Want to know the easiest medical schools to get into in Canada? The truth is, most medical schools in Canada can be quite competitive, especially since some medical schools in Canada have strong preferences for in-province students or do not accept international students at all. Other medical schools may have easier admission requirements but typically low medical school acceptance rates in Canada. In this blog, we’ll look at the easiest medical schools in to get into in Canada based on your applicant profile, plus tips on how to get in.
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Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into in Canada
Below is a list of Canadian medical school admissions statistics, followed by our list of the “easiest” medical schools to get into in Canada based on admissions criteria and applicant status.
Easiest Medical School to Get into in Canada based on Acceptance Rate
Easiest Medical School to Get into in Canada based on GPA
- University of Ottawa School of Medicine – 3.5 Minimum
Easiest Medical School to Get into in Canada based on MCAT Score
- Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine – 506.
Note that there are medical schools that do not require the MCAT at all, or only consider CARS. You’ll see we mention the Canadian ones later in this blog!
Easiest Medical School to Get into in Canada for In-Province Applicants
- University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine
Easiest Medical School to Get into in Canada for Out-of-Province Applicants
- Majority of the medical schools in Ontario
Easiest Medical School to Get into in Canada for International Students
Medical School Admissions in Canada
Medical school admissions in Canada are notoriously competitive, with acceptance rates hovering even lower than medical school acceptance rates in the US. Canada only has 17 medical schools, and seats are very limited. This means you may want to apply to more than one school to increase your likelihood of admittance:
“In Canada, there are so few medical schools that it really is just a numbers game to some extent. If you are intent on getting into medicine and getting a medical doctorate, it really only hinders you to be selective about where you apply to. My official advice is to apply broadly.” – Dr. Jamie Cazes, MD, University of Toronto School of Medicine
Furthermore, many of Canada’s medical schools prefer in-province applicants and have higher admission standards for out-of-province applicants. Plus, not all of them admit international students. This means with thousands of applicants to its various medical schools, only a handful are admitted to medical school in Canada each cycle.
So, there are no real “easiest” medical schools to get into in Canada just based off the admissions data. However, many premeds actually stand a better chance than others of being admitted to certain Canadian medical schools, provided they meet minimum admission requirements, have the background or residency status select programs are looking for, and submit strong medical school applications.
For example, French-speaking applicants have the option to apply to medical schools in Quebec such as Université Laval Medical School or Université de Sherbrooke Medical School, where the competition pool is smaller. Students from regions in Northern Ontario have a higher than average chance of admission to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), where over 90% of matriculants are Northern Ontario residents.
So, while it’s hard to say definitively who wears the crown of easiest medical school to get into in Canada, you can certainly increase your chances of medical school acceptance in Canada by finding out where you have the best odds based on your premed profile.
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Check out our Canada Medical School Chance Predictor to see where you have the best chances of acceptance!
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Here are some tips on how to get into medical schools in Canada!
Application Requirements for Medical Schools in Canada
How to Get Into Medical School in Canada
No matter where you’re applying to medical school in Canada, the admissions landscape will be tough, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few of our top tips for how to get into medical school in Canada.
1. Research school requirements, preferences and recommendations
The first step is to carefully research the school’s admission requirements and preferences for applicants, as well as take note of any recommendations they may have to strengthen your application.
“My number one piece of advice is to do your research. Check EACH school’s requirements and see if you have courses or pre-reqs that fill those. You should regularly touch base with admissions at each school to verify that a course you are completing actually fills a pre-req before you do it–otherwise you may be stuck wasting time on a course that doesn’t even fill the reqs. You also need to think about which courses won’t hurt your GPA. If a school only requires you to have 1 credit in a life science or chemistry, there is no difference between a 1st year course and a 4th year course in their eyes–all they will see is a checkbox filling the requirement and your GPA.” – Dr. Jamie Cazes, MD, University of Toronto School of Medicine
Compare your experiences and academic profile to the requirements, then rate your options based on whether you are likely to get in, somewhat likely or unlikely. Focus your efforts on the schools where you have the best chance of being accepted and start working on crafting an excellent application.
2. Start applying early
Start your medical school applications as early as possible, both so you have time to gather all your materials and create the strongest possible application, and so you can be one of the earliest applicants. Most Canadian medical schools have very limited seats available, so applying early might mean you secure one of those spots ahead of the main wave of applicants.
3. Don’t forget academic requirements
While there are some medical schools that don’t require the MCAT or CASPer, Canadian medical schools still have fairly high academic requirements for admission, even at the easiest medical schools in Canada to get into. Maintain your grades as high as possible, since the cut-off for GPA or grade average may be higher for out-of-province students. If you do not make the minimum cut-off at some schools, your application will be rejected.
If this happens, do not panic. There are plenty of applicants from non-traditional backgrounds, as well as applicants who sought advice and took a gap year in order to prepare a stronger application to increase their chances of admission:
“It was advised that instead of cramming for 15 days and taking [the MCAT] for real, I should give myself the proper amount of time to study [for the MCAT]... [So] I decided to take a gap year.” -Moriah, BeMo student, UMass Chan Medical School
There are also some medical schools without prerequisites in Canada, although most MD programs have a list of recommended courses for students to take that will best prepare them for medical school. If you’re unsure where you stand, it’s best to connect with a trusted consultant or medical school advisor: “I'm a non traditional (read, a few years out from undergrad) applying to medical school. Naturally, I feel a bit out of my element.
Thankfully, I was assigned Dr. Megan Aoki. She was incredibly good at providing me with the information I requested, listening to my unique concerns, and working with me to generate an action plan to allow me to move forward in the most effective was possible.” – CF, Former BeMo Student
4. Embody the CanMEDS Framework
The CanMEDS roles framework was developed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to optimize physician training. When creating your medical school application, these roles and terminology should be at the top of your mind, especially as you write your activities or admission essays. Your academic requirements are important, but anywhere you can strengthen your application with your understanding and embodiment of the ideal Canadian physician’s attributes, do so!
5. Apply through alternate admission pathways
Some Canadian premeds have special admissions pathways open to them at select Canadian medical schools. For instance, if you are a Canadian northern resident, Indigenous or Black-identified applicant, you have admissions pathways designed specifically for you, and some medical schools even reserve seats for Indigenous, northern or Black medical school applicants. For instance, the Queen’s University Medical School has the Queen’s Accelerated Route to Medical School (QuARMS) program for Black-identified students. The University of Ottawa has pathways for Indigenous and Black students, for both English and French-language instruction streams.
6. Get professional feedback on your application
Having an expert eye on your application never goes amiss, whether you’re applying to the hardest or the easiest medical schools in Canada. A medical school consultant in Canada can give you advice on where you stand the best chance of acceptance, how to improve your application materials, such as your Activities and Experiences on your CV:
“Don't be a ‘CV stuffer, you may look as though you have low commitment to things. But, don’t be afraid to look BEYOND the medical field when it comes to volunteer work and experiences for medical school.” – Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD, University of Toronto School of Medicine
… They can also help you prepare for all aspects of admissions, from medical school interviews to financial aid applications to scholarships, and more!
“I had a great session with Trevor Blanchard last night. I really appreciated his feedback on the things I have been working on, and that he gave me even more tips to keep improving before my interview. Definitely recommend him for MMI prep, especially if you're applying in Canada.” Ally, Former BeMo Student
FAQs
1. What is the easiest medical school to get into in Canada?
University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine – Admission Rate of 11.25%
2. What is the hardest medical school to get into in Canada?
Queen’s university is one of the hardest medical schools to get into in Canada, with one of the lowest acceptance rates and some of the strictest admission requirements.
3. What GPA do I need to get into medical school in Canada?
On average, you will need a GPA above 3.5 to get into medical school in Canada. To get into the most competitive programs, your GPA should be above 3.7.
4. What MCAT score do I need to get into medical school in Canada?
A good MCAT score is Canada is generally above 509, or a score in the 80th percentile at least. For more competitive medical schools, you should aim for an MCAT score above the average admitted score.
5. What is the easiest medical school in Canada as an international student?
There are only a few medical schools in Canada which accept international students, although the University of Toronto and medical schools in Quebec tend to have a higher population of international medical school students overall.
6. What is the easiest medical school in Canada for out-of-province students?
The larger medical schools in Ontario generally have higher rates of acceptance for out-of-province students in Canada, and tend to have less of a preference for in-province students, with some exceptions. Medical schools in other Canadian provinces tend to have at least some preference for in-province students.
7. How to get into medical schools in Canada?
To get into medical school in Canada, you will need an excellent academic record and to meet all admission requirements at your target school. This usually means taking the MCAT and CASPer test and completing a medical school application. For most schools, you’ll need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, unless you apply to one of the medical schools that accept international students.
8. Is it harder to get into medical school in the US or Canada?
Medical school acceptance rates in Canada are generally lower than medical school acceptances rates in the US. In Canada, they hover around 20% on average, whereas in the US it sits at around 40%. Based on admissions data, and the smaller number of Canadian medical schools and available seats it is more difficult for students to get into medical school in Canada. It’s also more difficult for international students to get into medical schools in Canada.
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 [email protected] with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.
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