Last edited:
Canadian Applicant - Any advice?
- Thread starter zayka
- Start date
Hey, I am a Canadian planning on applying this year as well. I am very surprised you did not get in anywhere this year. When did you submit your AMCAS?
Your GPA is awesome and I don't think your MCAT score held you back. I had a similar score (34Q w/ 8 verbal) but retook and got brutally owned. If you are certain that you can up that score, then go for it.
I am guessing you applied to the top schools here and did it late, thus the reason for no interviews yet.
Your GPA is awesome and I don't think your MCAT score held you back. I had a similar score (34Q w/ 8 verbal) but retook and got brutally owned. If you are certain that you can up that score, then go for it.
I am guessing you applied to the top schools here and did it late, thus the reason for no interviews yet.
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 0
I think the only reason you didn't get any interviews is b/c you said you are graduating in '10. Nearly all US schools require you to finish your undergraduate degree before matriculation. Other than that your stats seem to be definitely good enough to get interviews at many schools, just make sure you apply early next year. I don't even think you need to rewrite the MCAT if you only plan to apply to American schools since your score is very good.
October is really late to be complete. If nothing happens this year, you should definitely apply earlier for this upcoming cycle. Your GPA is totally fine. If I were you I would focus on my extra-curriculars and MCAT if I chose to do it again. But the current MCAT score you have is also good. But if you think you can up it, give it a shot and if you get 35+, prepare for some interviews at the top schools!😉
On my side of things, I am going to apply to the US Schools for the 1st time this year. I got rejected from all Ontario schools for the 2nd time. My 2nd MCAT score was terrible (28R) and I'm probably going to take it again as well. My GPA is 3.98 but my extra-curriculars are meh.
Good luck this time!
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2006
- Messages
- 655
- Reaction score
- 0
I think you'll be fine if you apply wisely. Being Canadian is not that much of a disadvantage at private schools. However remember GPAs don't matter as much in the US. Once you hit a certain point (say, 3.8) there's an element of diminishing returns. IMO focusing on the MCAT retake would help far more than getting a 4.0.
Can I ask why you applied this year if you're graduating '10? Or did you mean you applied to Canadian schools?
EDIT: I should say I don't think your score is bad at all, but if you could improve by a few you would have more options.
Can I ask why you applied this year if you're graduating '10? Or did you mean you applied to Canadian schools?
EDIT: I should say I don't think your score is bad at all, but if you could improve by a few you would have more options.
Your app is fine. The boost in MCAT score will <DEFINITELY> help, definitely, but for you it's about getting your application in on time and not getting overconfident with the number of schools you choose.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2008
- Messages
- 3,434
- Reaction score
- 3
You can get cheaper schooling in Canada ans still do residency in the U.S. and working in the U.S in the future.
Why going to med schools in the U.S ? 😕
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2008
- Messages
- 2,347
- Reaction score
- 22
I like your attitude, welcome future comrade!
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2009
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 0
The hell with Canada. Our health-care system sucks because I nearly see my family doctor once a year. I could simply have done the same in the U.S. except without waiting long and paying cash upfront AND see him whenever possible.
Canada sucks, and I too am not applying to Canadian schools in the future. Lol.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2009
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 0
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2008
- Messages
- 206
- Reaction score
- 0
Yes, the med school admission process in Canada can be extremely frustrating. I saw a few of my friends agonize over it. Currently, I have one friend who swears he's going to the Caribbean or Ireland.
My only concern is the cost of tuition for OOS students and all the visa paperwork. I'm a CDN citizen who went to the USA for undergrad on a F-1 visa and it seemed like such a headache (although this was several years ago). I've since acquired permanent residency and have had a good taste of the health care system. Both has its pros and cons. It's kinda funny, I grew up in Canada, went to school in the US and will be applying to med schools in Ontario (based on the the sheer fact that tuition will cost less). Of course, if I don't get in I'll have few US schools to fall back on. Although you have great stats, just make sure you apply to OOS (foreign applicant) friendly schools. Who knows, Washington U is probably within your reach!
My only concern is the cost of tuition for OOS students and all the visa paperwork. I'm a CDN citizen who went to the USA for undergrad on a F-1 visa and it seemed like such a headache (although this was several years ago). I've since acquired permanent residency and have had a good taste of the health care system. Both has its pros and cons. It's kinda funny, I grew up in Canada, went to school in the US and will be applying to med schools in Ontario (based on the the sheer fact that tuition will cost less). Of course, if I don't get in I'll have few US schools to fall back on. Although you have great stats, just make sure you apply to OOS (foreign applicant) friendly schools. Who knows, Washington U is probably within your reach!
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2009
- Messages
- 131
- Reaction score
- 0
Retake the MCAT and submit your AMCAS in June and your golden. I'm Canadian, had a 3.99 GPA and a 32 MCAT. I submitted my application in September, but I still managed to get 3 acceptances. Had I applied earlier I would have have had substantially more. Being Canadian puts you at a disadvantage, but it really isn't horrible.
Just curious: how good were your LORs?
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2009
- Messages
- 131
- Reaction score
- 0
