Admissions
Admission to First Year
Application and Selection
Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine is responsible for providing a program of undergraduate medical study such that graduates have the knowledge, skills, professional behaviours and attitudes necessary to enter the supervised practice of medicine in Canada. Graduates must be able to diagnose and manage health problems and provide comprehensive, compassionate care to their patients while working collaboratively with patients, families, peers, and allied health professionals. For this reason, students in the MD program must possess essential abilities and skills for the study and practice of medicine. Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine’s Technical Standards document outlines and describes these essential abilities and skills and can be found here: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/admissions/about.html.
Prospective applicants and students are expected to review this document to assess their ability to meet these standards. Students who require disability-related accommodation are responsible for notifying the medical school so that reasonable and appropriate accommodation can be provided
Admissions Committee
Successful candidates are determined by the Admissions Committee, whose decision is final. The committee considers both academic and non-academic factors. The Admissions Committee is a large Committee which includes representation from clinical faculty and basic science research faculty in the Faculty of Medicine, other Dalhousie Faculties, medical students and community members.
Education Equity
Committed to our social accountability, Dalhousie, Faculty of Medicine recognizes that education equity and affirmative action processes are required to increase the admission of and number of graduates from underrepresented groups, specifically African Nova Scotians and Indigenous persons of the Maritime region who have a substantial connection with the Indigenous community.
Applicants must voluntarily self-identify in Section 1 (checklist item 4 of 10) of the application form in order to be considered for admission under the Education Equity Statement.
Minimum academic and non-academic requirements are required for all prospective medical students. Applicants who voluntarily self-identify and apply under the Education Equity Statement are considered on the basis of their qualifications for the study of medicine
Indigenous Students
Dalhousie Medicine’s Indigenous Health Program focuses on the recruitment and retention of Indigenous students into medicine. The program also aims to address the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and further Dalhousie’s commitment to social accountability to the Indigenous population of the Maritime Region. The program is available to all Indigenous applicants, providing mentoring (peer and professional) as well as admissions interview preparation. If you would like to learn more or come to the admissions interview preparation session, please contact ihim@dal.ca
African Nova Scotian Students
Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians (or PLANS) is a program at Dalhousie University that supports the recruitment and retention of students of African descent in medicine, dentistry, as well as all other health professions (www.dal.ca/health/plans). PLANS is available to all applicants of African descent, providing mentoring (peer and professional) as well as interview preparation. If you would like to learn more or come to the interview preparation session, please contact plans@dal.ca
Writing the MCAT, DAT, or CASPer?
As a part of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation (2016-2021) funding, Dalhousie designed a bursary to support Indigenous students (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis) and African Nova Scotians applying to health programs requiring entrance exams (i.e., medicine and dentistry). The goal of the program is to reduce or eliminate the financial burden associated with application requirements. Bursaries will be awarded as a reimbursement of cost. Applicants may apply more than once for this program, funding will be subject to availability and application review.
Bursary Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the bursary:
- Identify as Indigenous or African Nova Scotian
- Confirmed registration for one or more of the following entrance exams:
- MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)
- DAT (Dental Admissions Test)
- CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) Test
- Completed application form which includes a brief education plan
- Meet with program manager for PLANS (Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians), and/or Indigenous Health
Link: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/global-health/diversity/entrance-requirements-diversity-bursary-form.html
A completed application includes:
The application for admission is to be made on the regular online application form for the Faculty of Medicine, which is available from the website admissions.medicine.dal.ca after June 15th . Section 1 of the application must be submitted online to the Registrar’s Office, Dalhousie University, no later than published deadlines which are available on the Medicine Admissions website (admissions.medicine.dal.ca) in order to be considered for entry to the course beginning in August of the following year. Applications with required supporting documentation (e.g. official transcripts) MUST be submitted as complete by the stated application deadline and if not will be cancelled. All applications must be accompanied by a $70 processing fee, which is not refundable and is not applicable to tuition fees. Failure to submit payment of the required $70 processing fee by the defined payment deadline will result in cancellation of application.
1. Completion of SECTION 1 due by 11:59pm Atlantic Time, July 31st, 2021:
SECTION 1 of the Online Application, available beginning June 15th each year at https://dalonline.dal.ca/PROD/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon, includes general demographic information, contact information, education history and additional information. SECTION 1 can be completed and submitted anytime between Jun 15th and Jul 31st. The deadline for submitting Section 1 is 11:59pm Atlantic Time, July 31st each year. Section 1 must be completed and "SUBMITTED" before you can proceed to Section 2.
Within 5-7 business days of completing and submitting Section 1, you will receive an automated email with sign in credentials and a link to direct you to a log in page to access Section 2. Applicants are responsible for providing a reliable email address for all correspondence related to their application to Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine.
TIP: Completing and submitting Section 1 as early as possible enables the applicant a longer duration of time to thoughtfully complete Section 2 which contains the personal statement and supplementary information and comprises 35 points of the total file score.
2. Payment of non-refundable Application Processing Fee due by 11:59pm Atlantic Time, Sep 1, 2021.
Options for Application Processing Fee Payment are:
- Online self-service payment www.dal.ca/applicationfees
- By phone 1-866-726-4400 or 1-902-494-2450 (during REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm)
3. Submission of Official University transcripts (deadline Jul 31st, 2021):
All unofficial transcripts (i.e. electronic copies) pertaining to your post-secondary studies are required to be uploaded within Section 2 of the online application. The deadline to upload your unofficial transcript in Section 2 of the online application is on or before September 3, 2021
Applicants who are selected for an interview will be required to submit official copies of all transcripts pertaining to post-secondary studies by mail or secure web/email portal. The deadline to submit official transcripts will be communicated to those who are selected for interview.
Please note if you participated in an exchange program during part of your degree numerical and/or alphabetical grades for exchange courses are required for GPA assessment. Pass/Fail grades do not contribute to GPA assessment. If the numerical or alphabetical course grades from the exchange are not reflected on the applicant’s home university transcript, then the applicant is responsible for obtaining a World Education Services assessment completed (www.wes.org) for the exchange courses. It is recommended that applicants begin the process for WES assessment as early as possible to avoid unnecessary delays or the potential for missed deadlines. This WES transcript assessment must be submitted as part of your application no later than Sept 3rd
4. Last Eligible MCAT Test Date (August 2021) and Release of MCAT results (Medical College Admissions Test):
The final MCAT test date accepted during any given application cycle is usually early in the month of August, preceding the application submission deadline. Please see admissions.medicine.dal.ca for final MCAT test dates accepted for your application cycle.
MCAT scores are eligible for five years from the date written. If, at the time of application, your scores are older than 5 years, you will be required to rewrite the MCAT.
Applicants and re-applicants are responsible for authorizing AAMC-MCAT to release MCAT scores to Dalhousie Medicine each year. Dalhousie Medicine cannot access your MCAT scores without the applicant’s notification of release to the AAMC. MCAT scores from previous application cycles will not be automatically applied in future application cycles.
5. Release of CASPer results (Computer Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) (August 2021):
All applicants are required to complete CASPer and release test results annually. CASPer test scores must be completed during the same application cycle in which you are submitting an application. That is, CASPer test scores are valid for one application cycle only. CASPer results from previous application cycles are not eligible for future application cycles.
CASPer test dates are usually selected for mid-late August, preceding the application submission deadline. Please see admissions.medicine.dal.ca for final CASPer test dates selected for your application cycle.
Please go to www.takeCASPer.com to sign up and reserve a test using your Dalhousie Banner ID (assigned to you once you have submitted Section 1 of the online application) and a government-issued photo ID.
6. Completion and Submission of SECTION 2 due by 11:59pm Atlantic Time, September 3, 2021:
SECTION 2of the online application consists of:
- Mandatory online entry of course names and grades and unofficial transcript upload
- Mandatory online entry of MCAT testing date and MCAT results
- Mandatory residency verification form
- Mandatory personal statement and supplemental information
- Mandatory for non-maritime applicants – 250-word statement outlining decisions that contributed to your selection of Dalhousie Medical School
- Optional personal context questionnaire
Place of Residency/Applicant Categories
The Admissions Office facilitates and processes all undergraduate applications for the Faculty of Medicine. Entrance to the Dalhousie MD Program is 124 students annually. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents. There are four applicant pool categories with 79 positions for Nova Scotia residents, 30 positions for New Brunswick residents, 6 positions for Prince Edward Island residents, and 9 positions for Canadian residents outside of the Maritime provinces. Supernumerary (additional and restricted seats) may be added by the Faculty of Medicine.
Dalhousie’s distributed education program delivers the undergraduate MD program at two sites: Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. 30 New Brunswick students will be admitted to the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) campus each year and in their first two years, students will attend classes at the Saint John campus. For their final two years, students are placed throughout New Brunswick to complete their clerkships in Moncton, Woodstock, Fredericton, Miramichi and Saint John. In the first two years, 94 students at the Halifax site will attend classes in Halifax and be placed throughout the Maritime provinces for their final two years to complete their clinical clerkships.
For the purpose of applying to Dalhousie Medical School, your residency is determined by the Faculty of Medicine Admissions “place of residence definition” The decision of the Faculty of Medicine Admissions regarding the place of residency status of each applicant will be final and is not subject to appeal. For more details regarding residency, see ‘Place of Residence’ on the admissions.medicine.dal.ca website.
Selection Objectives
The Faculty is seeking applicants who have a good record of achievement in both academic and non-academic domains. Applicants with a broad academic background have an enhanced chance of admission as humanities and social sciences cultivate desirable personal qualities for students and physicians. This also includes sound basic training in the sciences so that they can understand the complexities of modern scientific medicine. The greatest possible proficiency in communication and self-expression, both orally and written, is a necessity to the future medical practitioner. In addition, in order to have acquired the required degree of intellectual maturity, the prospective medical student should have more than basic training in at least one field of learning, whether it be in the humanities, social sciences, life sciences or physical sciences. The Admissions Committee believes that attracting students with a broad variety of educational backgrounds is in the interest of all students and Faculty
Selection Factors
Sources of information and factors considered by the Admissions Committee include:
(a) academic record demonstrating the minimum requirements for Grade Point Average and Medical College Admissions Test
(b) non-academic attributes assessed by CASPer score
(c) non-academic attributes assessed by information provided by the applicant in Section 2 of the online application form (personal statement and supplemental information),
(d) multiple mini- interviews,
(e) verification of activities listed by references or others named as contacts by the applicant on their online application
Academic Requirements
To be eligible for admissions, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Maritime applicants:
- 90-120 Credit Hour Baccalaureate Degree: completed, or in-progress to be completed prior to the start of the undergraduate medical education program (July, 31 2022). The degree must be granted by an accredited institution
- GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale) calculated by;
- the 60 most recent credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress to be completed 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree.
- OR using 15 credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress to be completed graduate degree (Masters or PhD PLUS the 45 most recent credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree
- MCAT: Total MCAT score requirement is determined in relation to GPA. To view this sliding scale please visit our website admissions.medicine.dal.ca Minimum MCAT category scores required is 123. That is, applicants with any category score less than 123 are not considered, regardless of total MCAT score.
Non Maritime Applicants:
- 90-120 Credit Hour Baccalaureate Degree: completed, or in-progress to be completed
prior to the start of the undergraduate medical education program (July, 31 2022). The degree must be granted by an accredited institution.
- GPA: GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale) calculated by;
- the 60 most recent credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress to be completed 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree.
- OR using 15 credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed or in-progress to be completed graduate degree (Masters or Phd) PLUS the 45 most recent credit hours of graded (alpha/numerical) courses from a completed 90-120 credit baccalaureate degree
- MCAT: Total MCAT score requirement is determined in relation to GPA. To view this sliding scale please visit our website admissions.medicine.dal.ca Minimum MCAT category scores required is 123. That is, applicants with any category score less than 123 are not considered, regardless of total MCAT score.
Degree Completion
The Admissions Committee recognizes that appropriate preparation for the study of medicine can be acquired through many varied educational backgrounds. The major objective is that premedical education encompass broad study in the physical, life and social sciences and the humanities. There are no specific prerequisite courses required. A Masters or PhD degree is not required.
To apply to the undergraduate MD program, a baccalaureate degree (equivalent to 90-120 credit hours) from an accredited University, which has been completed or is in-progress to be completed by July 1, 2022, prior to the start of the undergraduate medical program is required.
(add) Successful applicants who are enrolled in an undergraduate program in progress at the time of application, and have submitted this degree for eligibility and GPA calculation, will receive an admission offer which is CONDITIONAL upon the successful completion of their undergraduate program by Jul 1st of the year of entry into the medical program (ie prior to the start of the medical program).
(add) Successful applicants who are enrolled in a graduate studies at the time of application receive an admissions offer which is CONDITIONAL upon the successful completion of their graduate program by July 31 of the year of entry into the medical program (i.e. prior to the start of the medical program). It is expected that such students will apply during their last year of study since deferrals are not routinely granted.
Medical College Admission Test
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a requirement for admission to the Faculty of Medicine. Applications from candidates who have not met the minimum requirements are not considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange to write the Test prior to the deadline date for submission of application. MCAT scores are eligible for five years from the date written. MCAT scores must be released from AAMC-MCAT to Dalhousie Medicine Admissions ANNUALLY. Applicants and re-applicants are responsible for authorizing AAMC-MCAT to release MCAT scores to Dalhousie Medicine each year. Dalhousie Medicine cannot access your MCAT scores without the applicant’s notification of release to the AAMC. MCAT scores from previous application cycles will not be automatically applied in future application cycles.
Further information about the MCAT, including applying to write the test, test dates and locations, score release dates, and study resources can be obtained by visiting the MCAT website www.aamc.org/mcat
The final MCAT test date accepted during any given application cycle is usually early in the month of August, preceding the application submission deadline. Please see admissions.medicine.dal.ca for final MCAT test dates accepted for your application cycle.
Non-Academic Requirement
To be eligible for admission, all applicants must meet minimum requirements, as determined by the Admissions Committee, in each of the following areas below:
(a) Personal Statement and Supplemental Information (Section 2)
Any outstanding achievement or breadth in terms of life experience is given consideration. Such achievement would be drawn to the attention of the Admissions Committee by the applicant’s personal statement and in the Supplementary Information Form in Section 2 of the online application. Information provided in these areas play a very important part in the evaluations by the Admissions Committee. The attributes of emotional intelligence, critical thinking, personal maturity, problem solving, resilience and adaptability, reliability and dependability, empathy, leadership, altruism/advocacy, initiative, strong communication skills, teamwork, cultural competence and ethical responsibility to self and others, are considered for each candidate.
The Personal Statement and Supplemental Information is your opportunity to present yourself and describe how your life experience to date has not only brought you to choosing a career for medicine, but also how you have developed qualities which will contribute to success at Dalhousie medical school and the medical profession
(b) CASPer
All applicants to Dalhousie’s Undergraduate Medical Education program are required to complete a mandatory online 90-minute computer-based test (CASPer™), to assist with our selection process. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. CASPer assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program and will complement our other applicant screening tools. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. To see examples of the test structure, schedule your test and/or take CASPer on your chosen test date, please visit takeCASPer.com.
CASPer test scores must be completed during the same application cycle in which you are submitting an application. That is, CASPer test scores are valid for one application cycle only. CASPer results from previous application cycles are not eligible for future application cycles. Please see admissions.medicine.dal.ca for final CASPer test dates selected for your application cycle.
The minimum CASPer score is determined annually, depending on interview capacity and the size of the applicant pool.
(c) Interviews
Approximately 300-400 applicants are invited for interview each year. Interview selection is determined by GPA and MCAT eligibility, as well as the CASPer threshold. For non-Maritime applicants, interview selection is also determined by information regarding an applicant's compelling reasons for choosing Dalhousie Medicine as their preferred choice.
Immunization Requirements
Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine has mandatory immunization requirements for all medical students. Health Care Professionals have an obligation to protect patients and themselves from infections that can be transmitted within health care practice settings. Immunization is an important tool in preventing the transmission of infections and assists in safeguarding the health of the student during their education and beyond. Students accepted to the program will be sent complete documentation regarding health status policies and immunization requirements where applicable. Documentation of immunization and tuberculin status will be required by the Faculty of Medicine by June 30th of the year of entry, as well as in subsequent years of study.
Basic Life Support/CPR training
All applicants receiving an offer of admission to Dalhousie Medical School, are required to complete Basic Life Support Certification (BCLS) and submit proof to the Undergraduate Medical Education Office prior to the start of the medical program. Basic Life Support Certification can be obtained from a variety of organizations however, courses from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada are preferred (this fulfils the pre-requisite for the Advanced Care Life Support Course, which is currently organized by UGME and completed near the end of clerkship, prior to the start of residency)
Criminal Record Check
All applicants offered admission will be required to submit a criminal record check, including vulnerable sector screening to the Faculty of Medicine by June 30th of the year of entry, as well as in subsequent years of study. Unclear results will be shared, including sharing a copy of the documentation, with (i) the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and (ii) other medical and/or education institutions as required.
Such facilities may refuse to accept students on the basis of information contained in the record check or other screening procedures. If the student is unable to complete a requirement due to failure to meet the record check or screening requirements of the facility, or if the student is refused access to the facility on the basis of the information provided, such student may fail the course, and as a result, in some instances, may not be eligible for progression or graduation.
Notification
Candidates will be informed of the status of their application (e.g. accept, reject or wait list) via Dal Medix once file assessments have been completed. An email notification will be sent with a link to log in to a secure server to access the decision letter. Waitlist movement is dependent on applicants' decisions to accept or reject admissions offers. Waitlisted candidates may be notified of an admissions offer anytime between the first of April to registration day in late August.
Deferrals
Applicants who are offered a place in the incoming course may request deferral of admission for one year only. The Admissions Committee considers deferral requests on a case-by-case basis. Deferral requests are not routinely granted and have generally been provided only in rare and exceptional circumstances.
Successful applicants who are enrolled in graduate studies program at the time of application will receive an admission offer which is CONDITIONAL upon the successful completion of their graduate program by Jul 31 of the year of entry into the medical program (ie prior to the start of the medical program). It is expected that such students will apply during their last year of study since deferrals are rarely granted.
Acceptance Fee
On notice of acceptance into the Faculty of Medicine, applicants must be prepared to sign a formal agreement of acceptance and to deposit with the Student Accounts Office the sum of $500 before a specified date. This sum is credited toward tuition fees if the student registers but is not refunded if the student withdraws, or declines an offer of admission