What are my chances for Canadian medical school ?? -URGENT

[Eternalstudent]

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Hey guys, I've gotten my final marks for this year and I'm doing alot better than I thought. I was wondering whether or not I have a chance in 9 hells to get into a Canadian med school.

my GPA last year sucked aka 3.33 with an average of about 79 and I planned on going to med school in Poland since I have Polish background and speak the language. This year my average is 83.7% with a GPA of 3.72 and because of this, I'm on the Deans honour list this year.

Since my grades last year were less than stellar, I never planned on Canadian med school and consequently I have never written the MCAT. I'm confident in my ability to do well on this exam but I'd rather not waste the money if I have no chance in hell to get in here

I don't have much volunteering or research expierience either and I sucked my first few years at university (to the point of failing chemistry my first year, which I'm told leaves a permanent black mark) getting averages in the 70's.

Though to my credit my average has been better every subsequent year so there is an upwards trend. I have also lived for 6 years in Europe which I'm told is seen as a positive thing for the admission comittee since and it has made me more culturaly aware ect but I wouldn't know how to sell it

So in short GPA for the last two years 3.33 and 3.72 upwards trend in the transcript but no volunteering/research what are my chances. I have to decide soon cause I'd have to pass MCAT and apply before september for the 2010 entry. I already have a few schools lined up in Poland but naturally I'd rather continue my education in Canada

[med etudiant]

Write the MCAT. Whats your cGPA and sGPA?

[Eternalstudent]

How does one calculate sGPA?

Anyways

1st year - 2.36 69.9 avg + failed chemistry
2nd year - 2.63 70.3 avg
3rd year - 2.95 74.7 avg
4th year - 3.33 78.8 avg
5th year - 3.72 83.7 avg deans honour list

cummulative 2.998 I'm rounding this up to 3.0 avg = 75.68

I've also taken many many hard courses and no bird courses. I have advanced courses in nearly every department of the medical sciences and they are what bring me my 80's. things like statistics, math, physics and organic chem are what bring my gpa and marks down

I have also put the 5th extra year required to good use since I'm graduating with an honours specialization (Biology) and additionally a major in medical science. Alot of people take an extra year at my university but not everybody manages both an honours specialization and a major since you really have to take alot of courses and can't take any fillers if you want to achieve this.

I realize my stats aren't too hot but I have been doing alot better especially the last two years which is what they look at in Canada. If I have no chances feel free to tell me I already have schools lined up and although I'd rather become an MD in canada I'm already glad to have this privilege and opportunity elsewhere. Medicince really is a passion for me

[swimchick]

sGPA is your science GPA a.k.a the "BCPM" GPA on AMCAS (the American med school app service). It's the GPA of your biology, chemistry, physics and math classes.

I'm not familiar with the nature of Canadian medical school admission, except for the fact it's crazy competitive. Upward trends in your GPA are good, but your MCAT score will also be important. As a backup, you might want to take a look at SGU in the Carib or the Polish schools you mentioned.

[Eternalstudent]

Canada is uber competitive. my own university has 2500 applicants per year and only 150 or so spots. that's roughly 15-20 applicant/position
My science GPA will be close to those GPA's most of my courses are in science I took some German in first year, and a mandatory psychology course also, but other than that I've been rocking on with medical science courses. Apparently that counts for nothing in Canada they theoretically want "well rounded" applicants and every now and then they'll take a token B.A. person as if to emphasize that they don't care what you actually know

As for the pre med bio chem and math and orgo

I got like 65 in physics, 89 in bio, 67 chem second try, 62 orgo I, and 78 orgo II the orgo II was in my 4th year so I had gotten my act together mostly

Any feed back from Canadian premeds ?? I'm wondering what to do with these stats. Part of my brain is going you'll waste 300$ applying and taking the MCAT and will still not get in anywhere. I can just Imagine all those people with 3.9 cGPA's crazy volunteering ad top MCAT's......

[canadianforlife]

Hey buddy, to be honest with you I don't think you have a chance at Canadian Med Schools. Unless you miraculously get a 40 on the m-cat. Anyways, I would try the Carribean, Irealand, England, and maybe Private US schools? Unless someone can correct me on what i have said. Dont give up though, you show tremendous upward trend congratulations

[swimchick]

Originally Posted by canadianforlife

Hey buddy, to be honest with you I don't think you have a chance at Canadian Med Schools. Unless you miraculously get a 40 on the m-cat. Anyways, I would try the Carribean, Irealand, England, and maybe Private US schools? Unless someone can correct me on what i have said. Dont give up though, you show tremendous upward trend congratulations

Private US schools aren't necessarily easier...unless you're a minority/a minority applying to schools like Meharry.

Depending on how your MCAT goes, you might consider trying a couple of US schools...but I wouldn't bank too much on it.

[FOID]

most or probably all us med schools are competitive.

[olek]

Although your grades are not bad, they alone are not good enough to get you into Canadian med school. If you're planning to get into Canadian med school, I'd suggest to get at least 2 years of worthy clinical experience and aim for 35 or above on the MCAT.

GL