Medical school usually starts after university
Most Canadian MD programs expect applicants to complete at least two to three years of university, and many successful applicants complete a full undergraduate degree before entering medicine.
Medical Pathway
Canada Medical School Explorer
A research-backed guide for high school students who want to understand Canada's leading MD programs, what future applicants must verify, and what they can start building long before the application year.
Choose a strong undergraduate path, not a magic major
Many schools do not require one specific major. Students should prepare for biology, chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, writing, ethics, social science, and the MCAT while protecting their GPA.
Service and leadership must become consistent
A strong profile is built through long-term community service, communication, teamwork, reflection, and responsibility, not one short activity added at the end.
Admissions policies change every cycle
GPA thresholds, MCAT rules, CASPer use, residency preference, language requirements, and prerequisite courses can change. Always verify with the official school page before applying.
Canadian MD Program Research
8 major Canadian medical schools to understand early
This guide focuses on schools that many students research first because of reputation, size, research activity, location, or distinctive admissions structure. It is not a promise of ranking.
Ontario
University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine
U of T emphasizes academic strength plus non-academic qualities such as community involvement, reliability, perseverance, creativity, and leadership. It also states that applicants from many academic backgrounds are considered.
- Future applicant checks
- Undergraduate study, GPA calculation, prerequisite courses, MCAT, essays, autobiographical sketch, interview process.
- High school preparation
- Build strong writing, service, science literacy, public speaking, and a habit of reflecting on why health care matters.
- Good project match
- Physician interviews, medical ethics explainers, Toronto hospital/community health mapping, research digest writing.
British Columbia
University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine
UBC requires substantial university-transferable coursework before entry and notes different academic review thresholds for BC and out-of-province applicants. It also has evolving English and Indigenous Studies prerequisite expectations for upcoming cycles.
- Future applicant checks
- 90-credit requirement, BC versus out-of-province review, English and Indigenous Studies prerequisites, MCAT, non-academic file review.
- High school preparation
- Plan for university English writing, Indigenous health/history learning, sustained volunteering, and evidence of community connection.
- Good project match
- Public health articles, Indigenous health learning notes, rural/remote health interviews, environmental health service projects.
Quebec
McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
McGill has multiple applicant categories, including Quebec pathways, Canadian university applicant routes, and different educational requirements depending on category. Students should pay close attention to category-specific rules.
- Future applicant checks
- Applicant category, educational requirements, supporting documents, language context, prerequisite science courses, interviews.
- High school preparation
- Keep French and English communication strong if Quebec is a serious option; build disciplined science foundations and service experience.
- Good project match
- Bilingual health explainers, Montreal community health research, patient communication interviews, medical student Q&A.
Ontario
McMaster Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine
McMaster is known for a three-year MD program, problem-based learning, and an admissions process where GPA, MCAT CARS, CASPer, and interview performance are especially important to understand.
- Future applicant checks
- Minimum undergraduate study, GPA calculation, MCAT CARS use, CASPer, interview format, Ontario residency rules.
- High school preparation
- Read widely, practice ethical reasoning, join discussion-based activities, and build service experiences that show empathy and judgment.
- Good project match
- Case discussion club, health policy debates, volunteer reflection essays, patient communication practice interviews.
Alberta
University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine
Calgary publishes a detailed applicant manual and runs a three-year MD program. Students should study the manual closely because Calgary's scoring and file review details are more nuanced than a simple checklist.
- Future applicant checks
- Applicant manual, Alberta versus non-Alberta applicant rules, GPA, MCAT, activities, references, interview process.
- High school preparation
- Build a broad activity record: service, leadership, teamwork, writing, research curiosity, and resilience in demanding schedules.
- Good project match
- Rural health profiles, Calgary community needs map, physician interview series, health systems article summaries.
Alberta
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
Alberta is a major research-intensive medical faculty. Students should check the current MD admissions site for academic requirements, MCAT expectations, residence categories, prerequisites, and application steps.
- Future applicant checks
- Academic eligibility, prerequisite coursework, MCAT, Alberta residency consideration, application deadlines, interview process.
- High school preparation
- Take sciences seriously, develop strong study systems, and connect medicine with service in aging, Indigenous health, public health, or technology.
- Good project match
- AI medicine research digests, Edmonton health outreach ideas, senior-care volunteering, chronic disease explainers.
Ontario
Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western states that applicants need at least three years of a four-year undergraduate degree, and it does not require a specific undergraduate major. It also publishes GPA and MCAT expectations by cycle.
- Future applicant checks
- Two qualifying undergraduate years, GPA threshold, MCAT section cutoffs, autobiographical sketch, references, Ontario residency rules.
- High school preparation
- Practice structured reflection, choose demanding but sustainable coursework, and build activities that show values, impact, and responsibility.
- Good project match
- Autobiographical sketch practice bank, Southwestern Ontario service research, leadership reflections, health communication articles.
Ontario
University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
Ottawa is a bilingual medical school with English and French streams. Applicants should check stream, language, prerequisite, GPA, CASPer, and Ontario residency requirements before planning an application.
- Future applicant checks
- English or French stream, prerequisite courses, GPA, CASPer, application category, Ontario residency expectations.
- High school preparation
- Maintain language strength, build community service, write health education content, and learn how policy and public health affect care.
- Good project match
- Bilingual health posts, Ottawa public health explainers, policy interview series, community education workshops.
High School Action Plan
What students can start before university
- Build academic range: biology, chemistry, math/statistics, English writing, ethics, psychology, and social science.
- Choose one long-term service track, such as senior care, health education, environmental health, or accessibility support.
- Write one health science article every month using credible sources and plain language.
- Interview students, physicians, nurses, researchers, or community organizers to understand the human side of care.
- Create an impact record: hours, people served, articles published, events hosted, reflections, and feedback.
- Before choosing university courses, re-check every target school's official prerequisite and MCAT policies.
Source Note
Use this page as a planning guide, not a final application checklist
Admissions requirements are reviewed by medical schools and can change. This page was prepared from official admissions pages where available and should be re-checked against each school before course selection or application.