Hi,
Recently when we were in Canada we visited few Universities in and around Ontario to gain knowledge about the admission process and different courses available for my daughter who is currently studying in Grade 12 in Kuwait and who will be moving to Canada as a permanent resident next year.
She intends studying medicine and students in Canada are admitted to medical schools only after they complete three years of under graduation course. From our various meetings with the Admission Officers in different universities we understand that the students need to study certain pre-requisite science subjects for applying for admission for medicine, however they can do under graduation in any course (I was surprised to see two music graduates have got admission in McMaster University Medical School for 2006) and join the medical school. The admission committee mainly focus on High GPA, Excellent Reference Letters, Lots of Voluntary Service etc. before admitting students in Canadian medical schools.
I would appreciate the feed back from the readers who are aware of the university education system in Canada, medical school students, doctors who have studied in Canada and other readers on the following:
1. What undergraduate subjects are ideal for medical school admission (since high GPA is required, we should select subjects that are relatively easy to learn as our aim is to score high marks/GPA)
2. Which are the good universities that we should apply in Ontario – we intend applying to at least 8 universities – a mixture of both high ranking and middle ranking universities, just in case the final 12th grade marks do not match what we expect and later if admission is cancelled.
3. Please suggest some good science subjects that she can take up for undergraduate studies which has a future/job prospects later, just in case my daughter does not get admission in the medical school and wants to continue her masters in her chosen field.
I look forward to your feed back.
Location: Ottawa (Now in Bangalore)
Posted on: 04-08-04 13:09:45
Kuwaituser, I replied to this question sometime back. However, as yo uhave asked a different lot of questions I will give my suggestions.
But before I answer that, I would like to know.. Has she settled on a final choice of Medicine (a.k.a biological sciences ?).. No flexibility on that ?
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Greetings
I am a student in university right now. I have lived in Kuwait too for 5 years. Firstly i would like to suggest something. Why dont you let your daughter study in grade 12 in Canada. It is much better if she studies here. It will also be easier to get an admission offer for university. She must probably be doin the CBSE system or the british system (A-Levels).
In the CBSE system, no matter how hard you study, you are still scared at the end of the day what the outcome of the results look like. I did my grade 12 and OAC (grade 13) in the old cirriculum. The system here is not like the CBSE system. You dont have any Board exams. It is a lot of work though. And at the end of the day, if you have worked hard, you will secure the marks. My dad is a doctor and I have taken up health science in university to follow his footsteps. Now to university.
I had been advised by my acedemic advisor (guidance counsellor) to either take Health Science or Life Science in university. I took up Health science since it hits my interests.
Since she is comming from High school, the first important thing to do is secure high marks.
My courses for the first year were Biology, Health Science, Chemistry, Psychology and Business. No matter what it is, you have to take first year chemistry because it is a pre-requisite for Biochemistry that is a second year program. Also biology and psychology are required courses if you are majoring in Health science or Life Science.
Now on application to university
I go to The University of Western Ontario. It is proably one of the best university you can go to. Everyone has their own opinion on univesity. Western is regarded as a party university. But after attending the university, I feel its not. Its the same as other universities.
I can list the good universities that offer good programs for undergrad degree.
The University of Western Ontario (london)
McMaster University (Hamilton)
University of Toronto (toronto)
Queens University (Kingston)
McGill University (Montreal, Quebec)
I was admitted to all the universities in Ontario, but i picked western because i felt they offered the best programs and offers the best campus in Canada. The professors are approachable and are friendly. Western offers the best campus life in Canada.
I dont have time to pen much now, but I can surely help you if you email me at
Location: Ottawa (Now in Bangalore)
Posted on: 04-08-04 21:59:17
Bandhan, and what abt after B.Sc in Biology 
?
The dreaded MCAT ! ..... Did you already take that ?
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"Aur Vaise Bhi, Sharafat ki jab kapde utarti hai, sabse zyaada mazaa shareefon ko hi aati hai"....(From The Dirty Picture)
Warning !! SCAM ALERT !!
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=4169 & http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=1379
This is a Useful Health related Tip
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=3865
Please visit
http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/quran/verses/009-qmt.php for some interesting Information ! (Especially 009.005 )
I have only finished my first year. MCAT is 3 years away. As Ottawa_nerd has posted BSC (bachelor of science) in biology is also an option. There are so many options possible. U can take up social science in university and get into med-school as long as you have the pre-requsite subjects completed. Just for people to know, MCAT is not required for McMaster and University of Ottawa.
http://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/pdf/rc_omsas_e.pdf
The URL above tells u the med-schools in ontario and reuqirements for admission.
One thing is for sure, if your aim is to go to med-school then dont take up hard subjects, because at the end, your GPA and MCAT are going to count.
Chemistry is a must because you need biochemistry and organic chemistry in your second year in university.
My first year courses were Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health Science and Business.
Out of them Biology, Psychology and Health Science were compulsory courses. I had to choose 2 electives and so i chose chemistry which is required if you want to get into med-school and business. I can take 2 or 3 business courses in the 4 years of undergrad and get a minor degree in business. Taking business in the first year also gave me the option to apply for Richard Ivey School of Business which is a part of The university of western ontario. Richard Ivey is ranked 16 in the world among the business schools. It even beat the Schulich school of business this year which was ranked in the 30's.
Location: Ottawa (Now in Bangalore)
Posted on: 05-08-04 00:20:06
Oh yeah I forgot
Yes, you do not need the MCAT for McMaster and OttawaU.
Kuwaituser, you have your options then. I did my Ph.D from Ottawa U and you will have access to all Govt. agencies in Ottawa (including the Med School)
But the MCAT is a test to be taken, as you should not restrict yourself to Ottawa U or Mcmaster and keep ur options open for American Schools as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Aur Vaise Bhi, Sharafat ki jab kapde utarti hai, sabse zyaada mazaa shareefon ko hi aati hai"....(From The Dirty Picture)
Warning !! SCAM ALERT !!
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=4169 & http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=1379
This is a Useful Health related Tip
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=3865
Please visit
http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/quran/verses/009-qmt.php for some interesting Information ! (Especially 009.005 )
Thats right ottawa_nerd. The amount of medical schools in Canada is not comaprable to the numbers in the US.
You can say that
Total number of medical schools in canada is equal to the total number of medical schools in 3 states in the US.
The competition here in Canada is very tough as they have very few seats for medecine. But this shouldnt disappoint you. You can always apply in the US. U will be payin higher fees in the US but its worth it because after graduation you can pay the loan back in the first year itself if your a doctor.
