How to Apply
Follow these steps to complete your MD/PhD application.
Apply via OMSAS
Submit your MD application through OMSAS
Select MD/PhD Option
Indicate your interest in MD/PhD
Submit MD Application
Complete all required MD materials
MD/PhD Essay + References
Submit a 250-word essay and 2 MD/PhD references
Academic CV
Upload your academic CV
Interviews
Attend MD and MD/PhD interviews
MD vs MD/PhD Application Requirements
| Component | MD Application | MD/PhD Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Application Platform | OMSAS | OMSAS + MD/PhD submission |
| References | 3 MD references | + 2 MD/PhD references |
| Essay | MD essays | + 250-word MD/PhD essay |
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Autobiographical Statement (ABS) | Academic CV |
| Interview | MD interview | + MD/PhD interview |
MD/PhD references are separate from MD references and are reviewed independently by the MD/PhD admissions committee.
Application Requirements by Applicant Type
Undergraduate Applicants
- Apply through OMSAS
- Submit:
- MD application
- MD/PhD essay (250 words)
- Two (2) MD/PhD references
- Academic CV
Graduate Applicants
- All undergraduate requirements PLUS:
- One (1) reference must be from your graduate supervisor
Current U of T MD Students
- Apply directly to MD/PhD Office
- Submit:
- Current MD Student Application form
- Academic CV
- MD/PhD essay
- Two (2) references
International Applicants
Applicants must be eligible to apply to, and meet the requirements of, the MD Program in order to be considered for the MD/PhD Program.
At this time, the MD Program does not accept applications from international students
As a result, international applicants are not currently eligible for the MD/PhD Program
Application Components
MD/PhD Essay
You must submit one original personal essay (maximum 250 words) addressing:
Reflecting on your personal and research experiences, explain your interest in pursuing a physician-scientist career and the research questions you wish to explore.
MD/PhD References
You are required to submit two (2) MD/PhD references.
Purpose: These references help assess your research performance and suitability for the MD/PhD Program.
- Two (2) MD/PhD references required
- Should speak to:
- potential for success as a physician scientist,
- performance in research including initiative, perseverance, technical skills, data interpretation, etc.,
- 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.
- Graduate applicants must include a supervisor reference
Referees: References should be from individuals, preferably at the faculty level, who can comment on your scientific ability and potential. If you are a graduate applicant, one of these references must be from your graduate supervisor.
Reference Form: submit references using a common MD/PhD reference form for OMSAS applicants applying to Toronto, Ottawa, Queen’s and Western.
Note: You may use the same referees as your MD application, but letters should be tailored to highlight research ability.
Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV)
All applicants must submit an academic CV as part of the MD/PhD application.
- Uploaded through OMSAS (Secure Applicant Messaging)
- Used only by the MD/PhD Admissions Committee
- Not reviewed as part of the MD application
Purpose: The CV is used to assess your research experience.
Include:
- Research experience
- Publications and presentations
- Research awards and scholarships
TO SUBMIT YOUR CV: After you submit your OMSAS application, you will receive your OMSAS number. You can then upload your academic CV directly to OMSAS via Secure Applicant Messaging (SAM).
How we assess applications
Applicants to the MD/PhD Program are first reviewed by the Enrolment Services Office for the MD Program to ensure that applicants meet the MD Program admissions requirements.
They are then reviewed by the Admissions Committee for the combined MD/PhD Program to select applicants for interview. While there is separate adjudication by each program, there is close coordination and sharing of information between the two offices.
A student must be acceptable to both the medical school (MD Program) and MD/PhD Program in order to receive an offer of admission to the MD/PhD Program. A four year undergraduate degree is required for all applicants to the MD/PhD Program.
Offers of admission are made on a rolling basis following completion of the interviews.
Important Dates
Refer to the MD admissions website for full application timelines and deadlines.
2026-27 MD/PhD Virtual MPI Dates
To be announced
2026-27 MD/PhD Interview Format
Approximately 48 applicants will be invited to synchronous MD/PhD interviews in 2026-27. There will be no asynchronous MD/PhD interviews in 2026-27. Approximately 10 applicants from these interviews will be offered admission to the MD/PhD Program for 2027.
Modified Personal Interview (MPI)
The Modified Personal Interview (MPI) was developed by the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and launched in 2014. The virtual MPI (vMPI), an adapted version of the traditional MPIs, was introduced in 2020 by the MD Program in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and related university closure. Virtual synchronous MPI interviews will be used for admission to the University of Toronto’s MD/PhD Program.