Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine

TMU’s Mission Statement

“To develop future healthcare leaders who are equipped to provide care for diverse, underserved communities across Ontario. TMU’s emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion is at the forefront of this initiative, making it a unique addition to Ontario’s medical school landscape. The program also aims to address the healthcare disparities in urban and rural areas, ensuring that graduates are not only skilled clinicians but also advocates for social justice in healthcare.”

This aligns with TMU’s long-standing commitment to community-focused education and innovation, building on its success in other fields to deliver a medical program that meets the needs of Ontario’s population.

TMU’s Admissions Statistics

TMU’s MD program has 94 seats available. Like other Ontario medical schools, TMU has a competitive admission process—in other words, getting in with a low GPA can be tricky as limited seats means top applicants will be competing for a spot!

Historically, medical schools in Canada (and specifically, Ontario) see a high volume of applications and low acceptance rates due to the limited number of seats available each year. That means that if you’ve got your sights set on TMU, it’s time to make sure you have an impressive and holistic array of extracurriculars, volunteer work and/or shadowing hours, an excellent GPA, etc... More on that later!

Here's a snapshot of TMU’s admissions criteria directly from their website:

• “The School of Medicine uses a holistic admissions process embedding the principles of anti-racism, accessibility, EDI, decolonization and Reconciliation.
• Admission is based on academic performance, progress towards an undergraduate degree in any discipline and academic, extracurricular and professional experience.
• The process is designed to purposefully admit equity-deserving students and to identify and select applicants interested in primary care practice, particularly in medically underserved areas.
• The MCAT will not be required.”

Eligibility to Attend TMU’s MD Program

TMU MD program applicants need to hold a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate academic excellence, typically measured by GPA. However, they don’t require a specific undergraduate major, nor do they have strict prerequisites.

Similar to many medical school GPA requirements, TMU requires at least a 3.5 GPA – some schools range on the lower end – and competitive applicants to med school typically have a GPA of 3.7 or higher.

Education Pathways at TMU

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Medicine offers multiple admissions pathways to ensure diversity and inclusion in its student body. These pathways are designed to support equity-deserving groups, aiming to provide opportunities to those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities in medicine.

1. Indigenous Admissions Pathway: This pathway prioritizes applicants who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. In alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, TMU is committed to addressing barriers to medical education for Indigenous communities and offers a unique interview format, such as a talking circle, instead of the traditional MMI.
2. Black Admissions Pathway: Focused on addressing the significant underrepresentation of Black students in medical education, this pathway encourages applications from those who identify as Black or African descent. TMU aims to dismantle systemic barriers and foster a diverse healthcare workforce.
3. Equity-Deserving Admissions Pathway: Applicants from other equity-deserving groups—those who have faced discrimination, marginalization, or barriers to accessing medical education—are encouraged to apply through this pathway. This aligns with TMU’s commitment to anti-racism, accessibility, and equity.

Selection Factors that TMU Considers

Prerequisites

TMU has stated it does not require any prerequisites for admission, but it is recommended that applicants complete a variety of undergraduate courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and social sciences (just to name a few). These courses ensure that applicants have the foundational knowledge needed for success in medical school, but there are no specific prerequisites at this time

GPA

A competitive GPA is an important factor in the admissions process. As noted earlier, most medical schools in Ontario expect applicants to have a GPA of at least 3.7, and TMU follows a similar standard. Currently they look for students with a minimum 3.5 GPA. However, TMU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion means that applicants from underrepresented backgrounds or those with unique life experiences could be evaluated holistically, taking more than just GPA into account. This is a huge stride toward diversifying representation in healthcare.

MCAT

The MCAT is not required at TMU. Check out TMU’s MD program page for more up-to-date information.

CASPer

Many Canadian medical schools require applicants to complete the CASPer test, an online situational judgment test designed to assess non-academic qualities such as empathy, ethics, and communication skills.

TMU's School of Medicine does not list CASPer as a requirement. Instead, the selection process involves a holistic assessment that includes an online asynchronous evaluation hosted by Kira Talent. This assessment involves timed written and video responses that focus on evaluating applicants' commitment to the school's mission, as well as their communication and problem-solving skills. From there, shortlisted candidates proceed to a file review and, if selected, will participate in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) as part of the final interview process​.

OMSAS ABS

The Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) is a key component of the Ontario medical school application process. It allows applicants to showcase their experiences, leadership, and involvement in activities related to healthcare, research, and community service. Applicants to TMU should carefully craft their ABS to reflect the qualities that TMU values, such as a commitment to serving underserved communities and promoting health equity.

Supplementary Questions

TMU MD applications are required to submit responses to three supplementary questions. The responses vary in word length, and questions are closely linked to TMU’s mission and vision as a medical school. 

1. How have your lived experiences contributed to your personal growth and desire to pursue a career in medicine?
2. What leadership roles and/or community engagement experiences have you undertaken within your community, particularly in efforts aimed at supporting and advocating for marginalized groups? How have these experiences prepared you to address the needs of underserved communities as a future healthcare professional?
3. How have your personal, professional, or extracurricular experiences with diversity, inequity, and/or marginalization influenced your efforts to create a more inclusive environment in your school, community, or workplace?
4. Describe your connection(s) to the Brampton/Peel Region and surrounding communities and/or your interest in practicing in culturally diverse communities such as these, that represent the future of Canada. For the purpose of this question and your response, we define Brampton/Peel Region and surrounding communities as follows:

• Peel: Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon
• Bolton
• Dufferin
• Halton: Milton, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills
• North Etobicoke
• West Woodbridge

**If you have identified a connection to the Brampton/Peel Region or surrounding communities, you are required to submit supporting documentation to verify your connection to the area.**

Interview Format and Selection at TMU

The interview process is one of the most critical components of medical school admissions, and as we explained above, TMU conducts MMI’s for shortlisted candidates (who pass the Kira Talent evaluation). The MMI assesses applicants’ critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and communication skills through a series of timed scenarios.

TMU’s focus on community health and social justice also means that interview questions will delve into applicants’ understanding of healthcare disparities, ethical questions, and their commitment to improving healthcare accessibility.

Tuition and Funding at TMU

It’s no secret that medical school costs are high – but it’s a worthy investment. At TMU, tuition for their MD program is $26,586.33 for in-province students ($29.135.33 for out-of-province). For reference and comparison, medical school tuition in Canada can vary, but in Ontario, it typically ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per year. More information can be found on the TMU MD program website.

Students can also apply for external scholarships, bursaries, and grants to help offset the cost of their medical education. TMU’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion may also result in additional financial aid programs aimed at supporting students from underserved communities.

Curriculum at TMU

The curriculum at TMU’s medical school is focused on community-centered healthcare, with an emphasis on the social determinants of health, patient-centered care, and healthcare accessibility. The program combines traditional medical education with innovative, case-based learning. Students can expect to learn through a combination of classroom-based instruction, simulated patient interactions, and clinical rotations in some of Peel Region and Toronto’s leading healthcare institutions.

The pre-clinical years cover foundational medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, while the clinical years focus on hands-on experience in various medical specialties, such as family medicine, surgery, and internal medicine. Clinical rotations will allow students to gain exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.

TMU’s Campus and Faculty

The decision to build Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) new School of Medicine in Brampton is rooted in the city’s unique demographic and healthcare needs. Brampton is one of Canada’s most rapidly growing and diverse cities, located about 45 minutes north-west of TMU’s downtown Toronto campus.

But, despite Brampton being a thriving destination in Peel region, it has been historically underserved in terms of healthcare infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the urgent need for healthcare investment in the region. TMU’s new medical school aims to address these healthcare gaps by training future doctors with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, while also providing primary care services to the community.

The TMU medical school is located at the former Bramalea Civic Centre, which has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility. The campus includes classrooms, labs, a library, and student amenities, all designed to foster collaborative and active learning. The building also features a community health clinic, offering much-needed healthcare services to Brampton residents while creating a community-based learning environment for students.

Contact Information for TMU

For more information about TMU’s new MD program, you can contact the School of Medicine directly:

Toronto Metropolitan University

School of Medicine

350 Victoria Street

Toronto, ON M5B 2K3

P: 416-979-5000

Website: https://www.torontomu.ca/school-of-medicine/

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Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results. 

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