References - any word on how they're used?

[repede]

This is more of a rant than anything.

 

But now I'm stuck with three academic references, rather than a variety. Does anyone know how McGill uses references? If they use it more as a flag then I'm fine, but if they're looking for variety of representation then I'm screwed.

 

I've had 2 references (volunteer, work) decline to do the reference form because, 10 mins in, they got frustrated with it.

 

My community reference is an older lady who doesn't like computers.

 

My work reference is an insanely busy corporate guy, and he told me, "It seems they are trying to frustrate and test the intelligence of the referee, not the applicant. Sorry, but I'm preparing to go on a business trip and can't juggle this extra plate. If you can't find anyone to do it a week before it's due, e-mail me back, but I can't promise anything."

[Clover_236]

This is more of a rant than anything.

 

But now I'm stuck with three academic references, rather than a variety. Does anyone know how McGill uses references? If they use it more as a flag then I'm fine, but if they're looking for variety of representation then I'm screwed.

 

I've had 2 references (volunteer, work) decline to do the reference form because, 10 mins in, they got frustrated with it.

 

My community reference is an older lady who doesn't like computers.

 

My work reference is an insanely busy corporate guy, and he told me, "It seems they are trying to frustrate and test the intelligence of the referee, not the applicant. Sorry, but I'm preparing to go on a business trip and can't juggle this extra plate. If you can't find anyone to do it a week before it's due, e-mail me back, but I can't promise anything."

 

What does the reference form look like to make it so convoluted?

When I asked on the forum before, ppl suggested that ref form is similar to OMSAS, with the check off type ranking of personal qualities and a letter attached. Wasn't this the case?

 

IMO I don’t think having 3 academic refs is a big a deal. I'm not too sure about McGill, but I have had friends get in Ont schools using ref letters from Profs only.

[repede]

I just asked one of my referees, and apparently they use Surveymonkey. I don't know what questions are inside the survey, but I would guess there are textboxes that ask you to type in a bunch of stuff.

 

Otherwise, I don't know what would be so frustrating about the reference form... or rather, survey.

 

I almost don't know if it's worth pestering people to do it now, given that my GPA is 3.86. But yeah, I guess there's nothing I can really do about it, and I paid the fee already anyway.

[feversugar]

I just asked one of my referees, and apparently they use Surveymonkey. I don't know what questions are inside the survey, but I would guess there are textboxes that ask you to type in a bunch of stuff.

 

Otherwise, I don't know what would be so frustrating about the reference form... or rather, survey.

 

I almost don't know if it's worth pestering people to do it now, given that my GPA is 3.86. But yeah, I guess there's nothing I can really do about it, and I paid the fee already anyway.

 

If it's the same as last year's, there is only one text box at the end for OPTIONAL comments. The rest are checkboxes; they rate you from 1-7 and the 8th box is for "Cannot comment"

[golgifun]

Could someone in the know please confirm the format of the reference forms and what the referees are asked to do? The referees I have in mind all had trouble filing an electronic version of the letter (for other schools) and ended up mailing in a hard copy. Does McGill ask them to upload anything with a letterhead? Do they have to answer questions as opposed to just checking some boxes and attaching a letter like what feversugar said? Thanks!

[Clover_236]

^Two of my refs just told me that they completed the online ref form. When I asked them how it went they said they didn’t have any problem with it, and from what I understood the format was as described above by feversugar (thanks for that info btw!).

[repede]

Huh. Interesting. I guess my refs are just not as tech-savvy or misunderstood something. Or maybe they just don't want to do it.

 

Oh well. Glad to hear no one else is having trouble, haha.

[r201]

This is more of a rant than anything.

 

But now I'm stuck with three academic references, rather than a variety. Does anyone know how McGill uses references? If they use it more as a flag then I'm fine, but if they're looking for variety of representation then I'm screwed.

 

I've had 2 references (volunteer, work) decline to do the reference form because, 10 mins in, they got frustrated with it.

 

My community reference is an older lady who doesn't like computers.

 

My work reference is an insanely busy corporate guy, and he told me, "It seems they are trying to frustrate and test the intelligence of the referee, not the applicant. Sorry, but I'm preparing to go on a business trip and can't juggle this extra plate. If you can't find anyone to do it a week before it's due, e-mail me back, but I can't promise anything."

 

Hi, to have an invite (if it's the same as last year), the total score is calculated with 60% r-score, 20% narrative abstract and 20% CV abstract. References does not count is the total pre-interview score. Dansereau said that last, so I'm 100% sure. Good luck

[Drakoulias]

I was told last year that the references aren't specifically evaluated at all (yes, this was annoying to hear after the fact). The scores for both pre and post-interview don't include any weighting for reference reports.

 

At least they've specified just 3 references rather than last year's "3 to 7"!

[r201]

I was told last year that the references aren't specifically evaluated at all (yes, this was annoying to hear after the fact). The scores for both pre and post-interview don't include any weighting for reference reports.

 

At least they've specified just 3 references rather than last year's "3 to 7"!

 

They've specified it this year? I didn't know that, well maybe they decided to evaluate them this year, that's why they wanted a total of 3 ref for each applicant. Anyways, good luck to all, it's a very stressful procedure.

[Jbouteaud]

Good Afternoon

 

I am a McGill Medical school ambassador and I would like to address some of your concerns regarding references letters.

 

References letters are indeed used as flags and are not evaluated. They are still mandatory so you do have to ensure that your referees have completed the survey by the deadline.

 

I hope this helps.

 

You can contact mcgill medical school ambassadors via this webpage.

http://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/why-mcgill-medicine/meet-our-students

 

Jeanne