Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

1. I've heard that University of Toronto medical students are divded into academies. What does this mean?
2. I’ve heard the classes at U of T referred to “class of 0T9” or “class of 1T2”. What does this mean?
3. Do students have any participation in the decision-making process of the school?
4. What support services are offered to med students?
5. What kind of financial aid is offered to med students?
6. When do U of T med students first get to interact with patients?
7. What athletic facilities are available to med students?
8. Are there opportunities to do research during the summer?
9. Why is the Faculty of Medicine expanding to Mississauga?

1. I've heard that University of Toronto medical students are divded into academies. What does this mean?

Medical students at U of T are allocated to academies, in an effort to expose students to as many of the incredible teaching hospitals as possible, and to allow students to study in smaller groups. There are four academies: the Fitzgerald Academy at St. Michael’s Hospital, the Wightman-Berris Academy at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, and Toronto Western Hospital, and the Peters-Boyd Academy at Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre.

Med students at U of T will generally spend their pre-clerkship years at one academy, but have the option to change academies for their clerkship. Students spend one morning a week at one of their assigned teaching hospitals, practicing history taking and physical exam skills, but the academies are also where seminars and PBL sessions, among others, take place.

No academy is better than the other, as each one will have its own flavour, with med students making fast friends with the rest of their academy members. Inter-academy challenges are favorite charity events for the class, and different academies will be involved in the university and city community in different ways. Although each academy is unique, one thing they all have in common is the excellent teaching by incredible physicians who are leaders in their field, as well as the dedication on the part of their members to consistently prove that U of T is a fantastic med school and a great place to be.

2. I’ve heard the classes at U of T referred to “class of 0T9” or “class of 1T2”. What does this mean?

OT9 stands for the graduating medical class of 2009, while 1T0 stands for the graduating class of 2010. It’s a naming system that the medical school has continued to use in the new millennium, but actually makes more sense for the graduating classes in previous years e.g. Class of 9T6 for the class of ‘96.

3. Do students have any participation in the decision-making process of the school?

Yes! The Medical Society (MedSoc) is the elected governing body of undergraduate medical students. The Medical Society represents medical students to the Faculty of Medicine, Alumni, other faculties within the university, the medical profession, and the community at large. The Society organizes a wide variety of student events and is concerned with both academic and non-academic aspects of student life.

4. What support services are offered to med students?

In addition to the financial and emotional support offered by the Undergraduate Medical Education Office (particularly the Office of Student Affairs), The Medical Alumni Association (MAA), Peer Support Centre (PSC) and Program for Advice and Support of Students (PASS) are all available to ensure that med students have an academic, social, wellness and financial support system.

5. What kind of financial aid is offered to med students?

For Canadian students, the first source of funding will be federal and provincial student assistance programs. All students are encouraged to apply, and Students who have been granted Provincial loan assistance are eligible to defer fee payment until later in the fall term. Students who qualify for government assistance may also be eligible for a Faculty of Medicine Student Grant, which is non-repayable. However, the Faculty of Medicine and the University of Toronto recognize that many students will require financial resources beyond what is available in government loan support. To address these needs, the University of Toronto has entered into an agreement with Scotiabank to provide students access to a personal line of credit. The Faculty of Medicine also offers a number of academic scholarships and awards, most of which do not require an application.