Applying to Medical School and other Health Care Professional Schools

Introductions

Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will:1. Gain an understanding of the process of applying to

a professional school.2. Gain an understanding of required elements for a

professional school application, as well as elements that will make their application more competitive.

What is a Professional School?

Professions requiring extra training:MedicineDentistryNursingPharmacyPhysiotherapy/Occupational TherapyRadiation SciencesMany more!

Great… I think I know what I want to do.How do I get there?

Required courses + GPA

Many professional schools have requirementsResearch requirements early onMany schools have cutoffs for GPAs (3.8/4.0 is competitive)GPA converter: http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/omsas/c_omsas_b.pdf

Is there a required lab course? Are there social sciences/ humanities requirements?

3 - Brock, Guelph, Ottawa, Queen’s, Toronto, Waterloo, Western

7 - Carleton, McMaster, Ryerson, Wilfrid Laurier, Windsor

GPA converter: http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/omsas/c_omsas_b.pdf

Application

Contents: Vary by schoolMost often consist of Personal Statement, CV, Transcript, Letters of Recommendation, Professional School Standardized Test

Different deadlines depending on the schoolMedicine: October 10, 2010Physical Therapy/ Occupational Therapy/Speech Language Pathology: January 7, 2011Dentistry: December 1Pharmacy:December 20, 2010Nursing: Varies by school and type of program

Letters of Recommendation

Required for most applications including: medicine, dentistry, PT, OTSomeone who knows you and can speak highly of youConsider different types of people

ProfessorsSummer Research SupervisorsVolunteer CoordinatorsCommunity leadersYouth group leaders

Letters or Recommendation continued…

When should you ask for them?The earlier the better!Multiple copies all at once for your different applicationsAccompany all “asks” with a Resume/CV, statement of interest, photocopy of your transcript and a brief description of your program

What should they contain?How long someone has known youIn what capacityThings that make you uniqueYour motivationQualities about you (versatility, detail-oriented, team player etc)

Don’t forget to say Thank You!

Your referees are busy peopleSend them a Thank You note to show you appreciate their effort in helping with your application

Admissions Tests

Some Professional Schools require specific admissions testOffered at different points in the yearDifferent tests:Medicine: MCATDentistry: DATPharmacy: PCAT

Admissions Tests continued…

Register online and early to ensure you have a spotPreparationSelf-preparationKaplan, Princeton Review other coursesStudy groupsOnline resources

Useful Websites: ProgramsMedicine:

http://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/

Dentistry: http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2010/pg553.htmlhttp://www.utoronto.ca/dentistry/admissions/

undergraduateacademic.html

Pharmacy:http://pharmacy.uwaterloo.ca/http://www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/Page4.aspx

Nursing:http://www.cna-aiic.ca/nursingpgms/public_browse.asp

Useful Websites: Admissions Tests

MCAT:https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/46412/mca20

DAT:http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/dental_profession/dat/index.asp

PCAT:http://www.pearsonassessments.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/

site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm

Case Study: Medicine

Jason wants to go to medical school What specific things should he consider in first year to present himself as the best possible candidate when he applies to medical school?

Application Process

Marks: What Can I do Today?

Get high marks! (even in first year)

• Try to balance education• Grades, not courses are important• Majors are not important

Volunteer/Work: What Can I do Today?Cascading Mentorship is just the first stepDo something you enjoy Don’t start two weeks before applyingThe application is extensive (48 item sketch!) Keep in touch with guidance counsellors/supervisors since they will be great verifiersResearch important to some schools Reflect early and often

MCAT: What Can I do Today?

At least “10” required in all sectionsVerbal Reasoning - tough for science studentsDo a lot of reading (New Yorker, literature, philosophy books)Practice exams – learn to write the testPrep courses

Written Application: What Can I do Today?

Read Canadian medical journals like the CMAJ KNOW CANMEDS!Access the online application this summer!References - keep in touch

Interview: What Can I do Today?

KNOW CANMEDS!Become a great public speakerTalk to family and friendsWatch movies or TEDTalksLearn about the health care system Learn about medical ethics, and ethics in general

Conclusions

Professional schools application requirements:GPAStandardized test (MCAT, PCAT, DAT, OAT)Extra-curricular activitiesOften an interview is required

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