Experience with offers being rescinded?

[Worriedsick]

Hello all,

I regularly post under a different name, but I prefer not to air my dirty laundry under that one, since some people actually know my identity.

I got an offer from the U of A, and am worried sick that they may rescind it. My cGPA on the application is ~3.9. However, the GPA for this year dropped to a whopping 3.3. I had a severe family crisis occurring, as well as being continuously sick, and having severe financial distress. Added to all this was the stress of interviews and the application process.

While I realize that on the website it says I need to maintain a 3.3, which I barely did, the actual acceptance letter says that the condition is actually the maintenence of academic performance as in previous years.

On top of this, I applied while registered in a full courseload (30 credits) for the year and was projected to graduate, but had to drop a couple courses in the year due to the above mentioned reasons. One for falling too far behind on the work, and the other for not being able to actually afford the tuition for the class. I am, however, taking these two courses in the summer term and graduating asap.


I was on top of the moon when I got the offer, but now I can't help but think its worthless. Anyone ever been in this situation or know someone who has been and has either gotten to keep his/her offer or have it rescinded? Should I pre-emptively strike and approach them to explain my situation? Should I rather wait until they notice it and explain it then?

What are my chances of keeping my offer here, to the best of your knowledge? I feel like throwing up when I think about it.

[Broccoli]

I know exactly how you feel! I am a 3rd year student who interviewed at other med schools, some of which require the completion of 3 full years to enter meds. I was on track, but a series of mistakes in exam period (eg getting very sick but writing my bchm final exam anyways) set me up to fail the bchm course, potentially making me one course short of the requirements. I felt absolutely sick to my stomach too, my mark for the final exam couldnt come fast enough (weighted about 70% of the overall mark, and when I say I bombed that exam, I BOMBED it.) Turns out others in my year had a similar experience and the course was scaled for the first time in quite a few years, pulling my mark high enough. But I know what it feels like to think your grades from this year will deny you access to med school.

Take comfort in the fact that you already have an acceptance; the university sees something in you, and will probably be more willing to go to great lengths to make sure the situation is sorted out. You need to communicate you entire situation, including reference letters and contacts that can vouch for your situation. Seriously, communicate extensively, and start notifying your verifiers now. Pull out all the stops, get as many reference letters and informally send (email or fax?) them as soon as you can. Overwhelming them with great words about you, and approaching the situation head-on, is the best way imho. There's no real protocol for this type of situation, so go as far as you need. After all we've been though I know it's tough to believe, but the admissions committee is a group of humans with feelings, and I'm not entirely familiar with your story but you can get empathy if you approach this the right way. Because your application is still potentially 'open', treat this situation as another step in your application process; swing everything possible as 'And this is why the experience will help me become an awesome doctor'.

There are a few things to consider. Your overall GPA doesn't seem like it's too bad...obviously lower than what youre used to and what accurately reflects you, but it's still in a reasonable range.

I know this isn't much comfort (it wasn't for me when I believed I just wasted away the application cycle) but you got in this year, and there is always a next year. You're clearly a strong applicant, and another year of experience can only help you prepare for the next cycle if it comes to it. I guarantee you that if you got in once, you can get in again, with all the more experience. That being said, I'm probably going to UofA this fall and I'd love to see you in my class. Send me a PM please!

[Broccoli]

Also the website indicates you need to maintain a CUMULATIVE 3.3...unless Im not at the right place.

http://www.med.ualberta.ca/education...fm_require.cfm

The minimum cumulative GPA requirement for applicants with four or more years of post-secondary transferable course work is 3.3 for Alberta residents and 3.5 for non-Alberta residents on the University of Alberta 4-point scale. The minimum grade requirement for two and three year applicants is 3.7. The number of years completed is determined by how many years you will have completed by April 30th of the year following the submission of your application.

Edit: What year are you?

[SHAFTED]

Originally Posted by Broccoli

I know exactly how you feel! I am a 3rd year student who interviewed at other med schools, some of which require the completion of 3 full years to enter meds. I was on track, but a series of mistakes in exam period (eg getting very sick but writing my bchm final exam anyways) set me up to fail the bchm course, potentially making me one course short of the requirements. I felt absolutely sick to my stomach too, my mark for the final exam couldnt come fast enough (weighted about 70% of the overall mark, and when I say I bombed that exam, I BOMBED it.) Turns out others in my year had a similar experience and the course was scaled for the first time in quite a few years, pulling my mark high enough. But I know what it feels like to think your grades from this year will deny you access to med school.

Take comfort in the fact that you already have an acceptance; the university sees something in you, and will probably be more willing to go to great lengths to make sure the situation is sorted out. You need to communicate you entire situation, including reference letters and contacts that can vouch for your situation. Seriously, communicate extensively, and start notifying your verifiers now. Pull out all the stops, get as many reference letters and informally send (email or fax?) them as soon as you can. Overwhelming them with great words about you, and approaching the situation head-on, is the best way imho. There's no real protocol for this type of situation, so go as far as you need. After all we've been though I know it's tough to believe, but the admissions committee is a group of humans with feelings, and I'm not entirely familiar with your story but you can get empathy if you approach this the right way. Because your application is still potentially 'open', treat this situation as another step in your application process; swing everything possible as 'And this is why the experience will help me become an awesome doctor'.

There are a few things to consider. Your overall GPA doesn't seem like it's too bad...obviously lower than what youre used to and what accurately reflects you, but it's still in a reasonable range.

I know this isn't much comfort (it wasn't for me when I believed I just wasted away the application cycle) but you got in this year, and there is always a next year. You're clearly a strong applicant, and another year of experience can only help you prepare for the next cycle if it comes to it. I guarantee you that if you got in once, you can get in again, with all the more experience. That being said, I'm probably going to UofA this fall and I'd love to see you in my class. Send me a PM please!

Hi,

Overall, I agree with Brocolli, but I am not quite sure about what bombarding them with reference letters will do? They have already evaluated you, I don't think they will (need to) consider new reference letters... Find comfort in that fact that, though they require a student to complete a Masters degree prior to entering Medical School, there are still plenty of students who continue/finish their degrees in the summer between 1st and 2nd year. Also, the fact that you are retaking your courses in the summer shows great initiative! If you are in province, then 3.3 is good enough for UofA, but I wouldn't drop the summer courses to celebrate just yet! I hope this helps.

Cheers.

[Broccoli]

Originally Posted by SHAFTED

Hi,

Overall, I agree with Brocolli, but I am not quite sure about what bombarding them with reference letters will do? They have already evaluated you, I don't think they will (need to) consider new reference letters... Find comfort in that fact that, though they require a student to complete a Masters degree prior to entering Medical School, there are still plenty of students who continue/finish their degrees in the summer between 1st and 2nd year. Also, the fact that you are retaking your courses in the summer shows great initiative! If you are in province, then 3.3 is good enough for UofA, but I wouldn't drop the summer courses to celebrate just yet! I hope this helps.

Cheers.

Sorry I should have been more clear - by reference letters, I meant something specifically relating to the reason why you struggled academically this year. Something from trustworthy people who may be contacted by the admissions committee, to ensure that you actually did have extenuating circumstances which hindered your marks.

[tnfifn]

You will be fine. Go with the website. They add information similar to that on the letter to cover all grounds. I would honestly not be worried. You have come this far. If anything does happen, the school will be going out of their way to accomodate you, and not to kick you out. I would not do anything, just wait and consider it done deal. However, it would be best to recieve advice from someone who had previously been in this situation. You can also contact UofA my phone, without disclosing who you are and asking general questions, such as what average needs to be mainted, and what happens if the average drops...

[SHAFTED]

Originally Posted by tnfifn

You will be fine. Go with the website. They add information similar to that on the letter to cover all grounds. I would honestly not be worried. You have come this far. If anything does happen, the school will be going out of their way to accomodate you, and not to kick you out. I would not do anything, just wait and consider it done deal. However, it would be best to recieve advice from someone who had previously been in this situation. You can also contact UofA my phone, without disclosing who you are and asking general questions, such as what average needs to be mainted, and what happens if the average drops...

Make sure you block your I.D. though! LOL! I am pretty sure they have caller I.D. in the admissions office.

[SHAFTED]

Originally Posted by Broccoli

Sorry I should have been more clear - by reference letters, I meant something specifically relating to the reason why you struggled academically this year. Something from trustworthy people who may be contacted by the admissions committee, to ensure that you actually did have extenuating circumstances which hindered your marks.

Agreed, that's definitely a good idea! That's what I thought you meant, but then you didn't explicitly say it. :P

[DeliciousMelon]

Sorry for bumping this thread guys. But I'm stuck in a similar sort of situation (at UOttawa), not meeting the full time requirement their cuz I had to withdraw this year for medical reasons. If anyone had experience with this in the past, please let me know asap. Thank you!

EDIT: And I was accepted yesterday.

[SHAFTED]

Originally Posted by DeliciousMelon

Sorry for bumping this thread guys. But I'm stuck in a similar sort of situation (at UOttawa), not meeting the full time requirement their cuz I had to withdraw this year for medical reasons. If anyone had experience with this in the past, please let me know asap. Thank you!

EDIT: And I was accepted yesterday.

I am sure if you go into the office with a medical note, it should be fine. They allow students to defer entire years of medical school, for medical reasons. Why is your case any different?

Goodluck!