uoft medical school essay

MedHopeful.com

☰ navigation, mastering the university of toronto medical school essay – part 1: the secret.

Categories: Application

Disclaimer: The following article was originally written in 2009 for the University of Toronto medical school admissions essay. Although the advice here is still useful for general medical school essays, since 2012, the University of Toronto medical school changed its admissions process to require the applicant write 4 Brief Personal Essays instead. Don’t fret – I have a written a new step-by-step guide to help applicants with these new 4 Brief Personal Essays.

I want to share a secret with you. It’s something I discovered last summer, and is the reason I believe my essay was successful in the University of Toronto medical school admissions process.

It began when a friend of mine (who by coincidence, or perhaps not, is also entering UofT medicine this fall) showed me the essay of one of his friends who was accepted into UofT’s medical school last year. The content of the essay was rather unexpected as it went against the common intuition of what the essay should include. I think most applicants think that the essay should be some sort of interesting piece that simply highlights the applicant’s accomplishments and qualifications for medicine – but if anything, this essay had a different overall focus.

Without getting into the specifics of the essay, I remember reading through it, and being rather engrossed in it. And when I finally finished the essay, I had this strong feeling inside of me – the essay made me want to help him get into medical school.

It wasn’t that the applicant was a Rhodes scholar, or published in a million journals, or had a resume that blew my mind. And it’s not like he had some traumatic life changing moment that made him want to be a doctor that moved me to tears. No, nothing like that. In fact, there was nothing particularly outstanding about him on paper that would make him stand out among any other random applicant.

I mean, let’s think about it. If I read that you’re a Rhodes scholar who has been on the front page of Nature magazine, I’m sure as heck going to be really impressed and think you have the sickest resume ever. But that isn’t necessarily going to give me this strong, deep feeling that I want to do whatever possible to help you become a doctor. I’m just going to think you’ve done some crazy cool things.

However, this essay was different – in his own words, he was able to make me, the reader (and potential admissions judges) want to help him get into medical school. And if there’s someone you want to have that feeling, it’s the person deciding whether you get an interview or not.

Why is this so powerful and how was his essay able to make me feel this way?

The fact is that, right now, there are too many qualified applicants for medical school spots. As a result, the admissions committee probably receives a lot of essays that present very qualified applicants – and I’m sure many of these applicants would make good doctors. But with so many applicants who could be “good, competent doctors”, how do you sift through them even further?

Think about it from the admissions committee’s perspective. Training a medical student involves making a significant investment of time and money. So they want to pick students who they think will be good long term investments .

The reason this person’s essay was so powerful was because he was able to demonstrate to the reader that he would go above and beyond as a physician – that he is seriously interested in being the best physician he could be for the long haul . He showed that he has put serious, mature thought into being a doctor, and that he wasn’t applying just for the heck of it. He demonstrated that it really does make sense for him to be a doctor.

When there is an abundance of talent and impressive resumes, “stats” alone aren’t good enough. And from the perspective of medical schools and health care, perhaps that’s rightly so. They want (and as patients, wouldn’t you?) candidates who won’t just be competent at their jobs, but will be dedicated day after day for the unforeseeable future – because dedicated individuals are more likely to make significant impacts in health care and in the community. An essay just focusing on accomplishments and qualifications, while impressive, isn’t enough to create that special feeling in the reader.

And while you might very well be that serious, long-term dedicated individual, as I’ve mentioned countless times before, no one knows that unless you tell them – and the same goes for the telling the admissions committee in your essay.

So how do we show this serious, long term interest and dedication?

Of course, we need to present these ideas in a structured manner in the context of the essay. The UofT admissions committee helps us out by presenting three items they want us to think about and answer within the 1000 word essay. It’s amazing not only how often applicants neglect the guidelines (either absentmindedly, or as if thinking they know better than to answer the actual questions the admissions committee want answered), or don’t spend enough time thinking deeply about those items and why they might be asked. These guidelines are provided for a reason. Without further adieu, here they are:

• As a general guideline, the statement should address and discuss the applicant’s personal background, including particular interests and extracurricular experiences.
• Candidates should outline their choice of, and preparation for, a career in medicine.
• Applicants should also describe their premedical studies, expanding on what they have chosen to pursue and how this has prepared them for their future, including a career in medicine.

In the next three parts of this series, we will analyze each of these questions in terms of what they really mean, figure out why the admissions committee want to know about them, and therefore, what we need to be presenting in the essay. Moreover, we will study how we should be answering these questions in the context of the overarching concept of showing our long term dedication, and thus, making the reader want to help us become physicians.

Part 2: Background, Interests, and Experiences >>

• Part 1 – The Secret
• Part 2 – Background, Interests, and Experiences
• Part 3 – Why Medicine and How Did You Prepare
• Part 4 – How Your Premedical Studies have Prepared You for Medicine
• Part 5 – Putting it All Together

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

i) keep in mind the people who

are attached with your company while writing blog. those people can be your customers, vendors, and employees. the purpose to keep them in mind is to let them know what your company thinks of them through blogs.ii) remain honest what you

• Health Care
• Application
• Reference Letters
• Personal Development
• Scholarships
• Applying to university
• ECs and Volunteering
• Healthy Debate
• Shad Valley
• Youth Canada

Apply to Ontario Medical Schools

The OMSAS application for fall 2024 admission is now closed.

If you submitted a 2024 application, you can log in to:

• review your submitted application information,
• check for receipt of references, MCAT scores and transcripts, and
• order transcripts from Ontario institutions.

Home / OMSAS Application Guide / OMSAS – University of Toronto

OMSAS – University of Toronto

Refer to the application and the university's website for up-to-date program details.

Table of Contents

About the temerty faculty of medicine at the university of toronto, the md program structure, academic requirements, non-academic requirements, additional admission requirements, optional application programs, information for international applicants, admission policies and procedures, registration requirements, notice of collection, contact information.

Toronto has a long history of educating physicians, with the first school of medicine founded here in 1843. The medical school at the University of Toronto has a rich history of research and discovery, including the discovery of:

• stem cells,
• the gene that causes cystic fibrosis and
• the genetic causes of some variants of Alzheimer’s disease and several cancers.

Many vaccines were developed and tested at the University of Toronto during the 20th century, and various surgical procedures were pioneered here, including lung transplants and pediatric cardiac operations.

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) provides you with many advantages. Toronto is home to the largest health care network in Canada and is a hub for research and discovery.

Opportunities for collaboration across a variety of hospitals and health care centres allow you to experience Toronto’s diversity – in the range of clinical placements you connect to and the community you serve.

Our Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program

As one of the largest MD programs in Canada, the University of Toronto’s MD Program boasts a comprehensive and exciting curriculum that supports our students as they learn to become highly skilled, caring and compassionate physicians.

Our faculty members are leaders in their respective fields and take pride in educating the next generation of physicians. Our graduates can be found across Canada and around the world, advancing health care and promoting change in their local communities and beyond.

Student support is a top priority in our MD Program. We will provide you with the tools you need to succeed, whether it is academic, financial or career advice or access to support networks.

Opportunities outside of the classroom are abundant. Our students get involved in everything from community service to athletics to on-campus clubs and organizations. These opportunities enable our graduates to become skilled, caring and compassionate health care professionals.

Our program is offered on 2 campuses at the University of Toronto: 205 incoming students will be at the St. George campus (downtown Toronto) and 54 will be at the Mississauga campus. Up to 34 additional students will be admitted to the designated Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health seats. In addition, a limited number of supernumerary spaces are allocated to specific international and military training programs that have contractual arrangements with the MD Program.

State‑of‑the‑art video conferencing facilities allow students at both teaching sites to interact and share learning experiences, with both campuses linked to world-class teaching hospitals.

The University of Toronto’s MD Program looks forward to welcoming the newest class of future physicians (the class of 2028) and continuing our tradition of excellence in the education of tomorrow’s health care leaders.

Program Information

Foundations (year 1 and 2).

The first 2 years of the MD Program, known as Foundations, feature a highly integrated curriculum with:

• clinical content,
• early exposure to patients and the community setting,
• extensive use of online learning support resources and
• an assessment program designed to support learning.

You will have the opportunity to meet with patients from diverse communities and learn in the many outstanding clinical and research facilities in the GTA.

The basic goals of Foundations are to:

• help you learn the necessary biomedical knowledge and
• develop the appropriate professional attitudes and skills you will need to have a successful experience in Clerkship and beyond.

You will gain early clinical exposure in a variety of settings, including doctors’ offices, hospitals, community health agencies and home care visits. You will learn the basic clinical skills of interviewing and examining patients and be provided with opportunities for reflection. By spending time in clinical placements (shadowing), you will also be able to prepare for Clerkship.

Clerkship (Year 3 and 4)

Clerkship comprises the third and fourth years of the MD Program.

The knowledge, skills and professional attitudes introduced in Foundations are applied practically in the clinical setting where you will be a member of a health care team.

As a clinical clerk, you learn to contribute progressively to patient care in hospitals, community‑based clinics and doctors’ offices. Your clinical skills are honed as you proceed through the core Clerkship rotations and experiences that introduce you to primary care and the essential medical specialties.

The fourth and final year of the program includes activities that permit you to develop your competencies further in areas of your choosing (electives) and from a catalogue of options (electives). These allow you to explore your individual interests and tailor your experience to fit with your future career goals.

Admission Requirements

Medical college admission test (mcat).

You must release your MCAT results directly to OMSAS to be considered for admission.

You must have written the MCAT before the application deadline and within the past 5 years. MCAT results from tests written in excess of 5 years, prior to the current October 2, 2023, admission application deadline, will not be considered.

We will consider scores only from your most recent MCAT attempt, even if scores from previous attempts were higher.

You must meet a threshold score of 125 in each section, with an allowance of 124 in 1 section, to continue in the admission process.

Your MCAT score is not used competitively.

Course Prerequisites

You are required to complete:

• 2 full course equivalents (FCEs) in life sciences and
•  1 FCE in humanities, social sciences and/or languages.

1 FCE consists of either 2 half-year university courses or 1 full-year university course.

We strongly recommend that you complete the prerequisite courses prior to applying. If you are in the process of completing any prerequisite courses at the time you apply, enrollment in these courses must appear on your transcript. You must successfully complete these courses as registered on the transcript that was submitted as part of your application.

If the courses are not complete and are not showing as current registrations on your transcript, your application will not be considered.

This information should be included in the University of Toronto prerequisite section of the OMSAS Application. List the name of the course and course code, and indicate whether it was a full-year or semester course.

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Molecular Genetics & Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology & Toxicology

Note:  Chemistry and Physics are not Life Sciences. If you are listing Chemistry courses to meet requirements for other medical schools, you must also list 2 FCEs in Life Sciences.

• Political Science
• Criminology
• Courses in a language other than your native language.
• Religious Studies
• Cultural Studies

Note:  This is not a comprehensive list of approved courses.

Check with Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Enrolment Services if you are unsure of the acceptability of a particular course as a prerequisite. Email UME Enrolment Services  with:

• the course name,
• the course code,
• the university name,
• a brief course description from the university course calendar and
• whether it was a full-year or semester course.

Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

The minimum acceptable GPA for undergraduate applicants is 3.6 on the 4.0 OMSAS scale. Based on recent admission statistics, a GPA of 3.8 or higher is considered competitive for admission.

For graduate applicants, the minimum acceptable GPA is 3.3 on the 4.0  OMSAS scale . Based on recent admission statistics, a GPA of 3.6 or higher is considered competitive for admission.

The calculated GPA used to fulfill the academic requirements will not include the current year of study, as these grades are not available at the time you submit your application. Your GPA is based on your undergraduate studies; grades from graduate course work will not be included in the GPA calculation.

Admission to the MD Program is competitive; therefore, possessing the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Minimum Undergraduate Credit Requirement

Undergraduate applicants attending university in canada.

The University of Toronto will consider your application if you will be completing at least 3 years of study toward a Canadian university bachelor’s degree in any discipline (the equivalent of 15 FCEs) prior to enrolling in the MD Program. No preference is given to a specific program or university over another.

If you apply in the final year of a 3- or 4-year degree program, you must complete the degree requirements and provide proof of completion prior to enrolling.

If you apply in the third year of a 4-year degree program, you must provide proof that you completed the requirements for that year of the degree prior to enrolling in the MD Program.

CEGEP Applicants

If you completed the CEGEP program in Quebec, you may apply for admission if you are enrolled in third-year university studies and will have completed a total of at least 15 FCEs prior to enrollment in our program.

You must have completed a minimum of 10 university FCEs, which may include CEGEP transfer credits, at the time you apply.

Applicants Attending University Outside of Canada

If you attend university in the United States, you must complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree. There is no option to apply during the third year of study.

If you attend a university outside of Canada or the United States, you must complete the equivalent of a Canadian 4-year university bachelor’s degree. Previous medical degrees completed outside of Canada are not deemed equivalent to a Canadian bachelor’s degree and will not be accepted. Professional degrees assessed as equivalent to professional study in Canada will not be accepted as a substitute to a 4-year Canadian Bachelor’s degree.

You must have your credentials assessed for Canadian equivalency by  World Education Services (WES) . Submitted documentation must include a course-by-course evaluation, with an overall GPA calculation from WES.

Optional: Academic Explanations Essay

• If there is any reason that you believe your transcript does not reflect your true ability (i.e., there are extenuating circumstances), briefly outline this and your special consideration request for the MD Admissions Committee in the Academic Explanations Essay.
• If your transcript has gaps or course withdrawals, state the reason in your essay.
• If applicable, use your essay to document your participation in an educational exchange program, a professional experience year or co-op program, and the time frame of this activity. Often this information is not clearly outlined on academic transcripts or in your other application materials, so it is important to clarify this for the Admissions Committee.

When reviewing the  brief personal essays ,  ABS  and  references , we assess attributes, activities and achievements in terms of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s mission and values and the MD Program competencies.

Specifically, we evaluate materials according to the following 4 clusters:

• Professional Cluster: Maturity, reliability, perseverance and responsibility.
• Communicator/Collaborator/Leader Cluster: Communication, collaboration, teamwork, time management and leadership.
• Advocate Cluster: Advocacy, community service and social responsibility.
• Scholar Cluster: Academic standing, achievements in leadership, research and social responsibility as demonstrated by (but not limited to) awards, conference presentations, publications and scholarships.

In your brief personal essays and ABS, you may write about activities and achievements undertaken and completed anywhere in the world. The nature and outcome of the activity is more important than where it took place – participation within your local community is as important as international experiences.

The brief personal essays, ABS and statements, and references will be assessed independently of all other materials you submit with your application.

Brief Personal Essays

You are required to submit 2 original brief personal essays, with each essay answering a specific question related to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s mission and values.

The Mission Statement of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto embodies social responsibility, and the Faculty’s values are reflective of this responsibility.

Each brief personal essay must be 250 words or less. Please adhere to the word limit, rather than the character limit shown in the text box.

You must answer the following 2 questions:

• The use of artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to replace or assist humans in our daily lives. The basis of artificial intelligence are the complex algorithms that drive the technology. In your opinion, what values, ethical and societal implications should be considered when developing such algorithms for assessing applicants to medical school?
• The Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva said: “it isn’t that you need time to think, you need time to feel.” How does this statement connect with your future career in the field of medicine?

UME Enrolment Services will perform random checks of the Brief Personal Essays through the University of Toronto’s plagiarism detection tool. You will not be informed that your essay has been submitted for comparison.

Essays submitted to this service will be included as source documents in the tool’s reference database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism.  Read the terms that apply to the University’s use of the service .

If you do not consent to your essays being submitted to the University of Toronto’s plagiarism detection tool, you must email us at  [email protected]  to opt out of this process no later than Friday, January 5, 2024. We will honour all opt-out requests that are submitted by this date.

Autobiographical Sketch (ABS)

The completed OMSAS ABS is required. In addition to completing the OMSAS ABS, you must write and submit 1 ABS statement that discusses the following:

• 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?

The OMSAS ABS and additional ABS statement required for the University of Toronto will be evaluated using the  4 clusters  that were previously listed. The ABS statement must be 500 words or less. Please adhere to the word limit, rather than the character limit shown in the text box.

In some cases, UME Enrolment Services may wish to verify additional information about activities that are described in either the brief personal essays or the ABS.

You must provide the name, address, phone number (optional) and email address of at least 1 contact person (verifier) for each activity. When citing activities in your brief personal essays and your ABS statements, include the relevant verifier number in brackets beside each activity; UME Enrolment Services may perform random checks of applicants’ verifiers.

Verifiers for ABS may or may not be the same as the verifiers you listed for your graduate studies or your references.

Let your verifiers know that UME Enrolment Services may contact them.

You are required to arrange for 3 references. These references will be evaluated according to the same 4 clusters previously listed.

We encourage you to:

• share these attributes, activities and achievements clusters with referees to ensure that they can speak to some or all of them and
• ensure that the whole range of clusters is represented among the 3 references as a whole (individual references may speak to a specific cluster or clusters of attributes, activities and achievements).

Note: You must not use family members, family friends, colleagues of family members, neighbours or someone who may be perceived as your peer as a referee, as we do not consider them to be objective. Letters written by a spiritual advisor are acceptable, provided the individual is not also a family member or close friend.

Applications from candidates with non-objective references will not be considered.

Referees must submit their Confidential Reference Form online.

The deadline for receiving references is October 2, 2023. If OMSAS does not receive all 3 of your references (as well as your MD/PhD reference letters, if applicable) by this date, your application to the University of Toronto’s MD Program will be incomplete and will not be considered. It is your responsibility to ensure that OMSAS receives your references by the deadline, so we advise you to confirm submission with all your referees prior to the deadline.

When making our assessments, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine will invite selected applicants to attend an interview, either in person or virtually. You must attend at the date and time arranged and you are responsible for your own travel expenses when attending in-person interviews.

Interviews are usually conducted on weekends in the winter/spring of each year. If you cancel or decline an interview, you will not be considered for admission.

Accessibility concerns or accommodations can be arranged for the interview.  Email UME Enrolment Services  for more information.

Graduate Applicants

The University of Toronto will consider your application if you have completed a graduate program or are enrolled in the final year of a graduate program.

If you do not complete your graduate degree requirements by June 30 in the proposed year of entry, you will not be considered; this policy is strictly enforced. Applicants who do not provide an expected date of degree completion or who re-classify into another graduate program will also not be considered.

Our MD Program values a diverse applicant pool with students from all academic backgrounds. To acknowledge the academic challenge of undertaking graduate work, applicants pursuing graduate degrees will receive credit for their accomplishments during the file review process.

Graduate applicants will receive credit for their graduate work based on the following categories:

• Doctoral degree conferred
• Doctoral degree in progress
• Research-based master’s conferred
• Research-based master’s in progress
• Course-based master’s conferred

We will assess applicants enrolled in a course-based master’s that is in progress as undergraduate applicants.

Note:  You cannot update your application after the October 2, 2023, deadline.

Graduate Degree

Graduate applicants who have not yet received their graduate degree and who are offered a position in the MD Program will be required to submit proof of successful completion of all requirements of the graduate program (including successful defence of a thesis, if applicable) prior to June 30, 2024.

Graduate applicants offered a position on the expectation that their degree will be completed, and who are not able to meet this deadline, will not be granted an admission deferral and will lose their seat in our program.

UME Enrolment Services requires a final transcript from all applicants accepted from graduate programs, as proof of conferral of their degree.

Graduate Degree Verifiers

Graduate applicants are required to provide the contact information of a graduate verifier:

• For a research-based degree, your verifier should be your graduate supervisor.
• For your course-based degree, your verifier should be your graduate program administrator.

This information is entered in the Referees section of your application, but your graduate verifier’s role is not the same as your referee’s role. Your graduate verifier may be contacted to confirm your degree type and anticipated program completion date.

Ensure that your graduate verifier can provide the required information and is available during the application process.

Let your verifiers know in advance that UME Enrolment Services may contact them.

MD/PhD Program Applicants

The MD/PhD Program at the University of Toronto provides highly qualified students the opportunity to integrate medical school with intensive scientific training. Its purpose is to prepare clinician scientists for careers in academic medicine.

Applicants to this program must meet the same requirements for MCAT, GPA and course prerequisites as all other MD Program applicants. The program does not have a designated quota for admission.

Submit admission materials to OMSAS as per the regular MD admission process along with the following additional materials:

• MD/PhD Personal Essay: Reflecting on your personal and research experiences to date, how do your experiences relate to your decision to pursue a physician scientist pathway, and the kind of ideas that you wish to pursue in your PhD? This essay must be 250 words or less and is submitted as part of your OMSAS Application.
• An academic curriculum vitae (CV). This CV must adhere to the format outlined on the MD/PhD Program website.  Access the CV template . Upload your academic CV directly to OMSAS via Secure Applicant Messaging (SAM) by October 6, 2023.
• potential for success as a physician scientist,
• capacity to succeed in both an undergraduate medical and a PhD curriculum ,
• self-starting behaviour ,
• contribution to the research the candidate was involved in, including publications, if any , and
• capacity to learn from others.

OMSAS must receive all these required reference letters by October 2, 2023.

• The same referees can provide your regular MD application references and MD/PhD reference letters (e.g., graduate supervisor, if applicable). The MD/PhD Admissions Subcommittee does not review your MD application references.
• MD/PhD letters should be written on departmental letterhead.
• MD/PhD referees must submit the letters online via OMSAS.
• All MD/PhD applicants must submit an academic CV.

Admission Categories

The University of Toronto offers 2 optional application programs that reflect the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s strong commitment to diversity, as demonstrated in its  Diversity Statement [PDF] .

The Black Student Application Program (BSAP)

The Black Student Application Program (BSAP) is an optional application program for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents who self-identify as:

• Black African,
• Black Caribbean,
• Black North American or
• multi-racial applicants who have and identify with their Black ancestry, etc.

This application program aims to increase and support Black medical student representation at the University of Toronto.

Members of the Black community, including faculty, physicians, residents, medical students and members of the public, take part in admission file review and interview processes. To apply to this program, you must meet the same minimum requirements for MCAT, GPA and course prerequisites as all other applicants. The program does not have a designated quota for admission. You must submit admission materials as per the core MD admission process and the following additional materials by the October 2, 2023, application deadline:

• Self-identification via the OMSAS Application: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American or multi-racial students who have and identify with their Black ancestry.
• The BSAP Personal Essay highlighting why you have chosen to apply through this optional application stream. We recommend that this essay be 250-500 words. This is submitted via the OMSAS Application.

The Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP)

Recognizing the commitment to social responsibility in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s mission, the MD Program implemented ISAP to increase the number of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) medical students at the University of Toronto.

Members of the Indigenous community, including faculty, physicians, residents, medical students and members of the public, take part in admission file review and interview processes.

To apply to this program, you must meet the same minimum requirements for MCAT, GPA and course prerequisites as all other applicants. The program does not have a designated quota for admission.

You must submit admission materials, as per the core MD admission process, and the following additional materials by the stated deadlines:

• Self‑declared Indigenous status via the OMSAS Application.
• 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 (the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis Nation British Columbia)
• Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, on the band list of an individual band or the Inuit roll
• Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
• Written confirmation of membership in a band council that has its own membership code
• Other acceptable documentation
• The ISAP Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to tell us about your personal connection to your Indigenous community, perhaps in the way you would share with an Elder or Wisdom/Knowledge Keeper. The statement will be read by members of the Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP) Advisory Circle, which includes an Elder, Indigenous faculty members and Indigenous medical learners. We recommend that this statement be 250-500 words. Ensure you submit your statement with the OMSAS Application. If you are unsure about how to proceed, we invite you to liaise with the Office of Indigenous Health for support:  [email protected] .

OMSAS must receive proof of Indigenous ancestry documentation via SAM in the OMSAS Application. The deadline for receiving your document(s) is October 6, 2023.

If you have questions or would like further information about ISAP,  email our Office of Indigenous Medical Education .

International applicants will be considered for admission for our supernumerary seats. These are non-funded seats and, as such, applicants who are considered through the International application stream cannot be citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants) of Canada.

International Stream

If you apply through the International stream and your immigration status in Canada changes during the admission process, you are required to  notify UME Enrolment Services via email .

Applicants applying through the International stream will be subject to the same minimum requirements as domestic candidates and must submit admission materials as per the regular MD admission process.

Information for Military Medical Training Plan (MMTP) Applicants

The University of Toronto’s MD Program participates in an agreement with the Department of National Defense (DND) in creating a special application stream for Regular Force Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) subsidized under the MMTP.

If you are a currently serving Regular Force member of the CAF and are interested in this stream, email  [email protected]  for details and eligibility.

If you have any questions,  email UME Enrolment Services .

There is no single background that is an ideal preparation for the study and practice of medicine. Medicine requires a mix of individuals with strong academic foundations in the social sciences, humanities, physical sciences and life sciences.

Academic excellence is measured by assessing the grade point average (GPA) and confirming that the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) results meet U of T’s stated threshold requirement.

Non-academic and academic attributes, activities and achievements are assessed by reviewing your brief personal essays, Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) materials and references.

You are required to submit the names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons able to substantiate statements made about your non-academic and academic attributes, activities and achievements. Random verification checks will take place between January and April.

The discovery that any submitted application information is false or misleading, concealed or withheld will invalidate your application and result in its immediate refusal. If this is discovered after you are admitted, it will result in the revocation and cancellation of an offer of admission and/or registration.

Instructions for Submitting Required Documents

All application materials must be sent directly to OMSAS. You are responsible for ensuring that documents arrive at OMSAS by the October 2, 2023, deadline. 

OMSAS will accept your MCAT score as long as they receive it by October 21, 2023.

Do not send any documents to the University of Toronto or the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Enrolment Services.

Applications with missing or late documents will not be granted extensions nor considered.

When filling in your OMSAS Application, do not cut and paste your responses from a word processing or text editing program (e.g., Microsoft Word, Notepad, WordPad). Doing so may result in formatting and/or punctuation errors in your submissions. There will not be an opportunity to correct this after submission. Type your responses directly in the application to avoid this issue.

Note:  If you are not applying to the MD/PhD Program or through the Black Student Application Program (BSAP) or Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP), do not enter anything in the MD/PhD, BSAP or ISAP essay sections of the application. Leave these sections blank.

Information for Successful Applicants

Offers of admission are sent in the spring or summer prior to the proposed date of enrollment, in accordance with dates published by OMSAS.

Acceptance may be conditional upon fulfillment of specific requirements. These conditions will be outlined in your offer letter.

Some applicants who are offered admission do not accept their offer, so we maintain a short wait list for additional potential offers. This is a ranked wait list, but we will not disclose an applicant’s position on the wait list (absolute or relative).

If additional offers are made, we will work down the wait list until the class is full.

Acceptance of an offer of admission from any Ontario medical school automatically removes you from consideration by all other Ontario medical schools (you will be considered withdrawn and will be removed from our wait list).

Final Transcripts

Final transcripts for admitted applicants must be sent directly to OMSAS (not to the University of Toronto). Further details will be included in the offer of admission letter, as appropriate.

Deferral of admission can be considered, provided you submit a request for deferral at the time you accept your offer of admission.

The Admissions Committee will consider deferral requests on a case‑by-case basis. A very limited number of deferrals may be granted in cases of compelling academic or personal circumstance.

We strongly recommend that you complete academic programs prior to enrollment and that you apply to the University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, in or after the final year of your program.

Deferrals will not be granted to allow you to complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree or to begin or complete a graduate degree. Any deferrals granted will generally be for a 1-year period and are rarely (if ever) extended beyond that time. All graduate studies must be completed by June 30 prior to the start of the MD Program.

First Aid and CPR

You must complete a Standard First Aid course and a CPR Level C Basic Rescuer course and be able to produce valid certificates confirming this before enrollment in the MD Program is permitted.

The agency used to provide the training must be recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Immunization

You are required to be fully immunized before you enter the clinical setting.

Proof of immunization is required for all persons undertaking activities in hospitals in Ontario under Regulation 965 of the Ontario Public Hospitals Act.

If you do not submit a completed immunization record, you will be suspended from clinical training until proper documentation is submitted.

Police Record Check and Disclosure

As a medical student, you will undertake significant portions of your education in settings with exposure to vulnerable populations. You are required to complete a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Record Check, at your own expense, prior to registration in our program.

This mandatory process reports any pending criminal charges, convictions for which there has not been a pardon and any pardoned sexual offences. The Faculty also requests disclosure of any convictions in any jurisdiction and/or any findings of professional misconduct.

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission or cancel registration based on a review of this information.

If you have ever been convicted of a criminal offence for which you have not received a pardon, you are strongly urged to consult with your provincial  College of Physicians and Surgeons  for advice about eventual eligibility for registration to practice medicine.

Essential Skills and Abilities Required for Studying Medicine

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and University Policy, is committed to providing equal access opportunities to all qualified applicants.

To fulfill the requirements of the MD Program and to avoid serious risk to the health and safety of patients, you are required to acquire competency in a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities.

Individuals with special needs are advised to contact UME Enrolment Services, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and carefully review the  OMSAS Essential Skills and Abilities Required .

Additional Information

The University of Toronto (the University) collects information you provide to OMSAS/OUAC as part of your application to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine (the Faculty).

Personal information collected through OMSAS/OUAC will only be accessed by authorized university and faculty staff on a need-to-know basis. The information will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

Collection of Personal Information

The University and the Faculty will collect the following personal information:

• home or mailing addresses
• telephone numbers
• email addresses
• gender identity
• legal status
• academic history (e.g., current and previous university, GPA and MCAT)

Use of Personal Information

The University and the Faculty will use your personal information as necessary for the purpose of administering:

• registration,
• academic programs,
• university-related student activities,
• activities of student societies,
• financial assistance and awards,
• graduation and university advancement, and
• reporting to government.

Examples of these purposes:

• correspondence with applicants (e.g., email notification, interview invitation)
• admission and award decisions
• registration in the program
• aggregate, de-identified public statistical reports, posted on Faculty and University websites
• research on the admission process

Your personal information such as name, gender identity and date of birth will be stored in the AFMC’s database and used to address a variety of key health workforce research and planning questions. All data will be reported at the aggregate level and will be completely anonymous.

Disclosure of Personal Information

The Faculty will disclose your personal information to the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), which uses it to assess physician inflow and output through Canada’s undergraduate and postgraduate training system, as well as the numbers and types of doctors trained and how they are distributed and move throughout Canada.

For questions about your personal information at the AFMC, contact: Jon Kimball Director, Data & Information Services Telephone: 613-730-0687, ext. 279

For questions about your personal information at the Faculty, contact: Hana Lee Director, Enrolment Services & Faculty Registrar Telephone: 416-978-2715

Enrolment Services –  Undergraduate Medical Education Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Medical Sciences Building, Room 2124 1 King’s College Circle Toronto ON  M5S 1A8

Telephone: 416-978-7928 Fax: 416-971-2163 Email:  [email protected]

Recent News

Teas programs to remain open, attestation letter for international applicants, start your research with ouinfo.

Click here to see consultants who can help you with Casper and interview prep!

• July 10, 2023

How to Write Competitive UofT MD Essays (BPE/ABS) 2023-2024 

AcceptedTogether Consultants

We are admissions consultants dedicated to helping you get into your dream school

• Medical School

Recent Posts

Amcas: 5 critical points to make you stand out, aacomas: 6 important steps to stand out, 3 critical tips for the amcas work and activities section, tmdsas application: a 6 point comprehensive guide, 6 important tips for the amcas personal statement (amcas ps).

You can access our OMSAS guide that covers other parts of the application by clicking here!

Overview of the University of Toronto MD Program

The University of Toronto (UofT) MD program ,known as the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, is a highly competitive and renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum and comprehensive training. As one of Canada’s leading medical schools, it attracts top-tier students from across the country and around the world. The program follows the CanMEDs competency framework , focusing on developing well-rounded physicians who excel in their clinical skills, professionalism, and leadership abilities. With a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and community engagement, the UofT MD program offers a unique learning experience that prepares students for a successful career in medicine.

You can see how competitive you need to be for UofT by checking out the acceptance statistics here.

Through the famous UofT MD essays in the OMSAS application, the program is able to identify the most competitive applicants that meet its requirements. For this reason, it is absolutely essential that your essays stand out and leave a lasting impact. Here are our top tips on how to write essays that help you stand out during the application cycle, and can help you score an interview invitation

Don’t forget to check out our database of medical students/residents who can help perfect your application by clicking below:

Understanding the Role of Essays in the Application Process

The University of Toronto’s MD program places great importance on the non-academic qualities and experiences of applicants. As part of the OMSAS application process, candidates are required to submit an Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) Statement and Brief Personal Essays (BPE). These essays offer an opportunity for applicants to showcase their non-academic experiences, personal growth, and soft skills.

The ABS Statement prompt is the same every year, and is as follows:

“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?”

This statement allows the applicant to highlight the breadth and depth of their involvement in one specific extracurricular activity. This essay is limited to 500 words, which provides an opportunity to expand and elaborate on an important and formative experience that contributed to your journey to medical school.

On the other hand, Brief Personal Essays (BPEs) delve deeper into specific themes and prompts. The word count for each Brief Personal Essay is limited to 250 words. The prompts for this year’s OMSAS application are the following:

1) The use of artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to replace or assist humans in our daily lives. The basis of artificial intelligence are the complex algorithms that drive the technology. In your opinion, what values, ethical and societal implications should be considered when developing such algorithms for assessing applicants to medical school?

2) The Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva said: “it isn’t that you need time to think, you need time to feel.” How does this statement connect with your future career in the field of medicine?

How The Answers Are Marked

Before beginning to write your essays, it is important to understand how they are marked. The evaluation process for the UofT MD essays takes into consideration four clusters based on the CanMED roles.

Source: Royal College

The first cluster focuses on professionalism, which includes qualities like maturity, reliability, perseverance, and responsibility. The second cluster focuses on communication, collaboration, teamwork, time management, and leadership. The third cluster is about advocacy, community service, and social responsibility. The fourth cluster revolves around being a scholar, which entails demonstrating academic standing, achievements in leadership, research, and social responsibility.

Source: UofT Med

In addition to these clusters, the UofT MD essays are also evaluated for flow, grammar, spelling, and overall interest. It is crucial to make your essay captivating and impactful to stand out among the thousands of essays that are submitted every application cycle. A good introduction and an intriguing story can go a long way in capturing the attention of the reviewers and helping you stand out.

We advise against writing a “basic” essay that fails to differentiate itself. Remember that each reviewer reads numerous essays, so it is essential to make yours memorable. By addressing the assigned prompts creatively and showing a strong connection to the CanMED roles, you can increase your chances of a successful application.

💡Pro Tip: During the brainstorming process, we recommend using a spreadsheet that has a checklist with the four UofT MD clusters as you are reviewing your essays. This way, you can check off each cluster as it is touched on in the UofT MD essays.

Crafting an Impactful Essay

From the introduction to the conclusion, it is important that every single word in your essay is thoughtfully written because every word matters in your OMSAS application.

Creating a Compelling Introduction

A strong introduction can make all the difference in captivating the reviewer’s attention. It sets the tone for your essay and can leave a lasting impression. Here are our top tips and strategies for ensuring that your UofT MD essays have the “WOW” factor.

One approach is to start with a quote that relates to the prompt. For example, in response to a question about resilience, you could begin with a powerful quote from a renowned author or a public speaker that connects well with the topic and with your experience. Alternatively, you could start with a quote that challenges the reader’s perspective and brings something new to the essay.

Another strategy is to introduce a captivating anecdote or personal experience that highlights your passion for medicine and connects to the essay prompt. This can create an immediate emotional connection with the reader and engage them from the start. For instance, in response to a question asking about mentorship, you could share a personal experience related to a mentoring relationship and speak about the personal impacts that it had on you before pivoting to the main content of the essay.

Remember, a compelling introduction should not only grab the reviewer’s attention but also provide a glimpse of your unique perspective and set the stage for the rest of your essay. Don’t overlook the importance of your introduction. Take the time to brainstorm, experiment with different approaches, and ensure your UofT MD essay introduction truly has that “WOW” factor.

Incorporating A Good Personal Story/Anecdote

The BPE and ABS statement both require the incorporation of a strong personal story/anecdote within the text. It’s definitely easier to include an example within the ABS statement but the stories can still be integrated into the BPEs as well. Whether you’re addressing the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in assessing medical school applicants or connecting Maria Tsvetaeva’s quote to your future career in medicine, your essay should have a narrative arc that engages the reader. By incorporating a personal story, you can demonstrate your critical thinking skills and provide a unique perspective to the reader, leaving a lasting impact.

Similarly, when writing the ABS statement, use storytelling to convey your personal growth and how it relates to your journey towards becoming a medical professional. Highlight experiences, challenges, and achievements that have shaped your character and passion for medicine.

In both UofT MD essays categories, constantly think of the CanMEDS and UofT’s MD Program clusters to showcase your understanding of the medical profession within the and demonstrate how your stories/anecdotes align with their values. Remember to keep your essays concise and focused, highlighting the most impactful aspects of your story.

💡Pro Tip: If you are struggling to find a good experience for the UofT MD essays, try to think of impactful experiences in your life. These can include moments of triumph, challenges overcome, or significant personal insights that have shaped your journey towards medicine. In your brainstorming phase, we suggest creating a list of these experiences, and seeing which of them relate best to the essay questions. These personal anecdotes will help your essays leave a more lasting impression on the reviewer. 

BPE Specific Tips

The BPE component of the UofT MD essays consists of two questions that require thoughtful and reflective responses. Here are some tips for answering each of the questions:

1) “The use of artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to replace or assist humans in our daily lives. The basis of artificial intelligence are the complex algorithms that drive the technology. In your opinion, what values, ethical, and societal implications should be considered when developing such algorithms for assessing applicants to medical school?”

In tackling this question, students could touch on multiple ethical considerations such as objectivity, fairness, transparency, and accountability. It is important to think beyond yourself, and really question and challenge the implications of using artificial intelligence (AI) both on a personal (microscopic) and societal (macroscopic) level. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the complexities of using AI as well as your critical thinking skills. 

2) “The Russian poet Maria Tsvetaeva said: ‘it isn’t that you need time to think, you need time to feel.’ How does this statement connect with your future career in the field of medicine?”

For this question, you can reflect on your personal experiences and the transformative power of emotions in healthcare. Some important points to consider could be empathy, emotional intelligence, and the physician-patient relationship. 

It is important to make sure that both essays combined cover all four UofT MD clusters! This is why it’s important to keep the CanMEDs/clusters in mind when brainstorming ideas for the essays from the very beginning.

ABS Statement Specific Tips

Here are our best tips for writing your ABS statement.

1. Demonstrate personal growth in your essay. This can be achieved by highlighting experiences within the ABS activity that have challenged you or helped you develop new skills and perspectives.

2. Keep the clusters in mind. Ideally, your chosen experience should align with all four of the UofT MD clusters. However, if your experience doesn’t fit all four clusters, that’s okay. The important thing to remember is that the UofT MD clusters represent qualities of a good MD candidate, so try to pick an experience that highlights attributes that make you a well-rounded candidate. You will likely hit the majority of the clusters when you pick the right experience.  

3. Stay humble. While it’s essential to present yourself in a positive light, it’s equally important to remain humble. Be genuine and avoid exaggerating your accomplishments or experiences. The admissions committee is looking for applicants who are self-aware and can reflect on their experiences in a thoughtful manner.

By demonstrating personal growth and aligning with UofT MD clusters in the ABS statement, you’ll increase your chances of standing out as a strong candidate from all OMSAS applicants for the MD program.

How To Conclude The UofT MD Essay

Your conclusion is the final statement and should leave the rater with a lasting impression. This is your last opportunity to showcase yourself in this essay and it is therefore extremely important to craft a strong concluding statement. Remember, your word count is limited, so you will likely be left with a sentence or two to get your message across. The final statement should provide a succinct summary of your main points while also leaving an impact on the rater. While relating the conclusion to medicine and being a doctor can be advantageous, it is not a necessity. What matters most is showcasing your unique perspective and demonstrating your potential as a future doctor.

Finalizing Your MD Application Essay

Ideally, the UofT MD essays writing process should take place over the span of 4-6 weeks as you’ll need ample time for brainstorming and writing, and most importantly – editing!

Giving Yourself Enough Time to Revise and Edit Your Writing

Revision and editing are vital to crafting an impactful personal essay. By setting aside sufficient time for this process, you can carefully review each sentence and paragraph, making necessary changes to improve the flow and coherence of your ideas. This ensures that your essay is easy to understand and conveys your message effectively.

Additionally, allowing ample time for multiple rounds of editing enables you to identify and correct any grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors. By thoroughly reviewing your essay, you can ensure that it is free from mistakes, showcasing your attention to detail and professionalism.

Seeking feedback from mentors or admissions consultants is also beneficial. They can provide valuable insights, helping you further refine your essay and make it more compelling. Their perspectives can point out areas that require improvement or highlight any weaknesses in your content.

💡Pro Tip: Overused buzzwords in essays include “collaborate”, “persevere” and “advocate”. Try to brainstorm ways of demonstrating these qualities without explicitly writing them out. Reviewers often roll their eyes when seeing the word “collaborate” overused!

Seeking Professional Feedback from an Admissions Consultant or Mentor

When it comes to crafting your UofT MD essays, seeking professional feedback from an admissions consultant or mentor can be invaluable. These experts have a deep understanding of the admissions process, including the specific OMSAS requirements as well as what a good UofT MD essay look like.

Admissions consultants can provide valuable insights and guidance, helping you highlight your strengths and address any weaknesses in your application. They can offer a fresh perspective on your essays, ensuring they effectively convey your motivations, experiences, and goals.

When choosing the right consultant or mentor, consider their expertise and experience in the medical school admissions process. Look for those who have a track record of success with OMSAS schools, such as current medical students or medical residents. It’s also important to find someone who is responsive and can provide personalized feedback tailored to your unique circumstances.

Remember, seeking professional feedback should complement your own efforts in crafting an authentic and compelling application. Ultimately, the goal is to present a comprehensive and well-rounded picture of yourself in your ABS Statement and BPEs of the UofT MD essays. With the right guidance, you can confidently showcase your qualifications and stand out as a strong candidate in the OMSAS application for University of Toronto MD program.

To find the best admissions consultant for you to help you craft an application with strong UofT MD essays that get you interviews, search our database of experienced consultants! .

Related Popular Posts

[email protected]

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Application Writing Guide
• Interview Preparation Guide
• Interview Questions Database
• Financial Assistance

Copyright AcceptedTogether Inc. © 2023. All rights reserved.

CRAFT A COMPETITIVE OMSAS WITH US

Find a dedicated consultant to help with brainstorming, ABS/essays reviews, and Casper prep

• Medical School Application

How To Make Your University of Toronto Medical School Brief Personal Essay Stand Out

Featured Expert: Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD, former University of Toronto Medical School admissions officer

Struggling to write the  University of Toronto medical school  brief personal essays? You aren’t alone. If you want to make your University of Toronto medical school application stand out above the competition, then you definitely need to put in some effort to write impressive brief personal essays, following the specific prompts you’ll be provided with. This is a key part of the University of Toronto Medical School’s admissions process that helps the admissions committee judge the applicants’ suitability for medical school. So, it goes without saying that you’ll have to pack a lot of punch into those 250 words in each brief personal essay!

In this blog, we’ll provide the latest* prompts for these essays, and their subsequent sample responses. We’ll also provide a few tips to help you write memorable essays that make your application stand out.

Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo ebook of your choosing! You can receive our Ultimate Guide to Med School Admissions, our Ultimate Guide to MMI Prep, our Ultimate Guide to Medical School Personal Statements & Secondary Essays or our Ultimate Guide to CASPer Prep! Please email us at content [at] bemoacademicconsulting.com with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 6 min read

You need to submit 2 essays to meet the University of Toronto medical school brief personal essay requirements as part of their admissions process. As one of the top  medical schools in Canada , the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine has a highly competitive admissions process. Even our own consultant, Dr. Jaime Cazes, has shared that after “applying to all Canadian medical schools and two in the United States, I only interviewed at one school; U of T.” In Dr. Cazes’ case, this was his top school – but this is also why he recommends students “apply broadly” and spend a lot of time fine-tuning their application components. To put it simply: In order to maximize your chances of getting accepted, you need to craft well-written, meaningful essays that demonstrate your suitability for medical school.

 And, we understand that naturally, this can be a daunting task! While we work with students to prepare for a variety of post-secondary interviews and application components, medical school essays are something our consultants commonly assist with!

“Just had a very productive brainstorming session with Marianne. She provided me with some good advice and direction to write my essays for the University of Toronto. Overall, I enjoyed the session.” – Anonymous, Former BeMo Student and UofT Applicant.

Because these essays have to be written in response to specific prompts, and must be brief, it can be helpful to take your time, and have an experienced, second (or third) set of eyes assist you in the process of curating your essay.

Whether or not you’re tackling your University of Toronto Medical School brief personal essays solo or with assistance, it’s imperative that you review the latest prompts (and pro tips) prior to writing your final drafts.

To apply to the University of Toronto medical school, you must write two essays, each being 250 words or less, in response to the two prompts given below.

Note that this word count does not include titles, references, or verifiers, if you choose to include these elements.

Here are two prompts ( as found on the University of Toronto’s website ) and sample responses:

University of Toronto Brief Personal Essay Prompts and Sample Response

Question 1:.

The use of artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to replace or assist humans in our daily lives. The basis of artificial intelligence are the complex algorithms that drive the technology. In your opinion, what values, ethical and societal implications should be considered when developing such algorithms for assessing applicants to medical school?

In the age where artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a cornerstone of our societal fabric, the integration of AI in medical school admissions prompts a profound ethical debate. Developing algorithms for such critical assessments demands a deep reflection on values like fairness, transparency, and accountability. It's paramount that these algorithms are designed to mitigate biases\u2014whether racial, gender-based, or socio-economic\u2014to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. Moreover, ethical considerations must include the privacy and security of applicants' data, ensuring it is used solely for the intended purpose of holistic evaluation. Societal implications also encompass the need for diverse medical professionals who can empathize and connect with patients from all walks of life, a quality not quantifiable by AI. As we tread this new frontier, the guiding principle should be the augmentation of human decision-making, not its replacement, to harness AI's potential while upholding the integrity and humanity of medical admissions. ","label":"Sample essay response #1","title":"Sample essay response #1"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Question 2:

The Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva said: “it isn't that you need time to think, you need time to feel.” How does this statement connect with your future career in the field of medicine?

Incorporating time to feel into my medical practice will be pivotal, as it encourages a holistic view of patient care. Recognizing the psychological, social, and emotional dimensions of health will enable me to treat patients more effectively, making their well-being my utmost priority. This perspective ensures that as a future physician, I will not only address the symptoms but also the human being experiencing them, embodying the art of medicine where feeling is as indispensable as thinking. ","label":"Sample essay response #2","title":"Sample essay response #2"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

The admissions committee will be evaluating these essays to see how well they align with the four core University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine "clusters" that identify and describe the abilities a physician must possess to effectively meet the healthcare needs of their patients.

These essays are similar in terms of their requirements, format, and style to the  medical school secondary essays  required at US medical schools.

Our own consultant (whom we mentioned earlier), Dr. Cazes, not only studied medicine at U of T, but sat on the admissions committee. His best advice?:

“Start a personal statement with a compelling story, akin to the opening lines of a novel meant to hook the reader.”  

He advises that the story should be real and possibly slightly embellished to be more interesting but warns against lying or presenting unrealistic situations. This approach aims to avoid the "cookie-cutter" format and make the personal statement stand out to those on the admissions committee!

Want to know more about other secondary medical school essays?

Tips to Help You Write the University of Toronto Medical School Brief Personal Essays

Tip#1:  .

The first step to writing the perfect medical school application essay is to  start as early as possible . You might think that two brief pieces of writing could be a breeze, but it’s important not to underestimate the fact that these types of essays are truly about quality…not quantity.

An excellent essay may take several drafts – and in some cases, weeks or months – to create. Not only will you need to brainstorm response ideas related to your prompts, but it is also important that you discuss the questions with others who may be able to shed some light on the deeper intentions behind the questions being asked. One of our consultants, Dr. Monica Taneja, reflects on her experience when she helps students navigate through various application components. Here's her advice:

“Don’t rush and (do) prioritize. The requirements for medical school are all tough! Don’t overload yourself on classes trying to knock out requirements as you don’t want to be spread too thin.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, BeMo Consultant.

Remember, this is a test of your written communications skills. Therefore,  the essay should have excellent structure and flow . This means it will need an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You must also be able to convey your sense of maturity, professionalism, and self-reflexivity (i.e. essential non-cognitive skills), while clearly demonstrating your motivation for the medical profession.

As with most pieces of writing, your introduction and opening sentence(s) will most certainly make or break your overall statement. Thus, ensure that you have a creative and captivating opening sentence that captivates the admissions committee. As Dr. Cazes has recommended, “Treat it like a story. It needs to be REAL but it has to hook the reader.”

Your introductory paragraph should also serve as a road map  to the reader and allow them to understand where the remainder of the story is headed. This can be tricky to do with a limited word count. The ‘less is more’ premise of these essays can be intimidating! One of our former students, Ruhee, found working with her advisor, Amanda, to be beneficial for this reason:

“Amanda really walked me through each part of my essay and broke down for me how I was going to go about writing it and what to include in each section and what we would include in them. She really helped me see the big picture and help breakdown the details step by step. I love Amanda and she's been really helpful! I don't think my application process would be the same if she wasn't my advisor.” – Ruhee Momin, Former BeMo Student

Tip#4: .

In  the   body of your essay , you essentially want to elaborate on the ideas that you have introduced in your opening paragraph and draw on your personal experiences to provide evidence. Dr. Taneja strongly recommends that you, “have a punch line.” By that, she means, “having 1-2 ‘sayings’ throughout your essay that give schools something to remember you by.”

Lastly,  the conclusion of your personal statement  should be insightful, captivating, and leave the reader with an impression, not just a summary. Remember, to quote Dr. Cazes: “It’s a real story that must hook and captivate the readers from beginning to end.” And, Dr. Taneja: “ Everyone’s path to validation is unique, but regardless of how you got to your medical application, you should detail your growth [from the opening line to conclusion of the personal essay].”

You need to submit 2 brief personal essays as part of your University of Toronto medical school application.

You need to write an essay in response to each of the following questions:

• Question 1: The use of artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to replace or assist humans in our daily lives. The basis of artificial intelligence are the complex algorithms that drive the technology. In your opinion, what values, ethical and societal implications should be considered when developing such algorithms for assessing applicants to medical school?
• Question 2: The Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva said: “it isn't that you need time to think, you need time to feel.” How does this statement connect with your future career in the field of medicine?

To make your essays stand out, start by making sure you give yourself enough time to write the essay, at least 3 to 4 weeks. That will give you enough time to first brainstorm the topics and think deeply about what you want to write about. Make sure your essays have an excellent structure and flow, and a captivating introduction that draws in the reader and clearly establishes the thesis of the essay. Draw on your personal experiences to flesh out your ideas and finally, make sure you conclude with a memorable key takeaway or meaningful insight.

Each essay should be no longer than 250 words.

The brief personal essays play a crucial role in your application review, and you must put in both time and effort to make them as memorable as possible. They demonstrate certain key qualities about yourself to the admissions committee and this information helps them rate your application.

The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine designates 4 core clusters that identify and describe the abilities a physician must possess to effectively meet the healthcare needs of their patients - professional, communicator/collaborator/manager, advocate, and scholar. They review the autobiographical sketch, brief personal essays, and reference letters in each application to evaluate how well the applicant aligns with these four clusters and their associated skills and qualities. 

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar:

How to make your med school applications stand out, (and avoid the top 5 reasons that get 90% of applicants rejected).

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee your acceptance to med school or you don't pay.

Swipe up to see a great offer!

• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

• University of Toronto Medical School

By #YOLO June 23, 2012 in University of Toronto Medical School

• Start new topic

Recommended Posts

What does the UofT essay ask? Whats it about?

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

This info can be found in the omsas booklet: http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/omsas/b_omsas_e.pdf

Here's what it says:

All applicants are required to submit an original personal statement, in an essay of 1,000 words or less. As a general guideline, the statement should address and discuss the applicant’s personal background, including particular interests and extracurricular experiences. Candidates should outline their choice of, and preparation for, a career in medicine. Applicants should also describe their premedical studies, expanding on what they have chosen to pursue and how this has prepared them for their future, including a career in medicine.

Don't use any of the laundry list of self-serving attributes they are looking for. These should just jump off the pages from your desricption. And don't be so tight with words so that it does not read well, better to leave out a sentence and have the essay flow.

Structure, organization and flow are very important. I started with my theme and a brief introduction. I tell of as a young teen, I regularly visited a wheelchair bound junior diabetic middle aged kindly lady, failed double organ transplant, always saved by EMS, who ultimately dies of diabetic coma all alone at age 58, all she needed was orange juice to save her life. First funeral I ever attended and her courage, dignity and joie de vivre changed my life forever. This lady of blessed and treasured memory is my inspiration that I have put into action. I had two other die on my watch, altho not in my presence, a cancer victim and an Alzheinmer's victim. As part of my studies I attended to chronic elderly patients suffering from MS, stroke, Parkinson's etc and have learned so much from practical experience, especially in communication skills with elderly patients with neurological and phyiscial problems. So, there is a thread in all I do. My activities are all clean cut, require devotion, focus....ooops, I never used this laundry list of words as it comes out in my stories. I brought it all together in a summary and then I concluded as to my future. Every sentence is effectively structured for part of the para. and each para is linked to the other. I also discuss my role model so they understand where I am coming from. I want to give back to Canada what Canada has given to me. It is really quite a compelling read I have been told. You need to show you are well rounded and connect the dots that bring you to medicine by telling stories and showing your passion, who you are in depth, your character.

Like Hansel & Gretel, drop the pebbles and bread crumbs so that the reader can clearly see your pathway towards medicine.

In my opinion the essay is the most important portion of the application; pre-interview.

A killer Essay can make up for a lesser GPA, but a stellar GPA on its own is insufficient.

So I guess getting a lesser GPA is the way to go then, fd. Glad I'm doing SOMETHING right. lol

• 4 weeks later...

annalisadeangelis

Essay writing is a part of all academics. The students can take the help from professionals. There are many online services are available.But the thing to note is that the students should select the best one. The best essay writing company will be helpful for the students to get good grades.

The essay also doesn't exist anymore.

holiday1001

uofT trolled keeners who started early lool

Donnabrenton

All applicants are required to submit an original personal statement, in an essay of 1,000 words or less. Essay writing is not an easy task. it needs practice and guidance. Many essay writing companies review are available in web which provide better guidance to students in essay writing.

lost__in__space

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh troll. You really suck hardcore. Even if the PS still existed, you're linking to an ESSAY WRITING COMPANY which kind of negates the whole task of "writing about yourself and showing the adcom your writing abilities".

• 3 weeks later...

Wait...so does it exist or not?

Shan'er

The 1000 word personal essay doesn't exist anymore. Check out OMSAS's new guidelines for this year:

http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/omsas/b_omsas_e.pdf

UofT requires 4 short 250 word "essays" where you answer 4 questions about your experiences. You also need to expand on 3 of your ABS activities this year in a description of 250 words or less.

The 1000 word personal essay doesn't exist anymore. Check out OMSAS's new guidelines for this year:   http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/omsas/b_omsas_e.pdf   UofT requires 4 short 250 word "essays" where you answer 4 questions about your experiences. You also need to expand on 3 of your ABS activities this year in a description of 250 words or less.

Appreciate it, having a read through now.

• 2 months later...

KennethHarrison

Nowadays many many essay writing services are available online. Many students are using them, many students are victims of scam services also. So if you are going to take help from them, be sure you select the best and genuine essay writing company. The best review sites help to find the best essay writing service .

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Who's Online    27 Members , 0 Anonymous, 121 Guests (See full list)

• RugbyDoctor
• Mathimatiquement
• BiomedtoDMD
• ATP to PharmD
• MedicalMentorCommunity
• OTisamazing
• LavalGirl123
• MilwaukeeProtocol
• HungryHippo
• Existing user? Sign In
• Online Users
• Leaderboard
• All Activity
• Create New...

How to Deal With Medical School Rejection

Students who don't get accepted to med school can develop a growth mindset to improve and overcome the setback.

Dealing With Medical School Rejection

Getty Images | iStockphoto

If you did not get into your top pick for medical school, wait to see what opportunities come your way.

Spring is when medical schools wind down their interview season and send letters of rejection to students who were not placed on an alternate list. This is distressing to good students who are used to achieving their goals and don’t understand why they were not accepted.

There are many ways unaccepted students can deal with this disappointing news. Some give up when they should not, but simply feel too discouraged. What they should do is look for the keys to improvement. 

Check Your Mindset

There is a great TED Talk by Carol Dweck, a psychologist and college professor who speaks about the two ways students react to failure. The first way is disastrous and ruinous, having what Dweck calls a “fixed mindset.” Typically, these are students for whom success has become an expectation. 

The other type of students have what Dweck calls a “growth mindset.” They know that they’re on a learning curve and have confidence that they can develop their abilities – they just don’t have the abilities now. 

This “not yet” attitude, as Dweck calls it, is part of the growth mindset. If students with this attitude fail a test, for example, they wouldn’t describe themselves as a failure and run from future challenges. Rather they would say they are not yet successful and embrace the opportunity to try again. 

We can all understand the difficulty people with a fixed mindset face when they perform poorly on an exam or fail at mastering a second language. But unless they can transform their fixed mindset into a growth mindset, they will be devastated by rejection, and that includes rejection from medical schools.

The good news is that they can change. 

If you feel you have a fixed mindset, you can work toward developing a growth mindset. First, know that every time you tackle a difficult challenge, as Dweck pointed out, you’re creating newer, stronger neurons, which will boost your intellect and abilities. Second, be honest with yourself in terms of getting into medical school. Take an honest look at your application and any interviews you had. 

Check Your Essays

If you didn’t get any interviews, why did that happen? Was it grades , MCAT , little volunteering, lack of shadowing or essays that were not helpful? Remember, fewer than half of applicants get into medical school. You need to have all the important ducks in a row. Yes, screeners very carefully read your essays.

Recently, a student approached me for advice to consider why he might not have received an interview at his dream school. Although there is no certainty, I suggested we look at his essays since everything else seemed to be excellent.

When we looked at his essays, he picked out the secondary essay that was likely a concern. It sounded overconfident and a little elitist. He looked at it and said, "It doesn’t sound very humble, does it?” Perhaps if he had read it with a scrutinizing eye before the submission, he might have seen a different outcome.

Since most secondary essays are written for a specific school, oversight in one may not affect other applications. 

Think about how well your essays and activity descriptions are written . Have advisers and colleagues critique them, and not with kid gloves. If you didn’t do well in a particular class or on the MCAT, is there enough to indicate how you have improved since then? Does the humility and willingness to learn from others come out in your essays?

Seek Feedback and Examine Yourself

If you were fortunate to have interviews but still didn’t get in medical school, scrutinize what might have gone wrong. After looking at the process, ask others for their input. This might include your premed adviser, staff in the medical admissions office and others who might be able to comment on your interpersonal and communication skills.

Last month, I was asked to help some students who had not matched. I asked them separately to write down as many questions as they could recall from their interviews. Each student wrote how they answered the questions and then individually reviewed them with me.

The exercise was very revealing. One student had a way of turning conversations toward his gym workouts, where he was passionate. His answers about people came across as matter of fact or rather flat. It is not that he is a bad candidate, but he really needs a lot of coaching and practice interviews before the next round. 

The other student began to see his mistakes as soon as he began writing down what he had answered.  He could even see through the progression of interviews that he had not learned from his mistakes in earlier ones and could have prepared much better than he did. This exercise alone seemed to help him, and I would recommend it for anyone whose interviews did not bring them success. 

Examine everything about yourself, from how well you interact verbally with others to how well you show interest in everyone you meet. 

There are many applicants who request advice and many have used it. Examples include a student who actively began a course in public speaking, others who sought treatment for anxiety, some who studied and retook the MCAT , some who practiced interviews with various faculty and some who took a gap year to allow for more science courses, volunteering or shadowing. 

I once spoke with a prospective student who demonstrated a fixed mindset. He wanted to talk with me about why he wasn’t admitted to multiple medical schools . In reviewing his application and interview notes, I identified multiple points where I believed he had opportunity to improve his chances for the next year. 

He argued on each point, and that was when I realized he wasn’t really asking for help. He was attempting to prove that the admissions committees were wrong about him. He simply could not accept that he was not yet ready for medical school. 

If an applicant isn’t ready to learn from what didn’t work and try a new approach, they might not be ready to become a physician. I will never be as good as I can be, but I will continue to learn from my mistakes. If applicants choose not to do this, it might be a time to reflect on other career options.

In medicine, we are always trying to improve individually and as a group. Lifelong learning is a true joy once you embrace it.

Another student was advised to take a course to improve his interpersonal communication . He knew he had to learn to be a better listener, how to explain his ideas clearly and how to demonstrate passion for what truly mattered to him. 

He was accepted to medical school the following year. But more important than that was his determination to get better in this area. He realized his patients didn’t just want a diagnosis and treatment, but also sincere communication. This is a great example of growth mindset. As he continued to improve his skills, he became a chief resident and later a faculty leader.

Keep in mind that opportunity abounds, even for those who get rejected by one, two or even three or more medical schools. If I were applying to medical school, I would approach rewriting an application and interviewing in the next cycle, being grateful for the opportunity to try again. 

As an aside, "What will you do if you don’t get into medical school this year?” is a frequently asked question. I was asked that many years ago, and some still use it today. Classic questions about your strengths and weaknesses are ways to show your resilience . Be thoughtful, humble – not fake humility – hopeful and enthusiastic during interviews. 

People with a growth mindset are able to see opportunities, while those with a fixed mindset see defeat. Those with a growth mindset are eager to try again and will try even harder. To them, a missed opportunity isn’t a reflection on their ability or intelligence. Rather, it’s an invitation to embrace effort, hard work and perseverance.

Medical School Application Mistakes

Tags: medical school , graduate schools , education , students

About Medical School Admissions Doctor

Need a guide through the murky medical school admissions process? Medical School Admissions Doctor offers a roundup of expert and student voices in the field to guide prospective students in their pursuit of a medical education. The blog is currently authored by Dr. Ali Loftizadeh, Dr. Azadeh Salek and Zach Grimmett at Admissions Helpers , a provider of medical school application services; Dr. Renee Marinelli at MedSchoolCoach , a premed and med school admissions consultancy; Dr. Rachel Rizal, co-founder and CEO of the Cracking Med School Admissions consultancy; Dr. Cassie Kosarec at Varsity Tutors , an advertiser with U.S. News & World Report; Dr. Kathleen Franco, a med school emeritus professor and psychiatrist; and Liana Meffert, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine and a writer for Admissions Helpers. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

Popular Stories

Best Colleges

Best Graduate Schools

You May Also Like

An mba and management consulting.

Sammy Allen May 2, 2024

Med School Access for Minority Students

Cole Claybourn May 2, 2024

Different jobs with med degree

Jarek Rutz April 30, 2024

Completing Medical School in Five Years

Kate Rix April 30, 2024

Should I Get a Master's Before a Ph.D?

Andrew Warner April 29, 2024

Should You Take the LSAT More Than Once?

Gabriel Kuris April 29, 2024

How to Win a Fulbright Scholarship

Cole Claybourn and Ilana Kowarski April 26, 2024

What to Ask Law Students and Alumni

Gabriel Kuris April 22, 2024

Find a Strong Human Rights Law Program

Anayat Durrani April 18, 2024

Environmental Health in Medical School

Zach Grimmett April 16, 2024

MD Application 2023 - 2024 Cycle Updates

Dear applicants:

We would like to thank you for your interest and for the tremendous amount of effort you have placed in the application to the MD Program at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. To ensure that you are kept in the loop throughout our 2023-2024 admissions cycle (2022-2023 academic session), we would like to share the following Admissions Renewal – Phase 4 Changes.

Admissions Renewal - Phase 4 Changes

Admissions Renewal – Phase 4 Changes

As part of our continued efforts to modernize and make our admission process more holistic, effective July 1, 2022 , the following changes will be implemented.

Removal of Weighing:

• Previous : applicants who have completed 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) or more in each year of their undergraduate studies may be eligible for a weighted GPA. The weighting allows applicants to exclude up to 2.0FCEs of undergraduate courses from the admissions GPA calculation. Normally, courses with the lowest grades are selected for this exclusion.
• New : beginning July 1, 2022, only the raw admissions GPA will be used for the MD admissions consideration. The raw admissions GPA is calculated using all undergraduate course grades obtained on a full-time basis during fall, winter, and/or spring/summer semesters (e.g., you are taking 60% or more of a full course load). The MD admissions committee will no longer calculate nor consider the weighted GPAs.

We recognize that as you have engaged in various modes of learning over the last 3 years (e.g., remote, hybrid and/or in-person), you have continuously calibrated and re-calibrated your approaches to learning. This meant that for many of you, taking a full course load (e.g., 5 courses per term) was no longer an option or the best path to your academic success.

In recognition of the evolving educational environment, we will no longer require you to maintain the full course load throughout the entirety of your undergraduate studies. We will look at all courses you have completed on a full-time basis over the fall, winter and spring/summer semesters.

In turn, we hope that you will have the flexibility to consider various academic options, with the support of your academic advisors, and, where applicable, spread out your courses in specific points of your undergraduate studies (e.g., first term at a university) to better manage your academic and non-academic pursuits, health, and experience as a university student. We hope that you will have and leave some space to explore various career paths in the health professions area as part of your preparation for our medical school. We believe that based on this flexible, yet tailored, approach to learning, you will arrive to our medical school well prepared to support our diverse healthcare community.

OMSAS Disability-Based Consideration Requests

In case you missed it, OMSAS has newly launched a pathway to review and support disability-based consideration requests. If you are not yet familiar with this new process, you can read about the new process on the “OMSAS Disability-Based Consideration Requests” webpage .

Further Supports – U of T’s Academic Explanations Essay

Don’t forget that in addition to the above new request, you are able to submit an “Academic Explanations Essay” as part of the University of Toronto’s OMSAS application if there is an acute period during which you have experienced extenuating circumstance(s) and your academic performance was negatively impacted. As part of the Essay, please include the start and end dates of the affected period (e.g., May to September 2021), a brief explanation regarding circumstance(s) and the specific impact on your studies.

Admissions Renewal – Phase 3 Changes

As part of our continued efforts to modernize and make our admission process more holistic, effective July 1, 2021 , the following changes will be implemented.

Minimum GPA Requirement for Graduate Applicants:

• Existing: The minimum undergraduate OMSAS GPA requirement for graduate applicants is 3.0.
• New: The minimum undergraduate OMSAS GPA requirement for graduate applicants will be 3.3.

Graduate applicants who have experienced extenuating circumstances during their undergraduate studies and as a result have (a) a period in their studies that does not reflect their true academic abilities and (b) meet our new minimum GPA requirement may write an academic explanations essay to request for special consideration. Please note however meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee your outcome in the cycle.

Autobiographical Sketch & Statements

• Existing: Applicants are required to submit an autobiographical sketch (ABS), which is a comprehensive list of their activities and achievements since age 16 (ABS List), and three ABS statements of 250 words or less.
• New: Applicants will be required to submit the ABS List and one ABS statement of 500 words or less. The one ABS statement needs to discuss the following: 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?

Brief Personal Essays

• Existing: Applicants are required to submit four original brief personal essays, with each essay answering a specific question related to the Faculty’s mission and values . Each brief personal essay must be 250 words or less.
• New: Applicants are required to submit two original brief personal essays, with each essay answering a specific question related to the Faculty’s mission and values . Each brief personal essay must be 250 words or less.

Admissions Renewal – Phase 2 Changes

To review the details of our Admissions Renewal – Phase 2 Changes, please visit our announcements page from the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Admissions Renewal – Phase 1 Changes

To review the details of our Admissions Renewal – Phase 1 Changes, please visit our announcements page from the 2020-2021 admissions cycle.