Q: What is the MCAT?

A: The MCAT is an approximate 6 hour long test required by most medical schools. It tests university level sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, organic chemistry), verbal reasoning and comprehension, and also has a writing sample (2 essays).

Q: Do I need physics or math to get into Med School?

A: Not directly, but you do need physics for the MCAT and most science majors require first year math and physics anyways.

Q: Do I have to volunteer in a hospital to get into Med School?

A: No, there are no specific guidelines for volunteer experience. There have been cases of students with exceptionally high GPA's (ie: >4.0) that have had very little or no volunteer experience. Keep in mind that volunteering can help to give you that extra edge which you may need.

Q: What courses are required for UBC Med School Admissions?

A: Currently the following courses are required:

• English - any two of ENGL 101, 102, 103, 104, 199 (199 recommended)
• Chemistry - CHEM 121, 122, 126, 281, 282, 286
• Molecular Biology and Biochemistry - MBB (formerly BICH) 222 and 321 (MBB 221 is a prerequisite for 222)
• Biology - BISC 101 and 102.

Consult the SFU calendar for more details, or directly contact the UBC Medical School for confirmation of courses.

Q: Where can I pick up an application for Med School?

A: Some applications may be found at Academic Resources in the Maggie Benston Center, or they may be requested from the Medical School of interest.

Q: How many SFU students get into UBC or other Med Schools?

A: Approximately 15 students on average are accepted from SFU each year to UBC. There are no stats listed in possession of the Pre-Med Society for other Medical Schools. Students from SFU have been accepted into Medical Schools from U of A and U of C to McMaster and Dalhousie, Queens, Western, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins . (If you know of others, feel free to drop us a line.)

Q: How does the SFU Pre-Med Society help me get into Med School?

A: The Pre-Med Society is here to help you help yourself by providing resources for your usage. In an attempt to assist members, weekly meetings are held to inform members, as well as generate discussion on various relevant medical topics. Guest speakers from medical students to practitioners are invited to meetings so that members may have first hand experience from people in the medical profession. Also, by preparing for admission in advance, students can begin thinking about issues that will be relevant for them, such as choosing a speciality. Practice with mock interviews are a must for medical school - another area that the Society has activities in. Come out and get involved in the many volunteer opportunities that the club provides. Something that may add an extra punch to your CV, and for a great experience.

Q: Why do you guys have current events in your meetings?

A: Since the interview process is integral to most Medical School admissions, current events helps to keep fellow students abreast of things that are going on around them. It also gives students a chance to discuss these events as issues which may appear in an interview. Finally it (hopefully) assists a student in developing the habit of finding out what's going on and being able to discuss it in meaningful conversation.

Q: Is there anyone currently in Medical School that I can ask some questions about what it's like?

A: There are people available for you to contact. Please get in touch with your executive for more details (premed-exec@sfu.ca).

Q: How important is my CGPA?

A: Medical Schools are academic institutions and, as such, factors like your GPA are important. Admissions committees want to see that you are able to handle the volumious work load of Med School, so your GPA is one way that they are able to ascertain this. Trends in your GPA counts for something as well. But the single most important factor that your GPA may be used for is whether or not you receive an interview. Consider your GPA as the key that opens the door to the interview. While the GPA is not the be-all end-all, as students with lower GPA's are accepted (usually with other weighing factors), your GPA is important.

Q: Why are meetings in the evenings (5:30pm) and an hour and a half long?

A: Meeting times were originally set in the summer of 96 in order to accomodate Co-Op students and students with labs and other courses. During the evening most people have free time to participate in activities that do not exclude the majority. Also guest speakers often work during the day and are unavailable. In order to maintain continuity the meeting time and day has become somewhat 'fixed'. Originally meetings were 2 hours in length, but as many people felt that this was too long a time period to meet, meeting lengths were shortened. because there is often a lot done at a meeting shortening them to one hour was not really feasible. It is more worth while for someone to come out for an hour and a half rather than for only an hour if they have to come to campus.