Different Paths, Same Destination: Stories from Non-Traditional Medical Students at Temerty

By Afreen Ahmad and Danielle Tsirulnikov

As a pre-med applicant, it can often feel like there's only one 'ideal' path to medicine. But the stories of our medical students show otherwise. At Temerty Medicine, our students come from all walks of life. We're excited to share some of their journeys and the advice they have for prospective applicants, especially those considering applying to medicine from non-traditional pathways.

What Makes a "Non-Traditional" Background?

Many Temerty students come to medical school after completing graduate studies:

Chloe L.: "I am a non-traditional medical student who entered medical school after completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology."

Sana: "I completed my master's at the University of Alberta before entering medicine. It's been a journey with many ups and downs, but I wouldn't change anything about it as I have met some incredibly talented and compassionate people that have shaped my own personal trajectory."

Afreen: "I did a master's in the Health Research Methodology program at McMaster University and worked as a research assistant for 1 year. I especially loved working with Arabic-speaking refugee populations and doing qualitative research that felt so meaningful to me!"

Some come to medicine after pursuing a different healthcare profession:

Danielle: "I did not get into medicine straight out of undergrad—instead, I ended up pursuing a Master's in Physical Therapy and even worked as a physiotherapist for a year prior to getting into medical school. I learned so much from this hands-on clinical experience and interactions with patients."

Elizabeth: "I worked in the healthcare system for 13 years as a nurse practitioner. It's been a remarkable road (leukemia, ICU, IR) and being able to retrain as a physician is an immense privilege and opportunity. I am quite grateful."

Shruthi: "I started out as a registered nurse, worked as an emergency responder with the Red Cross, and earned two degrees along the way—yet I still had moments where I questioned if I truly belonged. That journey taught me a lot about resilience, reflection, and staying grounded in my 'why'."

Some even come from completely different fields:

Josh: "I completed an MSc in Data Science and was working as a software engineer when I decided to apply to medical school."

The Journey to Medicine

Everyone has their own unique journey to medicine, shaped by different factors that influenced when and how they entered the field.

Josh: "As a software engineer, I realized I wanted to provide support and connect with people on an individual basis in my career. Doctors have the privilege of working with patients one-on-one while also having the flexibility to pursue broader healthcare projects. In choosing this path, I hope I'll be able to work directly with people without having to leave my interest in engineering behind."

Ray: "After undergrad I took the MCAT for the first time. I had difficulties getting a competitive score and with the pressure of my parents to contribute to household finances I decided to take a gap year to work at a car dealership to make ends meet. Near the end of my gap year, I decided to write the MCAT another time, again unable to receive the score that I needed to be competitive... I decided to apply to the University of Toronto's accelerated nursing program which was 2 years long.... At the end of my degree, I decided to write the MCAT one more time and thankfully I was able to achieve a competitive score. While applications were being reviewed, I worked as an emergency department nurse at North York General Hospital during the year to put to practice what I learned as a nurse. To my surprise, I received an interview at UofT and was accepted in May of 2024."

Chloe L.: "My journey to medicine began during my PhD in Clinical Psychology, where I worked closely with physicians on interdisciplinary research projects in hospital settings. Collaborating on studies in oncology, liver disease, and transplant medicine, I became inspired by the potential to bridge clinical care and research in a more integrated way. These experiences sparked a deep interest in pursuing medicine, not only to provide patient care but also to generate clinically meaningful research that improves outcomes."

Shruthi: "I graduated during the height of the pandemic, unsure of my next steps. I was offered the opportunity to work with the Red Cross as an emergency responder, traveling across the country—Manitoba, B.C., Ontario—supporting marginalized communities like remote Indigenous groups and migrant workers impacted by the pandemic... In 2021, I enrolled in the nursing program at Western. I pursued surgical nursing and earned my perioperative nursing certification so I could work in the OR, a setting I found incredibly exciting and meaningful. After graduating, I got my RN license, wrote the MCAT, and was set to begin as a registered nurse on SickKids' 8C Unit. Funny enough, my SickKids offer letter expired on May 15th—and I got my U of T med offer on May 14th. I had thought my path was set, but clearly, God had other plans for me. The rest is history. And I wouldn't have it any other way."

Entering Medical School as a Parent

We spoke with some of our most inspiring students who began medical school with families of their own about their experiences and considerations they believe future applicants should keep in mind.

Ida: "When deciding to pursue medicine, you have to have a conversation with your partner, because support will be key (someone has to be doing the cooking while you study haha). Especially when you have kids too. For me, I was more likely to regret not pursuing [medicine], so I took a leap of faith. Having a supportive partner helps tremendously."

Sana: "As a parent, you are juggling multiple responsibilities, and it is tough at times. This is the time to lean on your supports. Let them know how they can help. Often, people want to help but they don't know where to start, so make it easy for them. It's not always easy to be away from your child/children. You might feel sad or even guilty when you can't attend parent-teacher conferences or accompany them to the book fair. Please know that those feelings are completely normal and you're doing a great job. Make sure to acknowledge those emotions and when possible, carve out intentional time with your family. Even small pockets of time can make a huge difference."

Chloe G: "As a mother raising two little ones while walking through medical school, I've come to see every heartbeat as a miracle. Motherhood has taught me selflessness; medicine teaches me stewardship of life. Together, they've shaped my calling—not just to heal, but to love deeply and serve humbly."

Advice for Non-Traditional Applicants

Nisha: "My journey to medical school taught me that it really only takes one interview and one acceptance to change everything. The process can be long and uncertain, but staying hopeful and focused made all the difference."

Josh: "Even though med school and residency is long, chances are the rest of your career will be much longer so it's worth keeping that perspective. Medical school can be hard and time-intensive so it's important to make the decision with your support network and other responsibilities in mind. You don't need to have done a life science undergrad (they teach you everything you need to know in med school) and we need doctors with lots of different types of backgrounds, so people shouldn't worry if they don't fit the classic premed mold."

Ida: "Reflect on cost and benefit. Medicine is a long journey and an expensive pursuit. So if you are open to accruing debt while pursuing your dreams, then go for it. Time alone is not a factor, because time will pass anyway. The commitment that comes with medicine can be different from other professions (e.g. being on call, missing family events etc.). That being said, one can carve out whatever practice that best fits their priorities...If you want to pursue medicine, go for it and embrace all its glory and challenges. If you think the benefits of studying medicine and becoming a doctor outweigh the costs (time investment, debt, high liability, increased responsibility, potential delay of other life choices like marriage, kids, etc), then go for it."

Danielle: "I got into medicine on my 3rd try, and it's so easy sometimes to think 'I'm too old for this' or maybe 'I don't belong here compared to people who got in straight from undergrad'. However, I think that if you truly believe this is the right path for you, you should definitely do your utmost to pursue it. All of your life experiences along the way will only make you stronger and a better physician in the future."

Afreen: "I applied to medicine 5 times and interviewed 3. I had a lot of friends who decided to stop applying and sometimes I felt quite alone and confused after rejection. In those years I really worked on myself and improved my application, but also focused on other aspects of my life like doing work I was proud of and getting married. If you truly feel medicine is your path, give yourself the chance to apply and even apply more than once. But just as importantly, have a parallel plan like building another career or calling that you're genuinely happy with in case or until medicine works out. There are many paths to reach the same destination."

These stories remind us that there’s no single path to becoming a physician—only the one that’s right for you.