Is there are reason for the nearly 75/25 F/M ratio?

[Guest UWOMED2005]

I'll answer your question in the "Medical Student's Discussion" thread to try not to get off track.

[Guest gucio93]

Eddie! Given that there is a 50 year old fellow in our class, I wouldn't worry that you're too old . Honestly speaking (I am not here to spread propaganda dictated to me by the school), I do not believe that my interview team treated older applicants any differently based on their age. First of all, we were not given their age, so we would have to go by appearance alone, and second of all, I can think of a few examples when older applicants scored high, precisely because of the richness of life experiences they were able to bring to the discussion. Hope this helps. If your dream is to become a physician, I would really persevere. There's nothing worse than resentment at not taking an opportunity.

[Guest gucio93]

KG! Yes, there are examples of scores for the same application changing dramatically from year to year. Honestly speaking, I do not understand why on earth anyone would not take the opportunity to look over the application and add any new experiences from the year that just passed? That's besides the point, though. You are correct in saying that 3000 people apply each year and there should be enough diversity not to change the scores too drastically. However, the reality is that the essays are marked in batches of thirty, and those groups can vary in diversity quite a bit from year to year. Willing or not, one is compared against the thirty other people the assessor is scoring. Thus, while one year that person can receive a high score, the next year there might be some other individuals in that "batch", whose achievements are so outstanding that compared to them this person's score is lower. The same group of three people mark the same 30 applications. Yes this is not perfect, but one must think about the realities of the resources available. Do you know how long it takes to score 30 essays? It took me around 60 hours last year. Guess what, that is time that I cannot spend with my family, or studying, or doing any of the other thousand of things I have on my to do list. This reality is true for all. It is extremely difficult to obtain individuals willing to mark essays because of the time committment and enlarging the size of the "batch" is really not feasible. In addition, mixing up the batches between the assessors (i.e. the team of three assessors marks mixed batches of 30 to increase the diversity of the group) is also not feasible - it would be an administrative nightmare. As is, the process literally takes six months of intensive behind the scenes work.

[Guest doc]

Hey gucio93 - I just want to let you know how informative and useful your posts have been. Although I am not headed to mac next year, you've given great insight into the whole application process, and what's important in the eyes of the admissions committee. Thanx, and good luck next year!

 

PS: Do you personally know the students that will be featured in the "Medical Students" documentary on the life network starting this Monday?

[Guest gucio93]

Hey doc! Thanks so much for your vote of confidence. Happy I was of some use. I do know a few of the students that will be featured, but certainly not all . Are you in medicine? Which school? Take care.

[Guest applicant]

Hi RedPear,

I am another "mature" (PhD) applicant. Upon seeking advise from current meds friends (non-Mac), I was warned not to highlight my clinician-scientist aspirations in the Mac essay. Well, I have put in too much thought to change the (truthful) central premise of my essay. Yet, I would like to know if you emphasized your doctoral field of study as a part of your future goals. Does Mac have a serious inclination toward primary care types or against the academic/scientist types?

Thanks in advance.

[Guest ItsmeMelissa]

applicant,

I haven't looked at Mac's application yet this year, but I am curious about your use of the term Essay. Last year there was not an "Essay" but rather a series of 15 seperate questions which are rather specific.

Anyway with regard to your question I just wanted to tell you that I had not indicated any interest or experience in research on my application. I was however asked if I would be interested in the research side of medicine during my interview. Perhaps to my own preconceived notions about Mac I was not really prepared for that question and fumbled terribly!! I have learned since!!

In the past McMaster has had the reputation for turning out a lot of Family Practitioners. This may be why your friends have encouraged you not to mention your scientific aspirations. In recent years Mac has shifted away from the radical beginnings of the PBL program and seems to be producing its fair share of researchers and specialists (Students insert comments here ). Funny that Mac made their groundbreaking shift over 30 years ago and people have failed to see any changes in the program since then.

Go with your guts and tell the truth. Say you are the only aspiring researcher or scientist that applies; at least you will stick out of the crowd .

Good luck,

Melissa

[Guest doc]

I'm going into first year at U of T in the fall (sort of on the opposite end of the spectrum to Mac curriculum-wise, eh?) I'm hoping that I made the right decision to go to U of T, as I was lucky enough to have a few med schools to choose from.. I find the mac discussion forum really interesting because the program is SO different from what I'll be experiencing in the fall! It's intriguing that there are so many teaching approaches, yet the end result is basically the same across Canada.

[Guest Mac year 2]

If you are interested in research, Please do discuss it, I promise that it will be a big plus!!

 

The notion that Mac is so radically different in its approach to selecting applicants is inaccurate and has been for a very long time.

 

We do select, for the most part very traditional students with a Bsc/Msc/Phd Science (ie Biochem,Physiology,Bio, Health Science etc) great marks and solid life science research experience. This makes up the bulk of our classes. Your interest in research will be very welcome, in addition to any aspirations you may have for academic medicine.

 

I would not hide this fact as you would most likely be doing yourself a disservice. The only applicants that do gain admission from non science/research backgrounds are truly exceptional is other important interpersonal aspects. For example we had one individual who came from a women studies background and worked with women in crisis in a social work capacity. Truly an exceptional person who will contribute alot to women's issues in medicine when she is an MD given her previous background.

 

So in a nutshell, there is no mystery to Mac Meds, we look for great people with a strong science background and your research interests and ambitions will be veiwed very favourably (given that every underlying fundamental involved with medicine has and will continue to have its origin from research driven initiatives). Of course we do accomodate other "non traditional applicants (wheras other schools may not), but these individuals have done some really amazing things with their lives. These people make up the minority (look to our stats page) because there are so few that actually have such unique and talented histories that will allow them to become outstanding MD's.

[Guest Angela]

I also think that there is no need to refrain from talking about your desire to continue with your pursue in the field of research. During my interview, the faculty member expressed quite a bit of interest in my research and we had a great talk about it. Not only that, but I also integrated my lab experience and interest in my "essays" (the 15 short responses).

 

Don't worry having to hide your true callings! I really don't see why Mac would turn someone down just because they would like to become a research clinician in the future. At least, I'm one example.

 

Hope this eases your mind!

 

Angela

[Guest Red Pear]

Dear Applicant who addressed a question to me,

 

I agree with previous posts about being earnest about your career goals. I don't have a PhD, actually, just a wee little B.A. in Women's Studies and lots of social work type experience in the area of violence against women. When I answered the questions for the essay part, I would read the question and listen to the simplest, truest answer that my mind came to. So if you're all about research, you should talk about that. You might want to do a literature search about evidence based learning/research. I think (??) that Mac was involved in the early stages of developing this as an approach to understanding medicine. It might fit nicely with your interests and you could draw the connection as to why you would be great for Mac and vice versa in the "What does Mac have to offer you? What do you have to offer Mac?" question.

 

Kindest regards and best of luck,

 

Red Pear