Applying to Canadian Medical Schools

Howard MengUniversity of Saskatchewan 2010

3-Yr BSc. PhysiologyJune 6, 2010

Outline

• 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– 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

– Community centres– Hospitals– Charities– School events– Summer camps

Preparing Yourself

Extracurricular Activities

• Student politics• Athletics• Interests and hobbies• Cultural festivities• School events

MCAT

• 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

• 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:– Yourself– Health care system– Communicate– Critically think– Ethically think– How to collaborate– Think on your feet

Resources for the Interview

• “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 !