You may be in or just entering secondary school (high school) and are already wondering: What do I need to do, and know, now if I want to become a doctor in Canada?
Medical schools in Canada focus on your undergraduate record, not your secondary school transcript. However, your choices in secondary school decide which university programs you can enter, and those programs are the gateway to undergraduate school and eventually medical school.
Below is a clear guide to what you should focus on.
Prioritize prerequisite secondary school courses
Your goal in secondary school is to be eligible for strong undergraduate programs. Many students choose fields like sciences, health sciences, or life sciences because they provide a structured way to complete the prerequisite courses that some Canadian medical schools require later.
To keep your options open for these competitive university streams, you should prioritize:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics (including Functions and Calculus)
- Physics (physics concepts are explicitly tested on the MCAT)
- English (required for all Canadian university admissions)
If your school offers AP or IB, these can help you adjust to university‑level science and show academic readiness.
While planning your courses, remember that obtaining an undergraduate degree is the goal. However, Canadian medical school requirements are flexible:
- A full four‑year bachelor’s degree is standard, but some medical schools accept applications after three years or 90 credits of undergraduate study.
- Not all medical schools require specific science prerequisite courses for admission. Some accept degrees in any discipline.
Because of this, your secondary school choices should focus on setting you up for a university degree program where you can achieve the highest possible GPA. Always be sure to check the specific admission requirements for your target medical schools as you plan your journey.
Aim for a strong academic average
Most competitive Canadian university programs admit students with averages above the minimums they publish. A realistic target if you are thinking about medicine is:
- Aim for at least 85%-90%+ overall
- Some programs, such as McMaster or Queen’s Health Sciences, may require a 90%-95%+ average
This keeps you competitive for the undergraduate programs that later supply the prerequisites and GPA medical schools will evaluate.
Build meaningful extracurricular experience
Canadian medical schools look for applicants who are academically strong and well rounded. Individual schools emphasize qualities such as professionalism, communication, teamwork, and community engagement.
In secondary school, choose activities that help you grow:
- Volunteering in your community
- Student leadership
- Athletics
- Academic clubs
- Part time work
- Personal or creative projects
These do not need to be “medical” focused. What matters is consistency, responsibility, and evidence that you are developing the skills and values expected of future physicians.
What you should have by graduation
By the end of secondary school you should aim to have:
- Strong grades in Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physics, and English
- An overall average of at least 85%-90%+, depending on your goals
- Eligibility for competitive undergraduate programs
- Ongoing extracurricular involvement that shows growth and commitment
- A clear sense of why medicine interests you
By starting early, staying focused, and choosing experiences that help you grow, you give yourself the strongest possible foundation for the undergraduate journey that leads to medical school in Canada.