Summer Strategy Session

1. Summer Strategy Session Pre-Medical Society 2008-2009

2. Ontario Applications • http://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/index.html • Ontario Medical Schools: • Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University) • Northern Ontario School of Medicine  • University of Ottawa • Queen's University • University of Toronto • Schulich School of Medicine (The University of Western Ontario)

3. Applications: Important Dates • Mid-July, 2008 COMPASS.OMSAS online application available. • September 15, 2008 (4:30 p.m. EDT) Deadline to register for/create an account for the COMPASS.OMSAS online application. Applicants must create their own personal account, and must not take over accounts created by someone else. Please note: Applicants who obtain accounts after the September 15 deadline will be disqualified. Applicants must not share their login information with anyone.

4. Applications: Important Dates • October 1, 2008 (4:30 p.m. EDT) Last day to submit applications. There are no exceptions. • October 6, 2008 All cheques, money orders and electronic payments must be received by this date. • October 15, 2008 Applicants must release their MCAT scores to OMSAS by this date. Please note: Applicants must re-release their MCAT scores for each new application cycle. Applicants who have written the July, August or September 2008 MCAT must wait until after their scores are made available before requesting their release to OMSAS.

5. Ontario Applications: Fees • Application Fees: • One school $285 • Two schools$360 • Three schools$435 • Four schools$510 • Five schools$585 • Six schools$660

6. The Application • Personal Info/Address/School Choices • Autobiographical Sketch (the “48” things) • F: Formal Education (name of institution, dates, program, • degree); • E: Employment; • V: Volunteer Activities; • X: Extracurricular activities; • A: Awards and Accomplishments; • R: Research; and • O: Other.

7. The Application • Applicant activities from age 16 • Quality over quantity • VERIFIERS!!! START NOW!!! • 3 Referees • MCAT released to OMSAS • Undergraduate Academic Record • Transcripts • CPR C

8. Ontario Applications • For detailed information on each school read OMSAS 2009 Instruction Booklet • Start working on this as soon as possible!

9. MCAT • http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm • Registration is now open for May-September 2009 test dates • Cost: $225 US • Full length practice tests - $35/test • Sample writing prompts • Reschedule / Cancellation

10. MCAT Cont’d • 4 sections: • Physical Science – 52 Q’s, 70 minutes • Verbal Reasoning – 40 Q’s, 60 minutes • Writing Sample – 2, 30 minutes each • Biological Sciences – 52 Q’s, 70 minutes • 10 minute optional breaks

11. MCAT Cont’d • Which Ontario Medical Schools require the MCAT? • Western • Queen’s • Toronto

12. MCAT Cont’d • What other professional schools look at the MCAT? • Allopathic • Osteopathic • Podiatric • Veterinary Medicine • Read MCAT Essentials for more details

13. MCAT Prep Course • UWO Pre-Med Members receive discounts with Princeton Review and KAPLAN • In-class sessions, online material, practice exams, writing sample feedback • See Chapters website for additional resources • Find study material that works best for YOU • Talk to people who have already taken test

14. MCAT + Summer Job? • Many students ask “If I am writing the MCAT this summer, should I not work?” • This is a question only you can decide. Know your study habits, do your research and know your financial situation! • The MCAT now has over 20 test dates each year. You can write 3 times in one year.

15. American Medical Schools • http://www.aamc.org/audienceamcas.htm • You can now begin your 2009 application • 126 schools • Most schools require an English credit • Find comprehensive data about medical school applicants, matriculants, and graduates. • For most schools, the AMCAS is just the first application. Once you have finished this application you may be able to access each school’s secondary application

16. American Medical Schools • AMCAS charges an application processing fee of $160 for one (1) medical school designation, and $30 for each designation thereafter. • Most schools have fees for their secondary applications • Early Decision Program: The Early Decision Program (EDP) allows applicants to secure an acceptance from one EDP-participating medical school by October 1 while allowing sufficient time to apply to other schools if not accepted. • Deadline to apply to the EDP is August 1 • http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/amcas2009instructionmanual072808.pdf (instruction manual)

20. Outside Ontario • University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry • University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine • University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine • Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine • Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine • Faculty of Medicine Université Laval • McGill University Faculty of Medicine • Universite de Montreal Faculty of Medicine • Universite de Sherbrooke Faculty of Medicine • University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine • University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine

21. Outside Ontario • The other Canadian schools have different applications times and different application processes (e.i. no OMSAS) • Many of them require an English credit (this is not the case for most Ontario schools) • MCAT: some of these schools may not be a part of the AMCAS therefore you must specify that you want your results released to each school • There are only a very small number of out of province (OOP) students accepted

22. Example:UBC • Application opens June 1, 2009 • Application deadline September 1, 2009 • If invited to an interview, a supplemental application form is required • 2008/2009 application cycle, only 49 out of province (OOP) students were invited for an interview • Up to 12 seats are reserved for OOP students • Application fee for OOP: $155 +$30 for transcript

23. Summer Volunteering • Summer is a great time to get involved in reoccurring volunteer positions! • Some examples: • Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.ca/) • Camp Trillium (http://www.camptrillium.com/) • Western’s Volunteer Program (http://career.uwo.ca/wvp/)

24. The Perfect Summer Job • Find a job that you enjoy! • Western’s Career Central Job Postings: https://careercentral.uwo.ca/login.cfm • Talk to your professors – find out if they are looking for a summer student or know of someone who is • Search for funding opportunities on UWO’s website • NSERC (for summer 2010)