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– uofamocks@shaw.ca

GOOD LUCK!!!