Frequently Asked Questions
The “Frequently Asked Questions” page is meant to provide quick answers to questions that are most often asked through e-mail requests. Due to the excessive volume of e-mails you were referred to the “FAQ’s” link since the answer to your questions is included. We invite you to visit the admissions website for additional detailed information.
How do I get an application form and what is the application deadline?
The on-line application form and the current application deadlines are available at Ontario Universities' Application Centre. It is a common application to all six Ontario Medical Schools. You can apply to any or all six schools using the same form. Paper applications are not available. You must apply using the on-line application.
Do you look at the grades obtained in the required prerequisites courses separately?
Yes, all Prerequisite Science Courses must be completed with a minimum Grade of B.
How will you determine my residency status?
The autobiographical sketch and the permanent address listed on the application form will be used to determine the geographical status of the applicants. Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of geographical status.
Can I apply to both the French and the English program?
No. Candidates are allowed to apply to only one of the two streams. Once the application is submitted you are not allowed to change the choice of language of instruction.
Can I qualify for admission with part-time studies?
Only full-time studies leading to a bachelor’s degree in a recognized university will qualify you for admission.
How do you assess repeated courses?
All courses shown on your transcript within the most recent three years of full-time undergraduate studies in a recognized university will count in the calculation of your cGPA.
My cGPA is .02 less from the required minimum required average. Will my application advance in the selection process?
Under no circumstances will exceptions be granted. Candidates must reach the set required minimum cGPA.
Will the grades obtained during the first semester of my application year count?
They will not be counted in the initial cGPA calculation but will be taken into account if the file advances further in the process prior to admission.
Do you give preference to different undergraduate degrees?
There is no special weight or preference given to any particular baccalaureate degree completed at a recognized university. The degree of difficulty of the program is not assessed.
Can prerequisite courses be taken as distance education courses?
Yes, provided you can show proof of laboratory completion where laboratory sessions are required. Please note that we do not accept home labs therefore make sure to take the onsite laboratory.
Can I qualify for admission through full-time studies completed by distance education?
No, since the spirit of the full-time studies requirement is to be able to assess and compare how candidates succeed in a full-time course load and to predict how the candidates will perform and cope with the rigorous demand of the medical program.
Do you take into consideration the candidate’s age and/or gender in your application process?
Age, gender, race, religion and socio-economic status play no part in the selection process, unless it is specified in the criteria for designated seats.
Does the University of Ottawa offer the MD/PhD combined program?
The University of Ottawa does offer the MD/PhD Program. The MD/PhD program offers exceptional students the opportunity to pursue two degrees over the course of seven years. The MD/PhD Program at the University of Ottawa enrolled its first four students in the summer of 2010 and is based on a single integrated curriculum.
Do you give special consideration to graduate students?
Graduate students must meet the total eligibility requirements as undergraduate applicants. These applications will be assessed like all other applications based on the candidate’s cGPA, CASPer®, Confidential Assessment Forms, Autobiographical Sketch and Interview performance. Although cGPA is calculated based on the last three years of full-time undergraduate studies, ongoing studies (in a professional or graduate program) will be considered as part of the final comprehensive file review to ensure academic excellence is maintained.
I have received recognition for AP and/or IB credits. Will these credits be recognized for admission eligibility to Medicine?
Yes. Advance placement credits (AP and IB) will be recognized to fulfill the science prerequisites but will not be recognized as fulfillment of full-course load studies.
Can I get feedback on the results of the assessment of my application?
No, we do not provide feedback on the assessment of your application.
I am of Indigenous ancestry. Should I self-identify that I am First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis?
Absolutely. There are up to 7 seats reserved within the Ministry of Health cohort. You would be competing for one of these seats with other First Nations, Inuit or Métis candidates only. Financial help and bursaries could be available for admitted students depending on the availability of funding.
For more information regarding the Indigenous Program, please click here.
Does Ottawa require the MCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is not an admission requirement to the medical program of the University of Ottawa.
Are there any reserved seats, and is there preference given to University of Ottawa students?
We do not admit students by regional or provincial quota. All interviewed candidates are placed on the list of excellence in order to determine who receives an offer of admission.
We generally admit a total of 166 students each year:
- 116 are admitted in the English stream
- 48 are admitted in the French stream (includes 8 seats reserved under the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) - French only).
- 2 (or more) are admitted under the Military Medical Training Program (MMTP) - Canadian Armed Forces
The number of students admitted in the English and French stream includes our designated seats for Indigenous; MD/PhD, Social Accountability Initiative (SAI) and Black Student Admission Program (BSAP) seats.
There is no weight or preference given to the University you have attended.
I have completed College/Cegep (Quebec) studies will my studies be recognized?
Your College/Cegep (Quebec) studies will be recognized as being equivalent to one year of post-secondary university studies provided that you have obtained your Diplôme d’Études Collégiales (DEC). You will need to complete two years of a bachelor’s program of studies (including prerequisite courses completed with a minimum Grade of B) in a recognized university to meet our application eligibility. You would normally apply after your 1st year of university studies. Only the grades obtained during this year of studies will be assessed.
To learn which prerequisite courses are recognized from the college studies, please refer to the College/Cegep (Quebec) studies available here.
I started my medical education in another country. Can I apply and be recognized advanced standing? Can I apply for a transfer?
No. Transfers from medical programs from other countries are not allowed. Go to Policy on Student Transfers for more details.
Do I need to have completed my third year of studies before I’m allowed to apply?
No. You would normally apply after the second year of studies. Only the grades obtained in year 1 and 2 will be used in the calculation of your cumulative grade point average(cGPA). If admission is offered to you, it will be conditional upon successful completion of present academic year and the final grades show that you have maintained your grade point average. For more details on how we calculate the cGPA, please refer to this link
What does the detailed autobiographical sketch involve?
It is a detailed summary of the activities reported in the common autobiographical one-page sketch. For more details regarding the detailed autobiographical sketch, please refer to this link.
What is the cost of tuition fees?
Current tuition fees for the medical program can be verified at the following website.
I am an international student. Am I eligible to apply and how do I determine if my studies will be recognized?
If you have your permanent residence (landed immigrant) status in Canada before the application deadline and you meet the application eligibility requirements, you are eligible to apply.
Candidates must have their foreign transcript(s) assessed by World Education Services (WES). You can contact WES at 1-866-343-0070.