CASPer assesses non-academic attributes for professional programs The Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) is an online-based admissions test pioneered at McMaster University. It has been widely adopted to assess applicants for admission to many medical, nursing, and other professional programs. CASPer evaluates an applicant for their non-academic attributes using its situational judgement test […]
The MCAT is one of the most stressful experiences on the journey to getting into medical school. Many schools have high MCAT cut-offs, so it is important to do as well as possible on this test in order to maximize your chance of being competitive in the application process. These are some tips I compiled […]
Writing UofT’s brief personal essays (BPEs) and autobiographical sketches (ABS) can be a stressful time. Hopefully the following tips compiled from personal experiences and advice from mentors are helpful for you. 1. Take time to think. While it is easy to give a face value answer, it pays off to really think about any underlying […]
Upon reflecting on my medical school journey I would like to share the following five tips with you. I hope that the following tidbits help you in your journey in becoming a physician. 1. Be Authentic – Short Essays As a medical school applicant, remember to always be authentic. The short essays component of your […]
The US MD cycle starts a lot earlier and is rolling compared to Canadian schools! Pre-interview, applicants must complete a Primary Application and a Secondary/Secondaries. May 1st is when the AMCAS Application Portal opens. This means you can start filling out your Primary App – Personal Statement, Work/Activities, School Choices, Ordering Transcripts, MCAT Score Entering, […]
What is a typical week for a University of British Columbia (UBC) medical student? The schedule varies by year. In first year, we had case-based learning from 8am-10am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday followed by lectures and anatomy/histology labs until the afternoon (4-5pm). On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have morning off for “study time” or […]
Transitioning into medical school may seem daunting at first glance. What is medical school really like? Will I survive the rigor of a medical curriculum? Will I have time for life outside of medicine? To successfully transition into medical school, one must adapt — in more ways than one. That means forgoing old habits, and […]
While you’ll often hear advice about having a high GPA or MCAT, the CV component of your application to medical school should not be understated. It gives the medical school insight into who you are, what you do and what skills you may possess. Some schools disclose what percentage of the decision for invitation to […]
It’s that time of year again! Students are finishing up exams, the weather is getting warmer, and a bunch of you are…getting ready to write the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). I know it can feel like an intimidating task and sometimes you don’t know how or where to get started. So, I’ve listed out […]
Graduating high school is in and of itself exciting and nerve-wracking; it marks the end of a chapter and the start of a new one. Often times, choosing an undergraduate program can compound to this stress, as it, in many ways, dictates the route you’ll take with regards to your career plans. When I was […]