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U of A Medical School Info Session MD Ambassadors Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Tonight’s Session. 1) Large Group Presentation • Overview of U of A admissions process • Interviewing skills – what you need to know 2) Small Group Sessions 3) Debrief
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U of A Medical School Info Session MD Ambassadors Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Tonight’s Session 1) Large Group Presentation • Overview of U of A admissions process • Interviewing skills – what you need to know 2) Small Group Sessions 3) Debrief • Associate Dean UGME – Dr. Rayner
What are we looking for in candidates? • Total Positions Available - 125 • Typically, 85% In Province, 15% are Out of Province • 25 students (20%) are usually 2nd/3rd yr • Out of the remaining 100 students in 2005 (2004), 13 (8) had post-grad degrees and the rest were 4th yr applicants • International applicants are not accepted
Academic Criteria 1) Completion of Requirements 2) Cumulative GPA 3) Pre-Requisite GPA 4) MCAT
Academic CriteriaCompletion of Requirements • Have to complete at least 2 FULL years (i.e. 60 credits, with 30 credits in at least 1 year) • Academic year does NOT include intersession • Pre-requisites: • 3 credits in each: Stats and Biochem • 6 credits in each: General Chem, Organic Chem, Biology, Physics, English
Academic CriteriaCumulative GPA Cumulative GPA required for application • If 4+ yr applicant: • 3.3 (Albertan) to apply • 3.5 (Non-Albertan) to apply • If 2nd/3rd year applicant, you need 3.7 to apply • If4+ years, you can delete lowest year from the cumulative GPA calculation as long as it’s not the only 30-credit year or the most recent year
Academic CriteriaMCAT • Must be written no later than August prior to deadline • MCAT scores: from 1-15, and J-T • Minimum scores are 7’s in each section U of A - •All 4 sections of MCAT are scored out of 5 • Below an M on writing sample is 0/5
Academic CriteriaStatistics for 2005 Admissions (2004) 4th year + Stats: Mean cGPA= 3.70 (3.82)Mean pre-req GPA = 3.83 (3.84)Mean MCAT average = 10.76 (10.70) ~32 2nd/3rd year Stats: Mean cGPA = 3.80 (3.90)Mean pre-req GPA = 3.90 (3.90)Mean MCAT average = 11.64 (11.15) ~34-35
Non- Academic Criteria Personal Attributes Reference Letters Interview
Personal Attributes • This is your chance to show the committee that you’re more than just an MCAT and a GPA. • Not unlike a resume - the more you say the better. Try to make this section like a written picture of who you are. • Scored on 5 sections: Employment History, Top 3 Achievements, Leadership, Volunteering, and Diversity of Life. (Times and dates are IMPORTANT) • Don’t take this section lightly. It can make or break your chances for getting an interview. It’s worth as much as your MCAT and more than your cGPA.
Reference Letters • 2 letters of reference required • Get letters from people who know you well! • If 2 people know you equally well, then consider the seniority/position of the potential referees and their writing abilities
Reference LettersWho should I ask to be a referee? • Best if they know you personally over a long period of time • can attest to your work ethic or humanitarianism • someone who is familiar with the medical system and can comment on your suitability as a physician. • Examples of referees you can consider: 1) A professor 2) Someone you did research with 3) The director of an institution you volunteered at 4) A physician you shadowed or worked for 5) DO NOT USE FRIENDS or FAMILY!
Reference Letters cont’d • Confirm with your referee that they are willing to write you a “strong letter of reference”. This allows your referee to decline your request graciously. • Prepare a package for your referee with your CV, contact info for yourself and the medical schools, and a postage-paid envelope for the reference letter
Interview • A panel of 2-3 people (clinicians, basic scientists, lay people, and medical students) • Be yourself!!! Honesty and acting naturally are what the interviewers are looking for! • Don’t be afraid to sell yourself • 45 min to convince the interviewers that you are the best applicant for the position.
How do you apply? • http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca • Pay application fee, then you have access to • https://admissions.med.ualberta.ca • Personal attributes section
Deadlines November 1st Deadline to submit application to Registrar’s office November 15th -Deadline for MCAT, Personal Attributes and Reference letters -Transcripts to be submitted with application • Ultimately due by Jan 31st and June 15th
Current Breakdown (Future) • Pre-Req GPA: 25% (15%) • Cumulative GPA: 10% (15%) • MCAT: 15% • MCAT Writing Sample 5% • Personal attributes: 15% (20%) • Ref letters: 5% • Interview: 25% • Extra points for Master’s (1) or PhD’s (3). No points awarded for Honours.
What can I tell you about U of A? • H/P/F system First Two Years: • Systems-based teaching • Didactic lectures • PBL (problem-based learning) • Labs (cadaveric, computer) • Patient-centred clinical method
What can I tell you about U of A? • Support Group lunches with other students and Faculty • Lunch with the Dean • Off site visits and clinical skills in 1st year
What can I tell you about U of A? Gilbert Scholars Program • Clinical Skills program for 2nd year students • 30 hours of clinical training • Small groups of 4 students and 1 preceptor • Real and standardized patients
What can I tell you about U of A? • Summers off for first 2 years (TRULY NEEDED!) • 2 years as pre-clinical medical student, 2 years as student clerk • Graduating medical students are highly regarded throughout the country… very competitive for tough residency programs
What can I tell you about U of A? • One of the lowest costs of medical education in the country • 5 teaching hospitals • New facilities/buildings – look outside! • State of the art ER, OR suites, patient tracking programs • A great place to meet new friends, and have fun while learning!
RESEARCH? • We currently have two programs: • MD with Special Training in Research (STIR) • Formerly known as Honours in Research • MD/PhD program • Research can be done during summers off, and can include time spent during the summer before med school
About our Faculty • Meds and dents together for first 2 years • Unique student affairs office that cater to student concerns, problems etc. • Dedicated and excellent teachers in both pre-clinical and clinical years
Questions? • Refer to the website • www.med.ualberta.ca/ugme/doctorofmed.cfm • Feel free to contact us • uofamocks@shaw.ca GOOD LUCK!!!