Admissions

You may apply for admission into the MD/PhD Program at the same time as your MD application, or during your first year of University of Toronto (U of T) medical school. You do not need to apply to a graduate program until after you have been admitted.
There are three categories of applicants to the MD/PhD Program:
Undergraduate students
You may apply to the MD/PhD Program if you are entering your final year of undergraduate study, or have completed a 4 year undergraduate degree. Review and follow the instructions for the MD application process. You must indicate your application for the combined MD/PhD Program by checking off the appropriate box on the OMSAS application form.
You must also submit the following additional materials prior to the application deadline:
We have a helpful tips and examples document to help you write an Academic CV that highlights your skills for our reviewers. We hope you find it useful.
You must arrange for the reference letters to be emailed directly to the MD/PhD program office. Emailed references must be sent from institutional emails (eg. @sickkids.ca)
Graduate students
Graduate students in their final year of a Master’s program are eligible to apply to the MD/PhD Program, or students who have completed their masters program. Review and follow the instructions for the MD application process. You must indicate your application for the combined MD/PhD Program by checking off the appropriate box on the OMSAS application form.
You must also submit the following additional materials prior to the application deadline:
- a personal essay
- three letters of reference for the MD/PhD Program, including one from your graduate supervisor
You must arrange for the reference letters to be emailed directly to the MD/PhD program office. Emailed references must be sent from institutional emails (eg. @sickkids.ca)
Current MD Program student applicants
Students currently enrolled in their first or second year of the MD Program at the University of Toronto may apply to the MD/PhD Program. You must complete the current MD student application.
- a personal essay
- three letters of reference
- Academic Curriculum Vitae Instructions
- All of these required materials must be emailed to the MD/PhD Program Office before October 1, 2021 (deadline for current UofT MD students only). Applications received after this date will not be reviewed.
You must arrange for the reference letters to be emailed directly to the MD/PhD program office. Emailed references must be sent from institutional emails (eg. @sickkids.ca)
Statistics
Each year, approximately 8 positions are available for admission to the program. In a typical year, students with offers include:
- 60% have undergraduate degrees prior to applying (vs. 40% with graduate degrees)
- 60% are male and 40% female
- 40% are previous U of T students
- 90% are from other Canadian universities
- 10% have attended university outside of Canada