Mentorship

Virtual, flexible mentorship sessions for high school and university students in Ontario, offered at no cost.

Session formats

Individual sessions

A one-to-one conversation centred on the student's particular circumstances, stage, and questions. Well suited to students with specific matters they wish to work through.

Group sessions

A small-group format addressing common questions — how the process is generally structured, typical timelines, and broad considerations. Well suited to students at an earlier stage of exploration.

Sessions are conducted virtually — by video call, telephone, or another suitable format — and are scheduled around the student's availability, including evenings and weekends where possible.

How it works

Submit a request

Send an email with your name, age, level of study, and the topics you would like to discuss.

Confirmation

Pathways responds by email to confirm receipt and propose a suitable time and format.

Session

The session takes place virtually, in an individual or group setting as arranged.

Follow-up

Where appropriate, further sessions may be arranged by email.

Topics addressed in sessions

Mentorship is intended to support students through the many steps that precede a medical school application. Sessions may address any of the following, according to the student's stage and interests.

A general orientation to how medical school applications in Canada are structured
Course selection at the secondary and undergraduate levels
How requirements may differ between medical schools, and where current requirements can be verified
Extracurricular involvement and what research participation can look like for a student
Study tips, general advice, and recommended resources for the MCAT and CASPer
Exploring an interest in medicine, and in other healthcare careers that may align with the student's goals
Mentorship is a conversation drawing on the mentor's own experience of the process and on publicly available information. It is not admissions consulting. Mentors do not review or edit application materials, do not assess competitiveness, and have no involvement in or insight into admissions decisions at any institution. Current requirements should always be confirmed directly with the relevant medical school.

Students under 18

Pathways welcomes younger students who are beginning to consider a future in healthcare. For students under the age of 18, Pathways asks that a parent or guardian submit the initial request, coordinate scheduling, and remain present for the duration of the session. This approach ensures that families are included in the conversation and that sessions proceed in a manner comfortable for everyone involved.

Access and inclusion

Pathways in Healthcare was established, in part, in recognition that guidance about pursuing medicine is not equally available to all students. Those without family or community connections to the field, and those facing financial or other constraints, may have fewer opportunities to ask questions of someone who has been through the process.

Students from all backgrounds are welcome. Students who are the first in their family to pursue post-secondary education, who come from lower-income households, who belong to communities underrepresented in medicine and healthcare, or who attend under-resourced schools are particularly encouraged to request mentorship.

Mentorship is adapted to each student's circumstances. Students are invited to share, to whatever extent they are comfortable, any barriers or considerations they may be facing — whether related to finances, time, geography, family responsibilities, or otherwise — so that sessions can be shaped to be as useful as possible. Such information is treated with discretion and used only to inform the mentorship provided.

Participation guidelines

To maintain a respectful and constructive environment, all participants are asked to observe the following:

  • Communicate courteously and in good faith.
  • Provide accurate information when requesting mentorship.
  • Attend scheduled sessions, or provide reasonable notice if unable to do so.
  • Refrain from recording sessions without the prior agreement of all participants.
  • Refrain from requesting confidential admissions information, interview content, or evaluation criteria. Mentors do not have access to such information and will not speculate about it.
  • Understand that mentorship is offered by volunteers and is subject to availability.

Mentors, in turn, undertake to communicate only through channels arranged by Pathways, to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and to refrain from offering or promoting any paid service. Concerns regarding any aspect of the program may be raised by email at pathwaysinhealthcare@gmail.com.

Get in touch

Requests and expressions of interest are received by email.

Request Mentorship

Requesting a mentorship session

Mentorship requests are received by email. There is no application form and no cost. Pathways will respond to arrange a suitable time.

Please include the following
  • Your full name
  • Your age, current level of study (secondary school or post-secondary), and year
  • The topics you would like to discuss — for example, course selection, extracurricular involvement, the MCAT, CASPer, or exploring your interest in medicine and healthcare
  • Whether you would prefer an individual session or a group session
  • Your general availability
Students under 18: Pathways asks that a parent or guardian submit the request on the student's behalf and remain present for the session. Scheduling correspondence will be directed to the parent or guardian.
Email pathwaysinhealthcare@gmail.com

Sessions are offered by volunteers and are subject to availability. Submitting a request does not confirm a session.

Volunteer as a Mentor

Expressing interest in volunteering

Pathways welcomes expressions of interest from individuals in medicine and other healthcare professions who would like to contribute their time and perspective to students.

To express interest
  • Prospective mentors must be 18 years of age or older
  • Please attach a CV or résumé, where available
  • Include a brief letter outlining your background and your interest in volunteering as a mentor
Email pathwaysinhealthcare@gmail.com

Mentorship is voluntary and unpaid. Pathways will follow up by email to discuss potential involvement.