Medical School Information

Grades for Medical School Admission

Ontario uses a 4.0 grading scale to consider students for admission to medical school. The undergraduate grading system conversion table is used to convert Carleton grades to a this scale. As you can see on the conversion table, the OMSAS value for each Carleton grade drops significantly as the grades get lower. Because of this, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact grade on the Carleton scale to shoot for to be considered for admission to medical school in Ontario. As an estimate, students should aim for at least a 3.85 GPA on a 4.0 scale, which is equivalent to approximately 10.8 on Carleton’s 12.0 scale. The marks students obtain in the prerequisite courses for medical schools are often the most important. 

Each school has different requirements and pre-requisite courses, so its important to do your research.

Extracurricular Activities

The Autobiographical or Character sketch is an important part of the medical school application process. It covers work, research, volunteering, awards, and extracurriculars. Volunteering and staying involved in your favourite hobbies is a great way to fill out the openings in your sketch. Be sure to keep information of all your contacts in order to complete your sketch quickly and efficiently.

When Should I Start?

As soon as possible. Medical schools love to see continuity. If you enjoy certain activities, continue to be involved in them throughout your university career. If you used to play soccer in high school, try intramurals in University.

What Should I Do?

Do what you love to do and do lots of it. Make time for the things you enjoy and integrate them into your schedule. The activities you pursue should reflect leadership and contribution to society. Doctors are the leaders in the medical community, so admissions committees like students that prove their leadership skills such as being a teaching assistant or taking on a supervisory role.

Sports facilities, hospitals, research centres, schools, old age homes - anywhere that grabs your interest will be perfect. While volunteering at a health-related facility is not absolutely necessary, it can help you determine if you are comfortable in that type of setting and can be an asset when applying to medical school.

Many medical schools also like to see that students have research experience, as it shows that you like to learn new things. Being able to work part-time while attending school is another positive attribute to show that you can handle multiple activities at once.

See Get Involved in Science for more information about clubs, societies, and volunteer opportunities.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

What is the MCAT?

• Standardized test required for entrance into most medical schools.
• Cost: Approximately 440 CAD or 180 CAD with eligibility for the fee assistance program.
• Duration: 7.5 hour (including breaks)
• Format: all computerized, multiple choice questions based on passages. No calculators.

When should I write the MCAT?

• At the latest, one year before you want to apply to med school- summer of 3^rd year if you are applying in 4^th year
• If you think you will want to write the exam again, make sure you give yourself enough time to get your results back and book another exam
• Scores are released one month after the writing date, be sure to request to have your score released to OMSAS one you receive it
• The MCAT runs from January to September every year. Click here to see the MCAT test dates.

It is recommended that students take the MCAT during the summer of their second or third year because the test covers material often covered during first or second year courses. The MCAT Exam Website is a great resource about the test. 

Students can either take a prep course or self study for the MCAT. Depending on how you choose to study, MCAT preparation can cost anywhere from 300 CAD to 2,000 CAD.

Medical College Admissions Test Sections

Scoring

• The 2015 MCAT employs a new scoring scale – individual sections will be scored using a 118 to 132 score scale range (instead of 1 to 15)
• A composite score will then be supplicated ranging from 472 to 528 (instead of 1 to 45)
• For most schools, the score cut off for admission is around 500

MCAT Self-Study Options

Self study is the cheaper of the two options, though you need the discipline to study and there is quite a lot of material that could be daunting. But, if you prefer self study, have the discipline, and are highly self-motivated, then it may be a better option since the course sometimes feels slow and will make you want to study less. While there are many ways to guide your study, here are a few of the most popular guides:

• Examkrackers
• Three Month MCAT Study Schedule
• Study.com MCAT Practice Test

MCAT Preparation Course Companies

Most companies that offer courses also offer book sets for self study that will come with online small lessons on the harder concepts and (usually) 4-5 full length practice MCATs. If you prefer structure when you study and would like the benefit of having someone guide you through the studying process, there are numerous MCAT prep courses to choose from. Some companies include:

• Kaplan Test Prep
• Oxford Seminars
• Prep101
• The Princeton Review
• Gold Standard MCAT
• Magoosh

The course is expensive and that is the major con. The pros are that the people taking the course will have insider information and tips about writing while also keeping you on track. It will also be helpful if you write the MCAT after you took the class (so if you are writing the MCAT after 3rd or 4th year but need to know first year bio information) the presence of a teacher type person will help. 

Tips from Pros

• Pick first and second year courses with the MCAT topics in mind – your MCAT prep starts with your first year courses
• Start studying early (right after exams are done!)
  • Make a detailed study schedule with deadlines and stick to it (typically 30 hours of work, per week, for 8 to 12 weeks)
• Start with the concepts you find the hardest
• Do lots of full length, timed, practice exams to get used to the length (this is much more important than “hitting the books”)
• Take a practice MCAT test in your second year
• Don’t forget that the MCAT is American, verbal reasoning passages will be based on American history and politics…
• Use Khan Academy to study broad topics, but especially material by Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) -- the creators of the exam!
• Talk to students who have successfully completed the test
• If you feel that you need more time to study, postpone your test
• The AAMC website that includes an in-depth guide to what the MCAT is and a breakdown of the test, as well as study tips, etc.

Medical School Interviews

Medical school interviews follow the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). This format uses many short independent assessments to get a total score for each candidate. When you arrive at the interview, you will be asked to stand in front of a door with a scenario or question taped to it. You will be given a specific amount of time to review the question and then will walk into the room. For the next ten minutes, you will answer the question or solve the problem to the best of your ability.

The questions in the MMI are created to learn about your ethics, problem solving abilities, passion, and leadership skills. Many of the questions do not have correct or incorrect answers. For example:

You live in a condo with a swimming pool and gym. Your best friend asks for your key so she can use the gym and pool because she can't afford the monthly gym pass at the public gym. But regulations state that non-tenants are not allowed to use the pool and gym. What do you do?

The Science Student Success Centre holds a MMI practice session each winter term. Spots fill up quickly, so make sure to check the Upcoming Events Calendar and then sign up to attend this event through mySuccess (Access MySuccess through Carleton360) and click on Science Student Success Centre.

Carleton Interview Resources

Co-op provides one-on-one interview practice to prepare for medical school entrance interviews.

Co-operative Education
1400 CTTC
Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30
(613) 520-4331
co-opprogram [at] carleton.ca

Admission Requirements for Medical Schools in Canada

Medical school admission requirements change frequently, so please check the school's website for the most up to date information. Here are the basic admission requirements for each school in Canada as of Fall 2023.

GPA is calculated using the OMSAS Conversion Scale.

Medical Schools in Ontario

Medical Schools Outside of Ontario

Character Sketch

Review the application guidelines before starting to be sure nothing has changed.
Start early!
Keep track of your activities:

• Organization name
• List of responsibilities/roles
• Keep in touch with your verifiers
• Contact info for verifier

While Writing:

• 150 character limit
• Strong, descriptive language
• Avoid short forms (@, w/, &)
• Quality over quantity- some schools may not want all 48 spots filled so pick your strongest activities
• Review all your entries. Check for spelling, grammar, etc.

For more information, contact the Med School you are interested in and for Ontario schools consult the OMSAS application guide www.ouac.on.ca/guide/omsas-app-guide/

https://www.accepted.com/medical/sampleessays

            samples of essays: the good and the bad