WHO SHOULD APPLY?
McMaster’s medical program selects candidates who demonstrate the potential to become Canada’s future healthcare leaders. Each year, we accept 217 students into our undergraduate medical program based on our selection formulae which include assessment of both cognitive and non-cognitive skills.
The admissions process identifies the best possible candidates for medical school by assessing each applicant’s overall achievements, including those in academic and non-academic areas. It is understood that academic excellence is necessary, but not sufficient, to ensure success as a physician. As a multitude of factors are used to determine candidates selected, and as the applicant pool varies in qualifications from year to year, there will be an overlap in the distribution of GPAs, MCAT scores, and other criteria in accepted and declined candidates, and not all candidates who meet minimum academic requirements will be offered a position.
There is no single background that is ideal preparation for the practice of medicine. Students with a university education in any discipline are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will have completed a rigorous and coherent course of study, which will provide evidence of an independent, self-directed, and mature learning style. The ideal candidate will also provide evidence of outstanding non-academic qualities, including altruism, reliability, responsibility, perseverance, creativity, and leadership, through this process.
All students are expected to be in a state of health such that they may participate in the academic program, including patient care, without posing a risk to themselves or others.
All applicants are encouraged to review the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine Policy Document entitled Essential Skills and Abilities Required for Entry to a Medical Degree Program.
Students who are accepted into the program and who have a communicable disease may pursue their studies provided that their continued involvement does not pose a health or safety hazard to themselves or others. Please review McMaster’s policy on Communicable Diseases and Occupational Health.
Current and prospective members of the caring professions at McMaster are expected to demonstrate their commitment to the professional behaviours that McMaster espouses, including accountability/responsibility, excellence, integrity and respect, and optimism. As such, throughout the admissions process, applicants to our program will be held to the same reasonable standard that is expected of other learners in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. McMaster University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all our members, including applicants, staff, and faculty that participate in the admissions process. How applicants conduct themselves throughout the admissions process is expected to be in a manner that respects our community members’ rights, upholds their responsibilities as a member of our community, and reflects the policies of the University as below:
Expandable List
As a part of McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine’s commitment to equity in medical school admission, our program leaders, community partners, and Black medical students, residents, physicians, and scholars have collaborated to create a Black-Equity Stream (known as BESt).
Black students are historically under-represented in our medical program. Many barriers exist as part of the long journey in applying to medical school for Black applicants that serve to create inequity in the admission process. As such, with our current mandate focusing on equity and diversity in medicine, we are introducing a Black-Equity Stream.
This process is intended to provide equitable access to Black Canadians and aligns with the McMaster UGME program’s commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice in all that we do, and McMaster University’s statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose.
BEST REQUIREMENTS
If you are applying through BESt, you must complete the OMSAS application, where you will self-identify to indicate your interest. You must meet the same minimum academic criteria for admission as set out for the general pool of candidates:
- 3 or more years of undergraduate degree-level courses by May of the year of entry
- An overall GPA of at least 3.00 as calculated on the OMSAS 4.00 scale
- A minimum score of 123 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning section of the MCAT
- Casper
A supplementary application, consisting of a personal essay from you to describe your interest in applying through the BESt, is also required. Your personal essay will focus on your experience – this will not be scored but will assist in determining your suitability under this stream.
Any applicants not invited to interview through BESt will be considered in the general applicant pool.
The Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, participates in an agreement with the Department of National Defense (DND) in creating up to 3 additional training positions for Regular Force Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) subsidized under the MMTP. Canadian Forces Staff who are supported and funded by the DND would be eligible to apply for these positions and offers of admission will be made to those that qualify.
If you are a currently serving Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force member and interested in the MMTP, you can obtain more information by consulting the Officer Specialist Training page on the Director Military Careers Policy and Grievances’ intranet website.
If you apply through the MMTP, you must meet all of McMaster’s application eligibility requirements. You must complete the OMSAS application and follow the same application procedures as all other applicants. The OMSAS application fees and institutional levy will apply and you must follow the same method of payment as all other applicants.
You must send an introduction letter directly to the McMaster MD Program Admissions Office, by email, indicating that you have applied through OMSAS for admission through the MMTP with the Canadian Armed Forces.
For additional information regarding the MMTP application process, email: CFHSAttractionCell-CelluledattractionSSFC@forces.gc.ca
For additional information regarding Medical Officer recruitment, roles, responsibilities, and prospective military service in Health Services, we strongly encourage you to also contact:
Name: Ms. Tina Lipcsey
Title: Attraction Coordinator, Canadian Forces Health Services Group Headquarters
Telephone: 613-901-1558
Email: tina.lipcsey@forces.gc.ca
With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences have facilitated admissions streams for applicants with Indigenous North American (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) ancestry. This process is intended to provide equitable access to Indigenous applicants and aligns with the intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
Applicants to Medicine wishing to apply through McMaster’s Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP) need to complete the supplementary self-identification application in addition to McMaster University and program-specific application processes listed below. The FIAP self-identification application can be completed here.
Indigenous applicants are required to complete the OMSAS application and must meet the same minimum academic criteria for admission as set out for the general pool of candidates (three or more years of undergraduate degree-level courses by May of the year of entry with an overall GPA of at least 3.00 as calculated on the OMSAS 4.00 scale and a minimum score of at least 123 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning section of the MCAT, and Casper).
THE MCAT
In order to reduce barriers for Indigenous applicants, the provision of MCAT scores for those approved for consideration through FIAP may be deferred beyond the application deadline. Those Indigenous applicants wishing to delay taking the MCAT until after invitations to interview are sent out in early February are free to do so, but should be aware that they MUST forward a minimum MCAT critical analysis and reasoning score of at least 123 to the Admissions Office before the offer of admission date in order to maintain eligibility. Please be aware that applicants who are not approved for consideration through FIAP would be considered in the regular applicant pool and, in this case, an MCAT score is required by the application deadline.
Indigenous applicants taking advantage of this opportunity should book their MCAT in the Fall to ensure they have secured a test date that has a score release date early enough to meet the deadline. Please note that a fee may be applied by MCAT for cancellations.
INDIGENOUS HEALTH LEARNING LODGE
McMaster’s Indigenous Health Learning Lodge works alongside the Faculty of Health Sciences towards creating a learning environment that is culturally safe – to work with humility to enable sustainable systems change and to advance the work around concepts of truth, reconciliation, and anti-colonization with all aspects of Indigenous health and well-being.
Interested international applicants may apply to McMaster’s Medical Program through the regular admissions process, via the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS). International (Visa) students should be aware that admission to the UGME does not confer eligibility to apply subsequently through the Canadian Residency Matching Services (CaRMS) for a residency training position in Canada. Applicants should check the CaRMS website for further information.
Please see the links below for information on Credentialing non-Canadian grades and requirements for proficiency in English.
Please review McMaster’s Policy for exemptions to International Fees.
If you have additional questions, please contact MD Admissions at mdadmit@mcmaster.ca.
Typically, the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, does not admit students registered (currently or previously) in medical school in Canada or the United States.
Should you wish to pursue admission, in this case, the Admissions Committee will require a letter outlining the extenuating circumstances guiding you to McMaster. The letter should clearly address why the move to a new and different medical school is necessary and compelling, and what is unable to be addressed at the current/previous medical school.
The Admissions Committee reserves the right to investigate and confirm the claims made in the letter. This may include contacting the current or previously attended medical school.
McMaster offers an integrated MD/Ph.D. program for up to three students each year. These students will demonstrate academic excellence and a strong motivation to pursue research as a major component of their future medical careers.
You will be admitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences MD/Ph.D. program with Ph.D. studies in one of the following graduate programs affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. These include Medical Sciences, Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences, Health Research Methodology, Neurosciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Biology, or Health Policy.
To apply to this program, you must submit a separate application in addition to the OMSAS application. To gain admission, you must be accepted to both the UGME at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and one of the Ph.D. programs listed above, offered through the School of Graduate Studies. Additional information and program application (due November 1st of the year of application) can be found at the MD/PhD Program site or from the Office of Graduate Studies (Health Sciences), McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, HSC 4H4, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton ON L8S 4K1.