Dear Current and Future Applicants of the 2020-21 Cycle,
There are many questions on how the pandemic will affect this cycle. We have posted this on our website to help applicants.
How is the MD Admissions office addressing COVID?
The MD admissions office is currently working as per usual however in a predominantly virtual format. The physical office space is currently closed. Please do not stop by the MD Admissions office to ask questions or say hello at this time!
I was recently accepted into the 2020 incoming class but am experiencing some delays in completing the required admission documents. What should I do?
Do not panic, we recognize that due to the pandemic there may be some delays for various reasons. Please email our office if you are experiencing such issues and we will work with you to accommodate the delays.
Can I still meet with someone from the admissions office?
The MD admissions office prefers that you communicate virtually where possible. We are answering emails and blog questions in a timely manner. Those that require special individual application considerations can still set up met with in a virtual meeting if required.
Is the application deadline for the 2021 incoming class still October 1st, 2020?
Yes for this cycle the application deadline is still October 1, 2020 @ 4pm. It is imperative that you have your application and documents submitted by this time. No exceptions will be made to this date or time.
What is the latest date I can write my MCAT for the 2021 cycle?
Given the pandemic and closures that resulted the MD Admissions office has extended the MCAT to a last possible sitting date of September 12, 2020.
Will you still require transcripts for the 2021 cycle?
Yes, the MD Admissions office will still require your official transcripts. It is best to start requesting these be sent to our office in early July.
Due to the pandemic I came back to my out of province home early for winter semester to quarantine with my family for a month. How will that affect my Alberta residency status?
The MD Admissions office recognizes that the pandemic may have affected some applicants with regards to their ability to claim Alberta residency status. If you believe your residency status has been impacted by the pandemic please email the office so that we can review your circumstances.
My university changed all winter 2020 semester courses to mandatory pass/fail. How will that affect my GPA calculation?
Students whose winter semester changed to pass/fail or credit/non-credit may still use that year towards their GPA calculation so long as the criteria for full-time studies is met between September-April (24 credits/units) and there are a minimum of 9 graded units in the fall semester. We will not be accepting letters from individual professors regarding grades. The official transcript is what we will go by for GPA calculation
My university allowed the option of changing a numeric or letter grade to pass/fail for courses taken in the winter 2020 semester. I chose to take pass/fail on some of these courses. How will that affect my GPA calculation?
If you had the option of taking a grade or choosing pass/fail and you chose any courses in winter 2020 as pass/fail then that semester will be credited towards your course load but will not be used in the GPA calculation. In order for an applicant to use winter course in the GPA, all eligible course need to be associated with a grade. In other words you can not pick and choose.
Some of the courses I took in the winter 2020 semester were changed to pass/fail instead of a letter or numeric grade by the professor/department. How will that affect my GPA calculation?
If you had to take a pass/fail in a course (i.e. it was not optional), then the rest of the graded winter 2020 semester can still be used in your GPA calculation so long as you have a minimum of 18 graded credits for the year. The MD Admissions office will require proof that the pass/fail in such winter courses was mandatory. This may come in the form of a transcript or letter from a department/professor, depending on your institution.
Can I drop the 2019 fall/2020 winter semester from my GPA calculation?
So long as the lowest GPA year has a minimum of 18 graded credits it may be dropped.
How will the file review process for applications be affected by the pandemic?
At this time there are no changes anticipated to the file review process. Please complete your application, top ten list, and submit your transcripts and MCAT scores as you normally would.
I had my in person MMI cancelled last year on March 14th, 2020. Will I get an interview in 2021?
Yes. For those who were not granted an in person interview last year and are applying again this year, you will automatically be granted an interview for the 2021 cycle. You will be required to submit a complete admissions application. Your pre-MMI score you will be based on the score of this year’s application.
What will the interviews look like this upcoming year?
The MD Admissions office will strive to have live interviews for 2021 however due to the unknown situation with the pandemic a virtual format may be required. At this time we ask that you continue to make yourselves available for interviews in person February 20th, February 21st, March 6th, and March 7th.
If accepted into medical school, what changes can be expected due to the pandemic?
The U of C medical school is currently operating on its usual start date of first week of July, 2020. The medical school will commence this year in a virtual format. Going forward, during the pandemic, students can expect that more learning will occur virtually. Please see the Undergraduate Medical Education website for the most up to date information on curriculum.
