A lack of work experience does not necessarily put prospective students at a disadvantage as we review all applications holistically. This means we don’t only look at academic qualifications; we also look out for individuals who have the potential to become not only outstanding clinicians but who can think beyond practising medicine to improving care as clinician-scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. This is what we refer to as Clinicians Plus.
To be successful as a Clinician Plus, we look for attributes including communication and interpersonal skills, integrity, teamwork, altruism, resilience and critical thinking. We also encourage our applicants to include instances where they have been involved in leadership, volunteerism and clinical and research experiences.
Aside from the Grade Point Average (GPA), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) serve as another measure that allows us to gauge applicants’ science proficiency. It’s important to note that because of our holistic assessment approach, we do not have strict cut-off scores for the MCAT and GAMSAT.
Lastly, we require applicants to submit a personal statement and one assigned essay, as these provide us with an opportunity to better understand our applicants, what motivates them and why they aspire to pursue a career in medicine. They assist the Admissions Committee in their deliberations and are particularly valuable in helping us understand our applicants’ unique qualities and experiences.
For the essay component, we offer applicants a choice of two prompts: for the Dilemma/Adversity essay, applicants are asked to describe a situation where they either took a different course of action or wished they had, based on ethical or moral concerns. The second topic prompts students to share an instance where their decision-making process was significantly influenced by principles of ethics or integrity. Such situations could involve personal or academic integrity, affecting either the applicant or others.
More information on our admission requirements is available on our website.