Medical Schools in Ontario: How To Get Accepted in

Medical Schools in Ontario: Admissions Statistics

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How Hard is it to Get Into Medical Schools in Ontario?

Ontario’s medical schools are highly regarded as some of the best in Canada and around the world, and they all receive thousands of applications per year. Therefore, these are also some of the most competitive medical schools in Canada.

Just like med school acceptance rates in Canada, the acceptance rates for schools in Ontario vary, but on average accept under 10% of all applicants. Getting accepted to any of these six schools is a great achievement, and to do so requires mastering the OMSAS and creating a stand-out application.

So, if you are looking to apply to med schools in Ontario, here’s some sage advice from our admissions expert Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD and former admissions officer for the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine:

“In Canada, there are so few medical schools that it really is a numbers game... My official advice is to apply broadly, especially if you are applying within Canada.” – Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine 

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Want to calculate your chances of acceptance? Check out our Ontario Medical School Chance Predictor!

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How to Apply to Medical Schools in Ontario

The Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) is the centralized medical school application service for applicants to all 6 medical schools in Ontario.

The first step will be to create an OMSAS profile and complete the registration. If you attended university in Ontario, you will already have a Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) account, which you can also use to apply through OMSAS. If you already have an OUAC account, do not create a new one!

Through OMSAS, you will create one unified application, which will be sent to the Ontario medical schools you indicate. Double check you have completed the application in full, including the supplementary application components required by each individual school, such as the University of Toronto brief personal essays, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine supplementary questionnaire or the Schulich abbreviated autobiographical sketch.

All Ontario medical schools may also ask you to submit to a criminal record check and to complete a basic CPR course, submitting your certification through OMSAS.

It’s important to check the applicant responsibilities and guidelines on the OMSAS website before you begin. Creating an application takes time and should be done carefully to ensure your best chance of success. Here’s a list of materials you’ll need as you begin filling out your OMSAS application:

• University course list or unofficial transcripts
• Names and contact details for your references
• Proof of permanent resident (landed immigrant) status (not required if you are a Canadian citizen)
• Academic CV (University of Toronto MD/PhD applicants only)
• Disability-based Consideration documents (if applicable)
• Certificate for CPR Basic Rescuer Course

Indigenous and International Applicants

Indigenous applicants can apply to Ontario medical schools through a separate Indigenous applicant stream. Applicants will need to provide proof of status, a letter of support and a personal statement and a medical school letter of intent as part of their application.

More information on the application requirements for the different medical schools can be found here on the OMSAS website.

International applicants can apply to medical schools in Ontario only if they are Canadian citizens or have permanent resident (landed immigrant) status.

Here’s a quick guide to the OMSAS system!

How to Get Into Medical Schools in Ontario

Medical schools in Ontario generally have the same medical school requirements as other schools in Canada and the US. However, there are some specific requirements and preferences you should be aware of:

#1: Check the School’s Applicant Preferences

Almost all the medical schools in Ontario accept applications from students all over Canada, and internationally. However, most of the med schools in Ontario show a preference for Ontario residents or even a preference for regional applicants.

While the admissions requirements for in-province and out-of-province students are the same, the average MCAT or GPA for accepted out-of-province students is higher than for their in-province counterparts.

Some medical schools also give preference to students from a specific Ontario region. For example, Schulich School of Medicine favors applicants from Southwestern Ontario, and NOSM gives preference to Northern Ontario applicants and applicants from other northern regions of Canada. 

It makes sense to consider these location preferences when choosing where to apply, as you can maximize your chances of acceptance by prioritizing schools that give preference to you due to your location, background or identity. On the other hand, if you’re an out-of-province student, you can strategically skip applying to schools that show extremely selective requirements for out-of-province applicants.

Also remember that not all med schools in Ontario accept international students!

Check out some tips for international applicants:

#2: Choose Your Schools Strategically

Do your research about the requirements for different schools and try to prioritize the ones where your GPA and MCAT meet the admission thresholds. If the gap between your test scores and the average test scores of matriculants is too large, your chances of acceptance are drastically reduced.

Also consider the kind of activities and experiences preferred by your chosen medical schools. Check the values, mission statements, and matriculant profiles of each school you’re applying to and target the ones where your experiences and activities will be valued. For example, if you have a lot of clinical experience working in rural areas, NOSM might be a good fit for you, as they promote the health and well-being of rural populations. On the other hand, if you speak French fluently and eventually want to move to a francophone area, such as Québec, you might be better off applying to the University of Ottawa’s French stream.

Undoubtedly, all 6 medical schools in Ontario care whether you possess the qualities described by the CanMEDS roles, but each school has its own values and mission. To have the best chance of getting accepted at your desired school, emphasize the experiences and skills that make you the right fit.

#3: Check the Language of Instruction

Ontario is a great option for francophone students applying from all over Canada. The University of Ottawa provides French-language instruction, and NOSM encourages francophone applicants. If you’re a French-speaking applicant, you can consider applying to these two universities to maximize your chances of acceptance.

Also, you should know that you can’t apply to both the English and French programs at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine; if you speak both languages, you must choose one language stream.

Not sure which stream to choose? We work with students and medical school applicants in both French and English and can help improve your comfortability ahead of your application and medical school interviews.  

“I had a French and English interview [with Martin]. He was able to pick out the differences in my performance between the two, French being my weaker one, and helped me get to the same level. He also helped make my responses become more persuasive.” – Jean, Former BeMo student.

#4: Keep in Mind How Much Medical School Costs

Another factor you should consider before applying to medical schools in Ontario is tuition. The following tabs show the tuition for each of the Ontario medical schools, in year 1, in CAD. 

As you can see, medical schools in Ontario ask for the same tuition for all Canadian residents, so out-of-province students don’t need to worry about paying more. However, the tuition for international students is much higher than for Canadian residents. Keep medical school tuition in mind before deciding which universities to apply to, so you can create your financial plan accordingly.

#5: Ace Your Interview

One of the key considerations in the medical school application process is the medical school interview. For medical schools in Ontario, the format differs from one school to the next. The following table describes the different interview types used by Ontario medical schools:

McMaster School of Medicine

• Interview Type: MMI
• Determining Factors for Interview Request: Academic performance; Preparedness for career in medicine; Suitability for McMaster School of Medicine
• How Interview Performance is Evaluated: N/A
• Interview Date: Late January/Early February

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine

• Interview Type: Modified Personal Interview (MPI) or virtual MPI
• Determining Factors for Interview Request: Review of application
• How Interview Performance is Evaluated: N/A
• Interview Date: February-April

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

• Interview Type: MMI or virtual MMI
• Determining Factors for Interview Request: GPA; Autobiographical sketch (ABS) and supplemental questions; Relevant context
• How Interview Performance is Evaluated: Pre-interview score (50%); Interview score (50%); File review by admissions selection committee
• Interview Date: March-April

University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine

• Interview Type: MMI
• Determining Factors for Interview Request: Academic parameters (GPA); Non-academic parameters (CASPer, ABS, etc.)
• How Interview Performance is Evaluated: N/A
• Interview Date: February-March

Schulich School of Medicine

• Interview Type: Panel Interview
• Determining Factors for Interview Request: Degree requirements; GPA; MCAT
• How Interview Performance is Evaluated: N/A
• Interview Date: March

Queen’s University School of Medicine

• Interview Type: MMI/Panel
• Determining Factors for Interview Request: Based on holistic review of application
• How Interview Performance is Evaluated: Empathy, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, communication skills
• Interview Date: February-March

Find out more about the interview formats used by medical schools in Ontario:

#6 Prepare for the CASPer Test

Some medical schools in Ontario use the CASPer assessment to make decisions for interviews and acceptances. CASPer is a situational judgment test that presents you with various situations and asks what you would do in those situations. This test helps schools determine your behavioral tendencies and skills that are important for a prospective doctor, such as critical thinking and empathy. To prepare, you should know the key CASPer test question types, as well as how the CASPer test is scored.

The best way for you to prepare for this test is to use practice CASPer questions. This will help you get familiar with the format, timing, and content of a strong answer. Remember, even though CASPer doesn’t technically have any right or wrong answers, there is a right way to answer, and you will be evaluated on your ability to remain non-judgmental and professional, among other things.

FAQs

1. Are medical schools in Ontario easy to get into?

All six medical schools in Ontario have competitive MD programs that are not easy to gain admission into. All of them have overall acceptance rates of less than 10%.

2. How can I get into medical schools in Ontario?

Ontario medical schools are incredibly competitive, and if you want to gain admission into any of them, besides having impressive academic and test results, you will also have to submit a well-crafted autobiographical sketch, impactful essays, and glowing letters of recommendation. Make sure you check the website of the universities you’re applying to so that you can understand all the requirements.

3. Do medical schools in Ontario require the MCAT?

Only the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine do not require the MCAT. The other 4 MD programs do require it.

4. Do Ontario medical schools accept out-of-province or international students (including US)?

There are only a few Canadian medical schools that accept US students and international applicants. All medical schools in Ontario allow out-of-province applicants, but some may have specific regional quotas or requirements to encourage local talent.

5. How do I apply to medical schools in Ontario?

To apply for medical school in Ontario, you need to submit an application via the Ontario Medical School Application Service, also called OMSAS. OMSAS applications involve many similar components to the US med school application portals such as AMCAS, TMDSAS, and AACOMAS.

6. Do medical schools in Ontario require the CASPer test?

Yes, many of the med schools in Ontario require you to complete the CASPer test for admission.

7. What GPA do you need to get into Ontario medical schools?

In general, you will need a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 on the OMSAS GPA scale. Check the average accepted GPA of your target schools to determine what a competitive GPA will be. Or try our OMSAS GPA scale converter.

8. How many medical schools are in Ontario?

There are six medical schools in Ontario.

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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