{"id":1108,"date":"2025-06-02T10:48:03","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/?page_id=1108"},"modified":"2025-06-02T10:48:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:48:05","slug":"tips-if-considering-medical-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/tips-if-considering-medical-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips If Considering Medical School"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Tips If Considering Medical School\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking about medical school, keep the following in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Completion of an undergraduate degree OR enrolment in the second year (or higher) of an undergraduate program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A GPA score above the institution\u2019s cut-off point is STRONGLY recommended; this varies by school, but is typically above 80%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If required, completion of the MCAT, Medical College Application Test. The MCAT is a standardized exam that covers physical and biological sciences, verbal reasoning and a writing sample. Upon completion of the MCAT you must provide permission to release the results to OMSAS (Ontario Medical School Application Service).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Application Process:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li> Visit the OMSAS site to get up-to-date information on application forms, deadlines and what faculties are looking for. (If you are applying outside of Ontario you must contact each school individually to get the application forms, requirements and deadlines).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Your transcripts must be sent to OMSAS from whichever postsecondary school(s) you have attended. Contact the Registrar\u2019s Office for details regarding fees, and timing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A personal statement will likely be required in your application. It is used to determine your suitability for the particular medical program. It is imperative to prepare this in advance as you need to demonstrate what you can offer the medical school, and medical community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be prepared to provide three professional references with whom you have had significant interactions that can vouch for your character from an objective standpoint.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each school will select a small number of applicants to interview in late winter or early spring. These provide the opportunity to convince the selection committee of your suitability for medical school.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Program Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Although the lengths vary by institution, the MD programs are typically three or four years in length. This time is a combination of class time and actual working rotations in the hospital.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once you have completed your degree you will be a doctor, but your training continues. During your MD you will apply for a residency program and begin to work in a teaching hospital for two to seven years depending on your specialty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hints:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On average fewer than 5% of applicants are accepted! Therefore, maintaining a high GPA throughout university is essential to be seriously considered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is important to keep in mind that the undergraduate program taken has little effect on the possibility of admission. As long as the prerequisites are taken, any program may be taken! It is best to make sure it is one that is enjoyable and will allow the prerequisites to be taken.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Just as important as grades is your personal statement. Who you are and what you have been involved in is very important to each school. Some schools ask for personal essays, some give you paragraph questions to answer and some interview. If you want to become a doctor, make sure you are building your portfolio of experiences to help you stand out from other students!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>*Note: Career Services can help with the review and\/or editing of personal statements for medical school applications. Once your personal statement is written, you may book your appointment with a Career Consultant using mySuccess, accessible via ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Central.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Helpful Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kaplan MCAT Prep: 1 800 527 8378 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kaplan.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.kaplan.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oxford Seminars: 1 800 269 6719 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.oxfordseminars.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Princeton Review: 1 888 500 PREP <a href=\"http:\/\/www.princetonreview.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.princetonreview.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OMSAS: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ouac.on.ca\/omsas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.ouac.on.ca\/omsas\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MCAT: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aamc.org\/students\/mcat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.aamc.org\/students\/mcat\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Alternatives to Medical School<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many of the aspects that draw people to practice medicine, such as the ability to help people, job security and good salaries, are also present in a variety of other professions and occupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following is a list of some possible alternatives to medical school within the health field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Jobs that can be obtained with a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Jobs that can be obtained with a master\u2019s degree<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">\u2022 Cardiac Technologist<br>\u2022 Dietician Nutritionist<br>\u2022 Exercise Science \/ Kinesiology<br>\u2022 Head Injuries Counselor<br>\u2022 Midwifery<br>\u2022 Nurse<br>\u2022 Pharmacist<br>\u2022 Social Worker<br>\u2022 Environmental Health Worker<br>\u2022 Gerontologist<br>\u2022 Pharmacologist<br>\u2022 Fitness Consultant<br>\u2022 Medical Illustrator<br>\u2022 Pharmaceutical Sales Representative<br>\u2022 Social Worker<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">\u2022 Counsellor or Therapist<br>\u2022 Mental Health Nurse<br>\u2022 Recreation Therapist<br>\u2022 Sport Psychology Consultant<br>\u2022 Audiologist<br>\u2022 Clinical Nursing Specialist<br>\u2022 Genetic Counsellor<br>\u2022 Occupational Therapist<br>\u2022 Physiotherapist<br>\u2022 Speech \/ Language Pathologist<br>\u2022 Biostatistician<br>\u2022 Clinical Pharmacist<br>\u2022 Clinical Trial Coordinator<br>\u2022 Community Health Investigator<br>\u2022 Epidemiologist<br>\u2022 Community\/ Public Health Worker<br>\u2022 Medical Journalist<br>\u2022 Health Care Administrator<br>\u2022 Health Policy Analyst<br>\u2022 Nurse Practitioner<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Jobs that can be obtained with a doctoral degree<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Jobs that can be obtained through college and other post-secondary diplomas<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">\u2022 Acupuncturist<br>\u2022 Chiropractor<br>\u2022 Dentist<br>\u2022 Naturopath<br>\u2022 Optometrist<br>\u2022 Osteopath<br>\u2022 Podiatrist<br>\u2022 Forensic Scientist<br>\u2022 Medical Ethicist<br>\u2022 Medical\/Health Historian<br>\u2022 Professor at University or College<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">\u2022 Athletic Trainer<br>\u2022 Biotechnology Technician<br>\u2022 Cardiovascular Technologist<br>\u2022 Cytotechnologist<br>\u2022 Dental Hygienist \/ Assistant<br>\u2022 Ultrasound Technician<br>\u2022 Dialysis Technician<br>\u2022 Genetic Technologist<br>\u2022 Massage Therapy<br>\u2022 Medical Laboratory Technician<br>\u2022 Nuclear Medicine Technologist<br>\u2022 Operating Room Technician<br>\u2022 Optician<br>\u2022 Orthodics or Prosthetics Technician<br>\u2022 Paramedic<br>\u2022 Radiation Therapist<br>\u2022 Radiological Technician<br>\u2022 Respiratory Therapist<br>\u2022 Medical Imaging Technician<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re thinking about medical school, keep the following in mind: Requirements: The Application Process: Program Information: Hints: *Note: Career Services can help with the review and\/or editing of personal statements for medical school applications. Once your personal statement is written, you may book your appointment with a Career Consultant using mySuccess, accessible via ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":247,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[14],"class_list":["post-1108","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-general"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/247"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1108"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1112,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1108\/revisions\/1112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=1108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}