MMHS Journal of Healthcare Careers and Opportunities | Volume 12

DISCLAIMER

Information in this journal has been compiled and verified by the MMHS Executives. Our goal is to provide the most updated and accurate information to our readers. Readers should keep in mind that program requirements are continually changing, and as such, we highly recommend you contact your programs of interest or browse their websites to confirm your eligibility

The advertisements and views expressed in this publication reflect only the views of the authors and organizations that wrote it, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the McMaster Medicine and Health Society.

The information contained in this journal may not be reproduced or distributed by any means without full and formal reference to the McMaster Medicine and Health Society or to the original source of the information, where applicable Any infringement to this policy will result in consequences that may involve legal affairs.

Please contact the Co-presidents of the McMaster Medicine and Health Society if you wish to directly use information from this journal publication.

Published in January 2023, McMaster Medicine and Health Society

ABOUT THE MMHS

Since 1992, the McMaster Medicine and Health Society has been striving to inform and educate our members by acting as a resource for exploring various healthcare professions. Our goal is to act as a liaison and a voice for all students in the McMaster community, who envision a career in the medical or other health-related fields.

The MMHS holds a wide variety of services for McMaster students. In the past few years, we have hosted professional school symposiums and invited keynote speakers to talk about admissions (e.g. medicine, dentistry and optometry). We have also hosted debates and discussion forums on the Canadian healthcare system or career planning. Other events occurring throughout the year have included our annual Research and Healthcare Conference, mock interviews, and volunteering or research counselling.

Over the years we have grown to be one of the largest McMaster student-run clubs. Still, we continue to grow in order to ensure we cover all new opportunities in the medical and other health-related fields in both breadth and depth

ABOUT THIS JOURNAL

Every year, the MMHS sells an annual publication to McMaster students who are interested in pursuing a medical or healthcare-related field. The MMHS Journal of Health Careers and Opportunities contains a wide variety of resources for admission information from various professional schools, writing the application, and practicing interviews.

We wish to share our wealth of information to students across different Canadian schools like YOU! In this edition, you will find more information on professional schools, both in and out of your province. We have also included schools in the USA, and international schools for those who wish to apply abroad. As well, we restructure the book and ensure the information is updated each year for your convenience.

We hope you find this guidebook resourceful in your career planning or choosing of a professional school, just as it helped previous McMaster students. If you want to contact us directly, please visit our social media Pages or website.

mmhs@mcmaster.ca

OPENING REMARKS

The McMaster Medicine and Health Society (MMHS) is pleased to present the twelfth annual Journal of Healthcare Careers and Opportunities. Since the club’s conception in 1992, the MMHS executive team has been doing their very best to help guide students who are looking into careers in healthcare. From the variety of events we hold, to all of the workshops and seminars, this journal encompasses what the MMHS stands for. We aim to provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on a variety of healthcare fields and professional schools, hoping to give our readers the knowledge they need to form their own path.

Our team has worked tirelessly to conduct research and write this journal. In it, you will find information regarding the application processes for medical, dental, optometry, and other schools. We will provide you with the latest admissions information, statistics, application processes, as well as provide you with an overview of life in these careers. If you have a specific goal in mind or are reading this journal to see what options you have, our goal is to guide you through the process and make you a competitive and holistic applicant.

When you become a member of the MMHS, you become a part of the largest student- run healthcare organization on campus. We give our members the opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and healthcare professionals. Some of our events include information sessions from professional schools, research and volunteer symposiums, a variety of skills workshops, and dialogues on current healthcare topics, to name a few.

Our team is always on hand to help you with any questions you may have. You can find us on our website (macmhs.com) or on our Facebook (McMaster Medicine and Health Society). Feel free to send us an email with any questions you may have

We are excited to embark on this journey with you. The Journal of Healthcare Careers and Opportunities is only the first step towards achieving your goals. Welcome to the MMHS!

This section intends to inform readers about what to expect in the pursuit of a medical degree, from the initial preparation for applying to medical school to postgraduate specialization. All the information presented here will be constantly updated by our executive team. One should bear in mind that information of this nature will continually change. It is essential that interested medical school applicants do their own additional investigation into the data outlined below.

HOW DO YOU FIT INTO THE MEDICAL FIELD?

“Ismedicinerightforme?”isaquestionthatmanystudentsaskwhenconsideringacareer inhealthcare.Ifyouareinterestedinhowthebodyworks,passionateabouthelpingothers throughhealthcareandusingmedicinetomakeadifferenceintheirlives,thenbeingadoctor mayappealtoyou.Acareerasaphysicianisonethatisintellectuallychallenging,focuseson servingothersfirst,involveslifelonglearningtostayuptodatewiththeliteratureandclinical guidelines,aswellascollaboratingwithcolleaguesonthehealthcareteamandmore.Moreover, beingadoctorallowsyoutospecializeinyourareaofinterestamongthewiderangeofpossible medicalcareersandspecialtieswhiledirectlyimpactingpatients'livesthroughclinicalwork, research,andmore.Somekeyqualitiesofbeingaphysicianincludecompassion,empathy, stronginterpersonalskills,effectivecommunicationskills,beingagreatlistener,andastrong workethic

Whenconsideringacareerinmedicine,itisalsoimportanttofactorinthedemands ofbeingaphysicianAmongthemanycareerchoices,medicineisperhapsoneofthemost demanding.Muchofyourlifeduringyourundergraduateyearswilllikelybedevotedto pursuitsandextracurricularswhicharerelatedtohealthcareandcanmakeyouamore qualifiedapplicantformedicalschool;however,oftenattheexpenseofyourleisuretimeand otherpastimes.Medicalschoolitselfcanalsobeoneofthemostrigorousexperiencesofyour life,involvinggreatamountsofmaterialtolearn,continuedcompetitionfromyourpeers,and littletimeforothernon-academic-relatedendeavours.Fromthestartofone’suniversity educationtothepointwhenonebecomesapracticingphysician,pursuingacareerin medicineisanextremelylongroad.Onaverage,anundergraduatestudentwilltypicallybein schoolforatleastsixyearsbeforegraduatingfrommedicalschool,followedbyanywherefrom 2to9yearsofresidencytraining,andperhapsadditionalyearsforfellowship,inordertoreach aterminalspecialization.Withthisinmind,itisimportantthatyouhavethepatienceand commitmenttostaydedicatedtoyourmedicaleducationthroughoutalltheyearsoftraining andbeokaywithwaitinguntillaterinlifetostartyourcareer.Anotherfactortoconsiderwhen thinkingofwhethermedicineisrightforyouisthelifestyleofaphysicianBeingadoctorentails spendingtremendousworkinghours,andoftenevenmorethanthestandardworkinghours, caringforthesick–whichcanamounttoalotofpressureononeself,takeawayfrompersonal andfamilytime,andconsequently,theincidenceofpersonalandfamilyproblemsamong doctorsareoneofthehighestamongallprofessions.

If you are thinking of applying for medical school and pursuing a career in medicine, it is essential that you ask yourself why you want to be a physician Are you interested in being a physician because you want to help individuals and are passionate about healthcare? Are you attracted to the prestige, respect, and wealth of being a doctor? While the latter are all valid considerations when thinking of one’s future, other careers in healthcare or different professions may be better for you instead.

At the end of the day, only you will know if medicine is right for yourself, so be sure to reflect on what attracts you to the field of medicine and consider both the rewards and demands of being a physician.

Applying to Medical School

So, you decided that you want to apply to medical school? That’s awesome! You may already be thinking of questions such as:

How do I apply to medical school? How hard is the MCAT, and when should I take it? What kind of marks do I need to have? Which courses should I take? You are not the only one thinking about this! Think of this application process as an excellent opportunity for you to self-reflect on your skills, character traits, and what makes you a unique applicant for medical school At the same time, this process will allow you to confirm whether or not medicine is the career that you wish to pursue in the long run. This Journal is about guiding you through your queries and providing thorough and detailed information to support you along the way. If you still have questions, contact any of our MMHS executive team members, and we would be more than happy to address them for you!

Becoming a doctor, as you are probably aware, takes years of dedicated preparation, starting from high school to undergrad Well-roundedness is a key quality This means that you don’t just need good grades and a solid understanding of science but you also have to show commitment to one’s personal development and contribution to the community

In addition to extracurricular activities and a competitive GPA, you must meet the prerequisite courses for each school you wish to apply to. You will also have to take the MCAT and meet each school’s cutoff scores. Finally, letters of reference from individuals who can comment on qualities that would make you an excellent physician are also required. To achieve all these tasks requires a strong work ethic, time management skills, constant self-evaluation, and, most importantly, passion. In the following subsections, we will review some frequently asked questions about medical school. If the FAQs do not answer your queries, feel free to contact any of the MMHS executives for more information.

1.1 Where should I begin ?

1.2 What GPA Range do I need for Medical School ?

The cutoff GPA varies each year, so please check the respective section in this Journal for information on the school of interest. Currently, the chances of admissions in Ontario can range from 2% to 8%, which means you need as high of a GPA as possible to be competitive. This could mean a cumulative GPA of 3.80-4.00 on the OMSAS scale.

However, if you have a couple of low grades or if your marks in first year were not the highest, don’t give up just yet (but also, don’t let this trend continue!) Some schools may drop your lowest grades, while some weigh more on your two best years Nevertheless, you must try to keep your GPA as high as possible. If your GPA does not meet the minimum academic cutoffs, your extracurricular activities, letters of reference, or supplementary achievements will be of little use.

Additionally, it is VERY important to look into the admissions requirements for each medical school you wish to apply to and make a chart of their prerequisites, how they calculate your GPA and the cutoff average for GPA. Most of this information is already contained in this Journal, but in many cases, your circumstances might differ from other applicants. It is highly suggested that you send an email to respective admissions offices to confirm whether or not you are eligible for weighting, if your course meets a prerequisite requirement, and so on.

1.3 What about the courses that are extremely difficult to do well in ?

One approach is to take more “difficult” pre-requisite courses during the summer, where some schools may not count them as part of your GPA calculation For instance, the University of Ottawa1 and University of Toronto2 medical schools don't count your summer school grades in calculating your weighted GPA; however, the McMaster Michael DeGroote School of Medicine3 will include marks from supplementary and summer courses in the GPA calculation. Nonetheless, the key to this is to try your best regardless! Although a course may seem quite difficult, you may be surprised by what you can accomplish by working your hardest. In addition, a superb GPA is one of the essentials to a great application, so make sure you understand what each school requires and write it down. Tacking it to your wall not only provides motivation for times of studying, but you will also be proud of yourself when you apply with a high GPA that you worked hard for and earned!

University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. Eligibility [Internet]. Available from: https://med.uottawa.ca/undergraduate/admissions/application-process/eligibility-requirements University of Toronto MD Program. GPA and GPA weighting [Internet]. Available from: https://md.utoronto.ca/gpa-and-gpa-weighting McMaster University MD Program. Academic Requirements and Criteria of Evaluation [Internet]. Available from: https://mdprogram.

mcmaster.ca/md-program-admissions/who-should-apply/additional-notes-on-academic-requirements

REFERENCES

1.4: Should I be taking a full course load ?

It is recommended to maintain a full course load during your undergraduate degree. Many medical schools provide weighting formulas that allow you to drop a couple of your lowest grades from the GPA calculation if you have met this requirement, as it demonstrates your ability to stay focused and handle multiple areas of study at once (which is an essential skill in medicine). For example, if you have completed every year of your undergraduate studies as a full-time student with a full-course load, the weighted GPA formula at the University of Toronto will remove one of your lowest grades for each year of undergrad (i.e., three lowest grades will be dropped if you are in third year)2. This formula can definitely help boost your GPA to make your application even more competitive.

If you don’t have a full course load at the moment, make sure you check the weighted GPA formula the schools you are applying to use, so that you know how they calculate your GPA and whether they take certain academic years into consideration

MCAT

2.1: What is the MCAT ?

You’ve probably heard of it before, perhaps along with some terrifying stories. Developed and administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a standardized, six-hour long exam that covers the topics of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, verbal reasoning, psychology, and sociology. The MCAT is comprised of four multiple-choice test sections:

mcmaster.ca/md-program-admissions/who-should-apply/additional-notes-on-academic-requirements

2.2: How do I register for the MCAT ?

Toregister,goto:

https://students-residents aamc org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/

And sign up for an AAMC ID (you cannot sign up for more than one ID)

Make sure that you sign up as soon as the registration window opens for your desired test date, as spots are limited. The AAMC offers Gold, Silver and Bronze registration “Zones,” which designate how early you can sign up, the costs of taking the MCAT and cancellation flexibility. For example, Gold Zone members may register 29 days prior to the date of the exam at a fee of $315 USD, while Bronze Zone members may register 8 days beforehand at $370 USD.

For all 2023 MCAT Test Dates in Canada, see:

https://students-residents aamc org/register-mcat-exam/canadian-mcatcalendar-scheduling-deadlines-and-score-release-dates

2.3: How is the MCAT scored?

Each section of the MCAT is given a number score based on the number of questions you answer correctly. Your number score is then converted to a scaled score, minimizing the variability in test scores and providing a more stable and accurate assessment of the examinee’s abilities. Each section on the MCAT will be scored from a low of 118 to a high of 132, with a midpoint of 125. The sum of the four individual section scores is taken to determine the total score, which will range from 472 to 528 The midpoint total score will be 500 When exam scores are released, you will be able to see your score for each section and the total score, as well as the percentile rank, accompanying each score to indicate the percentages of test takers who received the same or lower scores than you did

Ensure you read and understand the specific MCAT cut-offs for each school found in this Journal to aim for an appropriate score For the 2018-19 cycle, the overall mean MCAT score for all applicants to U S medical schools was 505 6 The 2018-19 average scores for each section were:

Association of American Medical Colleges. MCAT Scores and GPAs for Applicants and Matriculants to U.S. Medical Schools, 2017-2018 through 2021-2022 [Internet]. Washington DC, USA. Available from: https://www.aamc.org/media/6056/download

2.4 What material is tested on the MCAT?

Each section of the MCAT is based on multiple Fundamental Concepts and/or various skills that would be needed for a physician. There are three Fundamental Concepts underlying the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Section, two Foundational Concepts underlying the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section, and ten Fundamental Concepts underlying the Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviours section. These three sections also contain five skills related to Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills: Knowledge of Scientific Principles, Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving, Reasoning about the Design and Execution of Research, Data-based Statistical Reasoning, and General Mathematical Concepts and Techniques Finally, the CARS section includes material that tests the following skills: Foundations of Comprehension, Reasoning within the Text, and Reasoning beyond the Text. The CARS section also includes Passage types from a variety of humanities and social sciences disciplines. Please take the time to review the information provided by the AAMC at the following link for a better understanding of what you will be tested on: https://studentsresidents.aamc.org/ prepare-mcat-exam/whats-mcat-exam#bb

The table below provides an overview of the specific format and content tested in each of the four sections.

2.5 How should I study for the MCAT ?

There are many different choices regarding MCAT preparation; the two most common are self-study or an MCAT prep course The Princeton Review and Kaplan are examples of some companies that offer comprehensive preparation courses that will help you become familiar with the exam, as well as offer many resources to help you attain the highest score possible. Visit the websites of these courses for more information.

If you do choose to self-study, there are a variety of preparatory books available from many companies, including the Princeton Review. For many, Critical Analysis and Reasoning tends to be the section that students score lowest on. Unlike the other sections, CARS requires lots of practice to see improvement. So, postponing your practice for this section may cost you greatly when it comes to feeling prepared for the MCAT. Overall, make sure you stick to a study schedule that allows you to cover all the topics and practice, practice, practice!

2.6 Does taking Organic Chemistry help with the MCAT ?

This depends on whether chemistry is your forte. If it is, you can write the MCAT with or without taking a course for organic chemistry. For many others, organic chemistry may be tough, and extra practice from a class would help improve their understanding. Before considering taking a course, look at the comprehensively written review books by The Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc and see if you can grasp some of the concepts These books are designed to cover all topics tested on the MCAT However, if you plan on taking a course, consider whether it would affect your GPA You may want to consider taking this course in the summer unless you are confident you can perform well in it during the year

EXTRACURRICULARS

3.1 What sort of extracurriculars, volunteering, or research do I need for medical school?

Your GPA and MCAT score alone are not enough to gain you entry into medical school You need to have extracurricular activities (notice the plural!) that help provide a better picture of who you are, your interests, and what you are passionate about outside of academics. As mentioned before, remember that an outstanding set of extracurricular activities cannot compensate for a GPA or MCAT that doesn’t meet the cutoff - all three of these components are absolutely necessary to paint a holistic view of who you are as an applicant.

3.2 What sort of extracurricular activities look good to admission committees?

Make sure that you have extracurriculars that you are genuinely passionate about and which demonstrate commitment Because the application process is so competitive, you need to distinguish yourself amongst all the different applicants in the pool. However, don’t come down with “pre-med syndrome” by committing hours of your time to an activity that you don’t enjoy. That’s not productive at all! You are a unique individual and the activities you dedicate yourself to will reflect that. After all, not every doctor was the captain of a varsity team. Not every medical student travelled to a developing country or served as the president of their student body. However, most of these individuals participated in a variety of long-term commitments that demonstrated their personal growth, personality, and interests. Remember: don’t ask yourself, “What does the admissions committee want to see?” Instead, ask yourself: “What have I learned and how have I grown from this activity?”

3.3 What about volunteering ?

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, on top of developing communication skills, empathy, and possibly working with others from diverse backgrounds. Many different volunteer organizations actively recruit students to help with their programs. However, remember that volunteering is not limited to a health care setting! Volunteering should ultimately come from your personal interests, in addition to demonstrating a long-term commitment. In other words, don’t volunteer at a hospital just because you think that’s what medical schools are looking for. In fact, medical schools are looking for the exact opposite - they want to see what you are genuinely passionate about! Whether you are helping to promote art by performing in Hamilton on weekends or helping set up blood donation clinics, neither is superior to the other, but both exemplify unique interests and skills.

Make sure to also take advantage of the resources available to you through clubs and university services to learn more about volunteer opportunities and ways that you can get involved with the community

3.4

How about volunteering overseas ?

Overseas volunteering provides an applicant unique opportunities to gain more knowledge about different cultures and environments, and perhaps offer a new perspective on the world around you. Many of you have likely considered going on a two-week medical service trip in an underdeveloped country where you’ll learn some procedures, perhaps work in a clinic, and tour the exquisite countryside However, some shortcomings need to be considered, such as the cost of these trips and the risk of disease Another issue worth considering is whether this is an endeavour you can commit to long-term or if it is a one-time thing – will you be able to go back every summer and help out with the trip?

Lastly, reflect on why you want to volunteer abroad and what you hope to gain from this experience. Are you passionate about providing sustainable services through a non-governmental organization, or are you simply trying to “meet” the medical school admission committee’s expectations? Remember, passion and consistency in your extracurricular activities are key.

3.5 Does employment help ?

Similar to volunteering, employment helps to demonstrate strong time management and commitment. However, it can also open up many doors for other benefits. As the cost of tuition increases for most post-secondary students, admission committees realize that students seek employment to fund their studies and gain working experience. As an applicant, don’t limit yourself to employers in healthcare-related fields. Instead, look for opportunities to help you develop skills in an area that interests you for instance, working as a lifeguard demonstrates leadership and care for the lives of others, as well as an educational role in teaching others about safety. You will also most likely be spending a lot of time with your employer, and they can write a great reference letter about your character, skills and responsibility at work.

Employment also means that you have the chance to do something unique. For example, you could try starting your own small business if you’re entrepreneurial. Another idea is spending a few months abroad teaching English instead of simply volunteering. You could provide tours in science centers, or even work in arctic exploration!

3.6 What about research ?

Research is a great way to explore more about a particular field of academia while immersing yourself in the scientific community. Remember that you do not need to limit yourself to research in the field of medicine, nor is research a necessity in your application. Before stepping into research, first ask yourself – what kind of research do I want to go into? Am I even interested in research? What do I want to get out of my research experience? Is there a specific topic or question I want to explore through the scientific research process? Your answer to these questions will allow you to identify relevant opportunities that you are interested in pursuing and will help you demonstrate your passion to potential supervisors

3.7 How should I approach a researcher ?

A good and simple guide to contacting researchers is as follows:

Send an email to a prospective researcher introducing yourself, your area of study (university program and year), and highlight your interest in their area of research. Bring up any relevant experiences that you have. Think of this introductory email as a brief, reader-friendly version of a cover letter – keep your email to a few short paragraphs maximum because they likely will not want to or have the time to read a long email.

Attach your CV so that they can look into it if they are interested in getting to know you more, and ask if there are any opportunities to volunteer or work in their lab or department.

When you hear back from them, the researcher will probably want to meet with you for an interview. Book an appointment with them at a time that works for both of you.

When first starting out in a lab, you might be only washing test tubes, doing simple assays, or sorting documents However, be proactive in the lab/department Come to the research meetings and share your ideas with your supervisor afterwards This relationship may lead you to an upper year thesis project, or even open a few conferences that you can attend. Be diligent, productive, and passionate in your research – that may earn you another letter of reference that can set you apart from the competition!

APPLICATION TIPS

4.1 I'm ready to apply to medical school - what do I do next ?

For Ontario, OMSAS (Ontario Medical School Application Service) is the application website through which you will be entering a record of all your extracurriculars, volunteering, and research. Make sure to keep track of everything you’ve done so far in the form of a Curriculum Vitae, which can be re-used for other job applications or potential research opportunities. Make sure to read the OMSAS Application Guide found on their website when you set up your account during the summer: https://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/

For all other Canadian medical schools, you will need to check their school websites for individual application processes. For American medical schools, you can apply through AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service), which is the centralized application processing service for the USA: https://students residents. aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school-process/applyingmedical-school-amcas/

4.2 Autobiographical Submission

When submitting a personal statement to either a Canadian or American school, this is a vital opportunity to let the admissions committee know who you are and why you would make an excellent physician. The key to any personal statement is always to make it personal! Your application should be written to the best of your abilities, so that it can stand out from the hundreds of answers that may describe similar activities and achievements Here are some tips to help you on your way:

Start Early!

Writing the statement may take more time than completing your OMSAS application It is important to start your draft early so as to leave time for editing, redrafting, and making sure that it is the best possible personal statement it can be

Understand the question CAREFULLY.

Every year, applicants try to make their own answer fit with the personal essay question, instead of actually addressing what the question is asking for To an admissions officer, it’s easy to slide a poor essay that doesn’t answer the question into the “rejection” folder. READ THE QUESTION. Make sure that you understand and follow all instructions. If they want to know about how your university experiences have influenced your decision to pursue medicine, do not start talking about how your parents are both doctors and how you have wanted to be a physician since you were a child. It’s not worth losing points for!

Don't Address the wrong school.

If you are using the same or similar essay more than once, DO NOT blindly copy and paste it. If you are applying to the University of Toronto Medical School, do not write, “More than anything, wish to attend the University of Ottawa Medical School.”

Make sure to proofread your work many times while editing, and it may also be worthwhile asking someone you trust to read over your essay for these kinds of mistakes! Careless mistakes like these are easily avoidable.

Grammar and punctuation.

Make sure that you follow all the rules of proper syntax and grammar and avoid any spelling errors Use the active voice and avoid qualifiers such as “quite” or “probably” You can consult services provided at the Student Success Center if you feel your writing skill needs honing

Be variable with your vocabulary, but don't over do it.

Ensure you’re not repeating the same word(s) in your essay over and over again. For example, instead of saying “I volunteered at … ” , you could say “I dedicated my time over the weekends to … ” . However, don’t use too many words that might break the flow between sentences in order to sound “smart” Your essay should be succinct, comprehensive, and give a very clear picture of who you are and your interest in medicine

Maintain professionalism.

When writing about personal experiences and anecdotes, don’t brag or put other people down in your examples. This essay is supposed to focus on you and your abilities –not how you compare with others. Also, make sure that you don’t lie about your accomplishments, because if they do find out – you can guarantee that you won’t be considered for their medical school nor will you be able to apply again any time soon!

Finally: EDIT, EDIT, EDIT!

Editing is the most important part of your personal statement. Make sure you have different people read and critique your essay and review their feedback. Book an appointment with the Student Success Centre or your faculty’s Academic Office to get feedback on your application from an academic advisor. You can try asking your TAs or even professors (if they have the time) to look over and give you their initial impressions. However, make sure that throughout editing you don’t lose the original message you wish to convey in the essay. The saying “too many chefs can spoil the soup” applies here; use feedback with discretion, both positive and negative. Only you can tell if the essay expresses who you are!

We wish you all the best of luck with your application !

Confidential Assessment Forms

All applicants for Ontario medical schools must ask three different individuals to provide a reference supporting your application – at least one of which should be a non-academic referee.1 Confidential assessment forms have replaced letters of reference in the OMSAS process. These are standardized forms that your references fill in to describe your abilities. They are submitted directly to OMSAS by the referees, and the applicant is never allowed to see them. Therefore, make sure you pick your references wisely.

When choosing your three referees, it is important to select a diverse set of individuals who can attest to different aspects of your application There are two schools of thought on this.

The first one says that your academic abilities can be spoken for by your MCAT scores and GPA, and that your letters of reference should come from people who can speak for your character, such as the people for whom you volunteer

The second says that since you submit an autobiographical sketch in which you highlight your volunteer service, and given the emphasis placed on academics in medical school, you are better off if you have a professor speak about your intelligence.

The best approach is probably to take the middle ground. OMSAS requires three confidential assessment forms per applicant, so you need not limit yourself solely to academic or personal references and can come up with a mix of both In choosing your references, keep in mind not only who will be the most flattering but also who will be the most eloquent and convincing while doing so. Do your best to select people who know you well. The idea that a reference from someone whose name ends in “MD” carries more weight is a fallacy. Medical schools give no preference or prejudice in reading the confidential assessment forms, and admissions officers would rather read a knowledgeable assessment from an ordinary citizen than one from a prestigious person who hardly knows you.

Medical School Interviews

Medical school interviews come in a variety of shapes and sizes The most common forms of interviews are the standard one-on-one (panel) interview and the MMI (multiple-mini interviews). Most medical schools use a combination of both interview styles.

Interviews are an important part of the process of gaining admission to medical school and occur after the application deadline. An invitation to a medical school interview shows that you have met the preliminary requirements, and they are interested in meeting you to get to know you better as an applicant.

Fundamentally, the interview is an exchange of information between you and the interviewer(s). It is an opportunity for them to assess your interest in and suitability for medicine To make this assessment, the interview committee will work to learn more about your skill set, values, moral compass, personality, and interests/hobbies Interviewers may be interested in your maturity, compassion, integrity, creativity, intelligence, confidence, perseverance, communication skills, and ability to relate to others Above all, admission committees are assessing to see whether you are a good fit for their medical school.

6.1 Preparing for the Interview

Make sure to practice, practice, practice before your interview! You must be well prepared and well versed in the skills and experiences you have to offer. A good way to start is by reviewing your autobiographical sketch, volunteer experiences, employment, application, personal statement and CV. It is crucial that you also have concrete examples of anecdotes in mind to support your claims. Some interviewers will want you to address failures, mistakes, and lessons you have learned, while others will focus on your successes and proudest achievements. Ensure that your responses are sufficiently detailed, as committee members are not privy to the details of your experiences.

Seeking help from mentors, students who have had previous interview experience, or even interview prep companies can be a very valuable adjunct during your interview preparation to build fundamental interview skills and practice before the big day.

6.2 Interview Formats

Standard Panel Interview

For medical school interviews, it is common for there to be a panel of interviewers. Often, panels are composed of faculty members, medical students, and/or community members who are involved with the medical program. Each interviewer will be assessing you differently and from a different perspective. Keep this in mind during your interview!

Skype Interviews (Medical Schools Abroad)

In this type of interview, interviewers use video technology to conduct interviews at a distance. This is most common for interviews to international medical schools, including Australia, Poland, and the UK. All of the same strategies would be employed as if the interview was in-person. Depending on the sophistication of the technology, you may experience short transmission delays. Make eye contact with the camera, which to the interviewer, appears as direct “eye contact.”

MMI (Multiple Mini Interview)

If you are using the same or similar essay more than once, do not blindly copy and paste it. If you are applying to the University of Toronto Medical School, do not write, “More than anything, I wish to attend the University of Ottawa Medical School ” Make sure to proofread your work many times while editing, and it may also be worthwhile asking someone you trust to read over your essay for these kinds of mistakes! Careless mistakes like these are easily avoidable

MMI Format

A set of 6 to 10 interviews are conducted over a period of approximately two hours Each candidate rotates through a series of stations At some stations, there will be another candidate or an actor Each room has an interviewer and/or an observer The scenario stem is typically posted on the exterior of the exam room door.

At each station, candidates have two minutes to read the question or scenario. Sometimes the length of the question can add stress to the situation, making it challenging to absorb all related components.

MMI Format (Continued...)

An audio indicator will sound when the interviewee can move into the interview room The question is also available in the interview room for reference After the candidate is done answering the question or performing the station, the interviewer may ask follow-up questions.

Possible interview stations:

Scenariosinvolvinginteractionswithanactorora medicalschool’sstandardizedpatient

Anessaywritingstation;thisstationmaytake longerthantheothers Astandardinterviewstation

Ateamworkstationwherecandidatesmust worktogethertocompleteatask

Anethicalscenarioinvolvingquestionsabout socialandpolicyimplications

A“rest”stationtohelpstudentscatchtheir breathandrelax

SeebelowforMMIformatvariabilityamong differentmedicalschools:

Numberofstations:variesbetween6-12

StationDuration:typically6-9minutes NoteTaking:sometimespermissible TimetoReadQuestion:typically2minutes

EndofStationNotification:occasionally,there isa1-minutewarningtowrapuptheanswer

EvaluationofMMIs

Applicants are ranked at each station by the interviewer. Interviewers do not discuss their rankings with each other; thus, they consider each station independent from one another. The evaluation criterion also varies each year. The interviewer is provided with a list of criteria that the school is looking for in a candidate Depending on the school, you may be given marks for a general impression You will also be rewarded for being articulate and well-organized Interviewers want to see how you process information, not just the end result

Association of American Medical Colleges. What it’s Like to Participate in Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) [Internet]. Washington, DC, USA: Association of American Medical Colleges; 2022. Available from: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/what-it-sparticipate-multiple-mini-interviews-mmis

(A) Questions about Your Education

Whydidyouchooseyourundergraduatemajor?

Howhaveyoutriedtoachievebreadthinyourundergraduatecurriculum? Howdoyouenvisionusingyourmedicaleducation?

(B) Traditional Personal Questions

Whatwasthebiggestmistakeyouevermade?

Asapre-med,whatskillshaveyoulearnedtohelpmanageyourtimeand relievestress?

Whatis“success”inyouropinion?After20yearsasaphysician,whatkind of“success”wouldyouhopetohaveachieved?Pleaseexplain

Tellmesomethingyouwantedtoachievebutdidnot,orsomethingyou havefailedat.

Howdoyoucopewithfailure?

Whoisthepersonintheworldtowhomyouareclosest? Giveonewordthatafriendwouldusetodescribeyou Haveyoutaughtyourselftodoanything,andifso,what?

Whoisyourhero?

Ifyoucouldinvitethreerolemodelstodinner,whowouldtheybeandwhy, andwhatwouldyouservethem?

(C) Questions Specific to Medicine

Whatexcitesyouaboutmedicineingeneral?

Whatvolunteerworkcontributedtoyourcommitmenttobecomingadoctor? Howdoesyourhobbyrelatetobeingadoctor?

Ifyoumadeamistakeasaphysician,howwouldyouhandleit?

Whataresomeofthegreatestproblemsmedicineisfacingtodayfroma professionalstandpoint?

Ifyouhadtochoosebetweenacademicandclinicalmedicineasaprofession, whichonewouldyouchooseandwhy?

StollM,DavisA,BraswellL.Best168medicalschools:theinterview.NewYork:ThePrincetonReview,Inc.;2008.p.83-93.

(D) Ethical Questions

Whatareyourviewsoneuthanasia(medicallyassistedsuicide)?

Isaltruismeverpure,withoutsomekindofmotive?

Ishealthcarearightoraprivilege?

HowwouldyoufeelabouttreatingapatientwhohastestedpositiveforHIV?

Areyouawareofanycurrentcontroversiesintheareaofmedicalethics?

Shouldwespendsomuchtimeandefforttryingtokeepprematureinfantsalive?

Whatwouldyoudoasaphysicianifyouwereaskedtodosomethingcontraryto yourstandonabortion?

(E) Medical School-Related Questions

Whatkindofmedicalschoolsareyouapplyingto,andwhy?

Whatskillswouldyouhopeanidealmedicalschoolexperiencewouldequipyouwith?

Whatmakesthemedicalschoolyouareinterviewingforparticularlydesirabletoyou?

(F) Questions about your Motivation

HowhaveyoutestedyourmotivationtobecomeanMD?Pleaseexplain

Canadian Medical Schools

The Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) provides important information on Ontario medical schools. All medical school applications must be submitted through OMSAS and will not be accepted if sent directly to respective schools. Schools outside of Ontario function independently and should be investigated on an individual basis. Links to OMSAS and to individual medical schools can be found at the end of this Journal. Additionally, many schools have different criteria and definitions of courses which satisfy their pre-requisite requirements. For example, a Biology requirement can be fulfilled by a course in physiology, anatomy, or either one, depending on the specific school Generally, a “1 year” requirement can be met by two semester-long courses or a single full-year course Still, it is important that students refer both to OMSAS and the individual universities for additional details on application and admission requirements use a combination of both interview styles

The following is a chart listing all the undergraduate medical programs offered in Canada, both inside and outside of Ontario, that teach in English. Please note that Laval, Sherbrooke, and Montréal all have undergraduate medical programs but that they instruct in the French language, and restrict nearly all positions to residents of Québec. Additionally, the potential applicant must realize that each year, application procedures change, so we recommend that you investigate each university of interest more thoroughly.

ONTARIO MEDICAL SCHOOL

REFERENCES

1

CANADIAN MEDICAL SCHOOLS (OUTSIDE OF ONTARIO)

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry [Internet]. Edmonton: University of Alberta. Available from: https://www.ualberta.ca/medicine/programs/md/applying-to-medicine

2. University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine [Internet]. Vancouver: University of British Columbia. Available from: http://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/admissions/welcome-message/

3. University of Calgary Medicine [Internet]. Calgary: University of Calgary. Available from: http://www.ucalgary.ca/mdprogram/admissions

4. Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine Admissions Office [Internet]. Halifax: Dalhousie University. Available from: http://admissions.medicine.dal.ca/admissions.htm

5. University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine [Internet]. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba. Available from: https://umanitoba.ca/explore/programs-of-study/medicine-md 6.McGill Faculty of

6. Medicine Office of Admissions [Internet]. Montreal: McGill University. Available from: https://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/applying

7. Memorial University Faculty of Medicine [Internet]. St. John’s: Memorial University. Available from: http://www.med.mun.ca/Admissions/Home.aspx

8. University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine [Internet]. Saskatoon: University of Saskatchewan. Available from: https://medicine.usask.ca/admission-to-the-md-program/how-to-apply.php

OMSAS Application Medical Schools in Ontario

As mentioned, all applications to Ontario’s medical schools flow through the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS), which is accessible through its website Each applicant is assigned a user account to access the program Once the applicant has logged on, they can begin to fill out or edit information in the various sections of the application Upon completion, the updated information can be saved so that they can resume filling out the application the next time they log on All sections of the application must be completed by the applicant, except for the Confidential Assessment Forms. These forms must be completed by the referees.

All applications are due at exactly the same time: no later than 4:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time on October 3, 2022. Furthermore, all applicants must create an OMSAS account before September 15, 2022 (4:30 pm EDT). These are hard deadlines. All Confidential Assessment Forms and transcripts are also requested by October 3, 2022. Applicants should review the deadline dates from the website. As Ontario’s formal medical school application center, applicants can rely on OMSAS to provide all necessary information on application procedures, payment, academic transcripts and documents.

Although initial application procedures are the same for all medical schools in the province of Ontario, each school treats applicants differently and has different expectations Applicants may find that they are better suited to the requirements at one school than those of another The following is a brief description of each of Ontario’s six medical schools

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

McMasterUniversityestablisheditsSchoolofMedicinein1966andinitiated theUndergraduateMedicalProgramin1969,withitsfirstgraduatingclassinMay 1972 OncerenamedtheMichaelG DeGrooteSchoolofMedicinein2004,the programtakesprideinitsuniquewayofteachingthroughearlyexposuretothe clinicalsettingandaproblem-basedlearning(PBL)system.PBLisquiteunique comparedtothetraditionalundergraduateacademicexperienceoflecture-based knowledgeacquisition.Instead,thissystemfocusesonlearninginsmalltutorial sessionsthroughproblem-basedandself-directedlearning.Furthermore,McMaster istheonlymedicalschoolinOntariothatoffersathree-yearprogram.¹

Geographically,theMichaelG DeGrooteSchoolofMedicineisbasedinthree locations:themaincampusinHamiltonandtwosatellitecampusesintheWaterloo andNiagararegions.Accordingtocollectedadmissionstatistics,morethan5,500 applicationsarereceivedeachyear.²Similartootherapplicationcycles,203spots wereofferedin2019:147fromthemaincampusand28fromeachsatellitecampus. [3]Ofthesespots,90%willbeofferedtoOntarioresidents(i.e.,anindividualwhohas livedinOntarioforatleastthreeyearssincetheageof14andiseitheraCanadian CitizenorPermanentResident)and10%toallotherCanadianandInternational applicants.²

McMasteralsoassessesapplicantsusingitsComputer-basedAssessmentof SamplingPersonalcharacteristicssystem,knownasCASPerforshort.CASPerisa 90-minutecomputer-basedtestthatassessesanindividual’sinterpersonaland decision-makingskills.TherearemultipletestdatesfromOctobertoNovember forthe2023cycle.

Pleasevisitwww.takealtus.com/dates-times/toviewdatesandregister.Theadmission committeevariesthepercentageweightingofCASPereachyear Inthecomingcycle,tosecure aninterviewspot,32%willbebasedonGPA,32%onMCATCARSscore,32%onCASPerandup to4%ongraduatedegrees About550applicantsareinvitedforaninterviewinMarchorApril everyyear.Atthispoint,anofferofadmissionwillbebasedonthefollowingranking:70% MultipleMiniInterview(MMI)score,15%undergraduateGPA,and15%CARSscore⁴

About550applicantsareinvitedforaninterviewinMarchorAprileveryyear.Atthispoint, anofferofadmissionwillbebasedonthefollowingranking:70%MultipleMiniInterview(MMI) score,15%undergraduateGPA,and15%CARSscore.⁴

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

AswithanyOntariomedicalschool,theapplicationmustbesubmittedthroughthe OntarioMedicalSchoolsApplicationService(OMSAS)byOctober3,2023,4:30pm.EDT.Check theOMSASsiteathttp://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/forthemostupdatedinformationandtakenote ofthe“ImportantDates”section.

TheadmissionrequirementsfortheMcMasterSchoolofMedicineareasfollows:

AminimumofthreecompletedyearsofanundergraduatedegreebyMayoftheyearofentry. AnoverallOMSASconvertedaverageof3.00onthe4.00-pointscale,includingallsummer andsupplementarycourses,byOctober1oftheyearofentry.Third-yearapplicantsaregiven offersconditionaluponmaintaininganaverageofatleast3.00

TheapplicantmusthavewrittentheMCATbytheapplicationdeadlinewithaminimumscore of123ontheCARSsection.Iftheapplicanthascompletedthetestmultipletimes,themost recentscorewillbeused.

TheapplicantmusthavecompletedtheCASPerduringthecycleoftheapplicationyear

CURRICULUM

In September 2005, McMaster introduced the COMPASS curriculum. It is structured to integrate the fundamental concept of medicine while providing students with the opportunity to practice applying these concepts to clinical situations. McMaster’s curriculum consists of two stages: pre-clinical and clinical In the pre-clinical segment, students learn the five Medical Foundations, which address the major concept themes of medicine.

Anewadditiontothepre-clinicalcurriculumisaProfessionalCompetenciessection thatdealswiththecomplexitiesofclinicalpractice,whichincludeethics,communicationskills, self-reflection,healthsystems,andinterprofessionalteamwork.

TheClinicalstageisa63-weekprogramthatconsistsofactivestudentparticipationin patientcare.Studentsrotatebetweenvariousareasofmedicine,includinggeriatrics,surgery, familymedicine,anesthesia,psychiatry,pediatrics,obstetrics,gynecology,emergency medicine,andoneelective.Theserotationsarecarriedoutinteachinghospitalsinthe Hamiltonregion,aswellascommunityhospitalsinSt Catharine’s,Guelph,Brantford, Burlington,NiagaraFallsandtheKitchener-Waterlooregion.Studentsarealsoencouragedto traveloutsideHamiltonforclinicalrotations

REFERENCES

McMaster University Undergraduate Medical Program [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram mcmaster ca/

McMaster University McMaster University Undergraduate Medical Program Class of 2019 [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram mcmaster ca/docs/defaultsource/admissions/classof2019 pdf?sfvrsn=2

Ontario Universities’ Application Centre OMSAS – Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine McMaster University [Internet] Available from: https://www ouac on ca/guide/omsas-mcmaster/

McMaster University How We Select [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram mcmaster ca/md-program-admissions/how-we-select/selecting-our-students

McMaster University Who Should Apply? [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram mcmaster ca/md-program-admissions/who-should-apply/additional-notes-on-academic-requirements McMaster University MD Program [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram mcmaster ca/mcmaster-md-program/what-is-compass2

h a e l G . D e G r o o t e

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has two main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, with various other teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario.¹ NOSM is a joint initiative between Laurentian University and Lakehead University, the inception of which was for the improvement of health care in Northern Ontario, a relatively under-serviced region. Thus, NOSM strives to educate their students on the illnesses, clinical challenges, and rewards associated with the delivery of healthcare services to northern urban and rural communities.

ADMISSION & ELIGIBILITY

Inordertobeconsideredforadmission,theapplicantmustbeaCanadiancitizen orapermanentresident Theymusthavecompletedafour-yearundergraduatedegree (orathree-yeardegree,if25yearsorolder) TheminimumoverallOMSASconverted GPAis30onthe40scale,whichtakesintoaccountallcompletedundergraduate courses,includingthosethatweretakeninthesummer.Specificcoursesarenotrequired foradmission.Applicantsarerequiredtosubmitanautobiographicalsketch,responses tosupplementaryquestions,andthreeConfidentialAssessmentFormsandlettersof reference.TheMCATisnotrequired.

Non-academicqualitiesofcompetitiveapplicantswillalsobeconsidered,including self-motivation,self-direction,andcomfortinsmallgroupworkandcase-basedlearning. Applicantsshouldalsoshowastrong,genuineinterestinlivingandworkingwithunderservicedpopulations,preferablyinNorthernOntario.SelectionintoNOSMfavoursthose whoarecomfortablewiththechallengethatcomeswithpracticinginnorthernrural learningenvironments NorthernOntario,rural,Aboriginal,andFrancophoneapplicants aregivenparticularconsiderationinordertoreflectthedemographicsofNorthern Ontariocitizens

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

THE CURRICULUM

NOSM’sfour-yearcurriculumfeaturescase-basedlearning,aresearchprogramfocused onnorthernpopulations,andamandatorytermofstudyspentinAboriginalornorthernregions. DuringPhase1(years1and2),studentswillhaveasequenceof11CaseBasedModules (CBMs),eachcoveringamajorbodysystem.EachCBMwillalsohavearemote,regional, Aboriginal,orruralfocus Studentsaretaughtinamixofsmallandlargegroupsessions,labs, andcommunity-basedclinicalexperiences.

Studentswillhaveafour-weekIndigenouscommunityplacementinyear1andtwofourweekruralandremotecommunityplacementsinyear2.Phase2(year3)oftheprogramfocuses onaComprehensiveCommunityClerkship(CCC)thattakesplaceinmedium-sizedcommunities acrossNorthernOntario.Studentswillexperienceawiderangeofclinicallearningactivitiesin thecommunityandwithingroupteachingsessions.Allthestudentswillalsopartakeina reflectiveresearchprojectfocusedontheneedsoftheirhostcommunities.Phase3(year4)will takeplaceinacademichealthcentersinThunderBayandSudbury.Thisphasefocusesona seriesofspecializedclerkshiprotations:Surgery,InternalMedicine,Children’sHealth,Women’s Health,MentalHealth,EmergencyMedicine,andFamilyMedicine.

Asidefromtheseexposurestovariousspecialties,studentswillalsohaveopportunities toexploremedicineindifferentsettingsthroughelectives.AlthoughgraduatesofNOSMare abletotakepostgraduatestudiesanywhereinCanada,theywilllikelybeinclinedtotrainand practiceinnorthernurban,rural,andremotecommunities.

REFERENCES

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/mdprogram/

Northern Ontario School of Medicine Admission Requirements [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/admissions/admission-requirements/

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program Curriculum [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/

Northern Ontario School of Medicine Admission Requirements [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/admissions/admission-requirements/

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program Curriculum [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/

BACKGROUND

TheFacultyofMedicineattheUniversityofOttawaislocatedatRogerGuindonHall,separatefromtheuniversity’smaincampus TheUniversityof Ottawa’sMDprogramoffersbilingualinstructioninEnglishandFrench. Thisfour-yearprogramemphasizesself-learningandteachesstudentsthe principlesofclinicalproblems.Additionally,basicconcepts,whichprovidean overviewoffundamentalbiomedicalscienceknowledge,arepresentedin whole-classlecturesandseminars.Ottawa’smedicalprogramaimstofoster trust,compassion,communicationskills,ethicalconduct,andpatientadvocacy.

In2022,thenumberofsuccessfulapplicantswas168.However,this numbervariesfromyeartoyear.Admissionrequirementsareuniqueinthatthe UniversityofOttawadoesnotrequireanycomponentsoftheMCAT Instead, Ottawa’sadmissionprocessfocusesontheapplicant’sweightedGPA(wGPA), autobiographicalsketch,theCASPertest,andatraditionalinterview Moreover, Ottawadoesnotadmitstudentsbyregionalorprovincialquota

GPA REQUIREMENTS

The wGPA cut-off for Ottawa is 3 50/4 00 The wGPA is a calculation in which the GPA value of each year of study is multiplied by a weighting factor, and the total sum is averaged The wGPA is calculated based on the most recent two to three years of full-time study, not including the student’s current year.

GPA CONVERSION

For example, if a student applies during his third year of undergraduate studies, their wGPA will be calculated as follows:

NOTE: Summer courses are not included in the wGPA calculation.

However, for a student applying in their fourth year, the first three full years of undergraduate study will be included in the wGPA:

NOTE: If a student has completed more than four years, only the most recent three years will be considered and calculated accordingly. Students may consider re-applying with a higher wGPA if they are returning for a fifth year. Only full-time undergraduate studies will be considered, which may differ from other schools across Canada.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To apply to all Ontario medical schools, the application begins in OMSAS (Ontario Medical Schools Application Service) at http://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/ Applications are available starting from early July and the deadline for completion/submission for the 2022 application cycle is October 4th, 2022 Check the OMSAS site for the most updated information and take note of the “Important Dates” section The following are the admission requirements for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

GPA CONVERSION

For example, if a student applies during his third year of undergraduate studies, their wGPA will be calculated as follows:

NOTE: Summer courses are not included in the wGPA calculation.

However, for a student applying in their fourth year, the first three full years of undergraduate study will be included in the wGPA:

NOTE: If a student has completed more than four years, only the most recent three years will be considered and calculated accordingly. Students may consider re-applying with a higher wGPA if they are returning for a fifth year. Only full-time undergraduate studies will be considered, which may differ from other schools across Canada.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To apply to all Ontario medical schools, the application begins in OMSAS (Ontario Medical Schools Application Service) at http://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/. Applications are available starting from early July and the deadline for completion/submission for the 2023-entry application cycle is October 4th, 2022. Check the OMSAS site for the most updated information and take note of the “Important Dates” section. The following are the admission requirements for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

To be considered, applicants must have completed:

A minimum of three undergraduate years of study by June prior to entry.

One full year (6 units) in Humanities or Social Sciences.

One full year (6 units) in Biology or Physiology

One semester (3 units) in Organic Chemistry.

One semester (3 units) in Chemistry

One semester (3 units) in Biochemistry.

One semester (3 units) in Statistics

CURRICULUM

The University of Ottawa’s medical program is divided into 147 weeks of instruction, which include 72 weeks of clinical work. In pre-clerkship, students are taught essential biomedical principles along with healthcare-related topics. Examples include health advocacy, ethics, hematology, musculoskeletal system, and cardiology. In clerkship, students have core rotations in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, acute care, and a mandatory one-month training in a rural setting Year 2 will include the Mandatory Clinical Elective Week elective that must be at least 20 hours in duration.

For more information regarding the MD undergraduate curriculum and program requirements, please visit www.med.uottawa.ca.

University of Ottawa Frequently Asked Questions [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/admissions/faq

University of Ottawa UGME Curriculum Overview [Internet] Available from: http://catalogue uottawa ca/en/undergrad/undergraduate-medical-education-md-program/#text

University of Ottawa Application Process [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/admissions/application-process/eligibility-requirements

References

1 2 3

University of Ottawa Excellence of Marks [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/admissions/application-process/excellence-marks

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/mdprogram/

University of Ottawa Eligibility [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/admissions/application-process/eligibility-requirements

University of Ottawa Pre-Clerkship [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/education/electives/ottawa-students-guidelines/pre-clerkship

University of Ottawa Clerkship [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/education/electives/ottawa-students-guidelines/clerkship

Northern Ontario School of Medicine Admission Requirements [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/admissions/admission-requirements/

University of Ottawa Program MD Curriculum [Internet] Available from: https://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/faculty/program-md-curriculum

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program Curriculum [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/

BACKGROUND

Establishedin1854,theSchoolofMedicineatQueen’sUniversityaimsto developleadersinthehealthcarefieldthroughthespiritofinquiry,interdisciplinary approaches,andinnovationineducation.Thisteachingapproachfocuseson hands-onclinicalexperienceandpersonalinteractionswithfacultymembers.

LocatedinKingston,Ontario,theSchoolofMedicineatQueen’sUniversity isaffiliatedwiththreehospitalsthatserveoveratotalof500,000residentsinthe area:KingstonGeneralHospital,HotelDieuHospital,andProvidenceCare. Together,thesehealthcarecentersprovidestudentswithlearningopportunities inarangeofprograms,includingoncology,trauma,rehabilitation,nephrology, mentalhealth,cardiology,stroke,pediatrics,obstetrics,andmore.

GPAandMCATscoresareusedtofilterapplicantsonanacademicbasis.Cut-offsfluctuate annuallydependingonthepoolofapplicants;however,theschooldoesnotreleasethisinformation.In addition,anapplicant’sbestMCATresultsareusedforhisorherassessment,providedthatthetestwas writtenwithinthelastfiveyears Therearenorestrictionsonthenumberoftimesthatthetestmaybe written AsofMay2017,theynolongeracceptMCATscoresfromtestswrittenpriortothe2015MCAT

Theautobiographicalsketchrequiresapplicantstohighlighttheirexperiencesinupto32different activitiesinthefollowingareas:formaleducation,employment,volunteeractivities,extracurricular activities,awardsandaccomplishments,publicationsandresearch,and‘other’.

TheMMIwasinstitutedatQueen’sUniversityin2011andisusedinconjunctionwithapanel interviewtoassessqualitiessuchasempathy,decision-making,ethicsandcommunicationskills.The MMIformatusesmultipleeight-minutesessionsduringwhichtheapplicantinteractswithorisobserved bytheexaminer Forfurtherinformation,consulttheAppendixonMMI

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must fulfill a total of 90-course credits, or three years of full-time study, towards any university program However, no specific courses are required as prerequisites

ADMISSION STATISTICS

For the 2022 year, 108 positions were made available for 5,540 applicants.

THE CURRICULUM

TheQueen’sSchoolofMedicinehasafour-yearcurriculumthatisdividedintotwophases: pre-clerkshipandclerkship TheprogramfollowstheFoundationsCurriculum,whichemphasizes thepatientandpatientneedswhilehelpingstudentsdevelopskillsinvariousnecessaryfields This curriculumissummarizedschematicallyintheprograms’curriculum

Inpre-clerkship,studentsreceiveinstructioninbasicsciences,fundamentallanguage, conceptsofmedicalscience,andcommunicationandclinicalskills.Ontheotherhand,clerkship consistsofseveralservicesinwhichstudentsareexposedtoareassuchasFamilyMedicine, Surgery,Psychiatry,Obstetrics/Gynecology,Pediatrics,Geriatrics,EmergencyMedicine,and medicalelectives.

REFERENCES

References 1 2 3

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/mdprogram/

Queen’s University School of Medicine Undergraduate Medical Education – About [Internet] Available from: https://meds queensu ca/academics/undergraduate/about Queen’s University School of Medicine Application Process [Internet] Available from: https://meds queensu ca/academics/undergraduate/prospective-students/applying/application-process Queen’s University School of Medicine Frequently Asked Questions [Internet] Available from: https://meds queensu ca/academics/undergraduate/prospective-students/frequently-askedquestions

Northern Ontario School of Medicine Admission Requirements [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/admissions/admission-requirements/

Ontario Universities’ Application Centre Medical School Application Statistics [Internet] Available from: https://www ouac on ca/statistics/omsas-application-statistics/ Queen’s University School of Medicine Curriculum Information [Internet] Available from: https://meds queensu ca/academics/undergraduate/prospective-students/curriculum

Northern Ontario School of Medicine MD Program Curriculum [Internet] Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Northern Ontario School of Medicine Available from: https://www nosm ca/education/md-program/

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

Basedintwolocations–St.George(downtownToronto)andMississauga theFacultyofMedicineattheUniversityofTorontooffersoneofCanada’slargest medicalprograms.ThisUndergraduateMedicalProgramaimstofostertheideal medicalprofessionalthroughcorecompetenciesofcollaboration,communication anddecision-making.¹TheFacultyofMedicineattheUniversityofTorontooperates with28departmentsandthesecondlargestacademichealthsciencenetworkin NorthAmerica,providingstudentswiththeopportunitytoexercisetheir competenciesthroughclinicalexperienceandcutting-edgeresearch.²See http://md.utoronto.ca/our-partnersformoreinformationregardingtheaffiliated organizationsthatcollaboratewiththeUniversityofToronto.

TheUniversityofTorontohasplayedahistoricalroleintheadvancementof medicalresearch.InadditiontobeinghometothefirstMD/PhDprograminCanada³ , ithasalsobeenthesiteofDr.FrederickBantingandJohnMacLeod’sNobelPrizewinningdiscoveryofinsulin.⁴

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Both academic and non-academic criteria are considered in the admission process. A minimum of three years of study, or 15 Full-Course Equivalents (FCEs) toward any university bachelor’s degree must be fulfilled.5 Furthermore, a minimum GPA of 3.6 on the OMSAS scale is also required.

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

Thecalculationofanapplicant’sGPAdoesnotincludetheyearofstudyinwhichthe applicationisreceived.Additionally,inanefforttoencouragerigorouscourseloads,somelow coursemarkscanbedropped⁶Forinstance,astudentwhocompletedfull-courseloadsforthree years,maydropeitherhisorherthreelowestfull-yearcourses,sixlowestsemester-longcourse marks,oranycombinationofthetwo Likewise,astudentwhocompletedfull-courseloadsforall fouryearsmaydropthemarksoffourfull-yearcoursesoreightsemester-longcourses.

AminimumMCATscoreof125isrequiredforthreeofthefoursectionsandascoreof124is allowedforanyoneofthesections.⁵Ifanapplicantscoresslightlybelowtheminimumbutis competitiveinallotherareas,considerationmaystilloccur.⁶OnlyMCATstakeninthepastfive yearsarereviewed,andiftakenmultipletimes,themostrecentoneisassessed.⁶

AcademicprerequisitesforadmissionincludetwoFCEsinthelifesciences–thisdoesnot includechemistryorphysics,whicharedesignatedasphysicalsciences.OneFCEisalsonecessary inthesocialsciences,humanitiesorlanguages.⁵

Non-academicqualificationsareassessedbybriefpersonalessays,autobiographical sketches,andlettersofrecommendation.SincetheapplicationcycleofSeptember2012,four originalbriefpersonalessaysarerequiredinsteadofone Thelimitis250wordsforeach, answeringspecificquestionsrelatedtotheFaculty’sMissionsandValues.Thekeyistowriteyour essaysbasedonthenatureandoutcomeoftheactivity,notwhereitwasdone Tosupplementyour autobiographicalsketch(e.g.,employment,volunteering,awards,research),youmustwritethree briefstatements(250-wordlimit)todescribethreeactivitiesand/orachievementsfromyoursketch thatbestrepresenttheattributesreflectedintheeducationalgoalsoftheUniversityofToronto.

Likethefourpersonalessaysabove,whatyouhavelearnedfromtheactivityismore importanttomentionthanwhetheritwascompletedinadevelopingcountryorintheresearchlab. Lastly,threelettersofreference,withaccompanyingstandardizedConfidentialAssessmentForms, arerequiredfromnon-familymembers.⁷Indigenousstudentsarerecognizedseparatelybutare nonethelesssubjectedtothesamerequirements.Indigenousstudentscanapplythroughthe IndigenousStudentApplicationProgram(ISAP)⁸

ADMISSION STATISTICS

For the 2022 scholastic year, 4,302 applications were received Of the 4,302 applicants in 2022, 638 received interviews.¹⁰ The average GPA of successful candidates in 2022 was 3.94 on the OMSAS scale.¹⁰

THE CURRICULUM

TheUniversityofToronto’sMDprogramisfouryearsinlength.Academically,itis dividedintothepre-clerkship(firsttwoyears)andclerkshipphase(lasttwoyears).Thefirst twoyearsarecalledtheFoundationsCurriculum,whichaimstopreparestudentstopractice medicineinaccordancewiththecurrentandcontinuouslyevolvinghealthcarefield.Thereare threemajorcomponentstotheFoundationsCurriculum:courses,components,andthemes. Thecourses,ofwhichtherearefive,include:IntroductiontoMedicine;Concepts,Patientsand CommunitiesIandII;LifeCycle;andComplexityandChronicity.Pleasevisitthefollowinglink formoreinformationregardingthecourses:https://mdutorontoca/foundations-curriculumcourses-components-themes.

Throughouteachcourse,therearefourcomponentsthroughwhichthecontentis delivered.Theseinclude:TorontoPatient-CenteredIntegratedCurriculum(TOPIC),Integrated ClinicalExperience(ICE),Portfolio,andHealthScienceResearch(HSR) Thethemesthatrun throughouttheFoundationsCurriculumareorganizedintothreecategoriesandcanberead moreaboutatthewebsitegivenabove.Therearethemesrelatedtoprioritypopulationgroups, themesrelatedtoCanMEDSroles,andthemesrelatedtospecificcontentareas.

REFERENCES

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Education Goals and Competency Framework [Internet] Available from: https://md utoronto ca/md-program

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Welcome [Internet] Available from: http://md utoronto ca/our-partners

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine MD/PhD Program History [Internet] Available from: https://md utoronto ca/history-0 Nobelprize org Discovery of insulin [Internet] Available from: https://www nobelprize org/prizes/medicine/1923/banting/lecture/

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Academic Requirements [Internet] Available from: http://md utoronto ca/academic-requirements

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine GPA and GPA Weighting [Internet] Available from: http://md utoronto ca/gpa-and-gpa-weighting

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Non-Academic Requirements [Internet] Available from: http://md utoronto ca/non-academic-requirements

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Indigenous Student Application Program [Internet] Available from: http://md utoronto ca/indigenous-student-application-program Ontario Universities’ Application Centre OMSAS – University of Toronto [Internet] Available from: https://www ouac on ca/guide/omsas-toronto/

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Admission Statistics [Internet] Available from: http://applymd utoronto ca/admission-stats

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Foundations Curriculum structure [Internet] Available from: https://md utoronto ca/foundations-curriculum

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Foundations Curriculum Schedule 2022/2023 [Internet] Available from: https://md utoronto ca/sites/default/files/20200205foundations yr1 important dates 2021-2022 pdf

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

TheSchulichSchoolofMedicineislocatedattwocampusesinOntario:onein LondonandtheotherinWindsor.Itsresearch-intensivecurriculumspansvarious areasofmedicineanddentistry,includingbiomedicalimaging,cancer,respiratory health,andneuroscience.Thecurriculumemphasizestheimportanceofpatientcenteredcare,aswellasanextensivefocusonruralmedicine Itslearning communityalsospans40communitiesacrossSouthwesternOntario,collectively namedtheSouthwesternOntarioMedicalEducationNetwork(SWOMEN) The SchulichSchoolofMedicinetakesprideinitsstate-of-the-artteachingtechnology thatconnectsthemaincampusesandSWOMENteachingsites.

Inadditiontoenablinglocalandremotegrouplearning,Westernalsohouses computerlearningcentersandaVirtualAnatomyLab,wherestudentsattendsmall lecturesandhaveaccesstomodels,skeletons,andDVDsthatfacilitatetheirlearning. TheschoolalsooffersMDjointprograms,includingMD/PhD,MD/Bachelorof EngineeringScience,andOralandMaxillofacialSurgery/MD/MSc(pleaseseeSection “HelpfulContactsandLinks”underAppendixformoredetails).

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have completed or be in their last year of a four-year undergraduate honours program with a full course load. There are no course requirements to apply to the Schulich School of Medicine. In terms of GPA, the minimum average for 2022/2023 applicants’ two best years was set at 3.70 out of 4.00.

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

MinimumMCATscoresaredependentonwheretheapplicantattendedsecondaryschool. For2022/2023applicantswhoattendedhighschoolsinselectSouthwesternOntariocommunities (i.e.Grey,Bruce,Huron,Perth,Oxford,Middlesex,Lambton,Chatham-Kent,Elgin,Norfolk,orEssex Counties),theminimumcombinedMCATscorefortheBS,PBandCARSwas380(125forBBFLS, CPFBS,andCARS).However,applicantswhoattendedhighschoolsoutsideSouthwesternOntario haddifferentminimumscoresforeachMCATsection:atleasta126forBBFLS,127forCPFBS,and 127forCARS.

ApplicantsmustbeCanadiancitizens/residentsandbeproficientinEnglish Firstaidtraining, CPRLevelC,PoliceRecordCheck,andVulnerableSectorScreeningmustbedonepriortoenrolment

ApplicationtotheSchulichSchoolofMedicineisbasedprimarilyontheapplicant’sundergraduaterecord,GPA,MCATscores,threereferences,anabbreviatedautobiographicalsketch,and aninterview.Interviewsare45minutesinlengthandconsistofthreeinterviewers:aseniormedical student,aphysician,andacommunitymember.

ApplicantsfromselectSouthwesternOntarioand/orIndigenousareasaregivenspecial consideration Pleaserefertothelinkgivenhereforadditionalinformationonthismatter: www.schulich.uwo.ca/med dent admissions/medicine/southwestern ontario applicants.html

APPLICATION PROCESS

StudentsneedtoregisteronOMSASbySeptember15,2022,andsubmittheir applicationbyOctober4,2022.

ConfidentialassessmentformsareduetoOMSASbyDecember1,2022

InterviewnotificationemailsareusuallysentinFebruary.InterviewswillbeheldinMarch. FirstroundofadmissionofferswillbesentoutonMay12,2022.

THE CURRICULUM

Withinthefour-yearprogramattheSchulichSchoolofMedicine,studentsdevelopathorough understandingofthebiological,behaviouralandpopulationsciences tounderstandhowtotreat patientsinthecontextoftheirenvironments.Togainexposureinruralandregionalmedicine,all studentshavetheopportunitytotakeonmedicalplacementswithintheSWOMENcommunities.

Studentsbegintheirfirstandsecondyearswiththeirpre-clerkship.Theircurriculumconsistsof coursesonhumanbiologicalsystems,clinicalmethods,andcommunityhealth.Thesecoursesare taughtthroughavarietyoflearningstyles,rangingfromlecturesandlabs,tocasestudiesandgroup work.Studentsalsodevelopanunderstandingofhowtopromotesuccessfuldoctor-patientinteractions, whichisachievedthroughClinicalSkillslearningsuitesandpracticewithstandardizedpatients.

Thethirdyearofmedicalschool,orclerkship,assignsstudentstorotationsindifferent medicalspecialties.Inaddition,itisrecommendedthatstudentscompletetheircoreelectivesin ordertoprovidespaceforelectivesofinterestinthefollowingyear.

Studentsaregivenincreasedinvolvementinpatientmanagementandinteraction,comparedwith thepre-clerkshipyears.IntheirfinalyearattheSchulichSchoolofMedicine,studentsareabletotakeup toeightelectives.Thisprovidesthemwiththeflexibilitytoprepareforlicensingexamsandprospective medicalspecialties.

THE COST

Tuition ranges from $26,456 to $30,626 a year, depending on the level of study. These numbers do not include the price of amenities such as books, rent, food, and transportation. However, there are over $3.2 million in bursaries, scholarships and awards, 204 Needs-Based Scholarships and many Privately-Funded Bursaries specifically set aside for Schulich students. Student applications for financial assistance should be submitted at the time of invitation for an interview. In addition, OSAP is available for students with good academic standing. For more assistance pertaining to the Schulich School of Medicine, please visit Student Finances in the Office of the Registrar at: http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student finances/index.html.

REFERENCES

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Program Overview [Internet] Available from: http://www schulich uwo ca/medicine/undergraduate/about us/overview html

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry A Brief History of the Medical School [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/historymedicine/ Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Combined Degree Programs [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/education programs/combined degree programs/index htmll Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Research [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/historymedicine/research/index html

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry GPA and MCAT Minimums [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/med dent admissions/medicine/admission requirements html#grade point average

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Admission Requirements [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/med dent admissions/medicine/admission requirements html

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Indigenous Applicants [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/med dent admissions/medicine/indigenous applicants html

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Application Process [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/med dent admissions/medicine/how to apply html

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Curriculum Overview [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/medicine/undergraduate/md program/curriculum/index html

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Clerkship [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/deptmedicine/education/undergraduate/year 3 clerkship html

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Financial Matters [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/med dent admissions/student resources/student finances medicine html

SCHOOLOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

TheFacultyofMedicineandDentistryattheUniversityofAlbertahashada historyofworld-classresearch,educationandpatientcaresinceitwasestablishedin 1913 ItisknownasoneofCanada’spremierhealthsciencesinstitutesanditsrecent collaborativerelationshipwithAlbertaHealthServiceshasattractedsomeofthetop medicalmindsintheworldandhascreatedanatmosphereofcontinualdiscoveryfor itsstudents.¹TheOfficeofUndergraduateMedicalEducation(UME)offersafour-year DoctorofMedicine(MD)programthatstrivestoeducatemedicalstudentstobecome knowledgeable,compassionate,collaborative,reflectiveandprofessionalphysicians committedtoqualityhealthcareandlifelonglearning.

TheUniversityofAlbertaprovidesanintegratedcurriculumfocusedon education,researchandpatientcaretaughtthroughabalanceoftraditionaland innovativeteachingmethods,includinglecturesandlaboratoryinstruction,small-group casestudies,problem-basedlearning,Internet-basedtutorials,andpreceptor-guided clinicalskillsessions²Studentsareencouragedtopursueresearchduringtheir undergraduatedegreeandarealsogiventheopportunitytopursuetheMDwitha SpecialTraininginResearchDesignationprogramthatmoreformallyrecognizetheir additionalresearchtraining.³Inaddition,acombinedMD/PhDprogramisoffered⁴ , alongwithaMD/MBA.⁵

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applications for the Fall 2023 academic year began on July 1, 2022, with the release of the Online Undergraduate and Secondary Medicine Applications, and must be completed by October 4, 2022.⁶

Prospective students are required to provide two official transcripts, two letters of reference, a personal activities section, CASPer test results, MCAT results⁷ , and successful completion of at minimum two full years of undergraduate work and all applicable pre-requisite courses.⁸ A minimum requirement of 124 in the BC, CP and PS sections and 128 in the CARS section of the MCAT is required for consideration. Applicants should take note that only the 2015 and onwards version of the MCAT is acceptable.⁸ If the applicant is qualified for the MMI-style interview, it will take place throughout March and the final decision will be announced in May.⁷ Students should also consider that only 25 spots (15%) are available for those applying outside the province.⁹

THE CURRICULUM

During the first two years, medical students learn about the organ systems in defined blocks that progress from the basic sciences to clinical application. These blocks include infection, immunity and inflammation; endocrine system; cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal systems; gastroenterology and nutrition; reproductive medicine and urology; musculoskeletal system; neuroscience and oncology.² In the later years, students begin their clinical training through mandatory rotations and electives that allow them to develop a deeper understanding of several subspecialties ² Notably, students are offered the opportunity to participate in an Integrated Community Clerkship program in their third year ² The faculty encourages students to seek out research opportunities and to work towards obtaining their Special Training in Research designation Following graduation, the faculty offers over 50 residency programs accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).³

University of Alberta, UAlberta Facts [Online] Available from: https://www ualberta ca/about/facts

University of Alberta MD Undergraduate MD Program [Online] Available from: https://www ualberta ca/medicine/programs/md

University of Alberta, MD with Special Training in Research [Online] Available from: http://education med ualberta ca/Programs/undergraduate/STIR/Pages/default aspx

University of Alberta, MD/PhD Program [Online] Available from: https://www ualberta ca/medicine/programs/md-phd

University of Alberta, MD Admissions: MD/MBA Program [Online] Available from: https://www ualberta ca/medicine/programs/md-mba

University of Alberta, MD Admissions: Important Notices and Dates [Online] Available from: https://www ualberta ca/medicine/programs/md/applying-tomedicine/before-you-apply/important-notices-and-dates

University of Alberta, MD Admissions: Non-Academic Requirements [Online] Available from: https://www ualberta ca/medicine/programs/md/applying-tomedicine/before-you-apply/application-requirements

University of Alberta, MD Admissions: Academic Criteria [Online] Available from: https://www ualberta ca/medicine/programs/md/applying-tomedicine/before-you-apply/application-requirements

The Association of Faculties of Medicine Canada, Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine: Admission Statistics [Online] Available from: https://afmc ca/sites/default/files/pdf/2022 admission-requirements EN pdf

v e r s i t y o f a l b e r

U N

S c h o o l O

FacultyOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

TheFacultyofMedicineattheUniversityofBritishColumbia(UBC)aimsto provideanenvironmentthatisconducivetoeffectiveknowledgeacquisitionand clinicalskilldevelopment.¹Thereare288acceptedstudentseachyear,andthey aredistributedintofourgeographicallydistinctsites:theIslandMedicalProgram (IMP),NorthernMedicalProgram(NMP),VancouverFraserMedicalProgram (VFMP),andtheSouthernMedicalProgram(SMP) TheIMP,NMP,andSMPeach consistof32students,andtheVFMPconsistsof192students²

OneofthegoalsoftheUBCMDprogramistoincreaseopportunitiesforall Canadians,especiallyruralandaboriginalstudents,whowishtopursue medicine,byallowingthemtotraininunderservedcommunities.Students receivemedicaleducationandtrainingatmorethan80hospitalsandclinical siteslocatedinBritishColumbia,alongwithplacementsatUBC,theUniversityof Victoria,andtheUniversityofNorthernBritishColumbia.³Likemostmedical schoolprograms,theUBCMDUndergraduateprogramisfouryearsinlength.

Whiletherearetraditionallecturesandlaboratorysessions,UBCoffers preclinicaleducationmainlythroughsmall-groupproblem-basedlearning.Thus, UBCexpectstudentstobeefficientself-directedlearnersandcollaborators.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In order to be considered for admission by the UBC Faculty of Medicine, a minimum of 6 credits In English must be completed. For more information on course equivalents see: http://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/admissions/admission-requirements/.

⁶

APPLICATION PROCESS

TheminimumoverallacademicaveragerequiredforapplicantsfromBritishColumbiais75% and85%forout-of-provinceapplicants.⁴TheoverallGPAaveragefromthe2022/2023cycleofall interviewedcandidateswas88.45%.Outofatotalof2,351applicants,955wereout-of-province and97ofthemwereinvitedforaninterview.⁵Thereisaminimumcreditrequirementof90 universitytransferablecreditstakenatapost-secondaryinstitution(equivalentto3yearsof undergraduatestudywithafullcourseload) APorIBcreditscannotcounttowardsthe90minimum credits,althoughtheycanbeusedtosatisfytheprerequisiterequirementsintheapplicablesubject areas ifminimumgradesaremet⁴TheMCATisrequired,andtestresultsforthelastfiveyears areconsideredvalid TheminimumMCATrequirementisascoreofnolessthan124ineachofthe4 sections.⁴Inaddition,theUniversityofBritishColumbiaFacultyOfMedicinebelievesthatastrong non-academicbackgroundisequallyimportanttodemonstrateanapplicant’ssuitabilitytobea physician:applicantsarealsoassessedbasedonnon-academicexperiences.

UBCdoesnotacceptinternationalstudents(proofofCanadianCitizenshipisrequired).Itis importanttonoteonlineapplicationsopenedearlymid-June2022.ThelastacceptedMCATtest dateforthe2022/2023cycleisSeptember11,2022.Thefinaldeadlineforsubmissionof applicationsisSeptember15,2022atnoonPacificTime,whileMCATscoresmustbesubmittedby October14,2022.Theexactdatesfluctuateslightlyeveryyear.Applicantswillcreateanaccounton thewebsitethathasbeenlinkedhereandwillsubmitdocumentation: https://www.oas.med.ubc.ca/security/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/default.aspx.

FAQsregardingtheapplicationprocessandotherrelatedquestionscanbefoundinthe followinglink:http://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/admissions/frequently-asked-questions/.Detailson applicationtimelinecanbefoundatthefollowinglink: https://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/admissions/application-timelines/.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS⁴

In order to be considered for admission by the UBC Faculty of Medicine, a minimum of 6 credits in English must be completed For more information on course equivalents see: http://mdprogram med ubc ca/admissions/admission-requirements/

CURRICULUM ⁷

The MD Undergraduate curriculum is taught through four integrated years. During the first year, students will be introduced to the basic principles of Human Biology and the Foundations of medicine In second year, additional themes related to the foundations of medicine are explored to give students the knowledge needed to succeed in the field The curriculum also involves three longitudinal courses which run throughout the first two years of the program These include: Doctor and Patient Society (DPAS 420), Clinical Skills (INDE 420), and Family Practice Continuum (FMPR 420). Clerkship begins during the third year and students act as clinical clerks in Anesthesia, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Surgery. In fourth year, students are given the opportunity to take electives along with more clinical work. Please visit the following link for further information: https://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/about/curriculum/

REFERENCES

1 University of British Columbia MD undergraduate program [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram med ubc ca/admissions/ welcome-message/

2.The Association of Faculties of Medicine Canada, Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine: Admission Statistics [Online] Available from: https://afmc ca/sites/default/files/pdf/2022 admission-requirements EN pdf

3 University of British Columbia Who should apply [Internet] Available from:http://mdprogram med ubc ca/admissions/who-should-apply/

4 University of British Columbia Admission Requirements [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram med ubc ca/admissions/admission-requirements/

5 University of British Columbia Interim statistics of 2022/2023 applicants (MED 2024) [Internet] Available from: https://mdprogram med ubc ca/files/2019/12/Interim-Statistics-2022-2023-MED-2024-PDF pdf

6 University of British Columbia Application Timelines [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram med ubc ca/admissions/application-timelines/

7 University of British Columbia Curriculum [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram med ubc ca/about/curriculum-educational-programs/class-of2018-prior/

BACKGROUND¹

The Undergraduate Medical Education Program at the University of Calgary distinguishes itself by offering ground-breaking research opportunities and education Starting July 2023, students will learn using the medical school’s new pre-clerkship curriculum: Reimagining Medical Education (RIME). This curriculum utilizes a spiral format where content will be reintroduced throughout the term with more and more detail. Teaching will continue to be patient-oriented and social context will be provided within clinical context. The curriculum will consist of self-directed learning of content and group formal sessions for content application.

ADMISSIONS AND ELIGIBILITY¹

TheClassof2024consistedof150positionsavailabletoCanadianstudentsatthe UniversityofCalgarymedicalschool.PriorityisgiventoresidentsofAlberta.However, thefacultyalsoinvitesapplicationsfromresidentsofotherprovinces.Studentsmust havecompletedaminimumoftwofullyearsofuniversity-levelcoursesatthetimeof application.Theuniversitydoesnotrequirethatstudentsundertakeaformalpremedical program,noraretherespecificcoursesrequiredforadmission.However,theadmissions committeehaschosenalistofcoursestheybelievewillprepareprospectivestudentsfor medicalschool.Thislistincludesoneyear(6units)of:GeneralBiology,GeneralChemistry, Physics,OrganicChemistry,English,andPhysiology.Onesemester(3units)of statistics/calculusandpsychology/sociology/anthropologyarealsorecommended.

Inordertobeeligible,allapplicantsmustwritetheMedicalCollegeAdmissionsTest (MCAT)bySeptemberoftheadmissionscycleinwhichtheywishtoapply Non-Alberta residentsrequireaminimumCARSscoreof128forconsideration ThelasteligibleMCAT sittingdateforthisyear’s2022/2023applicationcycleisSeptember3rd,2022.

FacultyOFMEDICINE

ADMISSIONS STATISTICS¹

Approximately 85% of the available positions are reserved for residents of Alberta, while 15% are given to out-of-province applicants A minimum GPA of 3 20 is required for residents of Alberta, while the minimum for out-of-province residents is 3 80 (out of 4 0) The Faculty of Medicine has also instituted a requirement for non-Albertan applicants, where they must have a minimum score of 128 on the CARS section of the MCAT in order to be considered The mean GPA for successful candidates in 2017 was 3.86. In the 2018-19 cycle, a total of 576 applicants were invited to interview, with 456 being residents of Alberta and 120 being out-of-province students. Interviews are conducted through Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).

APPLICATION PROCESS¹

All applicants interested in entering in Fall 2023 must apply through the University of Calgary’s UCAN online system before October 4th, 2022. Completed applications should include an official transcript, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, a history of employment and any publications or awards, three letters of reference, and detailed description and statements on the applicant’s top ten experiences.

REFERENCES

FacultyOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

Foundedin1868,theDalhousieFacultyofMedicineplaysanintegral roleinprovidingprospectiveMaritimestudentswiththeopportunitytostudy medicineintheirplannedcommunitiesofservice.¹OtherthantheirDoctorof Medicine(MD)degree,theFacultyenablesexcellenceinhealthcarethrough medicaleducationandresearchprogrampartnershipswiththegovernment, healthauthoritiesandlocalUniversity-affiliatedhospitalsinNovaScotia, PrinceEdwardIslandandNewBrunswick²

TheDalhousieMedicalSchoolenteringclassconsistsof124 individualsthataredividedmainlybetweenNewBrunswickandNovaScotia campus,with30and79studentsrespectively.³Physiciansaretrainedtobe accomplishedclinicians,compassionatecaregivers,goodcommunicators andbalancedindividualsthatenjoyresearchandaimtoprogresstheirwork fromthebenchtobedsideasquicklyaspossible.

First-yearmedicalstudentsinterestedinresearcharegiventhe opportunitytopursueaBSc(Med)degreeduringtheirmedicaleducation, whichrequiresthecompletionoftwosummersofresearchandasuccessful thesisdefense.Further,prospectiveclinician-scientistsmayalsoconsider concurrentlyenrollingingraduatedegreeswiththeFacultyofGraduate StudiestopursueacombinedMD/MScorMD/PhDinAnatomy,Biochemistry, Microbiology,Pharmacology,orPhysiologyandBiophysics.⁴

ADMISSION AND ELIGIBILITY

AdmissionintotheDalhousieFacultyofMedicine’sMDprogramcanbeextremelycompetitive iftheprospectiveapplicantfallsoutsideoftheMaritimeProvinceapplicantpools(NewBrunswick, NovaScotiaandPrinceEdwardIsland) StudentsresidinginallotherCanadianprovinces,theUnited Statesorinternationallyareplacedinanon-Maritimepool,andcompetefor9ofthetotal109seats available.³EligibleMaritimecandidatesarerequiredtoachieveacGPAof3.3andmusthave obtainedatotalMCATof499withaminimumscoreof123ineachsection.³Giventhereducedseats availablefornon-Maritimeresidents,theacademicrequirementsarehigherrequiringaminimum cGPAof3.7andatotalMCATof503,withaminimumscoreof123ineachsection.³

Theadmissionscommitteeconsidersbothacademicandnon-academicfactorsandhasnoset quotasonanydemographicfactor,regularlyacceptingindividualsthathavehadothercareersand havedecidedtopursuemedicinelaterinlife Althoughtherearenoprerequisitecoursesrequiredof acandidate,allprospectivestudentswillbeassessedbasedonhavingpursuedabroadacademic background,havingdevelopedasoundunderstandingofaparticulararea,havingcompleteda four-yeardegreeandontheireffectivecommunicationability³Studentsarerequiredtosuccessfully completeamandatory90-minutecomputer-basedCASPertest CASPertestscoreswillbeutilized forinterviewselections.

TheapplicationprocessbeginsonJune15everyyear,withanonlineapplicationthatmustbe submittedbyJuly31,2022,culminatingwiththesupplementalapplicationformanda1500-word essay,completedbySeptember2,2022.ApplicantsarealsorequiredtosubmittheirMCATscores, officialtranscriptsandtwolettersofreferencebythesamedate.Around300-400applicantsbased onthescoresfromtheGPA,MCAT,supplementaryinformationandthelettersofreferencewillbe invitedforanMMIinterview.FinaldecisionsaremailedinearlyMarchtoallinterviewedapplicants.³

CURRICULUM

ThecurriculumoftheFacultyofMedicineaimstotrainitsmedicalstudentstobe successfulfuturephysiciansthatarecaring,resourceful,andareabletoworkwithpatients, familiesandcolleaguestoprovideexcellentcareindiversecontextsandincomplex situations Eachphysicianwillhavetheknowledge,skillsandattitudestobecompetentas aprofessional,asacommunitycontributor,asalife-longlearnerandasaskilledclinician

Duringthefirsttwoyearsofmedicalschool,studentsacquireafundamentalknowledge ofmedicalsciencesandthehumanbodysystemsthroughamixtureoflectures,smallgroup tutorials,laboratoriesandpatient-centeredclinicalcases.Studentsarequicklyexposedto patientsandclinicalmedicinewithvolunteerpatientsinyear1andmoreadvancedclinical caseswithrealorsimulatedpatientsinyear2.Thereisalsotheopportunitytoworkclinically duringelectivesduringthesepre-clerkshipyears.Thefollowingtwoclerkshipyearsarespent incorerotationsthroughouttheMaritimeProvinces,nationallyorinternationallyaspartofa student’selectives.

FacultyOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

TheUniversityofManitoba,locatedinWinnipeg,Manitoba,hasbeenatthe heartofcreatingopportunitiesforpeopleinthePrairiestopursuetheirstudiesin WesternCanada.¹

TheUniversityofManitobaMedicalSchoolstrivestoeducatefuture physicianstobecomemedicalexperts,communicators,collaborators,managers, healthadvocates,scholars,andprofessionals.Mostofall,theUniversityof ManitobaMedicalschoolencouragesstudentstodevelopintocompetent, caring,andethicalphysicianswhoarecriticalthinkers.²

TheUniversityofManitobaencouragesstudentstoundergoresearch projectsduringtheirsummermonthsrangingfromclinicaltobasicscience.³This ismadepossiblethroughamultitudeofresearchgroupssuchastheAboriginal HealthResearchGroup,CellSignalling,HealthEconomicsResearchGroup, MedicinalFoods&BioactivesResearchGroup,andMood&AnxietyDisorder ResearchGroup.⁴

ADMISSION AND ELIGIBILITY

Theapplicationprocessforthe2022-2023academicyearcommencesAugust15thandmustbe completedbyOctober1,2022.⁵Theapplicationrequirestwocopiesoftranscripts,threereferences(if invitedforaninterview),anautobiographicalsketch,MCATandAGPA.In2022,aminimumscoreof515on theMCATaswellasanAGPAofatleast3.94outof4.5washighlyrecommendedforachanceofreceiving aninvitationtointerview.⁶However,theenteringclassof2019hadanaverageMCATscoreof523andan AGPAof4.43outof4.5forout-of-provincestudents.⁷

ApplicantsarealsorequiredtaketheCASPertestonwhichtheymustscoregreaterthan1.5standard deviationsbelowthemeanfortheirrespectiveapplicantpool.⁶ApplicantsmustbeaCanadiancitizenor PermanentResidentandenteringtheirfinalyearofaBachelor’sdegreeprogramatthetimeofapplication.⁶ TheMMIstyleinterviewwilltakeplaceattheendofFebruarytothebeginningofMarchandthefinal decisionwillbeannouncedinMaytoJune

Theapplicant’sfinalrankingscoreisbased15%onAGPA,40%onMCAT,35%MMIand10%CASPer.⁶ Fewspotsareavailableforout-of-provincestudents,whileonly5%ofthetotalapplicantsarefromtheout ofprovinceapplicantpoolforthe2022-2023applicationcycle.

CURRICULUM⁸

TheCurriculumforMaxRadyCollegeofMedicineisseparatedintoeightmodules;fourforpreclerkshipandfourforclerkship Theprinciplesfollowedbythecurriculuminvolveaprogressive increaseininteractiveandself-directedlearningwiththepurposeofgivingstudentstheopportunityto preparethemselvesforthrivingwithacareerinthehealthcarefield.Thefocusofpre-clerkshipthrough modules0-3isHumanBiologyDisease.

Thereareninesystems-basedunitswithtwoseparatecourseseach.Longitudinalcoursesinpreclerkshiphighlighttheprinciplesofprofessionalism,socialaccountability,andresponsibilitywhile helpingtocontextualizehealthissuesandprovideexposuretothecommunity.Duringclerkship, studentscompletemodules4-7.Pleasevisitthefollowinglinkforacompletebreakdownofthe modules:http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/education/undergraduate/ media/CLERKSHIP CHART-PORTRAIT-FINAL.pdf

REFERENCES

1 University of Manitoba- Faculty of Medicine History of the Faculty of Medicine History of the Faculty of Medicine [Internet] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: University of Manitoba Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/medicine/dean/fom history html

2 University of Manitoba- Faculty of Medicine UGME Mission & Objectives UGME Mission & Objectives [Internet] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: University of Manitoba Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/medicine/education/undergraduate/ugme mission objectives html

3 University of Manitoba – Faculty of Medicine Bachelor of Science in Medicine [Internet] Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/medicine/research/grad undergrad/bsc med html

4 University of Manitoba- Faculty of Medicine UGME program overview [Internet] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: University of Manitoba Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/medicine/education/undergraduate/program overview html

5 University of Manitoba- Faculty of Medicine- Application Information [Internet] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: University of Manitoba Available from: https://umanitoba ca/faculties/health sciences/medicine/admissions/8821 html

6.University of Manitoba- Faculty of Medicine. Applicant Information Bulletin 2023-2024 [Internet]. Winnipeg Manitoba Canada: University of Manitoba. Available from: https://umanitoba ca/explore/sites/explore/files/2023-03/medicine-bulletin pdf

7 University of Manitoba- Faculty of Medicine College of Medicine Class of 2023 Statistics [Internet] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: University of Manitoba Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/health sciences/medicine/education/undergraduate/media/CL2023 Statistics pdf

8 University of Manitoba- Faculty of Medicine Program Overview [Internet] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: University of Manitoba Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/health sciences/medicine/education/undergraduate/program overview html

FacultyOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

Asaleadingmedicalschool,McGillUniversityoffersavarietyofjoint programs,includinga4-yearDoctorofMedicineandMasterofSurgeryprogram (MD,CM),a5-yearMD,CM&MBAprogram(MasterofBusinessAdministration),a 7-yearMD,CM&Ph.D.program(Philosophy),a2-yearMD,CMforInternational MedicalGraduates,andaMed-P(Preparatory)Program.

SinceSeptember2013,theMD,CMprogramhasadoptedanewcurriculum inplaceofthetraditionalteachingmethodsoflectures,small-groupsettings, laboratory,etc.Thenewprogramcomponentsconsistoftheinformationoutlined inthefollowingpageandalsocanbefoundasaschematicrepresentationatthe followinglink:www.mcgill.ca/ugme/files/ugme/2023-jul-12 mdcmschema 2023 web.pdf.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

FundamentalsofMedicineandDentistry(Year1andhalfofYear2):usesanintegrated systems’-basedapproachtoteachstudentsaboutnormalfunction,diseaseandtherapeutics StudentsparticipateintheLongitudinalFamilyMedicineExperience(LFME)toreceiveearly exposuretofamilymedicine.

TransitiontoClinicalPractice(SecondhalfofYear2):transitionfromaprimarilyclassbasedlearningenvironmenttoaself-directedlearningenvironmentintheclinicalsetting Clinicaldisciplinesoffocusinclude:InternalMedicine,Neurology,FamilyMedicine, Pediatrics,Surgery,Anesthesia,Radiology,andOphthalmology

Clerkship(Year3&4):Studentsactivelyparticipateinpatientcareaspartofhealthcare teams.StudentsmustcompletecoursesinInternalMedicine,Surgery,FamilyMedicine, Psychiatry,ObstetricsandGynecology,Pediatrics,GeriatricMedicine,andEmergency Medicine.

Physicianship:ThisPhysicianApprenticeshiplongitudinalprogramisfromtheold curriculumandremainspartofthenewcurriculum.Itservestosupportstudents’transitionto theworkenvironmentasphysicians.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A120-credit(fouryears)orequivalentBachelor’sDegreeofanydisciplinefroma recognizedinstitutionmustbecompletedinordertoapply.Theprogrammusthavebeen completedonafull-timebasiswithfullcourseloads(15creditspersession)andshouldbe donebyJuly31stoftheyearofentrytothefirstyearofmedicalstudies.⁶Asoffall2023 French-languageproficiencyisapre-admissionrequirementforstudentsstartingtheMDCM ProgramorMed-Pqualifyingyear Thisrequirementisexemptedforstudentswho(1)have completedbothhighschoolandCEGEPinQuebec(inEnglishorFrench);(2)successfully completed≥1yearofsecondaryorpost-secondarystudyataninstitutionwhoseofficial languageofinstructionisFrench;and(3)wrotetheCASPertestinFrench FortheMontreal andOutaouaiscampuses,B2(mid-intermediate)andC1(advanced)French-language minimumrequirements,respectively.AtableofacceptedtestsforFrenchproficiencyare includedbyMcGillUniversity:https://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/applying/ requirements/general-requirements/language.

Generally,applicantswhoaregrantedaninterview(whichisMMIstyle)haveaGPA of3.5orhigher.⁷TheaverageGPAofinterviewedcandidatesin2022admissionwas3.90inprovinceand3.95out-of-province.⁸

MCATresultsareonlyrequiredifthebasisofadmissiondegreewastakenoutsideof Canada.MCATscores,ifsubmittedwhenoptional,willbeusedonlyiftheyincreasethe competitivenessoftheapplicant.CompetitiveapplicantstendtonothavewrittentheMCAT morethantwice.Applicantsneedtotalscoreof508-509orhigherforthe2015MCATversion, oratotalscoreinthe80thpercentiletobecompetitive.⁹

InadditiontoMCATresultsifnecessary,applicantsarerequiredtosubmitofficial transcripts,CASPertestresults,CVandaLiftofVerifiers.¹⁰

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications are processed through McGill’s web-based application system, Minerva Applicants are required to upload official transcripts, a personal statement (original writing ex- plaining how the applicant’s various experiences qualify him/her to be a good physician in the future), curriculum vitae, and proof of citizenship/residency via Minerva.¹¹ For more information regarding selection process and how McGill weighs each component of the application (e.g., 10% CV; 20% CASPer, 70% academic), please see the link below: http://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/applying/selection-process

REFERENCES

1 McGill University Faculty of Medicine Programs and requirements of the Faculty of Medicine [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/programs

2.McGill University Faculty of Medicine. Curriculum Components [Internet]. Available from: https://www mcgill ca/ugme/mdcm-curriculum-joint-programs/curriculum-structure/curriculum-components

3 McGill University Faculty of Medicine: About the Selection Process [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/selection-process

4 The Association of Faculties of Medicine Canada, Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine: Admission Statistics [Online] Available from: https://afmc ca/sites/default/files/documents/en/Publications/AdmissionRequirements en pdf

5 McGill University Faculty of Medicine Basic Science Prerequisites [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/requirements-edu/basic-science-prerequisites

6.McGill University Faculty of Medicine. Undergraduate degree requirements [Internet]. Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/requirements-edu/degree-requirements

7 McGill University Faculty of Medicine Educational Requirements [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/requirements-edu

8 McGill University Faculty of Medicine Admissions - by the Numbers [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/admissions-numbers

9 McGill University Faculty of Medicine Medical College Admissions Test® (MCAT®) [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/requirements-edu/mcat

10 McGill University Faculty of Medicine General Requirements [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/requirements

11 McGill University Faculty of Medicine Supporting Documents [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/medadmissions/applying/elements

FacultyOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

Foundedin1967,theMemorialUniversityofNewfoundland(MUN) FacultyofMedicineishousedwithintheHealthScienceCentreinSt John’s, Newfoundland Thefacultyconsistsoftheadultandwomen’shospital,the JanewayChildren’sHospital,theH.BlissMurphyCancerCentre,alongwiththe CentreofOffshoreandRemoteMedicine(MEDICOR).

NotonlydoesMUNtakeprideineducatingyoungphysicians,butitisalso knownforitsresearch.ThemainresearchlaboratoriesincludetheTerryFox CancerResearchLaboratoriesandthehyperbaricmedicineresearchfacility.¹

Eachyeararound84studentsareacceptedintotheMDprogram;57ofthe seatsarereservedforresidentsofNewfoundlandandLabrador,while14seats arereservedforresidentsofNewBrunswickandPEI Havingsuchasmallclass sizeenablesearlyinteractionswithpatientsandanemphasisonproblem-based learning.²

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS³

Admission into MUN medical school is highly competitive with 750 applications for 80 spots with applicants who are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The admission requirements for MUN medical school are as follows:

1. To be an eligible candidate, one must have completed their bachelor’s degree along with 6 units of English.

2. Typically, accepted students have MCAT scores of 10 in each section for the old MCAT or a 127 on each section of the 2015 version along with a 3.70 GPA.

3. Apart from grades, the Admissions Committee evaluates: personal qualities, reference reports, and conducts a traditional panel interview.

Desirable personal qualities include integrity, respect for others’ choices and rights, compassion, empathy, personal insight, communication, maturity, and motivation. These can be displayed through work and extracurricular activities as well as in the autobiographical sketch Applicants must also be assessed using a Situational Judgement Test on interview day

ADMISSION PROCESS⁴

1 The application process begins in July on an Online Application System (OAS)

2 The final deadline for August 2023 entry is on September 1, 2022 at 3:00PM NDT

3 Interviews are then conducted in November, with the admissions being given out at the end of May for out-of-province students.

FacultyOFMEDICINE Memorial university of newfoundland

CURRICULUM

In the first year of medical school, students are taught basic medical sciences specifically focusing on the human body systems. This is followed by the interdisciplinary study of disease in second year. In addition to science courses, students learn clinical skills, community engagement, and physician competencies in their first two years of study. The next two years are the clerkship years where students shadow doctors in clinics and hospitals. During these clerkship years, students can take electives such as:

Anesthesiology

Community health practice

Emergency medicine

Family medicine

Urban family medicine

Laboratory medicine

Pediatrics Psychiatry Radiology

Obstetrics and gynecology

General medicine and subspecialties

General surgery and subspecialties

REFERENCES

1 Memorial University Faculty of Medicine About us [Online] Available from: http://www med mun ca/getdoc/91547528-2693-4545-9ed5-f3b6586449c4/AboutUs aspx

2 Memorial University Faculty of Medicine Our History [Online] Available from: http://www med mun ca/Medicine/Division- Discipline/AboutUs/History aspx

3 Memorial University Faculty of Medicine Application Evaluation and Completions [Online] Available from: http://www med mun ca/Admissions/ApplicationEvaluationCompetitions aspx

4 Memorial University Faculty of Medicine Application Preparation [Online] Available from: http://www.med.mun.ca/Admissions/Application-Preparation.aspx

5 Memorial University Faculty of Medicine Important Dates [Online] Available from: http://www med mun ca/Admissions/Important-Dates aspx

6 Memorial University Faculty of Medicine MD Undergraduate Curriculum [Online] Available from: http://www med mun ca/UGradME/MD-Program-Renewal aspx

FacultyOFMEDICINE

BACKGROUND

OriginallyfoundedastheSchoolofMedicalSciencesin1926,the CollegeofMedicineattheUniversityofSaskatchewanoffersafullrangeof academicprogramsincludingtheMasterofPhysicalTherapyandthe CertificateinGlobalHealthprograms.¹ , ²Studentsinterestedinpursuinga MedicalDoctor(MD)degreemayenrollinthestandard4-yearprogramormay pursueacombinedgraduateMD/MScorMD/PhDdegree.³

TheCollegeofMedicinecontainstwocampuslocationsinSaskatoon andRegina,andallowsitsstudentstoenjoythebenefitsofanintimatelearning environmentwithanenteringclassofjust100students.⁴Theseindividualswill betrainedtoexhibitexcellenceineducation,researchandclinicalcareasthey servethepeopleofSaskatchewan,Canadaandbeyond.

ADMISSIONS AND ELIGIBILITY

AdmissionintotheUniversityofSaskatchewanCollegeofMedicineisextremely competitivewithover307in-provinceand513out-of-provincestudentscompetingfor just100seatsin2018.⁵Ofthose,95%arereservedforlocalSaskatchewanresidentsand applicantsofCanadianAboriginaldescent,withtheremainderavailableforcitizensthat haveresidedforaminimumofthreeyearsinCanadapriortoapplication.⁴Understandably, theapplicationrequirementsvarybyanapplicant’splaceofresidence Prospectivestudents shouldinquirewiththeCollegeofMedicineforspecificcoursecodesequivalentswiththeir owninstitutions,butingeneralfull-yearintroductorycoursesinBiology,Chemistry,Physics, Biochemistry,Statistics,SociologyandPsychologyarestronglyrecommended.⁶

Forthe2022-2023applicationcycle,nominimumMCATsectionscoresortotal scorewillberequiredforanyapplicants.⁷However,theAdmissionsCommitteehasremoved applicantsinthepastiftheiroverallscorewaslowerthan492.Studentsmusthavecompleted fourfullundergraduateyearsofstudyobtainingaminimum80%average Studentsmayalso improvetheirchancesbyundertakinggraduateworkwherebytheaverageofallofthe coursestakenwillbecombinedwiththeirbesttwoundergraduateyears.⁶

Theearliestout-of-provincestudentscouldapplywillbeduringthefinalyearof theirundergraduatedegree,inadditiontoaminimumcumulativeaverageof80% althoughamuchhigheraverageisgenerallyneededtointerview.Graduatestudieswill notbeconsideredforoutofprovincestudents.⁶Allapplicantsarerequiredtoprovideone officialtranscript,threelettersofreference(pass/failgrading)andMCATscores(ifapplicable) to berankedinorderofcompetitiveness.⁶TheMMIinterviewisusedtoassesstheessential skillsandabilitiesrequiredforstudyingmedicine(e.g.,observation;communication;motor ability;intellectual-conceptual,integrativeandquantitativeabilities;andbehaviouraland socialattributes).⁷

CURRICULUM⁸

MedicalstudentsattheUniversityofSaskatchewanCollegeofMedicineareequipped withthenecessaryskillsetrequiredtoidentify,analyzeandmanageclinicalproblemsina waythatprovidesefficientandhumanepatientcare.Theirtrainingwillallowthemtofillthe multiplerolesexpectedofphysicianstoday,suchasthephysicianasamedicalexpert/ decisionmaker,asacommunicator/educator/humanist/healer,asahealthadvocate,asa lecturer/scholar/scientist,andasacollaborator.

TheMDprogramappointsa2+2curriculum,meaningtwoyearsaredesignatedto pre-clerkshipandanothertwotoclerkshipinthefour-yearprogram.The2+2curriculumis learnercentered,CASE-based(Cooperative,Active,Self-directedand/orExperimental Learning),usesintegratedcasestudiestolinkbasicandclinicalsciencelearning,andis reflectiveofCanMedroles,FMECrecommendations,MCCobjectivesandaccreditation standards

REFERENCES

1 University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Master of Physical Therapy Program [Online] Available from: https://medicine usask ca/programs/physical-therapy php

University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Certificate in Global Health [Online] Available from: https://medicine.usask.ca/programs/physical-therapy.php 3 University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Undergraduate MD Program [Online] Available from: https://medicine usask ca/programs/undergraduate-md php#AboriginalAdmissionsProgram 4 The Association of Faculties of Medicine Canada, Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine: Admission Statistics [Online] Available from: https://afmc ca/sites/default/files/documents/en/Publications/AdmissionRequirements en pdf 5 University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Admission Statistics 2018: 5-Year Summary [Online] Available from: https://medicine usask ca/documents/ugme/admission/2018%20Admissions%20Statistics%205-Year%20Summary pdf 6 University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Applicant Information: Entry Fall 2022 Admission Requirements [Online] Available from: https://medicine.usask.ca/documents/ugme/admission/Applicant-Information-Document-for-Entry-2022.pdf

7 University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Admissions to the MD Program [Online] Available from: https://medicine usask ca/admission-to-the-md-program/how-to-apply php#MCAT

8 University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine Curriculum, Schedules, Objectives [Online] Available from: https://medicine usask ca/students/undergraduate/curriculum-schedules-objectives php#22curriculum

I n t e r n a t i o n a l M e d i c a l S c h o o l s S u m m a r y C h a r t

N / L r e f e r s t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s c h o o l d o e s n o t h a v e o f f i c i a l a v e r a g e s , m i n i m u m s o r c u to f f s f o r t h a t s e c t i o n .

R E F E R E N C E S

1 . U n i v e r s i t y o f Q u e e n s l a n d F a c u l t y o f M e d i c i n e . D o c t o r o f M e d i c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p s : / / f u t u r es t u d e n t s . u q . e d u . a u / s t u d y / p r o g r a m / D o c t o ro fM e d i c i n e5 5 7 8 S y d n e y M e d i c a l S c h o o l . D o c t o r o f M e d i c i n e ( M D ) [ I n t e r n e t ] . A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p : / / s y d n e y . e d u . a u / m e d i c i n e / s t u d y / m d / i n d e x . p h p T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M e l b o u r n e F a c u l t y o f M e d i c i n e , D e n t i s t r y a n d H e a l t h a n d S c i e n c e s D o c t o r o f M e d i c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / m d h ss t u d y u n i m e l b e d u a u / d e g r e e s / d o c t o ro fm e d i c i n

U n i v e r s i t y o f O x f o r d M e d i c a l S c i e n c e s D i v i s i o n M e d i c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p s : / / w w w o x a c u k / a d m i s s i o n s / u n d e r g r a d u a t e / c o u r s e sl i s t i n g / m e d i c i n e ? w s s l = 1

5 U n i v e r s i t y o f C a m b r i d g e S c h o o l o f C l i n i c a l M e d i c i n e M e d i c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p : / / w w w u n d e r g r a d u a t e s t u d y c a m a c u k / c o u r s e s / m e d i c i n e

T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f E d i n b u r g h C o l l e g e o f M e d i c i n e a n d V e t e r i n a r y M e d i c i n e . U n d e r g r a d u a t e S t u d y –2 0 2 2 E n t r y [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / w w w . e d . a c . u k / s t u d y i n g / u n d e r g r a d u a t e /

a c t i o n = v i e w & c o d e = A 1 0 0 U C L M e d i c a l S c h o o l U C L M e d i c a l S c h o o l U n d e r g r a d u a t e P r o g r a m m e s [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p s / / w w w u c l a c u k / m e d i c a l s c h o o l / u n d e r g r a d u a t e

8 M e l b o u r n e M e d i c a l S c h o o l M e l b o u r n e M e d i c a l S c h o o l D o c t o r o f M e d i c i n e S e l e c t i o n G u i d e l i n e s [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p : / / b e s p o k ep r o d u c t i o n s 3 a m a z o n a w s c o m / m d h s / a s s e t s / d 9 / 2 e 4 3 0 0 6 5 c 1 1 1 e 6 a 1 b 3 e f 1 6 a 5 0 5 f 7 b 7 / M M S M D S e l e c t i o n G u i d e l i n e s v 2 0 p d f 1 . 2 . 3 4 5 6 . 7 8 9

e / o v e r v i e w

d e g r e e s / i n d e x . p h p ?

AmericanMedicalSchools

US MEDICAL SCHOOLS – TWO DIFFERENT DEGREES

AnalternativetoCanadianmedicalschoolsisapplyingtomedicalschoolsintheUnitedStates. TherearetwodifferentdegreesthatholdequivalenceintermsofbeingalicenseddoctorintheUS: allopathic(MD)andosteopathic(DO).ThisisdifferentfromCanada,whichhasonlyallopathic(MD) schools PhysicianswithanMDdegreehavetrainingthatfocusesondiagnosisandtreatmentof disease,whilephysicianswithaDOdegreehavetrainingthathasamoreholisticapproach,focusing onthebody'sabilitytohealitself,preventionmedicine,andthepatientasawhole

MDsandDOshavemanysimilarities.BothMDandDOphysicianscanwritethesame prescriptionsandcanpracticeinanymedicalspecialty.¹However,therearesomeimportant differences.DOprogramsrequirecompletionoftraininginosteopathicmanipulativetreatment (OMT)thatinvolvesphysicallymanipulatingbodytissuestotreatpatients.Thisisanadditional200 hoursoftraining,thatisnotdoneinMDprograms.Toobtaintheirlicense,MDstudentsmustpassthe UnitedStatesMedicalLicensingExam(USMLE),whileDOstudentsmustpasstheComprehensive MedicalLicensingExamination(COMLEX).SpecializationismorecommoninMDphysiciansthanDO physicians.Thereare155MDand38DOprogramsaccreditedintheUS.ApplicantsforUSMD schoolsapplythroughtheAmericanMedicalCollegeApplicationService(AMCAS)exceptforTexas MDschools(applythroughtheTexasMedicalandDentalSchoolsApplicationServices;TMDSAS) whileapplicantsforUSDOschoolsapplythroughtheAmericanAssociationofCollegesof OsteopathicMedicineApplicationService(AACOMAS) ²

PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

UnlikeCanadawheredeadlinesarefixed,USMDsandUSDOshaverollingadmissions.This meansthatcompetitiveapplicantsmaybeofferedinterviewsandacceptedearlyintheapplication process,therebylimitingthenumberofavailableseatsforstudentsapplyinglaterinthecycle.A studentapplyinglatemayneedhigherstatisticstobeconsideredforaninterview,thenifs/hehad appliedearly.Therefore,itisstronglyrecommendedthatyouapplyearly!Thestartdatetosubmit applicationsforAMCAS,TMDSASandAACOMASarelateMay,mid-MayandearlyMay,respectively.³

AmericanMedicalSchools

Lastly,a5300-characterpersonalessayisrequired-anexcellentopportunityforanapplicant todistinguishthemselvesfromotherapplicants.Oncesubmitted,theapplicationmustbeverifiedby AMCASstafftoensureallgradeshavebeenenteredcorrectlyandthisprocessmaytakeanywhere fromoneweekinJune,tosixweeksinlateJulytoearlyAugust.²

SECONDARY APPLICATIONS

Letters of evaluation need not be submitted at the same time as the primary application but should be submitted with the secondary application to not delay processing of the complete application A secondary application is the next stage of the process, where an applicant is usually asked to write additional essays to provide further insight into their personal character Certain schools will ask all students to complete a secondary application, while others will screen applicants and only invite a select few.²

INTERVIEWS

ThethirdstepintheapplicationprocessforAmericanmedicalschoolsistheinterview, afterwhichadmissionsdecisionsaremadeandsenttotheapplicant.²

1 2 3

REFERENCES

Shemmassian Consulting [Internet] Available from: https://www shemmassianconsulting com/blog/md-vs-do-admissionswhat- are-the-differences American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) [Internet] Available from: https://www aamc org/students/applying/amcas/ Shemmassian Consulting [Internet] Available from: https://www shemmassianconsulting com/blog/medical-schoolapplication timeline#: :text=AMCAS%20will%20open%20on%20May,early%20as%20May%2031%2C%202022

G e n e r a l I n f o r m a t i o n R e g a r d i n g M e d i c a l S c h o o l s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a

* * * N / L r e f e r s t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s c h o o l d o e s n o t h a v e o f f i c i a l a v e r a g e s , m i n i m u m s o r c u to f f s f o r t h a t s e c t i o n .

A few other “Canadian-friendly” medical schools or educational institutions that simply consider all applicants, either Canadian or American, in the same applicant pool, regardless of their citizenship status, are as follows:

Yale School of Medicine

Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School⁹

Howard University College of Medicine

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine⁹ Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Harvard Medical School Admissions [Internet] Available from: https://meded hms harvard edu/admissions

Stanford Medicine MD Admissions [Internet] Available from: http://med stanford edu/md-admissions html

Stanford Registrar’s Office Student Affairs. Students [Internet]. Available from: https://registrar.stanford.edu/students

John Hopkins Medicine School of Medicine M D Admissions [Internet] Available from: http://www hopkinsmedicine org/som/admissions/md/application process/index html

University of California, San Francisco Medical Education Admissions [Internet] Available from: http://meded ucsf edu/admissions

Perelman School of Medicine MD Program Admissions [Internet] Available from: http://www med upenn edu/admissions/financial-aid html

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Admissions [Internet] Available from: http://ps columbia edu/education/admissions

Duke University School of Medicine The Doctor of Medicine (M D ) Program [Internet] Available from: https://medschool duke edu/education/degree-programs-and-admissions/doctor-medicine-md-program

BeMo Academic Consulting Canadian Friendly US Medical Schools in July 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/blog/canadian-friendly-us-med-schools

EDICALSCHOOLS

CaribbeanMedicalSchools

Studentsinterestedinlivinginawarmerclimateforthenextfouryearsoftheireducation shouldconsidersomeofthemanyaccreditedCaribbeanmedicalschoolsacceptingCanadian applicants.Theseschoolsoffer4-yearMDprogramsandenablestudentstocompletetheir residencyatselecthospitalsthroughouttheUnitedStates.However,itismoredifficultto competefortheseresidencyspotsasaninternationalmedicalgraduate(IMG).Forthisreason, alongwiththecostsassociated,NorthAmericanresidentstendtoconsiderCaribbeanmedical schoolslessfavourablythanmedicalschoolsintheUnitedStatesorCanada.

OnceyouhavedecidedtopursuemedicineintheCaribbean,therearemanyoptions; therefore,itiscrucialtodotheresearchneededtochoosetheappropriateschoolforyou.To helpwiththisstage,wehavesummarizedthecharacteristicsofthesevenmostpopular Caribbeanmedicalschoolsinthetablebelow.¹⁷Despiteslightdifferencesintheiradmission requirements,theyshareacommonapplicationprocedure.Toapply,studentsmustcomplete anonlineapplicationform,availabledirectlyfromeachschool’swebsite,andprovidea personalstatement,transcripts,MCATscores,aCVorresume,andaminimumoftwolettersof reference.Applicantsarerequiredtohavecompletedtherequiredprerequisitescoursesand demonstratethattheypossessthenon-academicrequirementsforacareerinmedicine, includingobservational,communication,motorandintellectual-conceptualskills;integrative andquantitativeabilities;andbehaviouralandsocialattributes.Theymustalsoshowa commitmenttolearning,asenseofintellectualcuriosity,asenseofresponsibility,amoral outlook,acommitmenttoservice,andaverysincereinterestinhealthcare

Caribbeanmedicalschoolsselectapplicantsbasedonaholisticapproach Although someschoolsprovidetheaverageGPAandMCATscoresofsuccessfulapplicants,others assessstudentsonacase-by-casebasisandhavenodefinedcut-offs Prospectivestudents mustalsobecognizantofthesemestertheyhopetoenrollin,asmedicalschoolsofferentering classesbeginninginSeptemberorJanuary.Applicationsareassessedonarollingadmissions basis;successfulapplicantsaregivenaseatintheenteringclassuntilthesemesterisfilled, withadditionalstudentscarriedoverintothenextsemester.Therefore,therearenoofficial deadlinesforapplication.

G e n e r a l I n f o r m a t i o n R e g a r d i n g M e d i c a l S c h o o l s i n t h e C a r i b b e a n

N / L r e f e r s t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s c h o o l d o e s n o t h a v e o f f i c i a l a v e r a g e s , m i n i m u m s o r c u t o f f s f o r t h a t p a r t i c u l a r s e c t i o n . * T h e e n t e r i n g c l a s s s i z e v a r i e s b y s e m e s t e r w i t h 1 0 0 s t u d e n t s a c c e p t e d i n t h e J a n u a r y a n d M a y s e m e s t e r s a n d 2 0 0 i n t h e S e p t e m b e r s e m e s t e r .

E F E R E N C E S

: A m e r i c a n U n v e r s t y o f t h e C a r i b b e a n [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a a b l e f r o m h t t p / / w w w a u c m e d e d u / a d m s s i o n s / a p p l y i n gt oa u c / e n t r a n c er e q u i r e m e n t s / A m e r i c a n U n i v e r s i t y o f A n t g u a [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / w w w a u a m e d o r g / m e d c a ls c h o o la c a d e m i cr e q u i r e m e n t s M e d c a l U n v e r s t y o f t h e A m e r c a s [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a a b e f r o m h t t p / / w w w m u a e d u / m u a / n d e x p h p / a d m i s s o n s / h o wt oa p p l y R o s s U n i v e r s i t y [ I n t e r n e t ] . A v a i l a b l e f r o m U R L : h t t p / / w w w . r o s s u . e d u / m e d c a ls c h o o l / a p p l y / n d e x . c f m S a b a U n i v e r s i t y S c h o o l o f M e d c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / w w w s a b a e d u / s a b a / n d e x p h p / a d m i s s o n s / r e q u i r e m e n t s

S t G e o r g e ’ s U n v e r s t y [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i a b e f r o m h t t p : / / w w w s g u e d u / a p p l yn o w / r e t u r n n gs t u d e n t s h t m l S t M a t t h e w ’ s U n i v e r s i t y [ n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p : / / w w w s t m a t t h e w s e d u / m e d a dm i s s o n s a d m s s i o n sr e q u i r e m e n t s s h t m l

1 2 3 4 . 5 6 7

EDICALSCHOOLS

AustraliaN Medical Schools

StudyingmedicineinAustraliaisanotherverypopularoptionforprospectiveCanadian medicalstudents Asaninternationalstudent,therearetwoundergraduatemedicine,1-2andfour graduate-entrymedicine3-6optionsavailablethroughtheOzTREKKapplicationandinformation center.Ingeneral,theformerrangesfrom5-6yearsindurationandrequiresthecompletionofa highschooldegreeandthenecessarycourseprerequisites,whilethelatterrequiresapostsecondarydegreeandtheMCAT.Acompletesummaryofeachschool’sacademicrequirements canbefoundinthetablesbelow.Asalways,itisstronglyrecommendedthatstudentsexceedthe statedminimumsinordertoreceiveaninvitationforaninterview.Furthermore,application deadlinesandpoliciescanfluctuatefromyeartoyearandthus,itishighlyadvisablefor prospectivestudentstodotheirresearchpriortoapplying.

EachmedicalschoolinAustraliaspecializesinauniqueaspectofmedicaltraining.

Studentsinterestedinpracticingtropicalmedicineorservingrural,remoteand indigenouspopulationswouldbestbenefitfromthecurriculumatJamesCook University ApplicationsforFebruaryintakearedueattheendofSeptemberofthe previousyear

Similarly,Monashmedicalschoolprovidesstudentstheopportunitytospenda significantamountoftimeinruralareasaspartofahealthcareteam.Applicationsfor theFebruaryintakearedueinmid-Mayofthepreviousyear,forbothundergraduate andgraduate-entryprogramsoffered.

TheUniversityofMelbournepridesitselfonresearchexcellenceandincorporatesa six-monthfull-timeresearchportionintoitsfour-yearmedicalcurriculum Prospective clinician-scientistsshouldapplymid-JuneofthepreviousyearfortheFebruaryintake

TheUniversityofQueenslandstressesself-directedlearningandoffersstudentsthe opportunitytolearnthroughproblem-basedlearninginclinicalcontexts.Applications areacceptedonarolling-admissionsbasisuntiltheenteringclassofJanuaryisfilled,so it’simportanttoapplyearly.

Lastly,theUniversityofSydneyoffersstudentstheopportunitytolearnfrommedical researcherswhoareattheforefrontoftheirfieldthrougharesearch-ledstyleof teaching Studentsalsobenefitfromhavingaccesstomorethan40clinicalteaching facilitiesintheuniversity’sextensivenetworkofhospitalsnationwide Thedeadlinefor theenteringclassisinmid-Julyofthepreviousyear

U n d e r g r a d u a t e M e d i c i n e P r o g r a m s i n A u s t r a l i a G r a d u a t e M e d i c i n e P r o g r a m s i n A u s t r a l i a

* * * N / L r e f e r s t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e s c h o o l d o e s n o t h a v e o f f i c i a l a v e r a g e s , m i n i m u m s o r c u to f f s f o r t h a t s e c t i o n .

R E F E R E N C E S

J a m e s C o o k U n i v e r s i t y M e d i c a l S c h o o l , U n d e r g r a d u a t e M e d i c i n e P r o g r a m [ I n t e r n e t ] . A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p s : / / w w w o z t r e k k . c o m / p r o g r a m s / m e d i c i n e /

m

/ U G

M o n a s h U n i v e r s i t y M e d i c a l S c h o o l , U n d e r g r a d u a t e M e d i c i n e P r o g r a m [ I n t e r n e t ] . A v a i l a b l e f r o m h t t p : / / w w w . o z t r e k k . c o m / p r o g r a m s / m e d i c i n

M o n a s h U n i v e r s i t y M e d i c a l S c h o o l , G r a d u a t e M e d i c i n e P r o g r a m [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m h t t p : / / w w w o z t r e k k c o m / p r o g r a m s / m e d i c i n e / P G / m o n a s h p h p T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M e l b o u r n e M e d i c a l S c h o o l [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p s : / / w w w o z t r e k k c o m / p r o g r a m s / m e d i c i n e / P G / m e l b o u r n e p h p

U n i v e r s i t y o f S y d n e y M e d i c a l S c h o o l [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m h t t p : / / w w w o z t r e k k c o m / p r o g r a m s / m e d i c i n e / P G / s y d n e y p h p

U n i v e r s i t y o f Q u e e n s l a n d S c h o o l o f M e d i c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p s / / w w w . o z t r e k k . c o m / p r o g r a m s / m e d i c i n e / P G / q u e n s l a n d . p h p

P G / J C U . p h p

e

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o n a s h . p h p

Irish Medical Schools

Canadianstudentsinterestedinstudyingmedicineinternationallymayconsiderthe RepublicofIreland,¹wheretheAtlanticBridgeProgramallowsprospectivestudentstoapply tosixmedicalschoolsofferingarangeof4,5,or6-yearmedicalprograms⁶Toapply,a studentmustrequestanapplicationformdirectlyfromtheAtlanticBridge⁷andsubmitthe completedapplicationbyduedates,whicharetypicallyinmid-November Ifthisdeadlineis missed,alaterdeadlineinDecemberisavailable,butatahighercost.

Aspartoftheapplication,studentsmustprovide:

TheselectionfactorsusedbyIrishmedicalschoolsareholistic,takingintoaccount theundergraduateprogramdifficulty,thecourseloadandexternalfactors;forthisreason,no schoolhaslistedacompetitiveGPAorMCATrange.Inspeakingwiththeadmissionsofficer fromtheAtlanticBridge,everyapplicantisassessedonacase-by-casebasistakinginto accountamultitudeoffactorspriortograntingadmittance.

e n e r a l I n f o r m a t i o n R e g a r d i n g M e d i c a l

S c h o o l s i n I r e l a n d ⁷

R E F E R E N C E S

N a t i o n a l U n i v e r s i t y o f I r e l a n d , G a l w a y S c h o o l o f M e d c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / w w w n u i g a l w a y e / m e d i c i n e /

R o y a l C o l l e g e o f S u r g e o n s i n r e l a n d S c h o o l o f M e d c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a a b l e f r o m h t t p / / w w w r c s i e / N o n E U r e q u i r e m e n t s

T r n t y C o l l e g e D u b l i n S c h o o l o f M e d c i n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / w w w m e d i c n e t c d i e / e d u c a t i o n /

U n i v e r s i t y C o l l e g e C o r k M e d i c n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a a b e f r o m h t t p : / / w w w u c c e / e n / s t u d y / u n d e r g r a d / w h a t / m e d i c i n e h e a l t h / m e d i c n e /

U n i v e r s i t y C o l l e g e D u b l i n M e d i c n e [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a i a b e f r o m h t t p s : / / m y u c d u c d i e / a d m s s i o n / e n t r y u g e z c

U n i v e r s i t y o f L i m e r i c k G r a d u a t e E n t r y M e d i c a S c h o o l [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a a b l e f r o m h t t p / / w w w u l i e / g e m s / h o wt oa p p l y A t a n t c B r d g e P r o g r a m S t u d y i n r e l a n d [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / w w w a t l a n t i c b r i d g e c o m / m e d c i n e / e n t r y r e q u r e m e n t s /

A t a n t c B r d g e P r o g r a m S t u d y i n r e l a n d [ I n t e r n e t ] A v a l a b l e f r o m : h t t p / / w w w a t l a n t i c b r i d g e c o m / a p p l i c a t o nt i p s /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

* N / L r e f e r s t o n o t l i s t e d .r e f e r s t o s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s n o t r e q u i r e d

MEDICAL SCHOOL: WHAT TO EXPECT

Althoughcertainsimilaritiesexistinthevariousmedicalschools(e.g.,educational materialcovered),themethodsofinstructionvary Someschoolstakea“systemsbased” approach which looks at the sciences in the context of a particular biological system, whilesometakea“traditional”approach,givingmanyscience-heavylectures,andthen comingbackinlateryearstorelatethemtobiologicalsystems.Ingeneral,allschools offer an introductory period to lead students through classroom learning. This introduces them to the basic medical sciences and the principles of medicine This phaseiswidelyreferredtoasthepre-clerkshipphase.

During pre-clerkship, medical students are given the opportunity to meet with patientsandlearnhowtotakehistories,aswellasperformsomephysicalexamination maneuvers.† The length of this period depends on each school’s curriculum. At problem-based schools such as McMaster, the pre-clerkship period is relatively short comparedtootherschoolslikeQueen’sUniversity,theUniversityofWesternOntario,the UniversityofToronto,andtheUniversityofOttawa McMasterUniversity’spre-clerkship isapproximately1yearoutofits3-yearprogram,¹whileUWO’s,²UofT’s,³andUniversity ofOttawa’s⁴ , ⁵ , ⁶uses2outof4yearsforpre-clerkship.Queen’sUniversityhasthelongest pre-clerkship out of these schools mentioned, which lasts 2.5 years out of its 4-year program.⁷ , ⁸ Of course, individuals should bear in mind that McMaster University’s medicalprogramisintenselycompressedtoonly3years,withlittleroomforvacation

Afterwards,studentscontinueontoclerkship,wheretheybeginrotatingthrougha seriesofmedicalspecialties,underthesupervisionofexperienceddoctorsandstaff⁴ , ⁷ , ⁹ Aftertheirinitialrotations,morespecificelectivesaretakeninorderforstudentstorefine theskillslearnedinpreviousrotations,visitotherschools,and/orexploreareasthatthey have not been exposed to yet These electives allow students to set themselves up towardstheirfutureresidencies.Thisculminatesinareturntoclassesforafinalphase, wherecoursematerialisreviewedandintegratedwithclerkshipexperience¹¹

MEDICAL SCHOOL: WHAT TO EXPECT

Academicmaterialcoveredinmedicalschoolisextensive.Inadditiontoasolid foundationinthebasicsciences,physiciansareexpectedtohaveadeepunderstandingof anatomy and physiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment. In a systems-based or regionalapproach,sequentialblocksaretaught,like“thethorax”,“theabdomen”,and“the headandneck”.Inthetraditionalapproach,thedifficultscience-basedcoursesaretaught first,andthenrelatedbacktoapplication-orientedcourseslike“StructureandFunction”, “DeterminantsofCommunityHealth”,and“PathobiologyofDisease”.Accordingtorecent informationfromcurrentmedicalstudentsattheUniversityofToronto,the“pathobiology” coursewillbechangedto“Mechanisms,Manifestations&ManagementsofDisease”.¹²

Somestudentsmaydecidetotakeundergraduatecoursesthateasetheirtransitionto medicalschool,suchasanatomyorotherhealth-relatedsubjects,butthisisnotnecessary. It will increase your fundamental knowledge and help you to transition smoothly into medicalschool,butbeyondafewundergraduatecourses,themedicalschoolcurriculumis unlike anything offered in undergrad This difficult curriculum is the reason for which medicalschoolsemphasizetheminimumacademicrequirementsforincomingstudents.

REFERENCES

1 McMaster University Curriculum plan: COMPASS curriculum [Internet] Available from: http://registrar mcmaster ca/CALENDAR/current/pg1274 html

2 The University of Western Ontario Curriculum philosophy: years one and two [Internet] Available from: http://www schulich uwo ca/medicine/undergraduate/index php?page=CurriculumOverview

3 University of Toronto Preclerkship curriculum [Internet] Available from: http://www md utoronto ca/program/preclerkship htm

4 University of Ottawa MD program [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/education/electives/ottawa-students-guidelines/pre-clerkship

5 University of Ottawa MD Program [Internet] Available from: http://med uottawa ca/undergraduate/education/electives/ottawa-students-guidelines/clerkship

6.University of Ottawa. Revised curriculum [Internet]. Available from: http://www.med. uottawa.ca/Students/MD/eng/#

7 Queen’s University School of medicine calendar [Internet] Available from: http://www queensu ca/calendars/medicine/Courses html

8 Queen’s University About the program [Internet] Available from: http://meds queensu ca/undergraduate/prospective students/about the program

9 University of Toronto Clerkship [Internet] Available from: http://www md utoronto ca/program/clerkship/year3 htm

10 University of Toronto Clerkship courses [Internet] Available from: http://www md utoronto ca/courses-0

11 University of Toronto Foundations Curriculum [Internet] Available from: http://www md utoronto ca/foundationscurriculum

† Fernando E Kennedy M. University of Toronto. eshan.fernando@utoronto.ca matt.kennedy@utoronto.ca

FInancing

So,you’vefinallybeenacceptedtoyourdreammedicalschool.Congratulations! Your admissions offer package, however, will underscore the expensive nature of financing medical school education Few undergraduates can expect to become physicianswithouthavingatleastsomedebtupongraduation.Thefirstyeartuitionbill willbeapproximately$20,000forOntarioschools.² , ³Livingexpensesvarywidelyacross thecountry,butaveragearound$10,000peryear.⁴⁶Instruments,miscellaneousfees, andbookstypicallyadd$2,000tothetotal.⁶Inall,atypicalstudentcanexpecttoincur atleast$80,000inexpensesbeforetheyreceivetheirMD³⁶Whiletheseexpensesare certainlyjustifiablebasedonadoctor’sexpectedfutureincome,itwillbeyearsbefore medicalstudentsbecomestaffphysicians.

Yourlendingagencies,inmostcases,understandthis,andwillstillloantoyou on the understanding that you will eventually receive a certain income and have financial security. Scholarships, financial aid packages from institutions themselves, yourpersonalcontributions,andthoseofyourfamilymustallcombinetomeetthese financial challenges. It is imperative that you begin looking for ways to finance your educationearly,sothatyouareawareofthefinancingoptionsavailable.

Tobeginwith,youcanenjoyafewbenefitsfromCanadianbanksasamedical student.Generally,aratherlargelineofcreditcanbeextendedtoyouforyour3or4 yearsatmedicalschool.Forexample,TDCanadaTrustcanprovideupto$200,000in loans at a variable rate mostly without a cosigner.⁷ They also defer payments on the principaluntilaftergraduation,orafteryouhavecompletedyourresidency⁸Askyour preferredfinancialinstitutionsformoreinformation.

Justlikeyourundergraduatecareer,therearescholarshipsavailabletoCanadian medicalstudents.Mostschoolshaveascholarshipprogramforitsmedicalcandidates. Also look through www.scholarshipscanada.com and www.studentawards.com for possiblescholarships Beyondthat,institutionsliketheRoyalBankofCanadaalsooffer scholarships particularlyformedicalstudents.⁹

Asidefromthesourcesalreadymentioned,therearetwomajorprogramswhich willfundyoureducation,inexchangeforyourservicesaftergraduation.TheCanadian ForcesadministerstheMedicalOfficerTrainingProgram(MOTP),whichwillfundup tothreeyearsofmedicalschoolandtwoyearsofinternship,includingtuition,books andfees,andwillpayyouamonthlysalary.¹⁰Aftercompletionofyourtraining,youwill becommissionedasanofficerandobligatedtoserveforaperiodofafewyearsina branch of the Canadian Forces. Individuals interested in surgery may be particularly interestedinthisoption,becauseitwillprovideyouwithextensivetraininginthatfield. MOTPapplicantsmustalreadyhavebeenacceptedintoamedicalschoolandcanthen speaktoaCanadianForcesrecruiterformoreinformation.¹⁰

Thesecondprogramisofferedbyprovincialgovernments.Forexample,the GovernmentofOntarioprovidesincentivesfordoctorswhopracticeinunderservedor Northernregions¹¹Byprovidinggrants,theOntariogovernmentwillessentiallyfinance partofyoureducationalcostsifyouarewillingtoserveinaregionoftheirchoosing. Afteryourperiodofserviceiscomplete,youarefreetoworkwhereveryouchoose.

REFERENCES

1.McMaster University. Tuition [Internet]. Available from: http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/mdprog/tu- ition.html

2 University of Toronto Current fees [Internet] Available from: http://www md utoronto ca/admissions/finance/Current Fees htm

3 Queen’s University Undergraduate fees: domestic [Internet] Available from: http://www queensu ca/registrar/financials/tuition-fees

4 St Michael’s College - University of Toronto Financial aid and awards information: living expenses [Internet] Available from: http://www future utoronto ca/finances/fees/university-fees

5 University of Western Ontario Western viewbook 2011: budgeting your first year [Internet] Available http://www welcome uwo ca/preview/documents/Final 1 pdf

6 Queen’s University Cost of living: living expenses [Internet] Available from: http://quic.queensu.ca/incoming/costofliving.asp#Expenses

7 TD Group Financial Services Site Professional students [Internet] Available from: https://www tdcanadatrust com/student/stline jsp#professional

8 TD Group Financial Services Site How to Get Money for Medical, Dental, or Veterinary School [Internet] Available from: http://www tdcanadatrust com/student/doctor jsp

9 Royal Bank of Canada Website RBC royal bank scholarship awards for medical & dental students [Internet] Available from: http://scholarships rbc com/MedicalDental aspx

10 National Defence and the Canadian Forces Medical students & family medicine residents: the MOTP [Internet]

Available from: http://www forces gc ca/health-sante/default-eng asp

11. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. HealthForceOntario northern and rural recruitment and retention initiative guidelines [Internet] Available from: http://www health gov on ca/english/providers/ program/uap/guidelines/nrrri guidelines html

RESIDENCY

Aftergraduatingfrommedicalschool,yourtrainingisnotentirelycompleted.Followingyourlast exam at your institution, those who study in Ontario must then obtain a Postgraduate Education CertificatefromtheCollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeonsofOntario,whichpermitsonetopracticeasa resident. Upon receiving this certificate, one is eligible to enter residency training to become a family physician (CFPC) or specialize in another area (RCPSC)¹ This process differs between provinces, territoriesandtheirrespectiveuniversitiesacrossCanada.

Residency is the postgraduate training program which prepares physicians for independent practice.Uponcompletionofresidency,graduatesareeligibletotakeacertifiedexaminationinFamily Medicine(certificationgivenbytheCollegeofFamilyPhysiciansofCanadauponreceivingapassing grade in the College certification examination) or in a specialty examination of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (upon receiving a passing grade in the specialty-specific certificationexamination).¹

AlmostallresidenciesinCanadaareassignedbytheCanadianResidencyMatchingService (CaRMS).CaRMSisacentralizationservicethatcoordinatesresidencythroughoutallmedicalschoolsin Canada.Applicantsapplyintheirfinalyearofmedicalschool.²AllCanadianmedicalschoolgraduates arealreadyregisteredwithCaRMSandaree-mailedtheirlogininformation.Oncematchedtoaprogram, you are legally obligated to attend since the match functions as a binding contract The matching processconsistsoftwoiterationsormatchingsessions,wherethesecondroundisamatchforpositions thatremainunfilledafterthefirstsession.²Applicantsarerequiredtofilloutanapplicationform,submit allmandatorydocuments(suchasatranscript,medicalschoolperformancerecord,lettersofreference etc.),selectspecificprogramstoapplyto,assignvariousdocumentsandrankprogramsinarankorder list³Acomputerprogramthenmatchestheapplicantstotheirresidencies VisittheCaRMSwebsitefor additionalinformationontheapplicationprocess.²

Residencyitselfcanoftenbechallengingfornewdoctors,duetothemanystressfulsituationsand longhours Bepreparedtospendmanynightssleepingatthehospital,beingrousedfromyourbedto dealwithemergenciesastheyarise,andunderstandthatresidentsmayhave“oncall”shiftswhereyou cangohomebutneedtoreturntothehospitalimmediatelywhencalled.

SPECIALTIES AND SPECIALIZATION

Whenthinkingofspecialization,graduatesoftheMDprogramhavemanyoptions availabletothem¹Anewdoctormaychoosefromanynumberofimmediateresidencies followinggraduation,andhisorherspecializationmaycontinueforyearsbeforethey reachtheirterminalfield.Onthenextpagesisacomparisonofsomemajorspecialtiesin terms of expected hours per week, followed by a chart listing the residency specializations. The chart does not reflect all the possible postgraduate avenues available,butasmanyaspossiblehavebeenlistedinthe“subspecialties”field Allthese postgraduate programs have further areas of specialization, which have not been included here. Salaries are very approximate, and come from little data that has been published² , ³Location,private-sectororacademicwork,andotherfactorscaninfluence thesefiguresgreatly.

Additionally,somespecialtiesarenotadministeredthroughCaRMS,especially somesurgicalspecialtiessuchasvascularsurgery.AnimportantupdateisthatCaRMS currentlyadministersthemedicalsubspecialtymatchtoprogramslikenephrology,asit wasnotimplementedafewyearsbefore.† Forfurtherinformationonthesespecialties, visitateachinghospital’swebsite.

REFERENCES

1 Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Information by Discipline [Internet] Available from: http://www royalcollege ca/rc/faces/oracle/webcenter/portalapp/pages/ibd jspx?lang=en& afrLoop=2919947881308346& afrWindowMode=0& afrWindowId=null

2 Studentdoc Physician Salaries - Salary Survey Results [Internet] Studentdoc com Available from: http://www studentdoc com/salaries html

3 Canadian Medical Association Average payment per physician report, fee-for-service physicians in Canada, 2004- 2005 [Internet] Available from: https://secure cihi ca/free products/app average payment per physician report 2004 e pdf

†Fernando E, Kennedy M University of Toronto eshan fernando@utoronto ca, matt kennedy@utoronto ca

POST GRADUATE MEDICINE SPECIALTIES

REFERENCES

1 Canadian Medical Association - Specialities [Internet] Available from: http://www cma ca/En/Pages/specialty-profiles aspx

2 Salary com [internet] Available from: https://www1 salary com/Physician-Pathology-Salary html

3 Efstratiadis, G et al Interventional nephrology: A new subspecialty of nephrology Hippokratia 2007 Jan ; 11(1): 22-24

4 Health Communities What is a nephrologist? [Internet] Available from: http://www healthcommunities com/kidney-stones/what-is-a-nephrologist shtml

5 BMJ Careers A career in neurosurgery [Internet] Available from: http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=20000117

6 Canadian Association of Neuropathologists What is neuropathology? [Internet] Available from: http://www canp ca/WhatisNP html

7 University of Utah Health Centre Otolaryngology ENT [Internet] Available from: http://healthcare utah edu/healthlibrary/related/doc php?type=85&id=P00462

8 Spineuniverise Physiatrist education and training [Internet] Available from: http://www spineuniverse com/treatments/physiatrist-education-training

9 American Board of Urology Subspecialty certification [Internet] Available from: http://www abu org/subspecialtyCertification aspx

10 BMJ Introduction to urology [Internet] Available from: http://www bmj com/content/312/7031/623

11 The Canadian Resident Matching Service: 2018 R-1 Match First Iteration; Table 27: Match Results of CMGs by School of Residency & Discipline [Internet] Available from: https://www carms ca/data-reports/r1-data-reports/

ALTERNATIVES TO CLINICAL MEDICINE

People enter medicine for many reasons, and everyone has different goals and aspirations to achieve by being a physician Academia and medical research are two popular choices among others, but people with medical degrees can end up working in environments very different from the traditional physician’s workplace in a clinic. If you are becoming a physician in order to enter academic medicine and teach medicine, you may consider the combined MD/PhD programs. The length of the programs depends on the quality and intensity of your PhD research, but the programs usually require 7 years in total. Remember that medical school professors, just like the ones you encountered during your undergraduate years, are in a competitive field. They usually need a terminal degree in their field (a PhD) in addition to expertise in the application of their discipline, as well as good teaching skills.

Academic medicine provides doctors with a chance to practice medicine while pursuing their teaching career and research. However, people in academia earn significantly less than their clinician counterparts. Medical research often takes place in academia, with most teaching hospitals having strong research departments. If you truly wish to avoid clinical practice altogether, going into industry will provide a number of avenues for applying the skills you learned in medical school. The pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other industries all have openings for people with medical degrees but may also require training from additional graduate studies. If pure research excites you, consider pursuing a graduate degree in a discipline more closely related to your area of interest. For example, a degree in Biopharmacology may serve you better than a medical degree if you want to be a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry.

MD/PHD PROGRAMS

MD/PHD PROGRAMS

Contacts

McGill University (MD/PhD) http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/mdphd/ (514) 398-1603

McMaster University (MD/PhD) www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/mdphd/index.html (905) 525-9140 ext. 22982

Ottawa University (MD/PhD) www.med.uottawa.ca/md-phd/eng (613) 562-5800 ext. 8344

University of British Columbia (MD/PhD) http://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/mdphd/ (604) 822-7198

University of Toronto (MD/PhD) http://mdphd utoronto ca/ (416) 978-3277

Western University (MD/PhD) www.schulich.uwo.ca/medicine/md phd (519) 661-2111 ext. 87908

REFERENCES

1 The University of British Columbia MD/PhD Program [Internet] Available from: http://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/mdphd/

2 McGill University MD/PhD Program Overview [Internet] Available from: http://www medicine mcgill ca/mdphd/

3 McMaster University MD/PhD program [Internet] Available from: http://www fhs mcmaster ca/mdphd/

4 University of Ottawa Combined program for Degrees in Medicine and Philosophy (MD/PhD) [Internet] Available from: http://www med uottawa ca/md-phd/eng/index html

5 University of Toronto MD/PhD Program [Internet] Available from: http://mdphd utoronto ca/

6 Western University MD/PhD Program [Internet] Available from: http://www schulich uwo ca/medicine/md phd/

DENTISTRY

This section of the publication is dedicated to providing information on the process of admission to dental schools, the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and the general requirements for each of the Canadian dental schools. Similar to the information provided in the Medicine segment of this journal, all the information pertaining to dentistry presented here has been professionally written and very recently updated. However, such information can be subject to change. Therefore, interested candidates should also research relevant materials online.

HOW DO YOU FIT INTO THE FIELD OF DENTISTRY?

Dentistryisaprofessiondealingwiththeprevention,diagnosis,andtreatmentoforal diseasesanddisorders,withaprimaryemphasisonthehealthofteethandgums.Thedental professionprovidespeopleoftalentanddedicationwithanopportunityforalifetimeofpersonal satisfaction.Someofthepositiveaspectsofthisprofessionarethatit:

Providesastrongsenseofsatisfactionderivedfromtheknowledgethatoneiscontributing tothephysicalwell-beingofpatients

Providesapersonalfeelingofachievementthatcomesfromthesuccessfulapplicationof one’sjudgmentalandmanualskillsinresolvingproblems

Providesanopportunityforgroupleadershipandmanagementastheheadofadentalcare team,makinguseofone’smanagerialandorganizationalskills

Ifthefollowingaspectsofdentistrylistedaboveappealtoyourinterestandfityourideal descriptionofacareer,thenthisprofessionmaybetherightchoiceforyou!

CANADIAN DENTAL SCHOOLS

Presentedbelowisachartwiththeundergraduatedentalprogramsthatareofferedat English-speakinguniversities.LavalandMontréalalsoofferdentalprograms,butsincethese UniversitiesonlyoffertheprogramsinFrench,theyarerestrictedtoFrench-speakingapplicants. Tofacilitatefurtherinvestigationoftheseuniversities,linkstoeachofthetheirwebsitesare locatedatthebackofthispublication

CANADIAN DENTAL SCHOOLS SUMMARY CHART

REFERENCES

1. University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) [Internet]. Available from: https://www ualberta ca/school- of-dentistry/programs-and-admissions/dentistry/dds-admission-statistics html

2 The University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry DMD Admission Procedures [Internet] Available from: http://www dentistry ubc ca/dmd/dmd-admission-procedures/

3 Dalhousie University Dentistry Admissions overview [internet] Available from: https://www dal ca/academics/programs/professional/dentistry html

4 University of Manitoba Undergraduate Admissions Application to Dentistry [Internet] Available from: https://umanitoba ca/student/admissions/application/programs/dentistry-application html

5 McGill University Faculty of Dentistry 4-year DMD Program [Internet] Available from: https://www mcgill ca/dentistry/4-yeardmd- program/selection-process

6 University of Saskatchewan Admissions Dentistry [Internet] Available from: https://admissions usask ca/dentistry php

7. University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. How to Apply [Internet]. Available from: https://www dentistry utoronto ca/prospective- students/undergraduate/DDS

8 Western University Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Dentistry program [Internet] Available from: https://www schulich uwo ca/med dent admissions/dentistry/admission statistics1 html

DAT: DENTAL APTITUDE TEST

The DAT is the main instrument used to evaluate the capabilities of all applicants from various universities. Unlike the MCAT, Canada and the United States offer a separate DAT that varies in both the format and the tested materials.

The Canadian Dental Aptitude Test contains four sections:

1.Manual Dexterity Test: Requires the carving of a specific model from a bar of soap The University of British Columbia, Western University, the University of Saskatchewan, Dalhousie University, University of Toronto, and McGill University do not require a score from the manual dexterity test. ¹

2. Survey of Natural Sciences: Multiple choice questions on Biology and General Chemistry ¹

The section on biology spans a knowledge base that is similar in content to first-year biology courses An understanding of human anatomy and physiology is also required ¹ The section on general chemistry spans a knowledge base that is similar in content to firstyear chemistry courses. No knowledge of organic chemistry is necessary.¹

3. Perceptual Ability Test: Various multiple-choice questions that test perceptual skills, such as angle discrimination and form development ¹ This section consists of six subtests: apertures, view recognition, angle discrimination, paper folding, cube counting, and 3D form development.

4. Reading Comprehension Test: Requires the analysis (through answering multiple-choice questions) of 3 scientific passages that are similar in content to those encountered in the first year of dental school. No prior understanding of the material is required, but an understanding of the natural sciences is necessary.¹

Theoverallscoringrangeisfrom1to30foreachsectionThescoringsystemisnotbased onthenumberofcorrect/incorrectanswers,butinsteadreflectsastandardizedrankingbasedon yourstandingcomparedtootherswhowrotethetest.Ascoreof15equatestothenational averageperformance.¹

The Canadian DAT is held twice every year, once in February and then again in November.¹

To be considered a valid applicant for the current application year, the DAT must be written by the November test date.¹ For example, if you are attending the fourth year of your undergraduate studies in the 2022/2023 school year and wish to apply to dentistry for the 2023/2023 school year, the November 2019 test is the last valid test you can take. Taking the February 2022 test date would instead make you a valid applicant for the 2022/2023 school year. Another point to note is that test scores are often only valid for a certain period of time. For example, the University of Toronto does not accept tests taken more than two years prior to the application deadline.¹

The Canadian DAT costs $365 ($295 for the written portion, and $70 for the optional manual dexterity test) ¹ This fee includes registration costs and 5 official transcripts that will be mailed directly to the dental schools These five dental schools must be selected at the time of registration ¹

The American Dental Aptitude Test is fairly similar to its Canadian counterpart, the main differences being:

An additional quantitative reasoning section (40 questions, 45 minutes) that deals with basic mathematical problems.² No Manual Dexterity Test.²

30 questions within the Survey of Natural Sciences that pertain to Organic Chemistry.²

The Canadian DAT does not contain organic chemistry.¹

The national average of the American DAT is standardized to a score of 17.²

The national average of the Canadian DAT is standardized to a score of 15. ¹

Across the 4 sections, the American DAT spans 255 minutes.2 The Canadian DAT spans 200 minutes.¹

The American DAT is computerized 2 whereas the Canadian DAT is written.¹ Thus, the American DAT is offered year-round, while the Canadian DAT is only offered twice a year Many Canadian schools do not accept the American DAT and some American schools do not accept the Canadian DAT² ; this depends on the school itself

DENTAL SCHOOLS IN ONTARIO

InOntario,theonlyuniversitiesthatofferaDoctorofDentalSurgeryProgram(DDS)arethe UniversityofTorontoandWesternUniversity.Nocentralizedapplicationcenter(suchasOMSASformedicalschools)isavailable,andthusapplicantsmustobtainindividualapplication formsforbothuniversitiesbyeithercontactingtheuniversitiesoraccessingtheform electronicallythroughtheuniversities’websites.

Althoughalldentalschoolsusethesamesources(DAT,academicscores,interviews)to evaluateallapplicants,eachuniversityweighseachcomponentdifferently.Thefollowingisa descriptionoftheDDSprogramsattheUniversityofTorontoandWesternUniversity.

DENTALSCHOOL

BACKGROUND

The dental program at the University of Toronto is as prestigious as its medical program. Annually, the University of Toronto has more applicants than any other dental school in Canada The University of Toronto’s recruitment program includes consideration of academic achievement, DAT scores and an interview section Applicants must have completed at least 3 years in a university program by the year of entry If the applicant has completed 4 or more years of university education by May 31st of the year of entry, the worst academic year will be excluded from the calculation of the applicant’s cumulative GPA provided that it is not in the applicant’s most recently completed year of study.

GPA

Forentryinthe2023year,theUniversityofTorontohadsetaminimumGPAat 3.0,butgenerally,applicantswhowereinvitedforaninterviewhadaGPAofatleast 3.85(in2022,theaveragewas3.94).Pleasenotethatscoresfromtheacademicyear inwhichyouareapplyingforthedentalprogramwillnotbeincludedinthe calculationofyourcumulativeGPA Anyofferofadmissioniscontingentupon maintainingatleasta3.0GPAaverage.ConcerningtheDAT,allsectionsofthetest mustbecompletedexceptManualDexterity.Theacademicaveragescoreandthe perceptualabilitytestscoreareusedforadmission.

Outofanapplicantpoolthatrangesfrom400to500applicants,200are invitedforaninterview.ApplicantstotheUniversityofTorontorequireoneyear(or twosemesters)ofgeneralbiochemistry,oneyearofgeneralmammalianphysiology, twoadditionalyearsofanylifesciencescoursesandoneyearofhumanitiesand/or socialscience.TheapplicationdeadlineforeachyearisDecember1st.

DENTALSCHOOL

TUITION

Once admitted into the University of Toronto, entrants can expect total annual fees around $39,240 (overall total may vary from year to year). This value includes tuition, non-academic incidental fees and dental instruments. Books, supplies and accommodation are not included in this value. As for OOP students, requirements and fees are identical to Ontario applicants provided the candidate is within domestic boundaries (Canada). However, international students are expected to provide their own source of funding for annual tuition fees, which are up to $86,760 For more information, please consult the UofT admission requirements for its dentistry program

WHAT TO EXPECT

Within the four-year program, students can expect to begin with a focus on the sciences and switch to a more clinical focus as the years progress. In the first year of studies, the foundations of clinical dentistry are introduced and laid out, with a focus on biomaterials and the fundamentals of restorative dentistry. The second year focuses on combined teaching in the practical arts of dentistry, including a greater emphasis on dental disease and its treatment Clinical study begins in the third year, as students begin to work with patients By the end of the third year, the student is expected to be able to conduct basic procedures effortlessly Clinical study is continued in the fourth year, preparing the student for entry into the dental professions, such as general practitioners. Many students go into either public or private practice. A one-year dental residency is offered where residents work with supervisors in a hospital setting if students wish to gain more clinical experience. Students can also go on to graduate specialty programs such as dental anesthesia and endodontics, or while also pursuing graduate research programs in the field of dentistry.

BACKGROUND

The Western University’s recruitment program includes consideration of academic achievement (given a 60% weight), DAT scores (15% weight) and an interview section (25% weight) Successful completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree is required for admission, though applicants can apply in the final year of their undergraduate degree Applicants should generally have achieved at least 80% or higher in at least two of their undergraduate years Other years will only be judged for consistency in scoring Applicants with an “Honours” undergraduate degree as well as those with a graduate degree may be favoured in the selection process; however, having such degrees does not compensate for grades that are not competitive.4

DENTALSCHOOL

Applicants must submit to OUAC a completed online application form (link to the form is found on Schulich Dentistry admissions page in early October) for a processing fee of $275. The applications do not require a reference letter or personal statements. The application dead-line for each year is December 1st.⁴

GPA

Of all the applicants that are admitted, there are 56 spots reserved for Canadian applicants (up to 4 spots for international applicants) out of a total applicant pool of ~500 students. Students should aim to achieve an average grade of 80% or higher to be considered competitive for interviews The average percentage grade for the best two years of an admitted applicant was 88 41% Generally, a minimum score of 18 is required for both the reading comprehension portion and the academic average of the DAT The average of the accepted applicant has a score of 21 in Reading Comprehension and 20 in Academic Average.⁴ Once admitted into Western University, entrants in the 2016/2017 year paid $35,619 for the first year of their education. This value included tuition as well as dental instruments.

What to expect?

Withinthefour-yearprogram,studentswillbeexposedtoapre-clinicalsimulationclinicas earlyasfirstyear.Thissimulatedclinicalsettingallowsstudentstoconductdentalprocedureswithin anenvironmentthatmirrorstheactualclinicalexperience.Theprogramshiftsfromanacademictoa clinicalfocusandisprimarilyclinicalbythethirdyearofeducation.⁴

TherequirementsforOOP(out-of-province)studentsinterestedinapplyingtoWestern University’sDentistryprogramareverymuchidenticaltotheonesforOntarioapplicants.Asfor internationalstudents,itisrequiredthatsuchcandidatescompleteanEnglishlanguageproficiency testbyMarchforentryinSeptember.Formorespecificadmissionrequirements,pleaseconsultthe SchulichSchoolofDentistrywebpage.

FINANCING

When you have been accepted into a dental school, the next challenge will involve finding ways to pay tuition for the next four years. The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is the primary source of funding for Ontario residents seeking financial aid. The process of the OSAP application is identical to the one provided to university students declaring financial need However, because of the great expense of a dental education, OSAP allowance for dental students is the highest the Ontario government will issue to students ⁵ Financial Assistance Programs at various universities (such as scholarships, bursaries etc ) are also other sources of tuition for dental students ⁵ Students who do not qualify for Ontario residency (i e , Out-ofprovince students) would need to apply for government student financial assistance from their home province. However, University of Toronto is an exception as it offers a UTAPS (University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students) program for non-Ontario students to apply for financial assistance.⁵

DENTAL SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF CANADA

ItisoftenthatmanyCanadianapplicantsseekdentalschoolsintheUnitedStatesastheir alternativechoiceduetothefactthatthereareonlyasmallnumberofdentalschoolsthatare availableinOntario,andCanadaforthatmatter.CommonAmericandentalschoolsconsidered byCanadiansincludeBostonUniversity,NewYorkUniversityandtheUniversityofPittsburgh amongstothers.TheadmissionprocessinAmericandentalschoolsissimilartoCanadiandental schoolsinthattheDATisrequiredbymostdentaleducationalinstitutions.Althoughamajorityof theseschoolsconsidertheCanadianDATtobeanequivalenttotheAmericanDAT,afewselect onesintheU.S.onlyaccepttheAmericanDATversionanddonotconsiderthecompletionofthe CanadianDATasafulfilledrequirement.SuchschoolsincludeWesternUniversityofHealth SciencesinPomona,CaliforniaandtheUniversityofCalifornia,LosAngeles.Thecompetition amongnon-U.S.applicantstoanyofthedentalschoolsintheUnitedStatesisquitehigh.Many foreignapplicantswhoareacceptedintoU.S.dentalschoolshaveobtainedsuperiorscoresinall componentscomparedtoU.Sapplicants.

TheapplicationprocessforUSdentalschoolsiscentralizedthroughtheAssociated AmericanDentalSchoolsApplicationService,whichwilldistributethesubmittedapplicationsto theirrespectiveuniversitiesTherearetwoapplicationformatsavailable;onlineorpaper applicationThepaperapplicationcanbedownloadedfromtheAmericanDentalEducation Associationwebsite.Theonlineapplicationprovideseachapplicantwithauseraccountto submitallnecessaryinformation.

DENTAL SPECIALTIES

Withadvancesinavarietyofdentaltechniquesandwiththecurrentfocusonpreventive andrestorativedentistry,theneedforspecialexpertiseinthevariousbranchesofdentistryhas significantlyincreased.Thesedentistshavehadonetofouryearsofadditionaltrainingafter dentalschool,duringwhichtimetheirdiagnosticandoperativeskillswerefurtherdevelopedto achieveasuperiordegreeofcompetence.Thefollowingisalistoftherolesofsomeofthemost commonspecialtiesindentistry.

ORTHODONTICS AND DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS⁸

Thisspecialtyisconcernedwithcorrectingirregularandabnormaldentaldevelopment ThegoalofOrthodonticsisnotonlytoimproveappearance,butalsotocorrectthefunctioning oftheteethbyalteringthepatient’sbiteCorrectingabadbiteormalocclusionwillprevent eventuallooseningorevenlossofteeth,inadditiontohavingapositivecosmeticeffect.Since teetharemovedtoimproperpositionsbyforcesthatareoutofbalanceinthemouth,theycanbe movedbackbyopposingforces.Thisisdonebytheuseofvariousfixedorthodonticappliances suchasmetalbraces,rubberbands,orplasticbrackets.

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY⁸

Oralsurgeonsusesurgicalprocedurestodealwithdefectsanddiseasesoftheentire maxillofacialregion–themiddleandlowerface.Theirworkencompassesthejaws,cheekbones, andotherskeletalelementsandtheirsurroundingstructures.Inaddition,theoralsurgeon diagnosisandtreatinjuries,deformities,andgrowthsinandaroundthejaw.Anothercommon surgicalprocedurefrequentlyperformedbythesespecialistsisanapicoectomy,orthesurgical removalofatooth’sroottip.Re-implantingteethknockedoutinanaccidentandtreatingsimple orcompoundjawfracturesaretypesoftraumaticinjurytreatmentsrequiringanoralsurgeon’s skills.

PERIODONTICS⁸

Thisspecializationisconcernedwiththediagnosisandtreatmentofdiseasesaffecting theperiodontaltissuesthatsupporttheteeth;thegum,periodontalmembrane,andsurrounding boneThesediseasesareveryinsidiousandbecomeincreasinglyprevalentwithage Periodontaldiseasesarediagnosedbyseveralprocedures:probingthedepthofthespace aroundatooth,comparingbonelevelasreflectedinX-rays,andexaminingfortoothmobilityIn severecases,surgicalinterventiontoexposeteeth,orevenbonegrafting,maybenecessary Varioussplintingtechniquesthatjoinlooseteethtofirmonesarealsoutilized

PAEDODONTICS/PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY⁸

Thisspecialtyisconcernedwiththetreatmentofchildren,adolescents,andyoungadults exclusively,similartopediatriciansinthemedicalfield.Theroleofthepaedodontististo establishinthechild,apositiveattitudetowardsdentistryandadispositiontodevelopgoodoral hygienehabits.

OTHER SPECIALTIES TO EXPLORE INCLUDE⁸

Dental Public Health Endodontics

Oral Medicine and Pathology

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Prosthodontics

ALTERNATIVES TO DENTAL SURGERY

ADoctorofDentalSurgerydegreerequiresalengthytimecommitmentfortraining However,ifoneisstillinterestedinworkingwithinthedentalfield,thefollowingaredescriptions ofsomeofthealternativecareersthatareavailableMostofthesealternativesrequireacollege degreeinthediscipline.LinkstotradeschoolsareprovidedintheAppendix.

DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN⁹

Thedentallaboratorytechniciantakesonsignificantresponsibilityasamemberofthe dentalhealthcareteam.Dentaltechniciansmakedentalprostheses–replacementsfornatural teethtohelppeoplewhohavelostsomeoralloftheirteeth.Qualifiedtechniciansdevelopskills inusingsmallhandinstruments,accuracy,artisticabilityandattentiontominutedetail.Although thecareerofdentallabtechniciansoffersawiderangeofchallengesandtheseindividualsare valuablemembersofthedentalcareteam,theyseldomworkdirectlywithpatients.Themajority oftheirtimeisdedicatedintoworkingwithdentistsbyfollowingdetailedwritteninstructionsand usingimpressionsofthepatient’steethororalsofttissuestocreate:fulldenturesforpatients, removablepartialdentures,orcrowns–whicharecapsforteeththataredesignedtorestore theiroriginalsizeandshape.Also,techniciansalsofabricateveneersthatenhancetheaesthetics andfunctionofthepatient,aswellasorthodonticappliancesandsplintstohelpstraightenand protectteethTheaveragesalaryofadentallaboratorytechnicianis$38,443,withuptofour yearsspentinschool,dependingontheleveloftrainingonewishestoreceive

⁹

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Theroleofadentalassistantistogreatlyincreasetheefficiencyofthedentistinthe deliveryofqualityoralhealthcareThisoccupationissuitableforthosewhohavestrong communicationskills,enjoychallenges,andhavegreatorganizationalskillsThedutiesofa dentalassistantarenumerousManyofthetasksrequirebothinterpersonalandtechnicalskills Adentalassistant’sdutiesinclude:assistingthedentistduringavarietyoftreatmentprocedures, developingdentalradiographsandtakingimpressionsofpatients’teethforstudycasts. Theaveragesalaryofadentalassistantis$36,459,withonetotwoyearsspentinschool.

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Thisspecializationisconcernedwiththediagnosisandtreatmentofdiseasesaffectingthe periodontaltissuesthatsupporttheteeth;thegum,periodontalmembrane,andsurrounding boneThesediseasesareveryinsidiousandbecomeincreasinglyprevalentwithage Periodontaldiseasesarediagnosedbyseveralprocedures:probingthedepthofthespace aroundatooth,comparingbonelevelasreflectedinX-rays,andexaminingfortoothmobilityIn severecases,surgicalinterventiontoexposeteeth,orevenbonegrafting,maybenecessary. Varioussplintingtechniquesthatjoinlooseteethtofirmonesarealsoutilized.

REFERENCES

1 The Canadian Dental Association Dental Aptitude Test Program [Internet] Available from: http://www cdaadc ca/en/becoming/dat/information/

2 American Dental Association Dental Admission Test (DAT) 2015 Program Guide [Internet] Available from: http://www ada org/~/media/ADA/Education%20and%20Careers/Files/dat examinee guide ashx

3 University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery Program [Internet] Available from: http://www dentistry utoronto ca/system/files/dds guidelines 2015 pdf

4 Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Dentistry [Internet] Available from: http://www schulich uwo ca/dentistry/future students/doctor of dental surgery dds/admission requirements/admissions overview html

5.Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities. OSAP Aid Programs [Internet]. Available from: www osap gov on ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/index htm

6 University of Toronto University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students (UTAPS) [Internet] Available from: http://www adm utoronto ca/financial-aid/u-of-t-advance-planning-for-students-utaps/

7 American Dental Education Association ADEA AADSAS applicants [Internet] Available from: http://www adea org/dental education pathways/aadsas/Applicants/Pages/default aspx

8 The Canadian Dental Association Dental Specialties [Internet] Available from: http://www cdaadc ca/en/becoming/becoming/specialties

9 Payscale Dental Hygienist Salary [Internet] Available from: https://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Dental Hygienist/Hourly Rate

OPTOMETRY

AstheCanadianpopulationages,optometryisafieldwithpromisingemployment prospects,inspiteoflaborshortageselsewhere Optometristsarelicensedhealthprofessionals whoexamine,diagnose,treatand/orpreventdiseasesanddisordersofthehumanvisualsystem¹ Becominganoptometristrequires7to8yearsofpost-secondaryeducation.Thisincludesa minimumof3yearsofundergraduatestudiesanda4to5-yearoptometryprogram.Commonly, studentspursueanadditionalyearofresidencytrainingfollowingthecompletionoftheDoctorof Optometry(OD)program.¹

Thereare22schoolsofoptometryaccreditedandrecognizedbytheCanadianAssociation ofOptometrists,twoofwhicharelocatedinCanadaand20intheUnitedStates.²TheUniversityof Waterloo(Waterloo,Ontario)andtheUniversityofMontreal(Montreal,Quebec)arethetwo Canadianschoolsthatofferanoptometryprogram Theinformationinthissectionwillfocusonthe programattheUniversityofWaterloo,asthelanguageofinstructionisEnglish Studentswhoare interestedintheUniversityofMontrealareencouragedtovisittheprogram’swebsite(refertothe Appendixattheendofthisarticle).

UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO OPTOMETRY AND VISION SCIENCE³

TheUniversityofWaterloo’sSchoolofOptometryandVisionScienceoffersa4-yearDoctor ofOptometry(OD)programusingEnglishastheinstructionallanguage.Beforeapplying,all applicantsmusthavecompletedatleastthreeyearsoffull-time(fivecoursesperfour-monthterm) BachelorofSciencestudiesfromanyrecognizeduniversity.Studentsinotherprogramswhoare interestedinapplyingshoulddirectlycontacttheschooltofindoutwhichcreditscouldbeusedto fulfilltheoutlinedrequirements.Therequiredoptometryprerequisitecoursesinclude:onetermof English,IntroductoryEthics,IntroductoryPsychology,Microbiology,GeneralChemistry(withlab), Biochemistry,OrganicChemistry,Calculus,andStatistics Aswell,twotermsofGeneralBiology (withlab),Physiology,andPhysics(withlab)arealsorequired.Moredetailedinformation regardingcourseeligibilityisprovidedontheWaterlooSchoolofOptometryandVisionScience Website.

Furthermore,aminimumaverageof75%(3.0GPAontheOMSASscale)isrequiredtoapply. However,theactualaveragesofacceptanceinrecentyearshaverangedfrom79%to92%(3.3to 40GPA) Theoverallaveragecalculationincludesallcoursesthattheapplicantshavetakenin theirthreeorfouryearsofB.Sc.studies,includingthosetakeninsummerschool(exceptfor summercoursesthataretakenimmediatelypriortotheapplication).

Inadditiontofulfillingalloftheacademicrequirements,applicantsshouldscoreaminimum of300ontheOptometryAdmissionsTest(OAT).Forapplicantsin2021,theaverageOATscore was383.Applicantsfor2023admissionmusthavewrittentheOATanytimefromAugust31st, 2021toOctober15th,2023.

As of September 2021, all applicants into the Optometry program in Waterloo would be required to complete an online assessment known as CASPer. CASPer stands for Computer Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics. It is a tool that is designed to evaluate personal and professional characteristics which would aid in the selection process for the Optometry program. CASPer is also utilized in the application processes of Medical Schools and Nursing programs Some schools that utilize this online tool include: Michael G Degroot School of Medicine at McMaster University, University of Ottawa, New York Medical College and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

All applicants must complete an Admission Information Form (AIF) to the School of Optometry, along with supporting material. The application contains the following four sections:

• Personal ID: Basic contact and citizenship information, etc.

• Academic Record: A list of all prerequisite courses along with course information, year taken, grades, and course descriptions

• Autobiographic Sketch: A non-academic profile that details extracurricular activities, nonacademic awards, athletic involvement, hobbies and interests, work and volunteer experience, leadership, etc

• Confidential Assessment Forms: Two reference letters are required, one from an optometrist and the other from a character reference (for example, an employer or a professor)

For a sample application form, please refer to the link in the Appendix.

Selected applicants will be invited for an interview with faculty members. The interview consists of multi mini interviews (MMIs) with faculty and members of the profession, a round table discussion with current students, as well as a tour of the facilities Each year, the school selects 90 students from approximately 300 applicants. The four-year OD program at Waterloo focuses on building students’ knowledge on the basic visual sciences, and training students in clinical settings. The fourth year of the program consists of three four-month terms. Two of these terms include rotations through clinics within the school, and a rotation in a private practice or in a vision care project situated in a developing country.³ Students spend a term outside of the university, typically in the US, during which they are exposed to ocular pharmaceutics and disease management.

THE OPTOMETRY ADMISSIONS TEST (OAT)

TheOptometryAdmissionsTest(OAT)issponsoredbytheAssociationofSchoolsand CollegesofOptometry(ASCO).Itisastandardizedexaminationaimedtotestapplicants’ academicknowledge.TheOATmaybetakennumeroustimes.However,applicantsmustwaitat least90daysbeforetakingthenextOAT.Notethatthetotalnumberofattemptsandthefourmost recentscoresarereportedtooptometryschools.TheOATconsistsofthefollowingsections:⁴

SurveyoftheNaturalSciences:Testingmaterialsislimitedtotheareascoveredbyanentire firstyearcourseinbiology,generalchemistry,andorganicchemistry.Thereare40biology questions,30generalchemistryquestions,and30organicchemistryquestions.Theduration ofthisportionofthetestis90minutes.

ReadingComprehensionTest:Thissectioncontainsthreepassagesandatotalof40 questionsthatarerelatedtothepassages.Thelevelofmaterialissimilartothatencounteredin thefirstyearofoptometryschool.Applicantshave50minutestocompletethissection.

PhysicsTest:Thecontentofthissectionislimitedtotheareascoveredinatwo-semester physicscourse.Applicantsneedtocomplete40questionswithin50minutes.

QuantitativeReasoningTest:Thissectionmeasuresapplicants’abilitiestoworkwith numbers,quantitativematerials,andnumericalrelationships Atotalof45minutearegivento complete40questionsinthissection.However,calculatorsarenotpermitted.

TheentireOATtakes4hoursand40minutes,whichincludesanoptionaltutorial,break,andpost testsurvey.⁴Forfurtherinformationonthestandardscorecalculation,pleaserefertotheOAT sampletestlinkprovidedbelowintheAppendix.

AFTER GRADUATION

Graduatesmustpassthelicensingboardexamsandjurisprudenceexamsbeforestarting practicesoftheirown TopracticeinCanada,candidatesmustpasstheCanadianAssessmentof CompetenceinOptometry(CACO)examandthejurisprudenceexamfortheirgeographicarea ofinterest.² , ⁴Optometristsmayhavetheirownpracticesorinvolveingrouppractices.

Specializationsinareassuchaspediatricsarealsoanoption.Someoptometrystudents continuetheirstudiestoobtainaMSc.orPhDdegree.Theemploymentrateupongraduationis about100%withinsixmonths.TheaveragepracticingoptometristinCanadaearnsfrom$61,000 to$151,000,notincludingbenefits.⁵

APPENDIX

1.

2.

UniversityofMontreal:Optometryhttp://www.opto.umontreal.ca/

UniversityofWaterlooSchoolofOptometrySampleApplicationForm: https://uwaterloo.ca/optometry-vision-science/sites/ca.optometry-visionscience/files/uploads/files/Sample_Optometry_Application_2013.pdf

3.OptometryAdmissionTestingProgramSampleTest: http://www.ada.org/~/media/OAT/Files/oat_sample_test.ashx

REFERENCES

1 Canadian Association of Optometrists Becoming A Doctor of Optometry [Internet] Available from: http://opto.ca/becoming-a-doctor-of-optometry

2 The University of Waterloo Optometry and Vision Science [Internet] Available from: https://uwaterloo ca/optometry-vision-science/future-optometry-students/admission-requirements

3 Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Optometry Admission Test (OAT) 2015 Program Guide [Internet]

Available from: http://www ada org/ /media/OAT/Files/oat examinee guide ashx

4 Canadian Examiners in Optometry Canadian Assessment of Competence in Optometry [Internet] Available from: http://www ceo-eco org

5 Payscale Optometrist Salary [Internet] Available from: https://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Optometrist/Salary

OTHER HEALTH-RELATED CAREERS

Westrivetorespondtothefeedbackwereceiveandhavecreatedthisfollowingsectionto broadenourreaders’perspectivesonhealth-relatedcareers Healthcarewillalwaysbeasubject thatcanbeintegratedwithotherexistingandemergingfields,andforthisreasonwehavetriedto encompassbroadercategoriesofotherhealth-relatedfieldsinthefollowingsection.Youarealso givenauniqueprivilegeasoneofourreaderstocontactourresearchdirectorand/orcopresidentsformoreinformationregardingbothundocumentedcareers,aswellas,careersthatare outlinedinthesectionbelow.

Inaddition,wehighlyrecommendthatyoucontactspecificschoolsoutlinedforcareersof yourinterest,sincewestronglybelievethatthisadditionalstepwillhelpyoudevelopamore profoundunderstandingofprograms,andalsogiveyoubetterjudgmentonacareerpursuit.

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

DESCRIPTION

Biomedicalengineeringfocusesonimprovingpatientcarevianewapproachesthat emphasizetheintegrationandcollaborationoftraditionalresearchareas.Whetheritbethe developmentofnovelartificialorgans,enhancingthedesignofcurrentmedicaldevicesor introducingthelatest3Dtissueprintingtechnology,biomedicalengineersareresponsibleforthe innovationsthatplayavitalroleintoday’shealthcare.

BiomedicalEngineeringisaninterdisciplinaryfieldthatinvolvestheapplicationofengineering principles,designconcepts,methods,physicalsciencesandmathematicstotackleproblemsinthe medicalandlifesciences.Byitsnature,researchisanimportantcomponenttothisdiscipline. Commonresearchthemesincludeneuralandsensorysystems,molecularimaging,nanotechnology, biomaterials,rehabilitationengineering,cellularandtissueengineering,regenerativemedicine proteomics,andbioinformatics Biomedicalengineersareabletoconductexperimental,theoretical research,oracombinationofboth,alongwithadditionalopportunitiesthatarepresentinhospitals. Studentswhoareexcitedbyinterdisciplinaryandcollaborativeresearchshouldstronglyconsider pursuingthispath.

EXPECTED SALARY

BiomedicalEngineeringisanevergrowingfield,andhasrisentobecomealeading occupations.Itisprojectedthatdemandforbiomedicalengineerswillgrowby5%between2019 and2029¹⁰

Thesalaryofabiomedicalengineergenerallyrangesfrom$45,190to$82,225CAD.Basedon thesefigures,salaryfluctuateswithinthisrangedependingonthelocationofwork,educationlevel, experienceandlevelofresponsibility.Forexample,engineerswhocompleteagraduatedegree generallywillearnmore(e.g.~$48,000-$60,000)thanthosewhoenterwithaBachelor’sdegree (~$40,000-$53,000).⁴Anotherexampleofvariationswillbethatbiomedicalengineersworkingin hospitalsanduniversitiesreceivehealthbenefits,paidvacationandsickdays,andsupplemented retirementplans

ACADEMIC/APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES

Theadmissionrequirementsandprerequisitesvaryacrossschools,consideringthatstudents interestedinthisfieldcaneitherapplytotheaforementionedcollegesoruniversitiesontheprevious page.Hence,itisstronglyrecommendedthatinterestedstudentscontinuetoresearchtheinstitution ofchoiceregardingtheirbiomedicalengineeringprogram.

Forquickreference,theentrancerequirementsforMcMasterUniversityandtheUniversityof Torontowillbeexamined.Studentswithcompletionofafour-yearundergraduatedegreeineither engineering/physicalsciencesorhealth/lifesciencebackgroundsareinvitedtoapplyforbothof thesegraduateprograms StudentswillreceiveaMasterofAppliedSciences(MASc),butcan continuetopursueaDoctorofPhilosophydegree(PhD)

Withregardstoacademicrequirements,McMasterUniversityrequiresaminimumaverageof B+(77%)⁶forthefinaltwoyearsofundergraduatestudieswhereastheUniversityofTorontorequires anA-average.⁷Itshouldbenotedthatsatisfyingminimumrequirementsdoesnotnecessarily guaranteeadmissionduetotheprevalentcompetitionforentrytotheseprograms

TherearethreeacademictermsatMcMasterUniversity,andeachtermhasadifferentdeadlineforapplications However,fortheUniversityofToronto,allapplicationsforbothMScandPhDare dueinFebruary.TheapplicationchecklistforMcMasterincludes:anonlineapplicationtotheSchool ofGraduatestudies,certifiedcopyoftranscript,Englishlanguageproficiencycertification,1-2pages statementofinterest,areaofinterestform,resume,applicationfee,andtwoconfidentiallettersof recommendation.Forstudentsthathavecompletedpost-secondaryeducationataNorthAmerican University,theEnglishlanguageproficiencyrequirementiswaived Applicationrequirementsfor McMastercanbeviewedhere:https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/msbe/programs/degreeoptions/masc/biomedical-engineering#admission-requirements. ⁸

STANDARDIZED TESTING

The University of Toronto and McMaster University do not require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) results for Canadian applicants. However, international students require successful completion of the English Facility Test to demonstrate the linguistic competency required for these competitive programs. As several schools do not require the GRE for Canadian applicants, it is important to determine whether or not it will be in your best interest to complete it. For McMaster University and the University of Toronto, the minimum English proficiency requirements for candidates are shown below:

TheUniversityofTorontowillalsoaccepttestscoresfromCOPE(theCertificationof ProficiencyinEnglish),theAcademicPreparationCourse,andtheGraduateInternationalFoundation Program(GradIFP) Forrequiredscoresandmoreinformationonthesetests,referto https://www.future.utoronto.ca/apply/english-language-requirements.

Pleasenoteonceagain:Studentswhohavecompletedpost-secondaryeducationataNorth Americanuniversitywillhavetheserequirementswaiveduponreceivingtheirofficialtranscripts.8

NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Non-academic requirements vary between schools. It is strongly encouraged to contact individual schools prior to and during application season to ensure all criteria are met.

REFERENCES

1 McGill University Prospective [Internet] Montreal, Quebec, Canada: McGill University Available from: http://www mcgill ca/bme/prospective-students

2 The Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society Schools [Internet] Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: The Ca- nadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society Available from: http://www cmbes ca/index php? option=com content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=107

3 McGill University Biomedical Engineering [Internet] Montreal, Quebec, Canada: McGill University Available from: http://www mcgill ca/bme/

4.PayScale Canada. Biomedical Engineer Salary Average Salaries [Internet]. Seattle Washington USA: Pay- Scale Canada. Available from: http://www payscale com/research/CA/ Job=Biomedical Engineer/Salary

5 McMaster University McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering > McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering [Internet] Hamilton ONtario, Canada: McMaster University; 2008 Available from: http://msbe mcmaster ca/

6 University of Toronto Biomedical Engineering [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: University of Toronto Available from: http://www sgs utoronto ca/prospectivestudents/Pages/Programs/Biomedical-Engineering aspx

7 McMaster University McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering > Entrance Requirements [Internet] Hamilton ONtario, Canada: McMaster University; 2015 Available from: http://msbe mcmaster ca/graduate/ entrance html

8 Master of Applied Science | McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering [Internet] [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/msbe/programs/degree-options/masc/biomedical-engineering#admission-requirements

9 English language proficiency [Internet] Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://bme utoronto ca/prospective-student/english-language-proficiency/

10 U S Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022 edition [Inter- net] Washington D C , USA: Bureau of Labor Statistics Available from: htmhttps://www bls gov/ooh/architecture-andengineering/biomedical-engineers htm

CHIROPRACTIC

CANADIAN CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOLS¹ ³

• Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto (English)

• Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) in Trois-Rivières (French only)

DESCRIPTION¹ ³

Chiropractic is an alternative medicine and health care profession that focuses its approach on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal disorders, and their effects. There are only two schools that offer chiropractic degrees (DC or Doctor of Chiropractic) in Canada: CMCC (Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College) and UQTR (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières). The CMCC receives around 750 applications each year and admits 200 students. Applications are completed directly though the CMCC website at www.cmcc.ca. Applications are due every year on November 15.

The UQTR accepts 47 students each year. However, only five of those spots are reserved for francophone applicants from outside of Quebec (N.B. UQTR only offers this program in French). For more information on their application process and requirements, visit the UQTR website at www.uqtr.ca.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

InordertobeconsideredforaninterviewattheCMCC,applicantsmusthavecompletedthree fullyearsofstudy(15fullyearcoursesor90credithours)inanyuniversityprogram,withacumulative GPAof2.50ona4.00scale.Ifoneormorecourseshavebeenrepeated,allgradesareincludedinthe GPAcalculation.Althoughtherearenoprerequisitecourses,itishighlyrecommendedthatapplicants haveasciencedegree-basedbackgroundandhavetakencoursessuchasorganicchemistry,organic biology,introductorypsychology,aswellascoursesinhumanitiesand/orsocialsciences.Ifplanning onapplyingthisupcomingyear,notethatallacademicrequirementsmustbecompletednolaterthan May31oftheyearofregistrationatCMCC.

TheUQTRrequiresthatapplicantscompletecoursesin:Biology,Chemistry,Mathematics,and Physics.Formoredetailsaboutequivalentcoursesatotherinstitutionsandspecificcourse prerequisites,contacttheuniversity’sregistrar’sofficeat((819)376-5011or1-800-365-0922).

NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

The CMCC will offer interviews to applicants who meet the minimum required GPA. Applicants are recommended to have relevant experience in the field; this may include volunteering or job shadowing. The personal interview lasts approximately 20-30 minutes and assesses aspects such as the candidate’s motivation, problem-solving ability and past chiropractic experience.

CURRICULUM

IntheCMCC,studentspartakeinafour-yearprogram:thefirsttwoyearsfocusingon fundamentalsinthebasicsciencesandchiropracticdiagnosis.Someoftheareasthatareexplored include:anatomy,biochemistry,clinicaldiagnosis,physiology,neurology,embryology,radiology, immunology,microbiology,pathologyandnutrition.BeginninginYearIII,implementationofcasebasedmaterialalongwithfocusondiagnosticimagingprovidestudentsthetoolstoprepareasa studentinternintheirfinalyear,wheretheytakepartintwosix-monthinternshipsunderthe supervisionofclinicalfaculty.

TheUQTRprogramisfiveyearsinlength Duringthesefiveyears,studentslearnabout diagnosis,therapeuticapproaches,andvarioustreatmentexecutions.Intotal,studentsspendatleast 2,382hourslearningtheory,and2,587hoursinclinicalpractice.

²

TUITION

For the CMCC, the total tuition for four years is estimated to be $106,446 for Canadian students and $127,733 for international students. For more specific information regarding tuition, please refer to the website for your school of interest (e.g. www.cmcc.ca orwww.uqtr.ca).

⁵

SIMILAR CAREERS

Students interested in this profession may also consider athletic trainers, massage therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physicians and surgeons, podiatrists, and veterinarians.

¹

AFTER GRADUATION

In order to become a certified chiropractor, students must pass the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) examinations to be qualified to practice in this field. The applicant must also apply to the regulatory boards in his or her specific province and provide letters of reference. Successful completion of the legislation and ethics exam is also required, along with criminal screening and an interview

EXPECTED SALARY⁶

Salary for chiropractors is expected to be around $41,001 to $127,266 annually, depending on factors such as experience, location, qualifications and personal characteristics.

REFERENCES

1 The Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory and Educational Accrediting Boards Becoming a chiropractor [Online] Available from: http://www chirofed ca/english/becoming html

2 Tuition & fees [Internet] [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://www cmcc ca/admissions/tuition-fees

3 Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Doctorat de premier cycle en chiropratique [Online] Available from: http://oraprdnt uqtr uquebec ca/pls/public/pgmw001?owa cd pgm=7025

4 Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Undergraduate Education [Online] Available from: http://www cmcc ca/page aspx?pid=291

5 U S Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Chiropractors [Online] Available from: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm

6 PayScale Canada Chiropractor salary [Online] Available from: https://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Chiropractor/Salary

7 Canadian Memorial Chiropratic College Academic Calendar 2018-2019 Available from: http://cmcc ca/document doc?id=1756

DIETITIANS

DESCRIPTION1,2

Registereddietitiansareprofessionalswhoutilizesciencetohelpothersmakehealthychoices regardingfood,diet,andnutrition.Notonlycantheybenutritionspecialistsinhealthcare,but dietitiansalsoprovidetheirassistanceasevaluatorsfortheircommunities’nutritionneeds,managers offoodserviceoperations,andeducatorswhotrainfuturehealthcareprofessionals.Contraryto popularbelief,registereddietitiansarenotthesameasnutritionists Dietitiansareaccreditedbythe DietitiansofCanada(DC),andtheirtitleisdenotedbyR.D.,P.Dt.,orD.Pt.

Nutritionists,ontheotherhand,arenotregisteredmembersoftheprofession;mostprovinces donothaveregulatorystandardsinplaceforprotectionoftheirtitle.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS1,4

Prospectivedietitiansmusthaveafour-yearundergraduatedegreeeitherinfoodandnutrition, oralternatedegreesthatsatisfytheacademiccriteriaoftheDC(Table1) Dietitianstakeavarietyof courses,rangingfromnutritionalsciencesandfoodservice,sciencesandstatistics,tosocialsciences andmanagement.Theyultimatelyapplyallthisknowledgeinordertodeterminethemostsuitable nutritionalplanfortheirclients.

Dietitiansmustcompleteapracticalcomponenttobecomeregistered,eitherduringorafter completingtheirundergraduatedegree.Post-degreepracticumprogramscanbecompletedasa Master’sprogram,orasaninternshipthroughtheDC.Thetypeofundergraduatedegreeobtained determinesthepracticalrequirementsrequiredtobecomearegistereddietitian(Figure1) Please notethateachinstitutionfollowseitheroneofthethreepathwaysshowninFigure1.Forexample,all threeinstitutionsinQuebecfollowPathA-IntegratedUndergradProgram,hencetheparenthesesin Table1.

Table 1: Schools that offer this degree and from a university certified by DC3

Figure 1: Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian

STANDARDIZED TESTING1,7,8

In most provinces, the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CRDE) must be taken after satisfying both academic and practical requirements in order to practice as a registered dietician. CRDE is a multiple-choice examination administered in May and November every year across Canada, focusing on particular skills that are applicable for dietetic practice. For ex- ample, the test assesses six categories of competencies: Professional Practice, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Communication. Please note that each institution varies in its academic and practical requirements. Refer to the respective sites in Table 1 for specific information and further reference. Furthermore, sources 7 and 8 of this article provide clear information regarding the general curriculum of this profession along with strategies regarding preparation for the CRDE.

EXPECTED SALARY5,6

Generally, dietitians earn between $42,282 to $84,295 per year, with a reported average wage of $33 per hour ($58,041 annually). Exact income depends on experience level, type of employer, geographic location, and type of position (e.g. management).

AFTER GRADUATION1,6

Due to the increasing awareness in the benefits of healthy eating in disease prevention, dietetics has become one of the fastest growing job sectors in Canada. Even before graduation, 43% of dietitians are employed and within 5 months, another 53% are employed. Dietitians work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, community health centers, schools, research facilities, fitness centers, government, media, and private practices. As per data from 2009, 61% of dietitians are employed within clinical settings, 24% regarding community dietetics and the remaining 15% in administrative dietetics, education or marketing.

REFERENCES

1 Dietitians of Canada Become a Dietitian [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Dieticians of Canada; 2010 Available from: http://www dieti-tians ca/Downloadable-Content/Public/Factsheet-Become-a-dieti- tian aspx

2 Dietitians of Canada Dietitian or nutritionist: What’s the difference? [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Dieticians of Canada; 2012 Available from: http://www dietitians ca/Find-A-Dietitian/Difference-Between- Dietitian-and- Nutritionist aspx

3 Dietitians of Canada Interested in becoming a dietitian? [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Dietitians of Canada; 2012 Available from: http://www dietitians ca/Career/Education aspx

4 Dietitians of Canada Internships and Practicum Programs [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Dietitians of Canada Available from: http://www.dietitians.ca/Career/Internships-Practicum-Programs/ Overview.aspx

5 PayScale Canada Registered Dieticians [Internet] Seattle, Washington, United States of America: PayScale Canada

Available from: https://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Dietitian/Hourly Rate

6 Dietitians of Canada Employment Profile for New Graduate Dietitians: One Year After Internship/Practicum Program Complete [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Dietitians of Canada; 2009 Available from: http://www dietitians ca/Downloadable-Content/Public/employment-profile-factsheet aspx

7 Alliance of Canadian Dietetic Regulatory Bodies Qualifying as a Dietitian in Canada [Internet] Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Alliance of Canadian Dietetic Regulatory Bodies; 2006 Available from: http://www dieteticregulation ca/en/qualifying php

8 Alliance of Canadian Dietetic Regulatory Bodies Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CRDE)- Preparation Guide [Internet] Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Alliance of Canadian Dietetic Regulatory Bodies; 2012 Available from: http://www.dieteticregulation.ca/boardroom/docs/cdre/2012EnglishGuideedited1.pdf

SCHOOLS OFFERING A DEGREE¹

• Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario)

• The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (New Westminster, British Columbia)

DESCRIPTION

Naturopathicmedicineisaprimaryhealthcareprofessionthatblendsmodernscientific knowledgewithtraditionalandnaturalformsofmedicine.Naturopathicmedicinefocuseson overallhealth,wellnessanddiseasepreventionbystimulatingthehealingpowerofthebodyand treatingtheunderlyingcausesofdiseases.²Byconsideringvariousfactorsincluding: physiological,structural,psychological,social,spiritual,environmentalandlifestyle,physicians² aimtoutilizetheleastinvasiveandtoxictherapiestopromoteanindividual’sinherentself-healing mechanisms³Itencompassestheknowledgeofmultiplemethodologiesincludingacupuncture, homeopathy,herbalcuresandsensibleconceptssuchasnutrition,exerciseandrelaxation techniques.3Therefore,itisimportantforprospectivenaturopathstobecriticalthinkers³,while demonstratingintegrity,leadership,curiosity,motivation,concernforothers,andastrongbeliefin theefficacyofnaturalmedicine.4Fortheenteringclassof2018,thetuitionfortheCanadian CollegeofNaturopathicMedicinewas$23,500.4

Inordertobecomeanaturopathicdoctor,oneneedstoattendafour-yearmedicalprogram accreditedbytheCouncilonNaturopathicMedicalEducation(CNME).¹Trainingincludes:basic medicalandclinicalscience;diagnostics;naturopathicprinciplesandtherapeutics;andaclinical internship¹underthesupervisionofalicensedprofessionalinthefinaltwoyears³Students graduatingfromnaturopathicprogramsaretheneligibletowritetheNaturopathicPhysicians LicensingExaminations(NPLEX).StudentsmustpasstheNPLEXtoobtaintheirlicensetopractice asageneralpracticephysicianofnaturopathicmedicine.Canadianprovincesthatcurrently licensenaturopathicphysiciansinclude:BritishColumbia,Alberta,Manitoba,Saskatchewan, OntarioandNovaScotia.¹

Oncelicensed,naturopathicphysiciansmaychoosetoworkinaprivatepracticeorin integrativeclinicsasprimarycarephysicians.Theymayalsoworkasresearchscientistsorfaculty membersinalternativemedicalinstitutions,infieldsincludingbutnotlimitedto:naturalpharmacy, wellnesseducation,publichealthadministration,researchanddevelopmentinthenatural productsindustry,consultantstoindustries,insurancecompanies,publicservice,political organizations,andotherorganizations.³

EXPECTED SALARY³

An established Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine who runs or partners with a large, busy practice receives an average estimated net income of $80,000 to $90,000 per year – and may make upwards of $200,000 A naturopathic physician just starting up his or her practice, working parttime or building a staff, generally earns less than these averages in the early years of practice. Early residency positions reflect incomes between $20,000 and $30,000 per year. However, these figures vary greatly depending on several factors, including region and location, type of clientele serviced, fee schedules, business objectives and marketing plans, and willingness to work with insurance carriers.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

⁵ , ⁶

Applicants must complete at least three years of a premedical undergraduate degree.

3.3 cumulative GPA on a four-point scale

2 semesters Biology*

2 semesters Physiology

1 semesters Biochemistry

2 semester Chemistry (1 semester General, 1 semester Organic)

1 semesters Psychology

2 semesters Humanities electives**

*Biology requirement may be fulfilled either by 2 semesters (one full year) of general biology or 2 semesters of courses such as anatomy, botany, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, or zoology!

**Humanities requirement can only be satisfied if coursework includes an essay-writing component

*** Note: Check with each school you are considering in order to ensure that all prerequisite requirements are met. In addition to the required coursework, it is recommended that one takes courses in: anatomy, environmental science, genetics, human physiology, microbiology, physics, sociology, statistics, math and English composition.

NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

² , ⁵

Application form

2 letters of reference

Autobiographical sketch

Resume (including education, employment history, volunteer experience, awards)

Personal Statement/ Essay

Interview

SIMILAR CAREERS

⁷ , ⁸

Similar careers may include Acupuncturist, Natural health therapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Nutritionist, General practitioner, etc.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CanadianCollegeofNaturopathicMedicine.Admissionsinformation[Internet].Toronto ONtario,Canada:CanadianCollegeofNaturopathicMedicine.Availablefrom: http://www.ccnm.edu/prospective students/admissions information

BoucherInstituteofNaturopathicMedicine–AdmissionRequirementsandPrerequisites[Online] NewWestminster,BritishColumbia,Canada:BoucherInstituteofNaturopathicMedicine Availablefrom:http://www.binm.org/prospective-students/admissions/admissionsrequirements-prerequisites

REFERENCES

1 Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors Questions: education and regulation [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Available from: http://www.cand.ca/index. php?40

2 Natural Healers Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine [Online] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Available from: http://www naturalhealers com/schools/ccnmtoronto/

3 Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges Naturopathic medicine FAQ [Internet] Washington, District of Columbia, United States: Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges] Available from: http://aanmc org/naturopathic/faq/ 4 Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine - Tuition and Fees [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Available from: http://www ccnm edu/prospective students/tuition and fees

5 Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Academic requirements [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Available from: http://www ccnm edu/prospective students/academic requirements

6 Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine – Admission Requirements and Prerequisites [Internet] New Westminster, District of Columbia United States: Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine. Available from: http://www binm org/prospective-students/admissions/admissions-requirements-prerequisites

7 Careers New Zealand Jobs in naturopathy and homeopathy [Internet] New Zealand: Government of New Zealand Available from: http://www careers govt nz/jobs/health/naturopath/

8 University of Manitoba – Student Counselling and Career Centre Naturopathic Doctor [Internet] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: University of Manitoba Available from: http://www umanitoba ca/student/counselling/ spotlights/naturopath html

DESCRIPTION

Nursingoffersopportunitiesinawiderangeofareasincludinghealthclinics,homecare, communityandglobalhealth,research,andmedicalandsurgicalhospitalwards²Approvedcolleges ofappliedartsandtechnologyoffertwo-yeardiplomasinpracticalnursingthatpre-paregraduates forentrytopracticeasRegisteredPracticalNurses(RPNs).Afterreceivingadiplomafromacredited institution,continuededucationmaybeacquiredtoobtainafulldegree.Forregistrationasa registerednurse(RN)withtheCollegeofNursesofOntario(CNO),aBachelorofScienceinNursing (BScN)oritsequivalentisrequired;suchadegreecanbecompletedatoneofmanyuniversitiesin Canada.⁶Degreeprogramsaretypicallyfouryearsinduration.However,acceleratednursing programsthatareshorterindurationexistforthosemeetingschool-specificrequirementsthrough previousundergraduatestudy.

Nursingprogramsofferbothclassroomlearningaswellaspracticalexperience.Often, studentsareplacedinhospitalsettingstogainexperiencewhilestillintheirfirstyear.Following graduation,over95%ofnursesfindemploymentwithinsixmonths,andnursingshortagesensurethat theprofessionisinconstantdemand

ADVANCED PRACTICE4,5,7

ContinuededucationafteracquiringaBScNcanleadtomorehighly-skilled,leadershiporiented,specializedcareersinadvancedpracticenursingasaClinicalNurseSpecialist(CNS)or NursePractitioner(NP).

NPsareRNswhohaveauniversitydegreeinnursingandaMaster’sDegreeorPractitioner Certificate.TheirscopeofpracticeisbroaderthanthatofanRN:NPsarequalifiedtodiagnosemedical problems,ordertreatmentsanddiagnostictests,prescribemedications,andmakereferralsforawide rangeofacuteandchronicmedicalconditions Theymayworkindependentlyorunderthe supervisionofaphysicianinavarietyofsettingsincludingbutnotlimitedtoprimaryhealthcare(e.g., Doctor’soffices)andacutecaresettings(e.g.,inhospitalsunderdivisionsofPediatrics,Cardiology etc.).

ACNSisanRNholdingaMaster’sorDoctoraldegreeinnursing.Theypossessadvanced knowledgeandclinicalexpertiseinanursingspecialty.Thesespecialtiesmaybedefinedbythe population(e.g.,geriatrics),setting(e.g.,criticalcare),diseasearea(e.g.,diabetes),typeofcare(e.g., rehabilitation),orthetypeofproblem(eg,wounds) Regardlessoftheareaofspecialization,CNSs workwithnursestoadvancetheirpracticeandimprovepatientoutcomes.Theyalsoworktoeffect system-widechangethroughtheirrolesinthedevelopingclinicalpracticeguidelines,protocols,and creatingandrefiningprogramsofcare.

Doctoralandpost-doctoralpreparednursesconductresearchtoadvancestheknowledgeand theoreticalbasesofnursingpractice.Theyassumefacultypositionsinnursingeducationprograms, provideprofessionalleadershipandinfluencenursingandhealthpolicy

EXPECTED SALARY5,6,7

• Registered Practical Nurse: RPNs are paid on an hourly basis with wages ranging from $19 38 to $28 98 an hour RPNs working full-time earn between $29,736 and $60,550 a year

• Registered Nurse: $38,965 to $87,145 annually Working overtime and being “on- call” can raise earnings to more than $85,000 annually

• Nurse Practitioner: $48,212 to $105,758 annually

TYPICAL PREREQUISITES

Students interested in applying to nursing programs must have a high school diploma, with completed senior year Sciences, English, and Math courses Recommended sciences are Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Typical cut-off average is 75%. Students interested in Nursing are encouraged to visit program websites for more detailed information.

SIMILAR CAREERS

Students interested in applying to nursing programs must have a high school diploma, with completed senior year Sciences, English, and Math courses. Recommended sciences are Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Typical cut-off average is 75%. Students interested in Nursing are encouraged to visit program websites for more detailed information.

REFERENCES

1 Canadian Nurses Association Education [Internet] Available from: http://www cna-aiic ca/en/becoming-an-rn/education/

2 Canadian Nurses Associations Where do nurses work [Internet] Available from: http:// www cna-aiic ca/en/becoming- anrn/where-do-nurses-work/

3 Canadian Nurses Associations Professional Development Nursing [Internet] Available from: https://www cnaaiic ca/professional-development/nurse-practitioner-and-clinical-specialists

4 Nurseone Continuing Education/Professional Development [Internet] Available from: http://nurseone ca/en/professionalpractice/continuing-education

5 Payscale Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Salary [internet] Available from: https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)/Hourly Rate

6 Payscale Registered Nurse (RN) Salary [internet] Available from: https://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Registered Nurse (RN)/Hourly Rate

7 Payscale Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary [internet] Available from: https://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Family Nurse Practitioner (NP)/Salary

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY & PHYSICAL THERAPY

DESCRIPTION

¹ , ²

InCanada,physicaltherapyisarecognizedhealthprofessionrootedinthesciencesof movementthataimstomaintain,enhance,andrestorethefunctionofmultiplebodysystems.Physical therapistsorphysiotherapists(PTs)operateasautonomousprimarycareprofessionals,actingas membersandleadersofhealthcareteams.Assuch,theworkofaPTmayinvolveclientsofallagesin avarietyofsettings,primarilyprovidinghealthservicesrangingfromhealthpromotionand prevention,toacutecare,rehabilitation,anddisability/diseasemanagement.Occupationaltherapy focusesonenablingandincreasingtheparticipationofindividualsintheirdailylifeactivities.

Occupationaltherapists(OTs)useasystematicapproachthatinvolvesassessingaclient’s functionalcapacityintheiractivities(e.g.self-care,work,study,andleisure),implementing interventionstoimprovetheirfunction,andevaluatingoutcomes.TheprimaryconcernofanOTisthe treatmentandpreventionofoccupationaldysfunction.However,OTsarealsotrainedtoassist individualswithmentalillnessesandemotionalproblems,includingstress

ThephysicalandphysiologicaltherapeuticinterventionsusedbyPTsandOTsdiffer,but preservedineachroleisanapproachtoimprovethequalityoflifethroughholisticintervention

EXPECTED EARNINGS

Salaries of PTs vary between and within Canadian provinces as well as with experience and employment settings. PTs in the previous year saw earnings range from $40,547 to $81,700, with a median of $61,942. The salaries of OTs also vary between and within provinces. However, a survey conducted by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) found that career mobility was limited only by time and personal commitments In the past year, OTs earned between $43,994 and $81,300, with a median of $61,262

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Expansions in the scope of practice of PTs over recent decades have encouraged Canadian universities to offer entry-level Master’s Programs. A MSc. has become fundamental for advanced consultant and management positions, both areas that graduates can pursue. PTs also have the option of becoming designated clinical specialists in a number of areas through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). Most universities also offer doctoral or doctoral stream programs. PhD preparation is required for educators and researchers in physical therapy, which provides them with the opportunity to partake in knowledge generation and dissemination, as well as observe its translation into clinical practice

Occupational therapy practice has been greatly influenced by changing trends in health and societal needs of the Canadian population. Occupational therapists now assume roles as managers, researchers, program developers, educators and clinical specialists. However, an increasing number of OTs choose to work in private practices where they typically earn higher incomes than in publiclyfunded hospitals. Target areas for career mobility in occupational therapy include, but are not limited to, home modification, ergonomics, assistive technology, research, consulting for retail businesses, work in long-term care settings, and teaching health professionals in various higher education programs

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Universities that offer graduate-level programs in occupational therapy and physical therapy require students to complete a four-year undergraduate degree as the minimum academic requirement for entry. Although no standardized testing is required, admissions processes, prerequisite courses, and minimum required grade point averages differ between institutions. For more information on academic requirements, consult individual university websites for details. As a starting point, prospective applicants should consult the Instruction Booklet published by the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS) in 2015. ORPAS provides a centralized application for all rehabilitation science programs in Ontario. Additional helpful resources include the Directory of Occupational Therapy provided by the CAOT (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists) and Physical Therapy Programs in Canada provided by the Canadian Council of Physiotherapy Education Programs

DEGREE PROGRAMS IN CANADA

SIMILAR CAREERS

Similar primary healthcare careers for physiotherapists and occupational therapists include: acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, counselling, diagnostic radiography, homeopathy, osteopathy, speech and language therapy, and sports therapy.

REFERENCES

1 Canadian Physiotherapy Association Description of Physiotherapy in Canada 2015 [Internet] Available from: http://www physiotherapy ca/About-Physiotherapy/Description-of-Physiotherapy

2 Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Occupational Therapy - As defined by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists [Internet] Available from: http://www caot ca/default asp?pageid=3824

3 Payscale Salary Snapshot for Physical Therapist (PT) Jobs [Internet] Available from: http://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Physical Therapist %28PT%29/Salary

4.Payscale. Salary Snapshot for Occupational Therapist (OT) Jobs [Internet]. Available from: http://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Occupational Therapist (OT)/Salary

5 McGill University School of Physical and Occupational Therapy Programs [Internet] Available from: http://www mcgill ca/spot/programs

6 University of Toronto Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science: Programs [Internet] Available from: http://www gdrs utoronto ca/programs/phd

7 Canadian Physiotherapy Association Clinical Specialty Program Program Information [Internet] Available from: http://www physiotherapy ca/CPA-Clinical-Specialty-Program/Program-Information

8 Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Current trends affecting occupational therapy [Internet] Available from: http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=291

9 Ontario Universities’ Application Centre ORPAS2015 [Internet] Available from: http://www ouac on ca/docs/orpas/b orpas e pdf

10 Canadian association of Occupational Therapists University Occupational Therapy Programs in Canada [internet] Available from: http://www cao ca/default asp?pageid=151

11 Canadian Council of Physiotherapy Programs Canadian Programs [Internet] Available from: http://www physiotherapyeducation ca/CanadianPrograms html

12 Prospects Physiotherapist Related jobs [Internet] Available from: http://www prospects ac uk/physiotherapist related jobs htm

13 Prospects Occupational Therapist Related jobs [Internet] Available from: http://www prospects ac uk/occupational therapist related jobs htm

PHARMACY

CANADIAN SCHOOLS OFFERING A DEGREE1

DESCRIPTION2

Pharmacists are a vital part of the health care team, aiding with the treatment of disease. Apart from providing pharmaceutical drugs, pharmacists discuss possible drug interactions, dosages, and side effects of medication with doctors and patients. In addition, pharmacists provide medication reviews and help deliver services such as chronic disease management, immunization, and wellness programs Qualities that make a good pharmacist include strong organization skills, patience, and dedication to identify, resolve, and prevent medication-related problems A pharmacist must also be a good communicator as they interact with the other members of the health care team as well as patients

The path to becoming a pharmacist is similar to that of a medical doctor. Aspiring students must complete at least one year of their undergraduate training at an accredited university, as well as fulfill the necessary prerequisite courses. During the four-year pharmacy program, students learn about the chemistry of various medications, the effect of drugs on the human body, and the side effects of drug interactions. Finally, students must pass the national board examination test and undergo an internship or an apprenticeship program.

TYPICAL PREREQUISITES3

The minimum required GPA varies between individual pharmacy schools, though it ranges around 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. However, due to the highly competitive nature of the program, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Similarly, the required pre- requisite courses vary between universities. In general, these courses include English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Calculus, Statistics, and courses from the Humanities & Social Sciences.

STANDARDIZED TEST4

In order to be admitted to most pharmacy schools in USA and Canada, the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) must be written This computer-based test can be scheduled at http:// www.pearsonvue.com/pcat for July, September, or January. The PCAT is a standardized test comprised of seven sections that must be completed within four hours. A rest period is provided upon completion of the first four sections. The detailed breakdown of the PCAT exam is summarized in the table below.

SIMILAR CAREERS6

Pharmacies often hire Pharmacy Technicians to assist licensed pharmacists in performing routine administrative and customer service duties. Therefore, becoming a Pharmacy Technician provides the opportunity to work at a pharmacy without having to become a pharmacist.

EXPECTED SALARY5

The earnings of a pharmacist vary depending on the geographical location of employment, experience, and setting (hospital versus private pharmacy). An average pharmacist in Ontario earns about $45 per hour in Canada or anywhere from $49,174 to $117,473 per annum.

AFTER GRADUATION

Licensed pharmacists can work in neighbourhood pharmacies, medical buildings, & hospitals. Some pharmacists choose a less conventional stream by working with the Canadian Forces, Health, and Welfare Canada, provincial ministries of health, provincial licensing bodies, or industrial drug development companies.

REFERENCES

1 Canadian Pharmacists Association Canadian Faculties and Schools of Pharmacy [Internet] Available from: http://www pharmacists ca/index cfm/pharmacy-in-canada/becoming-a-pharmacist-in-canada/

2.Canadian Pharmacists Association. Pharmacists in Canada [Internet]. Available from: http:// www pharmacists ca/index cfm/pharmacy-in-canada/pharmacists-in-canada/

3 University of Toronto-Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Academic Requirements [Internet] Available from: http://www pharmacy utoronto ca/bscphm/admissions/academic-requirements

4 PCAT Candidate Information Booklet 2012-2013 [Internet] Available from: http://pcatweb info/downloads/CIB MNL FNL on-line pdf

5 Government of Canada: Working in Canada [Internet] Available from: http://www workingin-canada gc ca/reporteng do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=3131&action=final&s=1&titleKeyword=3131

6 Austin J, Ensom M Education of Pharmacists in Canada American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2008; 72(6) Article 128

Theworkofaphysicianassistant(PA)istoprovidehealthcareunderthesupervisionofa licensedphysician.Numeroushealthcaresystemsaroundtheworldarestartingtointegratetherole ofPAs.InOntario,forexample,PAsarecurrentlybeingintroducedtoavarietyofhealthcaresettings throughtheOntario’sPhysicianAssistantInitiativeandPADemonstrationprojects.¹

ThedutiesofaPAmayvarydependingonthephysician’sareaofpractice Undersupervision, aPAmayberequiredtoperformphysicalexaminations,conductpatientinterviews,provide counselingonpreventivehealthcare,andanyothertasksdelegatedbythephysician¹

UNIVERSITIES THAT OFFER DEGREES IN CANADA

Manitoba:

UniversityofManitobaOntario: McMasterUniversity

UniversityofToronto(incollaborationwithNorthernOntarioSchoolofMedicine andTheMichenerInstituteforAppliedHealthSciences)

MembersofCanadianArmedForces:

CanadianForcesHealthServicesTrainingCentreProgram

DESCRIPTION ²

ThePhysicianAssistantProgramatMcMasterUniversityutilizessmallgroupproblem. basedlearningmodules.Thetwo-yearprogramconsistsofoneyearofclinicalsciencestudies andan-otheryearofclinicalclerkshipforatotalof24consecutivemonths.²Graduatesofthe programearnaBachelorofHealthSciences(PhysicianAssistant)degreeandarequalifiedto takethecertificationexaminationinordertopracticeinOntario²

ThePhysicianAssistantProfessionalDegreeProgram(BScPA)attheUniversityofToronto isatwo-yearbachelor’sdegreeprogram,inwhichthefirstyearisacademicallyfocusedandthe secondyearclinicallyfocused.Thefirstyearoftheprograminvolvesacompletionof15courses withclinicalexperience,andfourmandatoryresidentialblocks.Thesecondyearoftheprogram requires40weeksofsupervisedclinicalpracticeandthreemandatoryresidentialblocksinboth SouthernandNorthernOntario.AllclinicalinvolvementsarerequiredtotakeplaceinOntario.³

TheUniversityofManitobaofferstheonlygraduatelevelprograminCanada,theMasterof PhysicianAssistantStudies(MPAS) Itisatwo-yearprogramthatfocusesonacademics,didactic courses,andclinicalrotations⁴StudentsgraduatewithaMPASdegreefromtheFacultyof GraduateStudiesoftheUniversityofManitoba.

PRE-REQUISITES, ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Aminimum3.0cGPAisrequiredtoapplytotheMcMasterUniversityandtheUniversityof Manitobaprograms.2,3,4NotethatMcMasterspecifiesthatsupplementaryandsummercoursemarks areincludedintheGPAcalculation.²

ToapplytothePAprogramatMcMasterUniversityortheUniversityofToronto,applicants musthavecompletedatleasttwoyearsofundergraduatestudywithaminimumoftenfullcourses. UponsubmittinganapplicationthroughtheOntarioUniversities’ApplicationCentre(OUAC)andall supplementaldocuments,²selectedapplicantsareinvitedforaMultipleMiniInterview(MMI)³ CurrentMcMasterundergraduatestudentsdonotneedtosubmitanapplicationthroughOUACFor studentswhoareinterestedinaninternaltransfer,contacttheprogramofficedirectlyat paprogram@mcmaster.ca.

TheUniversityofTorontorequiresapplicantstohaveacGPAof2.7andaminimumofoneyear full-time(or1,680hours)ofdirectpatientcontactinaprofessionalsetting.³Directpatientcontactmay involvedirectinvolvementinthetreatmentand/orcareplanninganddeliveryforpatientsinhospitals, amedicaloffice/clinic,nursinghome,carehome,orothercarefacilities.Alistofhealthoccupations validatedbytheUniversityofTorontocanbefoundat:

http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/Occupations.aspx?val=3.

Notethatvolunteerworkandclericalpositionsinhealthcarearenotvalidtofulfilltheclinical experiencerequirement.TheUniversityofTorontoalsorecommendsthatstudentshavefull-year post-secondaryequivalentsofhumananatomy,chemistryandphysiology.²

ToapplytotheMasterofPAprogramattheUniversityofManitoba,applicantsmusthave completedfouryearsofundergraduatestudytowardsabachelor’sdegree.Coursesinhuman anatomy,humanphysiology,andbiochemistryarerequired.⁴

CERTIFICATION

The Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC) administers the PA Entry to Practice Certification Examination, or the PA Cert Exam.⁵ All graduates from the programs mentioned above are required to successfully complete the exam to become Canadian certified physician assistants.

EXPECTED SALARY

The salary of a PA varies depending on the province of practice, position, working environment, working hours, etc. In Manitoba, the initial PA salary scale ranges from $94,000 to $113,000 per year.⁶

SIMILAR CAREERS

In Canada, PAs are also employed by the Canadian Forces to provide health care services to the military and their families ¹ However, the training program is different given that the military has its own PA training program

REFERENCES

1 Health Force Ontario Physician Assistants [Internet] Available from: http://www healthforceontario ca/en/M4/Ontario’s Physician Assistant Initiative/Frequently Asked Questions

2 McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program [Internet] Available from: http://fhs mcmaster ca/physicianassistant/index html

3 University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine PhysicianAssistant Professional Degree Program (BScPA) [Internet] Available from: http://www facmed utoronto ca/programs/healthscience/PAEducation htm

4 University of Manitoba Physician Assistant Education Program [Internet] Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/medicine/education/paep

5 Canadian Association of Physician Assistants Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada [Internet] Available from: http://capa-acam ca

6 University of Manitoba Frequently Asked Questions [Internet] Available from: http://umanitoba ca/faculties/medicine/education/paep/faq html

PUBLIC AND GLOBAL HEALTH

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.

The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition

The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and States.

—ConstitutionoftheWorldHealthOrganization AdoptedbytheInternationalHealthConference,July1946.

Interestinpublicandglobalhealthhasrapidlyincreasedduringthepast20years.Such growinginteresthasbeendrivenbystudentsandyounghealthprofessionalswhowanttoaddress healthatapopulationlevelorwanttoexplorethehealthinequitiesthatexistacrosstheglobe. Individualsinvolvedinthesesectorsarenotonlycomingfromtraditionalpathwayssuchasmedicine, nursingandanthropology,butalsofrombackgroundsinotherhealthsciences,economics,business, law,internationalrelations,education,engineering,urbanplanning,informaticsandmanyothers.

Acommonalitybetweenthesetwoemergingfieldsistheinterdisciplinaryapproachtowhich healthisaddressedonabroaderscale.Healthisnolongerrecognizedasjustabiomedicalissue,but onethatalsoresultsfromacombinationofdifferentsocialdeterminantssuchaspoverty, environment,economy,accesstoresourcesandpolitics.Thevalueoflocalandglobalco-operationis beingrecognizedaswellsinceincreasedglobalizationplaceshealthinastatethatisdynamic,no longerstaticorisolated Thehumanraceismoreconnectednowthaneverbefore

Manystudentsandhealthprofessionalsoftenoptforeducationinpublicand/orglobalhealth asaconcentratedareaofstudyortocomplimentstudiesinanotherdiscipline.WithinCanada,these programsarebeginningtoformforgraduatestudentsandforhealthprofessionalslookingtogain experienceinthefield.Onthenextpageisaprimarylistofpublic/globalhealthprogramsthatare availablewithinOntario.

SCHOOLS WITH PUBLIC AND GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN CANADA

REFERENCES

1 McMaster University Master of science in global health [Internet] Hamilton Ontario, Canada: McMaster University Available from: https://globalhealth mcmaster ca/program-overview/how-apply

2 Dalla Lana School of Public Health [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: University of Toronto Available from: http://www dlsph utoronto ca/

3 University of Waterloo Master of public health [Internet] Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: University of Waterloo Available from: http://www ahs uwaterloo ca/hsg/mph/

4. Global surgery [Internet]. Experimental Surgery. [cited 2022 Jul 15]. Available from: https://www mcgill ca/experimentalsurgery/programs/master-programs/msc-global-surgery-concentration

5 Global health [Internet] Faculty of Health Sciences | Queen’s University [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://healthsci queensu ca/research/global-health

6 The university of british columbia [Internet] [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://www ubc ca/

7 Master’s degree | ubc branch for global surgical care [Internet] [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://globalsurgery med ubc ca/graduate-programs/mgsc/

8 Graduate certificate | ubc branch for global surgical care [Internet] [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://globalsurgery med ubc ca/graduate-programs/gcgsc/

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Graduate school programs for Speech-Language Pathologists have a length of two years. Students undertake courses in acoustics, anatomy, assessment, consoling, linguistics, hearing aids, hearing disorders, language development and disorders, psychology, phonetics, and statistics. The programs also include a clinical section in a speech pathology-related environment. Together the curriculum covers the disorders, development and the training or retraining of human communication in its various aspects.

Private practice, child development centers, pre-schools, schools, hospital, rehabilitation centers, government agencies, health units, industry, colleges and universities, and research centers are all areas that are in need of Speech Pathologists.

REFERENCES

1 Speech Language Pathology - Admission Requirements [Internet] Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: University of Alberta Available from: http://admissions ualberta ca/Recruitment-Events/Registration-101/~/media/recruitment/Publications/Reg-101/2012-13-Tip-Sheets/Professional-Programs/Speech-Language-Pathology-Admis- sionRequirements pdf

2 UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences [Internet] Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: University of British Columbia Available from: http://www audiospeech ubc ca/why-study-with-us/msc-speech- language/slp-criteria/

3 MSc Admission Requirements [Internet] Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada: Dalhousie University Available from: http://humancommunicationdisorders dal ca/Prospective%20Students/Requirements php

4 Maîtrise en Orthophonie (MSc ) [Internet] Quebec City, Quebec, Canada: Université Laval Available from: https://capsuleweb ulaval ca/pls/etprod7/y bwckprog p afficher fiche?p type index=4&p code prog=MORT&p code majr=ORT&p code camp=

5 Admission Requirements [Internet] Montreal, Quebec, Canada: McGill University Available from: http://www.mcgill.ca/scsd/programs/slp/how-apply

6 Description du programme [Internet] Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Université de Montreal Available from: http://www progcours umontreal ca/programme/cgi/az00100?nom fichier=275210&adresse=www etudes umontreal ca%2Findex fiche prog%2F&suffixe= desc&x=25&y=7

7 Audiologie / Orthophonie (MSc S ) [Internet] Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: University of Ottawa Available from: http://www etudesup uottawa ca/Default aspx?tabid=1726&monControl=Admission&ProgId=590

8 Admission Requirements [Internet] Toronto Ontario, Canada: University of Toronto; 2004 Available from: http://www slp utoronto ca/admissions/prerequisites/

9 Admissions - School of Communication Sciences and Disorders [Internet] London, Ontario, Canada: Western University; 2012 Available from: http://www uwo ca/fhs/csd/academic information/admissions html

10 Speech-language pathology – school of graduate studies [Internet] [cited 2022 Jul 15] Available from: https://gs mcmaster ca/program/speech-language-pathology/

11 Canadian Association of Speech-Pathology and Audiologists: Universities [Internet] Available from: http://www caslpa ca/english/students/universities asp

12 Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) Salary [Internet] Available from: http://www payscale com/research/CA/Job=Speech-Language Pathologist %28SLP%29/Salary

VETERINARY MEDICINE

SCHOOLS OFFERING A DEGREE IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

•TheAtlanticVeterinaryCollege(UniversityofPEI)

•FacultédeMédecineVétérinaire(UniversitédeMontréal)*

•TheOntarioVeterinaryCollege(UniversityofGuelph)

•TheWesternCollegeofVeterinaryMedicine(UniversityofSaskatchewan)

•FacultyofVeterinaryMedicine(UniversityofAlberta) ***Note:ThelanguageofinstructionforthisschoolisFrench

DESCRIPTION²

The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, but generally covers the same principles as other professions related to human healthcare, namely professional communication, humanitarian service and scientific knowledge. Entrance into veterinary school is highly competitive, requiring a variety of prerequisite courses in addition to personal submissions and reference letters. If admitted into veterinary school, students typically undergo a four-year curriculum. The first year covers basic science knowledge along with introductory veterinary courses. The final three years consist mostly of veterinary courses and practicum, which prepare students for their future careers. In general, classes consist of anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis analysis, immunology, among others.¹ Once students have completed their required courses, they are eligible to write their national board exams to obtain their Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

• Minimum 2 years of full-time undergraduate studies

• 3 semesters of introductory biology (2 animal biology + 1 cellular biology preferred)

• 2 semesters of chemistry

• 1 semester of genetics

• 1 semester of ecology

• 1 semester of biochemistry

• 2 semesters of math/statistics

• 2 semesters of social science/humanities (University of PEI requires 3 semesters)

• 1 semester of microbiology

• 1 semester of physics

• 1 semester of organic chemistry

• 2 semesters of English

• Competitive GPA of 3.4+ out of 4.0

• Minimum average GPA: 3.0 *** This list is a combination of prerequisites required for all five aforementioned schools. For a list of prerequisites specific to a school, please visit their website!!

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Only the University of Guelph requires MCAT scores from applicants (GRE scores for nonCanadian applicants).²

NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Background information forms, animal/veterinary-related experience, and reference letters are required. The University of Calgary requires applicants to be residents of Alberta for at least 12 months. The Atlantic Veterinary College only accepts international students or permanent residents from the Atlantic Provinces. In addition, all schools will conduct an interview during the application process;² the University of Guelph and the University of Calgary follow the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) style ⁷

⁸

AVERAGE SALARY

The average salary of a veterinarian lies between $51,868 to $94,686 depending on factors such as experience and type of practice.

SIMILAR CAREERS

Similar careers may include: veterinary technician, animal breeder, marine biologist, guide dog trainer, and veterinary pathologist

AFTER GRADUATION

After graduation, DVMs may practice in traditional small-sized animal practices such as veterinary clinics or opt to work with larger animals. There are also numerous veterinary specialties open for those interested, such as animal welfare, clinical pathology, specialties dedicated to one specific species, research as well regulatory medicine in livestock.

REFERENCES

1.University of Guelph. Current DVM Students [Internet]. Guelph Ontario Canada: University of Guelph; 1998.

Available from: http://www ovc uoguelph ca/dvm/

2 University of Guelph Non-Academic Requirements [Internet] Guelph, Ontario, Canada: University of Guelph; 2011

Available from: http://www ovc uoguelph ca/recruitment/en/applyingtodvm/Nonaca- demicrequirements asp

3 University of Calgary Admission Requirements [Internet] Calgary, Alberta, Canada: University of Calgary; 2013

Available from: http://vet ucalgary ca/dvmadmissions

4 University of Saskatchewan Academic Requirements [Internet] Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada: University of Saskatchewan; 1994 Available from: http://www usask ca/wcvm/undergraduate program/academic requirements php

5.University of Prince Edward Island. Application and Admissions [Internet]. Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada Available from: http://www upei ca/programsandcourses/ professional-programs/doctor-veterinary-medicine

6 University of Calgary Applicant Manual for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Program [Internet] Calgary, Alberta, Canada: University of Calgary Available from: http://vet ucalgary ca/system/files/Appmanual2016 0 pdf

7 PayScale Canada Salary snapshot for veterinarian job [Online] Seattle, Washington, United States of America: PayScale Canada; 2018 Available from: http://www payscale com/ research/CA/Job=Veterinarian/Salary

CLOSING REMARKS

We hope that after reading through the tenth volume of our Journal of Healthcare Careers and Opportunities, you have found all the information and resources to suit your needs. If you have any questions or are looking for more information, please do not hesitate to contact any one of your executive members; we would be more than happy to help.

We look forward to seeing you at our events this year On behalf of our executive team, best of luck to your studies and your future endeavours!

Thank you for your continual support of McMaster’s Medicine and Health Society.

READINGS AND LINKS

This publication has diligently obtained information from various sources. If you desire more information, the following is a recommended reading list:

ADMISSIONS TO PROFESSIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

DENTISTRY

HassanAS.DAT:completepreparationforthedentaladmissiontest:2001edition.Lippincott: 1. Williams&Wilkins;2000.

2. LehmanRA.Howtoprepareforthedentaladmissiontest,DAT.NewYork:Barron’s EducationalSeries;1999.

3 PredentalResources-PreparingfortheDentalAdmissionTest(DAT)[Internet] 2015[25July 2015].Availablefrom:http://www.asdanet.org/predental/dat-prep.aspx

MEDICINE

StollM.Completebookofmedicalschools:2001edition.NewYork:RandomHouse,Inc.; 2000. 1.

2 StollM,DavisA,BraswellL Best168medicalschools:2009edition NewYork:Random HouseInc.;2008.

3. TheStaffofThePrincetonReview.Medicalschoolessaysthatmadeadifference.NewYork:Random HouseInc.;2008.

4 WischnitzerS Barron’sguidetomedical&dentalschools,11thedition NewYork:Barron’s EducationalSeries;2006.

INTERDISCIPLINARY TOPICS IN HEALTH

BIOETHICS

HebertPC.Doingright:apracticalguidetoethicsformedicaltraineesandphysicians.2nd 1. 2. edition.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress;2008.BioethicsInterestGroup(BIG)atMcMaster http://fhsmcmasterca/ethics/bightml

FICTION (MEDICAL AND HEALTH RELATED)

GawandeA.Better:asurgeon’snotesonperformance.NewYork:PicadorUSA:2007.1. 2.GawandeA.Complications:asurgeon’snotesonanimperfectscience.NewYork:Picador USA;2002. 3 LamV Bloodlettingandmiraculouscures:stories Toronto:AnchorCanada;2006 4. ShemS.Thehouseofgod.NewYork:PenguinGroup;2010. 5.SklootR.TheimmortallifeofHenriettaLacks.NewYork:CrownPublishers;2010.

GLOBAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH

1. BortolottiD.Hopeinhell:insidetheworldofdoctorswithoutborders:1stedition.NewYork: FireflyBooksLtd.;2004. 2. FarmerP.Infectionsandinequalities:themodernplagues.LosAngeles:Universityof CaliforniaPress;2001. 3. MoyoD.Deadaid:1stedition.NewYork:Farrar,StrausandGiroux;2009. 4. SachsJD,Theendofpoverty:economicpossibilitiesforourtime:1stedition.NewYork:The PenguinPress;2005 5. WorldHealthOrganizationwww.who.int

HEALTH POLICY

1 KingdonJ Agendas,alternatives,andpublicpolicies 2ndedition NewYork:Addison-Wesley EducationalPublishersInc;2003.

2. McMasterHealthForumwww.mcmasterhealthforum.com

3 ShiffmanJ,SmithS Generationofpoliticalpriorityforglobalhealthinitiatives:aframework andcasestudyofmaternalmortality.Lancet.2007;370:1370-1379.

MEDICAL HUMANITIES

1 Medica:AJournalofMedicine,theArts,andHumanitieshttp://wwwutpjournalscom/ars/arshtml

2. FirstCanadianConferenceonMedicalandHealthHumanities:CreatingSpaceforArtsand HumanitiesintheEducationofHealthProfessionalshttp://www.mountsinai.on.ca/care/psych/ staff-education-programs/ccme/creating space conference program.pdf

3 MukherjeeS Theemperorofallmaladies:abiographyofcancer NewYork:Scribner;2010

PEACE THROUGH HEALTH

1 AryaN,SantaBarbaraJ Peacethroughhealth:howhealthprofessionalscanworkforaless violentworld.Virginia:KumarianPress;2008.

2. CentreforPeaceStudiesatMcMasterhttp://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/peace-health/

3. UnitedNationsPeaceandSecurityhttp://www.un.org/en/peace/

HELPFUL LINKS AND CONTACTS

This section of the Appendix contains additional links and contact information for the previous sections, including Canadian medical schools, dental schools, and other graduate schools. The information cited in this journal may be changed or updated from the time of publishing. For more extensive and updated information, it is advisable that you consult your schools of interest through their websites and obtain the most updated contact information.

MEDICINE

Memorial University of Newfoundland www.med.mun.ca/medicine/home.aspx (709) 777-6615

Northern Ontario School of Medicine www.nosm.ca (807) 766-7300

University of Ottawa http://www medecine uottawa ca/eng/ (613) 562-5409

Queen’s University http://meds.queensu.ca/undergraduate (613) 533-3307

University of Toronto http://www.md.utoronto.ca (416) 978-7928

Western University http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/ (519) 661-3459

University of Alberta www.med.ualberta.ca (780) 492-6621

University of British Columbia www.med.ubc.ca (604) 822-2421

University of Calgary www.medicine.ucalgary.ca (403) 220-4262

Dalhousie University www medicine dal ca (902) 494-6592

University of Manitoba www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine (204) 789-3557

McGill University www.mcgill.ca/medicine (514) 398-1768

OTHER MEDICINE OPPORTUNITIES

McGill University (MD/PhD) http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/mdphd/ (514) 398-1603

McMaster University (MD/PhD) www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/mdphd/index.html (905) 525-9140

Ottawa University (MD/PhD) www med uottawa ca/md-phd/eng (613) 562-5800 ext 8344

Queen’s University (Multiple Mini Interviews) www.meds.queensu.ca/education/undergraduate/prospective students/method of selection

University of British Columbia (MD/PhD) http://mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/mdphd/ (604) 822-2421

DENTISTRY

McGill University www mcgill ca/dentistry (514) 398-7203

University of Toronto www.utoronto.ca/dentistry (416) 979-4900

Western University Canada www.dentistry.uwo.ca (519) 661-3744

Canadian Dental Association www.cda-adc.ca (613) 523-1770

American Dental Education Association www.adea.org (202) 289-7201

University of Toronto (MD/PhD) http://mdphd.utoronto.ca/ (416) 978-3277

Western University Canada (MD/Bachelor of Engineering Science) https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/admissions/medi - cine/specialprogramsfaq (519) 661-3744

Western University Canada(MD/PhD) www schulich uwo ca/medicine/md phd (519) 661-2111 ext 87908

Western University Canada (Indigenous Medicine and Dentistry) www.schulich.uwo.ca/indigenous/index.php (519) 661-3744

University of Alberta http://www dentistry ualberta ca/ (780) 492-4474

University of British Columbia www.dentistry.ubc.ca (604) 822-7566

Dalhousie University www.dentistry.dal.ca (902) 494-2824

University of Manitoba www.umanitoba.ca/dentistry (204) 789-3631

OPTOMETRY

University of Montreal http://www.opto.umontreal.ca (514) 343-6325

Optometry Admission Testing (OAT) Sample Test https://www ada org/oat/oat sample test pdf

NATUROPATHY

Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine www.ccnm.edu/prospective students/admissions information

Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine http://www.binm.org/prospective-students/admissions/how-to-apply

CHIROPRACTIC

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College: Application forms www cmcc ca/Page aspx?pid=349

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières oraprdnt uqtr uquebec ca/pls/public/pgmw001 ?owa cd pgm=7025

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND PHYSIOTHERAPY

ORPAS Online Application www.ouac.on.ca/orpas

University of Saskatchewan http://www.medicine.usask.ca/pt/

University of Toronto http://www.physicaltherapy.utoronto.ca/

Université Laval http://w3.fmed.ulaval.ca/readaptation/index. php?id=851

University of Montréal http://www.readap.umontreal.ca/

Université de Sherbrooke http://www.usherbrooke.ca/readaptation/

Western University Canada http://www.uwo.ca/fhs/pt/

NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Acadia University http://nutrition.acadiau.ca

University of Alberta http://www.ales.ualberta.ca/afns

Brescia University College http://www.brescia.uwo.ca/academics/undergraduate/foods and nutrition/index.html

University of British Columbia http://www.landfood.ubc.ca

COMBINED OT/ PT PROGRAMS

McGill University www.medicine.mcgill.ca/spot

Queen’s University www.rehab.queensu.ca

University of Ottawa http://www health uottawa ca/sr/index htm

SCHOOLS WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

University of Manitoba www.umanitoba.ca/medrehab/ot/index.html

McMaster University www fhs mcmaster ca/rehab

University of Montréal http://www.readap.umontreal.ca

University of Toronto www.ot.utoronto.ca

Western University Canada www.uwo.ca/fhs/ot

University of Alberta www.ot.ualberta.ca

University of British Columbia www ot med ubc ca

Dalhousie University www.occupationaltherapy.dal.ca

Université Laval www.ulaval.ca/sg/PR/C1/1.456.11.html

SCHOOLS WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY

Dalhousie University http://physiotherapy.dal.ca

McMaster University http://www.srs-mcmaster.ca/Programsnbsp/ MScPT/tabid/525/Default.aspx

University of Alberta http://www uofaweb ualberta ca/pt/

University of British Columbia http://www.physicaltherapy.med.ubc.ca/Home. htm

University of Manitoba http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/ units/medrehab/pt/index.html

University of Guelph http://www.uoguelph.ca/hhns/

Université Laval http://www.fsaa.ulaval.ca

University of Manitoba http://www umanitoba ca/faculties/human ecol - ogy

McGill University http://www.mcgill.ca/dietetics

Université de Moncton http://www.umoncton.ca/umcm-fsssc-esanef

Université de Montréal http://www.nutrition.umontreal.ca

Mount Saint Vincent University http://www msvu ca/en/home/programsdepartments/professionalstudies/appliedhumannutrition/default aspx

University of Ottawa http://www.sante.uottawa.ca/nutrition/index.htm

University of Prince Edward Island http://fns.upei.ca

Ryerson University http://www.ryerson.ca/nutritionandfood

University of Saskatchewan http://www.usask.ca/pharmacy-nutrition

St. Francis Xavier University http://www mystfx ca/academic/human-nutrition

PHARMACY

University of British Columbia www.pharmacy.ubc.ca (604) 822-4096

University of Manitoba www umanitoba ca/faculties/pharmacy (204) 474-9306

University of Saskatchewan www.usask.ca/pharmacy-nutrition (306) 966-6328

University of Toronto www.utoronto.ca/pharmacy (416) 978-2889

University of Waterloo www.pharmacy.uwaterloo.ca (519) 888-4848

PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) www.nccpa.net/Pance.aspx (678) 417-8100

Dalhousie University www.dal.ca/pharmacy (902) 494-2378

Memorial University of Newfoundland www mun ca/pharmacy (709) 777-8300

Université de Montréal www.pharm.umontreal.ca (514) 343-6422

Université Laval www.pha.ulaval.ca (418) 656-3211

University of Alberta www.pharmacy.ualberta.ca (780) 492-3362

VOLUNTEER LINKS AND CONTACTS

The table of links and contact information, as well as an array of different volunteering organizations can be found on our website at www.macmhs.com. Volunteering and extracurricular activities are highly valued. These types of activities may be equally as important as your academic record. This particular section can provide the connections needed to build your volunteering/extracurricular background.

VOLUNTEER SEARCH DATABASES

Canada Volunteer Directory www canadian-universities net/Volunteer/index html

Get involved! www getinvolved ca (416) 361-5907

Dorothy Engelman, Executive Producer: dorothye@getinvolved.ca

CANADA

Alzheimer Society of Canada www.alzheimer.ca (416) 847-2951

Dana Lecours: dlecours@alzheimer.ca

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation www.cbcf.org

To volunteer in BC/Yukon: 1 (800) 561-6111 volunteerbc@cbcf.org

To volunteer in the Prairies/NWT: 1 (866) 302-2223 ivolunteer@cbcf org

To volunteer in Ontario: 1 (866) 373-6313

To volunteer in the Atlantic region: 1 (866) 2732223

Tobbi Dyer: tdyer@cbcf.org

Planet Volunteer 2013 www.planetfriendly.net/volunteer/vol.php (613) 744-3392 p2@planetfriendly.net

Volunteer Canada www volunteer ca (800) 670-0401 info@volunteer ca

Canadian Cancer Society www.cancer.ca Visit regional websites to fill out an application online

Canadian National Institute for the Blind www.cnib.ca 1 (800) 563-2642

Contact is specific to city; can be found at: http:// www cnib ca/en/get-involved/volunteeryour-time/ Pages/Get%20in%20Touch aspx

Parks Canada www.pc.gc.ca/agen/vol-ben/index.aspx (888) 7738888 information@pc.gc.ca

Special Olympics Canada www.specialolympics.ca/ 1 (888) 888-0608 Can be reached electronically by completing a form at http://www.specialolympics.ca/contact-us/

UNICEF Canada www unicef ca Apply online at http://www unicef ca/en/get-involved/unicef-volunteer-application-process

United Way Canada www.unitedway.ca (613) 236-7041; 1 (800) 267-8221 info@unitedway.ca

INTERNATIONAL

International Medical Volunteers Association www.imva.org (508) 435-7377 info@imva.org

International Volunteer Programs Association www.volunteerinternational.org

International Volunteer HQ http://www volunteerhq org/ +64 6 758-7949 (International), or phone number according to country can be found at http://www. volunteerhq.org/contact-us.html volunteer@volunteerhq.org

Youth Challenge International www.yci.org (416) 504-3370 generalinfo@yci.org

Canadian Red Cross www.redcross.ca 1 (800) 418-1111 Volunteering contact is specific to region; please see http://www.redcross.ca/community.html For general inquiries: WeCare@redcross.ca

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada www heartandstroke com Visit the regional websites to find out more information regarding becoming a volunteer Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada mssociety.ca/en/involved/volunteer.html 1 (800) 268-7582 Fill out an application form online

CADIP http://www.cadip.org/ Phone number depends on location; available at http://www.cadip.org/contacts.htm To email, fill in form at http://www.cadip.org/form.htm

Canada World Youth www.canadaworldyouth.org (800) 605-3526 cwy-jcm@cwy-jcm org

Cross Cultural Solutions www crossculturalsolutions org 1-(800)-380-4777 infocanada@crossculturalsolutions.org

Global Volunteers www.globalvolunteers.org (800) 487-1074 email@globalvolunteers.org

OMSAS GPA CONVERSION TABLE

OMSAS provides a table each year that shows grade conversions at Canadian universities to a Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4-point scale Pay particular attention to make sure you are in the correct column, because schools using the same scale may have different equivalencies. Certain schools may use a weighted or adjusted GPA, so determine how each of your schools of interest calculates their GPA.

CONVERSION TABLE

INSTITUTION SCALE CHART

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The evolution and publishing of the MMHS Journal of Health Care Careers and Opportunities was a journey that we committed to as the Journal Coordinators of this club. Although between us there was spent many hours discussing, revising and researching, it would be difficult to overstate importance of the effort and time that our invaluable collaborators donated to this cause.

Firstly, our partnership with The Princeton Review has helped MMHS build this journal to the level of quality and expertise seen today. Through their generosity and support, these volumes have become more reputable and up-to-date.

Finally, we could never have a journal without the 2022-2023 MMHS Executive Team, who each contribute their vast talents and inspire the both of us with their passions for helping students succeed in healthcare. They include: Pranshu Maini, Asim Shaikh, Harmil Kalia, Stephanie Aleluya, Nataly Ayoub, David Nasri, Kate Rokoss, and Zani Zartashah

PRANSHU MAINI

ASIM SHAIKH

STEPHANIE ALELUYA NATALY AYOUB

HARMIL KALIA

DAVID NASRI

KATE ROKOSS ZANI ZARTASHAH