DelayedMedapplicant Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 Hi all, So I am contemplating applying to med school at the UofC. I have put of doing so for many years as I wanted to ascertain if my desire to become a physician was true. I now find myself at a crossroads and am trying to determine if application on my part is even within the realm of possibility. As the heading of my thread states I am a non-traditional route applicant. I am on the verge of turning 32 and an Alberta resident. I began my studies in 1997 in a bachelor of arts program, however after two years of this I switched to a bachelor of science program and completed this program with a double major in biological and physical sciences, as such I have completed almost all of the suggested pre-reqs and in some cases I have challenged the courses to higher levels especially in biology and biochemistry. I then went on to do a Masters degree in Cell Biology ( My project was immunology based though with real application to human health) at the UofA. In doing so I obtained a first author publication and cGPA of 3.85. Upon graduation I went on to work as research lab technician in an ophthalmology research lab at the UofA. Currently I am working as a research lab technician in a virology lab, In both labs I have worked for physicians (specialists). I know that with my current employer I would receive a wonderful reference letter as well as one from my master program supervisor and I have a few other referees I could call upon to round out the three required. Due to my unconvential route. I am not completely certain how to tabulate my cGPA however if it is just the combined average of my entire time spent in both the BA, BSc and MSc programs my cGPA combined is approximately 3.44. My best two years gpa (which includes only one year from my graduate studies as it is my understanding that I am only permitted to use one year towards the best two year calculation) is approximately a 3.81. As for ECs: Many of them come in the form of research, as an undergrad I did two summer studentships in a research lab that I eventaully went on to do my masters degree in and obtain a first author publication. I participated in many research days as well as attended and presented material at two conferences one specifically on asthma and allergies in Toronto. I have almost three years of work experience as research lab technician. I have volunteered with AIDs walk in Edmonton. I have served as a treasurer on my condo board. I have assisted in mentoring students in the wisest and HYRS programs that have come to work in the labs I have been in as well. Unfortunately at this point I haven't had an opportunity to volunteer at a hospital or continued care facility. I also have yet to write the MCAT! So now I put myself at the boards mercy and ask is it worth writing the MCAT and then applying to the UofC based on my background. Do I even stand a chance even if I do well on the MCAT (hypothetically a 32S). Any advice or guidance would be welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBP Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 Yes, definitely write your MCAT and apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erk Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 I don't think you have much of anything to worry about, provided a decent mcat score. Your situation is similar to mine, and I was interviewed. You have more publications and life experience. I have no medical volunteering either; my GPA is not as good but my MCAT score was very high. At our age bracket (I'm 29) we have some edge due to the large number of activities we've had the opportunity to participate in. Unless you were a bit of a lump for a lot of your adult life (which it sounds like you haven't been) you'll do very well there. Go for it. You've got an income, so the app fee is trivial. Study hard for the MCAT and you'll do great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrogirl Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 Definitely go for it! I'm 28 and I have a similar background, and I got an interview this year (and I'm defending my PhD thesis in 6 days, which is why I haven't been posting much lately!). If you click my name you can probably find several posts about my background. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelayedMedapplicant Posted March 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 Thanks everyone for the timely response! You have reassured me that I am still capable of getting an interview should I perform well on the MCAT! I guess ultimately like most things in life if you don't try you will never know. Sometimes we imprison ourselves in self created illusions that prohibit us from growth and change! I guess I just wanted to check whether it was an illusion or delusion I had created as obviously the latter would make it impossible to reach my goal! I guess it's time to start studying! Any suggestions as to whether taking a MCAT prep course is truly worth it as they advertise? Oh and one more thing anything I should add to my ECs as I haven't volunteered overseas or anything. Does work experience weigh equivalentally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrogirl Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 I certainly didn't ever volunteer overseas. I have work experience and some volunteer stuff, but none of it is the typical stuff everyone thinks you should have. And I didn't take an MCAT prep course. I just used the Examkrackers books to study. I ended up with a 35N. I probably would have gotten a better score on the writing section, but I actually didn't prep for that section really at all because I thought I didn't know enough biology and decided to spend most of my time on that and I figured I was going to have to re-write it anyway. But you can go here to get sample writing questions: https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/85192/preparing_writingsampleitems.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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