Transcript Applying to Canadian Medical Schools

Applying to Canadian Medical Schools
Howard Meng
University of Saskatchewan 2010
3-Yr BSc. Physiology
June 6, 2010
Outline
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Preparing yourself
Applying for medical school
Impressing at the interview
Admissions scoring
A peak into your future
Medical Schools in Canada
• 17 medical schools in the country
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University of British Columbia
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Saskatchewan
University of Manitoba
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
University of Western Ontario
McMaster University
University of Toronto
Queen’s University
University of Ottawa
Mcgill University
University of Montreal
University of Sherbrooke
University of Laval
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dalhousie University
Ontario 2009 Statistics
•18,269 applications from
5,808 applicants
•943 spots
Preparing Yourself
Academics
• Any field of study can get you into medical school
– Most schools have prerequisites (McMaster and NOSM have
none)
– First year chemistry, biology, physics, english
– Certain classes will help with the MCAT
• Departmental student societies and learning centre
– Get help to keep a good GPA !
• Research experience
– Talk to your professor
Preparing Yourself
Volunteering
• Get out there and get your hands wet
• Appreciate the opportunities and learn from the
experience
• Meet new people
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Community centres
Hospitals
Charities
School events
Summer camps
Preparing Yourself
Extracurricular Activities
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Student politics
Athletics
Interests and hobbies
Cultural festivities
School events
MCAT
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Physical Science
Biological Science
Verbal Reasoning
Writing
• www.aamc.org
• Release scores to schools
• Not all Canadian schools require MCAT (Universities in
Quebec, University of Ottawa, Northern Ontario School
of Medicine)
The Application Process
• Online application forms OMSAS
– Supporting documents and transcript
• Deadline for application is usually in October
• Visit application sites regularly
– UBC is in early September
• It’s a LONG process so take several turns to finish the
application
• Revise !
Autobiographical Sketch
• OMSAS has space for 48 activities
• Any activity or experience you have can be put on
– Be able to justify why the activity has been important to you and
how it will help you in medicine
• Make a compilation of experiences for your formal
education, employment, volunteer activities, awards and
accomplishments, research and other
– Include details such as duration of experience, a contact person
for the experience, contact information
References
• 3 referees
• Choose people that know you well
• Ask early and give them enough time
• Preferably ask people who can write about your:
– Academic performance
– Work experience
– Personality and character
Essay / Personal Statement
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Not a requirement at every school
Topic is given
Use of key words to describe your experience
Have friends read it and critically analyze it
Write the essay early and constantly revise
• Writing requirements vary
– U of T requires 1000 word limit essay
– McMaster requires short answer questions
– U of C requires short answer questions during the interview
Interview
• Panel Interview vs Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
• Know the following things:
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Yourself
Health care system
Communicate
Critically think
Ethically think
How to collaborate
Think on your feet
Resources for the Interview
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“Doing Right” – Philip Hebert
“Medical School Interviews” – George Lee
Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ)
Medical Post
Medical school websites
CBC news / Google news
Pre-med forums
• PRACTICE ! And have your friends critique you
Interview Day Attire and Etiquette
• Wear a suit with a conservative colour
• No jewellery or perfume
• Appearance and body language
• Be polite and friendly
• Avoid red flags
– i.e. don’t swear, don’t be discriminatory, don’t be overly
aggressive
Admissions Score
• Each school has its own criteria
– Score for invitation for interview
• Interview score is included in admissions score
– Varies by school
– Interview can be worth as little as 20% (U of T) or 65% (U of S)
• Schools may take other factors into account
A Peak Into Your Future
• 3 to 4 years of medical school
– Preclerkship
• Human body systems and pathobiology
• Introduction to clinical medicine
• Determinants of community health
– Clerkship
• Medical school expenses total approx. $150k
– Banks offer Professional Student Line of Credit
• Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)
• 2 to 6 years of residency training
Good Luck !