Canuck in confusion

[BlueJaysFan]

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Hey fellow Sdners
I am looking for some advice because I am at an impass in my life, trying to determine how to proceed. I recently graduated from a Canadian university and am from the Ottawa region. My have written my mcat 3 times but verbal keeps getting me with my final attempt being a 28(7 in verbal). Now I don't know what the best course is for me to proceed. I have a strong 3.9 gpa and good ecs, research, international volunteering, lots of domestics volunteer and leadership, etc. I can either take an offer from an Irish medical school, or DO school or try to do the mcat again and hopefully improve my verbal and my composite a bit for 1-2 Canadian school but moreso for American MD programs. Will the fourth mcat (with 3 low verbal scores) be a dealbreaker for most american MD schools, because in Canada it seems not to matter very much? I have thought about the DO route and it really seems great for an American citizen, but do to its novelty in Canada, I am just worried that it will be tough to return home and even if I do, I would have to spend a great deal of time educating friends, patients and colleagues about the merits of the degree. What do you guys feel, based on your opinions/experiences?

Thank you

 

[skyblue2000]

Hey fellow Sdners
I am looking for some advice because I am at an impass in my life, trying to determine how to proceed. I recently graduated from a Canadian university and am from the Ottawa region. My have written my mcat 3 times but verbal keeps getting me with my final attempt being a 28(7 in verbal). Now I don't know what the best course is for me to proceed. I have a strong 3.9 gpa and good ecs, research, international volunteering, lots of domestics volunteer and leadership, etc. I can either take an offer from an Irish medical school, or DO school or try to do the mcat again and hopefully improve my verbal and my composite a bit for 1-2 Canadian school but moreso for American MD programs. Will the fourth mcat (with 3 low verbal scores) be a dealbreaker for most american MD schools, because in Canada it seems not to matter very much? I have thought about the DO route and it really seems great for an American citizen, but do to its novelty in Canada, I am just worried that it will be tough to return home and even if I do, I would have to spend a great deal of time educating friends, patients and colleagues about the merits of the degree. What do you guys feel, based on your opinions/experiences?

Thank you

I'm not sure about the 4th time for the MCAT, but I agree with your points on the DO degree. In Canada we don't see it often and I feel there is still a stigma associated with it.

In terms of the Irish med school, I'm wondering why so many people seem to be going down that path as opposed to Carib school?

 

[BlueJaysFan]

Any other thoughts, I really need some guidance!!!

Thanks 🙂

 

[nonamesleft]

If your GPA is strong and you have the ECs, why don't you apply to Ottawa, especially since you're from the region? They don't require MCAT scores.

I know Ottawa GPA cutoffs are ridiculously high (3.85-3.9ish for rest of ontario), but if you're from the region, I think the cutoff is a bit lower...~3.8 or something like that..

Hey fellow Sdners
I am looking for some advice because I am at an impass in my life, trying to determine how to proceed. I recently graduated from a Canadian university and am from the Ottawa region. My have written my mcat 3 times but verbal keeps getting me with my final attempt being a 28(7 in verbal). Now I don't know what the best course is for me to proceed. I have a strong 3.9 gpa and good ecs, research, international volunteering, lots of domestics volunteer and leadership, etc. I can either take an offer from an Irish medical school, or DO school or try to do the mcat again and hopefully improve my verbal and my composite a bit for 1-2 Canadian school but moreso for American MD programs. Will the fourth mcat (with 3 low verbal scores) be a dealbreaker for most american MD schools, because in Canada it seems not to matter very much? I have thought about the DO route and it really seems great for an American citizen, but do to its novelty in Canada, I am just worried that it will be tough to return home and even if I do, I would have to spend a great deal of time educating friends, patients and colleagues about the merits of the degree. What do you guys feel, based on your opinions/experiences?

Thank you

 

[jbz24]

Taking the MCAT even 3 times is a lot, I'm sure a 4th will look even worse. Add that to the fact that Canadian applicants (especially those who did their undergrad in Canada) are help up to some ridiculous standards, you will probably have a better chance applying to med schools in Canada, DO, or Caribbean.

 

[enmeds]

Hey,
Unfortunately even with the GPA cutoff getting an Ottawa interview is entirely subjective. I am in a similar situation to BlueJaysFan. Do you think the DO route is better, even if I want to come back to Canada or is Ireland/trying the MCAT again a better route to take?

 

[enmeds]

Does anyone anything about doing the MCAT more than three times? How does it look to American Adcoms. I have great ECs, research, etc, a solid 3.9 GPA (Regular and Sci) but the problem has always been verbal. Will I be at a large disadvantage (Canadian and 4 MCATs)? Will I have a shot if I am able to have a decent composite like 33-34 (but lets say a 9 in verbal) and have written the test four times.

Thanks

 

[DrDark]

why not go the atlantic bridge program (irish medical school) so you can still comeback