As of the time of writing this article, there are only 6 top medical schools in Ontario for students taking the steps to become a medical doctor.
In this blog post, we shall carefully explain and highlight these schools, what makes them unique, their acceptance rates, and their admission requirement so you can weigh your chances of getting in.
Before we get started, you can take some time to check out our review of the best medical schools in Quebec and the application requirements.
Why Study in Ontario?
Ontario is popularly known as one of the best destinations for students, the province has the most post-secondary institution in the whole of Canada.
Medical students can also take advantage of the hospital centers that are national and international leaders in many specialties, especially students at the University of Toronto medical school.
Another reason most students come to Ontario for their studies is that the degrees, diplomas, and certificates received here are recognized worldwide.
Related: 28 Best & Hardest Medical Schools to Get Into With Key Facts
How to get into an Ontario Medical School (Requirements)
To get into any medical school in this province, you really need to fill out and submit the OMSAS (Ontario Medical School Application Service) which is basically an equivalent of the AMCAS.
You also want to have a minimum GPA of 3.6/4.0, although this does not guarantee admission, it gives you a good standing.
International students are advised to apply with a GPA of 3.8/4.0, actually to get into any medical school as an international student, you really need to have very high grades.
What are the best medical schools in Ontario?
1. The University of Toronto Temerty School of Medicine
Founded in 1842, the University of Toronto Temerty School of Medicine is one of the oldest medical schools in Canada located in Downtown Toronto at the Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8.
It is ranked among the top 10 medical schools in the world by the Times Higher Education, hence, it is also one of the hardest to get into in Canada.
In 2021, the U of T Temerty had a low acceptance rate of just 6%, this was calculated when only 259 students were admitted out of 4319 applicants.
The minimum GPA requirement for this school is 3.5/4.0, but to stand a good chance you need a GPA of 3.8/4.0, you also need a minimum MCAT score of 123 and the school will inform you for a traditional format interview if need be.
For more information about the application process and programs, quickly visit the school’s official website.
Related: The Best Medical schools in Newfoundland To Get Into
2. McMaster University Michael DeGroote School of Medicine
McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine is also one of the best medical schools in Ontario, founded in 1965 and located in Hamilton, at 90 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6.
It is ranked #4th among the top medical doctoral universities in Canada by the Macleans Education, the higher the rankings the more difficult to get in.
The Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine has a very low acceptance rate of just 3.5%, therefore, to get into this school, you need a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0, a minimum CARS score on your MCAT test of 129, you need the CASper test, and about three references.
Representatives of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine will inform you of an MMI interview if need be. To start your application, visit the school’s official website.
3. University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
Founded in 1945 and located in the capital city of Canada (Ottawa) at Roger Guindon Hall, 451 Smyth Rd #2044, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the country offering its programs in both English and French.
Getting into this school is quite difficult, firstly, it only admits Canadian permanent residents and citizens, and you also need a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0, you don’t need an MCAT test, but you will need CASper test and some references.
As a very competitive school with an acceptance rate of just about 3.5% in 2021, you stand a better chance of admission with a higher GPA, and if need be, the school will inform you for a traditional panel format interview.
To contact the faculty of Medicine uOttawa, visit the school’s official website and also start your application.
Related: The 5 Best Medical schools in Kansas
4. Queen’s University Faculty of Health Sciences School of Medicine
Founded in 1854 and located in Kingston, the Queen’s School of Medicine from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University is regarded as one of the best schools in the country by medical students because of its framework approach.
However, getting admission into this school can be very difficult because the school accesses a whole lot of factors not just based on academic performance, and the slots are reserved mainly for citizens or permanent residents, only about 5 slots are given to international students.
With an acceptance rate of about 2%, applicants are recommended to have a GPA of 3.85 and an MCAT score of 513 to be competitive, international students must have their academic records evaluated by the World Education Services (WES).
The school might inform you of both an MMI and panel-type interview that will be done online, endeavor to have some references to increase your chances.
5. University of Western Ontario – Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
The University of Western Ontario – Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry is one of the best medical and dental schools in Canada, and its program has been ranked by the US News among the top 25 in the world.
It is a four-year school with its main campus located in London, Ontario, and its second campus on the southwestern side, Windsor.
The school is quite competitive, it has an acceptance rate of 7% and to get in, you need an average GPA of 3.87 and an average MCAT score of 381 covering all categories (BBFLS, CPBS, CARS).
Just like other medical schools in the country, most of its slots are reserved for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, only about three slots are left for international students. Visit the school’s official website to start your application.
Related: The 3 Best Osteopathic Medical Schools In California To Get Into
6. Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)
Northern Ontario School of Medicine University is an accredited public university in Ontario that was founded in 2002, and grooms students to become doctors and impact positively Northern Ontario’s urban, rural, and remote communities.
The school’s main campus is located in Sudbury with its second campus at Thunder Bay. NOSM has also been ranked #791 out of 999 for Medicine stream by US News, and in global rankings, the school seats at #21 out of 24 in Canada for the year 2022.
Getting into this school is not an easy feat, with an acceptance rate of 3.49%, applicants need an average GPA of 3.0/4.0 to have a good chance, MCAT is not actually required here.
Even as the newest medical school in Canada, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University has quickly taken giant strides in becoming a leader in the Canadian medical education system.
Related: The 13 Best Medical Schools in South Africa To Get Into
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you apply to medical school in Ontario?
The best time to apply to an Ontario medical school is usually the first week of October, most Canadian institutions outside Ontario have their deadlines from August to late September.
How hard is it to get into medical school in Ontario?
You can tell that it is really difficult to get into any medical school in Canada, and Ontario is not an option. The average acceptance rate for all the medical schools in Ontario is about 5.5%.
How much does it cost to apply to med school in Ontario?
The average application fee for the medical schools in Ontario is $126, this was calculated from the acceptance fees of the six schools.
| Medical Universities in Ontario | Application Fees |
| The University of Toronto Temerty School of Medicine | $125
|
| McMaster University Michael DeGroote School of Medicine | $125 |
| University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine | $125 |
| Queen’s University Faculty of Health Sciences School of Medicine | $125
|
| University of Western Ontario – Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry | $130
|
| Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) | $125 |
What GPA do you need for medical school in Ontario?
You need to have a minimum GPA of 3.6/4.0 on the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) scale, but a GPA of 3.8/4.0 will make you stand out.
How much does a family doctor make in Ontario?
According to the data reported by the Canadian Institute for Health Information for 2019–2020, family physicians in Ontario make an annual income of $303,656.
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