Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I calculate my Grade Point Average (GPA)?
A: If you're applying to medical school in Ontario, your GPA is calculated according to the following chart posted here. Convert all your numerical grades into the OMSAS GPA values and calculate the average of all your GPA values. Remember to give full year courses double the weight of your half year courses. For example, if you're a UWO student and you took 2 half year courses and got 89 and 90 on them respectively and you also took 1 full year course and got a 95%, your average GPA would be calculated as follows: [3.9 + 4.0 + 2(4.0)]/4 = 3.975
Q: Do I need to take 2 semesters of organic chemistry?
A: It depends on what you want to study after. You need to check if it is a requirement for your module. If you're interested in the biomedical sciences, your module may require 2 semesters of organic chemistry (Chem 2213A and Chem 2223B). You can check whether your module needs organic chemistry here Click on the program you're interested in and then look up the module requirements. Some medical schools also want a full year of organic chemistry e.g. a lot of schools in the US. If you only need organic chemistry as a prerequisite, you may be able to take it in summer school. Note that every school has a different policy on how they handle summer school courses though so make sure to clarify with those institutions beforehand.
Q: What courses are prerequisites for medical school?
A: Although many schools require certain science courses as electives, every school has a different set of prerequisites! If you are interested in studying medicine in Ontario, please see the "Prerequisites" column on OUAC. Many medical schools in the US require biology, organic chemistry and English as prerequisites. You will need to search up each school's website and look for prerequisite courses under their "Admissions" section.
A: If you're applying to medical school in Ontario, your GPA is calculated according to the following chart posted here. Convert all your numerical grades into the OMSAS GPA values and calculate the average of all your GPA values. Remember to give full year courses double the weight of your half year courses. For example, if you're a UWO student and you took 2 half year courses and got 89 and 90 on them respectively and you also took 1 full year course and got a 95%, your average GPA would be calculated as follows: [3.9 + 4.0 + 2(4.0)]/4 = 3.975
Q: Do I need to take 2 semesters of organic chemistry?
A: It depends on what you want to study after. You need to check if it is a requirement for your module. If you're interested in the biomedical sciences, your module may require 2 semesters of organic chemistry (Chem 2213A and Chem 2223B). You can check whether your module needs organic chemistry here Click on the program you're interested in and then look up the module requirements. Some medical schools also want a full year of organic chemistry e.g. a lot of schools in the US. If you only need organic chemistry as a prerequisite, you may be able to take it in summer school. Note that every school has a different policy on how they handle summer school courses though so make sure to clarify with those institutions beforehand.
Q: What courses are prerequisites for medical school?
A: Although many schools require certain science courses as electives, every school has a different set of prerequisites! If you are interested in studying medicine in Ontario, please see the "Prerequisites" column on OUAC. Many medical schools in the US require biology, organic chemistry and English as prerequisites. You will need to search up each school's website and look for prerequisite courses under their "Admissions" section.