Exploring Medical Pathways: A Guide for Parents and Students
Becoming a doctor is a dream shared by many adolescents, but the journey to medicine is anything but one-size-fits-all. Whether your student is already set on a stethoscope or just beginning to explore the field, understanding the variety of educational pathways—both in Canada and abroad—is key to making informed decisions.
Step One: Know Where You Want to Study—and Practice
A crucial question future doctors must consider early on is where they want to practice medicine. Licensure requirements vary widely by country, and planning with the end goal in mind can save time, money, and stress. For students aiming to practice in Canada, it’s generally recommended to study in Canada or at international schools with strong track records for Canadian residency matches.
The Canadian Pathway: Competitive but Possible
In Canada, the traditional path to becoming a doctor includes completing an undergraduate degree—often in sciences, but not necessarily—followed by medical school and then residency training. Canadian medical schools are highly competitive, admitting fewer than 20% of applicants. In 2023, just under 3,000 spots were available across 17 schools, making strategic preparation essential. Some strong undergraduate programs in Canada for pre-med students include:
- Health Sciences at McMaster University
- Life Sciences at Queen’s University
- Medical Sciences at Western University
- Science programs at UBC, U of T, or Dalhousie
Looking South: Medical School in the U.S.
Gaining admission to U.S. medical schools as a non-citizen is exceptionally competitive. It's often said there is "1 seat for every 800 international applicants" at U.S. schools, underscoring the need for stellar academic records, MCAT scores, and extracurriculars. While this path is difficult, some students do succeed—particularly at private schools or those with established Canadian pipelines.
CARMS & IMGs: The Match Challenge
For students studying medicine abroad, returning to Canada to practice is not guaranteed. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) face a steeper climb when applying for residency positions through CaRMS (Canadian Residency Matching Service). In 2024, only about 18% of IMG applicants matched to residency positions, compared to a 97% match rate for Canadian medical graduates. That said, success is possible, especially for students who plan early, build clinical experience, and remain open to various specialties and locations.
Direct Entry Programs Abroad
For students eager to start medical school right after high school, direct entry programs in countries like the UK, Ireland, Australia, and parts of Europe are worth considering. These programs typically last 5 to 6 years and integrate undergraduate and medical education.
- In Ireland, institutions like Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) have welcomed numerous LCS students over the years.
- St. George’s University (Grenada) is another option, known for its strong clinical placement options in the U.S. and UK. Ms Miller recently visited their facilities and found the hands-on training beginning in the first year to be outstanding.
Thinking Global? Consider Medical Doorway and OzTREKK
For students applying to European medical schools, Medical Doorway offers free support with applications, entrance exams, and relocation for top English-language programs in the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, and more. They work with universities like Charles University (Prague) and Masaryk University—both popular choices for aspiring doctors.
Meanwhile, students considering Australia or New Zealand can turn to OzTREKK. Based in Canada, OzTREKK specializes in helping Canadian students apply to top-tier medical programs in Australia, including University of Sydney, Monash University, and Griffith University. They provide end-to-end support—from choosing the right program to securing visas and understanding licensure back in Canada.
These organizations offer free, tailored, personal support that can ease the complexity of studying abroad and help families feel confident about international options.
In Summary
There’s no single “right way” to become a doctor. Whether your student is considering studying in Canada or heading abroad, the best first step is information. Encourage them to explore, reflect, and plan carefully. If you have any questions, or would like resources on specific schools or programs, don’t hesitate to reach out to our guidance office.
School Information
4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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