FAQ's

Most of the answers to questions from applicants may be found in the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Faculty of Medicine calendars and websites.  The following additional information may help you in applying.

Q1.         How many times a year are students admitted to the medicine program? When and how do I apply? Students are admitted to the medicine program once a year, in August. Applicants must apply through the Online Admissions System which is updated each year in July. The application deadline is normally mid-October.

Q2.         What are the admission requirements?   The admission requirements are a bachelor’s degree, including the prerequisite subjects of 6 credit hours in English at a recognized university or university college before admission. 

                In exceptional circumstances an application may be considered from someone who does not expect to hold a bachelor’s degree at the time of admission.  Such an applicant will have completed at least 60 credit hours including the prerequisite subjects of 6 credit hours in English at a recognized university or university college before admission and be a student who has work related or other experience acceptable to the Admissions Committee. 

            All applicants must write the MCAT prior to the application deadline.

Q3.         Will I receive some medical school credits for courses already completed?  Admission will normally be to the first year of medical studies. In exceptional circumstances, admission with advanced standing may be offered.

Q4.         Do you accept transfer medical students?  Normally, we do not accept transfer students from other medical schools. In rare circumstances, a transfer may be considered if there is space available and the student is attending an Accredited Canadian medical school. Normally, students are expected to meet all the published admission requirements in force at that time. Students should contact the Undergraduate Medical Education Department in this regard.

Q5.         How does the Admissions Committee make their decision?  Entry is on the basis of competition for a limited number of places each year.  The Admissions Committee attempts to evaluate the total application and uses the following components: academic record, MCAT, personal qualities, reference reports, and interview. Please refer to the website under application evaluation for detailed information.         

Q6.         Which program of study should I pursue to apply and prepare for medical school?     Because of the limited number of places available in the medical school and the intense competition for entry, applicants are advised to pursue a degree program of their choice and prepare for the MCAT; although science courses are not required, a basic knowledge of the physical and life sciences may be helpful in writing the MCAT and in the undergraduate medical studies program.

Q7.         Is preference given to any degree program?  There is no preference given to any degree program; however, the Admissions Committee does look at the grades, difficulty of the courses, the level of courses, and course load.

Q8.          Can an exemption be granted for the required English prerequisite?  No, all applicants must complete the required English credit. However, the Admissions Committee will consider Advanced Placement, or four English courses at CEGEP, or English courses in the International Baccalaureate Programme as equivalent for the English credit. The Admissions Committee will also acknowledge any credit a University English Department may give as equivalent.

Q9.         Is there an academic and MCAT cutoff for applying?  As the competition changes from year to year, there is no predetermined academic average or MCAT cutoff in order to be considered.  However, medicine is a rigorous program and the Admissions Committee must be convinced that an applicant is academically capable of coping with a demanding curriculum; therefore, a high academic standing and high MCAT scores are essential.

Q10.       What are the average MCAT scores and overall academic average/GPA of previous entering classes? The average MCAT scores have been approximately 10's on each section and Q on the Writing Sample and the overall academic average/GPA of approximately 3.70 of previous entering classes.

Q11.       How is the overall academic average/GPA determined?  The overall academic average/GPA is determined by calculation of all courses over all years taken at the University/College level. For grade conversion to Memorial University Grading System, please click here.(pdf)

Q12.       When are transcripts of your educational record required?   You should contact the registrars of all Universities/Colleges which you have attended to send OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS of your courses and grades directly to the Admissions Office.  Transcripts must be sent to the Admissions Office by the Universities/Colleges by the application deadline date for applying.  You will be contacted by the Admissions Office if updated transcripts are required. (Transcripts are considered official only when bearing the institution seal and sent directly from the institution.)

Q13.       At the university I attended, the grading system used is completely different from Memorial's; how should I report my grades?   In indicating your grades/GPA on the application, use the conversion table provided.   Although an applicant indicates their grades on the application, the Admissions Committee's final decision is based on the official transcript and conversion table provided by the educational institution.

Q14.       Is a full course load of study required?   The course load in the medicine academic curriculum is demanding. The Admissions Committee attempts to determine if an applicant can successfully complete this academic curriculum, and therefore prefers, while not necessarily requiring, a full course load in each year of study.

Q15.       Should I repeat courses?  The Admissions Committee does not recommend that students repeat courses, especially courses they have already passed, to raise their overall academic average/GPA. If a student fails a course and successfully repeats it, the Admissions Committee will consider both grades.      

Q16.       When should I write the MCAT?  It is an applicant's decision when to write the MCAT.  However, in order to apply to this medical school, it must be written prior to the application deadline. We advise applicants to prepare for this exam and contact MCAT in this regard.

Q17.       If I wrote the MCAT more than once, which scores are considered? What are the oldest MCAT scores considered?  The Admissions Committee will consider all writings of the MCAT and take into consideration improvement; students must submit all records of test scores. The MCAT should be written within the preceding five years of the date of application.

Q18.      How many letters of reference are required?  Two (2) reference letters are required.  Additional references will not be considered by the Admissions Committee.

Q19.       Whom should I ask for references?  At least one academic reference is preferred. Both referees should know you well enough to write valuable comments. The Pre-Health Professions Advisor Report is considered as references.

Q20.       I do not feel that my academic referee may give valuable comments about my personal qualities as they do not know me well enough; what should I do?  The Admissions Committee appreciates that applicants may have difficulty in getting an academic referee who knows them well. It is suggested to supply the academic reference and outline on the application your concern.

Q21.       May I submit additional information after my application has been submitted?  If an applicant feels that there is pertinent or updated information that should be added to their application, they must put this in writing to the Assistant Dean or Admissions Officer for consideration.

Q22.       Is preference given to or is there bias against students in a graduate program?  How are graduate courses considered?  No, there is neither preference given to nor bias against students in a graduate program. Graduate courses are considered a part of the whole academic record and calculated in the overall academic average/GPA.

Q23.       Is there an MD/PhD program offered?  The opportunity exists for medical students to pursue both a clinical and research training program (ie. MD/PhD).  Medical students may apply through the Offices of Undergraduate Medical Education and Research/Graduate Studies for this program.  Please refer to Graduate Studies, Faculty of Medicine for additional information.

Q24.       Is preference given to or is there bias against mature students?   No, there is neither preference given to nor bias against mature students. Age by itself is not used as a basis for selection or rejection, but the length of time away from full-time studies may be taken into consideration.

Q25.       Do I need to provide identification when I attend my interview?  Yes, all applicants invited for an interview are required to present photo identification at the Admissions Office.

Q26.       When are decisions made about interviews, final notifications,  etc.?  The times of interviews and final notifications differ with competitions. Please refer to our website under important dates for further information.

 Q27.     How are final notifications of the Admissions Committee sent? All notifications of the Committee's final decisions                    will be made to all candidates by letters signed by, or on behalf of, the Chair of the Admissions Committee.

Q28.     If I am accepted, is there a deposit to hold my seat? Do you grant deferrals?  Yes, there is a $200 non-refundable deposit to secure a place and if the student registers for first year medical studies, this deposit will be credited toward their tuition fees.  Deferral of admission for one year may be granted to two successful applicants in the first round of offers. Students accepted from the Reserve List cannot request a deferral.  

Q29.      If I am placed on the Reserve List, may I find out how many are on this list, and my position? Is there more than one list? When will I be notified?  No, neither the number on the list nor the position of an applicant is disclosed. There are Reserve Lists for each different competition. Applicants may be offered admission any time prior to registration for first year medical studies; applicants will be notified of either acceptance or non-acceptance by registration.

Q30.     Is a criminal record check required?    
             No, not through the admissions process; however, all medical students are required by the College of Physicians and                      Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador to have a criminal record check.

Q31.       I was not accepted this year, may I know why?   Applicants who are not successful are advised to contact the Admissions Office and arrange an appointment with the Assistant Dean for Admissions or the Admissions Officer about their application.  This will be arranged after the 14 days appeal period and prior to the application deadline date of intended admission (normally October 15). Appointments may be either in person or by telephone.
 

Q32.       How many times may I reapply - will this jeopardize or help my chance of admission?  An applicant may reapply as often as they wish. No, this will neither jeopardize nor help your chances; as the competition differs from year to year, so does a person's chance of admission. Each time an applicant applies, it is a new process - all pertinent data must be resubmitted.

Q33.       What are the tuition fees? Is there any financial assistance offered?  Canadian students normally pay $6250 per year and non-Canadian students pay $30,000 per year. Please refer to website under affiliated links for further information on fees. Financial assistance available to medical students is through government student loan programs and at the end of each year of medical studies, merit awards are given.