Do I have a chance in Canada?

[nickjohnson]

I know this should belong on the "what are my chances" board, but there are very few people on that board that know much about Canadian medical school and I feel like I'll get some better answers here. Right now I have a 3.2 GPA from Queen's University Life Sci (although I know most universities don't care about uni or degree) and a 29L on the MCAT. I know ontario is all about cut-offs and with 3.2 I just scrapped the entire OMSAS application. I'm from Vancouver so I applied to UBC thinking hopefully with the higher In-province acceptance will increase my chances, even though with my stats it's not looking great. I have been told that I interview well, and I know that once you get an interview, chances are about 1 in 2 for most med schools. Does anyone know if I have a chance at any other Canadian Med schools at all? Dal, Memorial, anything?
I'm also looking up international schools like SGU in the carib, but I ultimately want to practice in Canada and I know how there can be challenges down the road if I take the international route.

Thoughts, suggestions or help please? Thanks!

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[PistolPete]

It'll be hard to get into UBC with a 3.2, but it's worth a shot if you're a BC resident. Applying to schools out-of-province, like Dal or Memorial, probably isn't worth it.

I suggest you look into US med schools. If you have a good MCAT score (31+), then you should have a decent shot at interviews/acceptances. I would say that it will be easier for you to come back to Canada after having gotten an MD/DO degree from the US than from the Caribbean, but that's just my opinion.

 

[coastal]

premed101.com/forums

the canadian SDN, lots of info for you there.

 

[EhCdnGirl]

To be honest, I would argue your chances are slim. I went to Queens and as much as Queen's faculty tells you how great it is, once you have your marks converted into GPA its more or less a level playing field. I had a higher GPA and a similar MCAT score and am from Ontario and didn't even bother looking at Canadian schools. I explored my options and am now pursuing a DO degree in the states. I ended up really liking the school I am at and think this is a really good fit for me. The carib may seem ideally good, but you are right to be aware of the hoops you will have to jump through to get back, even more so then coming to the states.

I echo what Pistol Pete says in your should definelty look at MD/DO schools in the US. DO particularly puts a much bigger focus on your overall package and what you have done beyond your GPA and MCAT, which worked well in my favour...if you feel this way, I'd look into it. However, be warned the process is already well on its way for the cycle for next entering class, so you will be a bit behind, but its stll worth a shot if you think you are a good candidate, because if you are, some school is bound to think so too!

Good luck!

 

[PistolPete]

Hey EhCdnGirl!

How are you liking KCOM? Hopefully M1 is going great for you so far! I'm really enjoying Western and I'm happy with my choice. Can you say 70F in October? WOO!! (Sorry, I had to squeeze that in there!)