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Admission Procedures and Requirements

Note: This is the 2020–2021 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .

Admission Procedures and Requirements for Undergraduate Medicine

If there is any discrepancy between the information presented here and at www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions, the latter will prevail.

The Faculty of Medicine of À¦°óSMÉçÇø conducts a rigorous, multi-criteria evaluation of applications to its programs. Admissions criteria and the selection process correspond to the Faculty's mission to equip students to meet the highest standards of medical practice and professionalism and to ensure career-long excellence in whole-person care. The Admissions Committee's guiding principles are: seeking excellence, inclusivity, alignment, fairness, and transparency.

Understanding that our graduates will go on to serve diverse communities in Quebec, Canada, and beyond, applicants should demonstrate a deep commitment to, and evidence of, a pursuit of excellence in academic work, ethical and professional conduct, and awareness of the complexities of the world in which they will go on to hold privileged positions of service and leadership.

The Faculty of Medicine welcomes and encourages applications from students from all backgrounds, including students from under-represented ethnic, cultural, and racial groups, sexual minorities, and from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Indigenous Canadian Applicants

À¦°óSMÉçÇø and the Faculty of Medicine welcome applications from candidates from across the provinces and territories who self-identify as belonging to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. A number of resources covering academic and non-academic support are available to Indigenous students within the Faculty and across the University campus, such as First Peoples' House, the Indigenous Access À¦°óSMÉçÇø Program (housed in the School of Social Work), and the Aboriginal Health Interest Group (a medical student association).

For more information, please consult Eligibility for Special Admission Pathways, and the Office of Admissions website.

  • Office of Admissions, Faculty of Medicine
  • À¦°óSMÉçÇø
  • 1010 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1210
  • Montreal QC H3A 2R7 Canada
  • Telephone: 514-398-3517
  • Fax: 514-398-4631
  • Email: admissions.med [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions
  • Twitter:
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)

Special Admissions Pathways

Special Admissions Pathways for Undergraduate Medicine

First Nations and Inuit Faculties of Medicine Program of Quebec (FNIFMPQ)

First Nations and Inuit Faculties of Medicine Program of Quebec (FNIFMPQ)

The First Nations and Inuit of Quebec Faculties of Medicine Program (FNIFMPQ) (Programme de formation de médecins des Premières Nations et Inuits de Québec; PFMPNIQ) was established in 2008. Under this program, six positions for medical training in any of the four Quebec faculties of medicine are available for eligible applicants. Eligibility requirements:

  1. The applicant must be a member of the First Nations or Inuit, under the Indian Act (RSC, C1-5) or in the Inuit registry.
  2. The applicant must be a resident of Quebec.
  3. The applicant must have a minimum R-Score of 28 or equivalent university CGPA.

The six FNIFMPQ spots are available for all of Quebec's faculties of medicine (Université Laval, Université de Montréal, À¦°óSMÉçÇø, and Université de Sherbrooke). The choice of university is based on the candidate's preference and the available spots in the faculties.

Applicants with First Nations or Inuit status may choose whether or not to declare their status. If they decide to declare and confirm their status as a member of the First Nations or Inuit of Quebec, they will be considered as part of the regular Quebec contingent (evaluation of application according to the regular selection process for this contingent, with participation in the À¦°óSMÉçÇø bilingual multiple mini-interviews (MMI) based on academic record) as well as part of the First Nations and Inuit contingent. It is thus possible for a candidate's application to be processed for both contingents in parallel.

Applicants who elect not to declare their First Nations or Inuit status will be considered along with every other applicant in the regular Quebec contingent.

For more information on the First Nations and Inuit Faculties of Medicine Program of Quebec (FNIFMPQ), please contact:

  • Yves Sioui
  • FNI Faculties of Medicine Program Coordinator
  • First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission
  • Office: 418-842-1540, ext. 2710 or 418-656-2131, ext. 3641
  • Email: yves.sioui [at] cssspnql.com
  • Website:

Candidates in this category with a university degree or whose degree will be conferred by July 31 before the program start date can apply for the M.D.,C.M. program. The Admissions Committee may require a preparatory year as a condition of admission. Candidates in this category who have not started university-level studies must apply for the Med-P program. A bachelor's degree is required for application to the joint programs. Assessment of academic strength is based on the academic record in conjunction with the curriculum vitae.

Rural and Small Populations Pathway (RSPP)

Rural and Small Populations Pathway (RSPP)

Quebec-resident university-level applicants who attended public secondary school in rural or small town areas of Quebec may choose to apply in the Rural and Small Populations Pathway. This pathway reserves two to five seats in the 4-year M.D.,C.M. program for selected eligible candidates.

Our commitment to underrepresented populations in medicine

In keeping with the Faculty of Medicine's Diversity and Social Accountability statements, we seek to increase the diversity of our incoming classes because it is through a diverse Faculty constituency that we are best able to serve our communities and society in scholarship, research, and clinical care. Our class aims to reflect the community around us, but some populations have historically been underrepresented in the medical profession. Notably, people living in rural areas and small towns are a vital part of the community we serve, but have not always been encouraged to seek a career in a healthcare profession, and may have faced systemic barriers in the recognition of the excellence that they may bring to the practice of medicine. At the same time, many rural and small town areas do not have enough physicians to serve their communities. The RSPP is one step toward addressing these needs.

For more information about Social Accountability at the Faculty of Medicine, and details about various outreach programs and services for all underrepresented groups, please visit:

RSPP Admissions criteria

The RSPP is open to applicants in the Quebec Resident - University category. All Quebec Resident - University level criteria and requirements apply. Please see Applicant Categories for details.

Applicants must have completed the majority of secondary school (i.e. 3 of 5 years) in a public secondary school located in an area of Quebec classified as a rural or small population centre by Statistics Canada. Transcripts will be verified for eligibility purposes.

Note: Review the population centres ; they can be sorted by small, medium, and large, and you can click through to open a detailed map. Rural areas of Quebec are any area outside a large, medium, or small population centre. In general, rural areas have a population of <1000, and small population centres have a population <29 999 people.

Selection process

All steps of the selection process are the same as for the general Quebec - University pathway, but applicants in the RSPP are assessed against each other. Candidates in this pathway will also be simultaneously assessed in the general Quebec - University pool, and will receive an offer in that cohort if their ranking permits. This allows the next candidate on the RSPP ranking list to receive an RSPP seat.

How to apply

Indicate that you wish to be considered in the RSPP in your Academic Workbook and provide the requested details about your secondary school studies. Your eligibility will be reviewed by the admissions office during the file review period and, if eligible, you may be asked to upload a copy of your unofficial secondary school transcript. An official transcript will be required if you receive an RSPP offer of admission.

Support

The Faculty of Medicine's Social Accountability and Community Engagement office is not involved in the admission or selection process for the M.D.,C.M. program. The Office does have a mandate to provide support for underrepresented groups, and can provide support to RSPP students through mentorship opportunities with current students from similar backgrounds, career planning discussions, etc.

For specific questions about admission policies and procedures for the RSPP, please consult the Office of Admissions website.

International Medical Graduates (with Advanced Standing)

International Medical Graduates (with Advanced Standing)

The Faculty of Medicine accepts applications from international medical graduates (IMG), i.e., applicants who have obtained a recognized medical degree outside of Canada or the United States, who are also residents of Quebec. Applications will be accepted from qualified international medical graduates (from a university outside of Canada or the U.S.). The application deadline is November 1, and the program begins the following April.

Successful IMG applicants will enter the program at the Transition to Clinical Practice (TCP) component, starting in April and will continue into the clerkship and graduate with an M.D.,C.M. degree from À¦°óSMÉçÇø.

Note: Please note that in some circumstances (see "International Medical Degree" in Eligibility Requirements), IMG applicants can be considered for entry into the first year of the program and apply with their medical degree as their basis of admission degree in their residency cohort. Completion of the MCCQE part 1 exam offered by the Medical Council of Canada is required for file assessment. An IMG application to the first year of the program (to complete all four years) is not restricted to residents of Quebec.

The number of positions available is contingent on the number of attritions from previous years and will vary; there may be years when no positions are available.

To be eligible, applicants must have obtained the Recognition of Equivalence of a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the by November 1; note that this requires the completion of the MCCQE part 1 exam and one of the NAC-OSCE or MCCQE part II exams. Please see for more information. Applicants must grant À¦°óSMÉçÇø access to their test results via , must provide a Medical Student Performance Record together with an academic transcript, and must provide proof of English or French proficiency (see Proof of Proficiency in English and/or Language Requirements for Professions). Applicants must meet the basic science requirements and meet all other essential requirements listed, including the CASPer test.

Applicants who do not meet these conditions of eligibility or are seeking alternative options should contact the Collège des médecins du Québec.

Interviews are by invitation only and are conducted in a multiple mini-interview (MMI) format.

For more details, please consult the Office of Admissions website.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)

Applicant Categories

Applicant Categories for Undergraduate Medicine

The provincial government, by decree, determines the number and distribution (by residence) of available places for medical training in Quebec. Each applicant must submit proof of citizenship at the time of application. Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada must confirm the applicant category (set out below) to which they belong to at the time of application.

Applications for admission to the Faculty of Medicine are considered and assessed according to the following residence-based applicant categories:

  1. Quebec Resident: Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is a recognized resident of the province of Quebec. This category is subdivided into:
    • a) Quebec – University: candidates holding an undergraduate (or higher) degree;
    • b) Quebec – Med-P: candidates applying directly from CEGEP to the Med-P program;
  2. Canadian (Out-of-Province): Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is not a recognized resident of the province of Quebec.
  3. International: Candidates who do not hold Canadian citizenship or residency and who require a permit to study in Canada (including U.S. citizens).

Applicants accepted under the Canadian (Out-of-Province) or International categories are subject to the admission rules and obligations of their assigned category for the duration of their medical studies, regardless of any subsequent change in citizenship or residency status.

The Minister of Health and Social Services of Quebec requires that Canadians (Out-of-Province) and foreign nationals holding a study permit (International applicant category), who are admitted to and wish to register for medical school in Quebec, sign a contract which stipulates a return-of-service obligation or a fine if, upon completion of medical training, they choose to stay in Quebec to practice.

The following applicant categories are for positions supernumerary to those set out in the categories listed above:

  1. Quebec First Nations or Inuit: Residents of Quebec who are status members of a First Nation (according to the Indian Act) or a registered Inuit beneficiary, applying via the First Nations and Inuit Faculties of Medicine Program of Quebec (FNIFMPQ).
  2. Quebec – IMG: Quebec residents who are International Medical Graduates (holding a medical degree from outside Canada or the United States) applying for admission with advanced standing.

Please consult Eligibility Requirements for further information and requirements for all of the above categories.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)

Academic Criteria

Academic Criteria for Admission to the Faculty of Medicine

Undergraduate Degree Performance

The assessment of academic performance for M.D.,C.M. applicants holding university degrees (excluding Quebec First Nations and Inuit, and Quebec International Medical Graduate) is based on the following:

  1. Undergraduate degree cumulative grade point average (DegGPA);
  2. Academic performance in the basic sciences (science prerequisites);
  3. Overall academic context.

The primary basis of the assessment of undergraduate degree performance is the degree cumulative grade point average (DegGPA) used for the basis of admission. Successful applicants have historically demonstrated a DegGPA above 3.5 out of 4.0 (average approximately 3.8). Applicants with a DegGPA below 3.5 are rarely considered to be competitive.

The Admissions Committee reserves the right not to consider those who do not have a minimum of 60 consecutive undergraduate graded credits (i.e., two full-time academic years) at the time of application.

For information on degree requirements, consult Eligibility Requirements.

Performance in the Basic Science Prerequisites

The average of GPA scores in basic science prerequisite courses as undertaken either in college, university, or acceptable pre-university alternatives will be considered. The basic science GPA (SciGPA) is assessed separately from the degree GPA (DegGPA). Advanced studies in the basic sciences may also be considered in this assessment.

Candidates seeking an exemption for the basic sciences are encouraged to contact the admissions office between June and September of the year they wish to apply to medicine. The admissions office reserves the right to not consider requests for substitution for basic sciences after September 30.

Successful applicants tend to have a SciGPA above 3.5 out of 4.0 (average approximately 3.8). Applicants with a SciGPA below 3.2 are rarely considered to be competitive.

For information on basic science prerequisites, consult Basic Science Prerequisites.

Consideration of the MCAT

Where valid MCAT results are submitted (whether required or not), results will be considered in conjunction with the SciGPA (50/50 weighting). Where the MCAT is optional, students are counselled to submit MCAT scores only if they are confident that these scores provide stronger evidence of their abilities in the basic sciences than their SciGPA would independently.

Note: For more information about which applicants are required to submit an MCAT score, please see Eligibility Requirements and MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).

Results in all categories from the 2015 and later MCAT exams will be considered. The lowest competitive score for the 2015 test is generally 508+ or above the 80th percentile.

Academic Context

Consideration is given to the overall academic record as represented in the DegGPA, as well as the distribution of course levels, graduate studies, and pursuit of professional programs, as evidenced in the official academic records.

Students are encouraged to pursue challenging and diverse topics, to have a progression in their course selection, and are generally expected to pursue a full course load in each of their regular sessions.

CEGEP Performance for Med-P Applicants

Academic performance in CEGEP for candidates applying to the Med-P program is assessed with the overall R-score (Cote R; cote de rendement collégiale) and the math/science R-score. Successful applicants generally have an R-score above 34.0 (average approximately 37.0). Applicants with an R-score below 32.0 are rarely considered to be competitive.

Note: Where there are more competitive applicants than there are available positions, preference will be given to those candidates advancing the strongest evidence of an ability to handle the academic demands of our medical program.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)

Non-Academic Qualities

Non-Academic Qualities for Undergraduate Medicine Students

The Admissions Committee attends not only to academic performance, but also to non-academic qualities. For the preliminary screening of candidates (short listing for interviews), non-academic qualities are assessed by way of the curriculum vitae and CASPer test. For candidates selected for interviews, non-academic qualities are assessed according to their performance in the multiple mini-interviews. Non-academic qualities are aligned with the learning objectives of the M.D.,C.M. program, and are closely linked to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's .

These qualities include, but are not limited to:

  1. compassion, empathy, care
  2. insight, judgment, common sense
  3. integrity, honesty
  4. adaptability, tolerance, flexibility
  5. creativity, innovation
  6. respect for others
  7. intellectual curiosity
  8. reliability, dependability
  9. responsibility, teamwork
  10. ability to deal with conflict or stressful situations
  11. leadership, initiative
  12. sense of assurance despite ambiguity or self-confidence
  13. community involvement, social activism
  14. level of professionalism, respect for the public at large
  15. personal development
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)

File Review Process

File Review Process for Undergraduate Medicine

Positions to train in medicine in Quebec are determined by governmental decree; please see Applicant Categories. Students within each cohort compete with each other for a pre-determined number of positions within the particular cohort.

Each year, the Office of Admissions determines the number of interviews that will be held for each cohort. When an application is received, it is ranked among others in the same cohort according to academic performance. There is no strict GPA threshold; rather, ranking is based upon the relative strength of an academic performance in a given application in comparison to others in the same cohort. On the basis of this preliminary academic performance ranking, a review of the supporting documents for competitive candidates within a given cohort is carried out. Supporting documents are reviewed for approximately four to six times the number of candidates that we anticipate interviewing; i.e., if we intend to interview 50 people in a particular cohort, an evaluation of supporting documents for the top 200-300 files is conducted in order to determine which 50 candidates will be invited to interview.

For those applicants who are invited to attend the multiple mini-interviews, note that a final rank order list (which includes those who will receive an offer of admission and those who will be placed on a waiting list) is calculated as follows:

  • M.D.,C.M. applicants:
  • Multiple Mini-Interviews: 80%
  • Basic Science performance: 20%
  • Med-P and IMG applicants:
  • Multiple Mini-Interviews: 100%

The waiting list remains active for as long as is feasible and necessary; sometimes until the beginning of classes.

Note: These formulas are guidelines only and are subject to review and change by the Admissions Committee at any time and without notice.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)

Interview Process

Interview Process for Undergraduate Medicine

Selected candidates will be invited by the Faculty of Medicine for an on-site interview session. Attendance is by invitation only, sent via electronic mail by the date published according to the applicant category. Candidates cannot be admitted without interviews. Interviews are an important tool for the Admissions Committee to evaluate those strengths and qualities that cannot be evaluated in a transcript or C.V.

Interviews are in multiple mini-interview (MMI) format and are conducted in-person at the Faculty of Medicine. These mini-interviews consist of multiple stations that can be task-oriented, simulation- or scenario-oriented, or discussion-oriented. Stations are designed to evaluate the various qualities, abilities, and skills aligned with the M.D.,C.M. Program Learning Objectives and relevant elements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada . Interviews are offered in both English and French.

Interview sessions are scheduled for a half-day. Applicants are expected to keep their calendar open for interview dates. It is the applicant's responsibility to be available for the scheduled interview and to plan travel accordingly. No repeat interview sessions or special accommodations are available to those who do not attend their originally scheduled time; therefore, if candidates are not present for their interview for any reason, the file will no longer be considered.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences—2020-2021 (last updated May. 5, 2020) (disclaimer)
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