The BSAP is an optional application pathway for applicants who self-identify as Black and belong to one of the following groups:

• African;
• Caribbean;
• North American; or
• Multiracial students with Black ancestry.

The BSAP aims to increase and support the representation of Black medical student at the University of Ottawa. It reflects the Faculty of Medicine’s strong commitment to diversity.

The BSAP does not have a designated quota for admission.

To apply through this pathway, you must:

1. self-identify as Black;
2. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program;
3. follow the general application process;
4. select the BSAP pathway in your OMSAS application; and
5. provide a letter of intent highlighting why you have chosen to apply through this program. Your letter must be 4,000 characters (or less) and must be submitted via the OMSAS application.

If you are a current member of the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force and interested in the Military Medical Training Program (MMTP), you can find more information by consulting the Specialist Officer Training Plans page on the Director Military Careers Policy and Grievances’ intranet website.

To apply through this pathway, you must:

1. be a current member of the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force;
2. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program;
   • The Admissions Committee may grant flexibility for prerequisites if your combination of training and occupational experience justifies it.
3. follow the general application process; and
4. select the MMTP pathway in your OMSAS application.

You must email the Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) Attraction Cell  at [email protected] to provide notice of intent to apply to the MMTP and to keep the Attraction staff officer informed of the status of your medical school application.

Additional information regarding medical officer recruitment, roles, responsibilities and prospective military service in the CFHS may also be obtained by emailing the CFHS Attraction Cell.

We reserve up to 8 seats for eligible applicants each year, with 4 seats for Anglophone applicants and 4 seats for Francophone applicants.

Students admitted to this pathway have a strong interest in a career in family medicine. In addition to the core curriculum, they will complete an enhanced program designed to prepare them for family medicine practice.

Eligible candidates may bypass the CaRMS residency matching process and secure a residency position at the University of Ottawa Family Medicine Postgraduate Program, provided they meet the program’s established benchmarks.

To apply through this pathway, you must:

1. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program;
2. follow the general application process;
3. select MD-FM in your OMSAS application; and
4. submit a letter of intent (LOI) via the OMSAS application that focuses on the reasons for pursuing the Family Medicine—Undergraduate MD program.
   • The letter must be 2,000 characters (or less) and focus on the question: What experiences demonstrate your commitment to family medicine?

Members of the Department of Family Medicine will collaborate with the Admissions Committee in the file review process, specifically for the LOI and in the interviews.

For more information, please see the Family Medicine Focus website.

Note: This pathway is only available to candidates who apply to the Francophone stream.

We reserve 8 seats for eligible French-speaking candidates from outside of Ontario and Quebec each year.

Through the mandate of the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) [French link], Francophone minority students in Canada who originate from provinces other than Ontario and Quebec have access to postsecondary studies leading to practise in the health care field. We admit these students over and above the quota set by the Government of Ontario for our Faculty.

To apply through this pathway, you must:

1. be a student whose home province (permanent address for more than 5 years) is not Ontario or Quebec;
2. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program;
3. follow the general admission process;
4. choose French as your language of instruction. Once you submit your application and/or are admitted, you cannot switch language stream;
5. select the CNFS pathway in your OMSAS application; and
6. submit an introduction letter via SAM to indicate that you applied for admission through the CNFS.

For more information, please visit the CNFS website.

The Government of Nunavut Admissions pathway was created to respond specifically to the underrepresentation of Inuit and Nunavummiut physicians in the Nunavut health care workforce. As part of this pathway, the Government of Nunavut will fully fund a minimum of one position for a Nunavummiut student. This pathway does not have a designated quota for admission.

To apply through this pathway, you must:

1. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program with the following 2 exceptions:
   1. Casper is not required for candidates who qualify under the Government of Nunavut pathway.
   2. The CGPA will be calculated based on the candidate’s best 3 years of full-time university studies (both undergraduate and graduate studies);
2. follow the general application process;
3. select the Government of Nunavut Applicants pathway in your OMSAS application; and
4. submit the additional required documents.

All eligible applicants are entitled to apply for support from the Government of Nunavut to assist with travel and application costs.

IMPORTANT: Candidates that qualify either as Nunavut Inuit or Nunavut non-Inuit should note that a Return of Service Agreement is expected.

For more information on financial support, eligibility as a Nunavut resident or return of service agreement, email Dr. François de Wet.

Applicants to this pathway must meet the Nunavut resident requirement, otherwise Casper is required.

The Government of Nunavut Applicants have 2 pathways for admission:

1. Nunavut Inuit Applicants

You must submit the following additional documents with your OMSAS application:

1. A letter of intent (2,000 characters or less) highlighting why you have chosen to apply through this pathway. Specifically, this letter should include:
   1. a request for consideration under this alternative admission process;
   2. a description of your connection to the community;
   3. details on your academic and personal background; and
   4. an explanation of your reasons and motivation for wishing to become a physician.
2. A letter of recommendation from a community organization, educational institution, Inuit organization or hamlet that affirms your connection to the community.
3. A certified copy of an Inuit enrollment card issued by Nunavut, as per the University of Ottawa’s policy on Eligibility for Focused Admissions, Scholarships and Bursaries for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

Nunavut Inuit applicants are eligible for enhanced application support and, if admitted, for additional ongoing educational support through Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation. Email the Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation for more information.

NOTE: We highly recommend that you email the Indigenous Program Coordinator prior to submitting your application to confirm the validity of your proof of indigenous identity

2. Nunavummiut (non-Inuit) Applicants

You must submit the following additional documents with your OMSAS application:

1. A letter of intent (2,000 characters or less) highlighting why you have chosen to apply through this pathway. Specifically, this letter should include:
   1. a request for consideration under this alternative admission process;
   2. a description of your connection to the Nunavut community, as well as your status as a resident of the Territory;
   3. details on your academic and personal background; and
   4. an explanation of your reasons and motivation for wishing to become a physician, including how you intend to give back to the Nunavut community.

Successful Nunavummiut students may be eligible for financial support for educational needs through the Government of Nunavut.

We have a dedicated selection process for candidates of Indigenous identity as part of our mission to improve access to better health care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and to better serve society’s needs.

We reserve up to 7 seats for eligible applicants each year.

To apply through this pathway, you must:

1. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program with the following 2 exceptions:
   1. Casper is not required for candidates who qualify under the Indigenous Program pathway.
   2. The CGPA will be calculated based on the candidate’s best 3 years of full-time university studies (both undergraduate and graduate studies);
2. follow the general application process;
3. select the Indigenous Program pathway in your OMSAS application; and
4. submit the additional required documents.

Documents required for Indigenous candidates

The following additional documents must be submitted directly to OMSAS, along with transcripts and academic documents by the OMSAS deadline:

• Proof of Indigenous identity, as per the University of Ottawa Eligibility for Focused Admissions, Scholarships and Bursaries for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
• A letter that includes the following:
  • A declaration of Indigenous identity with specific information about your First Nation, Treaty, community or organizational affiliation.
  • A request for consideration under the alternative admissions process.
  • Details on your academic and personal background.
  • An explanation of your reasons and motivation for wishing to become a physician.
• A letter of recommendation from your First Nation, Band Council, Tribal Council, Treaty Organization, or your community or organizational affiliation.

NOTE: Some applications for proof of Indigenous identity may take 6 to 12 months or more to process. We highly recommend that you email the Indigenous Program Coordinator prior to submitting your application to confirm the validity of your proof of indigenous identity. Applicants who do not have a valid proof of indigenous identity and did not write the Casper will not be considered for admission.

For more information, please see the Indigenous Program Website.

We reserve up to 4 seats for eligible applicants each year. Students admitted to this program will complete a 1 to 2-year master’s degree followed by the 4-year MD Program.

To apply through the MD/Master’s Program, you must:

1. hold or expect to hold by the time of enrollment a BSc honours or BA honours in a field related to the Master’s Program to which you are applying, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of A- or higher;
2. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program;
3. follow the general application process;
4. select MD-Master’s in your OMSAS application; and
5. submit the following supplemental documents:
   1. A letter of interest focused on the reasons for pursuing the MD/Master’s Program. The letter must clearly state which Master’s Program you are applying to and whether you have contacted potential graduate supervisors.
   2. 2 CAFs, specifically for the MD/Master’s Program. These should specifically attest to your graduate research potential (in addition to the 3 CAFs required for the MD Program).
   3. Your curriculum vitæ (CV).
   4. Any additional documents required for application to the master’s degree of interest.

Consult the graduate programs available before submitting your application.

For more information, please see the MD/Master’s Website.

We reserve up to 4 seats for eligible applicants each year. Students admitted to this program will complete a 3 to 4-year PhD followed by the 4-year MD Program.

To apply through the MD/PhD Program, you must:

1. hold, or expect to hold by the time of enrollment, a master’s degree in a field related to the PhD program to which you are applying, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of A- or higher;
2. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic) for the MD Program;
3. follow the general application process;
4. select MD-PhD in your OMSAS application; and
5. submit the following supplemental documents:
   1. A letter of interest focused on the reasons for pursuing the MD/PhD Program. The letter must clearly state which PhD program you are applying to and whether you have contacted potential graduate supervisors.
   2. 2 CAFs specifically for the MD/PhD program. These should specifically attest to your graduate research potential (in addition to the 3 CAFs required for the MD Program).
   3. Your curriculum vitæ (CV).
   4. Any additional documents required for application to the PhD degree or PhD program of interest.

Consult the graduate programs available before submitting your application.

For more information, please see the MD/PhD Website.

In the spirit of social accountability and responsibility, and to establish strategic objectives that address socio-economic disparities in medical school admission, we have created 2 reserved seats for applicants from low socio-economic status (LSES) backgrounds.

This initiative is a first step toward reducing barriers, promoting fairness and ensuring equal access opportunities for all candidates.

To apply through this pathway, you must:

1. have had a yearly total parental or legal guardian pre-tax income (when you were in Grade 11 and Grade 12) equal to or less than $60,000 as per Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) data (line 150 on the income tax return);
   1. Each parental/legal guardian’s notice of assessment issued by the CRA for that period needs to be provided at the time of OMSAS application submission. These notices of assessment may be obtained through the CRA.
2. meet the general admission requirements (academic and non-academic);
3. follow the general application process;
4. select the Social Accountability Initiative pathway in your OMSAS application; and
5. submit the Social Accountability Form via SAM.

Notes

• If you are applying to another pathway, you may also be a potential candidate for the Social Accountability Initiative.
• All submitted information and documentation must be true and verifiable. Any false information will result in the application for the Social Accountability candidacy and medical school admission being denied.
• If you completed high school in Quebec, you must provide the additional financial documents for when you were in Secondary 4 and 5.
• All documents are due by the OMSAS application deadline, no exceptions will be made for late submissions.

FAQ

Why should I apply to the Social Accountability Initiative? What is the general process?

Application for the Social Accountability Initiative is voluntary. Social Accountability applications are reviewed to determine if candidates qualify for pathway. Qualifying candidates will then compete for the 2 reserved seats. Academic and non-academic file review for these seats is identical to the other general admissions. Note that if we have numerous qualifying candidates after both academic and non-academic file reviews, they are also considered for regular stream seats.

What happens to my application if I do not qualify for the Social Accountability Initiative?

If you do not qualify for the reserved seats, your application will be processed as a general application.

What if I can’t get my parents’ notice of assessment/proof of income statement?

The Social Accountability Initiative pathway requires disclosure of financial information for your living parents. Unless they are deceased, parental information is required regardless of your age, tax filing status (dependent or independent), marital status, parent(s) country of residence, or your parent’s willingness to provide financial information.

What if my parents’ name does not appear on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax form?

You must contact the CRA (1-800-959-8281) and speak to a representative to obtain the complete form.

Where can I get a notice of assessment?

To obtain a notice of assessment, individuals must use Canada Revenue Agency’s My Account service. They may access the service directly by visiting their website: Notice of assessment.

What if my parents do not live in Canada? How do I declare their income?

If your parents live outside of Canada, you may include a note to this effect as part of an explanatory letter to be submitted with your application. Satisfactory proof of income is still required and must be declared in Canadian dollars.

Would I be eligible to apply through the Social Accountability Initiative given my status as a Crown Ward of The Children’s Aid Society?

Similarly to financial aid and government assistance, individuals falling under the Children’s Aid Society or other Child and Family Service Agency are not required to submit financial information. They are required to submit a letter from that organization attesting of such situation for that time period.

How many years of the appropriate proof of income documents should I submit?

You are required to submit 3 years’ worth of appropriate documents. Example: If you began Grade 11 in September 2019 and ended in June 2020, then started Grade 12 in September 2020 up to June 2021, you should submit documents for years 2019, 2020, and 2021.

If you are from Quebec, you must provide income documents for the years during which you were in Secondary 4 and 5.

I came to Canada as a refugee, having lost all connection with my family. What documents should I provide as proof?

If you declare yourself independent, then a proof of non-contributing parents such as an affidavit signed by yourself and a notable source (lawyer, government official, notary, notice of decision from Immigration and Refugee Board) is required and must be submitted with your application.

Where should I send my low socioeconomic status (LSES) documents?

All LSES documents must be submitted no later than the OMSAS application deadline, via the Secure Application Messaging (SAM) tool.

Can I apply to both the Social Accountability Initiative and the Consortium National de Formation en Santé (CNFS) program?

Candidates who qualify for the CNFS program should apply to that respective stream as it already holds reserved seats. Therefore, they will not be considered for the Social Accountability seats.

To better respond to the needs of the population we serve, we reserve approximately 70% of the seats for regional candidates (from Ottawa and surrounding areas).

A regional candidate is defined as a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a convention refugee in Canada who completed high school in one of the following areas:

The postal code of your home address when you attended high school will be used to determine your residency status.

If you did not attend high school in one of the areas stated above but wish to be considered as a regional candidate, submit a letter providing your rationale. This document must be uploaded through SAM when submitting your application through OMSAS.