Medicine

Educational requirements

Ontario has 6 medical schools: McMaster, Ottawa, Toronto, Western, Queen’s, and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Each has their own academic and non-academic admission requirements. Please check each school’s website for up-to-date information.
The application process for all Ontario medical schools is centralized through OMSAS (Ontario Medical School Application Service)
Start your application process early! The deadline to apply for Ontario programs for Fall admission is typically in early October.

Many of the Ontario programs require applicants to take all or part of the MCAT (Medical School Admission Test). The MCAT contains 4 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences and a Writing Sample. Tests are administered 22 times throughout the year.
Tip: While first-year physical and life science courses will provide the base knowledge for the MCAT, many students spend 2-3 months studying prior to their MCAT test date to obtain competitive scores. Commercial prep courses may provide a structured study plan as well as motivation for rigorous study. They do, however, require significant time and financial investment.

Develop a personal and professional career portfolio. Strive to gain quality experiences in your community and abroad through work, volunteer, and extra-curricular activities (e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, centres for disabled kids, etc.)
While medical school candidates usually have top grades and MCAT scores, it is the sum total of your life’s unique experiences, in addition to top grades, that will give you the edge.

The ability to communicate your motivation, academic and career goals, relevant skills and experiences in application essays and interviews is key to gaining admission to medical school. Jot down accomplishments, goals, essay themes and other ideas in early May and add to it throughout the summer. Seek others to read and critique your answers. The best personal statements are honest, concise and seek to let medical schools know how you can contribute to the program, your peers and the community.
Speak to your academic/professional/character referees at least a month prior to the application deadline. Schedule an appointment to clarify your objectives and provide them with the referee assessment form, your resume, a list of accomplishments, and a stamped and addressed envelope to OMSAS.

If at first you fail, try and try again! There’s more than one way of getting into medical school. It is no longer the linear, traditional, straight-out-of-undergrad route of the past. Consider a masters degree, study/work in a paramedical career, working full-time, and staying for an extra undergraduate year before (re)applying to medical school.
Continue to assess and reassess your goals and motivations for wanting to be a doctor. Related and other non-related career fields may satisfy your evolving career goals.