Tips If Considering Medical School

If you’re thinking about medical school, keep the following in mind:

Requirements:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree OR enrolment in the second year (or higher) of an undergraduate program.
• A GPA score above the institution’s cut-off point is STRONGLY recommended; this varies by school, but is typically above 80%.
• If required, completion of the MCAT, Medical College Application Test. The MCAT is a standardized exam that covers physical and biological sciences, verbal reasoning and a writing sample. Upon completion of the MCAT you must provide permission to release the results to OMSAS (Ontario Medical School Application Service).

The Application Process:

• Visit the OMSAS site to get up-to-date information on application forms, deadlines and what faculties are looking for. (If you are applying outside of Ontario you must contact each school individually to get the application forms, requirements and deadlines).
• Your transcripts must be sent to OMSAS from whichever postsecondary school(s) you have attended. Contact the Registrar’s Office for details regarding fees, and timing.
• A personal statement will likely be required in your application. It is used to determine your suitability for the particular medical program. It is imperative to prepare this in advance as you need to demonstrate what you can offer the medical school, and medical community.
• Be prepared to provide three professional references with whom you have had significant interactions that can vouch for your character from an objective standpoint.
• Each school will select a small number of applicants to interview in late winter or early spring. These provide the opportunity to convince the selection committee of your suitability for medical school.

Program Information:

• Although the lengths vary by institution, the MD programs are typically three or four years in length. This time is a combination of class time and actual working rotations in the hospital.
• Once you have completed your degree you will be a doctor, but your training continues. During your MD you will apply for a residency program and begin to work in a teaching hospital for two to seven years depending on your specialty.

Hints:

• On average fewer than 5% of applicants are accepted! Therefore, maintaining a high GPA throughout university is essential to be seriously considered.
• It is important to keep in mind that the undergraduate program taken has little effect on the possibility of admission. As long as the prerequisites are taken, any program may be taken! It is best to make sure it is one that is enjoyable and will allow the prerequisites to be taken.
• Just as important as grades is your personal statement. Who you are and what you have been involved in is very important to each school. Some schools ask for personal essays, some give you paragraph questions to answer and some interview. If you want to become a doctor, make sure you are building your portfolio of experiences to help you stand out from other students!

*Note: Career Services can help with the review and/or editing of personal statements for medical school applications. Once your personal statement is written, you may book your appointment with a Career Consultant using mySuccess, accessible via Carleton Central.

Helpful Links:

• Kaplan MCAT Prep: 1 800 527 8378 www.kaplan.com
• Oxford Seminars: 1 800 269 6719 www.oxfordseminars.com
• Princeton Review: 1 888 500 PREP www.princetonreview.com
• OMSAS: http://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/
• MCAT: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/

Alternatives to Medical School

Many of the aspects that draw people to practice medicine, such as the ability to help people, job security and good salaries, are also present in a variety of other professions and occupations.

The following is a list of some possible alternatives to medical school within the health field.