Getting into medical schools in Canada is quite challenging. Most medical schools in Canada are known for having highly selective admissions committee requirements that exclude the vast majority of medical school applicants. This is true across the country, and particularly pronounced when you look at Ontario and Quebec medical schools. If you want to attend medical school, there’s a lot involved in the application process; where you studied pre-med in Canada is not the only consideration of medical school admissions committees. 

In this post, we will cover some of the most important things to know about medical school admissions, including how your pre-med education will factor into the application process at most schools. 

What Are Medical Schools Looking for?

In general, there are four things that top-tier medical schools look for as part of the admissions process. First and foremost, as part of the screening process, they look to see if prospective students have completed the required prerequisite courses and achieved an acceptable level of academic success at the undergraduate level. The classes that students took, along with their grades, are more valued than the actual undergrad program they chose.

Then colleges look at test scores, GPA, clinical experience, research opportunities, letters of recommendation, and what MD programs students may already be associated with. Remember that medical school requirements vary by institution, so if you have a certain med school in mind, it is important to peruse their particular set of requirements for medical students. Most medical schools require both solid Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and a high GPA to be considered for a Canadian medical school. 

That said, let’s take a closer look at the med school admissions process and the average med school admissions criteria so that you can understand what type of undergraduate program will help you reach your goals. 

Clinical Experience, Extracurricular Activities, Letters of Recommendation

Strong test scores and GPA are not the only two factors that determine whether or not you are admitted to a Canadian medical school. There are so many medical school applications these days that students need to shine outside of class as well.

In medical school interviews, admissions committee officials are looking for well-rounded individuals that demonstrate dedication to their medical education, along with the necessary talent and determination to see their education through. To get into medical school, you must prove you have strong critical thinking skills, social and communication skills, as well as a strong academic record.

Do You Need to Attend the Most Prestigious Pre-Med School?

The short answer is no, but as you can see, there are many other things you need to consider if you want to attend medical school. Choosing an established pre-med school that offers the required prerequisites is vital to meeting admissions requirements, as is participating in activities that demonstrate you are an excellent candidate.

For prospective Canadian medical students, a Caribbean medical school medical education offers a way around the lack of access to a medical education they might face in their home community. As international students, Canadians have access to Canadian government financial aid when they attend AUA College of Medicine. Also, AUA provides the Canadians the opportunity to receive a high-quality medical education in the Caribbean, then return to Canada for licensure and a long career as a medical doctor.