Dear present and future applicants,
I hope this post finds you well during these ongoing difficult and uncertain times. The COVID-19 pandemic has touched all facets of our society and many of us personally. However, it has also been a shining reminder of the privilege it is to be a practicing physician and serving the public.
It has also caused some signifiant challenges for MD admission offices across the country. Here is what you need to know:
Applicants in the present cycle:
1) We have completed the process of finalizing the rank order list for COHORT 1 which was approved by the admissions committee on April 15, 2020.
2) We are waiting for the final few assessor scores for COHORT 2 and then the Rank order list will be compiled and then finalized at a meeting on April 27, 2020
3) We will now enter into the verifier stage. We do this randomly or if something catches our eye in the file. Whether one of your verifiers is contacted, how many are contacted, when they are contacted means nothing with respect to your ranking. SO please do not obsess over this. If we have trouble contacting one of your verifiers we will contact you.
4) As mentioned if you have travel related expenses related to the cancelled MMI we are willing to reimburse you. We have set out criteria which are consistent with University policy. We will cover airfare (need invoice, proof of payment, copy of boarding pass), one night hotel accommodation (need invoice, proof of payment). If you did not travel, we need proof that there was an attempt at getting a refund and that it was denied. We have a letter that you can forward to try again as there have been reversal of decisions based on the COVID pandemic.
5) FINALLY, there have been rumours and questions regarding the start date, how this will happen, whether it will happen etc… I can appreciate that the uncertainty is frustrating. We are doing everything in our power to matriculate a live class on July 1st. However, we remain at the mercy of the virus. When we send offers out the week of May 11th, it will contain details of that decision when it has been finalized. PLEASE DO NOT ASK US AGAIN AND PLEASE DO NOT PROPAGATE RUMOURS…I WILL POST AS SOON AS THIS IS FINALIZED.
Future Applicants:
1) Regardless of the decision affecting the present cycle, we will be running a cycle next year. Stay tuned for more information which will be contained in the 2020-21 Applicant Manual which will be updated and released the first week of July.
2)WINTER GRADES 2020-The Admissions Committee discussed this on April 15th, 2020. As all can appreciate, with having applicants from around the country, different modes of assessments, open book exams, no exams, options for credit/no credit ofter seeing a grade etc.. it is impossible to interpret the meaning of a grade from the Winer 2020 term or one that encompasses that term. Therefore, grades from the Winter 2020 term or full year courses encompassing Winter 2020 will NOT be counted towards the GPA calculation for the next cycle or subsequent cycles. However, the CREDT REQUIREMENTS REMAIN THE SAME. In order for an academic
year to be considered full-time, applicants are required to complete at least 24 credits from September through April. We will waive the 18/24 credits needing to be associated with a grade.
Stay strong, stay safe, and remember, when the most difficult problems arise, be part of the solution.
