University of Toronto Application

Navigating the application process can be overwhelming, but that’s where MedApplications’ expert coaching services make a real difference.

From crafting standout essays to mastering the MPI interview, our tailored support including Medical School Application Consulting, Essay Editing, and Interview Coaching helps you showcase your strengths and align with U of T’s rigorous standards. Book a strategy session today to maximize your chances in this competitive process!

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know to stand out in the medical schools application process, from academic requirements to application writing and interview preparation. We’re here to offer med school application help and guide you in navigating the path to medical school with confidence.

About the Temerty Faculty of Medicine

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto is one of North America’s largest biomedical research, education, and clinical care networks. The faculty consists of nine fully affiliated research hospitals, dozens of community and clinical care sites, more than 9,000 faculty and staff, and 7,000 learners at all levels. Guided by its vision of leadership and innovation to promote resilience and wellness, personal growth, and social responsibility in learners, the Faculty is dedicated to training socially accountable physicians and health professionals who will advance human health locally, nationally, and globally.

The U of T medical school application process is competitive, reflecting the program’s reputation and impact. The University of Toronto MD Program has a four-year, comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for every kind of career in medicine. The program is delivered across multiple campuses, including the St. George Campus in downtown Toronto, the Mississauga Academy of Medicine, and the Scarborough Academy of Medicine.

The first two years of the MD Program are known as Foundations and consists of 72 weeks designed to develop students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in preparation for future learning. Students learn in diverse settings, including classrooms for lectures and seminars, anatomy labs, community settings, and at the bedside. The Foundations curriculum integrates foundational science and clinical topics while equipping students with essential clinical skills. Each week has specific objectives and assessments to guide learning and build toward the achievement of the MD Program’s key and enabling competencies.

The final two years of the program are known as Clerkship and consist of 75 weeks of workplace learning in clinical settings. During Clerkship, students work alongside physicians and other health care team members in hospitals, clinics, and community-based practices. This integrated learning experience allows students to further develop the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes introduced in Foundations. Clerkship is divided into third year (50 weeks) and fourth year (25 weeks). In the third year, students participate in rotation-based clerkship, while the fourth year focuses on advanced clinical electives and preparation for residency. Throughout Clerkship, students benefit from the Faculty’s world-class network of hospitals and clinical care sites across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, preparing them to work effectively within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

All students, regardless of campus, graduate with the same MD degree and meet identical competencies and standards. The program’s distributed education model ensures that students gain exposure to a wide range of clinical environments, preparing them to address the evolving health challenges of their communities and contribute to the global advancement of medicine and health care

Temerty Medicine’s values of maintaining resilience and wellness, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, fostering equity and diversity, and supporting opportunities for learners to make a meaningful difference in local and global communities are woven into every aspect of the MD Program. Through its commitment to endorsing and serving as agents of change, the Faculty empowers its graduates to become leaders in medicine who are equipped to improve health outcomes and drive innovation in health care. This is part of what makes Temerty one of the best medical schools for Canadian applicants and international students alike.

Academic Admission Requirements

To study medicine at UofT, you must have a minimum of three years of undergraduate university experience. All applying students are required to complete two full course equivalents in any life science and one full course equivalent in any of social sciences, humanities, or a language. All Students also have a minimum MCAT requirement of 125 in each section, and an allowance of 124 in one section.

U of t medical school applications are accepted through the OMSAS (Ontario Medical School Application Service), which manages submissions for all ontario medical schools application processes. Be sure to stay up to date on medical schools application deadlines, as missing one could mean waiting another year to apply.

Below are the specific academic requirements for undergraduate, graduate, and international students:

• Undergraduate Students must complete a minimum of three years of any undergraduate university program and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.6.
• Graduate Students must complete a Master’s or PhD program and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.3.
• International Students must complete a non-medical bachelor’s degree equivalent to a WES transcript assessment, unless the applicant completed their studies in the US. The minimum GPA requirement for international undergraduate and graduate students is 3.6 and 3.3, respectively.

Balancing GPA improvement with MCAT prep and application components is challenging. MedApplications’ Academic Consulting helps you audit your transcript, plan course retakes, and design a study schedule to meet U of T’s elite benchmarks.

Non-Academic Admission Requirements

In addition to the academic requirements outlined above, the University of Toronto also looks for many non-academic qualities in applicants! If you’re wondering what do medical schools look for in applicants, UofT provides a detailed framework. Throughout the entire admissions process, the University assesses candidates based on how closely they align with the faculty’s mission and values, as well as the MD program’s competencies. More specifically, the University of Toronto evaluates applicants based on how closely they meet the following four clusters:

1. Professional
2. Communicator/Collaborator/Manager
3. Advocate
4. Scholar

Each of these clusters is derived from the CanMEDS framework. Before diving into details, it’s important to recognize that strong English skills are necessary to articulate and demonstrate your alignment with these clusters. Therefore, if you face challenges with the English language, the University of Toronto allows the submission of additional information regarding language barriers, which may be taken into consideration during your application. Gaining additional support from application experts can also help you to express your unique voice while clearly demonstrating the qualities medical schools are looking for!

Professional

Professionalism is about being mature, reliable, and responsible. Professionals are individuals who can meet the demands of their workspaces while balancing their personal lives effectively. They demonstrate perseverance and resilience in the face of tough situations. Rather than running away from challenges, they embrace novel, ambiguous, and complex situations with a growth mindset.

Being professional also means being mindful, reflective, and attentive to one’s own well-being while continuously striving for personal growth. Professionals recognize the limits of their own capabilities and act with integrity, honesty, and transparency. In the context of medicine, professionalism includes maintaining professional boundaries with patients, following legal and ethical codes of conduct, and demonstrating responsibility, commitment, and accountability to patients, society, the profession of medicine, and oneself.

Demonstrating professionalism in your application requires reflection and clarity. Our ABS Development Workshops guide you in highlighting resilience, ethics, and growth through impactful narratives and key traits U of T evaluates.

Communicator, Collaborator, and Manager

This is a broad and crucial cluster that highlights the many aspects of communication, teamwork, and leadership in medicine. Communication includes both verbal and non-verbal elements.

• Verbal communication involves using clear, precise, and accurate language. It means asking thoughtful questions, being mindful of word choices, and adapting language depending on the audience.
• Non-verbal communication includes body language, eye contact, attire, and environment, all of which impact how messages are received.

A great communicator also makes others feel heard through active listening, validating their feelings, and exploring their perspectives. Furthermore, documenting communication and using it for future reference is an essential skill for healthcare professionals.

Collaboration is about being able to work with a diverse team of individuals from various backgrounds and expertise levels. It requires respect for different perspectives, flexibility in beliefs, and humility in recognizing one’s own limitations. Effective collaboration fosters shared decision-making, long-term teamwork, and meaningful relationships.

Leadership is also an integral part of this cluster. Leaders are individuals who can drive change, take initiative, manage time effectively, set priorities, and mentor others. Strong leaders empower and uplift those they work with while ensuring efficient team management.

Advocate

Advocates are socially accountable individuals who recognize the social, cultural, economic, and historical factors that shape communities. As physicians, they go beyond diagnosing conditions and prescribing treatments—they focus on disease prevention, health promotion, and reducing health disparities.

Advocates are committed to health equity and accessibility, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care. They engage in community service and outreach, using their powerful position to amplify the voices of vulnerable and marginalized populations. By doing so, they help create a healthcare system that serves everyone fairly.

Scholar

Being a scholar is about more than just academic achievements! While awards, conference presentations, publications, and scholarships are important, scholarship is fundamentally about a commitment to lifelong learning. Scholars maintain academic integrity, embrace innovation, and apply evidence-based approaches to problem-solving.

Beyond personal learning, scholars also educate others and contribute to the broader medical community. They constantly evaluate and apply new knowledge while fostering an environment of collaborative learning.

Application Components

The medical school application process is multifaceted and consists of numerous important components. These components are assessed together and used to test how well applicants meet the program’s academic and non-academic requirements. The University of Toronto requires applicants to submit:

1. Two brief personal essays
2. An autobiographical sketch and statement
3. Three reference letters

All of these applicant components are essential to receiving an interview invite and admission. To stand out in such a competitive process, applicants often seek out mentorship or coaching services that provide expert support with writing, editing, and strategy—ensuring each part of the application reflects their strengths and tells a compelling story. We dive into each of the application components in greater detail below.

Personal Essays

Applicants must answer two brief personal essay questions, which typically inquire about their backgrounds, commitments to social responsibility, and alignment with the faculty’s values. Each essay must be 250 words or less and is evaluated independently.

Importantly, essays may be randomly checked using a plagiarism detection tool, so it is essential to submit original and authentic responses!

Standout essays require authenticity and strategic storytelling. MedApplications’ Essay Coaching refines your drafts to ensure they resonate with admissions committees while avoiding clichés or redundancy.

Autobiographical Sketch and Statement

The autobiographical sketch is a critical component required by all Ontario medical schools, including Toronto. The autobiographical sketch is a comprehensive list of an applicant’s activities and achievements since the age of 16. This list is submitted to all medical schools in Ontario and includes:

• Employment
• Volunteer activities
• Extracurricular activities
• Awards and accomplishments
• Research and publications
• Other meaningful experiences

Applicants may list up to 32 items but are not required to include specific activities. However, it is recommended to demonstrate a diverse skill set, a well-rounded background, and a commitment to community service, leadership, and teamwork.

Additionally, applicants must submit an autobiographical statement, responding to the prompt:

 “Write about an impactful experience from your Autobiographical Sketch that demonstrates your personal growth, character, and values. How did this experience prepare you for medical school?”

Each activity in the autobiographical sketch must have a verifier. Applicants must provide the name, address, and phone number of at least one person who can confirm their involvement. It is crucial to reach out to verifiers early to obtain their approval before listing them. These sections are especially helpful for non traditional applicants looking to demonstrate a unique, well-rounded background.

Reference Letters

Applicants must submit three letters of reference from individuals who can speak to their skills, character, and alignment with the University of Toronto’s values.

Please note that reference letters from family members, family friends, colleagues, or peers will NOT be considered.

Admission Statistics

With roughly 4,300 applicants and 290 accepted students each year, the University of Toronto Medical School has an acceptance rate of 6.7%. While the MCAT is not competitively assessed to select applicants, a high GPA is very important for gaining admission. Over the past few years, the mean OMSAS GPA of the incoming class of medicine has ranged from 3.93–3.96. To be considered competitive, we recommend aiming for an OMSAS GPA of 3.9 or higher. In addition, applicants should focus on strengthening their application with meaningful clinical experiences, leadership roles, and strong research involvement. Working with experienced advisors can provide valuable guidance and help you craft a standout application in a highly competitive field.

Secondary Applications for Medical Schools

Unlike U.S. secondary applications for medical schools, U of T requires a single OMSAS application shared across all Ontario schools. However, U of T’s supplemental requirements—personal essays, sketch, and reference letters—serve a similar function in offering deeper insight into the applicant.

Alternative Application Pathways

The University of Toronto offers various admission pathways for students of marginalized or non-traditional backgrounds. We describe the eligibility criteria and details for each of these programs below. Please note that the minimum academic and non-academic requirements still apply to all students applying through any of the pathway programs.

In addition to utilizing specialized admissions pathways outlined below, it is essential for non-traditional applicants to have tailored essays and extracurricular experiences to stand out. If you are a non-traditional applicant seeking medical school admission, speak to one of our highly specialized application coaches to maximize your chance of admission today!

Black Students

The Black Student Application Program (BSAP) is available for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents who self-identify as Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American, or multi-racial. This application program aims to increase Black medical student representation at the University of Toronto by breaking down barriers that may impede Black students from applying to medical school.

To apply to BSAP, applicants must submit the following materials along with all other admission requirements through the Ontario Medical Schools Application Service (OMSAS):

1. Self-identify as Black on OMSAS.
2. A BSAP Personal Essay highlighting why they have chosen to apply through this application stream. This essay should be 250-500 words.

Applicants applying through BSAP should also consider joining the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Community of Support, which provides undergraduate students mentors, job shadowing, volunteer and research opportunities, admissions information, and guidance. These connections can help them gain the experiences and connections to build a competitive medical school application!

Indigenous Students

The Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP) aims to increase the number of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) medical students at the University of Toronto. There are no fixed seats or quotas, and all students who self-identify as Indigenous or with their Indigenous ancestry are encouraged to apply through this program.

Students applying through this program must submit the following additional materials along with all other admission requirements through OMSAS:

1. Self-identify as Indigenous on OMSAS.
2. A 250-750 word personal essay highlighting your connection to an Indigenous community. This can include topics such as how you would share with an Elder or Wisdom/Knowledge Keeper. The statement will be read by the ISAP Advisory Circle, which includes an Elder, Indigenous faculty members & Indigenous medical learners.
3. Proof of Indigenous ancestry, which must include one of the following:

• A copy of a Status or Treaty Card.
• A copy of a Nunavut Trust Certificate Card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
• A copy of a membership card in a Métis registry recognized by the Métis National Council (Métis Nation of Ontario, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Nation British Columbia).
• Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, or on the band list of an individual band, or on the Inuit roll
• Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from the Department of Indian Affairs.
• Written confirmation of membership in a band council that has its own membership code.
• Other acceptable documentation.

Students interested in applying through the ISAP program but are unsure about how to proceed are recommended to reach out to the Office of Indigenous Health at the University of Toronto: [email protected]

Military Medical Training Plan Application Stream

The Military Medical Training Plan (MMTP) Application Stream is a subsidized application stream for currently serving Regular Force Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). CAF members interested in this stream should contact Ms. Tina D. Lipcsey at [email protected]  for details and eligibility.

MD/PhD Program

Alongside the largest medical school class in Canada, the University of Toronto also hosts the largest MD/PhD program in Canada, training the next generation of clinician-scientists. If you are interested in pursuing both scientific research and clinical practice, consider applying through this stream. The MD/PhD program is highly competitive and requires an extensive application process outlined on the MD/PhD website.

Non-traditional applicants often face unique challenges in framing their experiences. MedApplications’ Equity Pathway Mentoring helps you craft compelling narratives for BSAP, ISAP, or MD/PhD applications, ensuring your background shines.

Interview format

The interview is the final stage of the admissions process. Each year, approximately 700-800 applicants are invited to an interview. Interview dates are assigned at random and do not reflect applicant competitiveness.

The University of Toronto interview follows the Modified Personal Interview (MPI) format, which consists of four independent stations assessed by four different interviewers. In each station, applicants are given a question and 2 minutes of preparation time. Each station has a maximum 5-minute answer limit. With a 5-minute break in the middle, the entire interview takes approximately 32 minutes to complete. Interviews are held virtually through the Kira Talent platform. Interviewers consist of physicians, medical students, residents, health professionals and community members.

The MPI’s timed stations demand quick, structured responses. MedApplications’ MMI/MPI Coaching includes mock interviews with feedback from current physicians and medical students, station frameworks, and stress-management techniques to help you excel. Given the high stakes and unique format, don’t miss out on this opportunity to improve your performance!

Admission Timeline

• When do med school applications open? OMSAS typically opens in early July each year.
• October 1, 2024 (4:30 pm ET): This is the OMSAS Application Deadline, and therefore the Medical School application deadline for all Ontario medical schools.
  • When do med schools start reviewing applications? U of T and other Ontario schools begin application review after the October 1st deadline, following initial verification by OMSAS.
• October 21, 2024: Deadline for OMSAS to receive your MCAT scores.
• Late January – Early March: U of T sends interview invitations and regrets.
• May 13, 2025: First round of offers sent.

Please refer to the official OMSAS and University of Toronto website for all updated dates.

Tuition

Medical school is expensive, and the University of Toronto is no exception to this rule. In total, students Ontario students, non-Ontario Canadian students, and international students can expect to pay a total first-year tuition of roughly $25,5000, $28,500, and $95,000, respectively. Further details about tuition can be found on the MD Program’s Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the University of Toronto Medical School Require the Casper Test?

The University of Toronto does not currently require the Casper test as a part of the admissions process. However, taking the Casper test is still a smart move for any pre-med student. While U of T doesn’t require it, many other Canadian and U.S. medical schools do. Given how competitive admissions are, applying to multiple schools is key—and Casper is often a part of that process. Even if it’s not needed for U of T, writing the test keeps more options open and strengthens your overall application strategy. If you’re planning to take the Casper and want to feel confident and prepared, check out our resources and coaching services designed to help you succeed.

 How can I strengthen my application if my GPA isn’t competitive?

Focus on gaining well-rounded experiences in leadership, research, and community service. Writing authentic personal essays and strong reference letters can significantly improve your chances. For advice on how to effectively utilize these strategies for your own application, book a consultation with one of our expert application coaches!

Do medical schools look at previous applications?
Generally, previous applications are not reviewed or compared unless specifically resubmitted. However, reapplicants are often evaluated based on how they have grown or strengthened their application since their last attempt.

How many medical schools does the average applicant apply to?

On average, applicants in Ontario apply to multiple medical schools through OMSAS, and often additional schools outside of Ontario. Applying to multiple schools can improve your chances, especially as application deadlines and admission criteria may vary slightly by institution.

Are there medical schools stills accepting applications after the OMSAS deadline?

Unfortunately, there are no medical schools medical schools with late application deadlines in Ontario. The OMSAS application deadline of October 1 is a hard deadline. However, the deadline for medical schools outside of Ontario or Canada may differ.

MedApplications: Your ultimate partner for success

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine seeks visionary physicians who combine academic excellence with a commitment to leadership in healthcare. MedApplications offers:

• Admissions Strategy Sessions: Personalized timelines and milestone tracking for UofT’s competitive cycle.
• Academic Consulting: GPA/MCAT planning and transcript audits to meet UofT’s 3.6+ GPA benchmark.
• Essay & ABS Coaching: Crafting standout personal essays and autobiographical sketches aligned with CanMEDS competencies.
• MPI Interview Prep: Mock Modified Personal Interviews with physician-led feedback and UofT-specific station strategies.
• Equity Pathway Support: Tailored guidance for BSAP, ISAP, and MD/PhD applicants to highlight unique journeys.
• Reapplicant Advice and Coaching: Strengthening gaps in previous applications with targeted upgrades.

Our team of UofT medical alumni and admissions experts provides the tools, feedback, and application boosters to help you stand out in this rigorous process.

Ready to join Canada’s #1 medical school? Book your comprehensive consultation today and take the next step toward your future at Temerty Medicine.