US DO for Canadian Undergrad

[Jason025]

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Hey guys, I need some advice. I am born/raised in Canada and it is my dream to become a doctor, and working with doctors without borders is on my bucket list. The thing is, is that medical school here is just too competitive (I know it is in the US as well) and I don't think I have a chance at all. I would like to settle down in the US eventually, and that is why I have decided it would be best to go to medical school there. My grades haven't been all that great and I have re took many classes (I was depressed for a while and this is when my life sort of spiraled downwards). I want to go into pediatrics or psychiatry. What minimum GPA/MCAT scores would I need for MD and DO schools? I am losing hope and think that I won't be competitive enough for US MD either and am leaning towards DO (I am actually into the whole holistic approach anyways). Please help and share your experience if you're from Canada! Thanks!

 

[IslandStyle808]

It is difficult to say the stats needed for Canadians. I suggest you try and do a search on the forums, there most likely have been Canadians who have asked this question in the past.

 

[CanadianHopefully]

hey there, I am also from canada and let me say it pretty much sucks trying to get into med school anywhere there. If you want to stay in canada, I would say the best bet is to do your undergrad in Ontario they have the most meds schools. If your like me and are from BC then your pretty much screwed (unless you have a 3.7+ and a 32+) cuz there is only one med school in BC--->UBC and its like trying to get into Russia or something (no offence to anyone). I would say MD schools in the US are less competitive and that based on the fact that there are more of around the country (I haven't actually looked into MD schools though). But I think DO schools are pretty open in terms of grades and if you'er international

Based on this forum, my research and what Ive been told to be DO competitive: 3.4+ and 27+ but depending on the school, when you apply and just general stats 3.0+ and 24+ will do the job. I am not 100% sure of these stats but this is just want i've gotten.

And if you plan to stay in the US after it should be all good. I here things about residency and stuff still looking into that

I am sure someone else can shed some light

 

[Jason025]

Thanks for your reply, I know exactly how you feel. Is obtaining a residency position as a Canadian born, American trained DO harder than American born and trained MD/DOs? What about visa issues? Would I be able to stay permanently in the US while/after completing residency? Also, I failed many classes during my first two years, while I was in depression. However, if I have an upwards trend in GPA and explain myself well, do you guys think the DO schools can overlook this? Sorry I'm jumping all over the place with questions, I'm just really worried. And again, thanks for the advice/support!

 

[UBC2014]

Th
anks for your reply, I know exactly how you feel. Is obtaining a residency position as a Canadian born, American trained DO harder than American born and trained MD/DOs? What about visa issues? Would I be able to stay permanently in the US while/after completing residency? Also, I failed many classes during my first two years, while I was in depression. However, if I have an upwards trend in GPA and explain myself well, do you guys think the DO schools can overlook this? Sorry I'm jumping all over the place with questions, I'm just really worried. And again, thanks for the advice/support!

Your options are more limited as a non-us citizen. Still manageable but you can't be as selective.

Also, a 3.5/28 should put you at the average for GPA and average for the MCAT for DO schools. Aim for above average to be competitive as an international.

MD schools don't do grade replacement, but if you get a killer MCAT score(35+), and have a few years of 4.0, that can help. See PM101 for a person with a 3.0 and a 43 MCAT who has gotten lots of MD interviews at top 10 schools.

"Based on this forum, my research and what Ive been told to be DO competitive: 3.4+ and 27+ but depending on the school, when you apply and just general stats 3.0+ and 24+ will do the job. I am not 100% sure of these stats but this is just want i've gotten. "

This is incorrect. The lower bound stats are for US citizens. As an international student, you only have about 9-10 schools that take Canadians, while americans have about 30 schools to apply too, hence they have a slightly lower GPA range - as they can get into less selective schools.

It just so happens that the majority of the schools that take Canadians, are the private schools which are more selective. A 3.0 and 24 will not get you into one of them, unless you have an amazing EC that stands out and some sort of super strong upward trend etc. You should not apply with a 24, when even with a bit of studying you can hit 27-28+ no problem.

 

[UBC2014]

hey there, I am also from canada and let me say it pretty much sucks trying to get into med school anywhere there. If you want to stay in canada, I would say the best bet is to do your undergrad in Ontario they have the most meds schools. If your like me and are from BC then your pretty much screwed (unless you have a 3.7+ and a 32+) cuz there is only one med school in BC--->UBC and its like trying to get into Russia or something (no offence to anyone). I would say MD schools in the US are less competitive and that based on the fact that there are more of around the country (I haven't actually looked into MD schools though). But I think DO schools are pretty open in terms of grades and if you'er international

Based on this forum, my research and what Ive been told to be DO competitive: 3.4+ and 27+ but depending on the school, when you apply and just general stats 3.0+ and 24+ will do the job. I am not 100% sure of these stats but this is just want i've gotten.

And if you plan to stay in the US after it should be all good. I here things about residency and stuff still looking into that

I am sure someone else can shed some light

USMD schools are not less competitive, there are only 15-20 USMD schools that really take international students, and the majority are top schools. The ones that are mid-tier schools that take internationals, still get 500+ apps from canadians and interview 5-10, and matriculate 1-2.

I think what you mean to say, is that USMD schools don't have as strict cut-offs as Canadian schools. In the US you could have a 3.8, but a higher MCAT to offset the "lower" (by medical school standards) GPA and still find yourself with some interviews - if you have strong ECs.

Wheras in Canada, a 3.8 or a low MCAT that doesn't meet cut-offs would eliminate you right away.

 

[Jason025]

Very interesting info, it definitely makes sense. I am considering going to a Caribbean med school as my last option. I read a forum though saying that no more IMGs will be able to do residency in the US soon in the future. Anyone want to shed some light on this?

 

[IslandStyle808]

Very interesting info, it definitely makes sense. I am considering going to a Caribbean med school as my last option. I read a forum though saying that no more IMGs will be able to do residency in the US soon in the future. Anyone want to shed some light on this?

It is mainly because of the expanding class sizes and schools in the US. This will lead to the amount of medical students in the US potentially exceeding the amount of residency positions. This is why IMGs will be phased out of US residencies.

 

[Jason025]

What about Canadian citizens who are going to med schools in the US and wanting to do their residency there? Will they be inferior to US citizens when it comes to obtaining a residency position (including DOs)?

 

[IslandStyle808]

What about Canadian citizens who are going to med schools in the US and wanting to do their residency there? Will they be inferior to US citizens when it comes to obtaining a residency position (including DOs)?

I doubt it in that situation. I think this is even more true for those Canadians that become US citizens. However, this is out of my area of knowledge.

Sorry I am going to make an edit to a previous statement. You should also look into ways that you can practice in Canada also. Here are a couple of links (not sure if you know about them).

Canadian Osteopathic Medical Student Association
Canadian Osteopathic Association

They explain about your options as a Canadian DO graduate to practice medicine in Canada. Also, the first site answers some of your questions about applying from a Canadian undergraduate university.

 

[OuchCharlie]

What about Canadian citizens who are going to med schools in the US and wanting to do their residency there? Will they be inferior to US citizens when it comes to obtaining a residency position (including DOs)?

I think they will be inherently inferior, however, reading some posts regarding the upcoming AOA/ACGME merger on the COMSA facebook page (as mentioned by IslandStyle808), any American medical school graduate, regardless of citizenship will have utmost priority.

 

[studentp0x]

What about Canadian citizens who are going to med schools in the US and wanting to do their residency there? Will they be inferior to US citizens when it comes to obtaining a residency position (including DOs)?

Yes because you are limited to residencies that offer J1 and H1b visas only... on the whole, yes you are inferior to americans as a canadian.

 

[UBC2014]

While you will be infinitely better off than off shore graduates, you will still be at a disadvantage to US citizens. This isn't a huge deal for the most part though.

 

[Jason025]

Thanks everyone! Does anyone have any stats on which US DO schools accept the most Canadians?

 

[nolimits1]

Thanks everyone! Does anyone have any stats on which US DO schools accept the most Canadians?

MSUCOM no doubt.