MD & DO Canadian applicant in need of opinions

[JYG10]

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Many people seem to be requesting advice based on their stats on here so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I am a Canadian citizen, and did a 4 year degree in Canada between 2006 and 2011.
First year was disastrous: GPA 1.90/4.00
Took a semester off and finished my last 3 1/2 years at a different university: GPA for these years was 3.96/4.00.

My cumulative GPA on the OMSAS scale is 3.45/4.00.

I was foolish and took the MCAT 3 times: PS/VR/BS:
2010: 11/6/12/N
2013: 10/9/11
2014: 10/8/11

Not much in terms of extra-curricular activities:
Volunteer organic chemistry tutor for 2 years
Shadowed a physician during 1 summer
Volunteered in an ER for 1.5 years (approximately 140 hours)
Full time job since graduating university

Applied to Canadian schools twice and did a total of 6 interviews; best outcome so far has been a "bad waitlist" at U Ottawa.

I'm starting to feel pressure from my family and girlfriend to get my life moving (just turned 27) and have decided to apply to international schools. So far, I've completed applications for Ross and Saba. I've done extensive research and know that Caribbean schools in particular are a gamble, but I'm starting to feel like I'm out of options.

I wouldn't mind earning a D.O. since I plan to practice family medicine in the long run. I am under the impression that this route is much safer compared to the dreaded Caribbean when it comes to residency matching. I also gather that my stats are acceptable for some US D.O. schools. Can any D.O. matriculate confirm this, and comment on whether this is still the case for a Canadian citizen applying for a FM residency in the US?

On the other hand, my gut tells me to take a year to study full time for the new MCAT, write it in the spring and complete another round of applications to Canadian schools next Fall. I'd lose another year, and likely also lose the girl of my dreams. I know I should prioritize my career, so no need to lecture me on what is and what isn't important for my future. Just laying out the cons.

Thanks to those who take the time to comment!

 

[GrapesofRath]

Your gut is completely wrong. Taking the MCAT for a 3rd time in your case was a bad idea. 4th time with a new test would be horrendous. The Caribbean is an even worse thought.

Stats wise if you apply to DO's that take internationals you'll be competitive. The 3 MCAT attempts and maxing out at 29 is going to kill any MD chances. Now you are rather light on the clinical exposure and more importantly on volunteering and showing altruism and service. I'd let Goro or someone who knows better to comment whether the lack of activities is enough that you need to wait a year to boost them but at the very least you stat wise you are definitely competitive for DO's that take internationals and your ideas of applying to the Caribbean and re-taking the MCAT for a 4th time would be truly terrible decisions.

 

[gyngyn]

Try these before the Carib:
AZCOM
Campbell
Ccom
Kcumb
Lecom
Lmu
Mucom
Msucom
Pcom
Pcom ga
Nova
VCOM (all)
Rowan
Touro
Unecom
Tycom
Kycom
Western u
Wcu

 

[Goro]

1000% agree. Go Carib only if you wish to be deeply in debt and unemployed.

You have taken the MCAT 3x and hit your plateau. Why do you think things will be magically different a 4th time.

The Carib schools prey upon gullible types like you.

The ECs are bland...you need to demonstrate your altruism better.

Always have a Plan B.

Your gut is completely wrong. Taking the MCAT for a 3rd time in your case was a bad idea. 4th time with a new test would be horrendous. The Caribbean is an even worse thought.

Stats wise if you apply to DO's that take internationals you'll be competitive. The 3 MCAT attempts and maxing out at 29 is going to kill any MD chances. Now you are rather light on the clinical exposure and more importantly on volunteering and showing altruism and service. I'd let Goro or someone who knows better to comment whether the lack of activities is enough that you need to wait a year to boost them but at the very least you stat wise you are definitely competitive for DO's that take internationals and your ideas of applying to the Caribbean and re-taking the MCAT for a 4th time would be truly terrible decisions.

 

[JYG10]

Thanks for the replies.

I understand your point about expecting the 4th MCAT to be better. The reason I considered doing it again was because I could study for it full time, and not rely on what I learned in high school. In no way does this guarantee a better score, but I thought in the long run it's still a better idea than Caribbean MD.

Any idea how much more in terms of extra curricular experience most DO schools would expect? I will try to contact a DO in my area Ontario if I can find one close enough, and maybe get some experience that way.

And yes, plan B will be going full motion after I finish my DO submissions. While I know that some people do make it out of the Caribbean with residencies and employment, I'm finding it harder to ignore the incredible risks involved. I'd go crazy if I was $200 000 in the hole with no prospect of employment.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Thanks for the replies.

I understand your point about expecting the 4th MCAT to be better. The reason I considered doing it again was because I could study for it full time, and not rely on what I learned in high school. In no way does this guarantee a better score, but I thought in the long run it's still a better idea than Caribbean MD.

Any idea how much more in terms of extra curricular experience most DO schools would expect? I will try to contact a DO in my area Ontario if I can find one close enough, and maybe get some experience that way.

And yes, plan B will be going full motion after I finish my DO submissions. While I know that some people do make it out of the Caribbean with residencies and employment, I'm finding it harder to ignore the incredible risks involved. I'd go crazy if I was $200 000 in the hole with no prospect of employment.

If you don't want to listen to me that's fine. But you are one giant fool if you go against the specific advice of someone involved in admission like Goro. Don't take the MCAT for a 4th time. Don't consider the Caribbean. Have a Plan B. If you take a year to diversify your bland ECs and show your altruism like Goro was saying you'll be in a decent position for DO's that consider internationals if you apply broadly.

 

[JYG10]

If you don't want to listen to me that's fine. But you are one giant fool if you go against the specific advice of someone involved in admission like Goro. Don't take the MCAT for a 4th time. Don't consider the Caribbean. Have a Plan B. If you take a year to diversify your bland ECs and show your altruism like Goro was saying you'll be in a decent position for DO's that consider internationals if you apply broadly.

I agree with the need of a plan B, and am definitely moving forward with it along with my DO application.

Extracurricular and volunteer requirements for medical school are very lax up here in Canada compared to the 1000's of hours (my perception anyway) expected by American schools. I was able to land interviews here with my experience but I'm well aware that it isn't enough for schools down South. Can you or Goro comment on how much and what kind of experience a typical DO school expects of competitive applicants? Should I resume my ER volunteering and shadowing, or do something different? I'm going to try to get some DO shadowing experience and an eventual letter of recommendation if possible, but I suspect it may not be enough...

I was also a foster parent for an animal rescue for a while. Stopped because we ended up adopting our latest foster who was having trouble finding a family due to his age and health. Not sure if that has any relevance to a DO application but it certainly shows altruism, in my opinion.

Thanks for the honest responses Grapes.

 

[ZedsDed]

I agree with the need of a plan B, and am definitely moving forward with it along with my DO application.

Extracurricular and volunteer requirements for medical school are very lax up here in Canada compared to the 1000's of hours (my perception anyway) expected by American schools. I was able to land interviews here with my experience but I'm well aware that it isn't enough for schools down South. Can you or Goro comment on how much and what kind of experience a typical DO school expects of competitive applicants? Should I resume my ER volunteering and shadowing, or do something different? I'm going to try to get some DO shadowing experience and an eventual letter of recommendation if possible, but I suspect it may not be enough...

I was also a foster parent for an animal rescue for a while. Stopped because we ended up adopting our latest foster who was having trouble finding a family due to his age and health. Not sure if that has any relevance to a DO application but it certainly shows altruism, in my opinion.

Thanks for the honest responses Grapes.

Thousands of hours isn't necessary. The point is to show a unique and altruistic side. Hospice volunteering is always good. You don't want to come across as checking off a list.

 

[JYG10]

Thousands of hours isn't necessary. The point is to show a unique and altruistic side. Hospice volunteering is always good. You don't want to come across as checking off a list.

Thanks for the helpful advice. In your opinion, do you think it would be a bad idea to submit an application for the current cycle while I work towards a stronger application for next year?

 

[GrapesofRath]

Thanks for the helpful advice. In your opinion, do you think it would be a bad idea to submit an application for the current cycle while I work towards a stronger application for next year?

I would wait a year. Boost your EC's. Re-taking the MCAT for a 4th time would be incredibly foolish.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

I agree with the need of a plan B, and am definitely moving forward with it along with my DO application.

Extracurricular and volunteer requirements for medical school are very lax up here in Canada compared to the 1000's of hours (my perception anyway) expected by American schools. I was able to land interviews here with my experience but I'm well aware that it isn't enough for schools down South. Can you or Goro comment on how much and what kind of experience a typical DO school expects of competitive applicants? Should I resume my ER volunteering and shadowing, or do
Thanks for the honest responses Grapes.

LOL
this is not true....
Queen's has a 2% acceptance rate and only cares about your best 27yrs GPA...its ALL about your ec's
EC's are 50% of the pre-interview score at UBC
sure, some don't care (SASK), but you need a 35+ MCAT unless you're a resident

 

[JYG10]

LOL
this is not true....
Queen's has a 2% acceptance rate and only cares about your best 27yrs GPA...its ALL about your ec's
EC's are 50% of the pre-interview score at UBC
sure, some don't care (SASK), but you need a 35+ MCAT unless you're a resident

They're definitely important for certain schools, especially in Ontario, but as you said some like USask don't even consider them. Still, I'd say it's more lax overall compared to the US. I've seen many people with little to no clinical experience matriculate at Canadian schools.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

They're definitely important for certain schools, especially in Ontario, but as you said some like USask don't even consider them. Still, I'd say it's more lax overall compared to the US. I've seen many people with little to no clinical experience matriculate at Canadian schools.

oh definetly, although I'd say it's overall much more difficult to get into a Canadian school. Things like 11VR cutoffs just don't exist in the US