Student-run guide · not an official UofT website Temerty Faculty of Medicine ↗ MD Program ↗
University of Toronto St. George campus
A student-made guide for the Class of 3T0

Welcome to
UofT Medicine.

We’re glad you’re here.

Independent student guide · Published May 2026 · Reviewed August 2026 I maintain this guide as an unpaid, independent volunteer project. It reflects my experience as a U of T medical student and information reviewed for the Class of 3T0. It is not an official University of Toronto or Temerty Faculty of Medicine website. Details can change, so confirm requirements, dates and policies through the official sources linked throughout the guide.

A practical guide to the transition into medical school and the months that follow. It points you to official information and shares the student advice and questions that tend to come up along the way.

Student Life

A glimpse of student life.

A few moments from the Class of 2T9, from O-Week through the end of first year.

UofT medical students gathered together during the school year
UofT medical students spending time together
Students at a UofT Medicine class event

If you appear in one of these photos and would like it taken down, please use the removal form to reach Ali. No explanation is needed.

Still Choosing

Why UofT, why Toronto, why Mississauga.

These three quick reads can help you picture life at UofT Medicine. Learn more about the program, studying downtown and the MAM experience in Mississauga. Each setting has its own character, but everyone is part of the same MD program and class community.

Campus assignment is indicated in your offer letter. If you are interested in the transfer process, see the Academy Transfers section of the Field Guide and confirm current eligibility with the Faculty.

Common Questions

If you're still on the fence.

The questions we got asked most often before deciding, answered as honestly as upper-year students can answer them.

What if I'm waitlisted?

For the Class of 3T0, the initial offer response deadline was May 26, 2026. Waitlist movement varies each year, so there is no set date when you will hear back. Unless the admissions team contacts you for something specific, there is nothing else you need to submit. Keep an eye on your email and OMSAS for any updates.

In the meantime, hold onto hope without putting the rest of your plans on pause. You can browse this guide while still making concrete plans for your other options.

What if I did not receive an offer?

There is no paragraph that makes that news easy. A refusal after everything you put into the process can feel like a real loss, especially while other people are celebrating.

Not receiving an offer does not take away from everything it took to reach this point. You are accomplished, capable and have so much ahead of you. Let yourself feel the disappointment, uncertainty or anything else that comes with the news, and give yourself the time and space to process it at your own pace.

When you are ready, the admissions site is the right place to check for current reapplication information and any feedback opportunities offered for your cycle. A future application can also look different because of what you learn, pursue and decide matters to you in the time between cycles.

Can I defer my offer?

Deferrals are rare and considered only in exceptional circumstances: usually medical, family caregiving, or a significant opportunity that genuinely cannot be deferred or repeated. They require documentation and are decided case by case. If you believe your situation qualifies, reach out directly to the MD Program Office. They're the right first call, and they'll walk you through the process and criteria for your cycle.

What if I'm an out-of-province (OOP) applicant?

Moving from another province adds a few administrative steps. Review your provincial health coverage, financial-aid eligibility and the documents needed to establish yourself in Ontario. Ontario currently has no waiting period for OHIP if you are eligible, and you can apply after arriving. Confirm your own eligibility through ServiceOntario before changing existing coverage.

How much do I actually need to know before starting?

Honestly, very little. The Foundations curriculum is built for students with a wide range of backgrounds: engineering, humanities, science, music. Don't pre-study anatomy or pharmacology. Don't watch lecture recordings before lectures start. The program will give you everything you need.

The one thing worth doing in the summer is rest. The pace once classes start is more sustained than what you've experienced before, and starting tired makes it worse.

Is the Toronto cost of living really that bad?

Housing is usually the largest variable, and asking rents change throughout the year. The Housing page compares neighbourhoods, buildings and commute estimates, while the Finances page lets you work through tuition, living costs and different funding sources using current figures.

Students use different combinations of government aid, savings, family support, bursaries, employment and professional student lines of credit. The right plan depends on your own circumstances, so use the guide as a starting point and speak with the MD Program financial counsellor for individual guidance.

About the Guide

Med school comes with a syllabus.

The transition into it doesn't.

Medical school comes with practical questions about housing, finances, curriculum and the parts of student life that are difficult to understand before you arrive. Those questions matter, even when they do not fit neatly into an official webpage or checklist.

I created this guide to bring those pieces together and organize them around the decisions students will face. When the Faculty has the authoritative information, such as the Registration Requirements page, the official source comes first.

Use this as a starting point. Confirm academic, administrative and financial decisions with the Faculty or the appropriate professional.

Read more about the guide and who contributed →

The Class of 2T9 gathered on Front Campus Field with University College in the background during O-Week 2025

Class of 2T9 · O-Week 2025 · Photo contributed by a U of T Medicine community member