PREPARING FOR Think about what kind of future appeals to you? Do you like challenges? Are you interested in science and how the body works? If you answered yes to these questions, chances are you have the right personality for a career of medicine. Pursuing a career as a doctor is a long and intense journey. Physicians support and manage the health care of people of all ages. They take medical histories, perform physical examinations, conduct diagnostics test and recommend, provide treatment and advise patients on their overall health and well-being. While there are many different types of physicians, they can be usually divided into three broad categories. First, primary care physicians are the doctors, whom patients visit most frequently. They treat a wide range of illness and provide preventive care. Next are surgeons who perform operations to treat diseases and repair injuries. Lastly, specialists have expertise related to specific diseases and body parts such as Cardiologists, neurologists and so on.

WHAT UNIVERSITY BACKGROUND IS REQUIRED? Gaining admission to medical school is competitive. Requirements to apply vary for each medical school but often start with a combination of a candidate’s GPA (minimum 3.5 but higher is preferred) and MCAT score (minimum of 80-85th percentile). Additionally, admission committees also consider a candidate’s extracurricular activities and work experience when evaluating prospective students. A strong personal statement and solid academic references from professors are also typically required. It is prudent to verify all information about admissions requirements and processes directly with each faculty.

Many medical faculties maintain separate admission categories for applicants who are mature in age, Black or Aboriginal applicants, as well as for people with disabilities. These access categories may have slightly different admission requirements. Each applicant is considered and compared with others in the same category.

WHAT IS THE MCAT? The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) develops and administers the MCAT exam – a standardized, multiple choice test that has been part of the medical school admissions process for more than 85 years. The MCAT exam is designed to help better prepare tomorrow’s doctors for the rapid changes in science and medical career. This exam contains 59 questions each from Biological and Biochemical foundations of living system, Chemical and Physical Foundations, Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviour as well as Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section. This exam is online and lasts 7 hours with break included and is held between January – Mid September. Tip: Review an MCAT guide such as those published by Kaplan, Prep101, and/or Princeton Review for sample questions and solutions to help you understand the skills assessed in the MCAT. Once you are ready to study for the MCAT, begin to practice from actual and previously administered MCAT’s. Official MCAT PrepTests can be purchased at: https://www.aamc.org Free MCAT Prep is also available online through the Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/test- prep/mcat The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of (AFMC) offer a Fee Assistance Program for Canadian examinees in financial need to help them prepare for and register for the MCAT: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical- school/article/fee-assistance-program-canadian-examinees/

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE MCAT Applicants can register online by visiting the AAMC website: https://www.aamc.org Check the AAMC website for test dates, locations and deadlines. Cost for the MCAT is $315 US. Tip: Check with each medical school regarding deadlines by which the MCAT must be written and consider writing at an earlier sitting to provide flexibility should you choose to take the test again.

APPLYING TO ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES

There are 17 medical schools in Canada with 6 in Ontario. Within Ontario, it is common to receive 2,500+ applications for 170-280 spots. Given the degree of competition, students are advised to consider and prepare for a variety of career options rather than having a narrow and exclusive focus on medicine. Once admitted, the cost of medical school in Canada ranges greatly and is dependent on each educational institution. For the 2020-2021 year, the cost of tuition ranged between $28,500 () to $25,286 ().

The application process is handled centrally by the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/omsas-mcmaster/

• In addition to the online application, refer to each university’s admission requirements for supplementary information that might be required. Applications are due through OMSAS October 1, 2020. • It is recommended that applicants allow between 10-25 hours for preparation of their application and if a personal statement is required, allow plenty of time for editing and refining. • Non-refundable OMSAS application fee is $220 Canadian, plus around $100 -$130 for each school applied to. • Refer to the OMSAS website for a listing of upcoming Medical School information events/sessions in the Fall: https://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/

Qualifying to practice in Canada with an international medical degree requires a number of accreditation steps. For full details consult: • http://www.royalcollege.ca/rcsite/credentials-exams/assessment-international-medical-graduates-e

PRACTICING MEDICINE IN ONTARIO

To practice Medicine in Ontario, The Canadian Medical Association requires successful completion of: • Degree in medicine from an acceptable medical school. • Part 1 and Part 2 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) or one of the acceptable alternative examinations. • Certification, by examination, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). • Completion of a 2-year program in Canada. Some programs take up to years depending on your specialty. • Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.

Ontario Medical Schools: University of Toronto http://applymd.utoronto.ca University of Ottawa https://www.med.uottawa.ca Queen’s University http://meds.queensu.ca University of Western Ontario http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/ McMaster University http://mdprogram.mcmaster.ca Northern Ontario School of Med https://www.nosm.ca/education/md-program/admissions/

Tip: Detailed information about admission requirements and application procedures should be obtained from the individual Faculties of Medicine. For an overview summarizing medical school requirements, application categories and specialty programs refer to: https://www.ouac.on.ca/omsas/

CAREER CENTRE RESOURCES

• Graduate and Professional Schools Fair: Typically held in the 2nd or 3rd week of September annually, 10:00am – 2:00pm at the RAWC. Speak with representatives from Ontario and other law schools. See the Events Calendar for a list of faculties attending the fair. • Job Shadowing Program: A unique career exploration program to investigate career interests over a 1 to 5-day voluntary placement in November, February and June. https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/jsp-students • Med School Information Session: This info session will shed some light on some of the factors that can make you a competitive candidate plus the application process demystified. https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/med-school-information-session

****see the CLN via CLN https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm Events Calendar for all the above****

Career Centre Print and On-line Resources:

• Medicine: Preparing for Medical School– Learn about the different academic and non-academic requirements as well as about different resources available • Beyond the Stethoscope – View our “Alternatives to Medicine” profile package • Medicine School Outside Ontario – Mission NOT SO Impossible – View this profile package for more information • Mastering the Personal Statement” - Understand the process of writing a personal statement. Also, try our e module found on our website under Further Education, Resources and Links. Make an appointment to have your statement reviewed at the Career Centre • Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine • Canadian Federation of Medical Students: Pre-Med • UTM Career Resource library: check out our e-collection books related to careers in medicine and MCAT

Individual Appointments – Get support and information to plan your medical career, explore alternatives, gain relevant experience and critique your personal statement. Call (905) 828-5451

Contact medical schools’ admissions offices to clarify specific questions not covered on their websites.

Information is subject to change. Consult the original sources for the most up to date information. (Updated June. 2020)