Going into high school, I did not have a concrete sense of what I wanted to do after I graduated. Like many students, my ambitions for post-secondary education changed often, and at some point, my indecisiveness became overwhelming. I decided to evaluate what courses I enjoyed and went from there. I took a liking to my chemistry and biology courses, which piqued my interest in studying medicine. So, I started to research. I found that there seem to be many misconceptions about being a doctor or even getting into medical school. I know that being a doctor is such a widespread aspiration for students. As such, I wanted to share my research with others in hopes that it could inform you about the road ahead from the perspective of a soon-to-be undergraduate student. Below, I share the big takeaways I found while researching the path to becoming a doctor.
Undergraduate Programs
Let’s look at some popular undergraduate programs and what they entail. It is important to note that the stated minimum average grades are often much lower than the actual admission average grades. In other words, you’ll likely need stronger grades than the stated minimum average to be accepted into these undergraduate health science programs.
The minimum average grade you need to be considered is 85%. For Co-Op consideration, you need 88%. Last year’s admission average was 89%. This was the average of those who got accepted. Remember that if your grade is lower than the average, you can still get into the program if the admissions committee finds your profile impressive enough. More on this topic later.
Minimum average grade: 90%+. Last year’s average was 92%. Some schools have a limited number of first-year classroom spaces. McMaster only has 240 first-year spaces, making it a very competitive school.
Minimum average grade: 80%. Queen’s University has one of the most competitive programs in Ontario. Despite having a low minimum average grade requirement, their acceptance average is 90%+, and they only have 170 first-year spaces. It is important to note that grades are crucial when applying to health science programs, but you may also have to submit a supplemental application.
Medical School Expectations
After you finish an undergraduate program, you must attend a medical school. Becoming a doctor is no easy task; medical schools take only the best of the best. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the requirements for medical school. As previously mentioned, medical schools are not easy to get into. Just like undergraduate programs, grades are extremely important. You will need a near-perfect GPA (grade point average) to get into a medical school. It is also worth noting that medical schools require excellent leadership skills, innovation, motivation, and dedication. More on that later.
What is the MCAT?
Many medical schools also require that applicants take the MCAT. The MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized exam that assesses students’ abilities to think critically in addition to various subject matters related to the medical field. The score on this test ranges from 472-528, with an average of around 500. To score in the 99th percentile, you must score 523.
An interesting section of the MCAT is the CARS or Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills test. This test is purely a gauge of your critical thinking and reasoning and doesn’t test your knowledge of any hard science.
Another essential factor of medical schools is that their tuition is more expensive than undergraduate programs, with an average of approximately $24,000 a year.
Finally, unlike most undergraduate programs, all medical schools require a powerful supplemental application, which will be discussed below.
What Else Do Medical Schools Look For?
Strong grades and test scores are essential for medical school. However, applicantsmust also demonstrate personal qualities beyond academic excellence. Let’s take a look
at some of these characteristics.
Schools Are Looking For Leaders
Medical schools are looking for people who can take charge and maintain composure in leadership roles. Managing high-stress situations, people, and processes with confidence and ability is an asset. It makes sense because, in the medical field, people’s lives and well-being are on the line. Schools may also look for intellectual leadership. This means shaping ideas, driving positive impact, and using critical thinking to achieve desired outcomes. Examples include creating social media posts to raise awareness on something, starting a club, writing a news article, publishing research projects, etc. You must also demonstrate an ability to work well with others from all walks of life. Volunteering is an excellent way to demonstrate this trait and show that you can collaborate with members of your community, no matter their race, creed, gender, background, or abilities.
Metrics for Medical School Admission
I mentioned the need for solid grades and test scores above. Here are some examples
of the actual admission standards for some Canadian medical schools.
Western University, Schulich School of Medicine:
171 available spaces, 7% acceptance rate, 3.87 GPA average. For reference, a 4.0 GPA is a perfect GPA.
University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine:
6% acceptance rate, 3.96 GPA average.
Queen’s University School of Medicine:
1.8% acceptance rate, 3.81 GPA average. To give you an even better idea of how competitive Queen’s Medicine is, consider this: last year, there were 5781 applicants, 513 of them got an interview for their applications, and the final class size was 109.
How Do I Create a Strong Profile?
Here are some ways that you can create a robust application. This list is by no means exhaustive, but just a few suggestions:
- Shadowing Physicians: Gain exposure to various medical specialties by shadowing doctors.
- Healthcare Volunteering: Volunteer in hospitals, clinics, or healthcare organizations to show commitment to patient care.
- Medical Assistant: Work as a medical assistant to gain hands-on experience in clinical settings.
- Research Projects: Participate in biomedical or clinical research to develop critical thinking and contribute to the field.
- Publications and Presentations: If possible, contribute to publications or present at conferences to demonstrate your research skills.
- Leadership Roles: Take leadership positions in clubs, organizations, or community service initiatives.
- Community Service: Engage in meaningful volunteer work, showing empathy and a commitment to helping others.
Having a Plan B
Obviously, becoming a doctor is fiercely competitive. With that said, it’s probably a good idea to have a backup plan. As I see it, medicine is a broad field. You do not necessarily have to become a doctor to help others and have a promising career. Many opportunities await you in medicine, but being a doctor is not always what you may see in popular culture. A lot of being a doctor is dealing with common illnesses in your patients and prescribing medication. For example, two of the most common types of patients for doctors in Canada are elderly patients with recurring prescriptions and diabetes patients. Not all doctor’s work is heroic, but all of it is necessary.
Conclusion
If you can get into the medical field, I say go for it! It offers excellent salary potential and is one of the most secure job fields. Medicine is universal, and your skills can be applied everywhere. Just make sure to do your own research, like I did, so you understand the steps it takes to succeed.
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About the Author:
My name is Mark Kazenelson, and I am a high school student in the Greater Toronto Area. I have a passion for chemistry and I will study chemical engineering as I prepare for a career in the energy sector. As a high school student, I explored many career options and put together a series of career-related blog posts. Check out my other blog posts on finance and engineering. I hope these articles can help inform students in their career making decisions. In my spare time, I love spending time outdoors, especially fishing and hiking.
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