MO recruitment questions

[DPerez]

I am still a highschool student trying to find out a good career for myself. Im very well in my academics and i am also multi-lingual. The army is something i would really like to go in to i have friends and family that are in the army. I know my parents would not be able to afford a high university tuition so this is a choice i have. I've been looking into the Medical Officer program but i have some questions that have not yet been answered.

1)How hard is it to get into the program. (Academics,Experience,# of applicant
2)When,where and how do i apply in the program
3)Is it a good idea?Good career choice?(Would like answers from previous MO's)
4)Any tips on what i should do to get in the program
5)Pros and Cons of the job

Thanks for the help 

 

[MikeL]

I know my parents would not be able to afford a high university tuition so this is a choice i have

  My understanding is MOTP only covers Med School not the degree required to get into Med School.  There options available for tuition assistance, etc from the government; for example Ontario has OSAP.

As an example of what is required to get into Med School, here are the University of Toronto admission requirements
http://www.md.utoronto.ca/admissions/information/requirements/Undergraduate.htm
http://www.md.utoronto.ca/admissions/information/requirements/Graduate.htm

1)How hard is it to get into the program. (Academics,Experience,# of applicant

My guess is, that it isn't easy.

2)When,where and how do i apply in the program

Contact your local Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre, they will be the best source of info regarding requirements to be accepted under MOTP.

Also,  the CF Recruiting website also has information on MOTP
http://www.forces.ca/en/job/medicalofficer-50

MOTP
Medical Officer Training Plan

Because this position requires a medical degree, the Canadian Forces will pay successful recruits to complete an Undergraduate Medical Education Program at a Canadian university. This program covers tuition fees and educational expenses, including books, instruments, supplies, student fees, and registration costs. Family medicine residents and students already enrolled in an Undergraduate Medical Education Program may also be eligible for this training plan.

For the duration of your studies and residency, you receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Canadian Forces for a period of time. Typically, candidates selected for this program attend university during the regular academic year and participate in additional military training during the summer months. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the Canadian Forces and the Canadian university of your choice that offers a Bachelor of Medicine degree program.

3)Is it a good idea?Good career choice?(Would like answers from previous MO's)

I would imagine those who make a career out of it enjoy it.

Medical Officer recruiting info session highlights (2 Dec, UBC)

thread from 2006
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/54251.0

 

[dimsum]

One thing you may want to note is that the MOTP is strictly that; for Med School.  To get into Med School in Canada, unless things have drastically changed lately, you have to be in Uni already and write the MCAT. 

 

[dapaterson]

One thing you may want to note is that the MOTP is strictly that; for Med School.  To get into Med School in Canada, unless things have drastically changed lately, you have to be in Uni already and write the MCAT.

One exception: A limited number of students in Quebec are accepted directly into Med School out of CEGEP - roughly the equivalent of completing Grade 13 (old Ontario system) and going directly to Med School.  They are the exception, not the rule.

 

[The_Falcon]

Reading the requirement's on UofT's site you don't need a full degree, just three years undergrad study, but that is the minimum, so obviously fully degree applicants get preference.

As well when it comes to the CAF recruiting system, having a full degree, will score you higher points.  All the MOTP files I saw in recruiting, all had degrees.

 

[medicineman]

The other thing about MOTP is that it only usually (used to) covers 5 years of training...so that's either a 3 year med school with 2 years of Family medicine residency or last 3 years of a 4 year program with 2 year family med residency.  Most programs until recently were 4 years, and being first year is generally the hardest and has the most washouts, you needed it done before they'd take you for MOTP.  This may have changed of course.

MM

 

[CombatDoc]

Since you're still in high school, my advice is to put your energies into getting into a good undergraduate program (eg BSc, BEng, etc). Make sure that you get the prerequisites for the medical programs you're interested in. Then, when you get accepted to medical school and a) you're still interested in military medicine and b) you would choose a family medicine residency over the others (surgery, paeds, etc) it is at that point that you should seriously look into the MOTP program.  Until then, focus on getting into medical school.

 

[DPerez]

Hi i am a high school student and i have one year left and i have been researching joining the army through paid university and this is what is going on.

I am an 85+ average student, i will have my Bilingual certificate for French once i complete high school and i also read,write and speak Spanish as well (don't know if that will be of any use)

I want to know if i can get any input from an engineers or medical officers on what i should do and what grades you went into.I know its not all about grades and leadership skills and being active are factors into getting in as well.  I know its very competitive so I want to know more so i can be a top candidate.

Off topic question: I noticed that the RMC offer a chemical engineering program but does the army offer jobs for chemical engineers?

 

[CombatDoc]

See Reply #6.