OMSAS - Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University)

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

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Casper

Non-Academic Requirements

References

Autobiographical Sketch (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

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.

FIAP Requirements and How to Submit Your Application

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)

Graduate Applicants

Canadian Armed Forces – Military Medical Training Program (MMTP) Stream

MD/PhD Program

International Applicants

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:

Professional Code of Conduct for Learners [PDF]

Sexual Violence Policy [PDF]

Discrimination and Harassment Policy [PDF]

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)

Geographical Status

Information for Successful Applicants

Offers of Admission

Wait List

Final Transcript

Deferred Registration

Advanced Standing and Transfer

Applicants Currently or Previously Registered in a Canadian or US Medical School

False Admission Information

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

Immunization and Health Screening

Basic Life Support Training for Health Care Providers

Functional Abilities for Students Entering Medical School

Additional Information

Notice of Collection of Personal Information

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