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Sep 7, 2021

Getting into Medical School in Canada – Your Challenge, Our Fast-Track Solution

Getting into Medical School in Canada – Your Challenge, Our Fast-Track Solution

You have a passion for saving lives; we are on a mission to get you there.

After all you’ve read, after all the years you’ve dreamed of becoming a doctor but have been faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges and admission requirements for med school, a “fast-track solution” may sound impossible.

We assure you; it is not.

The Challenges You Face Are Real:

  • The doctor shortage in Canada is real, but so is the shortage of places to study medicine in Canada. The truth is, despite the monumental number of Canadians who need to head to a clinic or emergency room to receive medical attention, there are only 17 medical schools in Canada (only 14 if you want to study in English), thousands of applicants and countless hoops to jump through to apply, be accepted and succeed in the courses required for medical school, no matter how smart or driven you are
  • Pre-Med requirements are rigorous, and years of your life go into an undergrad degree, studying for and taking the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and the financial burdens of all of this can stop you before you even begin
  • But you take the leap and then discover … everybody applying is wildly intelligent, hard-working, and passionately driven to achieve their dreams. And multiple failures and tenacity are often required before acceptance and the real work of medical school begins. Less than 15% of applicants are accepted on their first application. 85%, that’s 85%, have to try again or … find a workaround.

The Solution We Have – to Get You into Med School – is Real Too

We saw the challenges students were facing, that Canadians were facing, and we were determined to strategically align ourselves with a leading-edge solution, for you, for Canada.

We recently announced a direct admissions partnership with St. George’s University, Grenada, enabling students enrolled in Anderson’s Pre-Medical program to immediately qualify for St. George’s Medical School, with a $5,000 scholarship.

Here’s What You Can Skip in Applying to Medical School

With this solution, you DON’T need to:
× Pass the MCAT exam (Medical College Admission Test)
× Have a 4-year Bachelor of Science Degree
× Have an undergraduate degree
× Write a personal essay or gather letters of recommendation

Here’s How It Works

Anderson students must indicate their interest in the pathway program, meet admission requirements for both schools, enroll in Anderson’s Pre-Medical program, maintain a 3.2, or higher, grade point average in their pre-med courses. After successfully completing the three-semester, one-year Pre-Medical program at Anderson College and an interview process, graduates qualify for provisional acceptance to St. George’s University medical school and admitted students are eligible for the $5,000 scholarship as well as additional financial aid.

Take the “Medical Professional Career Discovery Quiz”

Here’s What the Leaders of this Initiative Are Saying

“This new partnership with St. George’s represents a tremendous opportunity for our students, many of whom are changing careers or building new lives in Canada,” said Mihkel Ranniste, President of Anderson College. “We’re proud to join St. George’s in building Canada’s doctor workforce of the future.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with St. George’s and provide an educational fast-track – our one-year pre-medical program paves the way for graduates to access medical school faster,” said Heather Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Anderson College. “Developing strategic partnerships that allow students to access advanced learning and expanded career options is the future of education.”

“By partnering with Anderson’s online Pre-Med program, we’ll be able to draw students from all over Canada — and even the world,” said Sandra Banner, St. George’s Director of Admissions for Canada. “Canada faces a very real shortage of doctors. We look forward to helping narrow that shortage and meeting the needs of Canadian patients.”

Why is a Partnership with St. George’s University So Powerful?

Because of their track record for innovation and success in education.

St. George’s University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. St. George’s is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. The University’s over 20,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. The University programs are accredited and approved by many governing authorities. For more information, visit www.sgu.edu. (And yes, you WILL get to study in that beautiful place. Wow!)

To learn more about how you can take advantage of this fast track to medical school with Anderson’s Pre-Med program contact an Admissions Advisor today and we’ll walk you through all you need to know and do – with ease!

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!
We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

Pre-Medical Program – Saint George’s University Pathway (andersoncollege.com)
Top Caribbean Medical School – St. George’s University (sgu.edu)
Five Myths about Applying to Canadian Medical Schools • SDN (studentdoctor.net)
How Hard is Medical School? What about Getting into Med School? | BeMo® (bemoacademicconsulting.com)

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about applying, funding, and life at Anderson College.

How long does it take to complete a program at Anderson College?
Most diploma programs run 24–58 weeks of full-time study, depending on the discipline. Healthcare programs (PSW, Cardiology, MOA, Dental Assistant) typically include a clinical or work placement so you graduate job-ready.
What financial aid options are available?
We accept OSAP (Ontario), Better Jobs Ontario, Windmill Microlending, in-house Alumni and PSW bursaries, and traditional student lines of credit through major banks. Visit our Financial Aid page for the full list and to chat with a Financial Aid Advisor.
Are international students welcome?
Yes. Anderson College is a DLI-approved Career College registered with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Programs marked as PGWP-eligible qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. See our International Students page for visa support details.
How do I apply?
You can start your application online in under 5 minutes or speak with an Admissions Advisor for a guided walkthrough. Begin your application here.
Does Anderson College offer job placement support?
Every program includes Career Services — resume coaching, interview prep, employer connections and lifetime alumni support. Many programs also include a built-in clinical or industry placement so you graduate with real-world experience. Learn more on the Career Services page.

Still have a question? Speak with an Admissions Advisor →

Anderson College — Celebrating 140+ Years

Anderson College is one of Canada's oldest colleges, having opened our first location in 1885. We have trained more than 150,000 students over a 140-year history, and have been an empowering partner for students overcoming career challenges and transitioning to the next phase of their lives.

With ten locations in Ontario, we are recognized for our high-calibre faculty, hands-on, real-life career training and supportive culture. At Anderson College, we are more than our century-old history, our programs and state-of-the-art facilities; we are a team of caring individuals, deeply committed to helping our students become skillful, confident and in-demand employees.

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