Comments on: Medical School Admissions: How important are non-academic components really?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:45:00 +0000

Awesome comment, and I agree, sometimes we need to do things outside of school so that we are happy enough to do well in school I am experiencing that right now, even in medical school!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:44:00 +0000

No problem!

By: Beatrice

Beatrice — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:13:00 +0000

I know this article is from several years ago, but I just stumbled upon it and want to say thanks very much for it! I’m in 2nd year at U of T right now (double major in Biochemistry and Mental Health Studies) and I’ve been freaking out because I did NO extra-curricular activities during my first year because I decided I would “focus” on school. That actually ended up backfiring because I was miserable and was not being challenged.. so I actually barely ever showed up at school, crammed for all my exams, and ended the year with quite a low GPA (really counting on those weighting formulas now!). Not advisable at all.

This year I’m doing extra-curricular activities that I’m really really enjoying and I’m actually very likely to end the semester with a 4.0. I was still worried because they aren’t actually medical-related, but this article makes me feel MUCH better about that situation.. although I do plan on doing a summer medical leadership program because I think it would be an amazing experience!

So yeah, I just wanna say thanks for the article!! And a piece of advice for any other ‘Med Hopefuls’ out there, especially ones still in high school/starting out university.. get out there and do something outside of class that you’re interested in.. if not for your resume, do it for the sake of your sanity!! It’s important to get amazing marks and related extracurriculars, but if it means killing yourself with work and being overwhelmed with things you don’t even enjoy for a whole FOUR YEARS.. well you can decide for yourself if that’s worth it! Cheers

By: KM

KM — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:00:00 +0000

I’m a TA (teaching assistant) at YorkU, and I just wanted to chime in that THREE of my students in the last 2 years have gotten into Canadian medical schools (Montreal, Queens, and Calgary). So the “York” bias is bullcrap.

By: Med Hopeful 2

Med Hopeful 2 — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:13:14 +0000

This is amazing, and very informative. Thank you!

By: Joshua

Joshua — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:11:11 +0000

@Med Hopeful: Yah I'm just worried about you having a full course load. It's a tough decision either way. If you think you can pull your physics mark up, then I say go for it. If you can't, but all your other marks are A's, and if you're not planning on applying for a few years anyways, then maybe it's okay to drop it. I'm not exactly sure about the full course load issue so I'd make sure to check that first.

By: Med Hopeful

Med Hopeful — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:36:01 +0000

Hey Joshua,

Med School is the goal. The route actually wont be longer as I'm doing a bunch of summer courses (Biochem and if i drop physics ill do it this summer) and I'll be on track again by the end of the summer. My main problem is to figure out if its worth it..the drop i mean…will it be a problem if i end up with 20 credits for one year? the next two will be full course load hence western/queens would look at those two if anything. My other courses are so far As. but apart from orgo and genetics im doing philosophy and english and physics now

By: Joshua

Joshua — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:10:44 +0000

@Med Hopeful: What are your goals? Is it medical school? It's a tough decision either way – if you drop the course then you only have 20 credits, and that's going to make your route to medial school longer – but your GPA will also be affected by your physics mark. How are you doing in your other courses?

By: Med Hopeful

Med Hopeful — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:57:33 +0000

Hey Joshua,

Currently im in Biomed at York. Second Year. I'm in a bit of a trouble and was wondering what you'd do if you were in my position. My first year gpa was around the 3.4-3.5 range, which is quite appalling and now, in my second year, I decided to take physics and so far have been doing poorly. If i get an A+ on the exam, I can get a B in the course. However, if i drop the course I'll be down to 20 credits for year 2. Which is better? Getting rid of the course and aiming for a high gpa regardless of the credits or keeping the course and just doing the best possible and repeat it?

Thanks

By: Joshua

Joshua — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:20:53 +0000

Hi Marina,

I would say it depends on the medical school – I don't know the rules off the top of my head, but the medical school websites will make it clear how they will interpret it.