Every medical school sets its own entry rules, and missing a single prerequisite can delay your application by a full year. This guide explains what medical school prerequisites usually include, how Ontario medical schools approach them, and how to plan your science courses with confidence. If you need to build those foundations, the Pre-Med Program in Ontario at Ruhani College is designed around the prerequisites MD programs look for.
What Are Medical School Prerequisites?
Prerequisites are the specific courses or academic requirements a medical school expects you to have completed before you apply or before you start. They exist to make sure every incoming student can handle the science-heavy first years of medical training.
Across North America, prerequisites commonly fall into a few groups:
- Life sciences — biology, physiology, genetics or related courses
- Chemistry — general chemistry and, for some schools, organic chemistry or biochemistry
- Physical sciences — physics, at some schools
- Social sciences and humanities — courses that build communication, writing and understanding of society
Not every school requires all of these. Some list very specific courses, while others list none and rely on other parts of the application.
How Ontario Medical Schools Approach Prerequisites
Ontario has six medical schools, and applications to them go through OMSAS, a centralized application service. Requirements differ from school to school, so there is no single checklist that covers them all.
To give one example, the University of Toronto MD program currently asks undergraduate applicants for at least 15 full-course equivalents toward a Canadian bachelor’s degree, two full-course equivalents in life sciences, one in social sciences, humanities or a language, and an MCAT score that meets its threshold. Other Ontario schools set different course rules, and some do not list specific prerequisite courses at all.
The key point: in Ontario, applicants are generally expected to have completed several years of university study before entering medical school. Always confirm each school’s current requirements on its official admissions page before you plan your courses.
Missing biology or chemistry?
Ruhani College’s one-year Pre-Med Program builds the science foundation MD programs look for, starting from the fundamentals.
Explore the Pre-Med ProgramPrerequisites at a Glance
| Requirement | What it usually means | How to plan for it |
|---|---|---|
| Life science courses | Biology, physiology or similar | Build a strong biology foundation early |
| Chemistry | General chemistry, sometimes organic chemistry or biochemistry | Check which level each target school expects |
| Humanities or social science | Writing-intensive or society-focused courses | Include at least one if your target schools require it |
| Degree or study years | A minimum amount of university study (Ontario schools) | Map your timeline to each school's rules |
| MCAT | Standardized admissions test required by several schools | Plan study time once your science base is solid |
| Other components | Essays, interviews, references, experience | Start documenting activities early |
Medical Schools Outside Canada
Many students also apply to MD programs outside Canada, including schools in the Caribbean. These schools set their own prerequisites and admission criteria, which may differ from Ontario’s. That is why it is important to know your target schools before choosing your preparation route.
Ruhani College’s Pre-Med Program is designed around prerequisites for MD programs across the Caribbean and beyond, and the college has partnerships with Caribbean medical schools. Admissions counsellors help students choose a school and plan their applications. For a broader overview, read what pre-med means in Canada.
How to Build Your Prerequisite Plan
- List your target schools. Include Canadian and international schools you are seriously considering.
- Record each school’s requirements. Note required courses, study years, tests and deadlines in one place.
- Compare with your transcript. Identify which courses you already have and which are missing.
- Choose how to fill the gaps. A university program, a focused pre-med diploma or a combination may suit your situation.
- Set a timeline. Work backward from application deadlines so coursework, tests and documents are ready on time.
Our pre-med admission requirements checklist can help you organize your documents for the next step.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming all schools are the same — requirements vary, even within Ontario
- Relying on old information — schools update their rules, so check every application cycle
- Leaving science courses too late — weak foundations make the MCAT and first-year medicine harder
- Ignoring non-academic requirements — essays, interviews and experience carry real weight
Preparing for the MCAT
Several Ontario schools, and many schools elsewhere, require the MCAT. Strong biology and chemistry fundamentals make MCAT preparation far more manageable. Read our guide to MCAT and medical school preparation for practical planning tips.
Beyond Coursework: Building a Strong Application
Prerequisites get you through the door, but medical schools look at the whole applicant. While you work on your science courses, start building:
- Healthcare exposure — volunteering or working in settings where you see patient care up close
- Community involvement — sustained service that shows commitment, not one-off activities
- Communication skills — the ability to explain your motivation clearly in essays and interviews
- Reflection — a record of what you learned from your experiences, which helps when writing applications
A Sample Planning Timeline
| Stage | Focus |
|---|---|
| 12+ months before applying | Shortlist schools, compare prerequisites, identify missing courses |
| During your science courses | Build strong grades, start healthcare-related volunteering, keep notes on experiences |
| 6 months before applying | Prepare for any required tests, gather transcripts and reference contacts |
| Application season | Write essays, submit applications, prepare for interviews |
Every school’s calendar is different, so adjust this timeline to match each application deadline.
Where a Focused Pre-Med Diploma Can Help
Students come to prerequisite planning from very different starting points. A high school graduate may have no university science at all. A career changer may hold a degree in business or the arts. Another student may have most requirements but be missing one chemistry course.
A focused pre-med diploma can help in each case by concentrating on the sciences medical schools care about, without electives that do not move your application forward. At Ruhani College, the program starts from foundational biology and chemistry and builds toward the level MD programs expect, so no prior science background is required to begin.
How to Apply at Ruhani College
- Contact admissions. Call (905) 731-2555, message the team on WhatsApp or request program information online.
- Book a campus tour. Visit the Brampton campus at 239 Queen Street East to see where you will learn.
- Submit your documents. Provide your prior education records and identification.
- Meet an advisor. Review schedules, start dates and financial aid options for eligible students.
- Begin your training. Start building the skills for your medical career.
Ruhani College is registered as a career college under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
Plan your prerequisites with expert guidance.
The Ruhani College Pre-Med Program (90 credit hours) is designed around MD program prerequisites, with admissions counsellors to help you choose schools and plan applications. Call (905) 731-2555.
See Program Details & ApplyRelated Reading
- What Is Pre-Med in Canada?
- Pre-Health vs Pre-Med in Ontario
- Pre-Med Admission Requirements Checklist
- MCAT and Medical School Prep
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses do I need for medical school in Ontario?
It depends on the school. Requirements commonly include life sciences and sometimes chemistry or humanities courses. For example, the University of Toronto asks for two full-course equivalents in life sciences and one in social sciences, humanities or a language. Always check each school’s current admissions page.
Do Ontario medical schools require a degree?
Ontario medical schools generally expect applicants to have completed several years of university study. Exact rules differ by school, so confirm them before you apply.
Is the MCAT required in Ontario?
Several Ontario medical schools require the MCAT, but not all use it the same way. Check each school’s current requirements.
How do I apply to medical school in Ontario?
Applications to Ontario’s six medical schools go through OMSAS, a centralized application service.
Which medical schools does the Ruhani Pre-Med Program prepare students for?
The program is designed around prerequisites for MD programs across the Caribbean and beyond, and Ruhani College has partnerships with Caribbean medical schools.