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[g4m3r2]

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Edited: now know how to paste onto SDN! Thanks everyone!

Hey everyone,

After applying to many Canadian and US schools as a Canadian (BC resident) this year, I am back at square one to map out my future plans.

Here are some options I have considered. Please correct if any of my pros/cons are wrong:

1. Work in Yukon, NWT, or Nunavut for 2 years (assuming I find a job there), become in-province for Sask, Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta, take MCAT 2015 and apply
2. Go for a MSc/post-bac/second degree, increase my GPA (not guaranteed of course), apply
3. US DO

a. Pros: 70% match rate in US vs 50% match rate for IMGs
b. Cons: no presence in Canada, tend to be primary care doctors (I am looking at neurology/psychiatry), cost, recommended to take both COMLEX and USMLE to be competitive for MD residencies, some people may look down upon DOs​

4. Duke-NUS

a. Pros: Though not guaranteed, SG poses a higher chance of landing a residency in SG and transitioning into a PR/citizen. Also, SG is a great place to live
b. Cons: Cost. Work-life balance seems to be poorer in SG than in Western counterparts. Higher cost of living with slightly lower wages for physicians​

5. Australia/Ireland

a. Pros: would not mind living in these places
b. Cons: no guarantees of practicing in respective countries as non-EU, non Australian citizen or in returning to Canada. Cost​

6. Caribbean

a. Pros: Easier to practice in US vs Aus/Ireland? Not sure if true
b. Cons: If no match in USA, then stuck in Caribbean. Cost​

Here is my position with all the schools:

Waitlisted on: SUNY Stony Brook after interview, SUNY Upstate (yet to interview)
Still waiting from: waiting from UBC (after interview), Kimmel and Wayne State (both pre-interview)
Rejected from: Queen's, McMaster, Sask, Boston, Dartmouth, George Washington, Case Western &Cleveland Clinic
Cannot apply to (due to low GPA OOP aka less priority for Out Of Province students and/or new MCAT requirements): Western, Dalhousie, Calgary, Alberta
Did not apply to: Tulane, Oakland, Howard

Stats:
Full IB program grad
cGPA: 81% including summer courses, 80.4% without; aGPA (drop lowest 30 credits): 83% with 82% without; Prereq: 83%
(So around 3.7)
MCAT: 28 first, 34 the second (11VR/12PS/11BS)
Nonacademics from senior year of high school: Pharmacist since 2016 working in rural BC, 3 years in community pharmacy as an assistant, 1 month rotation in hospital under a pharmacist, 4 years volunteering at hospital, 3 years cadets -- co-led squadron band, playing in church band, martial arts for 11 years, president for a club x 2 years, vice president for student society. Toastmasters x 3 months. Duke of Edinburgh Award level gold, recognized provincially at a poster competition in senior year of high school.

Publications: 2 as second author
Volunteering at a crisis line
One award


Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[efle]

You can paste into SDN

 

[g4m3r2]

Hey efle,

How do I paste onto here? Ctrl+V doesn't work and neither does right clicking --> paste. Even tried switching browsers... What I pasted simply disappears after a quick second

 

[Beezlebub]

Hey efle,

How do I paste onto here? Ctrl+V doesn't work and neither does right clicking --> paste. Even tried switching browsers... What I pasted simply disappears after a quick second

copy and paste onto a notepad, then copy and paste from the notepad onto here. format heebie jeezbies stuff.

 

[coffeeandcodeine]

.

 

[coffeeandcodeine]

Also, my personal input is that after multiple(?) unsuccessful cycles applying MD, it is time to give DO a shot. I believe the US match rate is closer to 85-90% for DO schools, making it a far more attractive option than international schools. Your GPA is fine for US schools, so I don't think a post-bac or GPA repair is needed. Your MCAT retake is also fine, although many schools may average the two. Your ECs look okay to me, although that depends on how many hours you've spent on them, especially volunteering.

I would do another cycle with both MD and DO schools, applying broadly. With a good list (make a WAMC thread for help with this) you are likely to have success. Good luck!

Edit: I just realized that you will likely have to take the MCAT again if you hope to reapply, since many schools will stop accepting the old MCAT this upcoming cycle. I would focus on that before anything else.

 

[g4m3r2]

Bump

 

[g4m3r2]

You can paste into SDN

copy and paste onto a notepad, then copy and paste from the notepad onto here. format heebie jeezbies stuff.

Thanks! The post has been updated. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Also:

Updated the schools I am waiting to hear back from. The Excel file I used to keep track of the schools wasn't quite up to date.

So just waiting from UBC (after interview), Kimmel and Wayne State (both pre-interview).

Still waitlisted from Stony Brook post interview, and SUNY pre-interview

 

[gyngyn]

The match rate for DO's is over 97% when both matches are combined. I have seen no data on international DO match outcomes. @mashmetoo?

 

[Beezlebub]

3-6 should not be valid options. Focus on 1-3.