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Non-Trad Application Advice - Should I apply?


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I am looking for some advice.

 

I am a RN that graduated from the UofA BScN Program in 2005, so I have been a practicing RN for almost 10 years. I have varied experience in acute care (CCU) and for the last 7 years in public health. I completed a MPH in 2012 from UBC.

 

I am a resident of Alberta and considering on applying to UofC medical school for this application cycle.

 

MY first concern is my GPA history (although, it has been an upward trend):

Year 1: 3.16

Year 2: 3.30

Year 3: 3.30

Year 4: 3.60

MPH GPA: 4.0

 

So I believe my wGPA would be: 3.55 (with the lowest year dropped).

 

I don't have the strongest science background in terms of the MCAT but I am considering writing the MCAT on August 27, 2014 and just focusing on doing well on the VR section of the exam as that is what is primarily considered in the UofC application. I have a feeling I wouldn't do so well on the other sections as I will have prepared very little for those parts. I think I can do relatively well on the VR.

 

I believe my ECs are fairly strong as I have been practicing as a RN for almost 10 years and have been in a formal leadership position for almost 7 years. I have 4 publications in peer-reviewed journals (one as first author). I have 12 conference abstracts (3 as first author). I have received a few awards, two awards/scholarships during my MPH, and a program development award in the area I currently work in.

 

I feel I have very strong references.

 

My last significant volunteer experience was in 2004-2005, where I volunteered for a student group that did health promotion/development work in resource poor settings. I don't have any other recent volunteer experience.

 

On a personal note, I have travelled extensively, backpacking through Africa for almost 9 months. I come from a very modest background, grew up poor with parents with mental health/addictions issues. I am an avid runner who has done multiple races and I am most recently training to complete a half-marathon.

 

My questions are:

1. Should I write the MCAT at the end of August or should I just plan to write the new MCAT in 2015 and apply for the next admission cycle at UofC?

2. Do you think it is a bad idea to only have a decent VR score but poor scores on the other sections?

3. Overall, do you think I have a shot at being offered an interview?

4. Do you think my lack of recent volunteer experience will be a big detriment to my application? It has been difficult to volunteer as I worked full time while completing my MPH full time through UBC.

 

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Hi YEGNURSE,

 

It sounds as though your extracurriculars are fantastic, but your GPA might be holding you back a little bit. My advice would be, try your best on all sections of the MCAT (Not just VR) to try and broaden the net just a little bit.

 

In terms of UofC specifically, I'm unfamiliar with the latest cutoffs for IP (I'm in the OOP pool), so I'd recommend browsing the UofC forum's Interview Invites topic.

 

Scan the last two or so years of posters, and see how people with your GPA did, if some were rejected check their MCAT score (that would mean you must score higher than this).

 

If any were invited, check their GPA and Extracurriculars to see if yours compare.

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Hi YEGNURSE,

 

It sounds as though your extracurriculars are fantastic, but your GPA might be holding you back a little bit. My advice would be, try your best on all sections of the MCAT (Not just VR) to try and broaden the net just a little bit.

 

In terms of UofC specifically, I'm unfamiliar with the latest cutoffs for IP (I'm in the OOP pool), so I'd recommend browsing the UofC forum's Interview Invites topic.

 

Scan the last two or so years of posters, and see how people with your GPA did, if some were rejected check their MCAT score (that would mean you must score higher than this).

 

If any were invited, check their GPA and Extracurriculars to see if yours compare.

 

Thanks very much for the reply and advice.

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My questions are:

1. Should I write the MCAT at the end of August or should I just plan to write the new MCAT in 2015 and apply for the next admission cycle at UofC?

2. Do you think it is a bad idea to only have a decent VR score but poor scores on the other sections?

3. Overall, do you think I have a shot at being offered an interview?

4. Do you think my lack of recent volunteer experience will be a big detriment to my application? It has been difficult to volunteer as I worked full time while completing my MPH full time through UBC.

 

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Some answers: (with a grain of salt since I'm not from Alberta!)

 

1/2. I wouldn't write the MCAT just for VR. UofC does consider all of the MCAT in their process since they have the "applicant irregularity" section. If you bomb the other parts of the MCAT it may be flagged so I'd be vary of your current strategy. Also VR is HARD! It's not easy to get a good score and you need to do quite a few practice tests. Have you done any VR practice? Do you know where you stand currently on VR scores?

 

3. I don't know much about UofC but here are the stats from the last class they accepted: http://www.ucalgary.ca/mdprogram/files/mdprogram/Reference%20Stats%202013.pdf

 

I would say your GPA is pretty low considering the average for all applicants is at 3.7ish. I think your experience in the health care field would be a big bonus but without a VR of at least 10 (realistically 11) I'd say your chances are on the lower end.

 

However, with a good VR I'd say you have a shot and its worth applying. The MPH will also be a nice addition to your application!

 

4. I really don't think your lack of volunteer experiences is a big detriment. You work in healthcare, have a relevant healthcare grad degree, have lots of research and relevant life experiences. I would be very surprised if that held you back!

 

That being said, I would aim to write the MCAT as late as you can to still apply this cycle and try to do at least decently on all the sections. Aim for at least 9's in all the other sections and 10+ on VR. That should give you a decent MCAT score to not raise any flags (whereas I think really low numbers like 2's or such on the other sections would look bad on an application). Apply this year and give it a chance!

 

Again, I don't know too much about UofC but from reading their admissions guidelines, this is what I've come up with!

 

Good luck!

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Just to add, there's some good advice up there. However, I applied through UofC for the last 3 years and the applicant irregularity section isn't really where you'd find the academics stuff, they call it subjective review of academic merit. It;s worth 10% of your pre-interview score, and you would probably score pretty low. They take ALL sections of the MCAT into account here, so writing the MCAT just for VR would be your downfall here.

Also, as another poster said, don't underestimate VR. I have a friend who was writing the MCATin his late 30s, is an awesome writer, but consistently did very poorly on VR.

 

Also keep in mind that the MCAT is changing, and I think UofC will not accept your MCAT from this year for next application cycle. I think. I could be wrong.

 

UofC takes your age into account when giving you scores for your ECs, and they say it explicitly. I am in my thirties, and have a surprisingly low EC score from last year from them (well, not really low, but around about the average, maybe a bit higher). They will ask "what would the average thirty-year-old be expected to have accomplished?" when assessing you. It's kind of unlike some other schools where they don't seem to take age into account. I benefit when they don't take age into account, but it's wrong, IMO.

 

I am also IP and with a 3.8-ish and 11VR, and decent extracurriculars, I did not get an interview this past cycle, but did the year before. I think you have a shot, but probably not a great one. Thats my honest answer. I have studied their admissions policy with respect to non-trads pretty extensively, feel free to ask any other questions.

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Some answers: (with a grain of salt since I'm not from Alberta!)

 

1/2. I wouldn't write the MCAT just for VR. UofC does consider all of the MCAT in their process since they have the "applicant irregularity" section. If you bomb the other parts of the MCAT it may be flagged so I'd be vary of your current strategy. Also VR is HARD! It's not easy to get a good score and you need to do quite a few practice tests. Have you done any VR practice? Do you know where you stand currently on VR scores?

 

3. I don't know much about UofC but here are the stats from the last class they accepted: http://www.ucalgary.ca/mdprogram/files/mdprogram/Reference%20Stats%202013.pdf

 

I would say your GPA is pretty low considering the average for all applicants is at 3.7ish. I think your experience in the health care field would be a big bonus but without a VR of at least 10 (realistically 11) I'd say your chances are on the lower end.

 

However, with a good VR I'd say you have a shot and its worth applying. The MPH will also be a nice addition to your application!

 

4. I really don't think your lack of volunteer experiences is a big detriment. You work in healthcare, have a relevant healthcare grad degree, have lots of research and relevant life experiences. I would be very surprised if that held you back!

 

That being said, I would aim to write the MCAT as late as you can to still apply this cycle and try to do at least decently on all the sections. Aim for at least 9's in all the other sections and 10+ on VR. That should give you a decent MCAT score to not raise any flags (whereas I think really low numbers like 2's or such on the other sections would look bad on an application). Apply this year and give it a chance!

 

Again, I don't know too much about UofC but from reading their admissions guidelines, this is what I've come up with!

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond. Your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

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Just to add, there's some good advice up there. However, I applied through UofC for the last 3 years and the applicant irregularity section isn't really where you'd find the academics stuff, they call it subjective review of academic merit. It;s worth 10% of your pre-interview score, and you would probably score pretty low. They take ALL sections of the MCAT into account here, so writing the MCAT just for VR would be your downfall here.

Also, as another poster said, don't underestimate VR. I have a friend who was writing the MCATin his late 30s, is an awesome writer, but consistently did very poorly on VR.

 

Also keep in mind that the MCAT is changing, and I think UofC will not accept your MCAT from this year for next application cycle. I think. I could be wrong.

 

UofC takes your age into account when giving you scores for your ECs, and they say it explicitly. I am in my thirties, and have a surprisingly low EC score from last year from them (well, not really low, but around about the average, maybe a bit higher). They will ask "what would the average thirty-year-old be expected to have accomplished?" when assessing you. It's kind of unlike some other schools where they don't seem to take age into account. I benefit when they don't take age into account, but it's wrong, IMO.

 

I am also IP and with a 3.8-ish and 11VR, and decent extracurriculars, I did not get an interview this past cycle, but did the year before. I think you have a shot, but probably not a great one. Thats my honest answer. I have studied their admissions policy with respect to non-trads pretty extensively, feel free to ask any other questions.

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond and your advice. I have decided not to apply this year and to write the 2015 MCAT as the UofC will not accept the old MCAT for the 2015-2016 application cycle. Also, this will give me much more time to prepare for the VR and all sections. I plan to write in April.

 

Can I ask what your ECs were for your UofC application and do you have a Masters degree?

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