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Applying to medical school is sort of like reviewing your life history, and then trying to put it succinctly onto a few well-typed pages. Give yourself plenty of time to do this. If you already have an up-to-date resume, then you already have a frame-work for your application. Remember, medical school applications are supposed to highlight the qualities that you have that make you an excellent future doctor. The Can Med Guidelines state that physicians have the responsibility of carrying out the following roles effectively and ethically: Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Health Advocate, Scholar and Professional. Your application needs to highlight these characteristics. Most people who become doctors are extremely well rounded, have excellent interpersonal skills and are insightful enough to admit to and learn from mistakes.
The application generally consists of the following parts: Summary of activities (similar to a resume but with references for all activities), a letter of intent (usually answering certain questions within the body of the letter), letters of recommendation (from people who know you well and preferably one from a physician) and transcripts.
The first step is writing out a comprehensive list of activities since age 16: formal education, employment, volunteer activities, extracurricular activities, awards and accomplishments, research, otherà both structured and unstructured (structured= working for the Humane Society. Unstructured= helping with daily care of your disabled aunt). Include sporting and coaching activities, involvement with the arts, student council, travel, teaching experience, special projects, co-op, advisory work, publications, and anything else that you did with your spare time. This is your base list, and OMSAS requires you submit it along with the duration of commitment to each activity and a person who you could contact to confirm your involvement. This takes time, and I suggest you use a chart to keep on top of who you has given you permission to use them as a contact ( you need to warn the person who is verifying your application so if they receive a phone call asking what Joe did as a volunteer in the summer of 1999 they remember who you are). After creating your base list, use the following terms and phrases to see if you can think of an example from your list that fits under each of these categories. Not all of them will be filled, but this will give you a head start on answering the questions that are asked in the personal statement.
Key words: self directed learning, time management, leadership, teamwork, initiative, creativity, dedication, communication, cultural determinants of health, self-motivation, working with under-serviced populations, commitment, achievement, problem solving, critical thinking, scientific reasoning, ability to communicate effectively, sensitivity to the needs of others, adaptability and the ability to cope with stress, creativity, advisory work, fine arts, health care, literature, organisation, teaching, travel.
The reason why you want to organise your experiences, and think about specific incidences and learning moments is because a statement is always more believable and carries more weight if it is backed up in reality. For example, compare these two statements: “I feel that health is determined in part by culture because a persons perspective of their illness effects how they feel and interact with other members of the community” vs “ During my summer in Tonga, I learned that women are expected to start having children in their early 20’s. I saw a woman who was 32 and expecting her first child. On her chart it said, “geriatric pregnancy”. The cultural norms of Tongan society dictated that this was an unusual and unhealthy event, when in north America many women have their first pregnancy in their 30’s. Her culture dictated that she be treated as unhealthy, and she saw herself and treated herself as unhealthy. It was this experience that taught me about the power of culture as a major determinant of health.” The second statement makes the same point as the first, but backs it up with a real experience, making it much more genuine.
Always give your referees at least 1-2 months before the letter is due to write it. Ask for a letter in a way that gives them a chance to say “no” if the letter is not going to be excellent. For example, you could say, “I am applying to medical school. I was wondering if you felt you know me well enough to write a strong letter of recommendation?” Provide the referee with a copy of your resume, or if you have worked for them a list of specific initiatives you have taken, and offer to meet with them to discuss the letter. If you have seen a copy of the letter, its weight is lessened. Give your referee a pre-paid, pre-addressed currier envelope so all they have to do is place the letter in the envelope and send it off. Make sure it is as little work as possible for them.
The people you chose to write your reference letters should know you extremely well and be able to make comments on your character, personal qualities, and academic capabilities. Make sure that all of these aspects are covered, but not necessarily in the same letter. For example, your boss from when you were a camp councillor at Diabetes Camp can comment on your character and personal qualities, and the person who supervised your undergraduate thesis can comment on your academic capabilities and work ethic. OMSAS asks that at least one referee should be a non-academic/character referee. Some people say that the better known the referee is, the more likely you will get in. This may be true, but only if that person can actually speak to your qualities because they KNOW you, not because they know you got 87% in their class.
Many people I know who have been accepted into medical school have a letter of recommendation written by an M.D. But how do you go about getting to know a doctor well enough that they can write a letter for you?
1) Do a honours degree or 4th year thesis. You will have the opportunity to have small classes, and get to know your professors. If you are taking Human Biology courses you may have an MD as a professor who will be able to get to know you. By doing a 4th year thesis, you may have the opportunity to work with an MD/PhD as your supervisor. You will have the opportunity to get to know them, and they will be able to honestly evaluate your work ethic and research skills.
2) Find someone who knows a doctor. If you have a friend or relative in health care, maybe they know a doctor that is approachable and interested in having someone job shadow/ help with a research project/ help out in the office. Many doctors often have small projects on the go that you might be able to help out with.
3) Look through university department websites in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, epidemiology, pharmacology, etc. There are often profiles of the staff that work in these departments. See if you can find an MD who is associated with the research to contact offering to volunteer in the lab.
4) Volunteer at the hospital in an area that requires a lot of interaction with people, for example, the Child Life department. See if you can meet with a doctor that is also involved with the same patient population, eg. Paediatrics or Psychiatry to get to know them, and ask if there is any way you can have an expanded role in your volunteering.
5) If you are already a health care professional, there is probably a doctor who you have worked with who you feel appreciates the quality of your work. They may be a very good person to write a letter of recommendation.
6) If you volunteer or work at a camp that has a physician associated with it (these would usually be camps for kids with health issues) you may get to know them over the course of the camp, especially if you make the effort to get involved.
7) Talk to your family doctor if you have a good relationship with them. They, or another member of their group may be interested in having some help around the office. Remember, any type of exposure is good, even if you are just showing patients to the room or helping with paper work.
8) If you get the chance to work in or volunteer at a hospital, find out about Grand Rounds and see if you can go. It shows enthusiasm, and gives you a taste of the types of issues doctors deal with. Even better, if you get to know a particular doctor well, see if you can go to the department rounds. These are smaller and often less formal. Sometimes other members of the health care team such as nurses, researchers and dieticians are invited.