My chances with Canadian medical school application

[LogarithmicSleuth]

deleted

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

So....are you a resident of Quebec by their definitions? Mcgill has a whole docment dedicated to this on their page. That changes things.

 

[LogarithmicSleuth]

Yes I am, I have lived here almost all my life.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

Yes I am, I have lived here almost all my life.

Then apply to all the QC schools and you might be ok. Your grades are much too low for Ontario, except the French stream of Ottawa (the english stream has a 3.87 GPA cutoff, but french is lower)

 

[LogarithmicSleuth]

Then apply to all the QC schools and you might be ok. Your grades are much too low for Ontario, except the French stream of Ottawa (the english stream has a 3.87 GPA cutoff, but french is lower)

Thanks for your reply! I guess my main concern is with the French MMIs. I don't feel like my French is at the level where I can convey my thoughts eloquently enough. I'm definitely buffing it up now in preparation, though.
Any idea how my chances would fare with US schools?

 

[UBC2014]

Thanks for your reply! I guess my main concern is with the French MMIs. I don't feel like my French is at the level where I can convey my thoughts eloquently enough. I'm definitely buffing it up now in preparation, though.
Any idea how my chances would fare with US schools?

No one can answer that until you actually have an MCAT score.

Definitely will need to be above 30+(whatever the equivalent for the new MCAT). So aim as high as possible. Don't plan on applying to US schools this summer, since your very late MCAT score will make your odds pretty low. The US cycle is already opening May/June 2016 for August 2017 start. Focus on the scoring as high as possible on the MCAT, then evaluate odds later. And apply to QC schools and wherever else you are competitive this upcoming cycle 2016/2017 in Canada.

 

[Medstart108]

I don't think people are correct about saying your GPA is too low for Ontario schools. With a strong MCAT score, you would be competitive at Western, at Queens you would also be competitive especially if your last two year GPA is higher. You are probably also competitive at McMaster if your verbal is very high on your MCAT, a 3.72 GPA definitely does not sink your chances there if you can score the new equivalent of 11 or higher. Even a 10 is worth a shot since you don't know how you will do on CASPer.

Again, your GPA breakdown is going to be key for your chances in Ontario. If you had an upward trend your chances at Ottawa, Queens go up dramatically and with a strong MCAT esp in VR your chances at Western and McMaster go up as well.

You have to remember average is just average, plenty of people will get in with lower than average scores and you never know how they will view your application. I would apply broadly.

 

[nonamesleft]

You have to remember average is just average, plenty of people will get in with lower than average scores and you never know how they will view your application. I would apply broadly.

no. Ontario schools (western, U of T, Queens) have hard cut-offs. Not meeting the cutoff = no interview. I don't know how that MSc would play in, especially since your grades there are worse than your undergrad.

The OP's best chances would be at Quebec schools, but:

[...]I don't feel like my French is at the level where I can convey my thoughts eloquently enough[...]

... but you're from Quebec and you've lived there your entire life?

 

[Medstart108]

no. Ontario schools (western, U of T, Queens) have hard cut-offs. Not meeting the cutoff = no interview. I don't know how that MSc would play in, especially since your grades there are worse than your undergrad.

The OP's best chances would be at Quebec schools, but:


... but you're from Quebec and you've lived there your entire life?

Western's cutoff I know is 3.7 but that is also your best 2 years, OP's 4 year GPA is 3.72 he's already met the cutoff. Queens and UofT are more blackboxes, maybe they do have a GPA cutoff but i'm pretty sure if OP is eligible for weighting he/she might have a chance.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

Western's cutoff I know is 3.7 but that is also your best 2 years, OP's 4 year GPA is 3.72 he's already met the cutoff. Queens and UofT are more blackboxes, maybe they do have a GPA cutoff but i'm pretty sure if OP is eligible for weighting he/she might have a chance.

UofT has a 3.96 average weighted GPA. Dropping 4 half-year courses won't move a 3.6/3.7 up to a 3.9+ which you need for Toronto

 

[LogarithmicSleuth]

I don't think people are correct about saying your GPA is too low for Ontario schools. With a strong MCAT score, you would be competitive at Western, at Queens you would also be competitive especially if your last two year GPA is higher. You are probably also competitive at McMaster if your verbal is very high on your MCAT, a 3.72 GPA definitely does not sink your chances there if you can score the new equivalent of 11 or higher. Even a 10 is worth a shot since you don't know how you will do on CASPer.

Again, your GPA breakdown is going to be key for your chances in Ontario. If you had an upward trend your chances at Ottawa, Queens go up dramatically and with a strong MCAT esp in VR your chances at Western and McMaster go up as well.

You have to remember average is just average, plenty of people will get in with lower than average scores and you never know how they will view your application. I would apply broadly.

Thanks for all the responses guys, I really appreciate it!
Here's my GPA breakdown:
Year 1 Fall: 3.62
Year 1 Winter: 3.76
Year 2 Fall: 3.74
Year 2 Winter: 3.82
Year 3 Fall: 3.76
Year 3 Winter: 3.66

Overall not an upward trend, as it dips back down in my third year (the most challenging one in terms of material).

No one can answer that until you actually have an MCAT score.

Definitely will need to be above 30+(whatever the equivalent for the new MCAT). So aim as high as possible. Don't plan on applying to US schools this summer, since your very late MCAT score will make your odds pretty low. The US cycle is already opening May/June 2016 for August 2017 start. Focus on the scoring as high as possible on the MCAT, then evaluate odds later. And apply to QC schools and wherever else you are competitive this upcoming cycle 2016/2017 in Canada.

Thanks for your help! Okay, I'll just focus on securing my best possible MCAT score this summer then. I was a little worried about doing US applications at the same time, because I've read about their system of early application advantage It made me feel like I should have been writing out the applications during my studying period in order to get the apps done ASAP, but I've also read that they don't actually look at your app until your MCAT is released anyway. If Canada doesn't pan out for me this cycle, what can I do to buff up my application for US schools for the next year?

 

[UBC2014]

Your undergrad was only 3 years?

That may be an issue. But, doesnt your year 2 and year 3 overall meet cut-offs for Western? You'd "just" have to ace the MCAT for the gauranteed interview.


So are you a registered physiotherpaist then? or is "Physical therapy" something different in quebec? More like Kinesiology?

In western canada, you generally have to do a 4 years bachelors, and then a 2 year Masters in Physiotherapy to become a licensed physiotherapist.

Quebec is always so interesting....

 

[LogarithmicSleuth]

Your undergrad was only 3 years?

That may be an issue. But, doesnt your year 2 and year 3 overall meet cut-offs for Western? You'd "just" have to ace the MCAT for the gauranteed interview.


So are you a registered physiotherpaist then? or is "Physical therapy" something different in quebec? More like Kinesiology?

In western canada, you generally have to do a 4 years bachelors, and then a 2 year Masters in Physiotherapy to become a licensed physiotherapist.

Quebec is always so interesting....

Bachelor's degrees in Quebec are only 3 years long, as we have this 2 year CEGEP degree between high school (which ends at grade 11) and University. Need a Master's degree in PT to practice anywhere in Canada, that's the MSc I mentioned in my original post. I will be registered once I finish my degree this year.
Quebec's system does make it a little confusing at times. I guess I'd also have to account for my CEGEP grades in my GPA? I haven't done that yet, though.

 

[nonamesleft]

Your undergrad was only 3 years?

That may be an issue. But, doesnt your year 2 and year 3 overall meet cut-offs for Western?

Bachelor's degrees in Quebec are only 3 years long, .

Western requires a 4 year undergrad degree. https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/medicine/undergraduate/future_students/admission/requirements.html