Complete a three-year or four-year bachelor's degree. Most of Canada's 17 medical schools admit applicants who hold any bachelor's degree, regardless of faculty. However, many require completion of prerequisite courses such as biology, chemistry and psychology. Contact medical schools for specific requirements. Most schools require a minimum grade point average of 75 percent (approximately a 3.0 in U.S. standards), but some medical schools require higher grade-point averages.
Fulfill co-curricular admission requirements, which vary among medical schools. Most require the completion of a certain number of volunteer hours. Other typical requirements include second-language proficiency, extracurricular involvement or employment, first aid training, immunizations and a background check. Most medical schools outside Ontario request residency information and give preference to students who live in their province or region.
Assemble application documentation. Requirements vary among medical schools, but they usually include a completed application form, undergraduate transcripts (including proof of grade-point average and confirmation of prerequisite courses), personal essays and letters of reference. Eleven Canadian medical schools also require applicants to achieve a high score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which tests verbal reasoning, knowledge of physical and biological sciences and essay writing.
Submit your application and documentation to the medical schools of your choice. To apply to any of the six medical schools in Ontario, submit your application online through the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) website. For all other Canadian medical schools, submit your application directly to the school. Most require an application fee.
Undergo an interview. If you pass the first stage of the application process, you will be called for an in-person interview at the school. The interview covers information you provided in your application and questions about your professional goals. Admission to the medical school is based primarily on your application and the interview.
Complete classroom training. This first segment of medical school, which lasts one or two years, consists of coursework primarily in theoretical education. You will study anatomy and physiology, medical ethics and the fundamentals of medicine.
Complete a practical internship. After you have completed your theoretical education, you will undertake a second segment that lasts about two years. During this portion of medical school, you participate in a variety of clinical settings determined by your school. Your performance is evaluated.
Pass the Medical Council of Canada examinations. These exams test the knowledge of senior medical students and are required for graduation and certification. Depending on the province in which you practice, you also may need to complete provincial licentiate requirements.
Complete a practical residency in your field of choice. Family doctors and general practitioners must complete a two-year residency. Specialists, such as surgeons or neurologists, undergo a four-year residency. Sub-specialists, such as neurosurgeons, need an additional two to three years in residency.