Application Review
Navigate the stressful process of drafting and organizing school-specific content.
Putting a medical school application together is one of the most demanding tasks a pre-med student will face. While some schools have a relatively straightforward process, others — like the University of Toronto, Queen's, and McGill — require applicants to draft and upload substantial volumes of school-specific content. Working with an experienced application review mentor keeps you organized, on deadline, and submitting your strongest possible file.
Who This Service Is For
First-time applicants overwhelmed by the OMSAS or MSPR process
Reapplicants who received no interview invites and need a fresh perspective
Students applying to Quebec schools that require a McGill-format CV
Anyone applying to Ontario schools with multiple personal essay prompts
Students who want expert eyes on their ABS entries before submission
Applicants juggling school, research, and work who need a structured timeline
What's Included
Full Application Audit
Your mentor reviews your current draft — or helps you start from scratch — assessing school selection strategy, activity entries, essay themes, and overall narrative coherence.
ABS & Autobiographical Sketch Editing
Line-by-line review of every OMSAS ABS entry to ensure activities are described in the most impactful, concise, and honest way possible.
School-Specific Essay & Prompt Coaching
Tailored guidance for Ontario essay prompts (U of T, Queen's, Western, McMaster), McGill CV requirements, and any other school-specific supplemental materials.
Deadline & Submission Planning
A personalized application calendar so nothing slips through the cracks during the busy fall application window.
Multiple Revision Rounds
Sessions continue through the drafting and editing stages until you and your mentor are both satisfied with the final product.
How Sessions Work
- 1
Intake & Strategy
Your first session maps out your school list, application timeline, and the specific components each school requires. Your mentor identifies the strongest themes in your experiences.
- 2
Drafting & Brainstorming
Subsequent sessions focus on generating content — pulling out meaningful stories, quantifying accomplishments, and framing your experiences in admissions-friendly language.
- 3
Editing & Refinement
Your mentor reviews each draft in detail, providing written annotations and discussing changes with you live to ensure the final voice remains authentically yours.
- 4
Final Review
A complete read-through of the finalized application before submission, checking for consistency, tone, grammar, and strategic alignment with your school list.
Common Application Mistakes We Catch
Listing activities without explaining their significance or what was learned
Using clinical or research jargon that admissions readers may not recognize
Repeating the same leadership theme across multiple entries
Missing school-specific word counts or formatting requirements
Submitting essays that answer the wrong underlying question
Underrepresenting non-clinical experiences like community service or advocacy
Expected Outcomes
Students who complete a full application review cycle with GritGoals leave with a polished, school-specific application file they are proud of — and confident enough in to submit. Beyond the documents themselves, you gain a deeper understanding of how admissions committees read applications, which pays dividends across every other part of your candidacy.
- →A strategically selected school list matched to your GPA, MCAT, and extracurriculars
- →Fully edited ABS or autobiographical sketch ready for OMSAS submission
- →School-specific essays and prompts completed on time
- →A McGill-formatted CV if applying to Quebec
- →Clear understanding of how your application reads from an admissions perspective
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start working with an application review mentor?↓
Ideally 3–6 months before the application opens — typically in the late winter or spring of your application year. That said, mentors can join mid-process if needed and help you prioritize remaining components.
How many sessions will I need?↓
It depends on your starting point and the number of schools you're applying to. Most students complete a full application cycle in 4–8 sessions. Your mentor will give you a realistic estimate after the intake session.
Do you help with both OMSAS and non-OMSAS school applications?↓
Yes. GritGoals mentors are familiar with Ontario (OMSAS), Quebec, and Maritime application processes and can help with all of them.
Will you write my essays for me?↓
No — and for good reason. Admissions committees are skilled at identifying inauthentic writing. Your mentor guides, prompts, and edits, but the content and voice are always yours.