
Toronto Metropolitan University
OwlMD Guide
Overview
Campus Info:
TMU's (formerly Ryerson) School of Medicine is one of Ontario's newest medical schools, based in Brampton with a strong focus on social accountability, health equity, primary care, and serving underserved communities in the Peel region and beyond.
Application Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.5 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale. TMU looks at your full undergraduate record.
- MCAT: Not required. You won't need the MCAT at any stage of TMU's admissions process.
- Casper: Not required. TMU does not use Casper, so that's one less test for you to worry about.
- Kira Talent Assessment: Required. If you meet the academic eligibility threshold, you'll be invited to complete an online, asynchronous assessment hosted on the Kira Talent platform, made up of six timed questions (a mix of written and video responses). For format details and tips from past applicants, see the TMU Kira Talent megathread on Reddit.
- Degree Requirement: You'll need a completed four-year bachelor's by the time you start medical school.
Holistic Review
TMU uses a holistic admissions process that weighs your academics, your Kira Talent assessment, your written essays, and your lived experience. The school places particular emphasis on community engagement, social accountability, and how well you align with its mission of training physicians for underserved populations.
Pathways
TMU offers dedicated pathways for equity-deserving applicants, including pathways for Indigenous and Black applicants, as well as consideration if you come from an underserved or equity-deserving community. Confirm the current pathway details that apply to you directly on the TMU admissions page.
Prerequisites
TMU does not have strict prerequisite course requirements. There are no required prerequisite subjects or courses for you to complete before applying.
Essays
TMU places significant weight on your written essays as part of your application. On top of the standard OMSAS components, you need written essay responses that show your motivation, your alignment with the school's mission, and your reflection on your lived and community experience.
- Written essays you submit as part of your TMU application, used to evaluate how well you fit the school's social accountability mission.
Use both your essays and your ABS to clearly show how you align with TMU's mission of social accountability and health equity.
ABS Statement
TMU reviews your full OMSAS ABS. As you complete your ABS, keep in mind that this school places heavy weight on:
- Your community engagement and advocacy work, particularly in underserved populations
- Your experiences in equity-deserving and community contexts
- Leadership roles where you demonstrated commitment to health equity
- Your cultural competency and lived experience as an equity-deserving individual
- Your research experiences, especially those with a social or community health focus
Every ABS entry you list needs a verifier. Your verifiers should be independent third parties who can confirm your participation and contributions.
What They're Looking For
TMU's School of Medicine is specifically looking for you to demonstrate:
- Your commitment to social accountability and health equity
- Your awareness of the social determinants of health
- Your experience with and interest in underserved and equity-deserving communities
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (assessed through your Kira Talent assessment)
- Your resilience, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving
- The academic capability to succeed in a rigorous medical curriculum
- How well you align with TMU's mission of training physicians for communities with greatest need
You want to show your personal story. This means how your experiences have shaped you as a person, and how they have shaped you in preparation to serve your community. This does not need to be a medical-aligned story or extracurricular we are talking about, it can be anything as long as you can show growth and character development.
Interview Process
After Submitting OMSAS
Application Process Timeline
- OMSAS Application Opens: July 9, 2026
- OMSAS Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET
- Kira Invitations: November 12, 2026
- Kira Assessment Window: November 19 to 22, 2026
- Interview Invitations: Week of February 16, 2027
- Interviews: February 27 to 28 and March 6 to 7, 2027
Interview Dates
2025–26 Interview Dates (last cycle):
Invitations: February 2026.
MMI: February 28, 2026.
The public invitation date was not fixed; the month reflects applicant reports.
The Interview
Before you reach the interview stage, you'll complete the Kira Talent assessment (six timed written and video questions), which TMU uses to evaluate you pre-interview in place of tools like Casper. For format details and tips from past applicants, check out the TMU Kira Talent megathread on Reddit.
MMI: TMU uses a synchronous virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) made up of six stations. At the start of each station, the question is read aloud to you — this 2-minute period is your thinking time. You then have 5 minutes to respond. The MMI is designed to assess the non-cognitive qualities that align with TMU's mission, including your empathy, ethical reasoning, communication, and social accountability.
Expect scenarios that focus on:
- Health equity and the social determinants of health
- Ethical and situational judgment scenarios
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Communicating with patients from diverse backgrounds
- Your motivation for TMU specifically (mission alignment)
For more detailed interview advice, check out our Interview Guide.
Pathways & Considerations
View All Pathways & Considerations
TMU offers three dedicated pathways for equity-deserving applicants. You can only select one pathway (or the General stream); they cannot be combined. Each pathway has its own review process and, in some cases, a distinct interview format. There is no standalone extenuating circumstances submission; personal context is considered holistically within whichever stream you apply through.
Indigenous Admissions Pathway
If you self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, this pathway replaces the standard MMI with a Talking Circle, a culturally grounded interview format facilitated with Indigenous community members and physicians. Your file is reviewed holistically with emphasis on cultural identity, community connection, and alignment with TMU's social accountability mission. You must indicate this pathway in your TMU application and provide appropriate documentation of Indigenous identity.
Black Admissions Pathway
If you self-identify as Black or of Black heritage, your file will be reviewed by a committee that includes Black physicians and community members. The process is designed to address systemic barriers and ensure your lived experiences and community contributions are appropriately considered. You select this pathway in your TMU application and follow the standard MMI format.
Equity-Deserving Communities Pathway
If you belong to an equity-deserving community not covered by the Indigenous or Black pathways (for example, newcomers to Canada, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, people with disabilities, or those from low-income or underserved backgrounds), this pathway gives you a holistic, contextual review that accounts for systemic barriers. You select this pathway in your TMU application and follow the standard MMI format.
Always confirm current pathway eligibility and application details directly on the TMU admissions page.