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Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate Medicine
If there is any discrepancy between the information presented here and that presented at www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions, the latter will prevail.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Degree
For Applicants in the University Categories
These requirements apply to applicants who apply holding university degrees in either the Quebec resident, Out-of-Province Canadian, or International categories. Quebec residents applying through the First Nations and Inuit of Quebec Faculties of Medicine Program or the Med-P should refer to their respective applicant category (as defined in Applicant Categories).
The degree used as the basis of admission must be successfully completed by July 31 of the year of entry to the M.D.,C.M. program. This degree must be a Bachelor's degree and meet the following conditions:
Basis of Admission (Undergraduate) Degree
A 120-credit (“four-year”) or equivalent bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any discipline. Applicants who have successfully obtained a Diploma of Collegial Studies (Diplôme d'études collégiales; “DEC”) in a pre-university program can apply with a 90-credit program from a Quebec university.
The undergraduate program must have been undertaken on a full-time basis and should be completed in the time prescribed by the program. A full course load (e.g. 12-15 credits) per semester and completion within the time prescribed by the program is expected, however, applicants with some part-time semesters, who have taken up to 1 additional year to complete a bachelors’ degree remain eligible; the final assessment based on individual circumstances remains the responsibility of 㽶Ƶ. A full course load (as defined by the institution awarding the degree) is expected in regular sessions. Summer or other interim sessions are acceptable, assuming a full-time registration in regular sessions. The 㽶Ƶ Committee expects a minimum of 60 consecutive graded credits at the time of application.
Second Bachelor's Degree
Candidates holding or currently pursuing a second Bachelor's degree may use the second degree as the basis of admission degree if:
- the first degree completed meets the above requirements;
- a minimum of 45 new, consecutive graded credits are earned by the application deadline. The remaining 15 (or more) credits must be completed, and the degree conferred, by July 31 of the year of entry to medical school, and must be at a comparable level of performance; and
- the second degree demonstrates a stronger academic performance.
All Bachelor Degrees
Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to consider medicine as a career. Prospective applicants should pursue courses of study, whether in the natural or social sciences or the humanities, which appeal to them and which have as their aim a broad education and intellectual training rather than merely anticipating the medical curriculum. The Faculty seeks to ensure, by way of the basic science prerequisites, that all students have an adequate preparation in science.
The admissions office does not consider degrees without a marking or grading system; narrative transcripts are not accepted.
International Medical Degree
Applicants who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and who hold a medical degree awarded by a recognized university outside Canada or the United States of America may be eligible to use this medical degree to apply to the first year of the M.D.,C.M. program.
- Official transcripts sent by that university must show numerical or letter grades for all courses completed and the candidates must meet the specific requirements of science prerequisites and MCATs described under the criteria for the M.D.,C.M. program. Pre-clinical and clinical performance will be assessed. The MCAT can be submitted to contribute to the assessment of pre-clinical performance.
- An MCC exam score (MCCQE1) is required for consideration for admission to the first year of the M.D.,C.M. program.
Basic Science Prerequisites
Basic Science Prerequisites for Undergraduate Medicine
Applicants must have successfully completed, by the appropriate deadlines (see Note), all of the following at a college or university level:
- in Biology / Biological Sciences a minimum six (6) credits of introductory coursework, with labs;
- in Chemistry a minimum six (6) credits of general (or physical) chemistry coursework, with labs; a minimum three (3) credits of organic chemistry coursework, with labs;
- in Physics a minimum six (6) credits of introductory coursework, with labs;
where: minimum course hours do not include compulsory laboratory or practical work. Grades of “Pass/Fail” (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) or of similar schema are not acceptable in coursework (numerical or letter-class grades are required).
Academic performance in these courses will be considered; distance or correspondence education courses may be acceptable and at the discretion of the Office of 㽶Ƶ (Faculty of Medicine).
- All of the basic science prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of application, with grades noted on the submitted transcript; however, a maximum of two (2) courses can be outstanding (i.e., in progress in the Fall term) at the time of application. Transcripts for these outstanding courses must be received by the Office of 㽶Ƶ (Faculty of Medicine) no later than January 15, 2021.
- The assessment of basic science performance is based upon a candidate's academic results in the relevant science prerequisite courses as undertaken either in college, university, or acceptable pre-university alternatives as described in the requirements. Advanced studies in the basic sciences may also be considered in this assessment. Candidates seeking a substitution 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 not to consider requests for exemption or substitution for basic sciences after September 30.
- Though not required, university-level courses in physiology, molecular biology, and cell biology & metabolism are strongly recommended. Knowledge of statistics and genetics is also useful in the context of the M.D.,C.M. curriculum.
- Candidates applying to the M.D.,C.M. program who have completed the seven prerequisite courses and who have also completed introductory-level university courses in molecular biology, cell biology, mammalian physiology, and organic chemistry will be evaluated on whichever of the two is the most favourable to the candidate.
- Acceptable alternatives to the basic science prerequisites include: Advanced Levels (UK System), IBO Courses (Higher Level), French Baccalaureate Բé Terminale, Série S courses, and AP results (College Board, Inc.).
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
MCAT Compulsory
Any applicant whose basis-of-admission degree was awarded from a non-Canadian university is required to write and submit scores from the MCAT; submission of all MCAT results is compulsory. EXCEPTIONS:
- International Medical Graduates applying for placement with Advanced Standing
- International Medical Graduates applying for admission into the first year of the M.D.,C.M. program who are submitting a Medical Council of Canada's Qualifying Exam-Part I (MCQE1) score
MCAT Not Required
All applicants who have completed their basis-of-admission degree at a Canadian university are not required to submit an MCAT score. Applicants to the Med-P program are also not required to submit MCAT scores.
MCAT Optional
Applicants applying to the M.D.,C.M. program whose basis-of-admission degree was awarded by a Canadian university who are NOT submitting an MCQE1 score may choose to submit an MCAT score by providing their AAMC ID number on their application and releasing their results to 㽶Ƶ. When optional MCAT results are submitted, they will only be used if they render the application more competitive.
About the MCAT
About the MCAT
Information regarding the MCAT, including testing dates, locations, and preparation materials can be obtained from the . Test takers are required to read through the MCAT Essentials document. Be aware that registration for the computer-based test is limited. We suggest that you inquire about registration as early as possible.
Submitting Your Results
Submitting Your Results
MCAT results must be released to and received by the Office of 㽶Ƶ by the relevant application deadline. Please consult with the MCAT administrators, the , to arrange for the release of your scores electronically (preferred method). Paper result reports are only accepted by the Office of 㽶Ƶ under exceptional circumstances and at its discretion.
Consideration of MCAT Results
Scores are acceptable for 5 years after the last test administration.
MCAT results dating more than five (5) years from the relevant application deadline will not be considered. MCAT results received after the relevant application deadline will not be considered.
The admissions office will consider the highest overall result set of available valid sets (sittings) and will not consider the individual subset scores from separate sets.
Where valid MCAT results are submitted, results will be considered in conjunction with the SciGPA when determining the Basic Science Performance (50/50 weighting).
AFMC MCAT Fee Assistance Program
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) are piloting a new fee assistance program for Canadian examinees in financial need who register for the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®). Canadian applicants who qualify will receive reduced scheduling, rescheduling, and cancellation rates for the current or upcoming testing year. Note that there are specific deadlines to apply. Students interested in the Fee Assistance Program for Canadians can learn more about the eligibility criteria, application process, and deadlines by visiting AFMC's website at . AFMC will review applications, determine eligibility for financial assistance and notify awardees.
Requirements for Med-P
Requirements for Med-P
Applicants must be recognized residents of Quebec and meet the following conditions:
- must not have been enrolled in a university program;
- must, from the onset of collegial studies (*1), be enrolled in only one of these following programs:
- must be in the final year and obtain (by July 31 of the entering year) a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) in one of the stated programs;
- must not have extended the length of their program for reasons of personal choice (*2);
- must have a minimum of six courses (13.33 credits) in each regular semester (*2);
- must not have taken any of the prerequisite courses listed below in a context outside of a regular semester (*2);
- applicants are responsible for ensuring that they have completed the following courses and successfully achieved the competency codes:
For the Science (200.xx) program:
- Biology: NYA (00UK), General Biology II (00XU);
- Chemistry: NYA (00UL), NYB (00UM), Organic Chemistry I (00XV);
- Mathematics: NYA (00UN), NYB (00UP);
- Physics: NYA (00UR), NYB (00US), NYC (00UT).
Students in the Sciences, Lettres et Arts (700.A0) program must obtain the Biology objectives of 01Y5 and 01YJ (along with all other program requirements), Chemistry 01YH, and at least one of Physics 01YF or 01YG in order for their application to be considered. Students who are missing a physics prerequisites based on the list above may be asked to complete it during the preparatory year.
Students in the IB-DEC (200.10) program must complete (along with all other program requirements) a minimum of two courses (5.33 credits) in Biology, three courses (8.00 credits) in Chemistry, including Organic Chemistry, two courses (5.33 credits) in Mathematics and one course (2.67 credits) in Physics in order for their application to be considered. Preference is given to those who most closely adhere to the list of prerequisites above. Those admitted into the program who are missing a physics prerequisite will be asked to complete it during the preparatory year.
For more information on these codes and their requirements, please contact your CEGEP academic advising office.
Students of the French Baccalaureate system:
The Faculty accepts applicants from Collège international Marie de France and Collège Stanislas as part of this category under the following conditions:
- must be a recognized resident of Quebec;
- must be in the final year (Բé terminale) of the Séries S;
- must have attended the institution, at minimum, for 1ere Բé and Բé terminale in full, in Quebec;
- must not have extended the length of their program for reasons of personal choice (*1);
- must have an R-score along with course attestation (provided by school).
(*1) Exception made for students entering a remedial program before their first DEC program, or who were enrolled in a different pre-university DEC program for up to 1 year before entering a Science DEC program.
(*2) Students enrolled in a ǰ-éٳܻ program may be exempted from these conditions. Such applicants must submit a special form (available from www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/applying/elements/spor) which describes in detail all relevant sport activities.
Eligibility for Special Admission Pathways
Eligibility for Special Admission Pathways to Undergraduate Medicine
Eligibility requirements for undergraduate medicine through the various special admission pathways are described in the Admission Procedures and Requirements section.
Special Admission Pathways
- For First Nations or Inuit applicants: First Nations and Inuit Faculties of Medicine Program of Quebec (FNIFMPQ)
- For Applicants who attended public secondary school in a rural or small population area: Rural and Small Populations Pathway (RSPP)
- Advanced Standing for International Medical Graduates: International Medical Graduates (with Advanced Standing)