Medicine

There are currently eighteen accredited medical schools across Canada. In Ontario, there are seven medical schools and the application process is centralized through the Ontario Medical School Application System (OMSAS). The application cycle usually begins in the summer and the deadline to register online for OMSAS application is in September. The complete application deadline is early October. Start preparing during the summer prior to the application deadline. OMSAS recommends that applicants allow 10-30 hours preparing their application. The application is at: OMSAS ouac.ca/omsas. Some schools have information sessions which you can attend to learn more about the admission process and studying medicine.

• McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine
• Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• University of Ottawa
• Queen’s University
• University of Toronto
• Western University
• Toronto Metropolitan University (new)
• For more information on the medical schools in Ontario, including how to apply, please refer to the OMSAS website. 

• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• University of British Columbia
• University of Manitoba
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Dalhousie University
• Université Laval
• McGill University
• Université de Montréal
• Université de Sherbrooke

For information on the admission requirements and the application process for the medical schools in other provinces, visit individual universities’ websites. More information can also be accessed through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada website. 

Check the OMSAS website and the individual schools’ websites for specific information. Admissions requirements can change at any time without notice so check school websites regularly for updated information. Individual school websites will also provide you with information not available on the OMSAS website, for example, you may find information about the formulae used by the school in selection i.e. how GPA, MCAT scores, and other factors are weighted. They may also provide information on the background of successful applicants. 

Courses: While some medical schools have course requirements as part of the completion of a Bachelor’s degree, others have no course prerequisites. This allows for students from diverse educational backgrounds to be able to apply. Courses that may be prerequisites for admission include biology (e.g., cell biology, human anatomy, microbiology), organic chemistry, general chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, and language courses, as well as courses in humanities, and social sciences. It is important to check individual universities’ websites for more information as requirements vary significantly among medical schools.  

All medical schools in Ontario require the MCAT except for the University of Ottawa and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. The MCAT assesses concepts in the biological, biochemical, chemical and physical sciences as well as problem solving and critical thinking skills. 

The MCAT has four sections:  

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviour
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

McMaster University School of Medicine uses the score from the CARS section only in its selection formulae.  

Test dates are offered between January and September. Registration is at the web site: aamc.org/mcat. Practice tests, including some free tests and preparation resources, are available online through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) which administers the test, as well as other test preparation companies. Reserve a seat as early as possible as seats may be limited at your preferred testing location. Read the test taking information carefully before attending the exam as there are detailed instructions about information required such as photo ID.

Autobiographical Sketch

Through OMSAS, all applicants will be required to submit a comprehensive list of all activities from the age of 16 in seven categories: education, employment, volunteer, extra-curricular activities, awards and accomplishments, research, and other. Individual schools may ask for more or less detail in these categories. For example, Ottawa only requires information from activities completed during undergraduate studies. All schools except McMaster require contact information for verifiers for these activities.

Casper 

Some schools have additional requirements, such as the Casper, which is a situational judgment test.   

References

All applicants are generally required to submit three references. The reference forms, called Confidential Assessment Forms, are available through the online application. Medical schools in other provinces outside of Ontario may require referees to submit a letter. 

Transcripts

Transcripts from all post-secondary courses must be sent to OMSAS, including college or graduate courses. Applicants will have to request that the registrar send transcripts to OMSAS.

Post-secondary education

• The required GPA varies from school to school and GPA minimums can change annually. The courses assessed and formulae used to calculate GPA vary from school to school. Your GPA will be translated on to the OMSAS 4 point scale. The OMASAS website has a grade conversion table for all Canadian universities including Trent! Some schools will use supplementary, distance, summer and part-time courses in calculating the GPA, while others will only use courses that are part of a full-time program. Some offers will be conditional on completion of courses and maintaining the GPA.
• Most medical schools suggest a combination of the biological, physical and social sciences and the humanities as prerequisites. However, some medical schools have no specific course prerequisites, including McMaster, Western and Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
• Some schools require applicants to have completed or be in the final year of an Honours undergraduate degree while other schools will accept applications from students during their 3rd year.

Interviews

Medical schools include an interview in the application process. Some use the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format while others use a standard panel interview. Some use a combination.

Medical school usually takes 4 years to complete (3 at McMaster University), and leads to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. After the MD is obtained, graduates must complete a residency program. Residency training may take an additional 2 to 7 years depending on the specialty. For example, in Ontario, family doctors will then complete an approved 2- year residency and write an exam to be certified through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Finally, a license to practice is granted through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Doctors who want to specialize in a particular area such as pediatrics or psychiatry must complete multi-year residencies, depending on the specialty. Specialists must also pass certification exams in their specialty administered by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). 

Trent Medical Professional Stream (MPS) students benefit from unique pathways to obtaining a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees internationally.  

Available Pathways:

• St. George’s University School of Medicine (Grenada)
• University of Medicine and Health Sciences (St. Kitts)
• Trinity School of Medicine (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

For more information about the pathway programs, please go to the MPS Pathways to Medical School site.