collageGetting into medical school in Canada is a highly competitive process that requires a combination of academic excellence, strong test scores, and well-crafted personal statements. Along with meeting specific prerequisites in science and humanities courses, prospective students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.6/4.0 and obtain a competitive score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
In addition to meeting academic benchmarks, applicants to Canadian medical schools must submit two 250-word personal statements addressing specific questions. These essays allow admissions committees to gain insight into a candidate’s motivations, experiences, and potential as a future physician. Crafting compelling personal statements is essential to showcasing an applicant’s unique qualities and passion for medicine.
The admission process for medical schools in Canada involves a detailed review of academic transcripts, test scores, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. Successful candidates are typically invited for interviews, where they have the opportunity to further demonstrate their suitability for a career in medicine. Admissions decisions are made based on a holistic assessment of each applicant’s qualifications and potential to succeed in medical school and beyond.
Academic Requirements
| Applicant Type | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Undergraduate OMSAS GPA Requirement | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| MCAT Score | Threshold score of 125 in each section, with an allowance of 124 in one section. | Threshold score of 125 in each section, with an allowance of 124 in one section. |
| Academic Explanations Essay | Optional | Optional |
Canadian medical school and residency admission rates
There is a misconception that due to the nation’s physician deficit, Canadian medical schools have lower admissions standards than other schools. In actuality, Canada’s medical school acceptance rates are extremely low when compared to those in the US — averaging around 7.5% nationally vs. 36%.
List of 50 Canadian Medical Schools with Low Acceptance Rates
1. University of Toronto
Basic admission requirements include a competitive GPA, MCAT scores, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation.
2. University of British Columbia
Applicants need to demonstrate strong academic performance, research experience, and communication skills.
3. McGill University
Requirements include a high GPA, MCAT scores, relevant volunteer work, and strong letters of recommendation.
4. University of Alberta
Admission criteria include academic excellence, community involvement, letters of reference, and a compelling personal statement.
5. McMaster University
Applicants must have a strong academic background, significant research experience, and demonstrate leadership skills.
6. University of Calgary
Basic requirements consist of a solid academic record, volunteer experience, strong letters of recommendation, and a well-written personal statement.
7. Queen’s University
Admission standards include a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, research experience, and demonstrated leadership abilities.
8. University of Ottawa
Applicants must showcase academic excellence, community involvement, strong interpersonal skills, and a genuine passion for healthcare.
9. Western University
Requirements include a strong academic background, well-rounded extracurricular involvement, and compelling reference letters.
10. Dalhousie University
Basic admission criteria consist of a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, relevant volunteer experience, and strong communication skills.
11. Laval University
Applicants need to demonstrate academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and bilingual proficiency.
12. University of Manitoba
Admission standards include a competitive GPA, solid MCAT scores, a diverse range of extracurricular activities, and strong letters of recommendation.
13. Memorial University of Newfoundland
Requirements include academic excellence, relevant volunteer experience, strong interpersonal skills, and a well-written personal statement.
14. University of Saskatchewan
Applicants must have a strong academic background, demonstrate community involvement, showcase leadership skills, and provide compelling reference letters.
15. Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Basic requirements consist of a competitive GPA, relevant volunteer work, strong communication skills, and a genuine interest in rural healthcare.
16. University of Northern British Columbia
Admission criteria include academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
17. Université de Sherbrooke
Applicants need to showcase a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, significant research experience, and bilingual proficiency.
18. Université de Montréal
Requirements consist of academic excellence, community involvement, strong interpersonal skills, and a well-rounded extracurricular background.
19. University of New Brunswick
Admission standards include a strong academic record, relevant volunteer experience, leadership skills, and compelling reference letters.
20. University of Prince Edward Island
Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, strong communication skills, and a genuine passion for healthcare.
21. Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Basic admission criteria consist of a competitive GPA, solid MCAT scores, diverse extracurricular activities, and a well-written personal statement.
22. Université du Québec en Outaouais
Requirements include academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
23. Université du Québec à Rimouski
Applicants need to have a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, bilingual proficiency, and relevant volunteer work.
24. Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Admission standards consist of academic excellence, community involvement, leadership skills, and compelling reference letters.
25. University of Windsor
Basic requirements include a strong academic background, well-rounded extracurricular involvement, and compelling reference letters.
26. University of Regina
Applicants must have a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, relevant volunteer experience, and strong communication skills.
27. Brock University
Requirements consist of academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
28. Ryerson University
Admission criteria include a competitive GPA, solid MCAT scores, diverse extracurricular activities, and a well-written personal statement.
29. University of Guelph
Applicants need to showcase academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
30. York University
Basic admission standards include a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, bilingual proficiency, and relevant volunteer work.
31. Simon Fraser University
Requirements consist of academic excellence, community involvement, leadership skills, and compelling reference letters.
32. Concordia University
Applicants must have a strong academic background, well-rounded extracurricular involvement, and compelling reference letters.
33. Carleton University
Admission criteria include a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, relevant volunteer experience, and strong communication skills.
34. Université de Moncton
Basic requirements consist of academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
35. Université Sainte-Anne
Applicants need to demonstrate a competitive GPA, solid MCAT scores, diverse extracurricular activities, and a well-written personal statement.
36. Mount Allison University
Requirements include academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
37. Mount Saint Vincent University
Admission standards consist of a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, bilingual proficiency, and relevant volunteer work.
38. Cape Breton University
Basic admission criteria include academic excellence, community involvement, leadership skills, and compelling reference letters.
39. Saint Mary’s University
Applicants must have a strong academic background, well-rounded extracurricular involvement, and compelling reference letters.
40. St. Francis Xavier University
Admission criteria include a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, relevant volunteer experience, and strong communication skills.
41. University of King’s College
Basic requirements consist of academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
42. Acadia University
Applicants need to showcase a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, diverse extracurricular activities, and a well-written personal statement.
43. Université de Moncton – Campus de Shippagan
Requirements include academic excellence, community involvement, leadership skills, and compelling reference letters.
44. Université de Moncton – Campus d’Edmundston
Admission standards consist of a competitive GPA, solid MCAT scores, bilingual proficiency, and relevant volunteer work.
45. Bishop’s University
Basic admission criteria include academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
46. Université Sainte-Anne – Campus de Halifax
Applicants must have a strong academic background, well-rounded extracurricular involvement, and compelling reference letters.
47. University of the Fraser Valley
Admission criteria include a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, relevant volunteer experience, and strong communication skills.
48. Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Basic requirements consist of academic excellence, research experience, community involvement, and strong letters of recommendation.
49. Vancouver Island University
Applicants need to demonstrate a high GPA, competitive MCAT scores, diverse extracurricular activities, and a well-written personal statement.
50. Thompson Rivers University
Requirements include academic excellence, community involvement, leadership skills, and compelling reference letters.
How hard is it to get into a Canadian medical school?
There’s a myth that Canadian medical schools have lower standards of admission than other schools because the country has a shortage of doctors. In reality, medical school admissions rates in Canada are quite low compared to those of the United States—averaging around 17 percent nationally vs. 36 percent.
The doctor shortage—which is real—isn’t translating into a significant increase in admissions rates, because class sizes remain limited. There simply aren’t that many medical schools and hospitals in the country, nor is there enough staffing and resources to accommodate a greater number of students and interns.
That’s why Canadian medical schools heavily favor candidates who reside in the same provinces. They feel more certain that those students will remain in the region to practice.
Additionally, Canadian medical schools expect their graduates to get into a Canadian residency program with relative ease, whereas many Canadians who graduated from a foreign medical school find it very difficult to match into a residency back home (we’ll explain why later on).
Academic Requirements
In order to study medicine at the University of Toronto, and in Canada generally, you must have some previous university experience and cannot enter a program directly from high school. The earliest you can apply is the beginning of your third year of undergraduate studies. There are different academic requirements depending on your educational background:
- undergraduate applicants
- graduate applicants
- internationally educated applicants
In addition, you must also satisfy the non-academic requirements.
Canadian Medical School Application Requirements
Applying to study medicine in Canada can be quite a feat. The competition for prestigious medical schools is fierce to say the least. The average admission rate of Canadian medical schools is 18% in the 2018/2019 cycle. You need to put considerable time and effort into preparation to stand out from other applicants.
Although application requirements for each medical school might vary, they are actually quite similar. To help you prepare, we list the common application requirements here.
Undergraduate degree
GPA
MCAT
CASPer
Letters of recommendation
Supplementary application questions
Language proficiency proof
Undergraduate degree
First, you need to have an undergraduate degree to be eligible to apply to medical schools in Canada. While some Canadian medical schools, such as the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and Queen’s University School of Medicine, have specific prerequisite courses, others don’t.
Most common prerequisites
Biology
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Statistics
English
Other than the ones mentioned above, some universities also require or suggest that applicants take the following additional courses:
Biochemistry
Psychology
Social Science
Anatomy
Physiology
MCAT
MCAT, standing for Medical College Admission Test, is another key element in your application. MCAT assesses your knowledge on physics, chemistry, biology and biochemistry. Your analytical thinking and reasoning skills are also evaluated in the MCAT. The higher your MCAT score, the better chance of your admission.
MCAT is divided into the following four sections:
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS)
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBFL)
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB)
CASPer Test
Although also a test, the CASPer Test is nothing like MCAT. CASPer Test does not focus on your knowledge in specific areas. It. is a 90-minute situational judgement exam designed to assess your behavioral tendencies and if you are suitable for a people-centered career.
Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation, or reference letters, speak to your academic and/or professional performance. They are typically written by your past professors or employers of your choice. Medical schools usually require 2 or 3 letters of reference from each applicant.
When you select your references, think carefully and choose those who know you personally and can voucher for your excellency.
Supplementary application questions
Medical schools also want to learn about you as a person. Therefore, they often ask you to answer application questions, submit autobiographical sketches, or write personal statements as a part of your application.
Read through the application requirements and find out what kind of supplementary statements you need to provide before you start applying to any medical school in Canada.
Six medical schools in Canadian will ask you to apply through OMSAS—-Ontario Medical School Application Service. They are Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University), Northern Ontario School of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (Western University).
When you apply to these six schools, you will be asked to answer similar supplementary questions and enter biographical information.
Language proficiency proof
This is a requirement for international students who wish to study medicine in Canada and whose first language is not English or French.
For English proficiency evidence, you can provide your TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, CAEL, etc. certificates. Check the school’s website to see if your language proficiency proof is acceptable.
Canadian Medical Schools for International Students
Medical schools in Canada also have different policies on accepting international students. While some medical schools in Canada are open to all foreign students, some only accept applications from international students whose countries have signed contracts with them.
So, make sure you check whether your preferred school accept contract or non-contract international students before you apply to study medicine in Canada.
Best Medical Schools in Canada
In this part, we are going over the top medical schools in Canada that accept international students and helping you figure out the one that is most suitable for you.
University of Toronto
McGill University
McMaster University
University of Toronto
The MD program in University of Toronto looks for students who are from diverse backgrounds and have the potential in bettering Canadian healthcare system.
2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject (for Medicine): #12
Language of instruction: English
Apply through OMSAS
Accept non-contract international students
First year tuition fees (2022-2023):
Ontario domestic CAD$23,090
Non-Ontario domestic CAD$23,780
International CAD$91,760
Application requirements:
GPA:
International undergraduate: 3.6
International graduate: 3.3
MCAT: 125 in each section (with an allowance of 124 in one section)
Prerequisite courses:
2 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in life sciences
1 FCE in social science, humanities or language
Optional academic explanations essay
2 original brief personal essays
Autobiographical sketch & statements
Verifiers
3 references
MiGill University
McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences offers programs for both undergraduates, graduates, and international medical graduates, preparing them to pioneer in medical practice and research.
MDCM: 4-year program for undergraduates
MDCM & PhD: 7 to 8-year combined MD and PhD program
MDCM program for International Medical Graduates (IMG):
IMG-2: 2-year pathway opens to international medical graduates who reside in Quebec
IMG-4: 4-year pathway for all international medical graduates
2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject (for Medicine): #49
Language of instruction: English
Accept non-contract international students
For the details of application requirements, please contact our advisors.
McMaster University
McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine is committed to readying students for a career in the health care field.
2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject (for Medicine): #49
Language of instruction: English
Apply through OMSAS
Accept non-contract international students
First year tuition fees:
Ontario domestic CAD$26,215.32
Non-Ontario domestic CAD$28,263.40
International CAD$96,000.44
Application requirements:
3 years of undergraduate degree level work (30 half year credits or 15 full year credits)
GPA: minimum 3.0/4.0
MCAT: a minimum of 123 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Section (scores on other sections will not be considered during the selection process)
CASPer Test
3 references
Let Intake Help You Study Medicine in Canada
Learning each Canadian school’s application requirements and finding out the right one for you itself can be quite overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about each individual medical school in Canada. Let us help you plan your way to study medicine in Canada.
| APPLICANT TYPE | UNDERGRADUATE | GRADUATE: COURSE BASED | GRADUATE: RESEARCH-BASED | INTERNATIONAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEGREE | Completion of at least three years of undergraduate study (equivalent of 15 credits) towards a Canadian university bachelor’s degree. | Completion of Masters or PhD | Completion of Masters or PhD | Completion of a non-medical bachelor’s degree equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree in Canada with WES transcript assessment |
| PREREQUISITE COURSES | Two full-course equivalents (FCEs) in life sciences and one FCE in a social science, humanities or language | Two FCEs in life sciences and one FCE in a social sciences, humanities or language | Two FCEs in life sciences and one in social science, humanities or language | See undergraduate or graduate requirements |
| MINIMUM UNDERGRADUATE OMSAS GPA REQUIREMENT | 3.6 | Course based graduate students are typically assessed as undergraduate applicants Please see Graduate Applicants section below | 3.0 | See undergraduate or graduate requirements |
| MINIMUM MCAT SCORE (IN EACH SECTION) | 125 | 125 | 125 | See undergraduate or graduate requirements |
| ACADEMIC EXPLANATIONS ESSAY | Optional | Optional | Optional | See undergraduate or graduate requirements |
| ACADEMIC CV | No | No | Yes | See undergraduate or graduate requirements |
| GRADUATE SUPERVISOR LETTER | No | No | Yes | See undergraduate or graduate requirements |
| PROGRAM COMPLETION DATE LETTER | No | Yes | No | See undergraduate or graduate requirements |
Undergraduate Applicants
For students studying an undergraduate program at a Canadian university, the academic requirements are:
Bachelor’s degree
You must have completed at least three years of study (equivalent of 15 credits) towards a Canadian university bachelor’s degree in any discipline by the end of April in the year you plan to start the MD Program.
- If you are applying in the final year of a three year or four year degree program, you must complete the degree requirements and provide proof of completion prior to the date of enrolment in the MD Program.
- If you are applying in the third year of a four-year degree program, you must provide proof that you have completed the requirements of that year of your degree prior to the date of enrolment in the MD Program.
You are expected to have taken courses at a level corresponding with the year of your program.
- If you are applying for admission while registered in the third year of undergraduate studies, you should have at least three third-year or higher courses in your program. If you are in the fourth year of your program, you should be enrolled in a majority of courses at the third- and fourth-year levels. Please note that this is an expectation rather than a requirement.
- It is recognized that at times, students take courses in lower years for various reasons, such as a change in program or to complete subjects of interest or prerequisites that did not fit the academic schedule previously. If you have information about your academics that you feel is important for the Admissions Committee to know, please use the Academic Explanations Essay within the OMSAS application.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
You must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.6 / 4.0 on the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) scale. The possession of the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee acceptance. Based on statistics from recent admissions cycles, a minimum GPA of 3.8 is considered competitive.
The calculated GPA used to fulfill the academic requirement will not include your current year of study, as this information is not available to us during the application period.
For more information, visit the calculation of GPA and GPA weighting formula page.
Medical Schools In Canada Requirements
You must write the MCAT before the application deadline and achieve the minimum MCAT score in each section of the test to be considered. Your MCAT score is not assessed competitively. Only MCAT scores obtained within five years of the application deadline will be considered. Only the most recent MCAT score will be considered.
You must achieve MCAT minimum scores of 125 in each of the four sections.
If you have written the old MCAT, a minimum score of nine in each of the three sections are required (the writing sample score will not be used).
NEW for 2018 – MCAT Fee Assistance Program for Canadians
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) are piloting a new fee assistance program for Canadian examinees in financial need who register for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during the 2018 testing year. Applications will open on November 1, 2017. For more on this program and to apply, visit the AAMC website.
Prerequisite courses
You must complete:
- two full-course equivalents (FCEs) in any life science
- one FCE in any of social sciences, humanities, or a language
For more information, visit the prerequisite courses page.
Academic explanations essay
If your transcript has gaps, course withdrawals, or if you carried less than a full course load, please state the reason in the academic explanations essay section of your application. You should also use this section to document your participation in an educational exchange program, a professional experience year, or co-op program, and the time frame of this activity. Do not assume that we will be able to find this information within your file materials. If there is any reason why you believe your transcript does not reflect your true ability, please breifly outline the circumstances in the academic explanations essay.
Graduate Applicants
Graduate students may apply if you have completed or are currently enrolled in the final year of your graduate program. If you will not be completing your graduate degree requirements by June 30 in the proposed year of entry, you will not be considered; this policy is strictly enforced. If you re-classify from one graduate degree to another during the application cycle, you will not be considered for admission.
In addition to the specific requirements outlined below, graduate applicants must submit all of the same application materials as undergraduate applicants, e.g. MCAT and prerequisites. You may also make use of the academic explanations essay, if applicable.
In some cases, graduate applicants may undergo a separate graduate application review if you are able to demonstrate substantial productivity on your academic CV.
Aside from presentations, posters and conferences, we are looking to see if you have completed at least one first author publication. When applying to the MD Program after completing a one or two year course-based Master’s program, you will likely be assessed as an undergraduate applicant.
Graduate degree
You must have completed all program requirements, including the successful defense of your thesis (if applicable) by June 30 in the proposed year of entry (this deadline will be strictly enforced). If you have not yet received your graduate degree and are offered a position in the MD Program, you will be required to submit proof of successful completion of all requirements of your graduate program (including successful defense of a thesis, if applicable) prior to June 30 in the proposed year of entry. If you are offered a position on the expectation that your degree will be completed, and you are not able to meet this deadline, you will not be granted an admission deferral and will lose your seat in our program. We require a final transcript from you, as proof of conferral of your graduate degree.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
You must obtain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 / 4.0 on the OMSAS scale. Although graduate applicants may apply with the minimum required GPA of 3.0, you need to be aware that the possession of the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee acceptance. You may be assessed in the undergraduate admissions stream unless you have substantial research productivity and are deemed eligible for a graduate review. Based on statistics from recent admissions cycles, a minimum GPA of 3.8 is considered competitive for undergraduate assessments.
For more information visit the GPA and GPA weighting formula page.
Additional graduate application requirements
In addition, the following specific graduate applicant materials must also be received by OMSAS. Do not send these materials to the Enrolment Services office at the University of Toronto.
Course-based graduate program applicants
If you have completed or are currently completing a course-based graduate program, you are not required to submit an academic curriculum vitae (CV). You are, however, required to submit:
- A letter from your graduate program office confirming your (expected) program completion date. This letter must be accompanied by the Graduate Supervisor Form. Graduate program offices must submit the letters online. Please access the Referees section of your OMSAS application to arrange to send the Graduate Supervisor Form and letter request to your graduate program office. This letter must be received by OMSAS by October 2, 2017.
Research-based graduate program applicants
If you have completed or are currently completing a research-based graduate program you must submit:
- An academic CV. This CV should not include non-academic activities and must adhere to the required format. See
Academic Curriculum Vitae - One confidential letter of reference from your graduate supervisor* submitted to OMSAS. This letter must be accompanied by the Graduate Supervisor Form. Graduate supervisors must submit the letters online. Please access the Referees section of your OMSAS application to arrange to send the Graduate Supervisor Form and letter request to your graduate supervisor. This letter must be received by OMSAS by October 2, 2017. This letter should include details of your:
- (expected) graduate degree completion date
- research work
- academic capability
- scholarly productivity/scholarly potential
*Your graduate supervisor’s letter of reference must be provided in addition to the three letters of reference sent to OMSAS, even if your supervisor wrote one of those three letters (reference letters are viewed independently of the graduate supervisor’s letter). Your graduate supervisor’s letter is not a personal letter of reference and instead must focus on your performance in the graduate program. It should not include reference to non-academic activities. Please have your supervisor identify this letter in the header as ‘Additional Letter for Graduate Applicant’. Applicants who do not provide details of their degree completion date will not be assessed.
Internationally educated applicants
If you are currently studying, or have completed your education, outside of Canada, you must have the following in order to be considered for admission:
- a completed non-medical bachelor’s degree that is considered equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree in Canada
Transcripts from studies undertaken at universities outside of Canada or the USA must be submitted to World Education Services (WES) for assessment. For admission consideration we require a course-by-course evaluation that includes an overall GPA calculation.
If you are applying in the final year of your degree program, you must complete the degree requirements and provide proof of completion prior to the date of enrolment in the medical program. You must also fulfill all other academic requirements as listed here:
- undergraduate applicants
- graduate applicants
collage