Re: Welcome to the 2023-24 University of Calgary CSM MD Admissions Cycle

Greetings to all new and repeat applicants,

Welcome to the journey that is the 2023-24 University of Calgary MD Admissions Application Cycle.

Over the last week, we have had the opportunity to welcome the Class of 2026 and now we are excited to begin the process for selecting applicants for the Class of 2027.

For those who are new to the process you can begin by navigating to:

https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/mdprogram/future-students/admissions

At this landing page you will find important information for future students including the 2023-24 Applicant Manual and the link to the Application Portal known as UCAN.

The Applicant Manual is THE guide to the admissions process. The office puts in a significant amount of effort into the Applicant Manual to ensure that it reflects a step by step guide to the application itself and contains important information that answers almost all questions that may arise.

We would appreciate if applicants read through the manual thoroughly as it details the admission policies and procedures and answers many of the questions that applicants may have. Each year, including this year there are slight changes; so even if you have applied to our school before, please reread the manual.

QUICK TIPS to get off to a successful start on your application (The Do’s)

1 Read the Applicant Manual (The 2023-24 is available at https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/mdprogram/future-students/admissions

2. If you have written the MCAT please release your scores to the University of Calgary. however, do not release your scores before July 14 2022.

3. Request your OFFICIAL transcripts (meaning directly from the registrar) from every post secondary institution you have attended and have them sent to our office either as a paper copy or an electronic copy(physical address and email address are listed in the Applicant Manual).

4. Please start reaching out to your three referees. This means, think about which three referees you will be asking and reach out to them now so they are on alert.

5. Begin thinking about and organizing your Top 10 experiences. Reflect now on what that list is going to be, what you are going to include, why it is a top 10, why is it meaningful, what does it say about you.

Being properly prepared will reduce stress and anxiety. Set a deadline for completing your application, I am recommending September 18th. Hold yourself to it and don’t wait until the last minute.

QUICK TIPS to stay in our good books

We are here to help, however, we are also a very small office and therefore we also rely on our applicants to allow us to work in a manner that we are mainly working on issues with applicants that truly need our help because they have unique situations or circumstances that may fall outside the information contained in the Applicant Manual

Therefore, please:

1. Read the Applicant Manual

2. Refrain emailing or phoning the office about matters that are contained or easily answered in the Applicant manual. You may find that your email will go unanswered or receive a low priority if it falls into the category.

3. Behave in a respectful and professional manner. This relates to your interaction with the office, your peers and your presence on popular blogs (Canada premed reddit or University of Calgary Premed 101).

We wish you all the best during the application process.

Kindest regards,

Remo