From Toronto to a US Med School After Three Cycles
Wed Jan 28 2026
(00:00) — Welcome and setup: Ryan tees up Bayley’s many cycles and lessons learned.
(00:45) — Early spark and Canada: Bayley shares deciding on medicine in grade 6/7.
(01:52) — Family in healthcare: Great‑grandfather physician; dad a dentist.
(02:20) — Undergrad choices in Canada: Picking science, not chasing a perfect premed program.
(03:49) — College admissions contrast: Canada’s stats focus vs US extracurricular emphasis.
(05:22) — Redefining premed: Framing premed as exploration to reduce guilt and pressure.
(06:26) — Comparison trap: Managing competitive vibes and putting on blinders.
(07:47) — Study style and self‑care: Solo studying, later groups, and protecting wellness.
(09:21) — Reduced course load: Owning a lighter load, taking five years without shame.
(10:02) — Outcome perspective: Different timelines still lead to medical school.
(12:39) — Time to apply: Transitioning from university to medical school applications.
(12:57) — Canada vs US apps: Fewer essays in Canada; US holistic review felt better.
(15:09) — Why clinical matters: Exposure is for students’ clarity, not just checkboxes.
(16:00) — Shadowing isn’t TV: A surgery shadow shows reality vs Grey’s Anatomy.
(16:38) — MCAT in Canada: One notable exception and English‑centric testing.
(17:20) — Planning for US prereqs: Adding physics and English with MSAR research.
(18:26) — Tough courses and pivots: Dropping physics, later returning, switching to psych science.
(19:20) — Ontario activity limits: 150 characters vs robust US activity narratives.
(21:02) — Targeting schools: Using MSAR and class lists for Canadian‑friendly programs.
(22:15) — First cycle post‑mortem: Average stats, few experiences, and gap‑year growth.
(23:54) — Shadowing hurdles: Connections, policies, and making it happen in Toronto.
(25:27) — Asking creates access: Hospital work chit‑chat leads to a cath lab invite.
(26:48) — Fear of no: Shoot your shot and let go of rejection anxiety.
(27:43) — Cycle one results: 25 applications, zero interviews, recalibrating hope.
(28:46) — Masters for GPA: Course‑based program to show academic growth.
(30:20) — Two MCAT attempts: Modest improvement and knowing when to stop.
(31:25) — Getting guidance: A Canadian advisor educated in the US helps refine essays.
(32:36) — Second cycle strain: Secondary fatigue and financial triage.
(33:19) — Not quitting: No plan B and deepening motivation.
(34:39) — Feedback famine: Few adcom replies; rewriting with a clearer purpose.
(36:32) — Third cycle strategy: No new MCAT, full‑time research, sharper narrative.
(37:16) — First interview at last: An October invite that didn’t feel real.
(38:18) — MMI and Casper prep: Practice, rationale, and recording answers.
(40:53) — Waitlisted: Reading patterns and managing the long limbo.
(42:16) — Stay visible: Zoom events, questions, and an on‑campus introduction.
(43:56) — May 1 acceptance: The work‑day email, camera rolling, parents on speed dial.
(46:02) — Crossing the border: Visas, timelines, and being the only Canadian in class.
(47:35) — Family faith: The sticky note and sweatshirt that predicted MD 2028.
(48:36) — Closing advice: Believe in yourself, keep learning, and keep asking.
Bayley joins Dr. Gray to unpack three application cycles that ended with a single US interview, a waitlist, and a May 1 acceptance. Bayley shares how she managed comparison culture, chose a reduced course load without shame, and why the US’s essay‑driven, holistic review resonated more than Canada’s stats‑heavy process. She breaks down the real shadowing barriers in Canada and how working in a hospital, talking to people, and simply asking created opportunities. Bayley explains how gap years—hospital roles, retail, and pediatric research—built maturity and...
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(00:00) — Welcome and setup: Ryan tees up Bayley’s many cycles and lessons learned. (00:45) — Early spark and Canada: Bayley shares deciding on medicine in grade 6/7. (01:52) — Family in healthcare: Great‑grandfather physician; dad a dentist. (02:20) — Undergrad choices in Canada: Picking science, not chasing a perfect premed program. (03:49) — College admissions contrast: Canada’s stats focus vs US extracurricular emphasis. (05:22) — Redefining premed: Framing premed as exploration to reduce guilt and pressure. (06:26) — Comparison trap: Managing competitive vibes and putting on blinders. (07:47) — Study style and self‑care: Solo studying, later groups, and protecting wellness. (09:21) — Reduced course load: Owning a lighter load, taking five years without shame. (10:02) — Outcome perspective: Different timelines still lead to medical school. (12:39) — Time to apply: Transitioning from university to medical school applications. (12:57) — Canada vs US apps: Fewer essays in Canada; US holistic review felt better. (15:09) — Why clinical matters: Exposure is for students’ clarity, not just checkboxes. (16:00) — Shadowing isn’t TV: A surgery shadow shows reality vs Grey’s Anatomy. (16:38) — MCAT in Canada: One notable exception and English‑centric testing. (17:20) — Planning for US prereqs: Adding physics and English with MSAR research. (18:26) — Tough courses and pivots: Dropping physics, later returning, switching to psych science. (19:20) — Ontario activity limits: 150 characters vs robust US activity narratives. (21:02) — Targeting schools: Using MSAR and class lists for Canadian‑friendly programs. (22:15) — First cycle post‑mortem: Average stats, few experiences, and gap‑year growth. (23:54) — Shadowing hurdles: Connections, policies, and making it happen in Toronto. (25:27) — Asking creates access: Hospital work chit‑chat leads to a cath lab invite. (26:48) — Fear of no: Shoot your shot and let go of rejection anxiety. (27:43) — Cycle one results: 25 applications, zero interviews, recalibrating hope. (28:46) — Masters for GPA: Course‑based program to show academic growth. (30:20) — Two MCAT attempts: Modest improvement and knowing when to stop. (31:25) — Getting guidance: A Canadian advisor educated in the US helps refine essays. (32:36) — Second cycle strain: Secondary fatigue and financial triage. (33:19) — Not quitting: No plan B and deepening motivation. (34:39) — Feedback famine: Few adcom replies; rewriting with a clearer purpose. (36:32) — Third cycle strategy: No new MCAT, full‑time research, sharper narrative. (37:16) — First interview at last: An October invite that didn’t feel real. (38:18) — MMI and Casper prep: Practice, rationale, and recording answers. (40:53) — Waitlisted: Reading patterns and managing the long limbo. (42:16) — Stay visible: Zoom events, questions, and an on‑campus introduction. (43:56) — May 1 acceptance: The work‑day email, camera rolling, parents on speed dial. (46:02) — Crossing the border: Visas, timelines, and being the only Canadian in class. (47:35) — Family faith: The sticky note and sweatshirt that predicted MD 2028. (48:36) — Closing advice: Believe in yourself, keep learning, and keep asking. Bayley joins Dr. Gray to unpack three application cycles that ended with a single US interview, a waitlist, and a May 1 acceptance. Bayley shares how she managed comparison culture, chose a reduced course load without shame, and why the US’s essay‑driven, holistic review resonated more than Canada’s stats‑heavy process. She breaks down the real shadowing barriers in Canada and how working in a hospital, talking to people, and simply asking created opportunities. Bayley explains how gap years—hospital roles, retail, and pediatric research—built maturity and...