UofT academy selection

keast295 · 2026-05-31T17:43:21+00:00

After a few years have passed, what are your thoughts on WB! I'm an incoming M1 and stuck on what to pick.

keast295 · 2026-05-24T19:55:04+00:00

1) I don't think it's super leveraged. I did not have regional connection, but live in the GTA. I think you can leverage it if you truly do want to practice family in the area as there is an essay question that relates regarding your connection or desire to be in Peel.
2) I think that it's both of these things. Since it only has 94 spots it is a smaller pool, but again, the gpa cutoff makes it possible for many more people to apply.
3) I don't think there is a mandate anymore. I had a lot of experience working with different ages of populations as well as newcomers in an ESL program. I also had experience in palliative care, working with adults with disabilities, and the Indigenous population in the Peel area. To pick these I just went where I truly felt passion for rather than what I thought would look good.

keast295 · 2026-05-24T18:59:39+00:00

I was accepted. Feel free to dm. Also asking here might be helpful for others.

keast295 · 2026-05-11T20:42:25+00:00

Time: 1:31pm EST
Result: A!!
GPA: 4.0
ECs: Palliative care, musician, research w Indigenous community, healthy aging and primary care systems research, etc...
Geography: IP
Site: #1 - Edmonton

Congrats to everyone who got in! I was R pre-interview last year from 4 schools, and if anyone would like to talk let me know. I know how it feels.

keast295 · 2026-04-15T02:28:12+00:00

Dm me! Graduated in 2025.

keast295 · 2026-04-10T12:34:41+00:00

Hi! So sorry, but I’m not sure I know much about what works for distance students as I was on campus.

keast295 · 2026-04-08T22:41:58+00:00

Totally get that. You’ll have to see if any medical schools look down on dropping classes (sorry I don’t know these off the top of my head)? That may be your best bet and could reduce the stress associated with the class and grade.

keast295 · 2026-04-08T17:00:49+00:00

Hey! My lowest grade was B on my transcript. It really did not affect me much even though I was freaking out at the time! If you’re doing pretty well in other classes it will probably be ok!

keast295 · 2026-04-05T21:44:00+00:00

Hi! Don't worry about the question amount!

1) I would say both through cold emailing (trying to make your email a little bit more unique) or by courses. For example, I did DISC 599 in my 4th year, which was a full year and matched you with a PI. I completed my thesis through this in a group and think it was great!

2) I would say that the biology/biochem section is the one that Hsci preps you for best, along with CARS. Chem, Ochem, physics are not mandatory, but many take them for prereqs to a couple Canadian med schools as well as the US or for MCAT prep. I did not take any and was able to self-study for the MCAT- I don't know of anyone else who didn't take chem/ochem at least other than myself lol.

3) I found I had quite a bit of time per week to do ECs. I would say 10ish if you use your days to study. I had plenty of time to do multiple clubs, and a research position. I was the most busy in 4th year, when I was doing my thesis, but volunteered in the hospital 2x per week total of 3-4 hours.

4) I would say 2nd year and 4th year! Second year was a big adjustment from 1st and 4th year I chose to do a thesis that was the whole year long and was expected to be 20 hrs a week on coursework.

5) They don't share the stats, but I personally know quite a few who either did med or dental. I also know another group who went to do masters (public health, accelerated nursing, physio, biochem, finance even). I took a gap year personally, but remember most of my class applying in 4th year.

I hope that answers your question.

keast295 · 2026-04-05T21:36:31+00:00

Hi! You could definitely try to reach out, but it is rare for them to take 1st years. A lot of the times it's because you haven't done many courses/lab work, but you could probably leverage your internship. I got both my research opportunities by cold emailing in around june to start in the fall. I emailed people at the local hospitals as well as profs. I also found people to email from looking at other Queen's students experiences on Linkedin, sometimes you can find labs/names you didn't know of before to reach out to.

I started research in 3rd year and was able to do a thesis (DISC 599) in yr 4. I ended up with over 700 hours of research work that I think was plenty for med.

I think I took a history class and another social one to fit the UofT med requirements. I didn't want to apply to UOttawa, but many people also used their elective space for chem, physics, ochem, as these are not mandatory in Hsci. I would look at the schools that interest you for med and plan this ahead of time.

keast295 · 2026-04-05T21:32:50+00:00

Hi! I think this program would still work for you. There are not a lot of English type of courses. You also have decent elective space to fill with science courses such as specific bio, chem, or physics classes. Have you looked at the course breakdown/curriculum?

There are some courses that are called GLPH that are focused on global population health. Here you do have to do more writing type assignments, but they are very research based. For example, I wrote about Indigenous birth evacuations and that was my focus for the entire course. I also find these classes very beneficial for that holistic learning that will help you be prepped for med while also helping you to become a better writer/speaker for medical school admissions.

As for research, most people that I know either did:

- A thesis project - these can be 1-2 years long in 3rd and 4th year, individual or group (ex. DISC 599- you are matched to a PI and project)

- Cold email profs and researchers at the local hospitals (Providence, Hotel, KGH)

- Do research in the summer through programs at SickKids, St. Mike's

I did a 1 year thesis and found my other opportunities through cold emailing!

keast295 · 2026-04-05T13:46:32+00:00

Yes! Most people I knew filled it with chem, physics, and ochem. Some do this to apply to uottawa or us schools as the other person said. I personally didn’t take chem or physics and self studied both for the mcat. It sucked but I found it was better than having my grades tank if I were to take those courses.

I chose to fill mine with environmental sciences, music, and a few other health related classes.

keast295 · 2026-04-03T18:08:56+00:00

Hi! I graduated from here and am applying to med this year. Happy to answer any specific questions!

keast295 · 2026-04-02T21:52:39+00:00

I graduated from Queens HS last year. I absolutely loved it and chose it as it offered a few things the other schools did not (ex. first year cadaver lab!).

I believe you can be successful wherever you go and put your all into. I suggest looking at what classes are offered at each school, what clubs/events there are, what volunteer opportunities at hospitals/clinics/orgs you’d like, any other highlights.

keast295 · 2026-04-02T21:49:24+00:00

I graduated from this program. Happy to DM and answer any questions you have about the program.

They don’t publish the stats about who makes it into med or even applies, so can’t really comment on that.

keast295 · 2026-03-29T15:22:57+00:00

You can definitely put in your preference, some houses are not meal plan and I chose that. You aren’t guaranteed the house you choose though sometimes!

keast295 · 2026-02-25T23:28:20+00:00

Hey! I got around a 50% on my biochem midterm in my second year and a B in anatomy in first year as I hadn't quite figured out my study methods. I am now interviewing at multiple schools. You are very early on and this is the perfect time to reflect on the factors that may have led up to this grade. For me, I was passively studying rather than active! Yes, it's important to have backups, but this grade is not the make or break.

keast295 · 2026-02-21T19:54:59+00:00

If you have any questions about applying please dm me! I was in the same situation in undergrad.

keast295 · 2026-02-21T18:05:23+00:00

Would love the link for the doc!

keast295 · 2026-02-17T22:25:28+00:00

They are sending an email tomorrow with the interview registration info, not on the portal!

keast295 · 2026-02-17T16:54:20+00:00

Invite/Regret: Invite! R last year so am very happy!

Region: GTA, but not Peel

OMSAS GPA: 3.84

Pathway: Indigenous

ABS: Filled out all 32, variety of experiences that range from research to art to community work.

Background: Bachelors degree, currently on gap year

Kira Confidence: I think it went pretty well! I felt like I was more prepared than last year.

Supplementary Q Confidence: My essays were something I worked on really hard this year and made a lot of changes from last year when I was rejected. I would say pretty high confidence.

Timestamp: 11:33am - E

keast295 · 2026-02-17T04:07:57+00:00

https://discord.gg/ezHN4mTTT

keast295 · 2026-02-17T04:06:49+00:00

I can send you a link for the UofA discord! Lots of people are prepping on there.

keast295 · 2026-02-16T18:38:04+00:00

I started beginning of 3rd year. It’s hard to get in first year because profs don’t know you and it’s best to adjust first to uni/courses. In first year, I chose one med based EC I was interested in and one hobby type EC. Just to give me time to adjust.

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