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[LightningBolt]

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[JohnGrisham]

33 minutes ago, LightningBolt said:

Hi, I have been a long-time lurker of this forum, and now am needing some serious advice. I have graduated with a BSc with a 3.9 cGPA (out of 4.33) in 2017. I have always wanted to become a doctor but in recent years tried to talk myself out of it because of the lifestyle and years of schooling, and decided to pursue physiotherapy instead. I have just received an interview for the Master's in physio, and am starting to regret not at least trying for medicine as that is what my heart is telling me to do. I want to know what my chances of getting into medicine are before I make a decision as I would need my academic references to write me reference letters for medical school after they had just written me one for physio (that will be awkward to ask for, no?).

My AGPA for UBC is 88.9%, my cGPA for calgary is 3.9025, and my cGPA for OMSAS is 3.79 (3.89 for recent 2YR - Queen's). I can't apply to the rest because of the 5 courses/semester requirement (I have only ever taken 4/sem).

My ECs aren't great but include working at a rec centre, volunteering in hospital, etc, tutoring, household responsibilities, and I have overcome significant adversity (will not go into detail). I think I would be able to write about how these have had an influence on my life and how they have made me who I am.

I have not yet written the MCAT so I know it's hard to gauge my chances but any advice would be appreciated.

If I get into a physio program for Sept. should I pursue it, or should I apply for med in July and take the year off? Also, what are your views on pursuing med right after completing a master's in physio? Some advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

You have to take the MCAT still, so that is the first thing.

ECs are very important for UBC, hard to say if your ECs will be up to par or not. Your GPA is fine, but your ECs will be the determining factor if you even make it to the interview. From the sounds of it, you don't have much in the non-academic realm(did you ever have any jobs? We need a much more thorough listing of your non-academics with rough hours, and timeline of committment(i.e. how many months/years it took place over)).

I wouldn't turn down an interview with physio, and prep/attend it.  If you get accepted, then you can decide then. No point turning it down pre-emptively. 

Also, not awkward to ask referrees for LORs for medicine too later, simply frame it that both are related fields and you would be happy with either. 

You can definitely pursue medicine after PT degree as well, but perhaps once you do the PT degree and work, you may realize it fits your needs. Or you may realize that healthcare and medicine aren't exactly what you thought it may be, and the grass isn't always greener.



 

[LightningBolt]

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