Canadian Friendly US Medical Schools

List of Canadian Friendly US Medical Schools

Below are the top 7 easiest Canadian Friendly US medical schools, based on medical school admissions statistics (MSAR).

• Meharry Medical College
• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
• Burnett School of Medicine at TCU
• Universidad Central del Caribe
• West Virginia University School of Medicine
• George Washington University School of Medicine
• Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

The following information provides a comprehensive list of all Canadian friendly US medical schools. These schools accept international students and are best-suited for Canadian students. 

Click the name of each school below to learn more about admission statistics and requirements for Canadian applicants.

Check out our video below to learn more about Canadian-friendly US medical schools:

What Are Canadian-Friendly Medical Schools?

Canadian citizens looking to attend medical school in the United States must be aware that not all US medical schools accept Canadian and international students. Some schools do not even consider out-of-state applicants. This is due to several factors. Naturally, medical schools are highly competitive. Even though there is a shortage of medical professionals in the US and Canada, there is no shortage of applicants. Although the United States has over 150 medical schools, the competition is not any lesser than in Canadian medical schools, of which there are only 17. Another reason why some US schools do not accept Canadian and international medical students is their desire to support local applicants. State schools make the application process a bit more difficult and tuition costs a bit higher for external applicants to entice the in-state residents to attend their school. This is a way to support in-state medical development, since in-state applicants are more likely to stay and practice medicine in their home state.

Most US schools designate three categories of students:

1. In-state applicants
2. Out-of-State applicants
3. International students

Canadian and international applicants with US permanent residency status are typically regarded as US applicants, and therefore are classified as in-state or out-of-state applicants depending on where they are applying. Canadian citizens are treated by many US medical schools as out-of-state applicants - these types of medical schools are often called “Canadian friendly”, since the medical school application process is more relaxed than it is for other international students. These medical programs have the same admission requirements for Canadians as for out-of-state American students. Most importantly, Canadians do not pay international student fees, but rather out-of-state fees at these schools.

Something to consider is that Canadian and international applicants have a higher chance of being admitted to private US medical schools. Public medical schools receive funding from state and federal governments, so they are more eager to spend their money on American applicants, rather than qualified foreign nationals. This does not mean that Canadians cannot get accepted to US public medical schools, but it does mean that to be simply considered, the Canadian students’ applications must be better than their American counterparts’.

Here's a step-by-step guide to get ready to apply to US medical schools as a Canadian applicant:

Putting together a list of medical schools to apply to? Check out our guide:

US Medical School Application Systems

AMCAS

The majority of US medical schools participate in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). You can find a list of participating schools on the AMCAS website. This process is quite similar to the Canadian medical school application process, but AMCAS is a unified system. You do not need to send an application to each school separately. AMCAS takes care of all your applications and sends them to the schools you indicate in your application.

The general outline of the AMCAS application is as follows:

After completing all the sections, you will need to certify and submit your application. Before submitting your AMCAS application, make sure to review it carefully. After you submit only certain changes can be made.

Want help with your med school application? Check out our video:

AACOMAS

If you are planning to apply to DO programs, you will need to use the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). The DO school application process is similar to AMCAS, but of course, you will need to emphasize your dedication to osteopathic medicine in your application. Dedicate your time and efforts to extracurriculars that would demonstrate your interest in osteopathic philosophy and practice. For example, get clinical experience with or shadow a DO physician, rather than an MD. Although more difficult to do in Canada, working with a DO will make you stand out as an applicant. Furthermore, they can become an invaluable source for your DO medical school recommendation letters because you should really have the support of someone in the field. Just like AMCAS personal statements, DO statements are also limited to 5,300 characters including spaces. Do not simply resubmit your MD personal statement to AACOMAS. Make sure that your personal statement outlines your commitment and adherence to osteopathic medicine. Take a look at some AACOMAS personal statement examples to get ideas for your own.

Interested in applying to DO schools in the US? Here’s what you need to know:

TMDSAS

The state of Texas has its own application system, the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services (TMDSAS). This application procedure is similar to AMCAS. You will be required to provide your personal information, education history, undergraduate coursework, extracurricular activities, and essays. TMDSAS requires two extra essay components, personal characteristics essay, and optional essay, in addition to the personal statement. TMDAS personal statement is limited to 5,000 characters including spaces, while both TMDSAS personal characteristics essay and optional essay are limited to 2,500 characters each. 

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the TMDSAS system is the residency determination process. First and foremost, the state of Texas aims to support and promote medical sciences within the state. They also want better access to medical education for their own residents. TMDSAS screens and identifies whether an applicant is a Texan resident. This screening process undoubtedly affects the admissions chances for out-of-state or international applicants. If the TMDSAS system determines that you are a non-Texas resident, you are less likely to be admitted. If you are a Canadian with US permanent residency status, your chances are far better if you are a resident of Texas. If you are a Canadian citizen without residency status, your application will need to be exceptional to convince medical schools in Texas to admit you, as they are less Canadian-friendly on average.

Admission Requirements for US Medical Schools

#1: Undergraduate Degree and Coursework

Each US medical school requires the completion of an undergraduate degree. The majority of schools clarify that the degree does not have to be in science. However, most programs recommend having the following educational background:

These medical school prerequisites are the baseline. Some schools have lists of required and recommended premedical coursework, some ask for advanced placement classes, some may not accept online courses, etc. Although some schools may still expect their applicants to complete a certain set of classes, other schools have competency-based admissions and do not require specific coursework prerequisites. Be mindful that some American medical schools require their applicants to have educational experience in the US, but most just accept Canadian degrees and coursework without any US educational experience. Be sure to check out your program’s admissions website to confirm any coursework requirements.

#2: GPA and MCAT

Most US medical schools have minimum thresholds for applicants’ GPA and MCAT scores. Of course, the more competitive the medical school the higher these minimum requirements will be. For the best chance to get accepted, your GPA and MCAT score should be above the average matriculants scores, not just meeting the bare minimum. Check out the latest US medical schools admission statistics to get a better idea of how competitive you are as a candidate and which schools would be the best fit for you. By studying the admissions statistics of current matriculants, you can narrow down the list of US schools which are the most likely to accept you based on your applicant stats.

Is your GPA too low? Here’s the secret to getting accepted:

#3: Altus Suite

Plenty of US medical schools employ Altus Suite as part of their admissions process, as do Canadian schools such as McMaster and Dalhousie. The Altus Suite includes the CASPer, a situational judgment test used by medical schools as an applicant screening and evaluation tool. Many schools in the US also require students to complete Duet or Snapshot in addition to the CASPer test, so its best to familiarize yourself with all parts of the Altus Suite and check which schools require one or all three.

If you’re not familiar with CASPer test question categories and types, learn them so you can learn the best strategies to tackling these simulation questions. You can also consider a CASPer test prep course to get personalized coaching on preparing for this type of test and learn what to expect. Always be sure to check if the schools you’re applying to require CASPer and if there are any specific requirements you need to know.

#4: Shadowing

Aside from having an undergraduate degree, most programs have other requirements. One of the most common US medical school requirements is shadowing a physician. This experience is a great way to help you determine if the medical field is right for you. It's also an excellent opportunity to gain clinical experience to talk about in your applications and interviews if you’re invited.

Something to remember is that shadowing is not a requirement in Canadian medical schools because shadowing is not easy in Canada. This is due to licensing regulations around letting in students not covered by liability insurance into patient rooms. Once you are in medical school, you have to pay a small fee to cover your insurance premium and are covered by liability insurance, but as a premed student, you are not.

Typically, for Canadians to shadow a physician, they need to cast a wide net and start looking early. So, ask friends, family, doctors you have worked or volunteered for, or even your own family doctor. Start looking early so you can fulfill the shadowing requirement. If you are applying to DO programs, shadow a DO specifically. There are not so many DO-trained physicians in Canada, so to go down this route, you need to plan well in advance so you can conduct a search and find the closest DO physician, and be prepared to travel to shadow them. For this reason, a concentrated shadowing block, for example, 2 weeks, will be easier than weekly set hours for shadowing.

You might be wondering how to ask to shadow a doctor. When you call or email the physician, explain that you are a premed student, and express your interest in their specialty. Briefly explain your medical experience and your aspirations in the medical field. Arrange a schedule that fits both of your needs and responsibilities. Each program has its own requirements for how many shadowing hours are required for medical school. If you like your experience, it is important to stay with the physician as long as possible. This person will be a likely candidate for writing you a recommendation for medical school. 

#5: Clinical Experience

Gaining clinical experience before your medical school applications is key. To be a competitive candidate you must have some exposure to the medical field. Shadowing is a great way to get some passive experience, but you also need some active clinical exposure. This can be done by volunteering at a hospital or a clinic, working in nursing or long-term care homes, or working as a health professional’s assistant. Having patient interaction experience is extremely valuable. You can find other ways to experience what it’s like to work in the medical field. Some students get premed gap year jobs to gain some experience before medical school, while others choose alternate routes, including:

Aside from clinical experience, the admissions committees want to see your human qualities, like empathy, dedication to patients, and ethical responsibility. All these alternative options will not only provide you with experience in the medical field, but also emphasize how medical exposure formed your motivation to become a physician. The students should know that the AAMC expects students to show all the core competencies by the time they start medical school. This is in contrast to Canada, where the CanMEDS roles are a good guide but not really expected of students in full (CanMEDS outline the roles that practicing physicians must perform, not learners).

#6 Research

How important is research for medical school? At US schools, it is highly recommended for admissions, and at Ivy League medical schools it is often a requirement. Like Canadian medical schools, many US schools are heavily involved in research and expect to see applicants with at least some medical or clinical research experience. Research experience shows that as a candidate you have developed your critical thinking and analysis, that you can work effectively as part of a team and possess a degree of professionalism and maturity, all qualities valued by medical schools. It also demonstrates a deeper interest in medicine and the advancement of medical research.

Look for research opportunities for premeds and start building your research resume early on so you can show that you’ve made a commitment and have a strong interest in research. Any research experience in the same areas as research pursued by medical schools you’re applying to will be a great experience to highlight.. This will help you stand out as a candidate and show medical school admissions committees that your values align with theirs. If possible, Canadian students hoping to get accepted to US schools should look for research opportunities in the US or pursue virtual research experiences to add to their applications.

#7 References

Your recommendation letters for medical school can go a long way in improving your overall application. Your recommendation letter writers for medical school can be a research supervisor, mentor, physician you shadowed, employer or professor. Some medical schools ask for specific individuals to write reference letters, such as a research supervisor or physician. If this is the case, try to find someone who meets the criteria and can provide you with a strong recommendation. As a Canadian applicant, you can strengthen your references by asking someone from the US to write you a recommendation letter. Above all, your referees should know you quite well, be able to provide concrete examples of your skills and qualifications for medical school and speak positively of you. Be sure to send your referees any information they need to know about how to submit their letters of recommendation and requirements for their recommendation.

#8 Secondary Applications

Secondary applications are required by most schools. These are not submitted through AMCAS, AACOMAS, or TMDSAS. If the school you apply to chooses, they will send you a secondary application. Some schools review your primary application before sending you the secondary, but some send them right away as soon as your primary application is submitted. You will be charged additionally for each secondary application.

Secondary applications usually consist of several essay prompts. Check out a full list of medical school secondary essays prompts to get an idea of what to expect. Remember to prepare well to respond to these prompts. Try to submit the secondaries as soon as you can – ideally, you will submit the secondary applications within two weeks of getting them. Medical schools will notice your interest and dedication if you send back secondary applications promptly. However, do not sacrifice quality in favor of speed. Check out some medical school secondary essay examples.

Regarding your secondaries, you might be wondering “What else can I say about my plans and yearning to become a doctor?” You probably already included all of your accomplishments and noteworthy personal experiences in the primary AMCAS, TMDSAS, and AACOMAS applications. These are some of the things you might want to keep in mind when writing your secondary application:

1. What insight is this question asking about me as a human being, future medical student, or potential doctor?
2. There are stories and experiences you probably did not mention in your primary application. You might not consider them very special but try re-evaluating them from another person’s point of view. Will these stories and experiences add something extra to your application?

Make sure your secondary essays are exceptional. This is another means for the schools to weed out applicants, so do not give them a chance to cut you out of the applicants’ pool.

#9: Med School Interview

US med schools will extend interview invitations to strong applicants, so its imperative that you know how to prepare for an MMI interview, since this is the favored method at most medical schools in the US. Just like at Canadian medical schools, many US schools use the multiple mini interview (MMI) method to evaluate applicants. It is critical to ace this part of this interview and stand out as a strong applicant, particularly at the more selective schools. Use some sample MMI practice questions when preparing for your interview or consider getting some MMI interview coaching to help you get ready to ace this part of the admissions process.

Want BeMo's help getting into your top program? Check out one of our success stories:

Admissions Deadlines

All application deadlines are set by individual schools. Your application must be submitted to AMCAS by 11:59 pm on the date set by the school to which you are applying. Deadlines are not extended for any reason. AMCAS application cycle starts in May and ends in January of the following year.

Most US medical schools have rolling admissions, so you should submit your application as early as possible. Rolling admissions means that open spots are filled on a “rolling” basis, which means that as soon as admission committees see qualified and strong applicants, they are given interview offers, and then acceptance offers. Rolling admissions strongly prioritizes students who submit their applications early in the process, when the most open spots are available. If you wait and delay your submission, the number of open spots will go down and the process will get more and more competitive. So, aim to submit your applications in May, as close to the opening date as possible.

This means that you have to start getting your application components ready in March. Give yourself time to write your personal statement. Request and confirm letters of recommendation on time. Plan to have at least 6 weeks to outline, brainstorm, write, revise, and finalize all documents. Give yourself at least 6 months for an MCAT study schedule. Gain some shadowing or clinical experience and get to work on writing your AMCAS experiences and extracurriculars.

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

US medical school tuition cost is truly one of the greatest stresses for all applicants, both American and Canadian. These numbers are especially discouraging when one compares US med school tuition with Canadian med school tuition costs. Tuition costs for in-province applicants at Quebec medical schools are just above CAD$4,000, while out-of-province students pay just over $30,000. East coast schools' tuition costs for local students range between CAD$13,260 and CAD$21,000. The most expensive tuition for medical school students is found in Ontario. For example, the University of Toronto tuition costs range between CAD$25,490.56 (domestic) to CAD$94,880.56 (international) – these prices are comparable with tuition fees required by US public medical school for in-state students.

As previously mentioned, Canadian friendly US medical schools regard Canadian applicants as out-of-state students. Tuition for US public medical schools for out-of-state applicants is much higher than for in-state applicants. The cost to attend US public medical schools for out-of-state applicants, including Canadians, ranges from US$50,000 to US$99,000. Average private medical school tuition costs for in-state, out-of-state and international applicants range from US$60,000 to US$68,000. Since the majority of US medical schools that accept international students are private, the tuition costs are equal to those of in-state and out-of-state applicants.

Canadian and international students are eligible for financial aid in some US medical schools. Unfortunately, many American medical schools specify that Canadian and international students will receive little to no financial aid. Some schools require Canadian applicants to provide proof of sponsorship. However, Canadian friendly US medical schools typically provide Canadian applicants with financial aid opportunities. These grants, bursaries, and scholarships are usually provided by the institution, since state and federal funding is typically reserved for American students. Check your program's website to see what kind of institutional funding opportunities are available to you.

Do Canadians Need a Visa to Study in the US?

Canadian citizens do not need visas to study in the US. You will need to obtain an I-20 or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility from the school you plan to attend. When you receive the appropriate certificate, you will be registered with SEVIS, a student tracking system, and will be assigned a SEVIS number. There is a registration fee. When you travel to start your studies, you will need to provide the Border Officer with:

1. Canadian passport
2. The Original I-20 or DS-2019 certificate
3. Proof that SEVIS fee has been paid
4. Proof of ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the US
5. Proof of ties to Canada (note: the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 certificate can serve as proof that you’ll return to Canada)

Residency Options for Canadians at US Schools

The US indeed has a lot of residency opportunities, however, there are also a lot more candidates applying to fill these residency spots. Around 91.6% of Canadian medical school graduates obtain a residency in Canada, while only 58.5% of American graduates match to a residency in the US. If you are a Canadian citizen with a US medical school degree, your chances to match in Canada significantly decrease compared to Canadians with Canadian medical school degrees. The latter are usually given preference before US graduates and international graduates, even if those graduates are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. To be eligible to match to a residency program in Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. All students looking to match to residency in Canada must use The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) to apply. Check out our definitive guide to learn all you need to know about CaRMS. Keep in mind that if you plan to return to Canada to match to a residency and practice medicine, a US medical school degree might not be the best option for you.

Citizenship plays no part in the residency match in the US. Non-US citizens with medical degrees from Canada or the US are eligible to apply to residency along with US citizens. All students looking to match to a residency in the United States must use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). You can find all the information you need about ERAS application in our definitive guide. American medical institutions will prefer American-trained professionals over international medical graduate applicants (IMGs), including Americans who chose to receive their medical education somewhere else.

Check out this video to learn the easiest and hardest residencies to match:

FAQs

1. What are Canadian-friendly medical schools?

Canadian friendly medical schools are select schools in the US which accept Canadian applicants and evaluate them on the same basis as out-of-state applicants, rather than international applicants. This means these US medical schools are more likely to accept Canadian students and the admissions criteria for Canadian applicants may be a easier.

2. Can a Canadian go to medical school in the US?

Yes, many US medical schools accept Canadian applicants, either as international students or out-of-state applicants, making them “Canadian friendly”.

3. Is it easier to get into medical school in Canada or the US?

Getting into medical school in either country is not easy, as Canadian medical schools accept less than 20% of students, and US medical school acceptance rates are less than 10% overall. However, it is easier for Canadians to get accepted to Canadian friendly US medical schools and Canadian medical schools, particularly in-province medical schools.

4. How do I know if a medical school is Canadian friendly?

You can tell is a medical school is Canadian friendly by using MSAR to determine what the admission requirements are for Canadian applicants. Schools will have information on their website about Canadian applicants, and whether they are viewed as international or out-of-state applicants.

5. What do I do if I missed my application deadline?

AMCAS does not grant any deadline extensions, however, a school may choose to grant an extension. Contact individual schools directly to request a deadline extension. If your request is granted, the school will notify AMCAS to process your application after the deadline. Remember, most US medical schools have rolling admissions, so be sure not to wait for the deadline and apply early!

6. Can I change the AMCAS list of schools I want to apply to if I missed a deadline for one of the schools?

Once your application has been received, the schools indicated in your application cannot be substituted or deleted even if you miss a deadline. You may add medical schools to the list, provided that the school’s deadline has not passed.

7. When should I submit my application?

You can submit as soon as you complete and carefully review all the AMCAS. AACOMAS, or TMDSAS sections. Your MCAT scores and recommendation letters do not have to be received by AMCAS before you submit your application.

8. Will my Canadian prerequisites be accepted by US medical schools?

Yes, most US schools consider Canadian degrees and coursework on par with US degrees and courses. You will not have to verify your transcripts. However, if your transcripts are from French schools in Quebec, you might need to check with the school you're applying to, as sometimes French language credits can be seen as foreign credits and will need to be translated or assessed for US equivalency

9. Does the reputation of a medical school play a role in residency matching? Should I apply to Yale Medical School or Stanford Medical School to have a chance of getting matched?

Although some American schools are considered more prestigious, all schools grant you the same degree. What matters for residency placements and future career options are what you do during medical school: the electives you do, the research you conduct, and the mentors you work with who see your skills. Rest assured that an MD (or DO) from any Canadian- or American-accredited school will prepare you for a great career ahead.

10. Do I really need shadowing?

Yes, you do. Being Canadian and the challenges of shadowing in Canada do not exempt you from not meeting this requirement. You need to begin your search for doctors to shadow 1-2 years in advance of applying. Reach out to a large network of contacts, including physicians, professors, family, friends, and your own family doctor to find shadowing opportunities.

11. Is it easier to get into American medical schools?

It is not easier, especially for Canadians. Applying to US schools is simply a way to make yourself more competitive, as Canada does not have many schools, and this can increase your chances of receiving an acceptance. Canadians still have to be well-rounded and strong applicants to get accepted into US schools. Be sure to check out MSAR for statistics on the median GPAs and MCAT scores at the medical schools you wish to apply to.

12. Are there more residency specialties in the US?

The same specialties are available in both countries. There are certainly more spots available in the US and a few differences in residency training and practice environments. For example, family medicine residency in Canada is 2 years, while in the US it is 3. Internal medicine training is 4 years in Canada and 3 years in the US. In Canada, family physicians do primary care and are “gatekeepers” of the system (i.e. you require a referral to see a specialist from a family doc). In the US, both family docs and internal medicine docs do primary care and either will refer to specialists.

13. What are the advantages of applying to medical schools in the US?

First of all, by applying to more medical schools you increase your chances of getting in. Canadian medical schools are incredibly competitive and there are only 17 MD programs in the entire country! Additionally, the United States has many DO programs, which are completely absent in Canada. However, keep in mind that American medical school applications require a personal statement, while Canadian MD programs do not. You should also consider the vast difference in costs. While Canadian medical schools are not cheap, the tuition costs for US medical schools are much higher.

14. If I study in the States, do I have to practice there or can I return to Canada?

If you complete your MD and residency training in the US and get board-certified, you can return to Canada. Typically, you get a provisional license and around 1 to 2 years to pass the Canadian licensing exams, but you don’t have to re-do residency.

If you have a DO degree, the process varies widely by province. You may have to re-do residency or just pass the licensing exams. You may also need to practice for a couple of years in a supervised setting (i.e. with a fully independent Canadian-licensed physician).

The best way to check is with each province’s licensing body, like the College of Physicians, Surgeons of Ontario, the Alberta Medical Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, etc.

15. How can I tell if a medical school is private or public?

The easiest way to find out if a school is private or public is to visit its website. This information is usually included in sections like “About the School”, “About us”, “About our Program”, etc.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Disclaimer: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo ebook of your choosing! You can receive our Ultimate Guide to Med School Admissions, our Ultimate Guide to MMI Prep, our Ultimate Guide to Medical School Personal Statements & Secondary Essays or our Ultimate Guide to CASPer Prep! Please email us at content [at] bemoacademicconsulting.com with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.

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