do I have a chance at uOttawa med english stream.
I’m looking for honest insight on whether I realistically have a shot at getting an interview at uOttawa med (ENGLISH STREAM - I don't speak french), or if my GPA is likely too low even with an upward trend.
My academic path has been kind of unconventional. I originally did an undergrad in neuroscience because I thought I wanted a career in research. My first few years were rough academically. I came from a low-income background, had poor study habits, worked throughout school, and honestly didn’t really know how to navigate university or access support/resources.
I ended up doing a 5th year to raise my GPA because at the time I thought I wanted to pursue a master’s and continue in research. After graduating, I took 2 gap years where I worked in healthcare and research. During that time I considered clinical psychology, but eventually decided to do an accelerated second degree in nursing at Queen’s.
While doing nursing, I realized medicine was actually what I was passionate about.
For uOttawa specifically, I believe they look at your last 3 years. My last 3 yearly GPAs would roughly be:
- 3.92 (last year of neuroscience)
- 3.3 (nursing)
- 3.93 (nursing)
I think that averages to around a 3.72 OMSAS, but I’m not sure if I’m calculating that correctly.
I haven’t written the MCAT yet, so uOttawa seemed like the one school where I might still have a realistic chance. I'm would be an in province applicant as I did high school and my first degree in Ottawa. I know their GPA averages are very high, which makes me feel like maybe I realized this path too late.
Has anyone gotten interviews/admissions at uOttawa with a similar GPA trajectory or strong upward trend? Especially as a second-degree or non-traditional applicant? I’d really appreciate honest perspectives.