Preparing for Medical School

UBC Faculty of Medicine is seeking well-rounded students from a variety of backgrounds who are motivated, mature, and have a genuine concern for human welfare. The faculty receives about 2,400 applications annually for the 328 positions available in the undergraduate program. Of the 328 students selected, 40 will enter the Northern Medical Program at UNBC. 

Previous Admissions Statistics 

How to Prepare

So how can you prepare for your application to medical school? The following are some suggestions.

  • If possible, speak to your family doctor about his or her medical school experiences and the rewards they obtain by being a practicing physician.  
  • If you're a high school student, speak to your school counsellor about courses you should be taking to prepare for university. If you are interested in applying to UNBC, contact UNBC's Recruitment and Advising Centre.
  • Do well in high school and university. The Faculty of Medicine considers students from a variety of backgrounds; no preference is given to any particular degree program.
  • Applicants must have completed 90 credits and the prerequisites listed on the UBC Faculty of Medicine website by April 30 of the year in which you are seeking entry into medicine.
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities such as volunteer work, health care related service work, sports, culture or travel. In addition to academic achievement, applicants should demonstrate leadership, perseity of experience, ability to work with others and service ethic.
  • Develop a pool of personal references, who would be willing to write letters of recommendation for you. These may include university professors, community leaders, work or volunteer supervisors, physicians or other healthcare professionals, mentors or coaches.
  • Prepare for the interview part of the selection process. Similar to a job interview, these interviews narrow the selection of the most promising applicants.
  • Review the UBC Faculty of Medicine for information about the application process. Contact your university's academic advisor or the Northern Medical Program's Admissions Site Coordinator to determine how the medical prerequisites will fit into your program of study.
  • Visit the Association of American Medical Colleges website, a great resource for students considering a career in medicine. Please note that admission requirements vary between institutions.
  • For information about the MCAT test, visit the Medical College Admission Test website.