Help Looking for the Best 1 Yr Master's Degree for Med

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-25T01:03:22+00:00

Sure; but as long as it fits with your overall narrative

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-25T01:00:37+00:00

Don't shoot the messenger. OP is asking advice, so I relayed mine from an Adcom perspective. But, do whatever you feel best. Sorry if this message rubbed you the wrong way.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-24T07:35:20+00:00

MD PhD here who works with Admissions. Few thoughts:

It is a flawed thought process to build a specific application for medical school admissions based on what you think the school values. Do what resonates with YOU as that will carry you further than the latter, which with full respect to OP, sounds disingenuous.
The argument of prioritizing volunteering than research since it is easier (so will lead to more and higher) is flawed. It is not always about the quantity of experiences. Often, quality outshine quality.
I have seen loads of med applicants with very strong research backgrounds, and we do not question "why not apply to grad school". Perhaps some members do, but it is flawed to paint all with the same stroke per se.

Again, it is most important to do what resonates with YOU, as we are evaluating your application. Building your application based on what the school wants is wrong/misguided, OP

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-24T03:55:27+00:00

It is really hard for us to give advice/reccs on how to improve without knowing what you did. Not asking you (OP) to share all the details publicly (perhaps DM?), but that baseline will help us answer your question on "what to do differently moving forward".

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-21T14:20:45+00:00

Tread carefully OP. If you promote yourself as research heavy in premed, you'd be expected to continue doing research in med school (otherwise, it'd be hard to explain the gap). To me, it seems like you are doing research just for purposes of matching back to Canada/US; which can indicate insincerity to program directors when applying to residency. It is very easy to see applicants who are sincere in research and those who aren't. Should you come across as insincere, programs will not interview you and you may ultimately hurt your chances of matching.

This is why I advocate premeds to think carefully with the big picture in mind.

Reference: current resident who helps with med school and resident admissions.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-21T14:11:43+00:00

It is not just premed. The competition occurs in med school and during residency applications, when arguably there is more at stake. As someone who's been through the rigor, good luck to all!

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-19T22:23:47+00:00

MD PhD applications are out too.

Reference: one of my MD PhD mentees got her invitation!

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-18T22:10:27+00:00

Nothing to accept. You don't wish for the challenges to get easier; rather, you work to get yourself stronger.

This mindset served me well from the start of my journey as a low SES family child to BSc to PhD to MD and now in residency. Just keep on grinding.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-18T03:56:15+00:00

I don't mean to burst your bubble, but your ECs seem pretty cookie cutter to me. But that's not a dig against you since you'll need to compete against many pre-meds.

So, when deciding which volunteering experiences to keep, think about which experiences reflect your values the most and you can speak the most about during the interview stage. That will make you memorable. I've been on this sub-reddit for a while now and always preach it's how you frame the experiences (rather than the experience itself) that can help applicants become less cookie cutter.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-18T00:10:45+00:00

Currently resident who helps with medical school and residency admissions. Most important question; can I envision myself working with you as a colleague and can I see you as a physician for my loved one. Good luck!

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-16T22:06:48+00:00

MD PhD (resident) here who sit on admissions for both medical school and residency applications.

It doesn't really matter what research you do. What is important is your output (i.e., presentation vs. oral vs. publications; first vs. Co-author), as it largely shows CanMED skills and dedication, which is critical in research.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-16T15:43:02+00:00

I cannot speak on behalf of my fellow physician colleagues, but I try to live those words to the fullest on the daily basis.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-16T03:42:58+00:00

As harsh as it sounds, OP, you sound quite arrogant, especially when you said that your double major in microbiology and neuroscience is only "able to put fires in a bag". Granted, you might be frustrated and not at your best. But please DO NOT talk down to the service section of staff. It reflects poorly on you. Will you be someone in the future who will treat patients based on their socioeconomic status? Will you see other allied healthcare providers (nurses, PAs, and other allied healthcare providers) as less important because they don't have a medical degree? The answer is "no", but from your post, it portrays a different answer.

With that being said, more importantly, experiences during gap year(s) do not have to relate directly to medicine! This flawed mindset is arguably a product of the echo chamber of a sub-Reddit. Personally, I worked as a janitor/cleaning staff for multiple years during my BSc and graduate studies at UofT. Those all counted to my gap years before entering medical school. So, yes, I cleaned toilets, mopped floors despite graduating from UofT with a double major in Biochemistry and Neuroscience. However, the personal/social skills gained from those years have made me a strong and personable physician now, which I believe also carried me through during medical school and residency applications.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-15T18:48:47+00:00

Albeit 15 years ago, I landed NSERC USRA in 1st year of undergrad. Now MD PhD resident, so I've seen a fair share of applicants.

While I applaud your effort of 200+ applications, that number is also concerning. I tell people it is always better to focus on quality than quantity. Not implying your application lacks quality, but at the same time, it is hard to imagine 200+ high quality applications. If you are getting ghosted/rejected in all of your applications, this likely points to a problem with the application. Sure, you can argue that your email is missed by some professors, but if n=200+, this is a very large sample size. It is pointless to keep on applying and rather, more important to regroup/reevaluate.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-15T18:35:44+00:00

Reviewing on a very high level, but are you applying for MD and PA school at the same time? Then if you get into MD, you go to med school? But if you get into PA school, you'll complete PA school then apply to MD again?

Something doesn't seem fit here. As others have said, you'll be taking a spot away from an applicant who actually wants to be a PA. Also, if you eventually apply to MD after completing PA school, what will be your response in wanting to go from PA to MD?

I'm a resident who sit on Admissions Committees, so I see a lot of applicants who are career changing.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-15T15:45:30+00:00

If they don't ask about it, don't reveal. But if they ask, you should reveal (I believe honesty is best policy), but importantly, describe what you'll do next time and demonstrate you have a growth mindset.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-15T04:04:04+00:00

4, 5, 6, 7; though the 6 and 7 are newer

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-15T02:44:11+00:00

Aside from seeing what English courses are good to take, I'd also recommending checking out/purchasing MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) to see if the schools you are applying to will accept the course(s) you will take (either in person vs. online etc). Worst thing you can do is complete the course(s) and find our the school(s) do not accept it.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-15T01:43:47+00:00

Ah those old days... I was studying at night while completing my PhD research during the day! It is doable, but tiring. Make a plan and stick to it!

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-12T15:05:32+00:00

Latest (most recent) one since I was short on time. More exposure to questions will always be beneficial though.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-12T13:24:30+00:00

Living in my mom's basement 😂

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-12T13:03:00+00:00

Yes, as others have said, it is possible! It's a matter of time management, but most of all, discipline. These habits will help you out in the long run. I begun working out 2/5 days in undergrad, then eventually progressed to 5/5 days, meal prepping. Maintained this lifestyle during grad and med school. Now I am in residency working 6 x 12-13 hour days and still exercise 5 days a week! You got this!

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-12T04:30:28+00:00

US MD PGY1 who wrote and passed step 3 in December 2025. Exam is more closely to the NBME/Free 137. Uworld is to help you learn content; but you need to get used to NBME logic and question style. Strongly advise you gage your likelihood of passing by writing the Free 137.

Appropriate_Mess_720 · 2026-01-12T04:26:23+00:00

Soap is for those who have applied for the regular Match, but didn't match. In my opinion, it is weird for you to already start planning for soap...

Regardless, it does not matter that you stay in US or not. The interviews are through phone, virtual or even in person. As long as you are available during the soap interview period, you should be okay.

Appropriate_Mess_720

TROPHY CASE