Pathways to medicine
As a biomedical engineering student, you might be considering a career as a medical doctor. This page provides information for possible pathways to get into medical practice. There are 17 medical schools in Canada, and they all have different admission requirements and standards. Some put more focus on academic achievement, while others put more focus on non-academic experience. Some have specific course requirements, while others have very general course requirements. In fact, there is such a diversity of programs and requirements, that you should learn what specific programs are looking for in candidates, to best align yourself with a particular program.
General information on being a doctor
Being a physician yields many rewards: personal growth, intellectual stimulation, financial security, and being able to make a difference in the lives of others. It also yields many challenges: challenging ethical dilemmas, high-stress environments, dealing with loss, demanding work hours, and many other factors. If you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine, you should be prepared to work very hard and be dedicated to your discipline. Becoming a doctor requires attending four years of medical school (with the exception of University of Calgary's three year program). Upon graduation you will receive an MD degree. Following graduation, you must complete a residency in your specialty of choice, where you work under supervision. Residencies generally last between two to six years depending on your area of specialty.
Application to medical school
The application process for most medical schools takes a year, starting in the fall prior to the year you wish to begin. It can include writing your MCAT; sending in applications, resumes, transcripts, and letters of recommendation; verification of references; and interviews. Completing a bachelor's degree will greatly improve your chances of acceptance to medical school, but it is not required for some programs. Most medical programs require you to be a full-time student for at least three years.
Medical school general admission requirements
It is important to know what medical schools are looking for in candidates. The following information is intended as a quick overview of the medical school requirements for a just a few schools. These requirements are subject to change every year, and statistics depend on the pool of applicants every year. If you wish to apply to a specific school, it is highly recommended that you read the admission requirements on the website links listed below for that university. It is also helpful to take a look at the admission statistics, which are provided by some medical schools on their websites. As a general rule, it is considerably easier to be admitted to in-province medical schools, in comparison to out-of-province medical schools.
Pre-requisite courses
UBC (listed with UVic equivalent courses)
- 6 credits of English: any two of ATWP/ENGL 135, ENGL 113, 125, 146, or 147; ENGR 110 is accepted for half of the requirement
- Strongly recommended courses: Ge