iBioMed HESE student, Alex Drover, shares his med school success story. Alex started med school this past fall and is the second iBioMed HESE student to be accepted into med school.
Where will you be studying medicine?
University of Calgary – Cumming School of Medicine
Please walk us through the process of applying to med school?
The initial stages of the application process involve writing the MCAT and completing a written application for the schools you wish to apply for. The written application is centralized within Ontario, so you will only need to submit one application for all of the Ontario schools you apply to, with some schools requiring small additional items, like essays or additional tests (i.e. CASPer) — be sure to do your research for the requirements of each school you’re applying to! If you are applying outside of Ontario, as I did, you will need to complete additional applications for those schools.
The next stage is interviews. If you are selected for an interview that is fantastic! The interviews vary in format from school to school and are typically held on campus between January and April, although changes due to COVID are inevitable. For instance, my interview for Calgary last year was moved to an online one-way video interview as a precaution.
And finally, you wait. It can be difficult to avoid overthinking during this time, but don’t forget to continue to have fun, make memories and enjoy your time in university as much as you can!
How did the HESE program help prepare you for med school?
The HESE program helped prepare me for med school with its abundance of creative problem-solving, opportunities for self-directed learning and training in entrepreneurial thinking. Medicine, at least from what I have experienced so far, is rarely black and white. Creative problem-solving in HESE, whether specifically related to healthcare or not, helped me forge skills that I have already begun to use in med school. In addition, self-directed learning is key in a field where there will always be more to learn and understand. Finally, the entrepreneurial mindset, which is rooted in empathy, will be essential for connecting with the people I will work with and care for throughout my career.
How do you feel the iBioMed program overall helped prepare you for med school?
The most important part of the iBioMed program that helped prepare me for med school was the emphasis on collaboration. A lot of what I have done so far and will do throughout my career will be dependent on strong communication and teamwork. The iBioMed program helped me expand and develop my collaborative skillset — something that will be invaluable in my career.
What did you enjoy most about HESE?
What I enjoyed most about HESE hands-on experiences. We were given many opportunities to engage with the campus community and Hamilton’s healthcare network. These experiences made the learning engaging and meaningful. We got to undertake projects with real-world applications and carry out these projects to see change.
What advice do you have for other students interested in applying to med school?
Do things that you are passionate about and enjoy. Whether it’s a club, a sport, an art (or all three) — do what makes you, you. When it comes time to apply to med school, you’ll be ready to show off the unique person that you are, which is exactly what admissions teams want to see!
What made you want to pursue a career in medicine?
There’s no single reason why I want to pursue a career in medicine — there are many things that make it appealing to me. I’m fascinated by the human body — how it works, how things go wrong and how we are able to intervene in it. I also like that I will get to work with people everyday; patients, families, healthcare providers and more, while having a significant and meaningful impact on their lives. Lastly, I look forward to opportunities to work in teams, be a leader, innovate and teach, all while being a lifelong learner!
What are your career goals?
Given my background of entrepreneurial training in HESE, I have a particular interest in innovation and health business (shoutout to the new McMaster Association for Health Business). I don’t know exactly what type of medicine I’d like to practice yet, but I am interested in engaging with biomedical/medical device startups who are looking to offer innovative and exciting tools to the profession.
What are some skills you learned during your time at iBioMed that you will take with you to med school?
Collaboration, creative problem-solving, collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking.The iBioMed program is incredibly unique with its blend of health and engineering. If you’re passionate about both, iBioMed is a fantastic option! The hands-on learning keeps you engaged and project-based courses where you will never be confined to predetermined cookie-cutter results let you explore what you’re really capable of. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this program and this school!
