Support to Entry Program (STEP)
The Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) recognizes the importance of supporting a diverse group of applicants to contribute to health care and health science in Alberta.
The Support to Entry Program (STEP), an initiative of the Cumming School of Medicine
The CSM recognizes the academy’s historic exclusion and discrimination against people who identify as Black, racialized minority, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, disabled or having diverse abilities, as well as individuals facing financial barriers. The Support to Entry Program (STEP) is designed to address barriers that equity-deserving groups encounter when preparing to enter medicine and health science studies and has been developed in collaboration with CSM students.
STEP participants have the option of applying for any or all of the initiatives described below:
Medical School Application and Interview Support: STEP participants will be contacted as opportunities arise.
Application Support: Information sessions and/or additional supports are planned for individuals applying to the CSM MD Program. STEP participants will be contacted as opportunities arise.
Mock MMI workshop: A workshop with practice MMI cases is offered annually for those STEP applicants who applied for medical school Canada in the upcoming year. The 2023 workshops were offered in early January and in February and filled quickly.
MCAT Preparation Course: Next course dates May 14 - June 11, 2023. See below for details.
Future courses, facilitated by current medical students, are planned to help STEP participants prepare for the MCAT in the spring of 2023. We thank the University of Toronto Community of Support (COS) Program for their assistance in developing this course.
MCAT Preparation Materials: A limited number of MCAT resource materials to help applicants prepare for the MCAT exam are available, such as donated previously-used books.
Mentorship: Prospective applicants will be matched with a current student at CSM who will provide guidance, as applicable, related to the application process, interview support, and general questions about medical and/or graduate health science studies. The mentorship program is available for those applying for medical school and those applying to enter graduate health science.
Click on the button below to apply to participate in STEP. The application form asks for your name and contact information, areas of interest for support and the year you plan to apply for medical/graduate school. In addition, you are required to submit a short statement (maximum 200 words) describing your interest in medicine/health sciences and how participating in STEP will help you overcome any potential obstacles in applying to medical school or graduate science education. In order to participate in any STEP initiatives, all components of the application must be completed.
Questions? Email STEP@ucalgary.ca
MCAT Preparation Course
The Support to Entry Program will be offering a free in-person MCAT Preparation course in Calgary this spring. The course, taught by current students, will include 4 in-person days of instruction on the four parts of the MCAT, as well as tips on studying for the MCAT and applying for medical school.
Course dates (attendance at all sessions is strongly recommended in order to best prepare for the MCAT):
• Sunday, May 14, 9:00am – 4:00pm MT
• Saturday, June 3, 9:00am – 4:00pm MT
• Sunday, June 4, 9:00am – 4:00pm MT
• Sunday, June 11, 9:00am – 4:00pm MT
Location: The course will take place at the Health Sciences Centre in Calgary, AB, near the Foothills Medical Centre. Lecture room location, other course details and a map will be sent prior to the course.
Participants will receive the MCAT course instruction and access to three online AAMC MCAT question banks at no cost.
Space in this course is limited, and priority will be given to those STEP participants who are applying in the fall of 2023 for entry in 2024 to a medical school in Alberta, and Alberta residents applying this fall to another Canadian university. As space permits, those applying for medical school in future years may be admitted into the course.
Current STEP participants can apply to take part in this course by clicking on the button below. Contact step@ucalgary.ca with any questions about this course.
National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash
Volunteer for STEP
Volunteer opportunities are available to current or recently graduated CSM medical students and graduate science students to assist with the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) Support to Entry Program (STEP).
Are you interested in providing supports or mentorship to potential medical school or graduate health science applicants or helping in other ways?
Click below to submit a volunteer application form.
Questions? Email step@ucalgary.ca