Æ»¹ûÒùÔº

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;
   • c) Quebec – NTP: Quebec residents applying via the Non-Traditional Pathway.
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.

Undergraduate Degree Performance

The assessment of academic performance for M.D.,C.M. applicants holding university degrees (excluding Quebec Non-Traditional, 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 Æ»¹ûÒùÔº 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 or 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 to not consider requests for exemption or 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.

Where valid MCAT results are submitted for the 2014 MCAT and earlier, the Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Verbal Reasoning sections will be used.

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 35.5). Applicants with an R-score below 32.0 are rarely considered to be competitive.

The Æ»¹ûÒùÔº 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

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 Æ»¹ûÒùÔº 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 academic performance of 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, IMG, and NTP applicants:
• Multiple Mini-Interviews: 100%

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

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 Æ»¹ûÒùÔº 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's . Interviews are offered in 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.