1. Preparing for Medical Schools
UWO Pre-medical society
Academic Information Session #1
Oct. 19, 2009
Sung Ho Um

2. Objectives What to expect? Why medicine? Why not? Medical schools
Application process
Resources/Websites

3. Why medicine? Challenging Rewarding Stability
Plentiful employment opportunities
Opportunities:
Clinical
Teaching
Research
Administration

4. Why not? Demanding Physically and emotionally tiring
Many years in school and training
Requires support from:
Family
Spouse
Colleagues

5. Process 3 or more years of undergraduate Medical school: 3-4 years
Possibly a graduate degree
Medical school: 3-4 years
Post-graduate training (Residency): 2-5 years
Depending on your specialization

6. Curriculum 3 to 4 years depending on the school
No summers for a 3 year program
Year 1 & 2: basic and clinical sciences, pre-clerkship
Year 3 & 4: Clinical clerkship / electives (rotations)

7. Medical Schools 6 in Ontario Most are 4 year programs
McMaster is 3 years
students per school every year
~19,000 applications for 943 spots (2009)

9. Application process Ontario Medical School Admission Service (OMSAS)
American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
Out of province – individual websites
Factors:
Academics: GPA + MCAT
Autobiographical Sketch, Personal statement, Short answers
Reference letters
Geographical status

10. Academics >80% average to be competitive OMSAS GPA scale is used
AMCAS and other schools have their own scale
Convert each grade into GPA and take the average
Some schools neglect summer/part-time marks
Different GPA formulas exist

11. GPA calculation

12. Academics Example: Average = 84.5%
Biology [80%] = 3.7
Chemistry [84%] = 3.7
Physics [85%] = 3.9
Psychology [89%] = 3.9
Calculus A [90%] = 4.0
Calculus B [79%] = 3.3
Average = 84.5%
GPA = (3.7x x x x0.5)/5 = 3.77

13. Academics MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) 4 sections:
Physical Sciences
Verbal Reasoning
Writing Sample
Biological Sciences
Scaled score: PS,VR,BS 1-15; WS J-T
5 hour exam
Prep courses / materials available

14. Autobiographical Sketch
Maximum of 48 entries
7 categories:
Education
Employment
Volunteer
Extracurricular
Awards/Accomplishments
Research
Other
Verifiers

15. Reference Letters OMSAS requires 3 letters
Confidential Assessment Form + Letter
Referees should be individuals who know you well
Subject areas to be covered: Character, personal qualities, and academic capabilities

16. Qualities Maturity Team work Relate to others Integrity
Problem solving
Leadership
Communication
Well-rounded

17. Other considerations SWOMEN Rural Area Out of Province
Aboriginal status
Refer to OMSAS guide or school websites

18. Interviews The final step Traditional format
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format
8 minute interviews, 12 stations
Ethical, current issues
Prepare to talk about your activities
Practice! Mock-interviews

19. Start early
Work hard
Talk to people
Find out if this is for you
Be well-balanced

20. Resources/Websites OMSAS: http://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/
AMCAS:
MCAT:
Online forums exist but not official

21. Questions? Summary: Contact me at sum2@uwo.ca with more questions.
OMSAS / AMCAS
GPA calculations / MCAT
Biographical sketch / Letters of reference
Contact me at with more questions.