Nontrad applicant looking for advice - SLP transitioning to MD
Hi everyone,
I'm a current speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the US. I'm relocating to BC this summer for a full-time SLP position in acute care, and I'm finally pursuing something I've wanted since junior year of undergrad: applying to med school. Back then my family's finances didn't allow it, and I didn't qualify for loans, so I went with SLP instead. I've been practicing medical SLP since early 2024, and now that I'm in a more stable place, I'm coming back to this and committing, I just don't want to leave it as a regret.
Background: PR application is in (AOR received March 2026), hoping for approval by fall 2026. Bachelor's in applied linguistics & Master's in SLP, have taken anatomy/physio, physics & stats a few years ago, but zero bio/chem prerequisite coursework. Planning to take gen chem, organic chem, biology, and biochem once I'm settled in BC. Targeting the 2029 or 2030 application cycle. UBC is my main target since I'll be a BC resident, but open to other Canadian schools.
Looking for any honest input from people who've been through this, any input on any of the following questions or anything else you are willing to share is deeply appreciated:
- Timeline: Is it realistic to do the prerequisites part-time over 2 years while working full-time, then dedicate 8-12 months to MCAT prep? Or am I underestimating?
- References: Who should I cultivate relationships with now? I have past clinical supervisors who would happily write very strong letters, but by application time, they might be too dated. Should I plan to ask the prerequisite professors and a physician colleague instead? What's the right mix for Canadian schools?
- Application strategy: What do nontraditional applicants commonly overlook in the 12-24 months before applying? I know schools vary on shadowing requirements, and as an SLP, I already work in clinical settings daily. My SLP work gives daily clinical exposure. For schools where physician shadowing matters, does my experience substitute for traditional shadowing, or do I still need to log hours?
- UBC specifics: How does UBC's NAQ/AQ system actually evaluate older healthcare professionals without a traditional premed background? Any insight into what they weigh most?
- Family planning: This is the question I'm most torn on. My husband and I want kids. Is it smarter to try for a baby before med school starts (during prereqs/MCAT prep), during med school, or wait until residency or after? For anyone who's done med school as a parent or had a kid right before starting, what would you do differently?
- Reality check: For those who made similar transitions: what's the one thing you wish someone had told you 2 years before applying?
Thanks so much in advance. Happy to answer questions in the comments.