U of A Medical School Info Session MD Ambassadors Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
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Transcript of U of A Medical School Info Session MD Ambassadors Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
U of A Medical School Info SessionMD 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
• If 4+ 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 Criteria1) Personal Attributes
2) Reference Letters
3) 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 wellwell!
• 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 with3) The director of an institution you volunteered at4) A physician you shadowed or worked for5) 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 referencestrong 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 yourselfBe 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– [email protected]
GOOD LUCK!!!