it after 2nd year. You'll have learned most things by then but won't be so far in as to have forgotten them!

 

2. What should I major in? (Again, some say to major in something that not alot of pre-meds go for, to get higher GPA and have less competition, and others say go for Microbiology and immunology or other majors that alot of pre-meds do)

Do something you like; it'll be easier to do well in and then you'll have a backup. If you go for something like microbi, biochem, cell bio/genetics (and for any degree, really), it's really helpful to get some work experience during your degree, so that you can actually get a job when you graduate. Co-op is good, but it adds a year to your degree.

 

3. Is it better to take honours for your major? or just regular to get ahigher gpa?

Honours isn't really necessary. You can do a directed research project without doing honours.

 

4. How many extracurriculars would I need? Any suggestions of where I can volunteer or work?

There are a lot of threads dedicated to this in the main subforum, but basically anything goes.

 

5. Is first year English hard at UBC? Engl 112 and 110? (I'm terribly worried about my English mark TT)

They aren't hard to do decently in, but hard to do really well in.

[kylamonkey]

Big thanks to you both for taking the time to answer my questions.

But are there any specific majors you'd recommend (whether for med school or back-up incase I cannot pursue med and can use to get a job) ..??

 

Take a few courses in first year, see what you like, and what there are jobs in. I wound up with a geology degree this way! Lots of jobs there, for now at least...

 

The first year of sciences at UBC is pretty much all the same courses anyways. There will be LOTS of career fairs, that sort of thing, where you can check out what types of jobs there are and how much job security there is, or whatever other 'features' you're looking for.

 

I definitely found that we weren't given a lot of career options in high school. I wanted to be a physician when I was in high school, but was over whelmed by all the choices I was presented with in university... and so many of them seemed so interesting that I didn't want to do the med school route anymore! Now I'm back, but anyways...

 

Anyways, I digress. You'll be presented with lots of opportunities at whichever school you go to. Career choices are SO personal, it would be impossible for us to tell you which one to choose.

 

Or, you could choose nursing. If you're serious about working in health care and having a stable, long-term job, while still being able to get your pre-reqs, it might be an option.

[calijello]

Thanks guys!

 

Any suggestions for volunteer/work opportunities in Vancouver that you've enjoyed or heard good things about??

 

Oh, and if I want to apply in my third year, do I take the MCAT in the summer of my second year?