U of T Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)
Last updated: September 2025
Table of Contents
Overview
The University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine is among Canada’s most prestigious medical schools, known for its rigorous curriculum, extensive clinical network, and emphasis on research and social responsibility medapplications.com applymd.utoronto.ca. This guide provides a concise yet thorough overview of what to expect and prepare for when interviewing for U of T’s MD Program. It begins by describing the Modified Personal Interview (MPI) format used by U of T, including the structure and style of the interviews. It then summarizes the school’s mission and values, highlighting themes like social responsibility, equity, and innovation that are woven into U of T’s ethos applymd.utoronto.ca md.utoronto.ca. Key program features and facts—such as the unique academy system and diverse training opportunities—are outlined, with examples of insightful questions applicants might ask about the program. The guide also discusses health policy topics relevant to practicing medicine in Toronto, Ontario, and Canada, since U of T seeks applicants who are aware of current issues blackstonetutors.com. Additionally, it reviews the non-academic attributes U of T looks for (leadership, community service, research experience, etc.) and the competency frameworks (like CanMEDS) that align with the program’s evaluation criteria applymd.utoronto.ca blog.acceptedtogether.com. Common themes from past interview questions are examined to illustrate how U of T often asks applicants to reflect on personal experiences and ethical scenarios. Finally, the guide lists the important timelines and deadlines for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, from application submission through interviews and admission offers. Together, these sections synthesize crucial information that will help candidates orient their preparation to the expectations of the University of Toronto’s medical school interview.
Interview format
The University of Toronto conducts its medical school interviews in a format called the Modified Personal Interview (MPI). Unlike a traditional panel or an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview), the MPI involves four separate one-on-one interviews, each approximately 12 minutes long, with four different interviewers applymd.utoronto.ca. These interviewers are members of U of T’s medical community (such as faculty, physicians, senior students, or residents) who each meet the applicant individually applymd.utoronto.ca. Between each of the four mini-interviews there is a short break, and the entire process is often completed within a half-day session canadianguidetomedschool.com. The overall style is personal and conversational, as each interviewer has a brief independent session to get to know the candidate canadianguidetomedschool.com. There are no role-play actors or written stations in this format; instead, it’s a focused dialogue meant to resemble a more intimate panel interview broken into stations blackstonetutors.com canadianguidetomedschool.com.
In recent years, U of T has adapted this format to a virtual setting known as the vMPI (virtual Modified Personal Interview). Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the vMPI requires applicants to record timed video responses rather than speaking to an interviewer in person applymd.utoronto.ca. In the virtual format, candidates are presented with prompts for four sequential interview questions and typically have a short period (around 2-3 minutes) to consider each question, then about 5 minutes to record their response before moving to the next applymd.utoronto.ca. All four recorded responses are later reviewed by different assessors. Notably, the 2025-2026 interviews will be conducted virtually, so applicants should be prepared for an online, asynchronous interview experience (with specific login times to complete their recordings on scheduled dates) applymd.utoronto.ca applymd.utoronto.ca.
Each of the four MPI stations tends to cover different themes or aspects of the applicant’s background. Some interviewers will have access to the applicant’s file ("open-file" interviews), meaning they have reviewed elements like the autobiographical sketch or essays, and can ask specific questions about those experiences canadianguidetomedschool.com. Other stations may be "closed-file" or only partially informed, focusing on more general questions not drawn from the application. For example, one interviewer might say, “I see from your file that you have extensive research experience in X – can you tell me about that and what you learned?” mymedcoach.ca, while another interviewer (who hasn’t seen your file in detail) might pose hypothetical or behavioral questions. This combination allows the school to assess both how you discuss your own experiences and how you think on your feet in unfamiliar scenarios. The tone across all four interviews is meant to be collegial and dialogue-based, so candidates can engage in back-and-forth discussion. In fact, if time permits, interviewers often invite applicants to ask questions at the end of a station canadianguidetomedschool.com, making it a two-way exchange. Overall, about 700 applicants are invited to U of T’s interviews each cycle applymd.utoronto.ca, and because roughly 250 positions are available in the MD program, an interview invite translates to roughly a one-in-three chance of admission (some sources even estimate “close to a 1 in 2 chance” post-interview) canadianguidetomedschool.com. Interview invitations are sent out on a rolling basis from January through March and are not tied to any rank order of applicants applymd.utoronto.ca, so the timing of your invite has no bearing on your potential acceptance – every invited candidate should approach the interview with equal seriousness.
School mission and values
U of T’s Faculty of Medicine has a mission deeply rooted in social responsibility and community service. The admissions process itself reflects this: for instance, the brief personal essays required in the application explicitly ask about experiences related to the school’s mission and values, which “embody social responsibility” applymd.utoronto.ca. The program’s guiding mission includes advancing health and developing future health professionals who will serve society with compassion and integrity. In practice, this translates to a strong emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion, and on training doctors who will act as advocates for their patients and communities.
The Faculty’s official vision and values highlight several key themes that applicants should be aware of. These include a commitment to equitable healthcare (ensuring all segments of society receive quality care), fostering a culture of diversity and inclusiveness, and upholding professionalism and ethical conduct in all endeavors meded.temertymedicine.utoronto.ca meded.temertymedicine.utoronto.ca. U of T also stresses the importance of resilience and wellness, both for patients and for medical trainees themselves md.utoronto.ca. The school values innovation and leadership in medicine – it strives to “cultivate and bring to life ideas that impact scholarship and society” as part of its vision meded.temertymedicine.utoronto.ca. Students are encouraged to make a meaningful difference both locally and globally, reflecting U of T’s value of social accountability in healthcare md.utoronto.ca. Teamwork and collaboration are explicitly mentioned as core values as well md.utoronto.ca, aligning with the idea that medicine is a team-based endeavor. An applicant interviewing at U of T should be mindful of these mission-driven themes; for example, you may not be asked to repeat the mission statement, but demonstrating awareness of issues like social equity or showing a service-oriented perspective can indicate that you resonate with the school’s principles. In sum, the U of T medical program seeks future physicians who will not only excel academically but also live the institution’s values of compassion, innovation, and societal impact.
Program description and facts
The MD Program at the University of Toronto is a four-year program located in one of the world’s most diverse urban centres. It offers an exceptional breadth of clinical and educational opportunities, which is reflected in its academy structure – a unique feature of U of T. Upon admission, each student is assigned to one of four academies, which are clusters of affiliated hospitals and healthcare sites that serve as a “home base” for clinical training md.utoronto.ca. Three academies are based around major teaching hospitals in downtown Toronto (St. George campus), and one academy is based at the Mississauga campus (the Mississauga Academy of Medicine), offering a smaller community setting outside the city core md.utoronto.ca md.calendar.utoronto.ca. This academy system provides a supportive, small-college feel within a very large program, ensuring students can form close peer and faculty relationships while still accessing the vast resources of U of T’s network. Throughout the program, students rotate through a variety of hospitals – from large tertiary care centers to community clinics – exposing them to a wide range of patient populations and medical cases. The curriculum in the first two years (preclerkship) combines lectures, case-based learning, simulation, and early clinical skills training, while the last two years are spent in full-time clinical clerkships across different specialties. U of T is known for its interprofessional education focus (learning alongside other healthcare professional students) and opportunities for service learning in community settings md.utoronto.ca, reflecting its emphasis on social accountability in medicine.
With its long history (founded in 1843) and large class size, U of T’s Faculty of Medicine offers a rich array of research and extracurricular opportunities. The school consistently ranks among the top in North America for research output, and medical students have access to many of the university’s research institutes and labs. There is no mandatory research thesis for the MD, but students can pursue summer research projects or participate in scholarly concentrations if they wish, and many do take advantage of this – something that could be worth asking about during the interview if research is important to you. Outside of academics, U of T also provides extensive support for student initiatives in areas like global health, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and medical innovation. The diverse patient population of the Greater Toronto Area is a significant asset to the program: students learn to care for patients from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, which helps train culturally competent physicians. The sheer size of the program (each incoming class is on the order of 250 students) means there are numerous student interest groups, specialty clubs, and mentorship opportunities available. Additionally, U of T is one of the few Canadian medical schools that admits a limited number of international students, which adds to the diversity of perspectives in each cohort. All these features make for great talking points in the interview; interviewers will expect you to have an understanding of what makes U of T’s program distinctive and to see genuine curiosity about how you might fit into it.
Given these facts, it’s wise for candidates to think of some insightful questions to ask their interviewers or student guides about the program. Asking questions not only helps you learn more, but also shows your interest in U of T’s offerings. For example:
- “The academy system sounds unique – how are students assigned to an academy, and do they stay at that academy for all four years?”
- “What opportunities are there for medical students to get involved in research or scholarly projects during the MD program?”
- “How does U of T support student wellness and work-life balance given the program’s size and intensity?”
- “In what ways can students engage with the community or pursue global health experiences while at U of T?”
- “What do you think distinguishes U of T’s medical curriculum or student culture from other medical schools?”
These are the kinds of questions that demonstrate you have done your homework on the program and are thinking about how you will enrich and take advantage of what U of T has to offer. Interviewers at U of T are accustomed to candidates asking about things like the academy placements, research opportunities, clinical exposure, and student life – so don’t hesitate to bring up a topic you are genuinely curious about. It turns the interview into a more engaging dialogue (consistent with the MPI’s conversational style) canadianguidetomedschool.com and can leave a positive impression that you are seriously interested in the school.
Policy topics relevant to the program
In addition to personal and ethical questions, U of T’s interviews often touch on or imply awareness of health policy and societal issues. Toronto is a large metropolitan city in Ontario, and as a medical student (and future physician) there, one is expected to be aware of the healthcare context in the region and country. Applicants are not expected to be policy experts, but they should be conversant with major issues in healthcare that are making news or influencing how doctors practice. U of T’s focus on social responsibility means interviewers appreciate when candidates are mindful of current challenges facing healthcare systems and patient communities blackstonetutors.com. In preparation, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with a few key topics at the local (provincial) and national level.
Some relevant policy or hot topics that often come up in discussion include:
- The structure of Canada’s single-payer healthcare system and how it compares to other systems (for example, differences between Canadian and U.S. healthcare) blackstonetutors.com.
- Recent provincial healthcare initiatives or reforms in Ontario – for instance, policies to address wait times, the role of private clinics in delivering publicly funded care, or changes in primary care delivery.
- Issues of equity in healthcare access, such as care for underserved communities, Indigenous health disparities, and culturally competent care (aligning with U of T’s values of equity and social accountability).
- Major national healthcare debates, like the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) legislation, discussions about implementing a national pharmacare program, or funding agreements between federal and provincial governments for health services.
- Public health lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and how they are shaping policy (e.g. pandemic preparedness, vaccine distribution policies, and strengthening of public health infrastructure).
While the specific topics can vary year to year, the underlying expectation is that you as an aspiring physician have a big-picture awareness of healthcare beyond just your personal experiences. For example, an interviewer might ask, “Tell me about a healthcare issue in the news that’s important to you,” or “Compare the American and Canadian healthcare systems – what do you see as pros and cons of each?” blackstonetutors.com. They may also pose questions like, “What health policy change would you advocate for?” or “How do you think a current issue (e.g., mental health resources, opioid crisis, healthcare for aging populations) affects the role of doctors?” When such questions arise, interviewers are gauging whether you stay informed and can think critically about the system in which you will practice. U of T, being a leading medical school in Canada, values those who show an understanding of the Canadian healthcare environment and who can articulate thoughts on improving it (even in a humble, exploratory way). Therefore, as part of your interview prep, keep an eye on health news (Ontario and Canada-wide) and reflect on how these issues connect to the kind of doctor you want to be. Your answers don’t need to be policy-wonk detailed; they should simply convey that you are informed, thoughtful, and aligned with the school’s socially conscious mission.
Non-academic selection criteria
The University of Toronto uses a holistic admissions process, meaning that in addition to strong academics, a great deal of attention is paid to candidates’ personal qualities and achievements outside the classroom. U of T specifically evaluates each applicant’s background and experiences across four broad “clusters” of attributes applymd.utoronto.ca. These clusters, which are derived from the CanMEDS physician competency framework, encompass the key non-academic qualities the school is looking for:
Professional – This includes attributes like maturity, ethical integrity, responsibility, perseverance, and reliability ([applymd.utoronto.ca](https://applymd.utoronto.ca/non-academic-requirements#:~:text=PROFESSIONAL%20%20,community%20service%20and%20social%20responsibility)). U of T wants to see that you carry yourself with professionalism, can be accountable, and have demonstrated resilience and honesty in your endeavors. In practice, experiences that show long-term commitment or overcoming challenges, taking responsibility for outcomes, or growth in the face of adversity will reflect this cluster. Communicator/Collaborator/Manager – This cluster covers interpersonal and teamwork skills: communication ability, collaboration and teamwork, leadership and time management are all components applymd.utoronto.ca. Since physicians often work in teams, the admissions committee looks for evidence that you can work well with others, lead when appropriate, and manage your responsibilities. Think of times you’ve coordinated a group project, led a team or initiative, or balanced multiple commitments – those exemplify this cluster. Advocate – This refers to advocacy, community service, and social responsibility ([applymd.utoronto.ca](https://applymd.utoronto.ca/non-academic-requirements#:~:text=ADVOCATE%20%20,conference%20presentations%2C%20publications%2C%20and%20scholarships)). U of T highly values applicants who have shown concern for their communities and a willingness to engage with issues of social justice or health equity. Volunteering, community service projects, involvement in public health initiatives, or any role where you defended or aided others in need would fall under the Advocate cluster. It ties directly into the school’s mission of social accountability. Scholar – In U of T’s context, the Scholar cluster is not only about academic strength (though a solid academic record is expected) but also about contributions to knowledge and a mindset of inquiry applymd.utoronto.ca applymd.utoronto.ca. It includes achievements in research, leadership in academic or extracurricular settings, and intellectual curiosity. Examples are research projects, publications or conferences, scholarly awards, or even significant leadership roles in organizations where you learned from a challenging intellectual experience. U of T being a research-intensive institution, demonstrating the “scholar” attribute can set you apart, but keep in mind it’s considered alongside the other clusters, not in isolation.
In reviewing your application and during interviews, U of T will be looking for indications that you possess strengths in all four clusters or at least a balance among them applymd.utoronto.ca. For instance, an ideal candidate might show a solid academic/scientific background (Scholar), have volunteered at a community clinic (Advocate), served as captain of a sports team or organizer of a student club (Communicator/Collaborator/Manager), and handled a personal challenge with maturity and persistence (Professional). There’s no single “perfect” profile, and you don’t need to have an example of every trait, but reflecting on experiences that highlight these attributes can help you discuss them if prompted in interviews. In fact, U of T’s interviewers are known to ask questions that map to these clusters—such as ethical dilemmas (Professional), teamwork conflicts (Communicator/Collaborator), community involvement (Advocate), or learning experiences (Scholar). Importantly, the admissions committee emphasizes that there is no prototypical med student background; they seek well-rounded, community-minded individuals with diverse experiences applymd.utoronto.ca. Demonstrating genuine engagement in your activities and the personal growth you derived from them is more important than simply listing accomplishments. In summary, understanding U of T’s non-academic criteria provides a framework for choosing which personal stories to highlight during your interview – focus on those that show you embody the professionalism, teamwork, altruism, and curiosity that align with the program’s values.
Relevant competency frameworks
The qualities that U of T looks for are not arbitrary; they are grounded in established competency frameworks for physicians. Most notably, the CanMEDS framework – developed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – underpins much of U of T’s approach to defining a well-rounded physician. CanMEDS identifies a set of roles that doctors must fulfill (such as Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Health Advocate, Scholar, Professional, and Medical Expert) and the skills/behaviors associated with each. U of T explicitly bases its four attribute clusters on these CanMEDS roles applymd.utoronto.ca. For example, the “Communicator/Collaborator/Manager” cluster corresponds to the Communicator, Collaborator, and Leader roles in CanMEDS, while the Advocate and Professional clusters match the Health Advocate and Professional roles, respectively applymd.utoronto.ca. The Scholar role in CanMEDS covers being a lifelong learner and contributing to knowledge – reflected in U of T’s Scholar cluster. (The CanMEDS Medical Expert role is considered the integrating role that ties all these competencies together in actual medical practice; as a candidate, your academic metrics and science prerequisites largely speak to your potential as a medical expert, whereas the interview and essays are more geared toward the other roles.)
Applicants should recognize that U of T’s interview questions are often designed with these competencies in mind. The admissions blog advises candidates to familiarize themselves with both the four clusters and the CanMEDS roles as a “frame of reference” when preparing for interviews applymd.utoronto.ca. This means that when you practice responding to questions, you might consider which underlying quality or CanMEDS role the question is getting at. For instance, a question about a teamwork experience is really evaluating you as a Collaborator (and possibly a Leader), whereas a question about a time you faced an ethical dilemma examines your Professionalism. By understanding the language of CanMEDS, you can structure your answers to emphasize how you demonstrated the skills of a good communicator, advocate, scholar, etc. This doesn’t require explicitly mentioning CanMEDS in your answers, but it helps you ensure you cover the relevant traits. U of T’s connection to these frameworks also signals that the school expects its graduates to meet nationally recognized standards of physician competency. In summary, aligning your self-reflection with the CanMEDS roles and the U of T clusters can give you a clearer sense of what attributes to highlight. It’s essentially the blueprint of the “type of doctor” U of T aims to train – one who is not just clinically competent, but also an effective communicator, collaborator, advocate, scholar, and professional blog.acceptedtogether.com. Showing that you are already on your way to developing those competencies will strengthen your interview performance.
Themes among past interview questions
Over the years, certain themes and patterns have emerged in the questions reported by U of T interviewees. One prevalent type is the behavioral or experiential question, often introduced with prompts like, “Describe a time when…”. These questions ask you to draw on your personal experiences to illustrate how you acted or learned in a particular situation. For example, candidates have been asked things like: “Describe a time when you did something you were not proud of,” or “Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make,” or “Describe a time when you had to be a leader” mymedcoach.ca. Such questions are meant to assess qualities from the four clusters – e.g., integrity and accountability (in admitting a mistake), judgment and ethics (in a difficult decision), or leadership and teamwork. When answering, it’s important to be genuine and reflective about what you did and what you learned. The interviewers are less interested in the specific circumstance and more interested in how you handled it and grew from it.
Another common theme is the motivational or “why” question. U of T will likely want to know what draws you to their school and to the medical profession. Expect questions like “Why do you want to be a doctor?” or more specifically, “Why do you want to attend the University of Toronto’s medical program?” mymedcoach.ca. In fact, past applicants have noted they were asked what about U of T appeals to them or how they see themselves contributing to the U of T community mymedcoach.ca. They may also ask, “What would you do if you weren’t accepted to medicine – or what career would you choose instead of medicine, and why?” mymedcoach.ca, which helps them gauge your motivations and whether you have a realistic understanding of the profession. These types of questions allow you to demonstrate your fit with the school (by referencing U of T’s specific opportunities or values that resonate with you) and your commitment to medicine without sounding rehearsed.
Given U of T’s open-file component, at least one interviewer may ask questions drawn directly from your application. These can range widely depending on what you’ve done. For instance, an interviewer might pick an activity from your autobiographical sketch and say, “I see you volunteered at a nursing home – can you tell me what that experience meant to you?” or “You have a lot of research experience in biochemistry; what did you take away from those projects?” mymedcoach.ca. They might probe an interesting hobby or a unique achievement you listed. The key theme here is self-awareness: you should be ready to discuss anything on your application in depth, reflecting on challenges, successes, and lessons learned. The tone is still conversational; often the interviewer is giving you an opportunity to share more about something you clearly care about.
Interviewers may also pose ethical or situational questions, although at U of T these tend to be discussed in the one-on-one format rather than through role-play. They might give a scenario (for example, an issue of honesty, confidentiality, or a dilemma in patient care) and ask how you would approach it. Alternatively, they could ask for your thoughts on a current healthcare issue (tying back to the policy topics mentioned earlier). The aim is to see your critical thinking and moral reasoning. Even though U of T’s MPI doesn’t have the structured stations of an MMI, it still assesses similar competencies; it just does so through conversation. Therefore, you might not get a separate “ethics station” per se, but an interviewer could weave an ethics question into your dialogue. Likewise, questions about current events or health policy might appear, such as “Have you been following the debate about X? What’s your perspective on it?” blackstonetutors.com.
Overall, past candidates report that U of T’s interview felt personal and comprehensive in scope. You should be prepared for a mix of question types: personal reflections, motivation and “fit” questions, application-specific queries, and broader societal or ethical discussions. Each of the four interviews might center on a particular theme – for instance, one might focus more on your personal background and challenges (Professionalism cluster), another on teamwork and leadership experiences (Communicator/Collaborator cluster), another on ethical viewpoints or advocacy experiences (Advocate cluster), and another on academic/research experiences (Scholar cluster). The interviewers have guiding themes to ensure all important areas are covered canadianguidetomedschool.com. Knowing this, you can organize your preparation around categories of stories and examples that correspond to those domains. Importantly, U of T’s interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the school as for them to learn about you canadianguidetomedschool.com. Many past interviewees mention that the process, while still challenging, felt like a friendly conversation – interviewers often reacted to their answers with natural follow-up questions and shared information about U of T. So, while you should take the interview seriously, you can also look forward to an engaging discussion. The themes of the questions are ultimately a conduit for you to show that you are a reflective, compassionate, and well-informed future medical student who aligns with U of T’s values.
Timelines and deadlines (2025-2026 cycle)
Staying on top of the application timeline is crucial so that you can prepare and respond promptly at each stage. Below are the key dates and deadlines for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle for U of T’s MD Program:
- October 1, 2025 – Deadline to submit your OMSAS (Ontario Medical School Application Service) application, including all references, transcripts, and fees, for Fall 2026 entry ouac.on.ca. (This is a strict deadline; late applications are not accepted.)
- October 21, 2025 – Deadline for OMSAS to receive your MCAT scores (if you took the MCAT) ouac.on.ca. Ensure scores are released to OMSAS by this date if required.
- January – March 2026 – Interview invitations are sent out by U of T on a rolling basis during this period applymd.utoronto.ca. Don’t be alarmed if your invite comes later in the cycle; as noted, the timing of the invitation isn’t indicative of your rank. Continue preparing in the meantime.
- February 8, 2026; March 7, 2026; March 22, 2026 – Interview dates for the MD Program (virtual MPI). Invited applicants will be assigned to one of these dates for completing their interviews applymd.utoronto.ca. All interviews for this cycle will be conducted online. (For those applying to the MD/PhD program, separate virtual interview dates are Feb 21-22, 2026 applymd.utoronto.ca.)
- Mid-May 2026 (around May 12, 2026) – First-round offers of admission are released by Ontario medical schools, including U of T ouac.on.ca. You will be notified via email/OMSAS if you have an offer or if you are waitlisted or rejected at this stage.
- Late May 2026 – Admitted students must respond to offers by the stipulated deadline (for example, the 2025 cycle’s offer response deadline was May 27) applymd.utoronto.ca. A tuition deposit and submission of a signed acceptance form are typically required to secure your spot.
- June 30, 2026 – Final official transcripts due to U of T (via OMSAS) for admitted students, showing completion of any academic requirements and degrees ouac.on.ca.
- August 2026 – Orientation week and the start of classes for the new MD cohort. (Exact dates to be provided by U of T, generally mid to late August).
Throughout the cycle, remember to monitor both your email (including junk mail folders) and your OMSAS portal for any communication from U of T applymd.utoronto.ca. If you receive an interview invitation, U of T will provide specific instructions on how to schedule or access the virtual interview platform. It’s recommended to confirm your interview slot promptly and to test your technology in advance given the online format. After interviews, the anxious wait until May can be difficult, but knowing these dates can help set expectations. If you are waitlisted in May, note that U of T could offer admissions from the waitlist through June or even early July, as other candidates decline offers. By the end of July 2026, the class will be finalized and incoming students will begin their medical school journey in August. Keeping track of these timeline milestones ensures you don’t miss any requirements and can focus your energy on each step (like preparing for interviews in the winter) well ahead of the deadline.
Conclusion
In summary, successful preparation for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine interview involves a combination of self-reflection, knowledge of the program, and awareness of the broader healthcare landscape. The MPI interview format calls for clear and personable communication in a one-on-one setting, so practicing how to articulate your experiences and opinions within a concise timeframe will be invaluable. U of T’s mission and values – emphasizing social responsibility, equity, and excellence – provide a guiding context for the kind of qualities you should aim to demonstrate during the interview. A sound understanding of the MD program’s structure and offerings (from the academy system to research opportunities) not only helps you answer the classic “Why U of T?” question, but also equips you to engage meaningfully with your interviewers. Being conversant with current medical policy issues in Ontario and Canada will allow you to tackle any healthcare discussion questions with confidence and show that you’re an informed future physician blackstonetutors.com. Remember that U of T assesses applicants holistically: beyond strong academics, they are looking for professionalism, teamwork, altruism, and intellectual curiosity – all traits reflected in their four clusters and the CanMEDS roles. By reviewing common interview question themes, you can prepare anecdotes and thoughts that align with these competencies without rehearsing scripted answers. Finally, adhere to the application timelines and be prompt and professional in all interactions – this is your first chance to show you possess the maturity and responsibility of a U of T medical student. With thorough preparation grounded in the insights from this guide, you will be well-equipped to put your best foot forward and make a strong impression at the interview. Good luck!