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: Medicine Dentistry Nursing Pharmacy Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy Radiation Sciences Many more!

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

Required courses + GPA Many professional schools have requirements Research requirements early on Many schools have cutoffs for GPAs (3.8/4.0 is competitive) GPA converter: 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:

Application Contents: Vary by school Most often consist of Personal Statement, CV, Transcript, Letters of Recommendation, Professional School Standardized Test Different deadlines depending on the school Medicine: October 10, 2010 Physical Therapy/ Occupational Therapy/Speech Language Pathology: January 7, 2011 Dentistry: December 1 Pharmacy:December 20, 2010 Nursing: Varies by school and type of program

Letters of Recommendation Required for most applications including: medicine, dentistry, PT, OT Someone who knows you and can speak highly of you Consider different types of people Professors Summer Research Supervisors Volunteer Coordinators Community leaders Youth group leaders

Letters or Recommendation continued… When should you ask for them? The earlier the better! Multiple copies all at once for your different applications Accompany 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 you In what capacity Things that make you unique Your motivation Qualities about you (versatility, detail-oriented, team player etc)

Don’t forget to say Thank You! Your referees are busy people Send them a Thank You note to show you appreciate their effort in helping with your application

Admissions Tests Some Professional Schools require specific admissions test Offered at different points in the year Different tests: Medicine: MCAT Dentistry: DAT Pharmacy: PCAT

Admissions Tests continued… Register online and early to ensure you have a spot Preparation Self-preparation Kaplan, Princeton Review other courses Study groups Online resources

Useful Websites: Programs Medicine: Dentistry: tml Pharmacy: Nursing:

Useful Websites: Admissions Tests MCAT: DAT: PCAT: 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 Years I-IV Volunteer/ Work Years I-IV MCAT Year II Written Application Year III or IV Interview Year III or IV

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 step Do something you enjoy Don’t start two weeks before applying The application is extensive (48 item sketch!) Keep in touch with guidance counsellors/supervisors since they will be great verifiers Research important to some schools Reflect early and often

MCAT: What Can I do Today? At least “10” required in all sections Verbal Reasoning - tough for science students Do a lot of reading (New Yorker, literature, philosophy books) Practice exams – learn to write the test Prep 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 speaker Talk to family and friends Watch movies or TEDTalks Learn about the health care system Learn about medical ethics, and ethics in general

Conclusions Professional schools application requirements: GPA Standardized test (MCAT, PCAT, DAT, OAT) Extra-curricular activities Often an interview is required GOOD LUCK!

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