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Careers in Medicine

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Clinical Involvement

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Application Process

• Application System
  • In Ontario, OMSAS is the main Application system used for Ontario Medical Schools
  • For out-of-province medical schools, applications are made through the individual institution
• Entrance Exam
  • The majority of medical schools require the MCAT as an entrance exam
  • Some medical schools require the CASPer test
  • Certain American medical schools require the AAMC PREview exam
• Selecting Schools
  • It is important to select schools that are not only a good fit for your academically, but also a good fit for your values, skills, and interests that will help you become the professional you want to be. Take time to research programs prior to the application process. Here are some factors you should consider:
    • Admission Requirements
    • Institutional mission, goals, and values
    • Size of cohort
    • Location
    • Your professional interests as it aligns with the school’s mission and training
• Reference Letters
  • Confirm your letter writers at least 3 months before you plan to apply. You should determine specific letter requirements and quantities from your programs of choice. Letters are most commonly required from at least one of the following categories:
    • 2 academic- or research-related reference
    • 1 non-academic reference
      • read here for acceptable non-academic references
• Timeline
  • Applications on OMSAS typically open in mid-July for admission to the next year’s cohort.
  • The entire application process typically lasts between 10-12 months throughout the academic year when you apply.
• Personal Statment
  • Only American schools require a personal statement for application to medical schools
  • This is a distinctive part of your application that takes time and reflection. Consider the following questions to begin:
    • Why do you want to become a physician? Why is this the profession you have chosen instead of another?
    • Think back to your experiences volunteering, shadowing, researching, studying abroad. Can you provide a specific story that deeply impacted you and your decision to become a physician?
    • Character Limits:
      • AMCAS: 5,300 characters (including spaces and punctuation)
      • AACOMAS: 4,500 characters (including spaces and punctuation)

Academic Prerequisites

• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada Medical Schools List
• Ontario Medical School Requirements

• Association of American Medical Colleges Medical School Admission Requirements Subscription (MSAR)
• Osteopathic Medical College Information Book

Course	Required for Canadian Schools?	Required for American Schools?	Needed for MCAT?
English	Some	Yes	Yes
Introductory Biology	Yes	Yes	Yes
General Chemistry	Yes	Yes	Yes
Organic Chemistry	Yes	Yes	Yes
Physics	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calculus	Yes	Many	No
Statistics	Yes	Many	Helpful
Biochemistry	Many	Many	Yes
Sociology	Some	Some	Helpful
Psychology	Some	Some	Helpful