The Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University is a world-leading medical school located in Hamilton, Ontario. It is one of two medical schools in Canada that offers a three-year MD program instead of the traditional four-year program.

The medical program at McMaster University was founded in 1969 and has since become a world leader in medical education. The MD program admits 203 students yearly into its three-year program, which runs 11 months out of the year. This extended school year allows students to attain all the knowledge they would typically learn in a four-year program.

McMaster University Medical School employs a problem-based, clinical approach in teaching its students. This approach helps prepare world-class doctors who can use their licensure to practice in Canada or internationally. 

McMaster University Medical School Acceptance Rate and Statistics

McMaster medical school statistics: Of the 4,974 applicants who applied in 2018, only 552 received interviews. Of those interviewed, only 206 students were admitted to that year. The acceptance rate for all applicants is 4.1%.

Of the 206 students admitted, 202 were from Ontario and the remainder from out of province. No international students were admitted that year. McMaster Medical School does accept international applicants, but admission is very difficult.

The majority of students admitted had incomplete bachelor’s degrees. Most students studied either health science, medical science, or general science in their undergraduate degree.

The mean GPA of admitted students is 3.87, with the majority of students placing in the 3.9 to 4.0 bracket. 

The mean score for the critical analysis and reasoning skills section of the MCAT was 129.

Eligibility

McMaster medical school welcomes applicants from all over the world. It is one of the Canadian medical schools that accept US students and international students. However, you must know that McMaster does give preference to in-province candidates by reserving 90% of its med school interview spots for Ontario applicants. Whether or not you qualify to be considered an in-province applicant will be determined from the Autobiographical Sketch, which will be a part of your OMSAS application. You may be asked to provide evidence of your residency status. To qualify as an Ontario applicant, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada by the application deadline and have resided in Ontario for at least three years since the age of 14 by the possible year of entry to the program. For example, if you attended a university in Ontario for at least three years by June of the year of possible entry to the program, you can qualify as an Ontario resident.

International applicants must also use OMSAS to apply to McMaster. As an international student, you will need to present your transcripts for a credential evaluation. Your foreign grades will be converted to their Ontario educational equivalents. This evaluation is for the MD admissions committee only and a course-by-course evaluation along with an overall GPA is required. Visit OMSAS for more details. Additionally, applicants whose mother tongue is not English will need to satisfy one of the following conditions by the application deadline:

• Provide evidence to McMaster MD program that they have achieved a score of at least 86 on the iBT TOEFL with a minimum score of 20 in each of the four components or the equivalent on other recognized tests
• Have attended an educational institution for at least three years where the language of instruction was English
• Have resided in an English-speaking country for at least four years

As an international student, you should also be aware that the successful graduation of an Ontario medical school does not make you qualified to apply to residency training positions in Canada using CARMS. Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada are eligible to participate in the residency match. To learn more about residency options for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Canada, read our blog.