Notice to applicants: The Undergraduate Medical Education Program looks forward to holding the first full day of classes on Monday, August 11, 2025.
This change in start date, which we introduced for the class entering in fall 2020, is 1 aspect of a series of curricular updates that aim to:
- help you consolidate your knowledge and skills more effectively,
- improve your performance on licensure examinations and
- graduate with greater capability to provide responsive, dynamic and patient-centred care as you embark on your professional journey.
About the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University
The School of Medicine, established in 1966 and renamed the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine in 2004, offers major programs in undergraduate, postgraduate and graduate medical education.
We initiated the Undergraduate Medical Program for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree in 1969, graduating our first students in May 1972. At present, we admit 217 students to the program each year.
In the 3-year program in Medicine, we use a problem-based approach to learning that should apply throughout the physician’s career. The components are organized in sequential blocks with early exposure to patients and case management. The academic program operates on an 11-months-a-year basis, and you qualify for the MD Degree at the end of the third academic year.
Location
We currently operate 3 campuses:
The curriculum is identical at all 3 campuses. We also take full advantage of video conferencing technology to ensure parallel experiences at each campus.
Admission Requirements
The following requirements are for fall 2025 admission. We review the admission policy annually and the requirements from previous years may not apply. The University reserves the right to review and change the admission requirements at any time without notice.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for an interview, you must meet all requirements described in this application guide under the following sections:
Undergraduate University Coursework Requirements
By May of the year of entry, you must complete a minimum of 15 full courses or 30 half courses (or a combination) of undergraduate university coursework. There is no requirement to carry a full course load.
To satisfy this requirement:
- Your Canadian university academic credentials must be from an institution with academic standards and performance that is consistent with the member institutions of the Council of Ontario Universities.
- You must be able to consistently demonstrate a high level of academic achievement throughout your undergraduate career.
- If you completed a diploma at a CEGEP, you must complete at least 2 additional years (10 full courses or 20 half courses) of undergraduate university coursework by May of the year of entry.
- If you have satisfactorily completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree undertaken at a university in less than 3 years by the application deadline, you are also eligible.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
You must achieve an overall simple average of at least 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, according to the Undergraduate Grade Conversion Table, in your undergraduate university work to date by the application deadline.
While this meets the minimum criterion for admission consideration, be aware that, given the rising level of competition for a limited number of positions, a significantly higher GPA would provide you with a better chance of admission.
Important notes about GPA calculation:
- An overall simple average will consist of all undergraduate university degree credit courses taken, except those taken on foreign exchange, with all years treated equally. Courses and grades must appear on your undergraduate transcript(s) to be included in the GPA calculation.
- Grades for supplementary and summer courses will be included in the GPA calculation.
- Courses that a “pass” or “credit” grade is assigned for are counted for credit but we do not include them in the GPA calculation.
- If you are attending a program where “pass” or “credit” is given in some courses in lieu of a letter or numerical grade, your transcripts must include letter or numerical grades for a minimum of 5 half‑year or 5 full‑year courses or we will not consider your application.
- We will not include grades received for coursework taken as part of a graduate degree in the GPA calculation.
- We will not include grades from an Associate Degree.
- You are required to verify your average on the Document Tracking page in the OMSAS application. We may also review this average.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
You must write the MCAT prior to the application deadline. It is your responsibility to arrange for the Association of American Medical Colleges to release your MCAT score to OMSAS each year you apply.
The score from the Critical Analysis and Reasoning component will be used in both formulae: Offer of interview and advancement to collation (full file review).
A minimum score of 123 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning component is required. The scores on the other sections of the MCAT are not considered in the selection process.
MCAT results are accepted provided the test was written no more than 5 years prior to the application year (i.e., an MCAT written in 2020 or later is acceptable in this application cycle). The most recent test result will be used if you attempt the MCAT more than once.
Casper
All applicants to the Undergraduate MD Program at McMaster University are required to complete Casper to be eligible for admission.
Casper is an online test offered by Acuity Insights that assesses for the personal and professional characteristics we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. It is a complement to the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing Casper, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
Casper Registration and Test Dates
- Register your Casper account.
- Sign up for the CSP-10201 – Canadian Professional Health Sciences version of Casper using a piece of government-issued photo ID.
- Select a testing date and time. You will be provided with a limited number of dates and times based on the admission timeline and requirements.
These are the only testing dates available for your Casper, and you must select McMaster University, Undergraduate Medicine, for distribution before the posted distribution deadline.
Familiarize yourself with the most up-to-date information on test dates that can be found by browsing the test dates and times on the Casper website.
We will not provide exceptions for applicants who are unable to take Casper during one of the available test dates.
Your Casper score is valid for only 1 application cycle – should you be unsuccessful and re-apply in a subsequent year, you must take Casper again in the new application year. Acuity Insights, the company that administers Casper, will charge a fee. Pay this fee directly to Acuity Insights; it is not included in the OMSAS/McMaster application fee.
Non-Academic Requirements
References
- Review the OMSAS Referee Requirements and notify your referees early.
- Requests for references should be sent to your referees by September 13, 2024, to allow enough time for them to submit their reference by the deadline.
- Referees must submit their Confidential Assessment Form online.
- Your 3 Confidential Assessment forms are due by the application deadline.
- It is your responsibility to request your references within enough time to meet these deadlines.
Autobiographical Sketch (ABS)
You must complete the ABS and provide a verifier for each entry. In some cases, the Admissions Office may wish to verify the activities you describe in your ABS.
Transcript and Registrar Statement Requirements
Using Online Transcripts Requests Through OMSAS
We will accept transcripts from Ontario universities and colleges ordered through OMSAS via an online transcript request if OMSAS receives the request by the application deadline.
If you attend or attended an Ontario university or college, you must use an online transcript request.
The postsecondary institutions you attended must submit all other required transcripts and registrar statements directly to OMSAS.
Not Using Online Transcript Requests Through OMSAS
If you do not use an online transcript request, you should order transcripts before September 13, 2024, to allow adequate processing time and for OMSAS to receive them by the deadline. Be prepared to send OMSAS a copy of all dated postage receipts and correspondence related to your transcript requests by the application deadline, if required.
In the event of a missing or late transcript, you will be required to provide evidence to McMaster University that you requested transcripts in a timely fashion.
International Transcripts – Credentialing International Grades
Credentialing assessment means converting international academic credentials into their Canadian educational equivalents.
Whether you are a Canadian or non‑Canadian applicant, you must have your international transcripts (transcripts from outside Canada or the United States) assessed by World Education Services (WES) if you do not meet the minimum course number requirement using your Canadian or US data.
If you have international university education and meet the minimum course number requirement with Canadian or US undergraduate university degree‑level work, the international grades will not be used to calculate the GPA. In this case, a WES evaluation is not required; however, the transcript must be sent directly from the international university to OMSAS by the deadline.
WES must send your WES report and a copy of your verified transcript directly to OMSAS by the application deadline.
Note: It is not possible for OMSAS to notify you of any outstanding transcripts before the application deadline. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that OMSAS receives all transcripts and registrar statements by the application deadline.
Other Transcript Requirements to Avoid Disqualification
- You must provide transcripts for all postsecondary courses and programs attended. This includes community colleges, CEGEPs, junior colleges, pre‑university programs, etc.
- OMSAS must receive transcripts and grades for courses taken on a Letter of Permission at another institution or that transfer credit or advanced standing was granted for by the application deadline. This applies to courses and terms and semesters of study taken abroad as part of a regular program.
- We do not require evaluations of work terms done as part of a co‑operative program.
- We will accept only transcripts sent directly to OMSAS by the postsecondary institution(s). We will not accept transcripts sent by you.
Note: OMSAS will ask you to verify your application data in Document Tracking in the OMSAS application.
Your application will be disqualified if you fail to meet all transcript requirements and deadlines.
English-language Proficiency
To be granted admission, you must be proficient in spoken and written English.
We expect you to write clearly and correctly in English.
All application materials must be submitted in English, otherwise your application will not proceed further in the admission process.
If English is not your first language, you must satisfy McMaster’s English-language proficiency requirements.
Admission Categories
Indigenous Applicants
Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP)
With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within our Faculty of Health Sciences have facilitated admission streams for applicants with Indigenous North American (First Nation, 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: Calls to Action.
Self-identification Requirements
If you wish to apply through the FIAP, you must complete the supplementary self-identification application in addition to McMaster University and program-specific application processes. Your FIAP application is due on the application deadline.
Submit the FIAP self-identification application to our Indigenous Health Task Force through the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge.
Additional Requirements
You must also complete the OMSAS application and meet the same minimum academic criteria for admission as set out for general applicants, including:
- 3 or more years of undergraduate degree-level courses by May of the year of entry
- An overall GPA of at least 3.0 as calculated on the 4.0 scale
- A minimum score of 123 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning section of the MCAT
- Casper
MCAT Scores
To reduce barriers for Indigenous applicants, the provision of MCAT scores may be deferred beyond the application deadline for applicants who have been approved through the FIAP process. Indigenous applicants who are approved through the FIAP process and wish to delay taking the MCAT until after invitations to interview are sent out in early February may do so, but they must forward a minimum MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning score of 123 to the Admissions Office before the offer of admission date 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, must provide an MCAT score by the application deadline.
Indigenous applicants taking advantage of this opportunity should book their MCAT in the fall to secure a test date with a score release date that is early enough to meet the deadline.
The Association of American Medical Colleges may charge a fee for cancellation of the MCAT.
Black Applicants: Black-Equity Stream (BESt)
As a part of the McMaster Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine’s commitment to equity in medical school admission, our program leaders, community partners and Black medical students, physicians and scholars have collaborated to create a Black-Equity Stream (known as BESt).
Black medical students are historically underrepresented 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 an inequity in the admission process. As such, with our current mandate focusing on equity and diversity in medicine, McMaster has introduced a Black-Equity Stream.
This process is intended to provide equitable access to Black Canadians and aligns with the McMaster MD Program’s commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice in all that we do, and with 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, in which you must also 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 3.0 as calculated on the 4.0 scale
- A minimum score of 123 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning section of the MCAT
- Casper
You must also submit a supplementary personal essay in the School Submissions section of your OMSAS application. Your essay should describe your interest in applying through BESt and focus on your experience. Your essay will not be scored but it 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.
Graduate Applicants
If you have a completed and conferred graduate degree at the time of application, we will give you additional consideration, to be included in the formula that determines the likelihood of an invitation to interview (master’s degree holder +0.01; PhD degree holder +0.04), providing a significant, though not decisive, advantage.
If you are enrolled in a graduate program at the time you apply, you must arrange for your supervisor, a member of your supervisory committee or the chair of the department to provide a letter indicating that they are aware you intend to apply to medical school. OMSAS should receive this letter by the application deadline.
If your graduate supervisor, member of your supervisory committee or chair of the department is one of your referees, a second letter is not required.
Canadian Armed Forces – Military Medical Training Program (MMTP) Stream
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 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 application fees and institutional levy will apply and you must follow the same method of payment as all other applicants.
You must email an introduction letter directly to the McMaster MD Program Admissions Office 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
MD/PhD Program
We offer an integrated MD/PhD program for up to 3 students each year. These students will demonstrate academic excellence and a strong motivation to pursue research as a major component of their future medical career.
If you are successful, you will be admitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences MD/PhD program with PhD studies in one of the following graduate programs affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University:
- Medical Sciences
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences
- Health Research Methodology
- Neurosciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Biology
- Health Policy
To apply to the MD/PhD program, you must submit a separate application (due November 1 of the year of application) to the McMaster MD/PhD program through the McMaster School of Graduate Studies in addition to the OMSAS application.
For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Studies (Health Sciences):
Office of Graduate Studies (Health Sciences)
McMaster University
Faculty of Health Sciences, HSC 4H4
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton ON L8S 4K1
International Applicants
If you are an interested international applicant, you may apply through the regular process.
If you are an international (Visa) student, be aware that admission to the Undergraduate MD Program does not confer eligibility to apply subsequently through the Canadian Residency Matching Service for a residency training position in Canada.
Admission Policies and Procedures
Applying to the medical program implies that you accept the admission policies and procedures and the methods you are chosen by.
Because of the nature of selection procedures, deadlines are strictly enforced. You must provide all relevant documentation by the specified deadlines. You must follow the instructions precisely.
If you fail to comply with the instructions or meet the deadlines, your application will be disqualified.
Our intention is to prepare you to become a physician with the capacity and flexibility to select any area in the broad field of medicine. We select you with this goal in mind. Faculty members, medical students and members of the community are usually involved with assessing applications.
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 and responsibility, excellence, integrity, respect and optimism. As such, throughout the admission 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 admission process. How applicants conduct themselves throughout the admission 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 following policies of the University:
Application Procedure
Completed OMSAS applications are due by 4:30 pm (ET) on October 1, 2024.
- Fees paid by credit card are also due at this time.
- OMSAS must receive transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you attended by the application deadline.
The Selection Process
Interviews – the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI)
We will invite approximately 550 applicants for interviews (to be held virtually) in March or April 2025. We determine invitations to interview by assessing:
- academic performance,
- preparedness for a career in medicine,
- suitability for the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University and
- geographical status.
From this group, we will select a class of 217.
Accommodation for Interview
If you require accommodation for a documented disability for the MMI, you must notify the Admissions Office in writing at least 1 month prior to the first interview date. You must provide complete documentation to support your request. Your documentation will be reviewed by Student Accessibility Services, who will make recommendations about potential accommodation to MD Admissions.
Geographical Status
Your geographical status is determined from your ABS. You may be asked to provide evidence of geographical status.
In selecting applicants for an interview, we will use the actual place of residence in the following order of priority:
- Province of Ontario
- Outside Ontario
We will award 90% of interview positions to those who qualify as Ontario residents and 10% to all others.
To qualify for residency in the province of Ontario, you must meet these requirements:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (landed immigrant) by the application deadline and
- have resided in the Province of Ontario for at least 3 years, since the age of 14, by the date of possible entry to the program.
- Note: You do not need to be living in Ontario at the time of application.
Any other applicant qualifies for residency outside Ontario.
For the incoming class in 2025, we will designate 32 positions for the Waterloo Regional Campus and 32 for the Niagara Regional Campus. If you are invited to the MMI, you must rank your campus choice (Hamilton Campus, Niagara Regional Campus or Waterloo Regional Campus) as number 1, 2, 3 or no preference.
We will make offers of admission to the School of Medicine from this master rank list, regardless of campus preference, on the second Tuesday in May. After the 217 positions are filled, we will offer registrants a position based on their preference and, if required, a rank-weighted lottery.
The offer of admission will be binding to a specific campus.
Information for Successful Applicants
Offers of Admission
We send offers of admission by email on the second Tuesday in May. Acceptance may be conditional upon fulfillment of specific requirements. We will outline these conditions in your offer letter.
If you accept your offer of admission, you are required to make a non-refundable $1,000 deposit that will be applied to Year 1 tuition. Information will be provided to successful applicants.
Wait List
Some applicants who are offered admission do not accept their offer. We maintain a short, ranked wait list for additional offers. We will not disclose an applicant’s position on the wait list (absolute or relative).
Final Transcript
If you receive an offer conditional upon completion of your 3 years of undergraduate education, you will need to provide a final undergraduate transcript to OMSAS by June 30 of the year of application, showing completion of at least 30 half-year courses and a third-year average of at least 3.0 on the 4.0 scale.
Deferred Registration
We may grant deferred registration only under exceptional circumstances. Normally, you must have accepted your offer of admission and submit your request for deferral in writing within 2 weeks of your offer. The Undergraduate Medical Education Deferral Board will consider deferral requests on a case-by-case basis.
Advanced Standing and Transfer
You are required to begin with Medical Foundation 1. Therefore, there is no provision for advanced standing or transfer into the program.
Applicants Currently or Previously Registered in a Canadian or US Medical School
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 or 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.
False Admission Information
If any application information is found to be false or misleading, concealed or withheld, the application will be deemed invalid and immediately rejected.
If you are already admitted and registered, you may be required to withdraw from the University.
The MD Admissions Committee will usually not allow you to re‑apply to the MD Program for 7 years.
Requirements for Registration
A registration package will accompany your offer letter with information on the conditions of accepting your offer of admission. These include:
Police Information Check
Throughout your medical school program, you will serve vulnerable populations. To protect these vulnerable people against potential risk of harm, the Ontario Faculties of Medicine and many clinical agencies require that you provide confirmation of the absence of a criminal conviction or outstanding criminal charges.
The police information check, including a Vulnerable Sector Screening, is required by July 31 of the year of entry and by the expiry date (1 year from date of issue) in each subsequent year you are registered in the MD Program.
Your offer of admission is contingent upon provision of these checks, at your expense. We will review any files presented with a “Not Clear” check to determine what action, if any, will be taken.
For more information about obtaining a police information check with Vulnerable Sector Screening, contact your local police agency.
Immunization and Health Screening
All incoming students must complete the Year 1 Health Screening Record forms by July 15 of the year of entry.
Basic Life Support Training for Health Care Providers
If you are offered admission, you must provide evidence of a current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers certification by July 31 of the year of entry.
Courses are readily available in most communities, from both the Red Cross and St. John’s Ambulance associations.
We will send you specific information before registration.
Functional Abilities for Students Entering Medical School
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and University Policy, we are committed to providing equal access opportunities to all qualified applicants.
To fulfill the requirement of the MD Program and to avoid serious risk to the health and safety of patients, you are required to acquire competency in a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities. We advise individuals in need of accommodation to contact McMaster Student Accessibility Services and carefully review the Functional Abilities for Students Entering Medical School [PDF].
You may also wish to contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to discuss individual practice questions when you are ready to select a specialty or enter into practice.
Additional Information
Notice of Collection of Personal Information
McMaster University collects information you provide to OMSAS as part of your application to our medical program.
This includes the following personal information:
- name,
- home or mailing address,
- telephone number,
- email address,
- date of birth,
- gender,
- legal status in Canada and
- academic history.
The University will use your personal information as necessary for the purpose of administering the admission process, registration, university-related student activities, financial assistance and reporting to government.
Personal information collected through OMSAS will only be accessed by authorized university staff and faculty. The information will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Contact Information
MD Admissions
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine
McMaster University, MDCL 3104
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton ON L8S 4K1
Telephone: 905‑525‑9140, ext. 22235
Email: mdadmit@mcmaster.ca