Admissions blog: Troubleshooting your application
Earlier this month we sent out offers of admission, meaning that unfortunately, we have also had to send out our regrets to applicants as well. If you are one of the applicants whose applications were unsuccessful, we have put together a list of things to consider if you plan on applying again in the next cycle.
The first step in troubleshooting your application is reading over the admissions requirements. All of the admissions requirements must be met for your application to proceed to the next step of the application process. The other portion of this is ensuring that all application materials were submitted to OMSAS by the posted deadline.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily mean that your application to the program will be successful. We receive many applications, and it may just mean that your application was not as competitive as the other applications that we have received this year.
Some things to consider if you plan on reapplying to the MD program in our next application cycle:
GPA: While the minimum is a 3.6, we consider a competitive undergraduate GPA to be about a 3.8. In 2016, our entering class had an average GPA (including weighting) of 3.95. GPA’s are assessed competitively, so this may have been an area where your application was not as strong as other applicants.
MCAT: If you achieved a 125 in all four sections or a minimum of a 9 in all sections of the old MCAT (the writing sample score will not be used) - you have satisfied the requirement! The MCAT is not assessed competitively, so there is no need to retake the test if you have met our minimum requirements.
Non-academics: All of your non-academics are assessed based on how well you fit into the “four clusters”.
Perhaps now would be a good time to determine if there is a cluster that you may be weak in. Make use of friends, family, colleagues, professors and mentors to review your application submissions. Ask people who you know will give you constructive feedback on your application so that you know where to develop your application for the next cycle.
You are able to demonstrate your excellence within the four clusters through the letter of references, personal essays and through your autobiographical sketch and statements. If you make it to the interview stage, you have the ability to elaborate on how you demonstrate these clusters there as well.
Referees: To ensure that you receive the best reference possible, ask referees if they are comfortable providing you with a positive reference for the MD Program. It is also helpful to provide your referee with information on our four clusters and explain to them that the admissions committee will be evaluating how well you fit into those clusters. It is also critical to ensure that your reference is not a family friend or someone who is not able to evaluate you objectively.
Personal Essays: Start crafting your responses early! The admissions committee is able to tell when someone completes their essay at the last minute. Make use of the people and resources (e.g. university writing centers) around you, and have these contacts read and re-read your essays to provide feedback. Ensure that your thoughts are clear and concise. Your essay is evaluated on content, not style. Double check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Though we are unable to give specific feedback on how your application was assessed, you are able to get in contact with us at the Enrolment Services office at any time for general admissions guidance.
Our office is a welcome center, so feel free to drop in, or give us a call at any time with any inquiries you have about the admissions process.
