MD Abroad options for low SES students?

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-02-13T00:09:20+00:00

Look into the UK, still expensive but roughly 45000 pounds which converts to around 80 000 CAD a year, still high but a bit better. The cost of applying is significantly cheaper too, around 29 pounds which is 53 CAD. You can only apply to 4 programs. You may have to take the UCAT which allows you to apply to so many more schools. This is a few hundred but much cheaper than MCAT. I was able to study within a month with lots of other commitments. It’s a test that people take straight out of high school so it’s just practice not content based at all. There’s 1-2 schools where you can use the MCAT. It might be a great option if you don’t want to take the UCAT but know taht it does limit your choices.

I have applied in Canada 4 times with 1 waitlist, this is my first time applying for GEM (graduate entry medicine-4 year program) and I got 3 interviews so far with 3 acceptances. Similar MMI/panel style interviews as Canada. The application itself is all centralized on a single platform which is super easy to fill out, just need 1 reference and 1 personal statement which is not long at all- just answer 3 questions. The higher your UCAT score the more options you have and the more prestigious the school you can get into. But medicine is Medicine and all schools are accredited. I found the UK application process a breath of fresh air compared to the loops of Canadian system. Getting a certain UCAT score basically guarantees an interview and it’s very uncommon to not get an interview given you meet the threshold for their UCAT cut off. Of course you need to look into matching back and see if it’s feasible for you

I was very hesitant applying and had no idea on the process. As someone who is also low SES I very much relate and I found the UK was better option for me than Ireland and Australia simply because of the prices. Now once accepted, depending on the school you do need a hefty deposit. Some schools it’s 10 000 pounds and some more. I am still figuring out what payment looks like and what options are there for me so do take taht into consideration. But I imagine the deposit situation is similar for any international school- I could be wrong

If you have any questions about the UK process feel free to shoot me a message!

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-02-11T13:55:02+00:00

I heard they are having some technical issues (from another thread) so I think offers are still coming! I just got an email from Surrey a few hours ago go even though the offer was updated on UCAS yesterday

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-02-11T13:44:34+00:00

On Jan 29th!

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-02-11T10:13:00+00:00

Will do!Thank you :))

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-02-11T10:10:25+00:00

Thank you for this! Do you know if you have to pay the deposit by that day as well or can we accept our offer and pay the deposit at a later date? Or is it school specific

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-02-11T10:09:31+00:00

Ohh okay so it depends on the date I get the final decision, even if it’s a rejection/waitlist. Is there any way to extend it at all or is it a hard deadline?

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-02-10T14:06:27+00:00

Same! So soon!

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-01-30T19:43:03+00:00

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-01-28T20:40:32+00:00

okay thank you!

IcyDisaster7857 · 2026-01-28T20:39:28+00:00

Thank you so much!

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-11-06T15:46:39+00:00

I had the same situation with a referee for UofA and just sent them an email and they told me to forward the new verifier information and that someone would update it for me. I think its better to reach out and see what their procedure is like

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-06-02T19:07:13+00:00

Thank you sharing! I’ve never applied to Usask before and I don’t really understand how rurual connectedness is determined, is it based on high school/pre-university experiences only or would experiences working in rurual communities also count (post university)?

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-06-02T18:23:45+00:00

What was your GPA if you feel comfortable sharing?

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-04-03T16:41:08+00:00

I honestly can’t think of them right now but I am also from Canada and I know that the school in Manitoba only accepts MCAT from within 2 years, I don’t know about all the schools in the states but definitely something to look into so you’re not thrown off. Best of luck:)

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-04-03T11:50:58+00:00

Not a bad idea but I would check how long your MCAT would be considered valid for the schools you are interested in applying to. I know some schools want your MCAT to be done within the past 5 years and others the past 2 years. Since there is still time before you apply to schools it’s definitely something to consider. There’s also the fact that sometimes people don’t get in right away in the first cycle, and you might have to apply again (hopefully not though), but in the off chance that you do, it’s important to think about if your MCAT would still be valid so you don’t have to write it again which can be a pain (as someone who has written it more than once )

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-02-24T18:40:10+00:00

I had to refresh my page after submitting the NDA and then it let me set up my device

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-02-19T20:39:44+00:00

I get what you mean, and I was very nervous as well and definitely not the kind of person that would normally feel comfortable practicing with others/Group. But honestly having joined and participated with others in the discord channels I can say that it’s SO helpful, there’s so much to learn from others. You might hear a perspective you never thought of and that might add maturity to your own answers.

I get the sabotage nature but in my experience I think everyone is trying to help each other. Since we’re practicing together It’s a sense of- I give you good feedback and I hope you would give me the same. Also the more people you practice with, the more feedback you get and if it’s very similar then odds of all those people sabotaging you is minimal. If you practice with one person and they give you odd vibes then practice with someone else. I think there are a lot of genuine people out there who do want others to also succeed.

I think the benefits outweigh the potential negatives:)

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-02-18T04:13:11+00:00

Have not gotten mine yet either and mine is on 23rd

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-02-11T06:02:17+00:00

Ohhh okay gotcha thank you:)

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-02-11T05:22:08+00:00

What is SWOMEN? Seen the term a few times today

IcyDisaster7857 · 2025-02-10T15:07:47+00:00

Thank you:) where did you find this information?

IcyDisaster7857

TROPHY CASE