You can gain admittance into medical school from any four-year undergraduate program (including, but not limited to, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Public Health programs) however, the following list of courses will be useful to help prepare you for the MCAT:
Pre-Med at CBU
Study Pre-Med at CBU
At Cape Breton University, we offer tailored pre-med pathways designed to help you gain admission to medical school and build a successful career in healthcare. With small class sizes, personalized faculty support, and hands-on learning opportunities, CBU provides the ideal environment to begin your journey toward a meaningful and rewarding profession in fields like medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy.
How To Get Started
- Enroll in a Bachelor of Science (BSc) program in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, or Math.
- Join the Pre-Med Society, where you’ll receive mentorship and resources for MCAT preparation, medical school applications, and MMI interview practice.
- Review the Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine
- Contact the below Advisors for more information:
- Chantelle Cormier, Associate Dean of Science
- Kellie White, Pre-Med Society Faculty Representative
What is Pre-Med?
Pre-med at CBU isn’t a specific program but a pathway to medical school. Our pre-med students select an undergraduate degree that not only prepares them for medical school but also supports their success in the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), both critical components of the application process.
With CBU’s pre-med pathways, you can pursue your passions while building the foundation for a career in medicine. Whether you choose to major in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, or even Math, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills essential for success in medical school and beyond.
Why Choose CBU for Pre-Med?
Choosing Cape Breton University means you’ll receive a personalized and supportive educational experience. With small class sizes, your professors will know you by name, offering a more engaging and accessible learning environment. Faculty advisors, along with the Pre-Med Society, are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the medical school journey, from MCAT prep to applications and interviews. At CBU, you have the flexibility to select a major that aligns with your interests and strengths, helping you achieve your highest GPA potential. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with professors on research projects, gaining hands-on experience that will set you apart in the competitive field of healthcare.
Cape Breton Medical Campus (CBMC)
Cape Breton University is proud to partner with Dalhousie University to bring the Cape Breton Medical Campus to Cape Breton Island in Fall 2025. 
This strategic partnership will ensure more Nova Scotians have the opportunity to receive an excellent medical education in their home province and will assist with the recruitment and retention of physicians to the Cape Breton region, and to rural Nova Scotia. With a focus on family medicine and rural medicine, the Cape Breton Medical Campus will provide training that will greatly benefit the health needs of many communities of Nova Scotians, including indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities.
While separate from CBU’s pre-med pathway programs, the Cape Breton Medical Campus offers future opportunities for pre-med students to remain on Cape Breton Island to pursue their medical education.
Disclaimer
While the information provided here is intended to guide prospective students on academic requirements and pathways to medical school, it is important to note that meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission to any medical school in Canada. Admission to medical programs is highly competitive and varies by institution, with decisions based on a combination of factors, including academic performance, extracurricular involvement, personal statements, and individual application reviews.
CBU Pre-Med FAQs
You can visit AAMC’s Canadian MCAT Calendar page to review deadlines, score release dates, sign up for the MCAT and more.
The MCAT Essentials for Testing Year 2025
This PDF outlines resources including how to create a study guide, what is on the MCAT, free planning and study resources, and more.
AAMC Free Planning and Study Resources
Learn about the free AAMC MCAT® Official Prep resources that the AAMC offers to help you study- including two free full lenth practice exams.
Sample content from all four sections of the exam, with over 1000 videos and 3000 review questions to help you study.
See more MCAT/MMI resources from the CBU Library.
Here are some Canadian resources to help pre-med students brush up on medical ethics, healthcare issues, and social determinants of health. These resources include websites, articles, and podcasts.
Medical Ethics
- Canadian Medical Association (CMA) – Code of Ethics and Professionalism
- The CMA’s Code of Ethics is a foundational document for understanding medical ethics in Canada. It provides guidelines on patient autonomy, confidentiality, informed consent, and professionalism.
- The Canadian Bioethics Society (CBS)
- CBS offers resources on bioethics and publishes articles and conference proceedings on medical ethics topics relevant to Canada.
- Bioethics for pre-med students for MMI prep
- This YouTube preps students for ethical questions in MMI.
Healthcare Issues in Canada
- Health Canada – Reports and Publications
- Health Canada regularly publishes updates on healthcare issues, including wait times, healthcare accessibility, and public health challenges.
- “White Coat, Black Art” Podcast (CBC)
- Hosted by Dr. Brian Goldman, this podcast addresses current healthcare issues and challenges in Canada, from healthcare access to physician burnout.
Social Determinants of Health
- National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (NCCDH)
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- This organization focuses on the social determinants of health in Canada, providing research and practical guides on topics like health equity, housing, and income. They also offer webinars and case studies specific to Canada.
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- Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) – Social Determinants of Health Articles
- The CMAJ frequently publishes research articles, and opinion pieces, and has a podcast about the social determinants of health in Canada. They cover topics like Indigenous health, mental health, and the impacts of poverty on healthcare access.
General Canadian Healthcare Podcasts and Resources
- “Healthy Debate” Website
- Healthy Debate publishes articles and debates on Canadian healthcare policies and innovations, often with contributions from medical professionals, policymakers, and patients.
- “Prescription for Improvement” Podcast (Canadian Patient Safety Institute)
- This podcast covers topics related to patient safety, healthcare quality, and improvement in Canadian healthcare settings, with episodes focusing on policies and strategies to address systemic issues.
- Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)
- The CPHA provides a variety of resources, including reports on public health challenges, webinars, and policy briefs on issues like vaccination, mental health, and health equity.
See more MCAT/MMI resources from the CBU Library.
