In 2022 the Canadian Medical Foundation entered into a partnership with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine for our joint goal of increasing the number of health professionals from underrepresented groups in medicine.
Financial aid is frequently the largest obstacle facing students who aspire to attend medical school. However, for students from many groups, it may often seem like a dream that is not an option to them. They may not have access to mentors who can provide invaluable guidance throughout their journey to medical school.
The Community of Support (CoS) program was established at the University of Toronto in March 2015 as a collaborative program in partnership with the Office of Enrolment Services, U of T Black Medical Students’ Association, and Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario. Since then, CoS expanded from chapters at the three University of Toronto campuses to include student-led chapters at other Universities in Ontario and was used as a model across the country.
The program supported under-represented students who aspire to study medicine, health professions, rehabilitation and basic sciences – particularly those who are Indigenous, Black, Filipino or economically disadvantaged, or who identified as having a disability.
CoS program offerings included admissions information, experiential opportunities in research and leadership, and application-related support such as MCAT test and interview preparation.
The program also included Supporting Applications, Supporting Interviews (SASI), which paired prospective students with current MD students who guided candidates on medical school applications. The Canadian Medical Foundation is proud to provide funding support to cover the cost of SASI.
Mentors (current medical students from diverse backgrounds) helped guide premedical students through the medical school application and interview process, including advice on references, co-curricular activities, and personal statements. Participants were connected with medical students from the schools at which they have received interview invitations, which is possible thanks to CoS alumni and other supporters at medical schools across Canada. Staff at Canadian medical schools such as Dalhousie and McMaster also provided logistical support for mock interviews.
Mentees were matched with medical student mentors from medical schools across Canada through MentorCity, a cloud-based software. The mentors supported the mentees by giving them feedback and advice on their autobiographical sketches, personal essays, references, and MCAT.
