Students who are interested in medicine should be aware that the various medical colleges have different requirements for applications and admissions. It is advised that students research the schools that they are interested in early in their undergrad to be sure that they fulfill the requirements. However, one common requirement is that students take at least three full courses at the level they are in during each of the levels in undergraduate studies. This converts to 18 units at McMaster. To keep all options open, it is advisable that students adhere to this.
A common requirement among many but not all schools is the taking of the Medical College Admissions Test. There are four components that are graded separately and different schools may have different cut-offs for each of the sections. Please take great consideration when choosing a school and making sure you have the minimum requirements. More information can be found at the Ontario MCAT Prep Site. In addition, the BHSS Academic Committee usually has Medical School and MCAT information nights, as does other student organization. Get in touch with your Academic Coordinator to get more information.
Medicine is one of the most popular career choices for Bachelor of Health Sciences students. However, please note that it is certainly not the only option as BHSc is not a pre-med program. It can be pre-med if that is what you choose but students are encouraged not to limit themselves to just one option. A BHSc degree can lead to almost endless possibilities for the futures of students depending on their electives and interests.
Ontario Schools
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (Hamilton, ON)
The Michael DeGroote School of Medicine within McMaster University is an innovative approach to medicine that involves a problem based approach to learning. Students are also able to complete their MD within three years instead of the traditional four.
Northern Ontario School of Medicine (Sudbury, ON; Thunder Bay, ON)
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is a collaboration between Lakehead University and Laurentian Univerity. Accordingly, they have two campuses; Thunder Bay and Sudbury. Students attending NOSM get the opportunity to learn in areas all across Northern Ontario during their four schooling.
Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)
Queen’s University School of Medicine strives to give students hands-on experience in a variety of settings; ambulatory in particular. Successful applicants will do a four year MD in Kingston.
Schulich School of Medicine (London, ON)
Medicine and Dentistry are both taught within the Schulich School of Medicine within the University of Western Ontario.
University of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)
University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine favours students that have a strong background in both physical sciences and the arts. They value students who have excellent skills in the following areas: observation, communication, motor, and Intellectual-conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.
University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)
The University of Toronto is easily the largest school in Ontario to attend medical school. Due to high demand, UofT recently expanded the number of undergraduate positions for medical school by adding another academy in Mississauga.
