Isabella R. is the Head MCAT Coach at Prep101, where she leads a team of expert coaches committed to helping students achieve their highest possible scores. With years of experience in MCAT prep and a passion for both medicine and mentorship, Isabella has helped hundreds of students navigate the complexities of the exam. She specializes in customizing MCAT prep to fit each student’s unique needs, and loves sharing the strategies and insights that helped her achieve a 517 on the MCAT. When she’s not coaching, you can find Isabella staying on top of the latest MCAT trends to ensure Prep101’s students always have the most effective tools at their fingertips.
How to Navigate the Canadian Medical School Application Process
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Navigating the Canadian medical school application process can feel like a daunting challenge, especially with each school having its own set of requirements and procedures. Whether you’re just starting your pre-med journey or thinking about a career change, knowing the ins and outs of the Canadian medical school application process is key to turning your dream of becoming a doctor into a reality!
With that being said, I’ve compiled some important information about the Canadian medical school application process to set you up for success! In this article, I’ll walk you through the costs of applying to each Canadian medical school, the necessary components for your application, which platforms to use, and what you need to know about international student policies. For more details on academic requirements and application deadlines, check out this article! Or, if you want to know more about each medical school’s MCAT requirements, check out this article here!
*Disclaimer: Admissions requirements for Canadian medical schools are dynamic and constantly changing. For the most up-to-date information, be sure to double check by clicking the link to each medical school’s website included in this article.
Costs, Eligibility, and Where to Apply to Canadian Medical Schools
Applying to medical schools is an exciting journey, but it can quickly become overwhelming with the costs, eligibility requirements, and different application platforms for each school. Don’t worry, though! To make things easier, I’ve created a helpful table below that lays out all the important details – like application fees, eligibility criteria, and where to apply – so you can stay organized and focused on taking the next step toward your dream of becoming a doctor!
| School | Application Fee (CAD) | Accepts Third Year applicants? | **Accepts International Students? | Application Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western | $125 | Yes | No | OMSAS* |
| U of T | $130 | Yes | No | OMSAS |
| McMaster | $130 | Yes | No | OMSAS |
| Ottawa | $130 | Yes | No | OMSAS |
| Queen’s | $130 | Yes | No | OMSAS |
| TMU | $130 | No | No | OMSAS |
| Northern Ontario | $125 | No | No | OMSAS |
| McGill | $186.77 | No | Yes | McGill Web-Based Application System |
| UBC | $136. 50 (BC residents), $202.50 (out of province), $37.50 for out of province transcripts | Yes | No | UBC Online Application System (OAS) |
| Calgary | $150 | Yes | No | UCAN Online System |
| Alberta | $180 for new students to UofA, $130 to current or former UofA undergrad students | No | No | UAlberta Launchpad |
| Saskatchewan | $150, additional fee of $75 if invited to interview | No | No | University of Saskatchewan Admissions site |
| Manitoba | $100 | No | No | University of Manitoba application portal |
| Memorial | $255 | No | No | Memorial Online Admissions Service |
| Dalhousie | $70 | No | No | Dalhousie Application Portal |
*OMSAS stands for the Ontario Medical School Application Service
**The Ontario government has recently passed legislation barring international students from Ontario medical schools starting Fall of 2026. They will aim to have 95% of seats reserved for Ontario residents, with the remainder for students from other parts of Canada
Application Components for Canadian Medical Schools
Feeling unsure about what’s needed to apply to medical schools in Canada? Don’t worry, you’re in good company. Each medical school has its own set of application requirements, from documents to test scores and references. To make things easier for you, I’ve put together a helpful table outlining the specific components for each school, so you can quickly see what you need to gather to submit a complete application for your dream medical school!
| School | Documents | References | Assessments/Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western | Western Autobiographical Sketch, OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) | 3 (1 academic or employment related, 1 non-academic or personal, 1 of your choosing) | MCAT |
| U of T | 2 Brief Personal Essays, OMSAS Autobiographical sketch (ABS), 1 ABS statement | 3 (1 academic or employment related, 1 non-academic or personal, 1 of your choosing) | MCAT |
| McMaster | OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) | 3 (1 academic or employment related, 1 non-academic, 1 of your choosing) | MCAT, CASPer |
| Ottawa | OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) | 3 (1 academic or employment related, 1 non-academic, 1 of your choosing) | CASPer |
| Queen’s | OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) | 3 (1 academic or employment related, 1 non-academic, 1 of your choosing) | MCAT, CASPer |
| TMU | OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch (ABS), 4 Supplementary Questions | 3 (1 academic or employment related, 1 non-academic, 1 of your choosing) | Kiara Talent Assessment |
| Northern Ontario | OMSAS Autobiographical Sketch (ABS), letter of employment & employment verification form (if applicable) | 3 (1 academic or employment related, 1 non-academic, 1 of your choosing) | None |
| McGill | *Proof of citizenship or Quebec residency (if applicable), transcript(s), academic history workbook, CV & verifiers, French language proficiency, research appendix (for MD/PhD applicants only) | 2 letters of reference (for MD/PhD applicants only) | CASPer |
| UBC | Transcript(s), valid proof of BC or territory residency (if applicable), non-academic activities, employment history, northern rural training (if applicable), AP or IB English test results (if applicable) | Not required unless invited to interview - exact specifications provided in interview invitation | MCAT |
| Calgary | Transcripts, employment history, publications, awards, top 10 experiences | 3 references (1 that can speak to your organizational/leadership skills, 1 that can speak to your commitment to advocacy/community, 1 that can speak to your interpersonal behaviours and collaboration) | MCAT |
| Alberta | Transcripts, personal activities | 2 references | MCAT, CASPer |
| Saskatchewan | Transcripts, written personal statements | 3 references who have supervised you within the past 4 years - references only required for candidates invited to interview | MCAT, CASPer |
| Manitoba | Transcripts, proof of residency (if applicable), Indigenous prerequisite course outline, supplementary questionnaire | Not required unless invited to interview - 3 references who have known you for at least 2 years and who speak to your academic performance, work experience, or community involvement | MCAT, CASPer |
| Memorial | Unofficial transcripts (official required if selected to interview), work experience and extracurricular activities | 2 reference letters (1 must be academic) | MCAT, CASPer |
| Dalhousie | Unofficial transcripts (official required if selected to interview), short answer questions & supplemental information, decisions that contributed to selection of Dalhousie (if an out of province applicant), supporting pathway documents if applicable | None required | MCAT, CASPer |
*Note: Different applicant streams (eg. Out of province applicant vs Quebec resident vs applicant who went to university in Quebec) can require different documentation – be sure to double check McGill’s website linked above
Final Thoughts
I hope this article has given you valuable insights to help guide you through your Canadian medical school application journey! I hope that having some of the important information organized in one place makes the process a little less overwhelming and helps you stay on track as you work toward your goal of becoming a doctor.
Still have questions or need more details on the Canadian medical school application process? Check out these articles: Applying to Canadian Medical Schools: Timelines, Deadlines & How to Get Started and The Interview Process for Canadian Medical Schools: What to Expect After You Apply.
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