Getting into Medical School

Getting into Medical School 1

Agenda Basics Undergraduate Studies MCAT Extracurricular Activities Application Interview Results Q & A 2

Basics 3

(Long) Road to becoming a Doctor Undergraduate Studies (3 4 years) Prerequisite courses MCAT (Optional) Graduate Studies (1 6 years) Medical School (3 4 years) Pre Clerkship (1.5 2 years) Clerkship (1.5 2 years) Residency (2 6 years) (Optional) Fellowship (1 2 years) 4

Bad reasons to go for it family tradition get rich adrenaline surge of saving lives sheer challenge can t think of anything else to do 5

Good reasons to go for it to help fascination with human body blend of science and human interaction can t imagine doing anything else build on experience with patient care 6

Are you ready for Medical School? Am I smart enough? Do I have a sincere interest in medicine? Do I have a genuine desire to serve? Do I have the self discipline? Do I have the perseverance? Am I too old? Can I afford it? Can my personal relationships stand it? 7

Canadian Medical Schools (West) Medical School Location Length 1 st year Class Tuition UBC Vancouver 4 years 288 $15,766 Calgary Calgary 3 years 170 $14,864 Alberta Edmonton 4 years 167 $7,424 Saskatchewan Saskatoon 4 years 84 $14,649 Manitoba Winnipeg 4 years 110 $8,500 8

Canadian Medical Schools (Central) Medical School Location Length 1 st year Class Tuition Western London 4 years 171 $19,139 McMaster Hamilton 3 years 203 $24,703 U of T Toronto 4 years 259 $18,977 Ottawa Ottawa 4 years 156 $10,565 Queen s Kingston 4 years 100 $21,261 Northern Sudbury 4 years 64 $19,275 9

Canadian Medical Schools (East) Medical School Location Length 1 st year Class Tuition McGill Montreal 4 years 114 Quebec Residents: $5,058 Non Quebec Residents: $13,668 Dalhousie Halifax 4 years 108 $16,200 Memorial St. John s 4 years 80 $6,250 10

Geography Matters (West) Medical School Class Size Provincial Residents Non Provincial Residents UBC 288 266 (92%) 22 (8%) Calgary 170 85% 15% Alberta 167 [10 for Rural, 5 for 85% 15% Aboriginal] Saskatchewan 100 96% 4% Manitoba 110 96% 4% 11

Geography Matters (Central) Medical School Class Size Provincial Residents Non Provincial Residents Western 171 [Special consideration to applicants from Southwestern Ontario] McMaster 203 189 (93%) 14 (7%) U of T 259 [Geographical location not considered in selection process] Ottawa 156 [7 for First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis candidates] Queen s 100 [Geographical location not considered in selection process] Northern 64 60 (94%) from Northern Ontario 4 (6%) from rural areas in the rest of Canada 12

Geography Matters (East) Medical School Class Size Provincial Residents Non Provincial Residents McGill 114 98 (87%) 16 (13%) Dalhousie 112 [63 for Nova Scotia, 31 for New Brunswick, 6 for P.E.I., 9 for outside Maritimes, 3 Other] Memorial 80 [58 for Newfoundland and Labrador, 10 for New Brunswick, 4 for P.E.I., 1 for Yukon, 2 for Aboriginals, 5 for other Canadian and non Canadian applicants] 13

Four Stages for Applicants Preparation Undergraduate Studies MCAT Extracurricular Activities Application Transcripts Personal Essay Reference Letters MCAT Score Other Interview Results 14

Admissions Timeline Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Preparation (Prerequisite Courses, Extracurricular Activities) MCAT Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Preparation (Prerequisite Courses, Extracurricular Activities) Application Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Preparation (Prerequisite Courses, Extracurricular Activities) Interviews Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May Acceptance 15

Two Stages for Admission Committees Who to Interview? Who to accept? Academics Interview MCAT Academics Other MCAT Other 16

Admissions Process Screening Review Interview Committee Decision 17

Holistic Review 18

Attributes Medical Schools look for: Cognitive skills Critical thinking Curiosity Commitment Compassion Communication Cooperation Cultural awareness Character/Ethics Maturity 19

Grim Statistics (West) Medical School Applicants Accepted %age Accepted UBC 1,736 288 17% Calgary 1,728 170 10% Alberta 1,324 167 13% Saskatchewan 937 100 11% Manitoba 874 110 11% 20

Grim Statistics (Central) Medical School Applicants Accepted %age Accepted Western 2,317 171 7% McMaster 4,210 203 5% U of T 3,052 259 8% Ottawa 3,669 156 4% Queen s 3,359 100 3% Northern 1,932 64 3% 21

Grim Statistics (East) Medical School Applicants Accepted %age Accepted McGill 1,619 114 7% Dalhousie 656 112 17% Memorial 700 80 12% 22

Grim Statistics 28,113 Applications 6,324 Interviewed 2,094 Accepted 22.5% 33.1% 7.4%

Preparation Undergraduate Studies MCAT Extracurricular Activities 24

Undergraduate Studies 25

Prerequisite Undergraduate Studies (West) Medical School UBC Calgary Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Years of Study 15 full year courses or equivalent 2 full time years [full time = 4 full year courses or equivalent completed from September April] 2 full time years [5 full year courses or equivalent during one September April academic year.] 2 full time years for Saskatchewan residents* 4 year degree or higher for non Saskatchewan residents *Proposal in works to move to 4 year degree for Saskatchewan residents too 3 year degree or higher 26

Prerequisite Undergraduate Studies (Central) Medical School Western McMaster U of T Ottawa Queen s Northern Years of Study 4 year degree or higher 3 full time years 3 full time years or 15 full year courses or equivalent 3 full time years 15 full year courses or equivalent 4 year degree or higher 27

Prerequisite Undergraduate Studies (East) Medical School McGill Dalhousie Memorial Years of Study 4 year degree or higher 3 year degree or higher (4 year degree strongly preferred) 3 year degree or higher 28

How important are: Prestige of university? Difficulty of major? GPA? Difficulty of courses? Relevance of major to medicine? 29

GPA Average 30

GPA Average Student 1 Student 2 Student 3 % GPA % GPA % GPA Course 1 98 4.0 88 3.9 85 3.9 Course 2 92 4.0 83 3.7 87 3.9 Course 3 95 4.0 95 4.0 86 3.9 Course 4 94 4.0 86 3.9 85 3.9 Course 5 72 2.7 84 3.7 86 3.9 Average 90.2% 87.2% 85.8% GPA 3.74 3.84 3.90 31

GPA Adjustments (West) Medical School UBC Calgary Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba GPA Adjustment Worst year dropped for applicants with three or more full time years Worst year dropped for applicants with three or more full time years Worst year dropped for applicants with four or more full timeyearsprovideditisnot the most recently completed year or the only year where five full course equivalents completed Best two full time years for Saskatchewan residents None for non Saskatchewan applicants. Worst grades dropped in proportion to number of full time courses completed (e.g., worst grades for 5 full year course equivalents dropped for applicants with 20 full year course equivalents or more). 32

GPA Adjustments (Central) Medical School Western McMaster U of T Ottawa Queen s Northern GPA Adjustment Best two full time years (best five full courses counted in each year) None 3 lowest full course equivalent grades dropped for applicants with 3 full time years 4 lowest full course equivalent grades dropped for applicants with 4 full time years Weighted GPA for three most recent years: (Year 1 GPA X 1 + Year 2 GPAX2+Year3GPAX3)/6 Higher of most recent two full time years or cumulative GPA None 33

GPA Adjustments (East) Medical School McGill Dalhousie Memorial GPA Adjustment None 2 most recent two full time years Worst year dropped if four year degree completed None 34

GPA Exclusions (West) School Summer Courses Part Time Courses Graduate Courses UBC No for year of application Yes Yes Yes for previous years Calgary No No Graduate GPA = one year of undergrad GPA Incomplete graduate program NOT counted Alberta No No Yes for full time graduate studies No for part time graduate studies Saskatchewan Saskatchewan residents: No Non Saskatchewan residents: Yes Saskatchewan residents: No Non Saskatchewan residents: Yes Manitoba Yes Yes No Saskatchewan residents: No Non Saskatchewan residents: Yes 35

GPA Exclusions (Central) School Summer Courses Part Time Courses Graduate Courses Western No No No McMaster Yes Yes No U of T No No Yes Ottawa No No No Queen s Yes for cumulative GPA No for GPA in 2 most recent years Yes for cumulative GPA No for GPA in 2 most recent years Northern Yes Yes Graduate degree adds 0.2 if undergraduate GPA is >cutoff of 3.0/4 No 36

GPA Exclusions (East) School Summer Courses Part Time Courses Graduate Courses McGill Yes ( not looked upon Yes ( not looked upon No favorably ) favorably ) Dalhousie No No Graduate GPA = one year of undergrad GPA Memorial Yes Yes Yes 37

GPA Cutoffs (West) Medical School GPA Cutoffs UBC 75% for BC residents 80% for non BC residents Calgary 3.2/4 for Alberta residents 3.6/4 for non Alberta residents 4 or more years of post secondary study: 3.3/4 for Alberta residents; 3.5/4 Alberta for non Alberta residents 2 3 years of post secondary study: 3.7/4 for all applicants. Saskatchewan 78% for best two full time years for Saskatchewan residents 83% overall for non Saskatchewan residents Manitoba 3.3/4 38

GPA Cutoffs (Central) Medical School GPA Cutoffs McMaster 3.0/4 U of T 3.6/4 for undergraduate students 3.0/4 for graduate students Ottawa Varies each year for each applicant category Queen s None Northern 3.0/4 39

GPA Cutoffs (East) Medical School McGill Dalhousie Memorial GPA Cutoffs GPAs below 3.2/4 for Quebec residents or 3.5/4 for non Quebec residents rarely considered 3.3/4 or higher in each year of study for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI applicants 3.7/4 or higher in each year of study for other applicants None 40

Average GPAs of 1 st year Class (West) Medical School UBC Calgary Alberta Saskatchewan Average GPA 87% (A) 3.7/4 (A ) 4 years = 3.87/4 (high A ) 2 3 years = 3.97/4 (A+) 90% (A+) Manitoba 4.2/4.5 (A to A) 41

Average GPAs of 1 st year Class (Central) Medical School Average GPA Western University Not Disclosed [Minimum = 3.7/4 (A )] McMaster University 3.75/4 (A to A) University of Toronto 3.88/4 (A) University of Ottawa 3.9/4 (A) Queen s University 3.7/4 (A ) Northern Ontario 3.72/4 (A ) 42

Average GPAs of 1 st year Class (East) Medical School Average GPA McGill University 3.8/4 (high A ) Dalhousie University 3.8/4 (A to A) Memorial University 3.7/4 (A ) 43

Choosing your major 44

Prerequisite Courses (West) School Required Courses Recommended Courses UBC English, Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry Behavioral Sciences, Biometrics, Statistics, Physics Calgary None Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physiology, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Calculus, Statistics Alberta Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, None Biology, Physics, English, Statistics, Biochemistry Saskatchewan Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, None Biochemistry, Humanities/Social Sciences, Manitoba Biochemistry None 45

Prerequisite Courses (Central) School Required Courses Recommended Courses Western None None McMaster None None Toronto Ottawa One of Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages Two Life Sciences courses One of Biology/Zoology One of Humanities/Social Sciences Two of Biochemistry/Chemistry/Organic Chemistry Statistics, two courses that require expository writing None Queen s None None Northern Ontario None Science Majors: 2 full course equivalents in Arts, Social Sciences and/or Humanities Non Science Majors: 2 full course equivalents in Science 46

Prerequisite Courses (East) School Required Courses Recommended Courses McGill Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Statistics Dalhousie None 2 3 upper year Science courses Memorial English None 47

Choosing your courses Challenge yourself but be strategic Take full course load Take basic Science courses Take killer courses in summer Show academic progression Offset low marks in Science courses Don t be a premed drone! Maintain high GPA! 48

Recommended Courses Highly Recommended Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics Recommended Biochemistry, electives that emphasize critical thinking and critical reading Bonus Statistics, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Human Physiology 49

MCAT 50

MCAT Basics What is it? Why does it exist? Why does it matter? 51

Format Passage Based Computerized Multiple Choice 52

What does the MCAT test? Scientific Knowledge Critical Thinking Problem Solving Interdisciplinary Thinking Reading Comprehension Time Management Mental Stamina Composure The MCAT is primarily a THINKING SKILLS test, not a Science test! 53

Current MCAT 3 Scored Sections Physical Sciences (Physics & Chemistry) Verbal Reasoning (Critical Reading) Biological Sciences (Biology & Organic Chemistry) No Writing Sample section as of January 2013! 54

Test Day Schedule Section Questions Question Style Scoring Time Test Center Check In Tutorial (optional) Examinee Agreement Physical Sciences 52 Break (optional) 39 passage based (7 passages) + 13 stand alone 1 15 Varies 10 minutes 10 minutes 70 minutes [81 seconds per question] 10 minutes Verbal Reasoning 40 40 passage based (7 passages) 1 15 60 minutes [90 seconds per question] Break (optional) Biological Sciences 52 39 passage based (7 passages) + 13 stand alone 10 minutes Void Question 5 minutes Break (optional) 10 minutes Trial Section (optional) 32 45 Minutes Unscored Survey (optional) 10 5 minutes Total Content 4 hours 5 minutes Scored Scored 3 hours 20 minutes Total Seated 5 hours 10 minutes 55 1 15 70 minutes [81 seconds per question]

MCAT 2015 : Δ Structure Current MCAT MCAT 2015 Section Questions Minutes Passages Section Questions Minutes Passages Physical Sciences 52 70 7 Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems 67 95 9 10 Verbal Reasoning 40 60 7 Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills 60 90 9 10 Biological Sciences 52 70 7 Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems 67 95 9 10 Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior 67 95 9 10 3 144 3h 20m 21 4 261 6h 15m 36 40 56

MCAT 2015 : Δ Topics Current MCAT MCAT 2015 Section Topics Section Topics Physical Sciences Biological Sciences Verbal Reasoning General Chemistry Physics Biology Organic Chemistry Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems None Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior Biology Biochemistry Organic Chemistry General Chemistry General Chemistry Biochemistry Physics Organic Chemistry Biology Psychology Sociology Biology Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills None 57

MCAT 2015 : Δ Value of Topics Current MCAT MCAT 2015 Topic Questions Value Topic Questions Value VR 40 33% CARS 60 25% Biology 40 25% Biology 52 20% General Chemistry 26 16% Psychology 40 15% Physics 26 16% Biochemistry 33 12% Organic Chemistry 12 8% General Chemistry 25 9% Sociology 20 7% Physics 17 6% Organic Chemistry 14 5% 58

How is the MCAT Scored? questions weighted equally no penalty for guessing random order of difficulty some questions don t count 59

4 Scores Raw (# correct) Scaled (1 15) Percentile Total Score (3 45) 60

Raw Score Scaled Score 61

What s a good score? Competitive = 30 (balanced) 62

How are MCAT Scores used in the admissions process? Cut Off Flag MCAT Direct Criteria Tie Breaker 63

Use of MCAT Scores in Admissions (West) Medical School UBC Calgary Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Use of MCAT Score Minimum for consideration (7 in each section and Direct Criteria) Direct Criteria (VR only) Minimum for consideration (7 in each section) and Direct Criteria Minimum for consideration (30) and Direct Criteria for out ofprovince applicants Minimum for consideration (7 in each section) and Direct Criteria 64

Use of MCAT Scores in Admissions (Central) Medical School Western McMaster U of T Ottawa Queen s Northern Use of MCAT Score Minimum for consideration (9 PS, 11 VR, 10 BS) and Direct Criteria Minimum for consideration (6 in VR) and Direct Criteria (VR only) Minimum for consideration (9 in each section) and Direct Criteria MCAT Not Required Minimum for consideration (varies each year) and Direct Criteria MCAT Not Required 65

Use of MCAT Scores in Admissions (East) Medical School McGill Dalhousie Memorial Use of MCAT Score Minimum for consideration (30) for applicants requiring MCAT Maritime residents: Minimum for consideration (8 in each section although one 7 permitted if offset by a 9) Non Maritime residents: Minimum for consideration (10 in each section although one 9 permitted if offset by a 11) Direct Criteria 66

Median MCAT scores of 1 st year classes of medical students (West) Medical School UBC Calgary Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Median MCAT Scores 11.55 BS, 9.75 VR, 11.2 PS 11.6 BS, 9.8 VR, 10.5 PS 11 BS, 10 VR, 11 PS Not Disclosed 11.3 in each section 67

Median MCAT scores of 1 st year classes of medical students (Central) Medical School Western McMaster U of T Ottawa Queen s Northern Median MCAT Scores Minimum 10 BS, 11 VR, 9 PS 10.55 VR 11.58 BS, 9.59 VR, 11.37 PS MCAT Not Required Not Disclosed MCAT Not Required 68

Median MCAT scores of 1 st year classes of medical students (East) Medical School Median MCAT Scores McGill 11.76 BS, 9.95 VR, 11.39 PS in streams that require MCAT Dalhousie 30 Memorial 10 in each section 69

When should you write the MCAT? Summer after 2 nd year best? Summer after 3 rd year good? Summer after 4 th year late? 70

When should you write the MCAT? 71

How do you prepare for the MCAT? Ignore self defeating myths! 72

Which courses help prepare for the MCAT? Today MCAT 2015 Biology (2 semesters) Biochemistry (1 semester) General Chemistry (2 semesters) Biology (2 semesters) Organic Chemistry (2 semesters) General Chemistry (2 semesters) Highly Recommended Physics (2 semesters) Organic Chemistry (2 semesters) Physics (2 semesters) Psychology (1 semester) Recommended Electives that emphasize critical thinking and critical reading Sociology (1 semester) Lab component in two or more Science courses Electives that emphasize critical thinking and critical reading Bonus Molecular Biology Genetics Research Methodologies Statistics Molecular Biology Genetics 73

Should you take a Prep Course? Self Discipline Scored >27 on practice MCAT Equally proficient in all 3 Sections No 74

If you go it alone: Approach like a full time job No shortcuts or magic tricks DELIBERATE practice, practice, practice Buy MCAT Study Guides from prep companies Do full length practice tests under test conditions Use official AAMC practice tests Conductpost mortems on practice tests Join Pre Med Online Forums (but watch out for trolls!) 75

Why take a Prep Course? Structure Proven Methods Focus Motivation Feedback Help from Expert Instructors Teamwork 76

What should you look for in a Prep Course? Top quality instructors Comprehensive study materials Well designed course Class schedule that works for you 77

What s unique about Prep101 s MCAT Prep Course? Most Comprehensive Flexible Schedule Focus on Problem Solving Expert Instructors Best Value 78

Most Comprehensive 108 hours of Classroom Instruction Biology Chemistry Organic Chemistry Physics Verbal Reasoning 10 Lessons 2 Workshops 10 Lessons 2 Workshops 4 Lessons 4 Workshops 8 Lessons 2 Workshops 3 Lessons 5 Workshops 79

Flexible Schedule Each class offered twice once on a weeknight and again on the weekend. Pick one or go to both. It s your call. 80

Focus on Problem Solving Classroom At Home 32 In Class Exams 15 Workshops 8 full length computerized AAMC MCATs Home Study Kit (>5,000 practice questions) 81

Expert Instructors Most are medical students who scored >90 th percentile on MCAT Hired by panels of students at competitive audition Education, teaching experience, and evaluation scores posted on website 82

Best Value Price per hour of classroom instruction Prep101 ($1695) $16/hour Princeton Review ($1949) $19/hour Kaplan ($1699) $37/hour 83

Extracurricular Activities 84

Extracurricular Activities Clinical Experience Research Volunteering/Community Service Teaching Work Scholarships and Awards 85

Clinical Experience 86

Research 87

Volunteering/Community Service 88

Teaching 89

Work 90

Scholarships and Awards 91

Other 92

Extracurricular Activities Advice Do it for the right reasons Duration matters Stand Out! Seek leadership roles Address weaknesses Mix medical and nonmedical Expand cultural horizons Don t overdo it 93

Application 94

Application Deadlines and Fees (West) Medical School Deadline Fees UBC August 15 $109 for BC residents $161 for non BC residents Calgary October 15 $150 Alberta November 1 $75 for U of A students $115 for non U of A students Saskatchewan November 1 $125 Manitoba October 5 $95 if submitted before September 21 $125 if submitted after September 21 95

Application Deadlines and Fees (Central) Medical School Deadline Fees Western October 1 $210 to OMSAS + $85 to Western McMaster October 1 $210 to OMSAS + $105 to McMaster U of T October 1 $210 to OMSAS + $85 to U of T Ottawa October 1 $210 to OMSAS + $75 to U of O Queen s October 1 $210 to OMSAS + $75 to Queen s Northern October 1 $210 to OMSAS + $75 to Northern Ontario 96

Application Deadlines and Fees (East) Medical School Deadline Fees McGill November 1 $140 Dalhousie Step 1 August 15 $150 Step 2 September 7 Memorial September 17 $225 97

Primary Application Transcripts MCAT Score Autobiographical Sketch Personal Essay Reference Letters 98

Autobiographical Sketch (OMSAS) Formal Education Employment Volunteer Activities Extracurricular Activities Awards and Accomplishments Research Other Need verifiers for Ontario Medical Schools 99

Personal Essay Your personal sales pitch Purpose is to get an interview Make it truly personal Weave a story Answer two core questions Don t forget the interview connection 100

Letters of Reference Who to ask? How to ask? When to ask? 101

Secondary Applications 102

CASPer (McMaster) Computer based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics 103

Interview 104

Criteria for Interview (West) Medical School UBC Calgary Criteria for Interview Academic Average Score, Non Academic Qualities Score GPA (20%), MCAT VR Score (10%), Global Assessment of Academic Merit (10%), Evidence of Specified Non Cognitive Attributes (60%) Alberta GPA (30%), MCAT Score (20%), Personal Activities Section (25%) Saskatchewan GPA, MCAT Score Manitoba (27.3% GPA + 72.7% MCAT) x (rurality co efficient if >0) x (academic coefficient if >0) 105

Criteria for Interview (Central) Medical School Western McMaster U of T Ottawa Queen s Northern Criteria for Interview GPA, MCAT Score 32% GPA, 32% MCAT VR Score, 32% CASPer Score, (up to) 4% for graduate degree 60% Academic (GPA, MCAT), 40% Non Academic (Autobiographical Sketch, Personal Essays, Reference Letters) GPA, Autobiographical Sketch GPA, MCAT Score, Autobiographical Sketch GPA, Admissions Questionnaire 106

Criteria for Interview (East) Medical School Criteria for Interview McGill Academic (70%), Personal Statement (20%), CV (10%) Dalhousie GPA, MCAT Score, Supplementary Information, Personal Essay Memorial GPA, MCAT Score, Personal Qualities, Reference Letters 107

Interview Prospects for Applicants (West) Medical School Applicants Interviews %age Interviewed UBC 1,736 698 40% Calgary 1,728 644 37% Alberta 1,324 474 36% Saskatchewan 937 354 38% Manitoba 874 306 35% 108

Interview Prospects for Applicants (Central) Medical School Applicants Interviews %age Interviewed Western 2,317 412 18% McMaster 4,210 547 13% Uof T 3,052 576 19% Ottawa 3,669 540 15% Queen s 3,359 ~ 500 ~ 15% Northern 1,932 390 20% 109

Interview Prospects for Applicants (East) Medical School Applicants Interviews %age Interviewed McGill 1,619 285 18% Dalhousie 656 ~ 360 ~55% Memorial 700 238 34% 110

Interview Formats MMI Panel One on One Skype 111

Interview Formats (West) Medical School Dates Format UBC February Multiple Mini Interview Calgary February March Multiple Mini Interview Alberta March Multiple Mini Interview Saskatchewan March Multiple Mini Interview Manitoba February March Multiple Mini Interview 112

Interview Formats (Central) Medical School Dates Format Western March April Panel McMaster March April Multiple Mini Interview U of T February April Panel Ottawa February March Panel Queen s March Multiple Mini Interview Northern March April Multiple Mini Interview 113

Interview Formats (East) Medical School Dates Format McGill February Multiple Mini Interview Dalhousie November Multiple Mini Interview Memorial November December Panel 114

What are interviewers looking for? Do you have a commitment to and understanding of a career in medicine? Do you what it takes to make it through medical school, residency training, and medical practice? Are you intellectually curious? Are you a good communicator and culturally competent? Are you confident but humble? Do you recognize your faults and admit when you are wrong? Are youa goodfit withthis medical school? What will you contribute to the medical school community? Have you overcome significant hardship or adversity? Is everything consistent? Any red flags? 115

Common Interview question types General Tell us about yourself? Why do you want to study medicine? Philosophical Is it ethical for doctors to strike? Academic What is your favorite subject in your present area of study? Extracurricular Tells us how you have demonstrated leadership skills? 116

Common Interview question types Maturity What was the most stressful event in your life? How did you handle it? Dilemma A 68 year old married woman has a newly discovered cancer. Her life expectancy is 6 months. How will you inform her? Personal What is your proudest accomplishment? Commitment What will you do if you aren t accepted to medical school? 117

Interview Advice Review all your Application materials Do your research Make good first impression Give complete but concise answers Be yourself! Steer conversation to your strengths Address red flags Keep it conversational Make interviewer s job easy Engage interviewer Expect the unexpected Make good last impression 118

What happens after your interview? Written Summary Oral Summary to Committee 119

Admission Prospects for Interviewees (West) Medical School Applicants Interviews Accepted Applicants Accepted Interviewees Accepted UBC 1,736 698 288 17% 41% Calgary 1,728 644 170 10% 26% Alberta 1,324 474 167 13% 35% Saskatchewan 937 354 100 11% 28% Manitoba 874 306 110 11% 36% 120

Admission Prospects for Interviewees (Central) Medical School Applicants Interviews Accepted Applicants Accepted Interviewees Accepted Western 2,317 412 171 7% 42% McMaster 4,210 547 203 5% 37% U of T 3,052 576 259 8% 45% Ottawa 3,669 540 156 4% 29% Queen s 3,359 ~500 100 3% ~20% Northern 1,932 390 64 3% 16% 121

Admission Prospects for Interviewees (East) Medical School Applicants Interviews Accepted Applicants Accepted Interviewees Accepted McGill 1, 619 285 114 7% 40% Dalhousie 656 ~360 112 17% ~ 31% Memorial 700 238 80 12% 34% 122

My Story 123

Results 124

Criteria for Admission (West) School Decision Date Criteria for Admission UBC May 14 Full File Review Calgary May 15 Pre Interview File Review (50%), Interview (50%) Alberta May 15 GPA (30%), Interview (25%), MCAT (20%), Personal Activities Section (25%), Saskatchew an May 14 31 Saskatchewan residents: Interview (65%), Academics (35%) Non Saskatchewan residents: : Interview (100%) Manitoba May 15 (15% GPA + 40% MCAT+ 45% Interview) x (rurality co efficient if >0) x (academic co efficient if >0) 125

Criteria for Admission (Central) School Decision Date Criteria for Admission Western May 15 Interview (50%), GPA (25%), MCAT (25%) McMaster May 15 Interview (70%), GPA (15%), MCAT VR (15%) U of T May 15 Academics (60%), Interview (20%), Other (20%) Ottawa May 15 Interview (50%), GPA (50%) Queen s May 15 Interview (no longer100% but still heavily weighted), GPA, MCAT, Autobiographical Sketch Northern Ontario May 15 Pre Interview, Interview 126

Criteria for Admission (East) School Decision Date Criteria for Admission McGill Varies Interview (80%), Basic Science Performance(20%) Dalhousie March Interview (40%), GPA (15%), MCAT (10%), Personal Statement (10%), Sketch (20%) Memorial April May for Full File Review Newfoundlanders February March for others 127

Three Possible Outcomes Accepted Rejected Waitlisted 128

Coping with being waitlisted 129

Coping with rejection Common reasons for rejection Low GPA Low MCAT Score Lack of clinical experience Poor Interview Applied to wrong medical schools Recovery Program Contact schools that rejected you to find out why Conduct thorough self analysis Develop plan of action that specifically addresses your weaknesses Explain how you ve strengthened your candidacy when you reapply 130

Have a backup plan! American Medical Schools International Medical Schools Other Health Care Professions Something completely different! 131

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