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.
A four-year undergraduate degree is required for all applicants to the MD/PhD Program. If you are applying in the third year of a four-year degree program, you must provide proof that you have completed the requirements of that year of your degree prior to the date of enrolment in the MD/PhD Program.
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.
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
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.
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
- All of these required materials must be emailed to the MD/PhD Program Office before October 1, 2022 (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)
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.
The MD/PhD Program is committed to the principles of equity and diversity and we recognize the importance of having a clinician scientist community that reflects the diversity of Canadian society. The admission requirements for all MD and MD/PhD students are identical in Grade Point Average (GPA) and Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores. What differs for those applying through the Black or Indigenous students admissions programs is the requirement to submit a personal essay and to have representation from Black or Indigenous health leadership in MD admissions file review and interviewing during the MD application process. There are no fixed seats or quotas.
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, multi-racial applicants who have and identify with their Black ancestry, etc. Students may apply to the MD/PhD Program and the Black Student Application Program simultaneously - you simply check both boxes on the OMSAS application.
Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP)
The goal of the Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP) is to increase the number of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) medical students at the University of Toronto (U of T). Students interested in the optional application stream will have to opportunity speak to their personal connection to their Indigenous community as part of the MD application materials. Students may apply to the MD/PhD Program and the Indigenous Student Application Program simultaneously - you simply check both boxes on the OMSAS application.
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