OMSAS Application Guide: How to Apply to Ontario Medical Schools

What Is OMSAS?

OMSAS stands for the Ontario Medical School Application Service, run by the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). If you're applying to any MD program in Ontario, this system is mandatory. Rather than applying to each school separately, you submit your materials once through OMSAS, and the platform distributes them to the schools you select.

The six medical schools that use OMSAS include the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Western University (Schulich), Queen’s University, University of Ottawa, and NOSM University.

Compared to systems like AMCAS or TMDSAS in the U.S., OMSAS stands out because it doesn’t use a traditional personal statement. Instead, the Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) plays a central role. It also lacks a centralized letter of recommendation service, requiring applicants to manage references independently.

Which Medical Schools Use OMSAS

As of this year, these schools require you to apply via OMSAS:

• University of Toronto
• McMaster University
• Western University (Schulich)
• Queen’s University
• University of Ottawa
• Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM U)

What Makes OMSAS Different from AMCAS or TMDSAS

If you’ve looked at U.S. application systems (like AMCAS or TMDSAS), OMSAS feels different. There’s no personal statement in the same format. Instead, the Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) is the centerpiece, along with school-specific questions. There's also no centralized letter service—you’ll need to coordinate references separately.

OMSAS Application Timeline

OMSAS medical school application deadlines are firm, and even one late document can derail your application. Typically, the portal opens in early July, and the deadline to submit your application, including ABS, references, and MCAT information, is in early October. Transcripts must arrive by late October. After submission, interview invitations begin rolling out between November and January, with interviews conducted from February to April. Admission offers usually go out in May.

To stay ahead, begin preparing in the spring or early summer. This gives you time to develop your ABS, request transcripts, contact referees, and tailor your school-specific essays. Once you hit submit, OMSAS reviews your file and forwards it to your chosen schools. From that point on, you’ll deal directly with the schools—not OMSAS.

Key Dates and Deadlines

While specific dates change yearly, here’s the general structure:

• Early July: OMSAS portal opens
• Early October: Application deadline (including ABS, references, MCAT info, etc.)
• Late October: Transcripts must be received
• November–January: Interview invites go out (school-dependent)
• February–April: Interviews held
• May: Offers released

Tip: Don’t wait until the deadline to submit—technical issues happen, and OMSAS doesn’t care if your internet crashed.

When to Start Preparing Your OMSAS Application

Start in the spring or early summer. Give yourself enough time to:

• Draft and revise your ABS entries
• Contact referees early
• Order transcripts (they can take weeks to send)
• Prepare school-specific answers
• Research each school’s unique criteria

What Happens After You Submit

OMSAS verifies your documents and sends your file to the schools you applied to. You won’t hear from OMSAS again. After submission, all communication comes from the individual schools.

What You’ll Need for Your OMSAS Application

OMSAS doesn’t require a personal statement, but that doesn’t mean it’s light on writing. You’ll submit the following:

Academic Transcripts

Send official transcripts from every post-secondary institution you've attended. This includes transfer credits, exchange programs and summer courses.

Tip: Double check that your name and student ID are clearly visible. OMSAS will reject unclear or unofficial transcripts.

Autobiographical Sketch (ABS)

The ABS is the heart of your OMSAS application. It’s not just a list—it’s a curated, strategic summary of who you are. You can include up to 32 experiences across six categories:

1. Employment
2. Volunteer Activities
3. Extracurricular Activities
4. Awards and Accomplishments
5. Research
6. Other (e.g. caregiving, life experiences)

Each entry must include a brief 150-character description, the dates of involvement, time commitment, and a verifier who can confirm your participation. Focus on showcasing impact rather than just listing tasks. Avoid repeating similar experiences and include a balance of clinical and non-clinical roles.

School-Specific Questions or Essays

In addition to the ABS, some schools require extra written responses. For example, the University of Toronto asks for four short essays. Western requires written statements on leadership and advocacy. Queen’s includes school-specific questions that require short-form answers. These take time—more than most students expect—so don’t leave them until the last minute.

MCAT Scores

If a school requires the MCAT, you must manually release your score to OMSAS through AAMC. This is easy to overlook, but without it, your application will be incomplete. Add OMSAS as a recipient using your AAMC ID, and do this well before the October deadline

References

Finally, OMSAS asks for three references:

1. Academic (e.g. professor, research supervisor)
2. Non-academic (e.g. coach, community leader)
3. Your choice

These must be submitted through the OMSAS portal and are confidential. Choose referees who know you well and can speak thoughtfully about your abilities. Ask them early, ideally at least two months before the deadline, and support them with your resume and ABS if they ask.

What helps:

• Provide referees with your ABS and resume
• Ask early—at least two months in advance
• Follow up with reminders (politely)

How to Build a Strong Autobiographical Sketch (ABS)

Many applicants treat the ABS like a glorified resume—but it’s much more than that. It’s a curated, character-focused representation of your experiences.

Good entries are those that reflect who you are, show long-term commitment, and reveal growth. Don’t overlook roles like part-time jobs, family caregiving, or arts and athletics—they can show responsibility, empathy, or dedication, even if they’re not directly clinical. Vague, repetitive entries hurt more than they help. Use clear, active descriptions and avoid padding your list with low-effort experiences.

What Counts as a Good Entry

• Shows your values or growth
• Demonstrates relevant skills: communication, empathy, leadership
• Reflects long-term commitment (vs. one-off experiences)

Underrated entries:

• Part-time jobs (shows responsibility)
• Family caregiving roles
• Artistic or athletic pursuits

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Writing vague descriptions
• Not connecting the experience to your interest in medicine
• Using the same verifier for every entry

How to Choose Your Verifiers

Each ABS entry also requires a verifier—someone who can confirm that the activity happened. This doesn’t have to be a supervisor, but it should be someone credible and available. Don’t choose friends or family unless absolutely necessary, and always give verifiers a heads-up.

• Must be someone who can confirm your involvement
• Don’t choose someone who barely remembers you
• Avoid close friends or family

Pro tip: Contact all your verifiers early and explain what OMSAS is. They may receive calls or emails during the verification process.

Integrating CanMEDS Roles in the ABS

Ontario schools often look for alignment with the CanMEDS framework. These are seven roles the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada uses to define a well-rounded physician: Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Health Advocate, Scholar, and Professional.

You don’t need to label your entries with these roles, but your experiences should reflect them. If you led a volunteer team, you’re showing leadership. If you mentored peers or resolved a conflict, you’re showing communication and collaboration. If you did public health outreach, that’s advocacy. Think about what each entry says about how you function—not just what you did.

Navigating References and Verifiers

Choosing the right referees can be just as important as what they write. The best academic references don’t always come from the most prestigious professors—they come from those who know your work and your potential well. Seminar instructors, research supervisors, or faculty you’ve built relationships with are often better than big-name academics who barely know your name.

Ask by June at the latest.

Non-academic referees can include community leaders, coaches, mentors, or supervisors. Just like with your ABS verifiers, you want people who can vouch for your character, professionalism, and work ethic. Ask early, give them time, and make sure they understand what OMSAS is.

Reference vs. Verifier—What’s the Difference?

While verifiers are only there to confirm your activities, referees are writing evaluations of your potential as a future physician. Sometimes, the same person can serve both roles—but make sure they’re comfortable doing so.

Tips for Each OMSAS School’s Unique Requirements

Each Ontario medical school reads your application a little differently.

University of Toronto

• Emphasizes leadership, community impact, and academic performance
• Requires four short-answer questions
• Weighs the ABS heavily
• Average accepted GPA: ~3.95

McMaster University

• Uses GPA + CASPer + MMI only
• No ABS, references, or MCAT
• Emphasizes communication, ethics, and reasoning
• Average GPA: ~3.9

Western University (Schulich)

• Requires MCAT
• Needs short essays on leadership and impact
• Strong emphasis on GPA and specific course prerequisites
• Average GPA: ~3.93; MCAT minimums required

Queen’s University

• Uses a two-step process with short essays + ABS
• Holistic but competitive; essays are critical
• Average GPA: ~3.89

NOSM University

• Prioritizes applicants from or committed to rural, Northern, or Indigenous communities
• Heavy focus on social accountability and community involvement
• Average GPA: Varies based on background and location

University of Ottawa

• No MCAT required
• Strong focus on community service and language ability (bilingual bonus)
• Average GPA: ~3.92

Tip: Review each school’s selection criteria carefully. They change yearly.

Common OMSAS Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Missing deadlines is the easiest way to sabotage your OMSAS application. Don’t submit on the final day—submit early, track what you’ve submitted, and make sure you’ve covered every school’s unique requirements.

Another common mistake is picking the wrong references. A famous professor who barely knows you won’t write a strong letter. Choose someone who’s worked closely with you and can speak confidently about your strengths.

In the ABS, don’t submit generic or repetitive entries. Be clear, concise, and thoughtful. You’re showing schools what matters to you and what kind of future physician you might be.

And lastly, don’t assume that OMSAS will tell you everything. School-specific requirements live on each med school’s website. Check them. Often.

Final Thoughts: OMSAS Is Just the Start

OMSAS is more than a form—it’s a strategy. Getting it right means thinking critically about your past, communicating it clearly, and preparing for what comes next.

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. But with a game plan, feedback, and time, this process becomes a lot more manageable. Don’t treat OMSAS as a last-minute chore. Treat it like the first step in your future career in medicine.

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To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting