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. TMU's 2027 target is 94 students.

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 first screens eligibility. Every eligible applicant then completes a 6-question timed asynchronous Kira Talent assessment with video and written responses. TMU shortlists applicants after Kira; only shortlisted files receive the full-file review. A second shortlist advances to the virtual MMI or, for Indigenous-pathway applicants, the Talking Circle. Final decisions use a composite review.

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.

Every applicant completes the Regional Connection Form. The defined region includes Peel (Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon), Bolton, Dufferin, Halton (Milton, Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills), North Etobicoke and West Woodbridge.

Essays

General-stream applicants answer 3 current supplementary questions, each with a 1,700-character limit. They address: (1) identity, lived experience and the path to medicine; (2) leadership and work with marginalized or underserved communities; and (3) how you will uplift underserved communities as a future physician. Identify the relevant ABS entry number where requested.

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
Interview scheduling deadline: February 21, 2027
Interviews: February 27 to 28 and March 6 to 7, 2027
First offers: May 11, 2027
Recommended deadline to request application-stage accommodations: October 4, 2026

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. TMU's Exceptional Circumstances form has 3 fields, each limited to 1,300 characters, plus supporting documents or an explanation of why documents are unavailable. The four-year degree requirement still applies.

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.

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