Interview preparation is a hot topic in the Admissions Office right now and we would like to offer a bit of insight about the UBC process as well as a word of caution.
As in the information sent to applicants invited for an interview, we caution applicants about paying money to a person or organization to prepare for this event. It is understandable that you want to make sure you have done all that you can to be prepared for the day, but we do not want you to be taken advantage of. Unfortunately, it has been brought to our attention that there are individuals who may be misrepresenting their credentials and offering training and an “inside track” to the UBC admissions process. No such special insight exists as the process is continually updated and modified and no committee members offer special training, as they are under rules of strict confidentiality. The same is true for our current and previous interviewers. Please be very careful and do your research before entering into any arrangements that seem “too good to be true”. They almost always are.
By all means research and practice with friends, but be wary of claims that someone has a secret for success. In speaking with current medical students we have heard about various preparation techniques. It really depends on your own personal strengths and weaknesses and what makes you feel ready and confident for the ‘big day’. Remember, the MMI isn’t a formula, as much as you may want it to be. Don’t expect it to be the same from one school to another or one year to the next. As we have said before, the best way to prepare for the MMI is to be yourself and show us who you are, that’s what we are looking for.
We are very excited to meet many of you in February and we wish all of you a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. As a reminder, the Admissions Office will be closed from noon on December 24 to January 1.
Hello,
I was just wondering what stage the admissions process is in, now that interviews are complete? Have all final decisions been made or are files still being reviewed and evaluated?
Thanks!
People often wonder why it takes so long from the time of interview to the offers. Right now all of those essays you wrote and references you submitted are being read. The admissions office is also still following up with verifiers and in some instances referees. Decisions will be made in April and then a great deal of time is taken to make sure that each applicant is offered the ‘right’ site. We wouldn’t want you to get the wrong letter! Also, most Canadian medical schools coordinate their offers to be sent at around the same time in Mid-May. We know it is a long wait to the finish, but hang in there and we’ll be in touch in May.
Hi,
I have a few questions:
1) Why doesn’t UBC disclose any information about how MCAT is used in assesing one’s application? (i.e. how it affects one’s chances of admission)
2) Does a higher than minimum score improve one’s chances of admission?
3) Why doesn’t UBC use MCAT in the pre-interview evaluation except for meeting the minimums. Does this speak of the importance of MCAT for UBC?
The answer to these questions are very important to me and many many other applicants who have to decide whether they need to re-write their MCAT for a better chance of admission.
Sincerely,
A concerned premed
As we have said before, post-interview, all aspects of an applicant’s file are taken into consideration by our selection committee. Given that our posted stats show that the average MCAT scores for successful applicants is considerably higher than the minimum scores required for an application, then yes, obviously having higher than the minimum is helpful. We know that the MCAT is a factor for some other medical schools up front. For us the decision as to what should be included in the pre-interview calculation is decided by our Admissions committees – MCAT is important, but is looked at in conjunction with all the other components of an application.
Keep in mind if you have already taken the MCAT more than once, we will use the score that will help you the most. If you are unsure whether you want to rewrite the MCAT, well maybe you can have a look at our stats to see how comparable you are.
Hope this answers your concerns.
Hello Admissions,
I have a few questions as well in relation to the posted minimum requirements and those of successful applicants. I understand that UBC aims for a well-balanced applicant through an even weight distribution provided by AQ and NAQ scores (50/50 split).
However, I cannot understand how the AQ scale can vary so much that several points are awarded for each additional percentage increment increase in OGPA or AGPA. In this case, any average below 80% will find it difficult to receive an adequate TFR. Based on the evaluating criteria set to obtain a full file review, I believe that providing a minimum average of 75% for BC residents provides false hope for many. Interpreting the AQ scores (for those with less than 79% averages or so) provides a realization that by scoring even a near perfect on the NAQ portion cannot result in a TFR high enough for an interview (greater than 62). This leads to the idea that the weighted distributions are not equal when seeking applicants and are rather skewed towards the AQ. An individual with a high gpa and ‘minimum NAQs’ can achieve the TFR whereas an individual with a lower gpa (ie. >78/79% and great NAQs will find it much, much more difficult.
Could you please clarify why each of the two components within itself are weighed so much differently? I believe the older method of encompassing different aspects such as pre-medical coursework, last 60 credits etc. provided an individual with more room to improve and succeed.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Concerned premed
Although 75% is the minimum overall average required by BC residents for full file review, we do say on our website that: “ A realistic review of the statistics on our website for the averages of successful applicants is recommended before submission of an application”. There is no question that the averages of applicants has been increasing over the years which does make it incredibly difficult for those with perfectly respectable but somewhat lower averages to be admitted. It is of course something we are concerned about. However, please be assured that we do value non-academics highly. Our aim is still to admit students with diverse backgrounds, and most successful applicants do have very strong academics, but have also demonstrated their suitability for a career in medicine with their non-academic achievements. Our selection and policy committees review our evaluation and selection criteria each year.