Medical School
Getting Started
Considering studying Medicine? This chapter is to help you explore, plan, and navigate the process of exploring your options and applying.
We recommend starting with the following chapter, Applying To Graduate And Professional School.
For personalized support, book an appointment with a Science Career Advisor at the Science Careers & Experience Centre (BSB 127) on OSCARplus.
Is Medicine Right For Me?
Take a moment to reflect on your understanding of the profession, your personal alignment and what questions you still have. Start your reflection considering some of these questions:
- What do medical school admission representatives REALLY look for in a candidate and how can I stand out? Do I know where to find information or get support on my application?
- What are the widely accepted traits, competencies and transferable skills future doctors need? Do my strengths, interests, values and traits align with the needs and demands of this profession? How well do I actually handle stress and high-pressure situations?
- What is the day-to-day work-life of a doctor? How may these work conditions differ for each specialty I am interested in?
- What are other careers in healthcare that might align better with my personal work-life goals, values, interests and strengths?
- Do I honestly want to become a medical physician or are there specific aspects of being a doctor I like that I can gain from another occupation better suited for me and my unique position?
This chapter can help you answer some of these questions, provide essential resources where you can learn more, or point you in the right direction on further explorations required.
Before applying to medical schools, remember to… Research – Talk – Try!
Research: What do I need to know?
Strong applications start with strong research.
The CanMEDs Framework
- The CanMEDs Framework defines the competencies required of physicians in Canada, aimed to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care nationally.
- Medical schools refer to the seven CanMED roles to assess candidates’ suitability for the medical profession throughout the application process and curriculum.
- Familiarizing yourself with these roles will improve your ability to reflect on the value of your experience to the profession and knowledge of what skills you should be highlighting in your application.
Click on the pink information icons found under each CanMED role to learn more.
Talk: What is it really like to go to medical school and become a physician?
The best insights often come from those who have been there.
Speak with current students, professionals, alumni, and mentors to learn about the day-to-day realities of the profession, challenges, and opportunities.
Plan in advance the questions you may want to ask a specific person via coffee chats to strategically gain insights that can help you:
- determine if this is the right path for you,
- have a clearer idea of the profession today and current industry trends/needs,
- inform decisions about what experiences to pursue or identify valuable opportunities, and
- strengthen how you articulate your motivation, value and alignment on future admissions applications and interviews.
For more guidance with approaching and networking with professionals, visit Conducting Information Interviews.
The Community of Support (CoS) program is a collaborative initiative between several faculties of medicine across Canada. The goal of this program is to provide support to students who may face systemic barriers in pursuing medical education. This includes students who identify as Indigenous, Black, Filipino, Latin American, economically disadvantaged, having a disability, or non-traditional.
Students who become a member of the CoS gain access to the following:
- Admissions information
- Volunteer, research, and mentorship opportunities
- Free application support, including MCAT and CASPer prep, application guidance, and interview preparation
Try: How can I test and affirm my interest in medicine?
Shadowing professionals, volunteering in clinical settings, leadership and work in people-facing roles, research experiences, clubs, and course projects can all help you determine if medicine right for you while aid your next steps, strengthen your application and explore alternative career options.
For more guidance on how to “try” on careers of interest, visit:
What is medical school?
The first step to becoming a physician is to complete an accredited, Doctor of Medicine (MD) professional degree. MD programs are usually offered by a Faculty or “School” of Medicine at select universities.
MDs are usually 4 years in length, combining classroom and hands-on clinical learning (clerkships). Students typically complete various rotations in different core areas of medicine before applying to residency positions. Once you are placed in a residency, you may choose to apply for a Medicine Subspecialty Match (MSM) to further your medical training.
Learn about the workload, satisfaction and educational requirements of Canadian physician specialties from the Canadian Medical Association.
MD/PhD Programs
Some medical schools offer a MD/PhD program, for those interested in a combined medicine and doctoral research degree. These are lengthier programs equipping graduates with skills needed to be a physician scientist. Other combined degrees may found, including combined medicine and law (JD) studies.
Where to find medical schools
The Ontario Medical School Application Service, or OMSAS for short, is the centralized application system for learning about admission requirements and applying to all medical schools in Ontario.
For medical schools outside of Ontario you will have to visit and apply directly through each university’s website.
A note on going abroad for medical school
Some students choose to explore, apply and study medicine outside of Canada. Visit Considering medical school abroad? to learn more about options, considerations and relevant resources.
Medical School Applications: what to expect and tips!
Every school has their own unique admissions process and requirements that may change on a yearly basis. Below are examples of possible admission requirements you may find and resources to support you.
Academic requirements:
Non-academic requirements:
What are admission reps really looking for in an applicant?
Every Summer, your Science Career Advisors from the Science Careers & Experience Centre host virtual information sessions with admission representatives from Ontario medical schools to speak on their school, curriculum, requirements and selection process.
A recording is temporarily available of our last info session with the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine and NOSM University.
Key Takeaways & FAQs on Ontario Medical Schools
The following FAQs are informed by advice directly provided to Faculty of Science students by admission representatives from 5 Ontario medical schools.
[Coming soon]
Admission Streams and Pathways
Schools may offer applicants additional admission streams as a way to promote equity in the admission process and support students historically underrepresented in medical programs. These streams may offer alternative academic or non-academic requirements, processes or evaluations, such as a different format used to satisfy an MMI requirement. The streams, eligibility requirements, documentation, and process will vary by each school.
Common streams include admission pathways for students who identify as Indigenous, Black, francophone, economically disadvantaged, 2SLGBTQ+, or having a disability. There are also admission streams available for students based on their area of residence.
Note, these streams only impact the admissions process, such as your application and admission requirements, they do not impact you experience in the program. Many Ontario medical schools offer additional supports and community initiatives students can access in the program.
Example: Admissions streams offered by McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine
Financial considerations
Medical school is expensive and students often take bank loans to fund their education. It may take time before you are earning a strong salary and can begin paying off those loans. Take time to consider if that timeline and financial commitment aligns with other life milestones and goals.
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) offers an MCAT Fee Assistance Program, visit their website to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and application timelines.
In addition to costs associated to being a medical student, there are costs to applying to medical schools. Read this Med Blog by UofT on Applying to Medical School: Hidden Costs and Budgeting Tips.
Creating Alternative Career Plans
Acceptance into medical school is extremely competitive, with an average of less than 10% acceptance rate for Ontario schools. However,
- Being a physician is one of many essential Regulated Healthcare Professions in Ontario.
- There are vast range of roles in healthcare that you may be overlooking. Ontario’s healthcare system is made up of consultants, educators, researchers, salespersons, philanthropists, statisticians, technologists, lawyers, science translators, emergency services, dispatchers and more!
Don’t forget to continue exploring alternative “Plan A’s”
As you begin to Research-Talk-Try and prepare your medical school application, remember to remain curious and observant about other career options you may learn about along the way, within and beyond healthcare.
Your studies at McMaster is a time of change and exploration. With new academic experiences, you will experience growth as a person, changing relationships with family and friends, new career interests and evolving values.
If you learn something new and choose a path other than medicine, it’s normal and very common! Many of us start out not know very many options to choose from other than doctor, teacher or lawyer. Exploring your options comes with time and remaining curious about the world and people around you.
If you need more ideas on what kind of career paths your degree can lead to, we have chapters dedicated to every department of study:
- Careers in Biochemistry
- Careers in Biology
- Careers in Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- Careers in Environmental Earth Sciences
- Careers in Kinesiology
- Careers in Life Sciences
- Careers in Mathematics and Statistics
- Careers in Medical and Health Physics
- Careers in Physics and Astronomy
- Careers in Psychology, Neurosciences and Behaviour
Need more support with deciding if studying Medicine is right for you?
Meet with a Science Career Advisor: Book a 30-minute appointment with the Science Careers & Experience Centre (BSB 127) in advance through OSCARplus.
Strengthen your post-grad plans with SCIENCE 2DL1: Design Your Science Career. Enrol on Mosaic to better understand your skills, experiences, values, and potential Plan Bs, so you can confidently apply, interview, and explore paths that genuinely excite you!
Explore these additional chapters:
- Applying To Graduate And Professional School
- Creating Your Résumé And CV
- Crafting Personal Statements And Letters Of Intent
- Requesting Letters Of References
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Stay informed on upcoming workshops, information sessions and application tips.
